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https://asktherav.com/6982-women-spitting-and-bowing-by-aleinu/ Question: I am a woman and recently learned that there is a practice to spit at a certain part in Alienu. I grew up in another sect of Yiddishkeit where we just skipped that section so… https://asktherav.com/6982-women-spitting-and-bowing-by-aleinu/ Question: I am a woman and recently learned that there is a practice to spit at a certain part in Alienu. I grew up in another sect of Yiddishkeit where we just skipped that section so as to avoid benefiting from the spit produced to say those words. Now that I have learned that Chabad Chassidim actually do spit, I am kind of grossed out— I have never noticed women spitting before and it’s hard to imagine myself beginning this practice. I have been skipping Alienu besides saying the Al Tira section because I don’t know…Show more
Question: When listening to another making Kiddush, must the listener drink wine as well? Does it make a difference whether it is night Kiddush or day Kiddush? Answer: It’s not a requirement rather a "mitzvah min hamuvchar"… Question: When listening to another making Kiddush, must the listener drink wine as well? Does it make a difference whether it is night Kiddush or day Kiddush? Answer: It’s not a requirement rather a "mitzvah min hamuvchar" - the optimum manner of fulfilling the mitzvah Sources: שו״ע אדה״ז רעא, כה. ויש מי שכתב (ראה המובא…Show more
Question: Based on the Admur Hazaken in Hilchos Shmiras Guf V'Nefesh Halacha 7, is one allowed to drink canned water? I have seen such a product in an airport while traveling a couple of years ago, but never thought… Question: Based on the Admur Hazaken in Hilchos Shmiras Guf V'Nefesh Halacha 7, is one allowed to drink canned water? I have seen such a product in an airport while traveling a couple of years ago, but never thought about it until now. Answer: The same issue of drinks staying overnight in metal containers applies to many other canned drinks which contain water such as soda etc. Obviously, the common custom is to be lenient. See below for a number of explanations. It should be noted that there is always a thin plastic layer (coating) inside drink cans…Show more
Question: I remember once hearing that there is a problem kashering certain sink faucets. I may be somewhere for Pesach where the head of sink faucet (the main faucet) can detach and became hand held with a retractable hose… Question: I remember once hearing that there is a problem kashering certain sink faucets. I may be somewhere for Pesach where the head of sink faucet (the main faucet) can detach and became hand held with a retractable hose (I think which may be be plastic) and the head has a button on it that you press and it sprays like a shower. Is there a problem kashering this faucet for Pesach? If there is a problem, would there be a problem using this sink on Pesach if I only used cold water from this sink on Pesach and…Show more
Question: Raw eggs got wet from milk on the way back from shopping, and I haven't rinsed them when I came home, they sat like that for over 24 hours, are they now Milchig? Answer: If the eggs… Question: Raw eggs got wet from milk on the way back from shopping, and I haven't rinsed them when I came home, they sat like that for over 24 hours, are they now Milchig? Answer: If the eggs were to actually sit in milk - they would be Milchig. In your case - they aren't Milchig. Sources: שקליפת הביצה בבירור מנוקבת - שו״ת הרשב״א תקטז. הובא…Show more
Question: I have a separate pot to hard boil eggs prior to Pesach. Can that pot also be used for removing skins from tomatoes? Answer: As per custom, you should not use the same pot for both. Sources: סיר מיוחד לביצים - ראה א״א מבוטשאטש תמז. ערוה״ש…
Yes. wine too. Sources: לא נז׳ בפוסקים. ובכלל, חומרא יתירה היא. וראה ברכ״י…
AskTheRav cannot comment on Kashrus of a product without visiting the plant. Kitniyos may be fed to them. Millet and canary grass seed and rape seed can be used as the main diet. Canned baby food might also be… AskTheRav cannot comment on Kashrus of a product without visiting the plant. Kitniyos may be fed to them. Millet and canary grass seed and rape seed can be used as the main diet. Canned baby food might also be an option. #7714Show more
Question: For those who have hidurim and chumros with regards to what they eat on Pesach (for example, not eating things with sugar or processed foods), is there a difference between Pesach and Erev Pesach after the zman?… Question: For those who have hidurim and chumros with regards to what they eat on Pesach (for example, not eating things with sugar or processed foods), is there a difference between Pesach and Erev Pesach after the zman? If yes, why? Answer: The common custom is not to distinguish, although halachically there might be a difference in some matters. Sources: לענין קטניות - ראה פמ״ג תמד א״א ב (ויש…Show more
