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Question: We moved into our new house. Leaving our old seforim bookcases. We need to clear out the old apartment now. I plan on putting out the bookcases on the street. Is it ok to take a few to… Question: We moved into our new house. Leaving our old seforim bookcases. We need to clear out the old apartment now. I plan on putting out the bookcases on the street. Is it ok to take a few to my new basement and use them as storage shelves? Answer: One may not use anything that was servicing holy items, called tashmish kedusha, for mundane purposes. Seforim however usually stand in a bookcase with their covers, rendering the cover of the sefer a tashmish kedusha and the bookcase a tashmish d'tashmish and thus permissible for other uses. Nonetheless,…Show more
If yes, does it need to be on every door there or just on the main (side) entrance? Or, alternatively, should he just have a Mezuzah inside the RV and not fixed on the wall? Answer: According to… If yes, does it need to be on every door there or just on the main (side) entrance? Or, alternatively, should he just have a Mezuzah inside the RV and not fixed on the wall? Answer: According to Halacha, motor homes do not require a Mezuza. If they’re being used on a permanent basis, although not required, it is best that a mezuzah should be placed without a blessing. However, the Rebbe advised some people to have a mezuza near their bed (with a double cover if needed). For that reason, some people take with them mezuza for…Show more
One may drink the water left in his cup that was used for Mayim Acharonim. Nonetheless, some people are particular about this. This refers only to the cup from which the water was poured. However one should not drink… One may drink the water left in his cup that was used for Mayim Acharonim. Nonetheless, some people are particular about this. This refers only to the cup from which the water was poured. However one should not drink the leftover water in the cup into which the water was poured and many are particular not to use at all unless rinsed very well. Sources: עיין בקובץ אהרן וישראל שבט תנש״א ע׳ 139 שהוכיח דאין…Show more
Question: Is it ok and considered fulfilled to split chitas of the day with more than one person. I so badly want to fulfill the Rebbes Hora'ah especially with everything that’s going on in the world and to bring… Question: Is it ok and considered fulfilled to split chitas of the day with more than one person. I so badly want to fulfill the Rebbes Hora'ah especially with everything that’s going on in the world and to bring Moshiach. But chitas is too long for me to actually do while raising my kids etc. I had in mind to make a WhatsApp group to divide it between other women. Would that be considered fulfilling the chitas? Answer: The takana to learn chitas is on an individual basis, where everyone will finish the Chumash and Tanya throughout…Show more
Question: When rewarding good behavior, Is it at all oisgehalten to choose certain missions that are mandatory, meaning if they miss those mandatory ones, they will not get rewarded for the other (non-mandatory) missions? I know that we always… Question: When rewarding good behavior, Is it at all oisgehalten to choose certain missions that are mandatory, meaning if they miss those mandatory ones, they will not get rewarded for the other (non-mandatory) missions? I know that we always tell people on mivtzoim "even though you just ate non-Kosher it's irrelevant whether or not to put on tefillin now". My question is when it comes to chinuch does that same rule apply? Answer: You may choose whichever system works for you or for the purpose you’re trying to achieve. Furthermore, there might be a particular advantage in using…Show more
