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ראה כאן וראה כאן (ה'). #10872
The custom is to not be particular about doing so. Source: ראה הר צבי א, סד. בירור הלכה תליתאי קלד. דברי יציב א, עו. וראה המובא בפסק"ת קלד ז, עם כמה טעמים לזה. #10841
If there is a הפסד גדול or a צורך גדול there room for leniency. Source: אמירה לנכרי בדבר שאינו אסור אלא משום שבות לצורך מצוה התירו-סימן ש"ז סעיף ה ואדה"ז סעיף י"ב. אבל בנדו"ד זה לאחרי המצוה. ומ״מ… If there is a הפסד גדול or a צורך גדול there room for leniency. Source: אמירה לנכרי בדבר שאינו אסור אלא משום שבות לצורך מצוה התירו-סימן ש"ז סעיף ה ואדה"ז סעיף י"ב. אבל בנדו"ד זה לאחרי המצוה. ומ״מ יש להתיר במקום הפסד, ובהקדם שיש לעיין אם זה שבות דשבות, שמצד קושר ומתיר הרי דעתו רק לכמה ימים ובמילא אינו דאורייתא, ומצד בנין וסתירה יש סברא להתיר משום מלאכה שאינה צריכה לגופה - ראה דעת אדה"ז בסימן ש"מ סעיף ב' וסימן של"ד סעיף כ"ה בטעם הר"ן (דלא כהמג"א סימן ש"ז סק"ז) שדוקא בדליקה החמירו לומר לנכרי מפני שאדם בהול,…Show more
Question: My first cousin recently passed away. I am aware that I have no obligation to say Kaddish for him, but I have the question whether my saying Kaddish would accomplish more than paying someone else to do it.… Question: My first cousin recently passed away. I am aware that I have no obligation to say Kaddish for him, but I have the question whether my saying Kaddish would accomplish more than paying someone else to do it. One Rabbi told me that although he never saw anything written on the matter, he would think that my being a close relative would mean that I would say it with more feeling. A different Rabbi shared his opinion that it would be better if I did not say Kaddish. If I am not accomplishing anything more than a…Show more
Question: Is it okay to participate in a raffle for a Tzedaka organization. It has all the elements of a gambling game. For the participants and for the organization. Answer: Without looking into the details of the raffle… Question: Is it okay to participate in a raffle for a Tzedaka organization. It has all the elements of a gambling game. For the participants and for the organization. Answer: Without looking into the details of the raffle in order to be able to determine if it is indeed considered Halachicly gambling - this is a non issue since the funds are going to a Tzedakah. Sources: ואין אסמכתא להקדש - שו״ע חו״מ סי׳ ר״ז סעי׳ י״ט ברמ״א, שו״ע יו״ד סי׳ רנ״ח סעי׳ י׳. וראה עד״ז פתחי חושן קנינים כ״א בהע׳…Show more
Question: I have a Sefer Torah in Chabad house in a portable dresser/closet. What is the minhag in general regarding how many coverings and how to cover it? Right now it is just in the dresser (it's the only… Question: I have a Sefer Torah in Chabad house in a portable dresser/closet. What is the minhag in general regarding how many coverings and how to cover it? Right now it is just in the dresser (it's the only thing in the dresser). There's no paroches. Should I put a talis on the entire dresser, should I just cover the Torah itself inside with a talis? Or is it ok to just leave it the way it is, because either way no one is living permanently in the Chabad house? If you can tell me if there's…Show more
Question: Dear Rabbi Braun, 1. Regarding a Aron Kodesh that is attached to the wall and does not extend to the ground, I saw that the Chayei Adam prohibits but others permit. Would this be okay for a Chabad… Question: Dear Rabbi Braun, 1. Regarding a Aron Kodesh that is attached to the wall and does not extend to the ground, I saw that the Chayei Adam prohibits but others permit. Would this be okay for a Chabad House? I saw a letter of the Rebbe that one should not change from the minhag. Would this be in that category? 2. A second question: I noticed some Chabad houses have wooden doors on the outside, then a curtain, and then doors again. Supposedly the outer doors are creating a mechitzah between the Aron and the shul when…Show more
Question: Is there anything wrong to put the Paroches of an Aron Kodesh behind the wooden doors in front of the Sifrei Torah and put the names of the 10 mivtzoyim on the doors (made wooden letters)? Answer:… Question: Is there anything wrong to put the Paroches of an Aron Kodesh behind the wooden doors in front of the Sifrei Torah and put the names of the 10 mivtzoyim on the doors (made wooden letters)? Answer: There are many purposes for the Paroches, some of which require it to be on the outside. Regardless, one may not change from the accepted custom in Klal Yisroel, especially regarding a Shul. Some of the reasons: In order to divide between the Yidden (kodesh) and the Aron Kodesh (kodesh kodoshim). Similar to the coverings over the Keilim in…Show more
