Gentiles Archives - AskTheRav

Is there any issue giving a gift to a Goy? How about a cleaning lady or handyman in appreciation for their work?

In the case of an acquaintance, certainly. In the case of cleaning help or handyman as appreciation, it is permissible. #6257

אנו נוהגים לשלוח לאנשי הקהילה מכתב לרגל היארצייט של בני משפחתם, עם תזכורת לבוא לבית חב”ד ולומר קדיש וכו’. במקרה שבני משפחת הנפטר – אינם יהודיים, האם מותר או אפשרי, בנוסף לכך שדואגים שמישהו יגיד קדיש, לשלוח כרטיס ל’בני משפחתם’? האם יש משמעות כלשהיא של היארצייט לגביהם?

אפשר לשלוח להם המידע שהיום היארצייט היהודי של מר פלוני - ללא לכתוב בעלך וכיו״ב - ושבבית חב״ד כאן יעשו כך וכך לעילוי נשמתו. וחשוב לציין את היום הזה ע״י…

There is a Giyores in my community whose daughter isn’t well. Her daughter is also Giyores, but they weren’t Nisgayer together. Her daughter was Nisgayer when she was 18. Should this girl be called Bas Sarah, or use her mother’s name?

Also, for someone in the process of conversion (and someone not Jewish) how would we say the name in Tehilim? Would we use the mother's name? Also, a Giyores…

While on Mivtzoyim, a couple of non-Jews gave us money for Tzedakah. Can we treat that money like regular Tzedakah? If not, what should we do with it?

In this case, as long as they didn't give it in the name of their Avodah Zara, there is no issue. The money should be used to pay for…

May I participate in a party before a wedding of a Jewish woman who is not yet Frum, if there won’t be so much Judaism going on there, just fun party games? (the religious women are making sure everything is 100% kosher- made by us and everything is according to Halacha).

Additional Question: At the party I want the Kallah to make the Bracha on Challah dough to get her to do a Mitzvah before her wedding. A. She will…

I work in a field where I interact almost exclusively with Goyim. When a client asks me “How are your doing” is it Muttar to answer “Thank G-d”? Or is it saying Shaim Hashem l’vatala? Saying “Thank G-d Alm-ghty” (as the Rebbe seems to append whenever he says “G-d”) would come across as bizarre in a typical professional exchange. If it is forbidden, is there an alternative for Boruch Hashem in English?

It is forbidden to answer “Thank G-d”. As it is considered saying Shem Shomayim l’vatalah. Adding the word A-mighty doesn’t make it acceptable either; rather, it’s considered saying two…

Is it against Halacha to go to an intermarriage wedding if not going would cause Shalom Bayis problems with the family? Would one be allowed to go to just the reception and not the ceremony?

It is absolutely unacceptable to attend any part. The wedding of a Jew and non-Jew is a tragedy of serious proportions. The tragedy is exasperated when a celebration is made…

I am a Chiyuv. Would I be able to say Mishnayos tonight at the end of Davening, being that it’s Nittel?

Yes. Sources: כן המנהג. וכן מעשה רב במוצש״ק, אור לי״ז טבת, תשמ״ט. וככל הנראה גם באור לי״ט טבת תשכ״ה.

Regarding Nittel Nacht, if someone won’t be Davening Maariv in Shul that night, is it preferable to Daven Maariv at home at Tzeis Hakochavim, or as one is anyway not Davening with a Minyan, Daven just after Chatzos? Is Davening not included in the addition to Chayos on this night?

Davening is NOT included. One should not delay Davening unnecessarily. Krias Shema of Maariv MUST be recited before Chatzos. Lchatchillah, one should not push off Davening Shemoneh Esrei till after…

Is one allowed to read Chassidishe story books on Nittel?

Yes. Sources: כן המנהג בחצרות חסידים. וכן נהג הר״י ע״ה וויינבערג בשידור ברדיו, ומפי השמועה - ע״פ הוראה. (וראה יומן להרב חדקוב טבת תשל״ב. כפ״ח גל׳ 646). וראה גם…

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…

In our school it’s a new fad that many girls are playing with poker cards (like the deck that has king, queen, jack, ace, etc.). Whats the deal with them? Are they OK to play with? Is there a source that says they are not?

The Kedushas Levi writes (in Derushim L'Chanukah) that these cards have Tumah on them and they should not be played with. Some associate this with the fact that they are…

Can I give a non-Jew a Siddur and Talis to use?

התחיל להגיע לבית הכנסת גוי ומבקש סידור וטלית. אני נמנע מלתת לו סידור וטלית איך שהוא הוא מצליח לקחת בעצמו או בעזרת מישהו אחר את הסידור/תהילים וטלית. שאלה: מה ההלכה…