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Question: Someone purchased their personal home 20 years ago and recently sold it for several times the original amount paid. Does one need to give Ma'aser from the profits? Also what is considered profit with regards to the years… Question: Someone purchased their personal home 20 years ago and recently sold it for several times the original amount paid. Does one need to give Ma'aser from the profits? Also what is considered profit with regards to the years of interest, taxes, home improvement, etc. spent that went into the house? Answer: One needs to give Maaser from the profits. One may substract expenses caused by purchasing, renovating and maintaining the house (e.g. mortgage interest, construction) but not property tax. ראה אג״ק יח ע׳ שפד. #14370 #9093Show more
Question: How much is a Yid required to overpay and still buy from a Yid rather than from a non-yid? Answer: There is no fixed amount. If one incurs a significant loss, there is no need to do… Question: How much is a Yid required to overpay and still buy from a Yid rather than from a non-yid? Answer: There is no fixed amount. If one incurs a significant loss, there is no need to do so. If however, the difference is negligible and insignificant, one should buy from the Jew. According to many poskim, up to an extra 1/6 of the price (16.67%) is usually considered negligible. Question: There is a Jewish-owned vitamin company that sells both on Jewish-owned pharmacies and on Amazon. I was wondering if I should be going the "extra…Show more
If there are women that are Tznius, it is permitted as long as they are not in your view (provided this isn’t an official shul). עיין חתם סופר בתשובותיו חו"מ סימן ק"צ. If there are women that are not… If there are women that are Tznius, it is permitted as long as they are not in your view (provided this isn’t an official shul). עיין חתם סופר בתשובותיו חו"מ סימן ק"צ. If there are women that are not Tznius and you are in an open place or in the same room, you should turn your face away and not daven while they are directly in front of you even if you cannot see them. If you are not in the same room (like in the tent outside 770 during Tishrei), it is permitted as long as they are…Show more
I am not aware of any concept/directive of using specifically the standard Shir Lamaalos card (painted by Raphael Abecassis in 5747). It appears that the main thing indeed is to have the same text, which includes the Perek 121… I am not aware of any concept/directive of using specifically the standard Shir Lamaalos card (painted by Raphael Abecassis in 5747). It appears that the main thing indeed is to have the same text, which includes the Perek 121 of Tehillim and additional names and Pesukim. There are many antique Shir Lamaalos papers containing just the text. While the drawings might contain specific symbolisms (such as: the Luchos and rays on the top; the Menorahs and Shofars on both sides; the doves facing upwards; fish; pitchers of oil; harp; pomegranates; as well as the grass and dots all around),…Show more
There is no official Chabad minhag as such. But it's perfectly ok to make the shlissel challah, and the minhag is based on holy sources. Note: If there is a design on the challah, even if carved out… There is no official Chabad minhag as such. But it's perfectly ok to make the shlissel challah, and the minhag is based on holy sources. Note: If there is a design on the challah, even if carved out from the dough itself it is proper to be stringent not to eat and break it on Shabbos. However if the entire challah is the shape of a design one may eat it. See here: https://asktherav.com/594-may-one-eat-a-cake-challah-cookie-shaped-as-a-number-or-letter-on-shabbos-how-about-shaped-as-a-picture/ Sources: כמה אופנים במנהג זה כדלקמן. ומקורות רבים למנהג על…Show more
Question: My mother is in the hospital for a week already and we don't know when she will come home yet. All siblings have been taking turns to visit her. Some of them are asking if family members can… Question: My mother is in the hospital for a week already and we don't know when she will come home yet. All siblings have been taking turns to visit her. Some of them are asking if family members can chip in for transportation expense to the hospital. Can Ma'aser be used for myself and to give to siblings for transportation expenses? Answer: Ma'aser can be used for yourself and to give to your siblings for transportation expenses. See here: https://asktherav.com/11924-maaser-money-for-taxies-to-and-from-visiting-the-sick/ Preferably, however, you should only use it to cover your siblings' expenses (they, in turn, can do…Show more
The hand isn’t considered a cover for the head unless using the sleeve with it or someone else’s hand. This is because one cannot cover themselves through themselves. However, when using the hand on top of another covering it's… The hand isn’t considered a cover for the head unless using the sleeve with it or someone else’s hand. This is because one cannot cover themselves through themselves. However, when using the hand on top of another covering it's considered covered. Nonetheless, those who are particular to recite brachos with two coverings should preferably not rely on this and should use a proper second covering. In regards to this minhag in general, see here: https://asktherav.com/4156-is-it-an-obligation-or-a-minhag-chassidim-to-have-a-second-covering-over-ones-head-while-making-a-bracha-or-saying-hashems-name-like-during-shnayim-mikra-or-chumash-etc/ Sources: ראה שוע"ר סימן צא סעיף ד. ולהעיר שמשמעות אדה״ז…Show more
