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Question: May one interrupt while reading Shnayim Mikra? When one cannot be ma’avir the whole sedra at once, may one pause at sheini, shlishi, etc. or only at the ‘pei’ and ‘samach’? Answer: Yes. Either option is fine, as…Question: May one interrupt while reading Shnayim Mikra? When one cannot be ma’avir the whole sedra at once, may one pause at sheini, shlishi, etc. or only at the ‘pei’ and ‘samach’? Answer: Yes. Either option is fine, as long as it’s not in middle of an inyan. One should refrain from interrupting during the following sections: עשרת הדיברות שירת הים תוכחה מ״ב מסעות שמונה פסוקים אחרונים שבתורה Explanation: The Alter Rebbe (OC 285:6) writes that while some have the custom to read the entire week’s Shnayim Mikra without interruption, the basic Halacha allows for it to be…Show more
No. P.S. He may however sell the dog to a non Jew, and have that non Jew instruct another non Jew to neuter it (and then buy it back). Sources: שו״ע אבה״ע סי׳ ה׳ סעי׳ י״ד, מנחת חינוך מצוה רצ״א אות ג׳ [הובא באוצר הפוסקים אות ע״ו]. נ.ב. ראה רמ״א…
Tzeis Shabbos occurs at Tzeis Kochavim Ketanim, and the Shiur of Tosfos Shabbos is several minutes later (see Seder Hachnasas Shabbos. Cf. Alter Rebbe's Shulchon Aruch (OC 293:1) who writes until Kochavim Ketanim can be seen close together). Maariv… Tzeis Shabbos occurs at Tzeis Kochavim Ketanim, and the Shiur of Tosfos Shabbos is several minutes later (see Seder Hachnasas Shabbos. Cf. Alter Rebbe's Shulchon Aruch (OC 293:1) who writes until Kochavim Ketanim can be seen close together). Maariv should not begin before this time so as not to cause community/family members to start any Melacha/Hachana before that time. This time is after the Zman of 6.6 degrees plus 4 minutes. In 770, the minhag is to always wait until 42 flat minutes after sunset. In many places, the accepted practice is to wait until the Zman of 8.5…Show more
You should not be watching ceremonies that contain idol worship, nor videos and pictures from inside a Church, amongst other issues. See here: https://asktherav.com/14441-may-one-look-at-pictures-of-the-inside-a-church-must-one-spit-when-passing-a-church/ Sources: משום אל תפנו אל אלילים ויקרא יט ד, רמב"ם…
It may be done. Sources: הרש״ש כתב בהגהות השמ״ש על ע״ח טו - שער…
Question: I've experienced and been told that it's good to vent. דאגה בלב איש ישיחנה. I'm wondering though how this can work if it can turn on Lashon Hora. For example if someone said something rude or unjustified… Question: I've experienced and been told that it's good to vent. דאגה בלב איש ישיחנה. I'm wondering though how this can work if it can turn on Lashon Hora. For example if someone said something rude or unjustified and one wants to share it, many times sharing the name explains the full situation. Because it's not so much the words that are said but who said those words. So how can venting be done in a correct way? Answer: If necessary, one may vent about an insult etc. and include the person's name, provided one meets the…Show more
Question: The Shulchan Aruch (CM 70, 1, Alter Rebbe Halvaah #6) says that a loan with a shtar is משובח יותר. Does this also apply to an employment agreement? Answer: No. Source: עיקר טעם לעדים -… Question: The Shulchan Aruch (CM 70, 1, Alter Rebbe Halvaah #6) says that a loan with a shtar is משובח יותר. Does this also apply to an employment agreement? Answer: No. Source: עיקר טעם לעדים - ומשובח יותר שטר - כדי שלא יבוא הלווה לשכחה, וגם המלווה מצווה ע"ז משום לפני עור. והנה כל הנ"ל שייך רק להלוואה בגלל מצות חזרת מלוה, משא"כ בשכירות הפועלים, ותלוי בשניהם באם נאמנים אחד על השני בלי שטר. וראה שו"ע אדה"ז דיני שאלה ושכירות סכ"א. #10547Show more
According to halacha, one may not accept tzedaka from a non-Jew at all unless it's needed urgently, and even then not openly. One may accept tzedaka from them if it's for a shul if he specifies that he is… According to halacha, one may not accept tzedaka from a non-Jew at all unless it's needed urgently, and even then not openly. One may accept tzedaka from them if it's for a shul if he specifies that he is giving it leshem shomayim. If he gives it without saying anything, nowadays we assume it's not for avoda zarah. In this case, if she is praying to anything other than leshem shomayim it would be a problem to accept it even for a shul. Source: שו''ע יו''ד סי' רנ''ד סע' א-ב. סי' רנ''ט ס''ד. ערוך השולחן רנ''ט…Show more
Question: I learned Rambam late tonight and finished 3 minutes after dawn, without reciting Birchas Hatorah. Do I need to relearn what I said after dawn? Also, I realized that dawn is a different time on Chabad.org than on… Question: I learned Rambam late tonight and finished 3 minutes after dawn, without reciting Birchas Hatorah. Do I need to relearn what I said after dawn? Also, I realized that dawn is a different time on Chabad.org than on MyZmanim.com, why is this? Answer: There is no need to re-learn that which was learned after dawn. However once dawn arrives one may not continue learning without reciting Birchas Hatorah. Regarding the Zmanim: The reason for the discrepancy in the Zmanim is based on a disagreement how to calculate this zman. See here for an analysis of this matter…Show more
