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Question: If the first cup of wine is by Kiddush and the second cup wine is during the meal, do you make a brocho hatov vehameitv? (Assuming the other conditions of Hatov VeHameitiv are met). What about the arba… Question: If the first cup of wine is by Kiddush and the second cup wine is during the meal, do you make a brocho hatov vehameitv? (Assuming the other conditions of Hatov VeHameitiv are met). What about the arba kosos by the seder, if the first cup is one type, and the second cup is a different type that is better quality (assuming all the other conditions of Hatov VeHameitiv are met), do you make a hatov vehameitv on the second cup? Answer: It should be avoided during the Seder. This restriction is to add another cup of…Show more
Question: Is a lemon manual squeezer allowed to be used on Shabbos and Yom Tov to squeeze lemon juice? (of course, directly onto the food) Here's a link to a lemon squeezer. Answer: If it’s specifically made for… Question: Is a lemon manual squeezer allowed to be used on Shabbos and Yom Tov to squeeze lemon juice? (of course, directly onto the food) Here's a link to a lemon squeezer. Answer: If it’s specifically made for small amounts (as into salads) and not for large amounts (as in for drinking), there is room for leniency. Sources: בקצוה״ש קכו בבדה״ש יט כתב לאסור בכלי בסחיטה לתוך…Show more
Question: I have heard candles that didn’t finish burning on Shabbos should be lit after Shabbos to continue burning. Is this something we do? Also, what about a yahrtzeit candle that goes out on Shabbos. Should it be relit… Question: I have heard candles that didn’t finish burning on Shabbos should be lit after Shabbos to continue burning. Is this something we do? Also, what about a yahrtzeit candle that goes out on Shabbos. Should it be relit after Shabbos? Answer: Some have the custom to relight them, although there is no obligation. Sources: תורת חיים סופר רסג, ד. שו״ת בא״מ ח, סג,…Show more
I got one with a different brand from what I had before and the lines seem to be similar but not identical, particularly the thickness of the lines and distance between the patterns are not exactly the same. … I got one with a different brand from what I had before and the lines seem to be similar but not identical, particularly the thickness of the lines and distance between the patterns are not exactly the same. Answer: It doesn’t really make a difference. For more details about the various designs that the Rebbeim (and Chassidim) have used over the years, see references below. See also here: https://asktherav.com/38717-is-there-a-reason-for-the-black-stripes-on-the-tallis-gadol-or-katan-or-is-it-just-purely-design/ ראה כפ״ח גליון 400. אהלי ליבאוויטש גל׳ ג ע׳ 55 ואילך, ובהערות. #41662Show more
The general principle is that one should not go to a Kever twice in one day. However, if one was not able to Daven for everything the first time, or if one needs to daven for new things that… The general principle is that one should not go to a Kever twice in one day. However, if one was not able to Daven for everything the first time, or if one needs to daven for new things that came up, one may return to the Kever. Sources: ראה טעמי המצוות ויחי. מג"א תקפא, טז. צוואת ר"י…Show more
אם יש לך דברים בבית שלהם שאסורים בטלטול בשבת, לא צריך לעשות שום דבר. אם לא, לכתחילה יש לעשות עירוב חדש (ללא ברכה). בדיעבד, זה בסדר. מקורות: אדה״ז שסו, יב: וכשהוא מזכה אם בקי בהלכה הוא…