Question: My wife has gallstones and she is on a gluten free diet. The sulfites in the wine and sugar in the grape juice don't agree with her at all. She reacts immediately in terrible pain. Is it ok… Question: My wife has gallstones and she is on a gluten free diet. The sulfites in the wine and sugar in the grape juice don't agree with her at all. She reacts immediately in terrible pain. Is it ok for her to dilute the wine in water for the arba kosos and if yes how much water to how much wine. Answer: One may only add water to the extent that the wine - or grape juice - can still be drunk as wine and served to guests that way. Regardless, the water may never be 85.7% or…Show more
It is always preferable to visit a doctor of the same gender (if that doctor is equally experienced etc.) A visit to a doctor of the opposite gender is permissible for necessary medical needs including dental. Regarding dental procedures… It is always preferable to visit a doctor of the same gender (if that doctor is equally experienced etc.) A visit to a doctor of the opposite gender is permissible for necessary medical needs including dental. Regarding dental procedures which are deemed cosmetic: sometimes the need for a procedure is medical (pain), and it is the method (for instance a root canal instead of just extracting the tooth) which is cosmetic, in such a case it would be permissible even though it is not covered by insurance. Regarding a procedure which seems to be completely cosmetic (for instance those…Show more
A. An unmarried man should change his Tzitzis every morning and wear that pair until the next morning (i.e. change the pair every 24 hours). This way he’ll be wearing a garment that is obligated to have Tzitizs all… A. An unmarried man should change his Tzitzis every morning and wear that pair until the next morning (i.e. change the pair every 24 hours). This way he’ll be wearing a garment that is obligated to have Tzitizs all day - even in the early morning (according to the opinion that a כסות לילה is not obligated in the morning) and at night (according to the opinion that one who wears a כסות יום at night is fulfilling the mitzvah even at night). ראה פסקי דינים להצ״צ יח - ג, ב. והובא בהערת כ״ק אד״ש שעה״ג לשעה״כ פ״ב סק״ג.…Show more
Question: What is our practice regarding personal Tefilos such as for Refuah, Shidduch, or Parnasa? I noticed in other Siddurim a Teffila that can be inserted by Refaenu, for example, where you can mention a specific name. I have… Question: What is our practice regarding personal Tefilos such as for Refuah, Shidduch, or Parnasa? I noticed in other Siddurim a Teffila that can be inserted by Refaenu, for example, where you can mention a specific name. I have alopecia and I want to daven for hair. When is the best time to do that during Shemoneh Esrei? In refa'einu, shmah koleinu, elokay nitzor, etc.? Is there a specific Nusach Does it have to be in Lashon Hakodesh? Can I just think about the request? Answer: The correct place to make the request is in…Show more
Question: This past Shabbos, I verbally accepted Shabbos during the 18 minutes. Someone then drove past me and offered me a ride to shul. While in the car I realized that I already have accepted Shabbos. When I… Question: This past Shabbos, I verbally accepted Shabbos during the 18 minutes. Someone then drove past me and offered me a ride to shul. While in the car I realized that I already have accepted Shabbos. When I got into the car, someone else opened the door, but I closed it (when exiting I asked someone else to open and close). Was this OK bedieved? Bedieved, was it OK that someone drove me to shul? Answer: In general once somebody took upon himself Shabbos he can't do any melachah just like on Shabbos (except for…Show more
Question: This Friday my wife won’t be at home to light. She’s usually lights 5 candles. How should I light in the house? Just 2 or 5 like what she does? And do I make a bracha? What… Question: This Friday my wife won’t be at home to light. She’s usually lights 5 candles. How should I light in the house? Just 2 or 5 like what she does? And do I make a bracha? What should my wife do out of town (does she light 5 when she out of town)? Answer: 1. You must light with a bracha. If she is lighting the complete amount of candles where she is staying, you only need to light two candles. Otherwise, it’s recommended you continue her minhag, though this point is far from…Show more