Question: I sold for Pesach my homemade sourdough starter along with the rest of my chametz. Can I use it now, or is there a distinction that I'm unaware of between selling regular chametz and such chametz? Answer:… Question: I sold for Pesach my homemade sourdough starter along with the rest of my chametz. Can I use it now, or is there a distinction that I'm unaware of between selling regular chametz and such chametz? Answer: You may use it. No distinction. P.S. Dough of hafroshas challah which is designated to be burned should not be sold and should be burned before Pesach. Sources: אף שיש שהחמירו בזה מדין רוצה בקיומו או שהיא…Show more
Yes, unless the pot is made from metal or plastic in which case there is room for stringency. Sources: הנה, קייל״ן לגבי ערלה, שחייב גם בנוטע בעציץ שאינו…
Yes. Sources: ואינו דומה לכאן - https://asktherav.com/12037-2/ - כיון שאין דרך…
It is absolutely forbidden. See also: Halacha2go.com article #487: Can I let someone who forgot his card go through the turnstile with me? Though the immersion is still valid after the fact, it is absolutely ridiculous to immerse in… It is absolutely forbidden. See also: Halacha2go.com article #487: Can I let someone who forgot his card go through the turnstile with me? Though the immersion is still valid after the fact, it is absolutely ridiculous to immerse in order to receive purity and holiness while at the same time violating such a severe sin which even teshuvah and yom kippur do not atone for until such time that one returns the theft. Sources: באמת יש לדון מדין מהבב״ע, ונפק״מ גם - ועיקר…Show more
The Rebbe once mentioned that many siddurim have it printed before davening and explained why this is so. Nonetheless, it’s not brought in our siddur and isn’t our minhag. As a general rule, the Rebbe was not fond… The Rebbe once mentioned that many siddurim have it printed before davening and explained why this is so. Nonetheless, it’s not brought in our siddur and isn’t our minhag. As a general rule, the Rebbe was not fond of seeking out segulos found in seforim, as they don’t apply to all individuals in all circumstances and one cannot be sure whether this is relevant for him or not. Sources: ראה שיחת יום שמח״ת תשמ״ט. ולהעיר שהתקנה לומר כל…Show more
It appears that in my new coffee grinder the only two metal parts that come in contact with the coffee beans are the top and bottom burrs. The top burr is removable, but the bottom burr is not removable… It appears that in my new coffee grinder the only two metal parts that come in contact with the coffee beans are the top and bottom burrs. The top burr is removable, but the bottom burr is not removable (according to manufacturer's instruction manual). Question: Do I need to toyvel the entire appliance (I am worried about the motor) or is it enough to immerse it upside down until the bottom burr is submersed in water? Answer: You would have to immerse the entire Keili, if it's not detachable, See here: https://asktherav.com/do-i-need-to-toivel-my-electric-hot-water-urn/ And here - Question 10:…Show more
Tevilas Keilim Utensils Immersion - Dish dipping in a mini-mikveh prior to initial use - Notice: If you purchased new Pesach dishes or cookware during the pandemic and (temporarily) sold them to a non-Jew in lieu of toiveling… Tevilas Keilim Utensils Immersion - Dish dipping in a mini-mikveh prior to initial use - Notice: If you purchased new Pesach dishes or cookware during the pandemic and (temporarily) sold them to a non-Jew in lieu of toiveling them, they must be immersed this year without a bracha prior to use. 1. What is the original source for tevilas keilim? In Parshas Matos (Bamidbar 31:21) the Torah relates that following the war against Midyan, the Jewish nation was commanded to immerse all eating and cooking utensils that they had captured as spoils of war before using them.…Show more
Question: I'm in the 12th month of Aveilus for my father hk"m, and there's nobody in shul that is missing both parents to say kaddish yosom, is it okay for me to say it? Answer: If… Question: I'm in the 12th month of Aveilus for my father hk"m, and there's nobody in shul that is missing both parents to say kaddish yosom, is it okay for me to say it? Answer: If you mother is not alive too, then you may say Kaddish where there is no other chiyuv, if the custom in your shul is that kaddish is always recited even when there is no chiyuv. Sources: ראה שו״ת שבות יעקב ב, צה. והובא בשע״ת קלב,…Show more
Question: We have a standing order with Amazon to ship some items monthly among them instant oatmeal. We forgot to cancel it and it came during Pesach. We were away for Pesach. Box containing oatmeal was brought into the… Question: We have a standing order with Amazon to ship some items monthly among them instant oatmeal. We forgot to cancel it and it came during Pesach. We were away for Pesach. Box containing oatmeal was brought into the lobby of the house where our apartment is by a neighbor. We opened large box containing items among them box of oatmeal once we were back after yom tov. What can be done with oatmeal? Answer: It's all fine. Sources: הנה, לרוב הפוסקים חבילות שבדואר שייכות למוכר, אא״כ כבר…Show more
