Halachic Guide - Shavuos | לוח יומי - חג השבועות

I am a Seminary student and I work in an office in the afternoon. Can the males in the office call me by my first name or should they call me with the title Miss? I have to communicate information and be driven by a man.

As a Tznius safeguard, men at work should not call you by your first name. For an excellent resource on Tznius safeguards at work, see "Nine to Five: A…

If a woman goes to a public beach area and is fully dressed, can she swim in the water? How much of a distance from men is necessary for a woman to have in order to be able to swim in the public water?

Yes, provided her robe will not rise and there is no chance of men seeing the parts of the body which need to be covered. However, if there are men…

יש משחה שעשויה עם חומר לנולין שמגיע מצמר כבשים האם זה כשר?

הרכיב לנולין כשלעצמו כשר. לגבי המשחה, אין כאן המלצה. ראה כאן ראה בשו”ת מעשה חושב ח”ה, ב. וש”נ. #2702

Can I use an inflatable pool for a men’s Mikvah?

Question: Can I use a tub of water (e.g. an inflatable pool) for a men's Mikvah? And what are things that I can do to make it better, like…

Can I make instant oatmeal on Shabbos?

There are two Halachic issues with making instant oatmeal on Shabbos: 1. Bishul: Since the oatmeal was never cooked before, even if it was already baked, one is still not…

מה הדין ומנהג חב'”ד על חתונה בפורים או בל”ג בעומר?

בפורים אין להתחתן. אפשרי לעשות את החופה בתענית אסתר והסעודה בערב. בל״ג בעומר מתחתנים. בכלל - בכל שאלות כאלו יש לפנות למסדר קדושין.

Is there a way marriage therapy can be paid for with Masser?

No, unless paying for someone else’s therapy. If someone else offers to pay their Ma'aser, you may use it if you can't afford it on your own. …

Tefillin with a cast

Question: I have a cast on my left arm from over my elbow to under my wrist. How should I wrap the Tefillin? Should I go straight from the…

Is it Muttar to leave a noise machine on over Shabbos for a baby? What about an adult?

A white noise machine is permitted. Otherwise, one may not leave on a noise machine over Shabbos. However, if it’s really needed for a child, or one who has an ailment,…

I often Daven at various Shuls where the Aron Hakodesh is not on the eastern side of the Shul and everyone Davens towards the Aron Hakodesh. Should I nevertheless face east?

The Tzibur should face Mizrach, even if the Aron Hakodesh is in a different direction. However, If the Tzibur is facing the wrong direction, one should not change from their…

I have a new pan, and I cooked something Pareve in it, but mixed it with a clean Milchig spoon which had been used in the past 24 hours. Could I use the pan for Fleishigs now?

Assuming that the Milchig spoon was used for dairy in the last 24 hours, accordingly, if there were sixty times more in the cooked Pareve pan compared to the amount…

Does one have to wash hands after touching a baby’s feet?

Question: Does one have to wash hands after touching a baby's feet (or other body parts that on an older person would be covered) before saying a Bracha etc?…

Upshernish Motzei Tisha B’Av Nidche

Question: My son's third birthday is on 10 Av, which falls out on Tisha B'av this year, as it is a Nidcha. When should we we make the Upsherenish?…

There is a women’s group who do yoga. It is an exercise/workout class with an instructor, and may not be Jewish. A friend mentioned that yoga may be an issue regarding Avodah Zara. Is there a problem to attend?

It is a problem to attend. The Rebbe writes: Inasmuch as the Torah and Mitzvot were given to all the Jews, and to each one individually, for all times and…

Studying Tehillim on Rosh Chodesh:

It is an ancient custom, on each Rosh Chodesh, to study one verse of the chapter of Tehillim that corresponds with the current years of a person’s life. The…

There are those who would argue that it would be Assur to Daven by Kivrei Tzadikim. How would one answer them from a halachic perspective?

Gedolei Yisroel from time immemorial have Davened at Kivrei Tzadikim. While some have understood this practice as Davening to Hashem but at the location of the Kever, there are…

We have a high-chair at home which has two changeable trays (which we use one for Milchig and the other for Fleishig). The way to change the tray is by pulling hard until is snaps out. On Shabbos are we allowed to put on and take off this tray?

