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Question: The non-Lubavitch shul I will be at on Yom Tov, has the Kohanim do the long chant before vyishmerecha, vichuneka, and Shalom. Do I say the Ribono Shel Olam nusach during those chants? Or do… Question: The non-Lubavitch shul I will be at on Yom Tov, has the Kohanim do the long chant before vyishmerecha, vichuneka, and Shalom. Do I say the Ribono Shel Olam nusach during those chants? Or do I not say it at all? Answer: You should say the whole Ribono Shel Olam, during the tune that precedes the word Sholom, (and the last 3 words ותשמרני ותחנני ותרצני should be said while the kohanim say the word Sholom,) as according to our Minhag, based on the Arizal, the transformation of dreams through Birchas Kohanim, is specifically…Show more
Question: If I want to begin shemoneh esrei when the tzibur is already holding in the middle of Shemoneh Esrei, it is impossible for me to take three steps back, without entering into another mespalel's 4 amos. What should… Question: If I want to begin shemoneh esrei when the tzibur is already holding in the middle of Shemoneh Esrei, it is impossible for me to take three steps back, without entering into another mespalel's 4 amos. What should I do? Answer: You should start Shemoneh Esrei without the 3 steps. P.s. The idea of taking 3 steps before davening is to go 3 steps forward out of respect. Taking 3 steps backward is only in order to be able to go 3 steps forwards, So if you are able to go forwards without getting in someone's way…Show more
Question: I have a device that cuts pills in halves, it is plastic with a metal razor. Do I have to toivel it? Answer: No, unless the device is used for chewable pills, or if you decide to… Question: I have a device that cuts pills in halves, it is plastic with a metal razor. Do I have to toivel it? Answer: No, unless the device is used for chewable pills, or if you decide to use the device for other food usages. אינו כלי אכילה כלל. #13587Show more
בינתיים מצאנו רק אצל אוה״ע. ולע״ע לא מצאתי שום מקור אמיתי אצל בנ״י, ורק ״המצאות״ לבאר טעם ה״מנהג״. וראה המצו״ב. וניכר שהטעמים נתחדשו זה מקרוב. #14588
Regarding after Bar Mitzvah: Can the garment of the 2 shoulders on the sides of the hole count towards the front/back Amos? I vaguely recall Reb Chaim Naeh writing that if the shoulder parts are a certain width, then… Regarding after Bar Mitzvah: Can the garment of the 2 shoulders on the sides of the hole count towards the front/back Amos? I vaguely recall Reb Chaim Naeh writing that if the shoulder parts are a certain width, then they can count towards the length of the front/back. Answer: Under Bar Mitzvah: The Alter Rebbe rules in the Siddur that the age of Chinuch begins at six. Nevertheless, Minhag Chabad is to begin at the age of three, based on directives of the Frierdiker Rebbe and the Rebbe. See here regarding a child under the age of 3:…Show more
Questions: Is there a concern of: Zoreh of the water? The high-pressure pump, is there a question due to sound? Some of the water sprays plants, so is there a concern of planting? Can a timer be used to… Questions: Is there a concern of: Zoreh of the water? The high-pressure pump, is there a question due to sound? Some of the water sprays plants, so is there a concern of planting? Can a timer be used to have it turned off on Shabbos? Answer: If it makes noise, there is a problem of זלזול שבת. If your clothes get a little wet, there can be an issue of סחיטה. If the clothes are somewhat dirty, there is an issue of ליבון. If none of the above issues exist, then the system may be used if…Show more
Question: I have a lotion made in Israel that has plant material. I tried asking the company if these plants were from Israel but never got an answer. I was told by you to not use it, and… Question: I have a lotion made in Israel that has plant material. I tried asking the company if these plants were from Israel but never got an answer. I was told by you to not use it, and also not to throw it out. It will take decades to degrade. Can I wrap the bottle twice and throw it out? I have nowhere to put it. Most of it is gone. I can't afford to take it wherever I move. There may be a doubt about the plants coming from Israel. Apple extract, watercress extract, and borage oil…Show more
No. Sources: שהרי אינו מכשיר האוכל. והוא רק לתועלת ראיית האדם.…
אין חיוב מעקה בבית הכנסת, ואפילו על גג בית הכנסת אין חיוב, לפי שאינו מקום דירה. אמנם, למעשה אם משתמשים על הגג יש לשים מעקה. מקורות וטעמים: עיין רמב״ם רוצח יא, א. שו"ע חו"מ ס' תכ"ז ס״ג. שו"ע… אין חיוב מעקה בבית הכנסת, ואפילו על גג בית הכנסת אין חיוב, לפי שאינו מקום דירה. אמנם, למעשה אם משתמשים על הגג יש לשים מעקה. מקורות וטעמים: עיין רמב״ם רוצח יא, א. שו"ע חו"מ ס' תכ"ז ס״ג. שו"ע אדה"ז שמירת הגוף והנפש סעיף א. וידוע השקו״ט דמי גרע משאר מקום סכנה. אמנם, בשו״ע אדה״ז הטעם לפי שאין רגילות להשתמש על גגיהן. וכ״מ בסמ״ע שם סק״ב וסק״ה. ולהעיר מל׳ הרמב״ם גגך למעט בית כנסיות ובית מדרשות לפי שאינן עשויים לדירה. ועד״ז בטעם הב׳ ברש״י חולין קלו, א. חינוך מ׳ תקמו. וכנראה מפרש אדה״ז הכוונה שאין משתמשים על הגג. וראה…Show more
