Halachic Guide - Shavuos | לוח יומי - חג השבועות

A Pareve knife was only used for cutting bread but was washed together with Fleishig dishes. May I use that knife to cut bread and then use that bread with butter?

If the knife was washed with soap or if the water did not reach , the knife is considered Pareve and you may use the bread for Milchig. However,…

What is the Rebbe’s view in regard to Thanksgiving? Are Jewish people allowed to celebrate it?

Halachically, Thanksgiving is not similar to other non-Jewish holidays. This holiday is not based on a specific religion and one who celebrates it does not transgress the prohibition of…

If a girl isn’t home when her father lights Chanukah candles, was she Yotzei? If not, should she light herself?

Women and girls are equally obligated in the Mitzvah of lighting Chanukah candles. The custom in the homes of the Chabad Rebbeim is that women do not light their own…

On Shabbos can we use the diapers that have a special line outside the diaper that changes color from blue to yellow when the child relieves itself?

Yes. Sources: יל״ע מצד הגדול, אם הלבשת התינוק היא בגדר גרמא ע״ד סוף חמה לבא, או שהוא בגדר כח כחו, וגם שהההפרשה עדיין אינה בעולם (אף שנמצאת במעי…

If my parents are away for a few days, can I sleep alone at home?

A man should not sleep alone at night in a house; according to many Poskim, this also applies to sleeping alone in a room, even if there are other people…

Can the Rabbi give a speech while the Chazzen does the long Chazoras Hashatz quietly?

Question: Sometimes by Shluchim on Rosh Hashana or Yom Kippur when Chazoras Hashatz is really long, they tell the Chazzan to read it quietly while he gives a speech,…

Can batch testing be relied upon for suits bought in a Frum neighborhood?

Question: I bought a suit for my Bar Mitzvah Bachur in a store in Crown Heights. The suit is 65% polyester, 35% rayon. Does it need to be checked…

Is there an issue with Davening from a cell phone app?

When Davening it is appropriate to use a Siddur. Besides for the Kedusha that the Siddur has, which the phone does not, the phone is likely to generate unwanted…

Could we use regular unsifted whole wheat flour?

Question: My husband is from Eretz Yisroel where they sift flour all the time. We have been doing that here in NY as well. It is impossible to sift…

How can I know if I need to sift flour in my country (Ecuador).

Question: I've been sifting for a few months and haven't found anything. Is there ever a point when I can stop sifting? Answer: It is hard to know…

If a girl is born after Shkiah but before Tzeis, when is considered her birth date?

Both days L'chumra. However, you should ascertain the exact time of birth so that there be no doubts. When most of the head emerges, is the time of birth according…

Can a teenage girl or a woman learn to drive with a non-Jewish male driving teacher?

A female driver is preferred. If this is difficult or unpractical, it should be done during daytime hours or at least when the streets are still busy. However, you should…

Is it okay to receive training in a non-kosher kitchen and is it okay to do work there?

I thought that there is a potential concern of a D'oraisa of cooking meat and milk together. I used to work in the kosher kitchen of the Shoprite, but new…

Do I need to Tovel a metal sink strainer?

You do not need to Toivel a metal sink strainer. Sources: צריך להיות כלי סעודה - ראה שו"ע יו"ד סימן קכ סעיף א. #1878

Is it Okay to eat Gushers with an OU, although it contains grape juice concentrate?

Question: I usually eat candies and drinks with an OU on it. I wanted to know if it is OK to also eat gushers, a product which includes in…

Do I need to also light at my Chassunah hall, or just at my new house after the Chassunah? Would I light with Brochos at the Chassunah hall?

You can light at the Chassunah Seudah for Pirsumei Nisa. You would say the Brochos just as you would when you light in a Shul, Beis Hamedrish, and public Menorah…

Article: Does my cereal need to be Pas Yisroel?

Mezonos cereals produced of risen batter from the Chameishas Minei Dagan (the five types of grain, i.e., wheat, barley, rye, oats and spelt) are considered Pas (bread product) by many Poskim, since…

Can I use Maaser money towards airfare to go to a friend’s wedding?

Usually not. In the unusual case where there are not enough people to be mesameach the Chosson and Kallah, as the expected norm, and it is certain that the…

Article: Mezuzos in Offices and Schools

Do I make a Brachah when putting up a Mezuzah on a public property, like a school building? or a store? No. Read on for more details. Article: Mezuzos…

Do these doorways in the picture need Mezuzahs? The first one used to be another door to our apartment. It’s sealed shut and not used, so I presume no, but just wanted to double-check.

If it is sealed and needs to be broken to reopen, it does not require a Mezuzah. Sources: שו״ת מהר״מ פאדווה ט. דעת קדושים רפו, כה. משמרת שלום רפט, ח.…

Is it a Halacha or Chumrah to not bang on a table on Shabbos (like to a Niggun)? Is the problem drumming on the table or is even banging on the table to a Niggun an issue?

In Shulchan Aruch it says that one may not drum, clap, or dance on Shabbos in a musical context. (It is actually a Mishna in Mesechta Baiya Perek 5…

My husband named his sister’s daughter Sahar (Samech-Hay-Raish) at the Torah when she was born two years ago. It is based off of the word for moon. Now he is questioning whether this is a Hebrew name at all. Can you please advise as to if it is a proper Hebrew name or if we have to pick something else. Her mother is not religious and likes this name.

The name Sahar - סהר is a relatively new name. As you mentioned, it refers to the moon which is also referred to as סהר. See Shir Hashirim (7:3), and…