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Question: A mekureves of mine is invited to two different parties at non-Kosher restaurants, both of very close friends of hers. Can she attend as long as she doesn't eat anything or only eats kosher food if they can… Question: A mekureves of mine is invited to two different parties at non-Kosher restaurants, both of very close friends of hers. Can she attend as long as she doesn't eat anything or only eats kosher food if they can order something kosher for her? Answer: If her close friend is Jewish, she should not attend. If the friend is not Jewish, and not attending might cause animosity, she may attend if it will be obvious to all onlookers that she is not eating the non-kosher food. This usually is accomplished better when bringing their own food which stands…Show more
It is usually OK Lchatchillah. Some suggest having the walls reach the schach as not everyone is expert in these matters. Sources: ראה ערוה״ש תרל, כא: וגם יזהר שיהיו המחיצות סמוכות…
Question Continued: (I.e. do we hold of the כלבו referenced in אג"ק ח"ח ע' רסו, that one should only reveal his age through a lengthy mathematical calculation?) Answer: There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s just a question of… Question Continued: (I.e. do we hold of the כלבו referenced in אג"ק ח"ח ע' רסו, that one should only reveal his age through a lengthy mathematical calculation?) Answer: There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s just a question of mannerisms. Usually, it’s not appropriate to ask an older person for their age. Sources: בכלבו לא נז׳ שאין לענות להדיא. וכן גם באג״ק…Show more
It is permissible if you don’t intend for the water to cause it to grow, under either of the following conditions: The water Isn’t spilled directly on the plants or grass. It pours first on concrete etc. and then… It is permissible if you don’t intend for the water to cause it to grow, under either of the following conditions: The water Isn’t spilled directly on the plants or grass. It pours first on concrete etc. and then on the plants. If the plants or grass were fully watered before and any extra water will only ruin things. Sources: האופן הראשון - משום גרמא. וגרמא לא מהני בפס״ר…Show more
When one passes away without children, someone else should observe the yartzeit. Usually, the father observes the yartzeit, though some are particular not to say kaddish for a child and ask someone else. Other relatives or associates… When one passes away without children, someone else should observe the yartzeit. Usually, the father observes the yartzeit, though some are particular not to say kaddish for a child and ask someone else. Other relatives or associates need not observe the yartzeit, where there is someone doing so. Nonetheless, it’s a chesed for the neshama if they choose to do so. Customs normally associated with observing a yartzeit include: extra mitzvos and massim tovim, giving tzedeaka in memory of the neshama, learning Mishnayos and Torah in general, fasting or making a siyum, lighting…Show more
Question: If I'm on Mivtzoim and I ask someone to shake Lulav and he doesn't want to, it's he yotzei if I tell him to "hold my Lulav for me while I tie my shoe", or do we say… Question: If I'm on Mivtzoim and I ask someone to shake Lulav and he doesn't want to, it's he yotzei if I tell him to "hold my Lulav for me while I tie my shoe", or do we say that מצוות צריכות כוונה? Answer: On the first day of Yom Tov it is a mitzvah m'doraysa and therefore needs proper kavanah to fulfill the mitzvah. Nonetheless, he should still be asked to do the mitzvah but a Bracha shouldn’t be made. However, on the other days of Yom Tov/chol hamoed intent is not needed. https://asktherav.com/31036-mivtza-daled-minim-question/ Sources: שוע"ר סי' ס סעי' ה ושם סי' תרמט סעי'…Show more
If it doesn't bother you it is nullified to the garment and can be worn as is. ראה שש"כ פרק יח אות לג. #17042
Question: I have reached an age where I am required to withdraw money from pension plans (RMD). The monies were invested in various funds over many decades and the investments were bought and sold numerous times, and the pension… Question: I have reached an age where I am required to withdraw money from pension plans (RMD). The monies were invested in various funds over many decades and the investments were bought and sold numerous times, and the pension plans changed as well over time. Since the transactions go back 30-40 years and the records are not kept for such a long time, my investment firm claims that it is not possible for them to calculate the profit. I cannot take ma'aser from the total withdrawal since I contributed my own funds all along to these retirement plans, and…Show more
Generally, she may only do that which is permitted for you. There are certain exceptions. See here: https://asktherav.com/non-jewish-help-on-shabbos-and-yom-tov/ Therefore, she may only fold laundry under the conditions mentioned here: https://asktherav.com/9292-can-i-fold-laundry-on-shabbos/ #17010