The common custom is to say it with the eyes uncovered. Certainly, if due to kavanah it’s easier to say it with the eyes uncovered, one should indeed not cover the eyes. Sources: הנה, בפוסקים בכלל לא נתפרש ד״ז. וכתבו בסתמא רק…
No need (assuming you are using a spoon), because any food (fruit in yogurt) that is usually eaten with a spoon does not require Netilas Yadayim. Source: אף שהמים הם מז׳ משקין המצריכים נטילה, דלא כהיוגורט, מ"מ… No need (assuming you are using a spoon), because any food (fruit in yogurt) that is usually eaten with a spoon does not require Netilas Yadayim. Source: אף שהמים הם מז׳ משקין המצריכים נטילה, דלא כהיוגורט, מ"מ דרכו להאכל ע"י כף - סדר נט"י סעיפים כ-כב, שו"ע אדה"ז קנח, ד. #9872Show more
Question: When on flights, especially long ones, it's hard for women to wear sheitels. Can a tichel be worn instead? Answer: According to halacha, a woman must always have all her hair covered, certainly in public places and… Question: When on flights, especially long ones, it's hard for women to wear sheitels. Can a tichel be worn instead? Answer: According to halacha, a woman must always have all her hair covered, certainly in public places and where others are around. A tichel is sufficient for hair covering if she ensures that no strand of hair is showing. Nonetheless, the Rebbe insisted on covering hair davka with a sheitel, for many reasons, among them as it does a much better job at covering all the hair. Accordingly, yes it IS permissible to cover the hair with a…Show more
If the hair obstructs the tefillin from sitting comfortably on the head, If there is hair from the sides of the head combed over the spot where the tefillin would be. If one didn’t take a haircut for three… If the hair obstructs the tefillin from sitting comfortably on the head, If there is hair from the sides of the head combed over the spot where the tefillin would be. If one didn’t take a haircut for three months. Hair combed backward is not a problem for the Bayis, but It is still a problem for the knot in the back. See also: https://asktherav.com/article-243-men-growing-long-hair/ #9282 Show more
Question: Are you allowed to make a meal in a shul like by a farbrengen? What about renting a shul for a Bas Mitzvah? It seems from the research I have done that food is only allowed in a… Question: Are you allowed to make a meal in a shul like by a farbrengen? What about renting a shul for a Bas Mitzvah? It seems from the research I have done that food is only allowed in a shul for someone who is learning there all day? Answer: The accepted custom is that all occasions that are associated with a mitzvah (including a farbrengen), or a common need of the community, can be celebrated/done in a shul. However in regards to a Bas Mitzvah the poskim write that a shul is not the place for it, rather…Show more
There is a machlokes about this. In practice, one should untie the left shoe first. Sources: סתימת כל הפוסקים שלא נחתו לפרט משמע שמתיר של…
Question: I want to place bars of sweet-smelling soap as a drawer freshener inside dresser drawers. Would I then have a problem opening those drawers on Shabbos? It's just a plain, fragrant bar of soap sitting in the drawer.… Question: I want to place bars of sweet-smelling soap as a drawer freshener inside dresser drawers. Would I then have a problem opening those drawers on Shabbos? It's just a plain, fragrant bar of soap sitting in the drawer. It doesn't spray anything. I would open the drawer to take out items I need on Shabbos. I understood from halacha I've learned that if there are Muktza items in a drawer together with items I need on Shabbos, I would need to have something like a bencher in the drawer in order to open it. For instance, I have…Show more
While there is no official specific length per se, one should not deviate from what is considered proper length for a frum chassidish person. Regardless, if a haircut wasn’t taken for three months it’s certainly considered too long. Ideally,… While there is no official specific length per se, one should not deviate from what is considered proper length for a frum chassidish person. Regardless, if a haircut wasn’t taken for three months it’s certainly considered too long. Ideally, the hair should be cut once a month, or at least every 6 or 7 weeks. Certain cuts are more halachically forbidden, such as cutting the sides and leaving the middle, or cutting the front and leaving the back. Sources: באורך השערות, ג׳ חדשים, שכן שיעור גערה. וראה א״א…Show more
