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Women may not eat or drink prior to Havdala, just like men. Women can either fulfill their obligation to hear Havdala through listening to the Havdala of another person or through saying it themselves, just as is the law… Women may not eat or drink prior to Havdala, just like men. Women can either fulfill their obligation to hear Havdala through listening to the Havdala of another person or through saying it themselves, just as is the law by men. However, if a man has already fulfilled the obligation of Havdala he may not repeat Havdala for women that did not yet hear Havdala unless there is a man who is also fulfilling his obligation with this Havdala. Therefore, in cases where such a man is not present, a woman must make Havdala herself. A man cannot fulfill…Show more
Question: I’ve noticed many ladies do not make the Bracha of בורא מאורי האש by Havdalah. Is there a source or reasoning for this? And what is our custom? Answer: Indeed, some women do not say this Brocha.… Question: I’ve noticed many ladies do not make the Bracha of בורא מאורי האש by Havdalah. Is there a source or reasoning for this? And what is our custom? Answer: Indeed, some women do not say this Brocha. There is a disagreement regarding whether women are obligated in this Brocha. If they are fulfilling their obligation through someone else, it is preferable for them not to recite it. However, if they are making Havdalah themselves, they should say it. Even those who hold that women are exempt agree that they may say the Brocha. The custom, however, is…Show more
Question: My paychecks are usually an odd number of cents, like $365.44, so when I try to calculate Ma'aser I wind up with something like $36.54 plus 4/10ths of a cent. I've just been rounding up, in this example… Question: My paychecks are usually an odd number of cents, like $365.44, so when I try to calculate Ma'aser I wind up with something like $36.54 plus 4/10ths of a cent. I've just been rounding up, in this example to $36.55, but I want to make sure I'm fulfilling the mitzvah properly. Should I be careful to have in mind that I'm giving 4/10ths of a cent and the rest is separate and extra? Or am I overthinking things? Answer: One is not obligated to do so. However, there is a Segula and Hidur in doing so. Sources: ראה אבקת רוכל סי' ג', וכנה"ג סי' רמ"ט, מובא…Show more
Yes. They should have in mind when separating Challa that it should include also the flour that will be added, and only burn the Challa after that flour has been added. שו"ע יו"ד שכז, ב. #15055
Full Question: May I wear a kippa clip on Shabbos? Even when it's not attached to my hair? Like the clip on the inside of the kippa? Answer: When it is not being used for a purpose, such… Full Question: May I wear a kippa clip on Shabbos? Even when it's not attached to my hair? Like the clip on the inside of the kippa? Answer: When it is not being used for a purpose, such as to connect it to the hair so that it shouldn't fall off one's head it should not be carried on Shabbos. Sources: ראה שוע"ר סי ש"א ס"ד וסימן ש"ג סו"ס כ"ג.…Show more
Question: I run a Chabad House and have always used the Chabad House account to pay my bills, including tuition. The Chabad House gives me (i.e. I give myself) a certain amount of money daily which I use for… Question: I run a Chabad House and have always used the Chabad House account to pay my bills, including tuition. The Chabad House gives me (i.e. I give myself) a certain amount of money daily which I use for tzedakah. Is this arrangement acceptable? In general is Ma'aser given before or after expenses? Do we hold that the first person to get Ma'aser is yourself if one is needy? Do we hold that giving Ma'aser is a chiyuv or an option? Obviously on my taxes I factor the expenses paid by Chabad House as income. Answer: Every…Show more
Question: If a Minyan skips Tachanun, thinking that there is no Tachanun, and they said Kaddish, but then they find out that there is Tachanun, should they say Tachanun? If yes, should they say Kaddish again? Answer: Tachnun… Question: If a Minyan skips Tachanun, thinking that there is no Tachanun, and they said Kaddish, but then they find out that there is Tachanun, should they say Tachanun? If yes, should they say Kaddish again? Answer: Tachnun should be said, and Kaddish should be recited only after U’va Letziyon. If this happens at Mincha, no kaddish is recited after Tachanun, and the minyan should proceed to Aleinu. Sources: ובענין ש"צ שטעה ואמר קדיש אחרי שמו"ע לפני תחנון…Show more
Question: How do the Halochos of Ona'ah (cheating) apply in business? I remember coming across the halacha that one is not allowed to sell something for more than its value or buy for under its value, and if it's… Question: How do the Halochos of Ona'ah (cheating) apply in business? I remember coming across the halacha that one is not allowed to sell something for more than its value or buy for under its value, and if it's more than 1/6, the transaction can be canceled. How does this apply in practical terms? A pizza shop or a shoe store obviously get their goods for cheaper than they're selling them for. How do they make a profit without committing Ona'ah? Most industries have "brokers" who work in the industry, who between them have a certain set of prices…Show more
