Erev Shabbos Archives

Does cholent need to be cooked before Shabbos starts?

If it's on a Blech, it doesn't need to be cooked. But then you may not put it back on the fire on Shabbos. If it's not on a Blech,…

Can one put up cold water in an urn immediately before Shkiah on Friday, if forgot to do it earlier? What if one has many guests or a baby that would need hot water during Shabbos?

The water must be at least half-cooked before Shabbos. In the event it was only a third cooked before Shabbos it may be used on Shabbos. However, one may…

Question on taking in Shabbos early

What is the earliest Zman allowed to take in Shabbos? What point in Davening must be after that time, i.e. is that time the earliest to begin Kabbolas Shabbos,…

An ENT examined our son in regards to his poor hearing and gave us several options to choose from, to deal with this. We discussed the options with a Jewish expert in the field and he recommended the option of inserting tubes and removing the adenoids. 1) Is this something that we should get another medical opinion on? 2) Is it OK to do this procedure (considered ‘minor’) on a Friday afternoon?

The procedure you describe is a fairly common one for young children with poor hearing. It sounds like you discussed it with two professionals already, which seems sufficient, especially…

May a mourner during Shiva take a shower before Shabbos L’kovod Shabbos?

It's just like all other days of mourning. One may not wash in hot water but one may wash their hands, face, and feet in cold water. Alternatively, one…

I live out of town and there is only one Ashkenaz Minyan that takes Shabbos in early at 7PM every week. At times, both Mincha and Maariv are after Plag HaMincha and before Shekia/Tzeis, which I understand is Tarti Desasri. Should I Daven Mincha Beyichidus before Plag and then join the Shul to listen to Chazoras Hashatz of Mincha and Daven Maariv with the Minyan, or Daven Mincha and Maariv Betzibur regardless?

You should daven Minchah with the Minyan and wait until after Tzeis to daven Maariv. However Kabolas Shabbos can be said with the Minyan. See sources quoted here:…

If I Daven after Chatzos on a regular Friday, do I say Tachnun?

1. One may not daven after Chatzos. 2. Tachanun isn’t recited Friday after Chatzos. #4261

Can/Should I cut my nails on Rosh Chodesh which falls on Erev Shabbos?

If the nails are large and need to be cut, they should be cut regardless. Otherwise, if one cuts the nails every single Erev Shabbos, they may be lenient…

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 calculate…