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Question: We just bought our first Sukkah without Schach parts like mats or bamboo poles. I was wondering about the usage of Sisal rope can it be used to create a netting to hold Schach. If yes is there… Question: We just bought our first Sukkah without Schach parts like mats or bamboo poles. I was wondering about the usage of Sisal rope can it be used to create a netting to hold Schach. If yes is there a limitation as to the diameter of the rope? Answer: The Schach may be tied down with reeds or unprocessed fiber threads. Similarly, a Schach mat may be used when strung together with unprocessed fiber threads. However, one may not use ropes which are comprised of processed fibers. Source: Orach Chaim 629 #5571Show more
Question: I did a hefsekmoch with a cloth that was wetter than normal because I was in a rush and didn't spend much time squeezing out excess water. I heard it shouldn't be more than slightly damp. Is it… Question: I did a hefsekmoch with a cloth that was wetter than normal because I was in a rush and didn't spend much time squeezing out excess water. I heard it shouldn't be more than slightly damp. Is it still acceptable? Answer: Yes, after the fact. Sources: שאין להחמיר בדיעבד. ובשו״ת מהרשם א, קמו, והביאו בדרכ״ת…Show more
Question: I’m a Lubavitcher. When davening mincha with a satmar minyan when they particularly don’t say tachnun during mincha, do I skip tachanun or do I say it after or before their minyan? Answer: You should say Tachanun… Question: I’m a Lubavitcher. When davening mincha with a satmar minyan when they particularly don’t say tachnun during mincha, do I skip tachanun or do I say it after or before their minyan? Answer: You should say Tachanun but in a manner that doesn’t call attention to your behavior. Regarding reciting the 13 Middos, please see here: https://asktherav.com/4671-2-also-if-you-started-tachanun-with-minyan-but-they-have-already-said-13-attributes-and-you-decided-to-go-at-your-own-pace-do-you-say-13-attributes-normally-or-with-trope/ אג״ק טו ע׳ נח. ובכלל, בענין חילוקי מנהגים בתחנון, וע״ד הנמצא במקום שמנהגם לומר תחנון וכן להיפך – ראה מה שהרחבנו בשאלה 557. #6880 See Also: https://asktherav.com/4052-i-will-be-davening-in-a-shul-that-says-hallel-no-tachanun-on-yom-yerushalayim-how-should-i-conduct-myself/ https://asktherav.com/557-if-i-daven-on-12-13-tammuz-in-a-minyan-that-says-tachanun-and-i-do-not-say-tachanun-on-these-days-i-just-skip-it-right/ Show more
In other words, can I go and cut many Hoshaanos from one branch of a willow? Answer: If the tip is chopped off it is not valid. רמ"א תרסד, ד. #5891
Question: Unfortunately, the camp my son planned to attend will not open this summer due to Corona. We already paid a little upon registration. The camp offered to return the money, but they made it clear in that email… Question: Unfortunately, the camp my son planned to attend will not open this summer due to Corona. We already paid a little upon registration. The camp offered to return the money, but they made it clear in that email that they hope we will choose to leave it with them as a donation. Would such a donation be allowed to be from Ma'aser? Answer: If when agreeing to leave the deposit as a donation, you have in mind to use maaser, it may be used. #8824Show more
Q. If a group of people pledge money together to buy Maftir Yonah and one representative receives the aliya, do all those pledging receive the zechus and segulos of Maftir Yonah? A. It appears that the segula of Maftir… Q. If a group of people pledge money together to buy Maftir Yonah and one representative receives the aliya, do all those pledging receive the zechus and segulos of Maftir Yonah? A. It appears that the segula of Maftir Yonah is for the one that receives the aliya and reads the Haftorah, although the others do get the zechus of enabling and supporting it as well as supporting a shul or organization. Sources: לעורר לתשובה - ראה אלף המגן סי' תרכ"א סק"כ…Show more
Answer: You should put on your right arm but you should also continue putting on your left arm afterwards. Sources: וכהכרעת הצמח צדק בשו”ת או”ח סי’ ד סעיף ב:…
Strictly speaking, there is no need to do so, unless there’s a concern it might get ruined otherwise. Still, if they wish to follow the common custom of shaking lulav with the rings still on you might wish to… Strictly speaking, there is no need to do so, unless there’s a concern it might get ruined otherwise. Still, if they wish to follow the common custom of shaking lulav with the rings still on you might wish to replace it for them. Sources: בכ״מ נהגו שמתירין אגודו של לולב עוד לפני הברכה…Show more