Yes, if it is the same Berocho as the one you just finished. There is no difference in this case if it is a child, providing he is actually davening and not just learning the Berocho. Source:… Yes, if it is the same Berocho as the one you just finished. There is no difference in this case if it is a child, providing he is actually davening and not just learning the Berocho. Source: וע״ר סי' נ''ט ס''ד. וראה בקצות השולחן סי' י''ט ס''א: ''מהש''צ או מאחר''. ובשוע''ר סי' רט''ו ס''ב - כשהילד מחוייב כדי לפטור עצמו. #10620Show more
Question continued: 1. What about rose water which is very common in sfaradic circles and they do smell it and eat it as well? 2. Also for havdala would it be better to use something that is definitely minei…Question continued: 1. What about rose water which is very common in sfaradic circles and they do smell it and eat it as well? 2. Also for havdala would it be better to use something that is definitely minei besamim like cloves and cinnamon but not mint? Answer: The following is a summary based on Seder Birchos Hanenim chapter 11. If they grow as a grass, or on a soft stalk, the beracha is Borei Isvei besamim. If they grown on a hard stalk, and certainly if they grow on a tree, the beracha is Borei Atzei Besamim.…Show more
No. Source: ראה שו"ע אדה"ז סא, ח. ואפילו בקריאת שמו"ת דנו הפוסקים, ראה קצוה"ש עב סק"י. וגם בקששעהמ״ט ראוי לחוש - אדה״ז שם. וכן כשאומרים במוצאי יו״כ - ראה המחזור ויטרי (עמ' 396-395). תוספות ברכות לד, א ד״ה… No. Source: ראה שו"ע אדה"ז סא, ח. ואפילו בקריאת שמו"ת דנו הפוסקים, ראה קצוה"ש עב סק"י. וגם בקששעהמ״ט ראוי לחוש - אדה״ז שם. וכן כשאומרים במוצאי יו״כ - ראה המחזור ויטרי (עמ' 396-395). תוספות ברכות לד, א ד״ה אמר פסוקא. רא״ש שם טו. Q. If not, does it become permitted if we only say "Hashem" and not the real Pasuk? A. Nope. זיל בתר טעמא. Q. Conversely, is it better to use or not to use Hashem's real name when singing Shema and Bereishis in the 12 Pesukim? A. Better not to use Hashem’s name. …Show more
Question continued: I am doing a mass mivtza mezuza in a huge complex of buildings where the yidden live among many unfriendly & unsafe neighbors. They are afraid to put their mezuzos on the front door, and many… Question continued: I am doing a mass mivtza mezuza in a huge complex of buildings where the yidden live among many unfriendly & unsafe neighbors. They are afraid to put their mezuzos on the front door, and many have stories of people taking their mezuzos, harassing them or trying to destroy their mezuzos. Answer: When there is Sakana (danger) one may affix the mezuzah behind the door underneath the lintel. If this is not possible, one may affix it behind the door on the doorpost (within a handbreadth to the door). In such a case no…Show more
Question continued: My grandmother, who passed away recently was named Victoria . That was her only name. I would like to name my daughter after her but my husband says it's not a Jewish name, I want to know what…Question continued: My grandmother, who passed away recently was named Victoria . That was her only name. I would like to name my daughter after her but my husband says it's not a Jewish name, I want to know what makes a name Jewish. Answer: Giving a name to your child should be with the agreement of both parents. You can honor your grandmother by giving a Hebrew name which is similar to Victoria, such as Malka, which means a queen, or Atara, which means a crown. You might also choose to retain the name Victoria for secular…Show more
Question clarified: I moved to town 2 years ago. Right when I moved in I put the yearly mikvah fee in the box. I later found out that as an employee in the mosad, I don't have to pay.…Question clarified: I moved to town 2 years ago. Right when I moved in I put the yearly mikvah fee in the box. I later found out that as an employee in the mosad, I don't have to pay. So I didn't pay for the second year. Now I will not be working in the mosad anymore. Would I have to pay for the next year or can I use the money that I paid originally as if it were on credit? Answer: It depends on your thoughts originally when you discovered that you really don’t need…Show more
Question clarified: We paid for a service through Paypal and were advised to send payment as friends to avoid the transaction fee. This option was not available and we had to make the payment right away so we sent…Question clarified: We paid for a service through Paypal and were advised to send payment as friends to avoid the transaction fee. This option was not available and we had to make the payment right away so we sent it through regular PayPal. The seller is now asking us to pay for the fee. According to Paypal, the seller is responsible for the fee. What is the halachic view on this? Answer: Disclaimer: the following discusses the halachic components, not the legal ones. If the seller - or service provider - didn’t stipulate anything in advance, the fee…Show more