Question: What is the din regarding Chomets and food that I ate with Chomets that I put away in my parents freezer and I did not mention it when selling my Chomets? Answer: All Chametz should be destroyed.… Question: What is the din regarding Chomets and food that I ate with Chomets that I put away in my parents freezer and I did not mention it when selling my Chomets? Answer: All Chametz should be destroyed. It should be burned or flushed down the toilet. It may not be given to a Goy. (If this would incur a great loss, there might be room for leniency. Please respond with details if that’s the case, so we can rule accordingly). I would like to point out that many foods are not actually "chometz", they just…Show more
It is proper to be stringent not to eat and break bakery items that have on them letters or pictures on Shabbos and Yom Tov. This applies even if the shape is carved out from the dough itself. However… It is proper to be stringent not to eat and break bakery items that have on them letters or pictures on Shabbos and Yom Tov. This applies even if the shape is carved out from the dough itself. However if the entire challah is the shape (besides shapes of letters or numbers) of a design one may eat it. An example would be be eating a key shaped challah on the Shabbos after Pesach. https://asktherav.com/13115-may-one-eat-food-with-a-picture-on-it-on-shabbos-e-g-chocolate-with-a-cow-on-it/ Sources: See Shulchan Aruch Admor Hazaken (Orach Chayim 340:4; 343:10; 458:8; 519:6).…Show more
Question: Bochurim who are being יוצא from הבדלה in Shul, should they first say ויתן לך and then say קידוש לבנה or vice versa? Answer: Right after Havdalah, before Kiddush Levanah. ויתן לך - למנהגנו שייך להבדלה… Question: Bochurim who are being יוצא from הבדלה in Shul, should they first say ויתן לך and then say קידוש לבנה or vice versa? Answer: Right after Havdalah, before Kiddush Levanah. ויתן לך - למנהגנו שייך להבדלה דוקא"". וראה ביומן אראנו נפלאות שבמוצאי ש"פ נשא תנש"א אמר כ"ק אד"ש ויתן לך קודם צאתו לקידוש לבנה. כמובן, שאם בגלל האמירה דויתן לך יאחר ויפסיד לקדש הלבנה ברוב עם, או שיש חשש שיפסיד המצוה לגמרי מחמת העננים וכדומה, יקדים קידוש לבנה. #13850Show more
If it runs out - it turns off, so by adding water I am delaying the turn off... Answer: Since the machine is already on, and provided that there won’t be any change in the electricity of the… If it runs out - it turns off, so by adding water I am delaying the turn off... Answer: Since the machine is already on, and provided that there won’t be any change in the electricity of the machine as a result, it is permitted. Sources: ראה בספר הלכות שבת זורה בהערה ס״ד בשם הגר״מ…Show more
Question: We have a pigeon nest near our window (the nest is hefker). If they lay the eggs on Friday Erev Yom Tov, when are we allowed to take the eggs over the 3 days of Shabbos and… Question: We have a pigeon nest near our window (the nest is hefker). If they lay the eggs on Friday Erev Yom Tov, when are we allowed to take the eggs over the 3 days of Shabbos and Yom Tov. If we wait too long until Monday night, the eggs might already have an embryo and then they are treif. Answer: Assuming this is indeed true that it is hefker, and the mitzvah cannot be done before Shabbos or after Yom Tov, you may do the mitzvah on Shabbos or Yom Tov with the following conditions:…Show more
You may use the room but don’t use the light. Sources: ראה אדה״ז רעו, ב. ולכאו׳ יש לצדד להתיר השתמשות…
Question: Hi, I have a family member that lent me money a while back and is currently in need of tzedaka. While I don't have extra money beyond our current payment plan to send him (I send him… Question: Hi, I have a family member that lent me money a while back and is currently in need of tzedaka. While I don't have extra money beyond our current payment plan to send him (I send him a specific amount every month) he doesn't keep cheshbon on what I owe him so I can easily sneak in extra payments using ma'aser money (that I don't deduct from my cheshbon of what I owe) that will help him without him realizing. I've done this a few times over the past few weeks and started to wonder if there's…Show more
If there are no places to buy drinks otherwise, you may go there. The reason: since in the airport it is usually obvious that people going to the non-kosher restaurants are only doing so in order to buy drinks.… If there are no places to buy drinks otherwise, you may go there. The reason: since in the airport it is usually obvious that people going to the non-kosher restaurants are only doing so in order to buy drinks. ודומה לפונדק של גוים. וראה בארוכה כאן: https://asktherav.com/6540-im-a-psychotherapist-can-i-meet-and-conduct-sessions-with-non-jewish-clients-in-a-non-kosher-restaurant-like-a-local-mcdonalds/ #14233Show more
Question: A plastic spoon was used to mix a milchig coffee in a milchig mug and then used to mix a pareve coffee in a fleishig mug. Both were boiling hot. What's the status of the fleishig mug? … Question: A plastic spoon was used to mix a milchig coffee in a milchig mug and then used to mix a pareve coffee in a fleishig mug. Both were boiling hot. What's the status of the fleishig mug? Answer: If the spoon didn't have actual milk on it, it's ok (or if there was 60 times the amount of milk in coffee). Sources: ראה סימן צ"ה סעיף ג ברמ"א, ובסימן צ"ד סעיף…Show more
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