Question: An elderly (Lubavitch) person has difficulty swallowing (including danger of choking and pneumonia from food particles) and now only eats pureed food. The only safe way for him to eat Matzah would be to have it ground up… Question: An elderly (Lubavitch) person has difficulty swallowing (including danger of choking and pneumonia from food particles) and now only eats pureed food. The only safe way for him to eat Matzah would be to have it ground up mixed with water, so that it has the consistency similar to apple sauce. Should he eat Matzah this Pesach? Not at all? Anytime during Pesach? or Just for the sedorim and the last day? Answer: For the Sedorim he may grind it and mix it with water only. The mixing with water must be done immediately before eating it.…Show more
Yes, through Libun Gamur: Run a fire in it for at least an hour (in the highest temperature setting) with the top down. If you don't replace the grates, then they need to be kashered by heating it… Yes, through Libun Gamur: Run a fire in it for at least an hour (in the highest temperature setting) with the top down. If you don't replace the grates, then they need to be kashered by heating it with a blowtorch until it glows, or by sandwiching it between burning charcoal for an hour. #13279Show more
Kinetic sand isn’t Muktzah. However, one cannot dig burrows or form shapes. Sources: שבת נ, א. שו״ע שח, לח ואדה״ז עז. תצח,…
שאלה: שמעתי שאין להכשיר ע״י עירוי מקומקום חשמלי לפי שהמים נתחממו ע״י גוף חימום ולא מהקומקום. וממילא אינו ככלי ראשון שהדפנות חמים שנתחממו ע״י האש. וכאן הדפנות נתחממו מהמים. ועוד שהמים נתחממו מחשמל ולא מאש. תשובה: אדרבה, קוקמקום… שאלה: שמעתי שאין להכשיר ע״י עירוי מקומקום חשמלי לפי שהמים נתחממו ע״י גוף חימום ולא מהקומקום. וממילא אינו ככלי ראשון שהדפנות חמים שנתחממו ע״י האש. וכאן הדפנות נתחממו מהמים. ועוד שהמים נתחממו מחשמל ולא מאש. תשובה: אדרבה, קוקמקום חשמלי עדיף יותר. אבל יש להזהר שהמים יבעבעו בשעת העירוי. מקורות: הרי לפי סברא זו גם בוילער המרכזי שמחמם כל…Show more
Question: Should one davka be spelling their name the way it is halachically written in a Kesuba/Gett? Perhaps it can be argued that those rules were written for legalese/contract laws and beis din, just so there's certain ground… Question: Should one davka be spelling their name the way it is halachically written in a Kesuba/Gett? Perhaps it can be argued that those rules were written for legalese/contract laws and beis din, just so there's certain ground rules (even if they may perhaps not make sense in reality), but for day-to-day one should spell the way it makes sense linguistically? For example the the name לייב, although on a gett it is written with one yud, practically speaking -outside the legalese of contract writing- if one wants to write the word lion in Yiddish (if a…Show more
Question: I am in seventh grade and I am not yet Bar Mitzvah. My class has a canteen and we sell chametz items. What are we supposed to do with those items. I am more or less in charge… Question: I am in seventh grade and I am not yet Bar Mitzvah. My class has a canteen and we sell chametz items. What are we supposed to do with those items. I am more or less in charge of the canteen though I don't own it. We use the money from the canteen to buy those things. Answer: Because the one who is in charge should be the one selling the chometz, it is recommended that you give over the job of taking care of the canteen to someone who is older than bar mitzvah till…Show more
Question: I recall reading in Igros Kodesh that the Rebbe instructs not to take a baby under 1 year overseas. Question: Is the issue only to go overseas (plane), or even to another (neighboring) country (i.e., driving from the… Question: I recall reading in Igros Kodesh that the Rebbe instructs not to take a baby under 1 year overseas. Question: Is the issue only to go overseas (plane), or even to another (neighboring) country (i.e., driving from the US to Canada)? Was this a personal directive or a general one for everyone? Would you know the reason for this? Answer: It’s not an actual instruction. The Rebbe expresses surprise about the decision to travel with the baby. It’s about traveling to a place which has a different climate. The Rebbe makes specific mention about change in air…Show more
Yes it's wrong, as it’s considered imitation of gentile practices. Sources: כ״כ גדולי ישראל רבים - ראה שו״ת חת״ס ו,…