Question: What are the exact halachos of a woman or girl who is a niddah in regards to kissing a Sefer Torah or looking at an open scroll? Is there anything that can practically be done to prevent these… Question: What are the exact halachos of a woman or girl who is a niddah in regards to kissing a Sefer Torah or looking at an open scroll? Is there anything that can practically be done to prevent these issues in cases like kissing the Rebbe's Sefer Torah on Simchas Torah and Vzos HaTorah in shul? Answer: Out of respect, women have adopted a custom not to look at an open Torah scroll or touch a Torah scroll when they are in the state of niddah. This isn’t strictly required halachically, but it’s a custom it has…Show more
No. But if one did so they are Yotze Bedieved. Also, if that is the only time they will end up shaking Lulav, it may - and should - be done then. Sources: שכל שעהד״ח כדיעבד דמי. וכמפורש בשו״ע רסי׳ תרנב והוא…
You should not spit on the grass. Sources: א״א מבוטשאטש שיט. וי״ג כך ברמ״א סוסי׳ שיט. שביתת…
Question: I'm in a Chabad house and we are making a BBQ for the second days and in order for it to be made I need to use a thermometer to properly check the tenderness of the meat, I… Question: I'm in a Chabad house and we are making a BBQ for the second days and in order for it to be made I need to use a thermometer to properly check the tenderness of the meat, I won't be able to make it without it, can I use a non-electric thermometer on Yom Tov? Answer: Permitted. Sources: ראה מאורי אש ב, יב ( לג, ב), ושש״כ…Show more
There’s no need, in general, to do so only on the first day, and in chutz laaretz, the second day. Nonetheless, the Chabad custom is to do so throughout all of Yom Tov. Still, this does not apply… There’s no need, in general, to do so only on the first day, and in chutz laaretz, the second day. Nonetheless, the Chabad custom is to do so throughout all of Yom Tov. Still, this does not apply to Hallel according to most opinions. This is indeed the common custom. If one wishes to be stringent, there’s certainly room to do so. Sources: "לכם" בשאר הימים - כ״ה בהיום יום ט״ו תשרי.…Show more
ספק ברכות להקל. ומ״מ אם אפשר לא יאכל פת רק דברים הפטורים מסוכה. וכמובן, יכול לבקש מאחר שיוציאנו. מקורות: ראה שו״ת שבו״י א, לב והובא בשע״ת תרלט, יח.…
Question: On Shabbos, while an appliance is running off a timer, would one be allowed to: Move the pieces of the timer to make it turn off sooner? Move the pieces while the appliance is off to cause it… Question: On Shabbos, while an appliance is running off a timer, would one be allowed to: Move the pieces of the timer to make it turn off sooner? Move the pieces while the appliance is off to cause it to turn on sooner? Answer: When an appliance is running on a timer, one is allowed to move the pieces in order to maintain the existing position. Thus, one may cause it to go off later than scheduled while it's on, or make it go on later than scheduled while it’s off. One is not allowed to move the…Show more
Question: I am not yet certified and want to practice sharpening my knife as well shechita, however, it would only be for Goyim. May I do this Chol Hamoed? Answer: No. Sources: להשחיז סכין מותר רק כשאין לו סכין אחר -…
Question: If someone is Davening in a shul by themselves, should they take out the Sefer Torah for hoshaanos and put it on the Bima, or is it only taken out betzibur? Answer: They shouldn’t take out… Question: If someone is Davening in a shul by themselves, should they take out the Sefer Torah for hoshaanos and put it on the Bima, or is it only taken out betzibur? Answer: They shouldn’t take out the Sefer Torah but should circle the bimah. Sources: בבא״ח ש״א האזינו ט: ההקפות בלולב בכל ימות החג…Show more
Q. Can I swap the box of matzah I used for eruv chatzeiros from expensive to cheaper? A. No. But you can make a new one after you eat the old one or discard it. ע"פ שו"ע אדה"ז שסו,… Q. Can I swap the box of matzah I used for eruv chatzeiros from expensive to cheaper? A. No. But you can make a new one after you eat the old one or discard it. ע"פ שו"ע אדה"ז שסו, ד. #8999 Q. My backyard opens into an alley and I want to make an eiruv with my Jewish neighbors so that we can carry into the alley and to each others backyards/houses. Do I need to rent from the non-Jewish neighbors? In Shulchan Aruch Siman 389 - חלון פתוח למבוי - it seems that it is not required…Show more
