Halachic Guide - Shavuos | לוח יומי - חג השבועות

How strict is it not to listen to music during Sefira? I listen to music a lot; it helps me relax etc. So during Sefira, it is quite difficult for me. I’m wondering if perhaps I can listen to music or if specific music is OK? I’m ready to, so to say ‘sacrifice’, but if during Sefira it is more lenient, then I would appreciate if I can listen to music.

During the Sefirah days we do not listen to music (from instruments, even if recorded). However music which is not intended to make one be happy and/or dance is…

My Bimah has 2 chairs connected to its structure, would that be enough for having “seating” behind the Bimah?

Question: I know the Bimah needs to be in middle of Shul and was told that one row of seats in the back of the Bimah is sufficient. The Bimah…

Does one have to stop each hour whilst driving by night to take a break?

It is quoted that the Rebbe instructed that while driving from city to city at night one should stop to rest every hour. Sources: ביחידות עם הרב חיים…

If someone takes a plastic gallon of water and pours water into a cooking Cholent does the water bottle become Fleishig?

If they took the same water and poured it into the Keurig machine while cold is there any problem? The water being poured was always cold. Answer: If…

Can one make a Shehechiyanu on the birth of a baby girl during Sefiras Haomer?

Yes. Sources: ובמכ״ש מבין המצרים כשיפסיד הברכה - ראה שו״ע או״ח תקנא, יז. רמ״א שם. ולהדיא כתב כן בסי׳ יעב״ץ דיני ביהמ״צ ח, ברואה חבירו ביהמ״צ. וראה גם…

Riding an Uber with a cross in it, and learning Torah inside

Q. Is one allowed to ride with an Uber when a cross is dangling from the driver's mirror? A. Yes. Q. Is there a problem to daven and…

Please see the attached itenirary for someone who is travelling from Bangkok Thailand via Seoul on the Sunday after Pesach. It seems that they will be travelling during the night and will be arriving in NY Sunday night at 9pm. Can they count the ninth Sefira like everyone else in NY without counting on the plane?

Answer: On the Seoul (ICN)-JFK segment, the passenger will be flying against the sun, which will cause the passenger to experience evening, morning, afternoon, and the next evening in…

Are we allowed to listen to music played with instruments during Chol HaMoed?

According to most poskim, one may listen to music during Chol Hamoed Pesach, and this is the common custom. Sources: ראה שו"ע או"ח סי' תצ"ג ובמשב"ז שם ס"ק…

Are you still allowed to make Havdalah today – Tuesday – for someone, being that Shabbos Havdalah was different, as it was Bein Kodesh Le’kodesh, from Shabbos to Yom Tov?

Permitted, and should say Nusach of Bein Kodesh Le'kodesh. Sources: ראה שו״ע אדה״ז רצט,יא. ודון מינה ואוקי באתרין. וראה בארוכה באתרא דרב חוברת ג. #3749

Mechiras Chometz & Pesach Cleaning if one of the households will be using the Chometz r”l

Question: If a family is going away for Pesach and selling the whole house but has a non-religious son that will be staying in the house. Forcing him to…

Tznius for Men

Question: What is the Halachos for men regarding Tznius Like shorts, covering parts etc.? Answer: The clothing of a man should not be provocative or demeaning, certainly the…

What do I do with my twelve year old girl who does not want to dress Tznius. She is an extremely difficult child in all aspects. Who can I speak to for guidance?

It can be frustrating when our child does not follow the values and ideals that we strongly believe in. This can be compounded when we believe that 'she is…

A couple of years ago, I accidentally consumed and enjoyed Chalav Akum. I was taught that Chalav Akum can cause Timtum Halev, and I want to do Teshuva. Can the Rov give me a Tikkun for this?

Tzedaka in the equivalent of the meals eaten on 41 days should be given. This Tzedaka does not have to be given at once and can be given over…

Article: Are Public Hot-Water Urns Kosher?

A hot water urn that is available for public use in a place of business, work or school cafeteria or an airline kitchen may become Treif (non-kosher) when it comes…

Article: The Halachah of Shtei Kedeiros (Two Pots)

Le’chatchilah (the correct behavior before the fact), a hot milchig (dairy) pot and a hot fleishig (meat) pot should not come into contact with each other. In case they did touch, Be’dieved (after the…

Article: Opening Cans on Shabbos

Opening a can on Shabbos involves a host of halachic issues, some of which are subject to serious debate amongst contemporary poskim. The issues include the risk of transgressing…

Article: Does a Glass Bottle of Snapple Require Tevilah?

An issue frequently addressed by poskim is whether disposable utensils require Tevilah. The majority opinion is that since these utensils are not intended to last, and will eventually be disposed of,…

Recently I have been feeling Hargashos many times. Do I need to do a Bedika?

Question: Recently I have been feeling Hargashos many times, I do a Bedika, usually it comes out good, however twice it did have blood in it. The other night…

We are Bochurim in Yeshiva who watch Farbrengens of the Rebbe and we would like to know if we can use Tzedakah/Maaser money for refreshments?

Most certainly since videos of the Rebbe constitute Limmud HaTorah and/or inspire people to the observance of Mitzvahs. However, this only applies if: People won’t come otherwise. Amount and/or…

Is our Minhag to say or not to say Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo by the Birchos Hatorah?

Question Continued: What about Birchos Haftarah? If yes, what about when a person is relying on listening to these Brachos for the account of 100 Brachos required daily? Answer:…

We are going to be staying at my in-laws house for Pesach, but they won’t be there. They will be selling their Chametz there. Can we do Bedikas Chametz there even if we are not the owner of the house? And, what are my obligations regarding cleaning the house for Pesach? We will be cleaning and Kashering a part of the kitchen, and otherwise, the house has been cleaned.

Someone who intends to travel on Erev Pesach in order to spend Pesach in a different location should not sell their entire property to a non-Jew as Chametz . Rather, at least one…

On Which Days Should I Wear a Kapoteh?

Question: I know one wears a Kapoteh on Shabbos, Yom Tov, Chol Hamoed, and 19th of Kislev. What other times is it Minhag Chabad to wear a Kapoteh? 10…

A non Cholov Yisroel K-kup was used in our school Keurig machine. Can it be Kashered?

Thoroughly clean the needles and K-cup pack holder. Pour in detergent. Replace the cup holder with a new K-cup holder (a replaceable part). Do not use the machine for…

Can one Lechatchila Kasher something through Libun on Chol Hamoed?

Yes, if it is a Libbun Gamur. However, it is recommended not to leave it till Pesach in case one will forget and use it without Libbun. Sources:…

אני עורך סדר פסח לזקנים דוברי רוסית. אני רוצה להתחיל את הסדר מוקדם מזמן צאת הכוכבים מכיוון שהם לא יוכלו לשבת כל כך מאוחר ועוד זמן קידוש ושאר הדברים. האם אוכל להתחיל את הסדר מפלג המנחה?

בנדון כזה אפשר לסמוך על המקילים בשעת הדחק. מצה חייבת להיות בלילה. מקורות: ראה בארוכה מה שכתבנו בקובץ התמים בשעתו (גליון כב - ניסן ה'תשס"ג). #3511

Halachic Guide – Shavuos | לוח יומי – חג השבועות