Question: At the beginning of my pregnancy, I was thinking (and perhaps voiced to my husband) that if I have a girl I'd like to name her for my grandmother who passed away several years ago (and for whom… Question: At the beginning of my pregnancy, I was thinking (and perhaps voiced to my husband) that if I have a girl I'd like to name her for my grandmother who passed away several years ago (and for whom several babies have been named). In the middle of my pregnancy, however, my other grandmother passed away, and now I would like to give her name. It would mean a lot to me and our family, this would be the first name given for her. Is it okay to change the "plan"? (Once heard a story in A Glimpse Through…Show more
Question: On Shabbos morning, I went to Mikveh Meir, which requires you to pay before Shabbos for both Friday afternoon and Shabbos together. Normally that is what I do, but I didn't make it to mikveh this past Friday… Question: On Shabbos morning, I went to Mikveh Meir, which requires you to pay before Shabbos for both Friday afternoon and Shabbos together. Normally that is what I do, but I didn't make it to mikveh this past Friday and only realized after I had already gone to the mikveh on Shabbos morning. So, basically, I used the mikveh without paying, by mistake. Is there an issue to pay just for Shabbos because of schar shabbos. Answer: No Issue. You should pay what they are asking. Sources: וכמ"ש בשו"ת נודע ביהודא, או"ח תנינא בסוף סי' כ"ו:…Show more
שאלה: מה שאסור (ע"פ הזוהר והובא להלכה) שהאישה לא תניק את התינוק אחר התשמיש, למשך זמן של כדי הילוך שני מילין, ואם התינוק בוכה, מיל אחד - מה לגבי חלב שהאישה שאבה בתוך זמן זה, לתוך כלי, האם החלב… שאלה: מה שאסור (ע"פ הזוהר והובא להלכה) שהאישה לא תניק את התינוק אחר התשמיש, למשך זמן של כדי הילוך שני מילין, ואם התינוק בוכה, מיל אחד - מה לגבי חלב שהאישה שאבה בתוך זמן זה, לתוך כלי, האם החלב נאסר לעולם או שמא הרוח הרעה חולפת מהחלב עצמו (אף כשהוא כנוס בכלי) כעבור זמן הילוך שני מילין מהתשמיש. תשובה: מותר לתת חלב שנשאב תוך זמן זה. וימתין עד אחרי הזמן. מקורות: ראה שו"ת שבט הקהתי ח"ה מח, ה שנסתפק אם…Show more
Is there a problem to go on a bike ride before Davening (if you have a set Minyan)? The halachah is that one may not get involved bitzrachav (in their personal affairs) half an hour before the time… Is there a problem to go on a bike ride before Davening (if you have a set Minyan)? The halachah is that one may not get involved bitzrachav (in their personal affairs) half an hour before the time of davening arrives until they have davened, lest they get caught up in what they are doing and forget to daven. This applies to all three tefilos (prayers), Shacharis, Minchah, and Maariv. Moreover, there is an additional reason not to do work before Shacharis: one’s personal needs and wants should not come before doing Hashem’s affairs. One should not get…Show more
אינו אומר הרחמן זה, לפי שאסור לברך גוי משום לא תחנם. ויאמר במקומו: הָרַחֲמָן הוּא יִשְׁלַח לָנוּ בְּרָכָה מְרֻבָּה בִּמְקוֹם הֲלִיכָתֵנוּ וּבִמְקוֹם יְשִׁיבָתֵנוּ עַד עוֹלָם (וי״א: הרחמן הוא ישלח לנו ברכה מרובה בהליכתנו ובישיבתנו עד עולם). או: הרחמן הוא… אינו אומר הרחמן זה, לפי שאסור לברך גוי משום לא תחנם. ויאמר במקומו: הָרַחֲמָן הוּא יִשְׁלַח לָנוּ בְּרָכָה מְרֻבָּה בִּמְקוֹם הֲלִיכָתֵנוּ וּבִמְקוֹם יְשִׁיבָתֵנוּ עַד עוֹלָם (וי״א: הרחמן הוא ישלח לנו ברכה מרובה בהליכתנו ובישיבתנו עד עולם). או: הרחמן הוא ישלח לנו ברכה מרובה במעשה ידינו בכל עסקינו. מקורות: ראה מקו״ח קפט בקיצור הלכות א. באה״ט קצג, ה.…Show more
Question: We recently rented a cottage for a few days. The host, who lived next door was impressed with us, Baruch Hashem, and wanted to leave us a gift. He gave us a jar of maple syrup which he… Question: We recently rented a cottage for a few days. The host, who lived next door was impressed with us, Baruch Hashem, and wanted to leave us a gift. He gave us a jar of maple syrup which he had tapped from his own trees. When I asked him if he ever cooked anything else in his pots he assured me that he did not. Just a bit of water and maple syrup are the only things that ever entered this pot. Although I hadn't mentioned kashrus in my question he may have known it was on my mind…Show more
The common custom is to keep the Mikva at regular temperature or close to that temperature (not to deter anyone from using it), but not to be in the water longer than needed. Sources: ובמכ״ש משבת קודש, דחמיר טפי מת״ב, שהוא מדינא, ונהגו…