Question: It is well known the instruction of the Rebbe that everyone should say their own kappitel (chapter) Tehillim corresponding to their age. Is there however any source that if someone (not a child, spouse, or parent) needs a… Question: It is well known the instruction of the Rebbe that everyone should say their own kappitel (chapter) Tehillim corresponding to their age. Is there however any source that if someone (not a child, spouse, or parent) needs a refuah, that one should be saying that person's kappitel responding to their age? Did the Rebbe ever say to others that to daven for another person's refuah one should say the kappitel Tehillim corresponding to their age? Answer: Possibly, however not that I know of. There is however a rumor that the Rebbe instructed to do so in…Show more
Question: I have learned in Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 12 that "If you are traveling and reach the place where you wish to lodge, and ahead of you within a distance of four mil . . you must go… Question: I have learned in Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 12 that "If you are traveling and reach the place where you wish to lodge, and ahead of you within a distance of four mil . . you must go four mil ahead in order to pray with the congregation", How does that work with nowadays cars, and easy transportation? In my particular case regarding Mincha, there is a minyan about 15 minutes away from where I work, stopping my work, traveling, davening, and returning to my work would take around 40 minutes. Is this halachically required or can I…Show more
Question: As a Shliach who deals primarily with sefardim, I often hear that sefardim can strictly only use sefardic tefillin. I've also heard once that Chabad or Arizal is ok for them. Is there any basis for this?… Question: As a Shliach who deals primarily with sefardim, I often hear that sefardim can strictly only use sefardic tefillin. I've also heard once that Chabad or Arizal is ok for them. Is there any basis for this? Just this Shabbos when talking to someone about putting on Tefillin the discussion came up again so I need clarity to be able to advise properly. Answer: According to the major Sefardi Poskim of our generation (Horav Ovadya and Horav B”tz Abba Shaul), a Sefardi can use and make a Brocha on Chabad tefillin (no matter which Ksav).…Show more
Question: How to explain to a not yet observant relative that asking a non Jew before Shabbos to walk with him on Shabbos and pay for the subway for him isn't sufficient even if one isn't swiping the card/pushing… Question: How to explain to a not yet observant relative that asking a non Jew before Shabbos to walk with him on Shabbos and pay for the subway for him isn't sufficient even if one isn't swiping the card/pushing the entrance bar, but rather goes through the mechanic door. Is there a problem of riding itself or something else besides benefitting from a non Jew doing melacha in places where tchum doesn't apply? Answer: The basic explanation is that it violates the principle of Shabbason, resting on Shabbos. This is aside for the fact that it considered…Show more
If the milk was or hotter - you should Kasher it. In this case, Kashering can be done by cleaning the urn well, waiting 24 hours, and pouring boiling hot water on it. Sources: אף בעירוי שנפסק הקלוח צריך קליפה או עכ"פ גרידה,…
Q. If I am ahead of the minyan, is it preferable to say the Tehillim which we usually say after davening, while waiting for the minyan to catch up so that I can say aleinu together with the… Q. If I am ahead of the minyan, is it preferable to say the Tehillim which we usually say after davening, while waiting for the minyan to catch up so that I can say aleinu together with the minyan or should I finish everything and say Tehillim at the end? A. The daily Tehilim should be said after Aleinu and after Ach Tzadikim. Q. When doing chazaras hashatz, does the chazan need to hit his chest by slach lanu like in a quiet shmone esrei? A. Some hold that we tap on the chest by…Show more
There may be an issue involved. Please see here for details: https://asktherav.com/article-739-are-public-hot-water-urns-kosher/ #10794
Charcoal in itself, is not an issue if it's vegetarian. The same holds true for the capsule. When vegetarian is not available: If a physician / medical professional has advised taking Activated Charcoal due to pain that may sometimes… Charcoal in itself, is not an issue if it's vegetarian. The same holds true for the capsule. When vegetarian is not available: If a physician / medical professional has advised taking Activated Charcoal due to pain that may sometimes be severe, tasteless - unflavored - pills may be taken. You may look into getting from Israel with Badatz of Eida Hechsher, or perhaps from Boro Park at KosherVitamins.com. Explanation: Non Vegetarian Activated Charcoal Pill can also be made from non-Kosher ingredients, as Bone Char etc. The same applies with the capsule, as it could be made with Gelatin…Show more
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