You may if your intention is for space or comfortable weather. Sources: לא מצינו בפוסקים שיזהירו מזה. וגם במט״א תרכה באלף…
Question: My Kittel has a belt attached to it that can't be removed. Would it be a problem to wear my gartel directly on top of the belt when going outside? Or would I need to wrap my gartel… Question: My Kittel has a belt attached to it that can't be removed. Would it be a problem to wear my gartel directly on top of the belt when going outside? Or would I need to wrap my gartel on my kapata and under the kittel? Answer: One should not wear 2 belts one on top of each other, (שוע"ר סי' שא סמ"ב). There are 3 options: You can wear the gartel under the Kittel. You can wear the gartel on top of your tallis. You can also not tie the belt of your Kittel and put the…Show more
Many shuls sell seats for Yamim Noraim. There is a discussion among contemporary poskim whether ma'aser (one-tenth of one’s earnings that is earmarked for tzedakah) may be used to purchase a seat. According to many poskim, maaser money may… Many shuls sell seats for Yamim Noraim. There is a discussion among contemporary poskim whether ma'aser (one-tenth of one’s earnings that is earmarked for tzedakah) may be used to purchase a seat. According to many poskim, maaser money may be used not only for tzedekah but also towards fulfilling certain non-obligatory mitzvos. However, buying a seat in shul does not fall under that category. Davening in shul is a mitzvah, but having a seat simply facilitates the mitzvah by adding to the person’s comfort; albeit they will be davening with more kavanah, which is considered a mitzvah, it doesn’t…Show more
One may not charge the borrower fees that accrued due to securing the loan, however, wiring costs, and legal fees for drafting the loan document, can be transferred. Sources: Bris Yehuda 9:2, C.M. 39:17; 106:1; Pischei Choshen, Halva’ah…
Question: Is there room to answer a question untruthfully if you are embarrassed to share the truth? In a case of casual conversation where no one is being affected by what you say. Answer: Yes, it could be… Question: Is there room to answer a question untruthfully if you are embarrassed to share the truth? In a case of casual conversation where no one is being affected by what you say. Answer: Yes, it could be allowed, as long as no one is being affected, including yourself (an example of hurting yourself or causing undeserved “gain” could be when being untruthful about yourself to your employer, teacher, or parents), and even then it's better to be ambiguous. Still, a person should always distance himself from saying anything untruthful. Certainly, this shouldn’t become a habit. If someone…Show more
Question: I want to write a Jewish magazine a letter in response to one of their articles. However, I want my identity to be thoroughly concealed. May I make up details/change details (for example, write that I'm a certain… Question: I want to write a Jewish magazine a letter in response to one of their articles. However, I want my identity to be thoroughly concealed. May I make up details/change details (for example, write that I'm a certain age when in fact I am not) for the sake of protecting my anonymity? Answer: You may write under a pseudonym. You may also alter other details if you feel there is a need. However, if the changes will determine whether or not the article will be published, then it is problematic. Sources: אף שאיסור שקר הוא גם בכתב - ראה גם…Show more
Question: If someone has plants that to grow properly they need to have specific lighting (sometimes the light on and sometimes the light off). Is one allowed to cover or uncover the lights on Shabbos? Answer: If you… Question: If someone has plants that to grow properly they need to have specific lighting (sometimes the light on and sometimes the light off). Is one allowed to cover or uncover the lights on Shabbos? Answer: If you are covering and uncovering the lights with the intention of helping the plants, then this is forbidden. Sources: שש"כ כ"ו ט. שו"ת הר צבי סי' קלג. …Show more
If they will be moving them from a rental into a property which you own, it may be done on Chol Hamoed. However, if the new apartment/home is a rental, it may not be done on Chol Hamoed. … If they will be moving them from a rental into a property which you own, it may be done on Chol Hamoed. However, if the new apartment/home is a rental, it may not be done on Chol Hamoed. ראה שו"ע או"ח סי' תקל"ה, שו"ת חקקי לב ח"א סי' ט"ז, ועוד. Q. Is this the case even if they will get to my new address after Yom Tov? A. Yes, unless this will cause a significant financial loss. #16829Show more
Question: I see that according to the Alter Rebbe, the best time to do Kaporos is Erev Yom Kippur, at Ashmores Haboker. Being that I have young children at home, I have always been doing it the afternoon the… Question: I see that according to the Alter Rebbe, the best time to do Kaporos is Erev Yom Kippur, at Ashmores Haboker. Being that I have young children at home, I have always been doing it the afternoon the day before Erev Yom Kippur. My question is, since I am anyways not doing it in the best preferable time, is there: Any benefit of doing it on the 8th of Tishrei, rather than an earlier day when there are other -more convenient- Kaporos available What about the night of Erev Yom Kippur, before Ashmores Haboker (by keeping my kids…Show more