לשון והיו עיניך רואות מוריך לפי פשוטו קאי על ראיית פני השכינה. ובנוגע ראיית פני הצדיקים, כבעירובין יג, ב והוריות יב, א - כבר העירו מלשון ר׳ אבטליון מקונסוואליא בספרו פלגי מים (ווינציא, שס״ח - ז, ב) שכתב שם… לשון והיו עיניך רואות מוריך לפי פשוטו קאי על ראיית פני השכינה. ובנוגע ראיית פני הצדיקים, כבעירובין יג, ב והוריות יב, א - כבר העירו מלשון ר׳ אבטליון מקונסוואליא בספרו פלגי מים (ווינציא, שס״ח - ז, ב) שכתב שם שהציב תמונת הגרש״י קאנצעלענבויגן בבית מדרשו לקיים והיו עיניך רואות. וראה מדבר קדמות ערך ציור. והיעב״ץ הציב תמונת עצמו בהתחלת ספרו לחם שמים. והאריך בסו״ס תולדות אדם להגר״ר מרגליות. ורבינו דיבר בקדשו כמ״פ במעלת תמונת אדמו״ר מוהריי״צ - ראה לדוגמא באג״ק ג ע׳ פא. וראה הנסמן בהיכל הבעש״ט יג. שם כא. ובפשטות תלוי בסיבת התועלת בראיית פני הרב (ראה שו״ת…Show more
שאלה: לפני כמעט שנה זכיתי לפגוש את כבודו פנים אל פנים. בשעתו היה דיון האם מותר לנסוע לחו"ל להקביל פני תלמיד חכם גדול. איתא בגמ' חולין דף צה עמוד ב רבי יוחנן בדיק בינוקא כולהו שני דרב הוה כתב… שאלה: לפני כמעט שנה זכיתי לפגוש את כבודו פנים אל פנים. בשעתו היה דיון האם מותר לנסוע לחו"ל להקביל פני תלמיד חכם גדול. איתא בגמ' חולין דף צה עמוד ב רבי יוחנן בדיק בינוקא כולהו שני דרב הוה כתב ליה רבי יוחנן לקדם רבינו שבבבל כי נח נפשיה הוה כתב לשמואל לקדם חבירינו שבבבל אמר לא ידע לי מידי דרביה אנא כתב שדר ליה עיבורא דשיתין שני אמר השתא חושבנא בעלמא ידע כתב שדר ליה תליסר גמלי ספקי טריפתא אמר אית לי רב בבבל איזיל איחזייה א"ל לינוקא פסוק לי פסוקיך אמר ליה ושמואל מת אמר ש"מ נח נפשיה…Show more
"Work" that is melacha should not be done from Mincha Ketana. See parameters in Siman 251 of the Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch. Other work should be stopped about an hour before Shabbos. #41806
Question: In Alter Rebbe writes in his Shulchon Aruch that one who eats in a Sukkah while it is raining is called a הדיוט for keeping unnecessary Chumros. What is our source for doing it either way? Whenever one… Question: In Alter Rebbe writes in his Shulchon Aruch that one who eats in a Sukkah while it is raining is called a הדיוט for keeping unnecessary Chumros. What is our source for doing it either way? Whenever one is exempt from [the mitzvah] of sukkah, but does not leave the sukkah, he is not rewarded for dwelling there [at that time]. Instead, he is considered a commoner. Siman 639, se'if 23 Answer: This is the custom of great tzadikim and of many chassidim, notwithstanding what's brought in Shulchan Aruch. Multiple explanations are provided: If they enjoy…Show more
Question: Does it need to be flat or even if it gets wider in the middle but still square at that point (being that it gets wider on the other side too) its fine? and in the picture does… Question: Does it need to be flat or even if it gets wider in the middle but still square at that point (being that it gets wider on the other side too) its fine? and in the picture does it look square enough to be kosher? Answer: It needs to be even all the way through. It is very difficult to tell from the picture. If it looks not even all the way through, it is an issue. Sources: במנחות לה, א, מרובעות בתפרן ובאלכסונן. והקשו באחרונים, למאי אצריך…Show more
שאלה: קנה מאכל בחנות באריזה סגורה ורוצה להחזירו אך בטעות נכנס עמו לבית הכסא, האם זה מעכב שלא יהא רשאי להחזירו, כיון שיש שנמנעים מאכילת מאכל כזה, או שמא כיון שאין בזה חשש הלכתי אין זה קלקול. מענה:… שאלה: קנה מאכל בחנות באריזה סגורה ורוצה להחזירו אך בטעות נכנס עמו לבית הכסא, האם זה מעכב שלא יהא רשאי להחזירו, כיון שיש שנמנעים מאכילת מאכל כזה, או שמא כיון שאין בזה חשש הלכתי אין זה קלקול. מענה: מותר להחזיר. מקורות: הנה האריכו גדולים וטובים אם מותר למכור דבר שהותר…Show more
If he normally stands as brought in the Rama, he should stand even when davening in a Sephardic minyan. This is provided it doesn’t stand out too much and it does not appear as arrogance. Sources: אין לישב במקום שנוהגים לעמוד, ראה דרך ארץ רבה…
