Halachic Guide - Shavuos | לוח יומי - חג השבועות

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…

Can a women play a musical instrument for practicing or teaching in front of her husband when she is in a state of impurity?

Can a women play a musical instrument for practicing or teaching in front of her husband when she is Nida? If she is doing it to have him enjoy, it…

My son was born to a Jewish mother before I converted. After I converted and became Frum, I made a Pidyon for him. I’m told now that I wasn’t supposed to do it. What do we do now? He is already well past Bar Mitzvah.

Your son should do a Pidyon Haben, but without a Bracha. Sources: שו״ע יו״ד שה, יח. והנה כשאין האב נמצא, ראה רמ״א שה, י ע"פ ריב"ש סימן קלא. ש״ך…

Regarding volunteers for a group like Chaveirim where we help people that have flat tires, dead batteries, lock outs, etc., can I use Maaser for equipment?

Yes. Most certainly. #1890

We are staying at a hotel for a family Shabbaton and we have to have our luggage out of the room Shabbos afternoon at check out time.

The hotel can't send someone around to collect the luggage, but they will give us a room to place it in. Are we allowed to put our Muktzeh items…

If I keep money in my Talis bag, like dollar bills or coins for Tzedaka, would it make the bag Muktzeh on Shabbos? What about if I leave my Tefillin in it over Shabbos?

Money (coins/bills) make the Talis bag Muktzeh. If you want to move the bag, you need to shake the bag so the money will drop out. After the money…

There is a Shabbos Minyan where the Krias Hatorah is so fast that it is impossible to follow. Am I Yotzei with such a Krias Hatorah?

If you actually hear every word, even if it is quick, you are certainly Yotzei. Additionally, it is debatable if one is Halachically obligated to hear every word of Krias…

May one sip Kiddush wine/grape juice after washing for Hamotzei, but before eating the Challah?

It is forbidden to eat or drink anything between washing the hands and eating the Challah. Sources: שו"ע אדה"ז סימן רעא סעיף כג. קצות השלחן סימן עט סעיף…

Is Maaser and giving Tzedakah two different things?

If I give a Chomesh, is it better I give only 10% and then be able to give more Tzedakah? Answer: Tzedaka and Maaser are different, although interconnected:…

Using Furniture from a Church for a Shul

Question: Someone got possession of a church's furniture and donated the tables and chairs to a Shul. The Shul does not know where it came from. Someone who knows…

Is one allowed to keep medicine and vitamins in the bathroom?

And if not, if one put them there already, can they still be used? Answer: It is permitted as it is not food. Sources: גם במאכלים לא…

Knife Washed in Wrong Dishwasher

Case #1: I washed my Pareve knife in the Milchig dishwasher. Soap in the first cycle. Is it still Pareve? If not, can it be Kashered back to Pareve? Answer:…

Can Caesarstone quartz counter tops be Kashered? Do you have recommended materials for a new kitchen’s counters (other than granite, which is expensive), that would be easy to be Kashered if necessary in the future?

Engineered quartz resin counter tops is a man-made material made to look like granite or marble. They are made from a combination of stone, synthetic resins and pigments and is different than natural…

I have an appointment in Manhattan and expect to leave to go back to Crown Heights slightly before 3 pm. Candle lighting is at 4:19. Can I do this?

You should schedule to be back an hour before candle-lighting time. If necessary, you may schedule to be back 40 minutes before candle lighting time. It is recommended to…

Is there any issue with buying objects that have discounts and promotions on Black Friday? Or using a Xmas promo code?

There is no issue. Sources: שאלה: האם בקני' דרך האינטרנט ניתן להשתמש בקוד הנחה של קראצמאך (כפי שנכתב באנגלית בקיצור). והאם (גם) משנה שכבר עבר יותר מג' יום…

Is there a bug concern regarding baby corn?

Baby corn does not need to be checked as it is not infested under normal circumstances.

I found a $100 bill in the vicinity without any Siman. Can I keep it, and do I need to give Tzedakah from it?

If the money was found in a place that many people pass through and was lying in a way that it appears to have fallen there (as opposed to…

Regarding one of the sinks in my home, the cold water line runs parallel with the heating line of my home and causes my cold water to be warm/hot for the first 30 to 60 seconds of use. Is it permissible to use it on Shabbos?

If you turn off the hot water system completely, so it’s not operational over Shabbos, you may use the cold water. It is worthwhile to test it before Shabbos.

Can I take Tanya Ba’al Peh that was made into a song, from a CD someone made, and record it to my phone and then send it around so others can learn it by heart as a Hachana for Yud Tes Kislev?

The concept of ownership over intellectual property is debated among the Poskim and the general consensus is that when a publisher puts out a new book or invention, he has…

What is the best way to check lettuce?

1. Cut and separate all the lettuce leaves from the root. 2. Insert the leaves in a bowl filled with a solution of water at room temperature, together with liquid soap,…

Halachic Guide – Shavuos | לוח יומי – חג השבועות