Seforim Archives - AskTheRav

May I place something on top of Tefillin or Seforim when they are in a bag? May I put a Chitas on top of my Tefillin, in the bag?

One should be careful not to put anything on top of tefillin or seforim even when the tefillin/seforim are in a bag. Some are lenient with regards to putting…

Boxes of Seforim on the Floor

Question: I am packing my seforim in boxes, preparing to move. Is it ok to place the boxes directly on the floor on the same level that people are…

תיקון טעויות בספרים

שאלה: האם מותר, ואולי אף מצוה, לתקן טעויות שהנני מוצא בספרים של אחרים? האם יש חילוק בין ספר של חבר ובין ספר שייך לספרייה ציבורית (של הישיבה וכדו')? אם…

Buying Seforim with Ma’aser

Question: I have a old set of Seforim and I would like to replace it with a new set. Can I buy the new set (fully or partially) with…

Using a Sefer to save a seat

Question: Is one permitted to cover a Sefer when leaving the room with another Sefer? How about using a Sefer to save your spot (like in 770, putting a…

Placing Seforim Atop One Another

Question: I heard that a Tanya should be treated like a Chumash and should not have other Seforim placed above it. Is this true? Also, how does it work…

When hair falls out from someone’s beard, is it necessary to put it in a sefer? It always made me uncomfortable opening a sefer and seeing hairs from a beard.

There are various sources that indicate that this was a common practice amongst tzadikim, due to the holiness of their beard. However in more recent times, many Poskim have…

I am considering buying the set of Yalkut Me’am Lo’ez. Is it a reliable set?

Apologize for asking a non-Halachic question, though it is relevant to Maaseh B'Poel; I am considering buying the set of Yalkut Me’am Lo’ez. However, I realized that many things…

Is it allowed to have a bookshelf of Sefarim in a married couple’s bedroom? The bookshelf has opaque doors and covers all of the books.

An additional covering is required L’Chatchilla. טעמים ומקורות: שוע"ר מ, ח שספרי קודש צריכים ב' כיסויים. ומשמע קצת שאין הכריכה נחשב הכיסוי אחד מסעיף ב' שם בענין ספרים…

We are being guests for Shabbos and the room we will be staying in has Seforim bookcases. It would be complicated to cover them, is there anything else we can do to allow us to be together there?

These are the following options: Erecting a Mechitzah ten Tefachim tall. However, this Mechitza should not be made on Shabbos. Placing the Seforim in a container which can contain forty…

I put my Tehillim on top of my Siddur. Where do I put my Chayenu, a weekly publication which contains the weekly Chumash? On top of my Tehillim or under my Siddur?

The Chayenu publication should be on the bottom of all. Sources: בשו״ת וישמע משה רכג, שבחוברת עם פרשה אחת [כשי״ב פ״ה תיבות לפחות - ראה שו״ע אדה״ז שלד,…

I am making Shir Lamaalos cards. In order that people not be Nichshal by bringing them into a bathroom with one covering, I would like to add a tiny film (a Ma’shehu) that makes it shinier. Would this tiny plastic film covering for the purposes of shininess help so that when people place it in their pocket they have a situation of Kis B’toch Kis?

The definition of Keli B'toch Keli is that at least one Keli isn’t designed specifically for this holy item. There is a disagreement how to interpret the concept of “not…

Is there any issue with writing notes in Seforim?

There is no Halachic problem in doing so. Gedolei Yisroel of all generations, including the Rebbe, have done so. Some are careful not to write their own Chiddushim in…