Yom Tov Archives - AskTheRav

Shiluach Haken on Shabbos & Yom Tov

Question: We have a pigeon nest near our window (the nest is hefker). If they lay the eggs on Friday Erev Yom Tov, when are we allowed to take…

Vaccine Shot on Chol Hamoed

Question: My doctor told me to get the vaccine. I scheduled my appointment to get it next Sunday. They said that 3 weeks later I need to get the…

Can someone who both of his parents are BH alive serve as a Chazzon for Yizkor services?

I am considering accepting a Chazzanus job by a Shliach, but he explained to me that since a lot of his baalei-batim come just for Yizkor, he would like…

Saying shehechiyanu by an early Kiddush on the second night of Yom Tov

Question: This year the 2nd night of Shavuos is on Shabbos. This means that al pi din, one can make kiddush early unlike a normal 2nd night. Although it's…

Candle Lighting for Shavous

My 4 year old daughter usually goes to sleep around 7pm. It is not an issue to light the candles earlier for shabbos after plag. We don't light candles…

I was sick in bed with the virus for the past two and a half weeks leading up to Pesach, and unable to take a haircut. Today, is the first day BH I was able to get up and I really need a haircut badly. Can I take one before the end days of Yom Tov?

No. It is a Mitzvah to have hair cut before every Yom Tov, so as not to enter into Yom Tov unkempt. The prohibition of haircutting on Chol…

May one light a match on Yom tov (for lighting candles) by touching the red part of the match to an electric burner that is on?

No, unless the electric burner is red from the heat. אז נדברו ח"ז סי' סא, ושו"ת רבבות אפרים ח"א סי' שמו, וע"ע שמירת שבת כהלכתה פרק יג סעי'…

I heard that some people are Makpid not to do a Poreis Mappah Umekadeh (Some say that there’s a Sakana involved), while I’ve seen others do it. Practically, what’s the Halacha/Minhag Chabad if one wants to do it the way the Alter Rebbe writes in רעא יא?

There are numerous halachic complications involved with this practice (brachos, bentching etc.). For this and other reasons, the Rebbe stopped this practice. [Some Rabonim say that this was only due…

We are a group of friends that would like to continue our Seudas Moshiach on Zoom Motzoei Yom Tov if possible. Is this permissible?

You may say Boruch Hamavdil and then do Melacha (zoom etc.) and continue eating, however you will not be able to say Yale Veyovo in Bentching. Ato Chonantanu should…

When davening at home on Yom Tov, should one send the family out of the room to say Yizkor (as is done in Shul)?

Regular Yizkor is recited at home. Those that are not reciting Yizkor should leave the room where it's being said. It should be noted that the main Zechus for…

Are we allowed to take showers on a Three day Yom Tov?

Firstly, the allowances given here to showering on Yom Tov is only when the following conditions are met: a) One will assure not to run into the problem of סחיטה (squeezing) by…

What can I do to warm up my makeshift Mikvah in my bathtub on Shabbos / Yom Tov?

Shabbos you may add hot water even from a kli rishon as it will not be able to cook the water. You may add hot water on yom tov…

If I have been taking cold showers on Shabbos instead of Mikvah. Can I take warm shower on Yom Tov (without soap)? The cold water for 3 minutes is really quite uncomfortable and difficult.

It’s not allowed, however if you use a pot or pail to do tisha kabin, then you can add hot water that you boiled on yom tov to drink…

My gas stove is the type that lights itself as soon as you begin to turn the knob, it then goes from High to Low. Can I turn it on on Yom Tov or would I have to turn on from before Yom Tov?

You can skip the "ignite" by going straight to high/low and lighting with a match. Alternatively (and preferably), you can pull out the plug and light with match. You…

Can I use a Whipped Cream Dispenser on Yom Tov?

Link to product. Please see Halacha2go.com #484. #4303

I come from a town with one kosher restaurant. Many locals and tourists alike rely on the restaurant. The restaurant has to do construction (otherwise the city will remove the permits) which requires it to be closed for an entire day. This causes a major inconvenience and even can cause some to eat non-kosher R”L. Is their any way to hire a Goy to do the construction on Yom Tov when the restaurant is closed anyways?

No. #4274

Are we allowed to listen to music played with instruments during Chol HaMoed?

According to most poskim, one may listen to music during Chol Hamoed Pesach, and this is the common custom. Sources: ראה שו"ע או"ח סי' תצ"ג ובמשב"ז שם ס"ק…

Can one Lechatchila Kasher something through Libun on Chol Hamoed?

Yes, if it is a Libbun Gamur. However, it is recommended not to leave it till Pesach in case one will forget and use it without Libbun. Sources:…

I am now applying to jobs in the corporate environment and I would like to know what should be my position in negotiations with potential employers in terms of working on Chol Hamoed. Is it something I must present as days when I absolutely cannot work, or as days where I can be called on for only urgent projects, etc?

In general work on Chol Hamoed is forbidden. However, under certain circumstances work can be permitted. One such example is Davar Hoaved, work that if not done immediately will lead…

I forgot to light candles Yom Tov night. What should I do?

*I want to add that there were candles that were lit that night in the house from other members of the family. Answer: You should light one extra…