Database

Browse all questions and answers

Teddly

People Just Asked

Muktza List

  Apple Slicer Balls Diablo (Chinese yo-yo) Dreidel Gun Flowers Meat (raw frozen) Paper Rebbe dime necklace  Snow Sushi Therapy Putty Tambourines Tile key finder Watches  
  Yes, if done occasionally.   Sources: ספל לנט״י אינו כלי סעודה ופטורה מטבילה, כפשוט. וראה…

Does Pas Akum Make My Oven Treif?

  Question: We warmed wheat taco shells in the oven. Then we realized they are not pas yisroel. Do we need to do anything about the oven, i.e. kasher it?   Answer: There is no need to kasher the…  Question: We warmed wheat taco shells in the oven. Then we realized they are not pas yisroel. Do we need to do anything about the oven, i.e. kasher it?   Answer: There is no need to kasher the oven.   Sources: בפשטות, אין חשש בליעות כלים בפת גוים. ורק בבשול…Show more
  ברור שכשר לעדות.   מקורות: הוא ע"ד המובא בסמ"ע בחו"מ סי' ל"ד ס"ק יו"ד…
  Question: If someone was raped at 4 years old and at 12 years old, are they still considered a virgin? I know physically they are not. But spiritually, are they? And are they from a Jewish view?   Answer:  Question: If someone was raped at 4 years old and at 12 years old, are they still considered a virgin? I know physically they are not. But spiritually, are they? And are they from a Jewish view?   Answer: No, she does not lose the purity associated with virginity. This is because the Torah does not attribute any of it to her, only to the rapist - equaling it to murder. However, this may impact her in terms of eligibility to marry a kohen. If the issue comes up, it should be discussed with an expert rov. Additionally,…Show more
  כן, אם הוא אדם נאמן וראוי להיות משגיח בלאו הכי. כמובן, עדיף משגיח שמקפיד בעצמו.   מקורות: יו"ד קיט סעיף ז ברמ"א וש"ך סק"כ. וראה שו״ת…
  There is no clear conclusive evidence one way or another. Although the phrase K’mo Shehodata is technically more correct, K’hodata can also be used. The common nusach in many siddurim, including Siddur Torah Ohr, and older prints of Tehillas…  There is no clear conclusive evidence one way or another. Although the phrase K’mo Shehodata is technically more correct, K’hodata can also be used. The common nusach in many siddurim, including Siddur Torah Ohr, and older prints of Tehillas Hashem is K’hodatah in Kel Erech and Kmo Shehodata in Kel Melech. See below for an explanation. Indeed, at least on one occasion, the Rebbe can be heard saying K’mo Shehodata when reciting Kel Melech. Nonetheless, in Selichos Chabad and original prints of Machzor Chabad K’hodata is printed in both, and it’s recorded that the Rebbe has said so at…Show more
  There is a Halachic prohibition against getting a haircut from a non-Jew. This is brought in Mishnayos (Avoda Zarah: Perek 2 Mishna 2) and in Shulchan Aruch (Yorah Deya: Siman 156). However, one may get a haircut from…  There is a Halachic prohibition against getting a haircut from a non-Jew. This is brought in Mishnayos (Avoda Zarah: Perek 2 Mishna 2) and in Shulchan Aruch (Yorah Deya: Siman 156). However, one may get a haircut from a Goy if it is in public with other people present or there are passersby, or if the one getting their haircut looks in the mirror during the haircut. It is not enough to be able to see in the mirror, rather one must actually look in the mirror in a noticeable way. However, there are Kabalistic reasons for people…Show more
  Question: Is the Chabad custom of women going to a bor al gabei bor mikveh a hiddur or a minhag or something else? Where I live right now, the mikveh is called bor geshomim. I would prefer bor  Question: Is the Chabad custom of women going to a bor al gabei bor mikveh a hiddur or a minhag or something else? Where I live right now, the mikveh is called bor geshomim. I would prefer bor al gabei bor since that is what I learned in kallah classes. what should I do in the case where mikveh would be on Shabbos or Yom Tov? There are possibly other mikvaos around but I'm not sure if they are within safe walking distance or if those are not al gabei bor either.   Answer: Chabad Chassidim are very…Show more
  No, they are not obligated. For the first day of Selichos, many have the custom to go and recite it. If said without a Minyan, the Yud Gimmel Midos Harachamim should be omitted. In regards to language: if it's…  No, they are not obligated. For the first day of Selichos, many have the custom to go and recite it. If said without a Minyan, the Yud Gimmel Midos Harachamim should be omitted. In regards to language: if it's hard to understand, see here.   Sources: בס׳ התדיר לר״מ ב״ר יקותיאל מן האדומים לח, שהנשים…Show more

Pruzbul: What? How? Who? When?

