Halachic Guide - Shavuos | לוח יומי - חג השבועות

Can a river be used as a woman’s Mikvah?

There are several issues with using a river for a Mikvah: 1. The river must not stem from rainwater, unless it’s stagnant - not flowing. Pipes through which water…

I work as a teacher in a Preschool and it is open on Chol Hamoed. Can I work on Chol Hamoed?

If keeping kids in preschool is saving Jewish children from other non Jewish influences, one may keep the school open and it is encouraged to do so, even having kids…

Am I allowed to make a prune icy on Shabbos?

Question: Am I allowed to make a prune icy on Shabbos to help a 2-year old with bowel movement? The child would not drink the prune juice by itself.…

If I am making a cookie dough that has 5 lbs. of flour in it and the only liquid is honey (2 lbs), oil (1 3/4 cup), and eggs (10), do I separate Challah? If yes, with or without a Bracha?

Separate Challah with a Bracha. However, it is recommended to add some water, even a little bit, to satisfy the opinions that require water. Sources: או״ז הל׳ חלה…

האם אשה שעברה תאונה צריכה לברך ברכת הגומל?

למרות שמעיקר הדין נשים חייבות בברכת הגומל כגברים, המנהג למעשה שנשים לא מברכות הגומל. ניתן לכוון בברכת הגומל חסדים טובים בברכת השחר, או לשמוע ברכו בקריאת התורה. כדאי להפריש…

I found a Milchig spoon with the clean Fleishig cutlery. Is it a problem? Also, are there any issues with the Fleishig sponge and by default all the rest of my Fleishig cutlery?

Your Milchig spoon as well as your Fleishig cutlery is all fine. The sponge is fine too. Sources: רמ״א יו״ד צה, ג: וְאִם נִמְצָא קְעָרָה חוֹלֶבֶת בֵּין כְּלֵי בָּשָׂר,…

What are the guidelines for using Maaser to buy Seforim? May this be done?

Maaser money may be used for buying Seforim if they are being used by the public. One must inscribe in the Seforim that they were bought from Maaser money.…

Is a pregnant woman allowed to visit the Ohel?

Yes. The custom does not apply to Kivrei Tzadikim. Sources: בכלל, שקו״ט במקור המנהג - ראה שו״ת מנח״י י, מב. וראה שו״ת מהר"י שטייף מהדו"ח שי״ל לאחרונה בשאילת…

I want to buy a Kittel, however many of them are linen. My Talis is wool and I would need to wear both at the same time. Does that constitute Shatnez?

This isn’t an issue since they can each be removed without the other. Sources: .ראה רמ״א יו״ד ש, ד. ובנו״כ שם. שו״ת שבה״ל ט, רכו. וראה דרך אמונה כלאים…

What are the Halochos when a woman gives birth?

How long do we stay separated? Does it start from when the mucus plug comes out? Difference between boy and girl. Am I allowed to help her if no one…

Hot metal bowl and hot dogs on non-Kosher table

Question: I put a hot metal bowl on a clean table covered by the plastic table cover in a country house rented from a non-Jew. Afterwards I also put…

How should we count up to the fifth month of pregnancy?

Question: Do we count the weeks (16 weeks) or from the date on the calendar? For example from Daled Sivan to Daled Tishrei or from Wednesday to Wednesday? …

Bracha on Granola

Question 1: I know that there is a problem with the Bracha Acharona for granola bars and so I have been careful not to eat them unless it's "Bsoich…

Can we cut down a fruit tree to extend the house for living and household space?

Question: We purchased our house several years ago. Our backyard came with two trees. It seems as if one is a cherry tree and one is a pear tree.…

מעג מען עסן חלב עם גבינה “קרים טשיז מיט לאקס” צידען האט קעז א דין ווי חמאה?

.בנוגע ל"קרים טשיז" עם דג ("לאקס") - מותר מקורות: ראה ב"י יו"ד סי' פ"ז ד"ה דגים, ש"ך שם ס"ק ה', וט"ז שם ס"ק ג', ובפ"ת שם ס"ק ט',…

What do I do if it is Monday and I only just realized that I didn’t hear Havdala on Motzei Shabbos?

Make Havdala immediately (you are not allowed to eat until you have made Havdala). Start from Hineh as usual. Besamim and the Havdala candle are not used at all.…

Brachos For Children

Question: What is the Halacha regarding saying Asher Kedishanu and Birkas Hamazon. My kids don’t like to eat Challah, and I’m wondering if they don’t eat the shiur, do…

A college age young woman began lighting two Shabbos candles a number of years ago…

Continued: A college age young woman who is becoming more observant began lighting two Shabbos candles a number of years ago. She now learned she should only light one.…

Adding Mayonnaise on Shabbos to Eggs

Question: What is the Halacha regarding adding mayonnaise on Shabbos to grated eggs to make egg salad or to the yolks to make deviled eggs? Answer: One may…

Can major house renovation work continue to be done on Chol Hamoed Sukkos?

Renovations may not be done on Chol Hamoed even through a non-Jewish contractor. However, in a location where it is well known that building work in this locale is…

האם ניתן לשמוע את קריאת עשרת הדברות על תנאי?

שאלה: ילמדנו רבינו, לתלמידי הישיבה היוצאים למבצע עשרת הדברות בחג השבועות, האם הם יכולים לשמוע את עשרת הדברות על תנאי כדי שמצד אחד יוכלו להשלים את המניין איפה שצריך…

Can the first Selichos on Motzai Shabbos be done prior to Chatzos?

Question: There is a local Chabad house in my area where I frequently go to be Chazzan and Baal Koreh, because the Mekuravim in the Chabad house enjoy my…

My close relative is IYH going to be having a baby soon and we want to fly in her sister from out of town to be able to help her. We want to know if we can use Maaser money for the flight?

If she needs the help and can't afford it, it is a legitimate form of Tzedaka. Certainly Maaser money may be used. You should explore if there are cheaper…

How is the Shofar blown in Elul?

Question: When blowing the shofar during Elul, for the first set of 4: tekia, shevarim-teruah, tekia , do we blow shevarim-teruah on a single breath or two breaths? …

Which Bracha do we say on packaged apple sauce?

The Bracha for applesauce is Ha'etz. However, if it’s pureed and has no recognizable pieces of fruit, such as commercial applesauce, there is a Machlokes as to its Bracha—and therefore…

Halachic Guide – Shavuos | לוח יומי – חג השבועות