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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
Question continued: I would like to clarify the issue of butter that may be made with cholov akum. I see that the kitzur (and even the Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch) officially allows any butter to be eaten, but… Question continued: I would like to clarify the issue of butter that may be made with cholov akum. I see that the kitzur (and even the Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch) officially allows any butter to be eaten, but I know that this is not what we normally do in Chabad. Can you please clarify this? Is there any official psak or minhag chabad concerning butter? Answer: Such butter should not be eaten. Explanation: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (38:15) does not say it is permitted. He says it depends on custom. I am not sure where you got…Show more
Question: Is there a problem to begin the Shabbos meal before counting Sefira? Answer: Indeed this is a problem. This applies Friday night and during the week as well. One may not start a meal half an hour… Question: Is there a problem to begin the Shabbos meal before counting Sefira? Answer: Indeed this is a problem. This applies Friday night and during the week as well. One may not start a meal half an hour before the time of sefira, i.e., half an hour before sunset. It is only permissible to do so if there is someone who is not eating who will remind everyone about sefira. Some say even that is not sufficient. It should be noted that despite the fact that there are those who say that according to kabalah one should count…Show more
Question: I saw the Rav briefly touched upon this in a Hebrew teshuva, but I wanted more clarification in relation to a practical question. If someone bought a box of cheerios on 4/15/21 in a store that is owned… Question: I saw the Rav briefly touched upon this in a Hebrew teshuva, but I wanted more clarification in relation to a practical question. If someone bought a box of cheerios on 4/15/21 in a store that is owned by a Jew and the chometz was not sold and the community waits another week to buy chometz there. Is this considered a sofek that would allow benefiting from this chometz by giving it as a gift to a goy, or giving it to an animal? If not, can one return it to the store and get a refund? …Show more
Question: I have relatives that hold of and use the eruv in crown heights on Shabbos. Am I allowed to have pleasure from things they carry on Shabbos? For example, eat food they brought over on Shabbos or more… Question: I have relatives that hold of and use the eruv in crown heights on Shabbos. Am I allowed to have pleasure from things they carry on Shabbos? For example, eat food they brought over on Shabbos or more so to have them carry my baby to shul? Answer: No. This is because, according to most opinions, even regarding Hotzaah, one may not benefit Bedieved if done. In a community which has a proper eiruv sanctioned by the local Rabonim, you would be allowed to benefit after the fact, but you cannot tell him to do it…Show more
Question: If I daven Nusach Ari, and I am davening in a minyan for maariv that davens Nusach Sefard, do I say Amen to the additional Beracha between Hashkiveinu and kaddish before Shmona Esrei? Answer: Any… Question: If I daven Nusach Ari, and I am davening in a minyan for maariv that davens Nusach Sefard, do I say Amen to the additional Beracha between Hashkiveinu and kaddish before Shmona Esrei? Answer: Any interruption is forbidden between concluding the Beracha of Hashkiveinu and starting Shmona Esrei - the Amida with the exclusion of Kaddish. Therefore according to our Minhag, we do not say the Pesukim of Veshamru on Shabbos or the Beracha of Baruch Hashem during the week nor do we answer Amen to that Beracha out of concern that it is considered…Show more
Practical Question: When I land in yeshiva in the PM hours from an overseas flight on a Monday or Thursday, is it necessary to ask 5 bochurim not to hear Kriah, so we can make a minyan when I… Practical Question: When I land in yeshiva in the PM hours from an overseas flight on a Monday or Thursday, is it necessary to ask 5 bochurim not to hear Kriah, so we can make a minyan when I come before shkia? Answer: According to most poskim, krias haTorah is a chovas hatzibur. Thus, there is no obligation on the individual to hear krias haTorah. Nonetheless, if there is a minyan present, one must pay attention to krias haTorah, and ensure that every place has a minyan for krias haTorah. In…Show more
Question: Is there a way to fulfill the inyan of learning a daf of sotah every day of sefira and at the same time save the last part of daf 49 (on erev shavuos) to do the siyum… Question: Is there a way to fulfill the inyan of learning a daf of sotah every day of sefira and at the same time save the last part of daf 49 (on erev shavuos) to do the siyum much later (such as during the 9 days)? Answer: If you are just making the Siyum celebration on a later date, in order to add in Kavod Hatorah, that is okay, even if you finished earlier. But for it to be considered a seudas mitzvah (for example to allow meat and wine in the nine days, or to…Show more