Questions: Is it only leather shoes? Does one wash their hands only if in the middle of davening or learning? Is it preferable to wash negel vasser or just a rinse? Answers: There is no difference in what… Questions: Is it only leather shoes? Does one wash their hands only if in the middle of davening or learning? Is it preferable to wash negel vasser or just a rinse? Answers: There is no difference in what material the shoes are made of. One should ideally strive to wash one's hands right after touching shoes. See here: https://asktherav.com/there-are-many-times-one-has-to-wash-negel-vasser-like-after-cutting-nails-when-wake-up-before-learning-torah-when-scratched-scalp-walking-into-a-bathroom-touch-shoe-etc-when-does-one-wash-three/ Sources: א. סתימת ההלכה בטושו״ע ובפוסקים שלא חילקו בדבר, משמע…Show more
Question: When at the airport, what would be the right thing to do with my Tallis, Tefillin, Seforim and Food while going to the restroom? (In the past I have always found someone to watch my things, but that… Question: When at the airport, what would be the right thing to do with my Tallis, Tefillin, Seforim and Food while going to the restroom? (In the past I have always found someone to watch my things, but that might not work out. Some people have told me it's okay if it's double wrapped.) Answer: Tallis & Tefillin - Permitted when the outer bag is placed within a briefcase, backpack, small suitcase, or carry-on. Tallis even without a case. If you have someone who can watch it, you should rather do so. תפילין - אדה״ז מג, א. שם…Show more
Question: My brother, 12 years old, used to have a lop top and stopped using it years ago. Since I needed a lop top I asked him to look for it and he didn't want to because be said… Question: My brother, 12 years old, used to have a lop top and stopped using it years ago. Since I needed a lop top I asked him to look for it and he didn't want to because be said he doesn't want to bother. I asked him where it could be he said in a certain corner with toys. I didn't find it there, but I found it somewhere else. Now he claims that it belongs to him. What's the Din? Answer: It belongs to the koton. Stealing from a koton is forbidden, in some cases it’s…Show more
Our custom is to recite Shir Hamaalos and Livnei Korach any day/time upon which Tachanun is not said. Therefore, on a regular Motsaei Shabbos these should be recited only if the Birkas Hamazon is being said before Chatzos, as… Our custom is to recite Shir Hamaalos and Livnei Korach any day/time upon which Tachanun is not said. Therefore, on a regular Motsaei Shabbos these should be recited only if the Birkas Hamazon is being said before Chatzos, as Tachanun is not recited up until that time. היום יום י׳ אד״ר. שולחן מנחם ח״א ע׳ 377. #9341Show more
Yes. ספר המנהגים ע׳ 76. #6948
If one is not intending for the mitzva or as a zecher for the mitzvah, it is OK. Sources: ראה עד״ז אדה״ז מז, ז. אבל ראה סה״ש תנש״א…
Question: There are these Listerine "breath strips" that you put on your tongue and they melt, which are meant to give a fresh smell to your breath. Do I need to make a bracha when inserting them into the… Question: There are these Listerine "breath strips" that you put on your tongue and they melt, which are meant to give a fresh smell to your breath. Do I need to make a bracha when inserting them into the mouth? And would there be a difference if I'm eating it just for the taste (e.g. I already had one a few minutes ago so my mouth already has a good smell and I'm just eating another one for the taste)? Answer: Yes, you should make a shehakol on them as they have a taste. P.S. It should…Show more
The Gemara teaches us that a father should not lend money to his children with Ribbis, due to the concern that they will become accustomed to this. It would seem that the same applies to a game. See also… The Gemara teaches us that a father should not lend money to his children with Ribbis, due to the concern that they will become accustomed to this. It would seem that the same applies to a game. See also here: Halacha2go.com article #761: A Matter of Interest: The Two-for-One Trade Halacha2go.com article #142: Playing Monopoly A solution to the problem of "playing" interest is to also "play" a "heter iska". For example: in the game of Monopoly, when interest comes up, an additional card can be made that reads "היתר עיסקא ברית פנחס". although not an actual…Show more
Question: Can the time of צאת שבת be established by adding a proportional amount of time of the שעה זמנית of the day to the זמן הדלקת נרות of that Shabbos? I am trying to understand the following [all… Question: Can the time of צאת שבת be established by adding a proportional amount of time of the שעה זמנית of the day to the זמן הדלקת נרות of that Shabbos? I am trying to understand the following [all times presented below are from the Tzivos Hashem calendar for Crown Heights]: During most of the year the difference between הדלקת נרות and צאת שבת times is around an hour (and sometimes less). However, there are two annual periods when the distance gets longer. The first is when the days are the shortest in the winter, when Shabbos starts at…Show more