שאלה: השנה שלג בעומר חל בערב שבת, האם יש מקום לערוך התהלוכה וכו' ביום חמישי ערב לג בעומר. ושאלתי גם אם מתאים מבחינה חסידית לעשות כהוראת הרבי - לפני ל״ג בעומר? מענה: אפשר, אך כל דיני אבילות של… שאלה: השנה שלג בעומר חל בערב שבת, האם יש מקום לערוך התהלוכה וכו' ביום חמישי ערב לג בעומר. ושאלתי גם אם מתאים מבחינה חסידית לעשות כהוראת הרבי - לפני ל״ג בעומר? מענה: אפשר, אך כל דיני אבילות של ספירה עדיין בתוקף אז, גם השנה. ובכמה שיחות מצינו לעשות אחרי ל״ג בעומר. ראה לקו״ש לז ע׳ 122-3. ושם: ״באופן המותר לכתחילה (בלי שום ספיקות בדבר) בימי הספירה - דורך פארבינדן דאס מיט א סעודת מצוה...״ ע״ש. #14545Show more
The Alter Rebbe brings that a person should fast if the tefillin fell without a covering from the hand to the floor. If the tefillin were in their case at the time, there is no need to fast, however… The Alter Rebbe brings that a person should fast if the tefillin fell without a covering from the hand to the floor. If the tefillin were in their case at the time, there is no need to fast, however it’s recommended to give tzedaka. Since you are a yeshiva student, and need your koach for learning, you should fast half the day and redeem the remainder of the day with tzedakah (about seven or eight dollars). This would also apply to a Kollel yungerman or a teacher of kodesh subjects—and to anyone with health issues or a weak…Show more
What are the rules for burying Shaimos? Q. Are there different types of Shaimos with different rules? Answer: Sifrei Torah, mezuzos, and tefillin, and Tanach written on parchment: Must be buried in a sealed earthenware, metal or… What are the rules for burying Shaimos? Q. Are there different types of Shaimos with different rules? Answer: Sifrei Torah, mezuzos, and tefillin, and Tanach written on parchment: Must be buried in a sealed earthenware, metal or plastic container that will prevent them from decaying. They should be buried in or near a Jewish cemetery if possible. Seforim and paper Shaimos: Should be buried in a tightly closed plastic bag that will prevent it from decaying. They may be buried in any respectable place where they will not get uncovered. שו"ע או"ח קנד סעיף ה, יו"ד…Show more
Question: If one didn't finish saying בריך שמיה and they closed the ארון already, can he finish it while the Torah is out, or is it only when the ארון is open? If not, can he finish it when… Question: If one didn't finish saying בריך שמיה and they closed the ארון already, can he finish it while the Torah is out, or is it only when the ארון is open? If not, can he finish it when they reopen it to put the Torah back? If yes, if he still didn't finish it, can he finish it, even though the Torah was put back, because there's no other way? Answer: One may start saying בריך שמיה until the Sefer Torah is opened for kriah. If one didn’t finish saying it before kriah, he may…Show more
שאלה: שלחתי משלוח מנות דרך ה'פוסט אופיס', ובאמצע חול המועד פסח זה חזר לבית סבי (הכתובת שלי בארצות הברית) וזאת מכיון שכתבתי כתובת לא נכונה של המקבל. ומכיון שסבי לא היה בביתו בשעתו הכניס שכנו החבילה לביתו. ורק לאחר… שאלה: שלחתי משלוח מנות דרך ה'פוסט אופיס', ובאמצע חול המועד פסח זה חזר לבית סבי (הכתובת שלי בארצות הברית) וזאת מכיון שכתבתי כתובת לא נכונה של המקבל. ומכיון שסבי לא היה בביתו בשעתו הכניס שכנו החבילה לביתו. ורק לאחר חג הפסח כשחזר סבי לביתו, הודיע לי שיש בשבילי חבילה. ורציתי לדעת מה לעשות אם המאכלים שהם חמץ, ומה דינם והאם מישהו עבר על איסור חמץ בפסח? בתודה מראש. תשובה: מותר להשתמש במאכלי החמץ וא״צ ביעור, בפרט אם הוא הפסד מרובה. מקורות: הנה, בנדו״ד שהוא במתנה ולא במכירה, קייל״ן דהולך לאו…Show more
If one feels the need to go to the bathroom, one is obligated to go to the bathroom right away as our chachomim said that this is loathsome. It is generally forbidden to speak words of Torah in such… If one feels the need to go to the bathroom, one is obligated to go to the bathroom right away as our chachomim said that this is loathsome. It is generally forbidden to speak words of Torah in such a state. One who feels that he wouldn't be able to contain his urge to go the bathroom for another 72 minutes, and doesn’t relieve himself might be violating the rabbinic prohibition of bal tashktzu. But even if he could not contain himself for 72 minutes, listening to a Torah recording or thinking words of Torah is still permitted.…Show more
Question: There are some words in Chumash that depending on which Chumash you use there is either a patach or shva (for example צללו in אז ישיר). What is the proper pronunciation for these words? It sounds more correct… Question: There are some words in Chumash that depending on which Chumash you use there is either a patach or shva (for example צללו in אז ישיר). What is the proper pronunciation for these words? It sounds more correct to say it with a shva but many Chumashim as well as the classic siddurim have it with a patach. Answer: This is a very old difference of traditions amongst the baalei dikduk and mesorah. Generally speaking (with some important exceptions) the sefardi custom is to write it as a shva and the Ashkenazi custom is that…Show more
No. Sources: משום מוליד ריח בגוף ובבגדים, ראה כאן: https://asktherav.com/which-deodorant-is-ok-for-shabbos-aerosol-spray-or-roll-on/ אבל…
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