For example: To say the first couple lines of asher yatzar (repeating after the teacher word by word). Once they've mastered this, to add on another line etc. Answer: Both from a halachic perspective, as well as a… For example: To say the first couple lines of asher yatzar (repeating after the teacher word by word). Once they've mastered this, to add on another line etc. Answer: Both from a halachic perspective, as well as a chinuch perspective, it would be better to teach the full Beracha, with the teacher saying word by word and the child repeating (even if they don't say every word). This way they learn that there is only one Beracha and there is no shortcuts. If the child is older and should be able to say the full Beracha and is…Show more
What Bracha is said on the following items: I made a "kishka" mixture using old challah, water and some flour, cut onions, oil and spices, then I cooked the kishka (wrapped separately) inside a cholent pot. Mezonos… What Bracha is said on the following items: I made a "kishka" mixture using old challah, water and some flour, cut onions, oil and spices, then I cooked the kishka (wrapped separately) inside a cholent pot. Mezonos and all hamichyo. A בעל נפש should be stringent if one would get full from it to eat it in a meal with bread. סדר ברכות הנהנין פ”ב הי”ג. Same as above but baked in an oven without cholent. Hamotsi and birchas hamazon. I took old challah, mixed it with water and oil, then made it flat and baked…Show more
Is there a difference between Kemach or Taanug companies? Answer: It depends whether the corn flakes are made from actual corn pieces or from corn flour. The bracha on flakes from pieces, otherwise known as grits, is Haadama.… Is there a difference between Kemach or Taanug companies? Answer: It depends whether the corn flakes are made from actual corn pieces or from corn flour. The bracha on flakes from pieces, otherwise known as grits, is Haadama. To the best of our knowledge, Kellogg’s cornflakes are made this way. However, the bracha on cornflakes made from ground corn, corn flour, is Shehakol. Many popular cornflakes made by frum companies are made this way. #5715Show more
It is made of wheat and egg. It is fried and then stuffed with vegetables. What would be the Bracha Acharona and would the stuffing count towards the shiur? Answer: The Beracha Rishona is Mezonos. Regarding the Bracha… It is made of wheat and egg. It is fried and then stuffed with vegetables. What would be the Bracha Acharona and would the stuffing count towards the shiur? Answer: The Beracha Rishona is Mezonos. Regarding the Bracha Acharona, the filling counts toward the shiur of Kezayis. However, if the ratio of dough to the rest of the mixture is a a sixth or more, the Beracha Achrona would be Al Hamichya. If not, it’s questionable whether the Beracha Achrona would be Borei Nefoshos or Al Hamichya. Therefore, one should eat another Kezayis upon which the bracha is…Show more
Question: If one had in mind to give a certain amount of tzedakah to a meshulach and then he realized he didn’t have money on him or his credit card wasn’t working in the machine, is he required to… Question: If one had in mind to give a certain amount of tzedakah to a meshulach and then he realized he didn’t have money on him or his credit card wasn’t working in the machine, is he required to give that exact money to that meshulach? Let’s say he’ll never see him again and has no way of contacting him in the future? Can that exact amount be given to any other tzedakah? Answer: In your situation that you didn’t verbalize your pledge, and you have no way of reaching this specific Meshulach, you may be…Show more
Question: I need to take an anti body test in order to get to Yeshiva. The later I take it, the later I can go back. One of my friends mentioned that he thinks it's a problem to take… Question: I need to take an anti body test in order to get to Yeshiva. The later I take it, the later I can go back. One of my friends mentioned that he thinks it's a problem to take a blood test on Rosh Chodesh. Is it allowed for me (due to Talmud Torah)? Answer: Permitted in any case. Sources: ומה שאמרו בשבת קכט, ב שבר״ח חולשא - ונז׳…Show more
Thick strings may last longer and not rip as easily. Nonetheless, one should use average size thickness to beautify the mitzvah. Sources: במג״א יב, ו קס״ד ע״פ מנחות לח, ב, שמצוה…
It should not be done. If the nails are large and need to be cut, they should be cut regardless. Sources: לכאו׳ י״ל שתלוי אם הוא משום דדמיא למלאכה וממילא…
Question: This is a question about a boy I'm teaching for his Bar Mitzvah on Shlichus. If ones right hand is his stronger hand and does all activities with his right arm, but writes with his left arm. What… Question: This is a question about a boy I'm teaching for his Bar Mitzvah on Shlichus. If ones right hand is his stronger hand and does all activities with his right arm, but writes with his left arm. What hand does he put on Teffilin? Answer: He should put on his left hand. (If possible, he should be encouraged to also put on his right hand afterwards, Bli Neder). Sources: כדעת הרא"ש וספר התרומה והמרדכי, וגם לדעת רבינו יחיאל…Show more