  English pruzbul 5782 מכתב פרוזבול תשפב   What? The annulment of all debts in the shemitah year applies also nowadays, rabbinically, both in Eretz Yisrael and in chutz la’aretz. When our Sages saw that people were not lending…  English pruzbul 5782 מכתב פרוזבול תשפב   What? The annulment of all debts in the shemitah year applies also nowadays, rabbinically, both in Eretz Yisrael and in chutz la’aretz. When our Sages saw that people were not lending money when Shemitah approached, thereby transgressing the prohibition of, “Beware, lest there be in your heart an unfaithful thought, saying, ‘The seventh year, the year of release has approached,’ and you will begrudge your needy brother and not give him .  . and it will be a sin to you”, they enacted the pruzbul. In this ceremony, the lender…Show more
  We may often see a product with a hechsher, but it is important to be vigilant, because some hechsherim rely on leniencies that are not in accordance with mainstream halacha. This is particularly relevant when it comes to shmita  We may often see a product with a hechsher, but it is important to be vigilant, because some hechsherim rely on leniencies that are not in accordance with mainstream halacha. This is particularly relevant when it comes to shmita. When visiting Eretz Yisroel during a shmita year, people may be shopping for produce, eating in hotels and restaurants, etc., and may often encounter products which are labeled "kosher", but the laws of shmita may not have been observed according to mainstream halacha. There are many methods how to observe shmita properly, whether through eating food that has the…Show more
  Question: He is very likely to be the 10th person for Minyan at the daily Davening that takes place in his school. Can he be part of the Minyan beginning on his "birthday" in Adar Rishon?   Answer: No.…  Question: He is very likely to be the 10th person for Minyan at the daily Davening that takes place in his school. Can he be part of the Minyan beginning on his "birthday" in Adar Rishon?   Answer: No.   Sources: רמ"א או"ח נה, י. סתימת המחבר שם ט: שנת…Show more
  No.   Sources: בקובץ מבית לוי (מפסקי בעל שבט הלוי) ח ע׳…
  And what about the same name for a son and a daughter, such as names which are usually given to both boys and girls (e.g. Simcha)?   Answer: The custom is not to in both cases.   Sources: כ״כ בשו״ת דברי מלכיאל ג, עה. וראה שו״ת צי״א…
  Question: There are a few websites that offer to buy a piece of land in Eretz Yisroel prior to Shmita, so that one can fulfill the mitzvah of Shmita. Is this recommended by Rabbi Braun Shlit"a?   Answer:  Question: There are a few websites that offer to buy a piece of land in Eretz Yisroel prior to Shmita, so that one can fulfill the mitzvah of Shmita. Is this recommended by Rabbi Braun Shlit"a?   Answer: No. Best to use the money instead for Tzedakah. Of course, if you’re not going to give the money to Tzedakah, you should donate it to such a cause. P.S. The concept of donating to Keren Hashvi’is to support struggling farmers, mentioned by the Rebbe, is a different matter altogether. See about that here. https://asktherav.com/16575-keren-shmita-donating-to-shmita-observant-farmers/   Sources: ומכמה טעמים, ועיקרם שכמעט ולא מצאנו הידור כזה בשום…Show more
  You don't need to wear a Tallis. If the congregation is particular about this, you should wear it just over the shoulders (together with a hat), so it shouldn't seem fully as a Tallis Gadol. In this case, you…  You don't need to wear a Tallis. If the congregation is particular about this, you should wear it just over the shoulders (together with a hat), so it shouldn't seem fully as a Tallis Gadol. In this case, you should use a borrowed Tallis - not a communal Tallis so you won’t need to make a Brocha. (Regarding Selichos, and Maariv and Neilah of Yom Kippur - where Yud Gimmel Middos is said - see #5657).     #16579Show more
  It is not an halacha, but a documented Minhag.   Source: ראה טעמי המנהגים ליקוטים קפג עפמש״כ בשו"ת מהר"י אסאד או"ח קנז שבפסח המצות עגולות כדי להרחיק מחוקות התועבות של המצרים בזמן ההוא לעשות הלחמים שלהם מרובעים ומשולשים…  It is not an halacha, but a documented Minhag.   Source: ראה טעמי המנהגים ליקוטים קפג עפמש״כ בשו"ת מהר"י אסאד או"ח קנז שבפסח המצות עגולות כדי להרחיק מחוקות התועבות של המצרים בזמן ההוא לעשות הלחמים שלהם מרובעים ומשולשים לפי ריבוי האלוקות שהאמינו, ולכן המצות עגולות המורה על האחדות. וכן בראש השנה שממליכים המלך יחיד ומיוחד. ובתורת משה להחת״ס לסימן טוב שדבר עגול אין לו קץ וסוף והוא סימן טוב לאריכות ימים בלי סוף ונזכה לראות סוף השנה כתחילתה. וי״א לרמז על צורת כתר ע״ש כתר מלוכה, שר״ה זמן ההכתרה. או לרמז על גלגל המזלות של חודשי השנה. וראה…Show more