מותר לקנות עליות בבית הכנסת מדמי מעשר כספים, ובתנאי שכך הי' בדעתו בעת קניית המצוה. מקורות: ראה ש''ך יו''ד סי' רמט ס''ק ג. ובבאר הגולה…
Question: We were blessed Bh with a baby boy 5 weeks ago but due to the yellowness, the bris is waiting. The question is whether there is an inyan to do things to make the bris happen earlier e.g.… Question: We were blessed Bh with a baby boy 5 weeks ago but due to the yellowness, the bris is waiting. The question is whether there is an inyan to do things to make the bris happen earlier e.g. feeding formula which is said to quicken the yellowness to go. Answer: Formula is not a first option if breast milk is readily available. One need not try to find ways to prematurely quicken the process of the baby being fit to have a bris. The Rebbe would often quote the Rambam in connection to a delayed Bris "…Show more
Question: This year I was given a non-Jewish assistant in my classroom. Is she allowed to check kids when they read alef-beis? She won't be teaching alef-bais to the class, but I wonder if she can hear them read… Question: This year I was given a non-Jewish assistant in my classroom. Is she allowed to check kids when they read alef-beis? She won't be teaching alef-bais to the class, but I wonder if she can hear them read one-on-one if there is no one else available. Answer: Not ideal. If there is no other choice and she's supervised it can be done, provided she knows the alef-beis already on her own, but you may not teach her it to begin with. See here as well: https://asktherav.com/12121-non-jewish-or-non-frum-teachers/ Sources: עיקר חומר הענין כאן בלימוד הא״ב לגוים שאסור ללמדם…Show more
Night time Kiddush: One may not drink even water before kiddush. When lighting candles, a woman may stipulate not to accept Shabbos till sunset, to be able to drink afterwards. If it’s already sunset, or if she didn’t stipulate,… Night time Kiddush: One may not drink even water before kiddush. When lighting candles, a woman may stipulate not to accept Shabbos till sunset, to be able to drink afterwards. If it’s already sunset, or if she didn’t stipulate, she may not drink without kiddush, but can make kiddush on challah, or if not possible - even coffee or tea, if necessary. If making kiddush isn't practically possible, and she is very thirsty, there is room for leniency to drink water if it’s still before sunset. Daytime Kiddush: Once she already davened, she is obligated in kiddush and…Show more
Question: What do I need to do if I want to walk through a Shul (as a shortcut)? What if it's the only way out? Answer: One is not allowed to use a shul as a shortcut. However,… Question: What do I need to do if I want to walk through a Shul (as a shortcut)? What if it's the only way out? Answer: One is not allowed to use a shul as a shortcut. However, if he did not go in initially to use it as a shortcut, he can use the other (closer) exit. (This is actually the preferred method - for someone to come in from one entrance and leave from a second exit). If it is for a dvar mitzvah he should say a passuk in the shul and then go through…Show more
Question: I have a flight on Chol Hamoed to come to the Rebbe for Simchas Torah. Is there any reason not to eat on the flight? (I was thinking that this petur of osek bemitzva may be different than… Question: I have a flight on Chol Hamoed to come to the Rebbe for Simchas Torah. Is there any reason not to eat on the flight? (I was thinking that this petur of osek bemitzva may be different than the petur of mitztaer where we are nevertheless machmir, as over here the choice is eating or not eating, vs by mitztaer the choice is eating in a sukkah or outside a sukkah, amongst other possible differences.) Answer: One shouldn’t fast - certainly not past midday - but should eat non mezonos foods. Please see here: https://asktherav.com/eating-outside-the-sukkah/ I…Show more
שאלה: בש"ץ שהתחיל חצי קדיש אחר ישתבח ושכח לומר שיר המעלות ממעמקים גו', האם יחזור ויאמר שיר המעלות או שימשיך בקדיש? וכן האם תחילת הקדיש הוא משיאמר תיבת יתגדל? דנ"ל דלענין אמירת קדיש כשאין עשרה נחשב תיבת יתגדל להתחלת… שאלה: בש"ץ שהתחיל חצי קדיש אחר ישתבח ושכח לומר שיר המעלות ממעמקים גו', האם יחזור ויאמר שיר המעלות או שימשיך בקדיש? וכן האם תחילת הקדיש הוא משיאמר תיבת יתגדל? דנ"ל דלענין אמירת קדיש כשאין עשרה נחשב תיבת יתגדל להתחלת הקדיש שיוכל להמשיך גם בלא מנין (אולי בא"א מבוטשאטש)? בתודה מראש. תשובה: ש"ץ ששכח לומר שיר המעלות, והתחיל קדיש - אינו מפסיק לאומרו בין קדיש לברכו, ואומרו אחר התפילה. וראה עוד כאן, בסוף ה"לוח יומי הלכה למעשה". תחילת הקדיש - למעשה נהגו שאינו התחלה עד בעגלא ובזמן קריב ואמרו אמן - ראה שע״א ז, לג ובשערי רחמים שם כג.…Show more
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