It may be ordered but may not be delivered and installed until after the nine days. Source: ראה אג"מ או"ח ח"ג סי' פב. #10097
Question: Is there a difference (with regards to traveling) between the nine days and motzoei Tisha B'Av until Yud Av at Chatzos? Answer: The common custom is to refrain from traveling during the nine days and that extends… Question: Is there a difference (with regards to traveling) between the nine days and motzoei Tisha B'Av until Yud Av at Chatzos? Answer: The common custom is to refrain from traveling during the nine days and that extends until Chatzos Yud Av. In a case of need, there is room to be lenient especially after the fast. Certainly, one should not take a pleasure trip before Chatzos of Yud Av. Sources: ראה אצלנו שאלה ד'שנה וש"נ. והעיקר משום דממעטים בשמחה.…Show more
Question: The Rabbonim שיחיו have come out with a letter urging people, now that B"H we are able to go back to shul, to be more diligent in heeding what the Alter Rebbe writes about not talking during any… Question: The Rabbonim שיחיו have come out with a letter urging people, now that B"H we are able to go back to shul, to be more diligent in heeding what the Alter Rebbe writes about not talking during any part of davening. But does this apply to talking in learning (e.g., explaining pirush hamilos, or clarifying instructions in the siddur - or, indeed, questions in Torah unrelated to davening)? I often have my son with me in shul, and when he comes up with a question, it may be difficult for him to wait with it all the…Show more
Question: I will not be attending Minyan, is there a way I can reach 100 Brochos? Answer: Following is a list of Brachos a man will make on Tisha Be'av when not davening with a Minyan: 4 shema… Question: I will not be attending Minyan, is there a way I can reach 100 Brochos? Answer: Following is a list of Brachos a man will make on Tisha Be'av when not davening with a Minyan: 4 shema at maariv 19 amidah of maariv 1 borei meorei haesh (when Tisha Beav is on Motzaei Shabbos) 1 hamapil 17 birchos hashachar (no sheasa li kol tsorki) 3 birchos hatorah 2 baruch sheamar and yishtabach 3 shema at shacharis 19 amidah of shacharis 2 talis/tzitzis and tefillin 19 amidah of mincha Total is 89 [90] Brachos. The other 11 [10]…Show more
Unless it has a reliable Hechsher, the skillet must be kashered before use. The proper way to kasher new cast iron cookware is through hag’alah, which involves bringing a pot of water to a boil and then submerging… Unless it has a reliable Hechsher, the skillet must be kashered before use. The proper way to kasher new cast iron cookware is through hag’alah, which involves bringing a pot of water to a boil and then submerging the cookware into the water. [If one mistakenly uses cast iron cookware with a non-kosher item, in many cases libun gamur will be required]. Hag’alah for cast iron cookware is complicated by two matters – the size of the cookware and its weight/thickness – as follows. Some cast iron cookware is so large that it cannot easily be put into…Show more
Yes if there is no one else available. One should preferably use a Jewish woman. ראה שו"ת צי"א יג, ז. שבט הלוי א,ח. וראה גם לקו"ש ח"ט ע' 257. #15892
Full Question: Are we still obligated to rebuke another Jew nowadays? Is there a difference between different types of Aveiros? What if someone sees their non-Jewish boss doing something wrong, should he say something if there is potential he… Full Question: Are we still obligated to rebuke another Jew nowadays? Is there a difference between different types of Aveiros? What if someone sees their non-Jewish boss doing something wrong, should he say something if there is potential he might lose a promotion? Answer: Certainly, the mitzvah of rebuking a Jew who does not act properly applies today and is a mitzvah in the Torah! See the Chinuch Mitzvah 239 for details of the mitzvah. In today's society (and was also in the past) we need to be clever on how to do it in the correct way,…Show more