שאלה: בתמונה נראה מסגרת של סוכה העומדת כל השנה. ויש בה בה צורת הפתח שנוצר מהעמודים. ומשמש גם בכפתח בסוכות. והשאלה היא חייבת היא במזוזה שהרי אולי יש לדמותו ל"פצימין" ש"להעמיד התקרה הם עשויים" (רפו, ו) או אולי מפני… שאלה: בתמונה נראה מסגרת של סוכה העומדת כל השנה. ויש בה בה צורת הפתח שנוצר מהעמודים. ומשמש גם בכפתח בסוכות. והשאלה היא חייבת היא במזוזה שהרי אולי יש לדמותו ל"פצימין" ש"להעמיד התקרה הם עשויים" (רפו, ו) או אולי מפני שמשמש כפתח בחג הסוכות אי"ז לנדו"ד. או יש לפטרו מטעם אחר מפני שעלול להתקלקל מחמת השלג והגשמים והרוח, שהרי היא עומדת תחת כיפת השמים . וא"כ אולי יש לדמותו ל"מזוזה בשערי רחובות" שאין קובעים שם מחמת שיגרמו "בזיון לכתבי הקדש" (ש"ך רפו סק"ז). ואולי יש לצרף גם שיטת הרמב"ם שבלא דלת אין חייבים. וגם אולי יש לדונו כבית בלא תקרה…Show more
Question: If I left my bamboo poles on my Sukkah since last Sukkos and there's enough of it to make the Sukkah kosher, but I am putting new evergreen branches on top of them, do I need to lift… Question: If I left my bamboo poles on my Sukkah since last Sukkos and there's enough of it to make the Sukkah kosher, but I am putting new evergreen branches on top of them, do I need to lift up the bamboo poles, or is it enough to just put new Schach on top of them? Answer: You should first lift up schach in an area which is a tefach by a tefach, and then put it back leshem sukkos. Alternatively, you can do the same with even a smaller amount, a mashehu, as long…Show more
One shouldn't go out with pins on Shabbos. No need to be מוחה to those that do. Sources: ה”ה דומה למש”כ בשוע”ר סי’ שא ס”ט: לא יצא…
No need, especially if it’s usually on throughout the week. Regardless, food may remain cooking over Yom Kippur if it will be used on Yom Kippur itself, such as for children, unhealthy people, etc., or for a weak person… No need, especially if it’s usually on throughout the week. Regardless, food may remain cooking over Yom Kippur if it will be used on Yom Kippur itself, such as for children, unhealthy people, etc., or for a weak person who needs it right after Yom Kippur, or when being prepared for a Shul. In all these cases, one should follow all relevant Halachos like on Shabbos. Sources: במים שבמיחם לית לן בה, שלהטעם שהוא משום הכנה…Show more
Candies should certainly not be thrown as they are extremely dangerous. The original custom was to throw soft treats, such as roasted wheat and nuts, raisins, popcorn, etc. This too was practiced only for a Chosson. I know of… Candies should certainly not be thrown as they are extremely dangerous. The original custom was to throw soft treats, such as roasted wheat and nuts, raisins, popcorn, etc. This too was practiced only for a Chosson. I know of no source which indicates such a custom for a Bar Bitzvah boy, at least in Ashkenazi communities. Sources: ראה הקטן והלכותיו ג פג הע׳ קד - ע׳…Show more
Question: I have something I need to toivel but the label sticker won't come off all the way. is it still a chatzitzah or can it be toiveled any way? Answer: Ideally, one should remove all the stickers… Question: I have something I need to toivel but the label sticker won't come off all the way. is it still a chatzitzah or can it be toiveled any way? Answer: Ideally, one should remove all the stickers or labels from the dishes before the tevila. However, in a case where the stickers are covering only the minority of the dish and it is in such a manner that most people don’t mind its presence, one may toivel the dishes with the stickers on, if removing them would be a big hassle. If on occasion one minds its…Show more
Question: If I am given a seat on an airplane between two women, is it absolutely forbidden for me to sit there, or are there ways to permit it? (I am extremely uncomfortable asking people to start switching for… Question: If I am given a seat on an airplane between two women, is it absolutely forbidden for me to sit there, or are there ways to permit it? (I am extremely uncomfortable asking people to start switching for no apparent reason - which they can understand -, as well worried it may make a Chillul Hashem if I start making a whole fuss.) Answer: In this case, there is room to be lenient due to several factors. Nonetheless, it’s best if you place something in between to separate or hold something in your hand. Also, you should…Show more
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