Halachic Guide - Shavuos | לוח יומי - חג השבועות

When a person is divorced or widowed and marries again, is he or she married to the other part of his or her Neshama, like it is the first marriage? If this is so, is he or she connected on the soul level with the previous husband’s wife or the previous wife’s husband?

According to some opinions, in the second marriage, the spouse is now not the other half of the original soul but rather the other half of the substitute soul.…

אם בשלתי מאכל פרווה בכלי בשרי בן יומו, האם אוכל לאוכלו עם חלב? והאם יש חילוק בין ספרדים לאשכנזים?

לא. ספרדים מקילים. מקור: שו״ע יו״ד צה, א-ב. #4324

We had a baby 3 weeks ago, can we still say the Bracha of Hatov Vehameitiv/Shehechiyanu?

Question: When one had a baby boy and did not say הטוב והמטיב immediately, what is the time limit to making this Bracha? (Same question with regard to שהחיינו…

Is it permissible to turn off an alarm clock before washing Negel Vasser in the morning?

You are allowed to touch the alarm clock before Negel Vasser. מקורות: ראה בארוכה בשאלה 4103 בנוגע לנגיעה בכלים לפני נט״י. ודון מינה ואוקי באתרין. ואי״ז סותר לפס״ד…

Article: The Mitzvah of Mezuzah: Renter vs. Owner

According to Halacha, the Biblical obligation to affix a mezuzah applies only to someone who both owns and resides in the property. A landlord who does not live on…

Article: Removing a Door with a Mezuzah

According to the Rambam a Mezuzah is needed only on a doorway that has a door. The majority of Poskim disagree and rule that a doorway with no door also requires a…

Article: Mezuzah when Renting in Chutz La׳aretz

When renting a house or apartment in Chutz La׳aretz (outside of Eretz Yisroel), one is not obligated in the Mitzvah of Mezuzah until 30 days have passed. However, it has become the custom…

I just got the MMR shot on Friday and then was the measles outbreak. My daughter (soon to be 8 months BH) didn’t take the shot yet and will take it today. The MMR shot takes 10 days to be effective and if she goes out she will be exposed to a lot of people that didn’t take the shot and are not immunized. What should I do then: should I still go to Shul to listen to Aseret Hadibrot?

This is primarily a medical question. When the Rebbe spoke about little children coming to Shul to hear Aseres Hadibros he added: “if health allows”. Ask the doctor and…

My doctor prescribed capsules for dizziness. The capsules contain lactose which is dairy. What should I do?

If the dairy (lactose) is in the actual capsule itself, you can remove the capsule and take the powder or pill on its own. Alternatively, you can get a…

May one donate clothing or goods and take the cost out of their Maaser? If yes, would the condition matter? Is the current or demoted cost used or the original cost?

One can donate used goods and consider them as part of הפרשת מעשר - separating Maaser. Of course, the value is based on their current used cost and not…

האם יש מנהג חב”ד להחמיר ולא להשתמש בשעון שבת?

שאלה: האם למנהג חב"ד אכן נמנעים מלהשתמש בשעון שבת? לדוגמא בשביל מזגן או פלטה שלוקחים הרבה חשמל וכו'. במילים אחרות, האם יש מקום למנוע לעשות זאת? מענה: מעיקר הדין…

האם נכון שנשים גם למנהג חב”ד יכולות ללבוש שעון יד בשבת?

הענין אינו קשור למנהג חב״ד בצורה ספציפית. אכן, אדמו״ר הזקן פוסק שאין למחות בנשים שלנו היוצאות בכל מיני תכשיטים. וכל זה לענין להזהיר למחות בנשים. אבל כל אדם יש…

Is there any issue with using flavored waxed floss without a Hechsher?

Dental floss may be used even if flavored. Preferable to use unflavored. Sources: שאינו בדרך הנאה. ורגילים להדיח הפה. וראה ס׳ הכשרות כא, נ. ובבי׳ דבריו -יד יהודה…

Is there any reason why women don’t do Mayim Achronim?

Strictly speaking, there is no difference between men and women. Nonetheless, the custom has developed that women are lenient in this matter. The suggested explanation for the leniency among women…

Do you make a Bracha on lightning or thunder if you only see or hear one?

Meaning if I see lightning can I make a Bracha? Or do I need to hear thunder and make two Brachos together? Answer: One can make a bracha…

Can one whistle on Shabbos?

Yes. Sources: ראה שלטי הגבורים בעירובין דף ל"ה ע"ב מדפי הרי"ף אות ב', שו"ע סי' של"ח סעי' א' ברמ"א, מג"א שם ס"ק ב' ובמחצית השקל שם, אלי' רבא…

I didn’t see the moon (yet) tonight (Leil Yud daled). Tomorrow night I will be flying. What should I do if I see the moon on the plane, should I do it then or can I / should I push it off until the next night?

If you see the moon on the plane, you should do Kiddush Levana, and not risk the chance of missing Kiddush Levana altogether. Explanation: The Minhag is that…

What filter to remove the copepods in the water is recommended for a Crown Heights apartment sink?

See here: Filters rated 50 microns should be fine, but best to get commercial filters that are 10-15 microns. See here: https://checkvegetables.com/new-york-city-water/ #4266

While on Mivtzoyim, a couple of non-Jews gave us money for Tzedakah. Can we treat that money like regular Tzedakah? If not, what should we do with it?

In this case, as long as they didn't give it in the name of their Avodah Zara, there is no issue. The money should be used to pay for…

When 2 חתנים make their “שבע ברכות” in 770, at the same time, in the same room, can they make 2 separate שבע ברכות, or they make one, for both of them?

If there are two Miyonim they may split up and make two separate Sheva Brochos. Sources: שו"ע ורמ״א אה"ע סב, ג. פתחי תשובה ס"ק ו. בהתועדויות כ"ק אד"ש…

I use my right hand for writing and eating and everything else, but I use my left hand to play sports. What hand should I but Teffilin on?

If you write with your right hand and do most activities requiring strength with your right hand you are considered a right handed person and you should put on…

How must a Shabbos key belt be worn? Must one wear it on top of sweater, jacket or blouse, or can it be hidden underneath and worn at the waist.

A shabbos key belt may be worn in any place that one sometimes wears a belt. So for men since they wear a Bendel underneath their shirt, it is…

Does washing your hands before eating a “Dovor Shetibulo B’Mashkin” apply by everything (let’s say cake or cookies in milk)?

All foods which are immersed in one of the seven liquids (water, wine, oil, milk, dew, bees honey and blood) unless it’s normal to eat with a spoon. …

When a product has OU Hechsher, can a Chossid rely that Bishul Yisroel has been carried out? (specifically Gerber cereal baby puffs snack).

Obviously, the OU ensures that are all its products are Bishul Yisroel. However, there are a range of opinions regarding what needs Bishul Yisroel. You would have to contact…

BH we had our grandson’s Bris today; his name is Aryeh Leib after my husband’s Zaide; the other family was concerned because my Mechutainesteh’s father’s name is Moshe Aryeh (which was a fact none of the children knew until now); i.e. the Zaideh goes by Moishe; now that the name is given already in error, any Takannah needed? they don’t plan to call him Aryeh and they told the Zaideh that the baby’s name is Leib.

Leave as is. Ensure baby goes by the name Leib only. Same applies to the English name as well. טעמים ומקורות: ראה אג״ק ז ע׳ רפו. וכ״ה אפי׳ בנדו״ד…

Halachic Guide – Shavuos | לוח יומי – חג השבועות