Question continued: My wedding band and diamond ring are tight. I am pregnant and sometimes my fingers get bloated. I cannot remove my ring without soap and water. It is very annoying and painful at times. Can I keep… Question continued: My wedding band and diamond ring are tight. I am pregnant and sometimes my fingers get bloated. I cannot remove my ring without soap and water. It is very annoying and painful at times. Can I keep it on for washing hamotzie? Answer: On the contrary: because it’s tight you must remove it for washing. The halacha is that one should be stringent and remove loose rings too due to the concern that we are not expert enough to define exactly “loose”. רמ״א או״ח קסא, ג. אדה״ז שם ז. #10625Show more
Question continued: I am tired of getting stacks of shaimus from my classes, it's hard to keep track of it all and annoying to discard properly, so I had the idea to buy an e-reader that uses e-ink. This way…Question continued: I am tired of getting stacks of shaimus from my classes, it's hard to keep track of it all and annoying to discard properly, so I had the idea to buy an e-reader that uses e-ink. This way I can keep all my handouts on the e-reader well organized. When I received the e-reader I realized there might be an issue, while with conventional screens, there is not a real issue of shaimus for a number of reasons, e-ink might be different. The way I understand it, e-ink uses hundreds of thousands of microscopic spheres filled with oppositely…Show more
She should buy par baked bread and bake them herself. In the event that there is no par baked bread, she can return the bread back to the oven to make it Pas Yisroel, only if by baking it… She should buy par baked bread and bake them herself. In the event that there is no par baked bread, she can return the bread back to the oven to make it Pas Yisroel, only if by baking it she improves the quality of the bread. Reheating the bread per se isn’t sufficient. While some permit buying bread and toasting it, especially if it stale and thus improving the bread, it’s hard to justify this. Source: ראה שו״ע יו״ד קי״ב י״ב. ובנוגע צנימים - כמה עיקולי ופשורי, חדא שהאפי׳ החדשה אינה מבטלת הראשונה, דאיסור שבו להיכן הלך,…Show more
It’s appropriate not to look at such pictures. Spitting isn't a requirement, but some have such a custom. א. משום הרחק מן הכיעור. וראה שלהי דקייטא סימן כה. שו"ת אבני ישפה א, קנג. ב. ע״פ ע״ז נג, א:… It’s appropriate not to look at such pictures. Spitting isn't a requirement, but some have such a custom. א. משום הרחק מן הכיעור. וראה שלהי דקייטא סימן כה. שו"ת אבני ישפה א, קנג. ב. ע״פ ע״ז נג, א: רקק בפני׳. ובצפע״נ ע״ז ח, י שבכפאו לרוק ה״ז ביטול, וכן במשמשי ע״ז היינו ביטול. וע״ד הרקיקה באמירת שהם משתחוים, כל׳ הט״ז קעט, ה שהוא לבזיון ע״ז. #14441Show more
It may be said before Chatzos. Sources: כמפורש להדיא בשעהמ״צ פ׳ ואתחנן. והנה, י״א בדעת האריז״ל…
Question: Most minyonim daven very fast and I'm a slow davener. I'm familiar with the Rebbe's horaah that one needs only to begin with the minyan, and doesn't have to run after them. If I recall correctly, Reb… Question: Most minyonim daven very fast and I'm a slow davener. I'm familiar with the Rebbe's horaah that one needs only to begin with the minyan, and doesn't have to run after them. If I recall correctly, Reb Nissen once told me that one can begin before the minyan in order to meet up with them by Shemoneh Esrei. Regarding Mincha: Is it better to begin Shemoneh Esrei while the minyan is beginning ashrei (and miss kadish), in order to finish in time to say kedusha. Regarding Maariv: I'm holding right before Shemoneh Esrei,…Show more
Lchatchilah, you should wait for the 10th person to come to shul and only then start the Amida. However if you didn't wait and the 10th person arrived after the silent Amida you can now do the repetition. מקורות: מ"א בסי' סט סק"ד בשם הרדב"ז שאין חוזרים ומתפללים.…
Question: I just bought a house in the USA with young fruit trees. If the trees were planted by a goy do I need to wait 4 years to eat from the fruits? If I can't find out when… Question: I just bought a house in the USA with young fruit trees. If the trees were planted by a goy do I need to wait 4 years to eat from the fruits? If I can't find out when they were planted, when may I begin eating from the fruits? Answer: 1. Three years, unless it’s a vineyard. Lchatchilah one should redeem the fourth year fruit in chutz laaretz without a bracha. 2. As long as there is a possibility that three (four) years have passed, the fruits are permitted. You may pick the fruits yourself. Sources: א. שו"ע יו"ד רצד, ח. ועיין סעיף ז' שם.…Show more
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