Question: My wife is beginning her ninth month, her family has the minhag to toivel in the ninth month. I also have heard that toiveling afterward is a segula for fertility. Is this a real segula that should be… Question: My wife is beginning her ninth month, her family has the minhag to toivel in the ninth month. I also have heard that toiveling afterward is a segula for fertility. Is this a real segula that should be taken into account to coordinate with someone else that might want this segula? Answer: The custom of going to the Mikva in the ninth month is indeed brought in some seforim as a segula, but on the other hand the Rebbe writes that he hasn’t heard about it being practiced among Chabad Chassidim. More about the original…Show more
After the last time used. To be precise: When kashering from treif: waiting 24 hours before Kashering is from the last time it was used for Treif, unless it was used/washed, with hot food/water, within 24 hours… After the last time used. To be precise: When kashering from treif: waiting 24 hours before Kashering is from the last time it was used for Treif, unless it was used/washed, with hot food/water, within 24 hours of the Treif. However, when kashering from milchig or from fleishig, or from chometz before the zman issur: even if used with hot water you only need to wait 24 hours from when it was used for milchig, fleishig, or chometz, unless there was chometz stuck to it when the hot water was used. Q. Can I clean the…Show more
כל מה שנעשה עם רכיבים מתוקים (כמו סוכר, ביצים, מי פירות וכיו”ב) שהם בכמות גדולה יותר מהקמח, ובדרך כלל עוגות בחושות, ברכתם מזונות גם לבעל נפש, עד לשיעור קביעות סעודה. כמו כן, כל מיני עוגיות שעיקרן הוא המילוי -… כל מה שנעשה עם רכיבים מתוקים (כמו סוכר, ביצים, מי פירות וכיו”ב) שהם בכמות גדולה יותר מהקמח, ובדרך כלל עוגות בחושות, ברכתם מזונות גם לבעל נפש, עד לשיעור קביעות סעודה. כמו כן, כל מיני עוגיות שעיקרן הוא המילוי - דהיינו שעיקר עשייתן אינה למזון ולהשביע כ”א לעידון ולתענוג ברכתן מזונות אא״כ קובע סעודה. וכמו”כ כל דבר שבלילתו רכה יותר מדאי - נוזלי - או אם אינו נוזלי כ”כ רק שנאפה כעיסה דקה מאוד, שנעשו רקיקים דקים מאד אחר האפיה, ה”ה מזונות עד לשיעור קביעות סעודה. הנ”ל הוא כשנאפה בתנור, אבל כל מה שנתבשל במים או שמטוגן בהרבה שמן, חמאה…Show more
Strictly speaking, if mevushal is six times more, it’s considered mevushal. Some even say a majority of mevushal is sufficient. Nevertheless, in practice, these opinions should not be followed under regular circumstances and in all these cases it should… Strictly speaking, if mevushal is six times more, it’s considered mevushal. Some even say a majority of mevushal is sufficient. Nevertheless, in practice, these opinions should not be followed under regular circumstances and in all these cases it should be still considered as non-mevushal in regards to the halacha of יין נסך that it becomes forbidden through a non-Jew. Therefore, it should be fully mevushal. Sources: ראה רמ״א יו״ד קכג, ה שהביא ב׳ דעות לשער…Show more
Question: I am a Sofer, I was wondering if it is a chiyuv to computer check my work or is it enough to go over it three times as mentioned in Shulchan Aruch? Answer: According to most… Question: I am a Sofer, I was wondering if it is a chiyuv to computer check my work or is it enough to go over it three times as mentioned in Shulchan Aruch? Answer: According to most poskim there is no obligation to use a computer, although it is very recommended (obviously in addition to human checking). Sources: ראה שו"ת קנין תורה ה, קו. תשוה"נ ב, צט.…Show more
Question: I am aware of the potential issues with using Maaser money for Mitzvos or to purchase honors in shul/shul membership. Do these issues apply to Chomesh? Specifically: If I separate Chomesh and give 10% immediately to Colel Chabad,… Question: I am aware of the potential issues with using Maaser money for Mitzvos or to purchase honors in shul/shul membership. Do these issues apply to Chomesh? Specifically: If I separate Chomesh and give 10% immediately to Colel Chabad, does the additional 10% have the same rules as normal Ma'aser, or is it more lenient? If I would not use the first 10% on a shul membership or on a Mitzvah, can I use the second 10% on that? Do any sources address the differences between how one spends Chomesh vs. Ma'aser? Answer: Yes, Chomesh is more lenient.…Show more
Question: I bake large batches of different cakes. (For example marble cakes, sponge cakes, chocolate cakes etc.) And each batter has shiur challah, however I bake each type of cake in small loaf pans. (For example I'll have 15… Question: I bake large batches of different cakes. (For example marble cakes, sponge cakes, chocolate cakes etc.) And each batter has shiur challah, however I bake each type of cake in small loaf pans. (For example I'll have 15 small marble cakes and 15 chocolate cakes etc.) How is challah separated? Do I separate from each type or 1 separation is good as long as it's min hamukaf? Does min hamukaf mean if it's the same room or it needs to be in 1 tray/basket? Answer: In order to separate challa with a bracha: You need to…Show more
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