מתוך מכתב שקיבלנו מא׳ הרבנים שליט״א: שאלה: בענין ברכה אחרונה על המים קודם סעודה, לדעת המשנ״ב, לכאורה יש חשש ברכה לבטלה, דהנה ז"ל הפרי מגדים [משבצות זהב סימן קעד ס"ק ט] 'ויותר י"ל דסובר ג"כ כמו שכתב הר"ב בהג"ה,… מתוך מכתב שקיבלנו מא׳ הרבנים שליט״א: שאלה: בענין ברכה אחרונה על המים קודם סעודה, לדעת המשנ״ב, לכאורה יש חשש ברכה לבטלה, דהנה ז"ל הפרי מגדים [משבצות זהב סימן קעד ס"ק ט] 'ויותר י"ל דסובר ג"כ כמו שכתב הר"ב בהג"ה, וברכה לבטלה בורא נפשות רבות, כי ברכת המזון פוטרתו וכבעל המאור'. ובפשטות דברי המג"א קעד, יד משמע שעיקר ספיקו של המג"א הוא לא מחמת הדעות שהמשקין טעונין ברכה בסעודה, שעיקר ההלכה שאין המשקין טעונין ברכה בסעודה וכמו שכתב הרמ"א שכן המנהג, אלא מטעם שחש לדעת הבעל המאור שעצם הדבר ששותה גם בתוך הסעודה, הרי הוא נחשב כשתייה אחת גם כשאין…Show more
במזגן הרחב טפח קשה להקל. ולכתחילה יש להחמיר שלא לישב תחתיו. מקורות: קיבלנו מאמר מאחד מחשובי הרבנים שליט״א, בו מעורר בדין…
Guarding one’s health, according to the Rambam, is midarchei avodas Hashem (a part of our Divine service). It’s a mitzvah to look after one’s health, and in some respects it’s more important than other mitzvos, since neglecting one’s health… Guarding one’s health, according to the Rambam, is midarchei avodas Hashem (a part of our Divine service). It’s a mitzvah to look after one’s health, and in some respects it’s more important than other mitzvos, since neglecting one’s health poses a sakanah (danger). In fact, Torah places a higher priority on avoiding danger than on avoiding other prohibitions, as it says, “Chamira sakanta mei’issura” (a danger is graver than a prohibition). Specifically, the Rambam says that unhealthy food should be regarded as a deadly enemy and interprets the pasuk (verse) “Shomer piv u’leshono shomer mitzaros nafsho”…Show more
It is written in Shulchan Aruch, “Lo teilachna bnos Yisroel pru’os rosh b’shuk, achas penuyah v’achas eishes ish,” Jewish daughters should not go in the street with their hair uncovered, whether they are married or single.… It is written in Shulchan Aruch, “Lo teilachna bnos Yisroel pru’os rosh b’shuk, achas penuyah v’achas eishes ish,” Jewish daughters should not go in the street with their hair uncovered, whether they are married or single. Does this mean that single girls should cover their hair? Some take it quite literally and assume that single girls should also cover their hair. However, the vast majority of poskim reject this interpretation, and the halachah follows their view (that single girls need not cover their hair). One interpretation is that the Shulchan Aruch is referring to currently single…Show more
Question: The Rambam says in Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Teshuva, Chapter 7, that a person before he does teshuva is hated by Hashem, and the mitzvot he performs are disgusting to him and if he prays he doesn't listen… Question: The Rambam says in Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Teshuva, Chapter 7, that a person before he does teshuva is hated by Hashem, and the mitzvot he performs are disgusting to him and if he prays he doesn't listen to him. But if he does teshuva Hashem loves him and then welcomes him. However, all my life I was taught that Hashem understands a persons challenges and He loves a person unconditionally even after he sins, because at the end of the day a person is Hashem’s child. Does this mean every day Hashem hates me because I somehow…Show more
Question: In between the bracha and the baal korei starting to read the Torah oftentimes we pause for the gabbai to make an announcement that everyone should be quiet and pay attention to the kriah, which can sometimes be… Question: In between the bracha and the baal korei starting to read the Torah oftentimes we pause for the gabbai to make an announcement that everyone should be quiet and pay attention to the kriah, which can sometimes be up to a 15 second pause. Is this allowed? Answer: It should ideally be avoided. Such announcements should ideally be done before the bracha. If it’s hard to make the crowd quiet otherwise, there is room to permit announcing so even after the bracha. Sources: שקו״ט באיזהו מקומן אם גם בין ברכה לקריאה איכא…Show more