If you take off the trays on a daily basis, either by switching from Milchig to Fleshig, or before you put the child in or out of the highchair, then…

Am I allowed to say Brachos before Alos Hashachar if that is when I wake up for the day and leave my house?

If you wake up after midnight, then you should say all Brachos, as you have become obligated by doing the action corresponding to the Bracha. Thus almost all Brachos will…

My cousin was born on Shabbos evening (Shabbos being the 22nd of Shevat) at 6:18pm which was one minute before Tzeis Hakohavim. Which day is her birthday 22nd of Shvat or the 23rd?

Both days should be observed, L'chumra. PS. It should be noted that often the recording of the time of birth is not completely accurate. If still practically possible, you should…

Adding Hot Water on Shabbos to the Cholent

Question: Is it permissible to add boiling water with a cup from the Shabbos urn to the Cholent in the crock pot, in order to add moisture so that…

Is it a problem to bring something with Alef-Beis on them, into a bathroom, (e.g. Negel Vasser set, Yarmulke)?

While there is room for stringency, the custom is to be lenient. Newspapers are printed regularly in Hebrew using square characters, כתב מרובע, and the custom is to use…

There is an expensive item that once it has been shipped, if it is canceled before it reaches the buyer, the store gives a refund, but it does not have to be returned. Knowing this policy, can it be ordered L’chatchila – planning to cancel the order once it is shipped and keeping the item and the refund?

This may not be done. Sources: איסור גניבת דעת קיים גם בגוי, וכיון שודאי אין ברצונו של המוכר שיקנו ממנו ויבקשו החזר, הרי זה גניבת דעת. ראה שו"ע חושן…

Halachic Guide – Shavuos | לוח יומי – חג השבועות

I am a Seminary student and I work in an office in the afternoon. Can the males in the office call me by my first name or should they call me with the title Miss? I have to communicate information and be driven by a man.

If a woman goes to a public beach area and is fully dressed, can she swim in the water? How much of a distance from men is necessary for a woman to have in order to be able to swim in the public water?

יש משחה שעשויה עם חומר לנולין שמגיע מצמר כבשים האם זה כשר?

Can I use an inflatable pool for a men’s Mikvah?

Can I make instant oatmeal on Shabbos?

מה הדין ומנהג חב'”ד על חתונה בפורים או בל”ג בעומר?

Is there a way marriage therapy can be paid for with Masser?

Tefillin with a cast

Is it Muttar to leave a noise machine on over Shabbos for a baby? What about an adult?

I often Daven at various Shuls where the Aron Hakodesh is not on the eastern side of the Shul and everyone Davens towards the Aron Hakodesh. Should I nevertheless face east?

I have a new pan, and I cooked something Pareve in it, but mixed it with a clean Milchig spoon which had been used in the past 24 hours. Could I use the pan for Fleishigs now?

Does one have to wash hands after touching a baby’s feet?

Upshernish Motzei Tisha B’Av Nidche

There is a women’s group who do yoga. It is an exercise/workout class with an instructor, and may not be Jewish. A friend mentioned that yoga may be an issue regarding Avodah Zara. Is there a problem to attend?

Studying Tehillim on Rosh Chodesh:

There are those who would argue that it would be Assur to Daven by Kivrei Tzadikim. How would one answer them from a halachic perspective?

We have a high-chair at home which has two changeable trays (which we use one for Milchig and the other for Fleishig). The way to change the tray is by pulling hard until is snaps out. On Shabbos are we allowed to put on and take off this tray?

Am I allowed to say Brachos before Alos Hashachar if that is when I wake up for the day and leave my house?

My cousin was born on Shabbos evening (Shabbos being the 22nd of Shevat) at 6:18pm which was one minute before Tzeis Hakohavim. Which day is her birthday 22nd of Shvat or the 23rd?

Adding Hot Water on Shabbos to the Cholent

Is it a problem to bring something with Alef-Beis on them, into a bathroom, (e.g. Negel Vasser set, Yarmulke)?

Is there any room to permit placing a Bimah in the front of a Shul?

Is it Halachically acceptable to display an open Sefer Torah in a glass display case in a Shul?

Is there an Inyan in Chabad to wear a hat and jacket? where is the source?