Question: I have a piece of cake that has a lot of custard. When I ate it, I took spoonfuls of the custard and ate it separately. I did not just bite into the whole piece at once. Should… Question: I have a piece of cake that has a lot of custard. When I ate it, I took spoonfuls of the custard and ate it separately. I did not just bite into the whole piece at once. Should I have made a separate bracha of shehakol on the custard, or is the custard included in the mezonos from the cake? Answer: Lechatchila, you should first make a mezonos and eat a piece of cake and be motzi the custard. However, if you eat just the cream, you only make sheahkol. If you are eating the cake,…Show more
האם רק בלימוד (כהמובן בפשטות ממתני') ובתפילה (ראה אג"ק חי"ג ד'תקב), או גם בעניני חול וכו'? תשובה: לא הובא ברמב״ם ברי״ף ובשו״ע וכו׳ וגם לא נזכר בפוסקים. ואינו חיוב גמור רק זהירות, ראה ברכת אהרן לוין, מאמר רצה… האם רק בלימוד (כהמובן בפשטות ממתני') ובתפילה (ראה אג"ק חי"ג ד'תקב), או גם בעניני חול וכו'? תשובה: לא הובא ברמב״ם ברי״ף ובשו״ע וכו׳ וגם לא נזכר בפוסקים. ואינו חיוב גמור רק זהירות, ראה ברכת אהרן לוין, מאמר רצה - קלב, ד. מנחת משה יו״ד כב. פניני תפלה ע׳ ע הע׳ לד. אבל ראה כבוד חכמים הורוויץ א, יא - יב, ד. והנה, בסה״ש תרפ״ו ע׳ 97: ביז מס״נ ועד בכלל. וצ״ע הכוונה. בכללות הענין, להעיר מאג״ק יג ע׳ רלו. תורת מנחם תשי״א ע׳ 16. וראה ד״מ החדש מהדו״ח ע׳ פז שלפעמים נכתב לעיכובא ״אלא שחייב לומר״ ולפעמים רק…Show more
Question: If I get a stain on my clothes, can I just wash the area of the stain during the nine days? Answer: Ideally, if it’s a bigger stain and needs a thorough wash, it should be delayed… Question: If I get a stain on my clothes, can I just wash the area of the stain during the nine days? Answer: Ideally, if it’s a bigger stain and needs a thorough wash, it should be delayed till after Tisha B’Av, if you have other clothing to wear. However, if in need, or it’s a minor stain, you may wash it off. Sources: האריכו בזה אחרוני זמננו. ורובם ככולם כתבו שאי״ז בכלל…Show more
Q. If I have a deep fryer, in which chicken was fried, thus rendering the oil Fleishig, is it permissible to use that oil to fry something Parve during the 9 days? A. No. The general rule is that… Q. If I have a deep fryer, in which chicken was fried, thus rendering the oil Fleishig, is it permissible to use that oil to fry something Parve during the 9 days? A. No. The general rule is that anything considered Fleishig that one would have to wait to eat Milchigs (see here in regards to this case), may not be eaten in the nine days. ראה משנ"ב סימן תקנא סקס"ג וראה פת"ש יו"ד סימן שמ"א סק"ג וז"ל: עיין בתשובת נו"ב תנינא חי"ד סימן רי"ד בתשובה מבן המחבר שכתב דאונן מותר ברוטב של בשר ולא דמי למה שכתב המג"א…Show more
One who will not be fasting, whether a man or a woman, must hear Havdalah on Motzaei Shabbos before eating or drinking. A child may eat and wait with Havdalah till Motzaei Tisha B’av. If there is a male… One who will not be fasting, whether a man or a woman, must hear Havdalah on Motzaei Shabbos before eating or drinking. A child may eat and wait with Havdalah till Motzaei Tisha B’av. If there is a male child (who has reached the age of chinuch etc.) present, havdalah should be made on wine (or grape juice) and the cup is given to the child to drink, as is customary during the nine days. If a woman is the one making Havdalah, the wine must be given to a female child. If there is no child present, havdalah…Show more
Question: We need to thank someone who extended great kindness to us. Is it permissible to purchase and give a gift (silver or similar type gift) during the nine days? Answer: Gifts may be given in the nine… Question: We need to thank someone who extended great kindness to us. Is it permissible to purchase and give a gift (silver or similar type gift) during the nine days? Answer: Gifts may be given in the nine days, but not on Tisha B’av. If it’s a very expensive gift, some suggest that it should not be purchased in the nine days and should only be bought after Tisha Beav. Sources: מפורש במג״א תקנד, כא, והביאו המשנ״ב שם נא שבת״ב…Show more
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