During פסוקי דזמרה: No. Even if you would not have another opportunity of a minyan (as Hagomel need not be recited only during Krias Hatorah) till after the three days since the flight or Nes occurred, you may not… During פסוקי דזמרה: No. Even if you would not have another opportunity of a minyan (as Hagomel need not be recited only during Krias Hatorah) till after the three days since the flight or Nes occurred, you may not make the Beracha in the middle of Pesukei Dezimra. Between ישתבח and יוצר אור, permitted. Sources: בשו״ע אדה״ז נג, ג שאין לברך על טו״ת באמצע…Show more
The one in your local community. See more here. Follow-up 1: To further my question: I support my local Chabad. A Chabad on campus rabbi who is in a tough situation is asking me to donate money for… The one in your local community. See more here. Follow-up 1: To further my question: I support my local Chabad. A Chabad on campus rabbi who is in a tough situation is asking me to donate money for giving Jewish literature, supplies, matzah, etc. to students. Does the above still apply to me? Answer: Giving kedusha articles to students is of utmost importance. However, if you only have the means to support one of them, your local Chabad has precedence. If, without your donation, the students would otherwise not receive matzah, or any other obligatory mitzvah, this…Show more
Question: Stainless steel bowls which had a milchig batter in it for more than 24 hours and was used (after being washed and another 24 hours at least) to marinate meat for more than 24 hours, what's the din… Question: Stainless steel bowls which had a milchig batter in it for more than 24 hours and was used (after being washed and another 24 hours at least) to marinate meat for more than 24 hours, what's the din of the meat and the bowl? Answer: The meat is fine after the fact in this case. The bowls (those which are questionable) should all be Kashered, via Hagaalah. Follow-up Question: Some of the bowls are very big, can I kasher them through iruy (I'm certain I used the big ones)? Answer: No, unless using also an…Show more
Question: The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (126) writes: Every simcha must have a commemoration of churban Bais Hamikdash . . . They also ordained that if you are setting a table, and are having guests for a meal, even for… Question: The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (126) writes: Every simcha must have a commemoration of churban Bais Hamikdash . . . They also ordained that if you are setting a table, and are having guests for a meal, even for a meal that is considered a mitzvah, you should not serve all the dishes that are suitable for the meal. What does this mean? Are we to omit one course at every meal? Answer: This can be accomplished by omitting even a small side dish or dip. This doesn’t apply to Shabbos, Yom Tov, Chol Hamoed, Purim, or Rosh…Show more
You should say the Zohar, but you do not need to stay up the whole night. Sources: ראה זכר דוד א, ל, שבליל שבת אין הולכים…
Question: There is a family wedding taking place in Eretz Yisroel on the local Isru Chag - the second day of Yom Tov in the Diaspora. A family member, as a visitor, wants to know how to arrange travel… Question: There is a family wedding taking place in Eretz Yisroel on the local Isru Chag - the second day of Yom Tov in the Diaspora. A family member, as a visitor, wants to know how to arrange travel to the wedding. If a taxi or Israel resident picks up the person and opens the door for the visitor who is simply riding in the backseat with no instructions to the driver of where to go, is that halachically acceptable? Answer: No. Sources: נוסף להאיסור בכלל מחמת שבנסיעה מכביד על הרכב, וגם…Show more
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