  This is a Machlokes haposkim. Most mention specifically meat.   Sources: See references in Hebrew Shavuos Guide fn. 142.  …
  Question: I read a Sicha about donating to the farmers for Shmitah. How do I fulfill the directive practically? Is there a specific organization or link that is recommended?   Answer: קרן השביעית https://keren7.com/ https://kerenhashviis.org/   See also: Pictures  Question: I read a Sicha about donating to the farmers for Shmitah. How do I fulfill the directive practically? Is there a specific organization or link that is recommended?   Answer: קרן השביעית https://keren7.com/ https://kerenhashviis.org/   See also: Pictures of checks from the Rebbe Promotional poster     Likkutei Sichos, vol. 29, p. 277: ”Another call of the hour this Elul is in regard to the upcoming year of Shemitah: this involves making public announcements to spur on the necessary preparations for the optimal fulfillment of the mitzvah in Eretz Yisroel... and since keeping Shemitah is an expensive…Show more
  You should not use the mezuzah as a bookmark.   Explanation: In theory, there would be no halachic problem per se with using a passul mezuzah as a bookmark for a Sefer provided that The mezuza is marked as…  You should not use the mezuzah as a bookmark.   Explanation: In theory, there would be no halachic problem per se with using a passul mezuzah as a bookmark for a Sefer provided that The mezuza is marked as passul so one should not mistakenly use it, It is covered so no letters become erased, And of course it is treated respectfully. Nonetheless, according to poskim, the very act of using a mezuzah as a bookmark is in itself a form of disrespect. Aside from that, it is not recommended to do this because it can easily fall…Show more
  A quote from the Day-To-Day Halachic Sukkos Guide: The father of a boy who knows how to shake the lulav according to its laws is obligated to purchase a set of arba minim for his son. Although many are…  A quote from the Day-To-Day Halachic Sukkos Guide: The father of a boy who knows how to shake the lulav according to its laws is obligated to purchase a set of arba minim for his son. Although many are not accustomed to doing so, in our times when sets of arba minim can be easily obtained, it is preferable to buy a kosher set of minim for all boys who know how to shake the lulav (who are obligated in these laws for the sake of chinuch). At a minimum, each household should have one set devoted to the…Show more
  Avinu Malkeinu is not said on Shabbos. The minhag is not to sing the nigun either. Haneiros Halalu (rather just the last phrase "al nisecha..." Is sung). Hamavdil bein kodesh lechol (and other Motzaei Shabbos nigunim).…  Avinu Malkeinu is not said on Shabbos. The minhag is not to sing the nigun either. Haneiros Halalu (rather just the last phrase "al nisecha..." Is sung). Hamavdil bein kodesh lechol (and other Motzaei Shabbos nigunim). Sad tunes such as the tune of Eicha and Kinos.   Sources: אבינו מלכנו - לקו״ש יט ע׳ 284 בהערת המו״ל…Show more
  Q. May I say Tehillim at night during Elul? A. No. See sources below.   Q. May Tehillim be said at night during Aseres Yemei Teshuva, or is it only Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur? A. There are conflicting…  Q. May I say Tehillim at night during Elul? A. No. See sources below.   Q. May Tehillim be said at night during Aseres Yemei Teshuva, or is it only Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur? A. There are conflicting instructions about this matter. The bulk of sources mention only RH and YK. See references below.   See also here: https://asktherav.com/4178-can-i-say-tehillim-on-friday-night-and-yom-tov/   Article: May I say Tehillim at night? The Arizal taught that MikraTorah She’bichsav (the Written Torah) should not be read at night. However, translating the Chumash into any other language, and especially learning Chumash with the…Show more
  שאלה: האם הרמב"ם היומי (תעניות ה, יד) נוגע לפועל? "וכן גזרו שלא לנגן בכלי שיר כולם, וכל מיני זמר וכל משמיעי קול של שיר - אסור לשמוח בהן, ואסור לשומען מפני החורבן. ואפילו שירה בפה על היין - אסורה,…  שאלה: האם הרמב"ם היומי (תעניות ה, יד) נוגע לפועל? "וכן גזרו שלא לנגן בכלי שיר כולם, וכל מיני זמר וכל משמיעי קול של שיר - אסור לשמוח בהן, ואסור לשומען מפני החורבן. ואפילו שירה בפה על היין - אסורה, שנאמר "בשיר, לא ישתו יין". וכבר נהגו כל ישראל, לומר דברי תושבחות או שיר של הודאות לאל וכיוצא בהן על היין".   תשובה: כמובן, כך גם נפסקה ההלכה בשולחן ערוך. אמנם, יש בזה כמה וכמה שיטות, וכן כמה פרטים ותנאים. אבל בכללות, ההלכה היא שאסור לשמוע מוזיקה אחרי החורבן. מכל מקום, לצורך מצוה מותר. וכן כתבו הפוסקים להתיר כשמטרת המוזיקה…Show more

Have a Halachic Question?

Submit your question and receive an answer shortly.

Submit A Question
AskTheRav