Answer: Yes. However, a G-d fearing Jew shouldn’t rely on Shnayim Mikrah during Krias Hatorah. Independent of this, it’s our minhag, based on halacha and particularly Kabalah, to read one pasuk at a time, i.e. each pasuk twice… Answer: Yes. However, a G-d fearing Jew shouldn’t rely on Shnayim Mikrah during Krias Hatorah. Independent of this, it’s our minhag, based on halacha and particularly Kabalah, to read one pasuk at a time, i.e. each pasuk twice and then targum, before proceeding to the next pasuk. Besides, some opinions maintain that should not do targum in between both times of mikra. The order should be twice mikra and then targum. Regardless, Shanyim Mikrah should ideally be done on Friday afternoon. See here. Sources: א. ראה ב״י ושו״ע או״ח קמו, ב. מג״א ה.…Show more
Many communities have the custom of saying Nishmas every day during davening. Although some say it should not be said on weekdays under ordinary circumstances, if someone made such a commitment, they may say it. It may be said… Many communities have the custom of saying Nishmas every day during davening. Although some say it should not be said on weekdays under ordinary circumstances, if someone made such a commitment, they may say it. It may be said by night. Obviously, when not part of davening, one may only say till the words ברוך אתה ה׳. Best to say without Hashem’s name. PS I have not found an original source for such a segulah, other than committing to say Nishmas after you're helped. About seeking out segulos, see here: https://asktherav.com/14277-did-the-rebbe-ever-speak-about-perek-shira-as-a-good-thing-to-recite/ Sources: ראה בשו״ת מכתם לדוד פארדו או״ח יג בענין אמירת…Show more
Question: Are there any limitations to reciting HaGomel after recovering from a heart procedure, or any other illnesses associated with the heart, since one may never be considered to have fully recovered from them? Answer: Once they fully… Question: Are there any limitations to reciting HaGomel after recovering from a heart procedure, or any other illnesses associated with the heart, since one may never be considered to have fully recovered from them? Answer: Once they fully recover to the extent that they feel as strong as before, even if they still have to take medication to prevent the illness from returning, they should recite Hagomel. Sources: בא״ר ריט, א: ומצאתי כתוב שאין לברך עד שיצא…Show more
Just say Tachanun. Sources: ראה שו״ת קנה בושם ב, ח. רבבות אפרים ד,…
Question: Aside from the uncomfortable feelings of showing up at shul and seeing men on the women's side... Is it even halachically allowed for men to Daven on the women's side when no women are yet present, and what… Question: Aside from the uncomfortable feelings of showing up at shul and seeing men on the women's side... Is it even halachically allowed for men to Daven on the women's side when no women are yet present, and what about when they do show up, does halacha require them to move? Answer: A man is Halachically allowed to Daven in the women's section as long as no women are present. If he knows that women are arriving soon, he should leave beforehand, and certainly once a woman arrives he must leave immediately. The exact arrangements should be worked…Show more
Answer: There are two separate ideas, both derived from the Gemara in Mesechta Shabbos 119b. One is to cook something new for Melava Malka (-since it is freshly cooked it is usually warm but that is not the point-)… Answer: There are two separate ideas, both derived from the Gemara in Mesechta Shabbos 119b. One is to cook something new for Melava Malka (-since it is freshly cooked it is usually warm but that is not the point-) and the other is to drink hot water on Motzei Shabbos. Cooking something new for Melava Malka is a Halacha, but it is not a full obligation, rather it is the preferred manner of making Melava Malka. If this is difficult, one can instead eat fruits for Melava Malka. (this meal is also a segula for the luz bone etc.)…Show more
Answer: An umbrella may not be opened for shade on Shabbos regardless of where it's standing. If a patio umbrella which is affixed to the ground is opened partially before Shabbos, it may be opened fully on Shabbos. This… Answer: An umbrella may not be opened for shade on Shabbos regardless of where it's standing. If a patio umbrella which is affixed to the ground is opened partially before Shabbos, it may be opened fully on Shabbos. This however does not apply to regular umbrellas. Sources: בדין אהל: שקו״ט בסתירה בשו״ע אדה״ז בנוגע למטה כסא…Show more
Question: My jet ski was filled with water by winds from the bay. Am I allowed to take out the water with a bucket and spill it back in the bay? I’m worried the water inside will ruin the… Question: My jet ski was filled with water by winds from the bay. Am I allowed to take out the water with a bucket and spill it back in the bay? I’m worried the water inside will ruin the battery if it stays like that. Answer: You can ask a goy to do it, if you are going to have a big loss. ראה אדה"ז סימן ש"ז סעיף י"ב. #9941 (2)Show more
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