Question: Many donating platforms offer free processing for the organization that is collecting money, and the ask the people donating to leave a tip or pay for the processing fee. That fee is not required in order to donate.… Question: Many donating platforms offer free processing for the organization that is collecting money, and the ask the people donating to leave a tip or pay for the processing fee. That fee is not required in order to donate. Can I pay this fee or the tip with Ma'aser money. Or do I need to say that I don't want to pay the fee if I am using Ma'aser money? Answer: I understand that the following are the two options, for example: 1. Donate $30 without paying a $1 fee. The organization will then have to pay this…Show more
Question: Is the Meyuchad brand of Tzitzis strings made by machine fine to use, or is it preferred to have Avodas Yad? (in other words, is it just a new chumra that someone came up with recently, or something… Question: Is the Meyuchad brand of Tzitzis strings made by machine fine to use, or is it preferred to have Avodas Yad? (in other words, is it just a new chumra that someone came up with recently, or something serious enough to offset the charge etc.) Answer: Tzitzis must be made Lishmah - with the intention of of the Mitzvah of Tzitzis. The question is, whether Tzitzis made by machine can be considered Lishmah. Although many Poskim are of the opinion that as long as the machine was operated with the intention of the Mitzvah, it is Kosher,…Show more
Question: Due to COVID-19, I did not have the chance to Toivel some Keilim for last year's Pesach, so I instead gave them to a non-Jew and then borrowed them back from him. Now that the Mikvahs are open… Question: Due to COVID-19, I did not have the chance to Toivel some Keilim for last year's Pesach, so I instead gave them to a non-Jew and then borrowed them back from him. Now that the Mikvahs are open and I will Toivel them for this Pesach's use, do I make a Brocha when doing so? Answer: No. Sources: מה שהביא מקצוה"ש קמו ס"ק ו - הנה אין…Show more
While burning the nails is generally preferred to flushing them, it is better to flush immediately than to burn later. To explain: The main reason given by Rishonim of why its preferred to burn nails over burying them, is… While burning the nails is generally preferred to flushing them, it is better to flush immediately than to burn later. To explain: The main reason given by Rishonim of why its preferred to burn nails over burying them, is because the burial may become uncovered over time, while the burning is assured to not become undone. Achronim point out that flushing nails in the toilet nowadays, is more secure than the burial of the Gemora. See also here: https://asktherav.com/12265-burning-nails/ Even if burning them is preferable over flushing, it stands to reason that (for most people) holding on to nails…Show more
Question continued: I was asked by a friend to hold some of his things by my house for a while. They now moved and my house is too small to store things much longer. He is requesting that I… Question continued: I was asked by a friend to hold some of his things by my house for a while. They now moved and my house is too small to store things much longer. He is requesting that I keep it by me indefinitely, until he eventually finds a place to put them. Must I keep it by me or can I return it to him against his will? Answer: If he hasn’t made up with you how long you would hold the items for him or if he has but that time has passed, you may return…Show more
Poskim indeed are lenient regarding garlic/onion/egg "powder" that was left (peeled) overnight, on the grounds that once these items are grinded, they have thus changed their original status and the prohibition doesn't apply anymore. Some kashrus agencies add oil… Poskim indeed are lenient regarding garlic/onion/egg "powder" that was left (peeled) overnight, on the grounds that once these items are grinded, they have thus changed their original status and the prohibition doesn't apply anymore. Some kashrus agencies add oil or salt to the powder. Source: מטעמי ההיתר - של״ש רו״ר ביבש לגמרי, שחזר לעפר ופנים חדשות באו לכאן ונשתנה צורתו וגם שמו, שבמבושל ל״ש רו״ר, שאינו ראוי לאכילה כמו שהיא ואינו בכלל האיסור, שלא גזרו רק בדבר שדרך לאוכלו מיד. ראה ספר הכשרות (פוקס) פי"ח הע' נח. ועוד. #12786Show more
Question: I give $1000 to an organization via credit card. Credit card charges $25 as a processing fee. So the organization receives $975. Assume I pay my card in full and my credit card rewards me with $10. What's… Question: I give $1000 to an organization via credit card. Credit card charges $25 as a processing fee. So the organization receives $975. Assume I pay my card in full and my credit card rewards me with $10. What's my effective maaser in that scenario? A follow up, I assume I'll need to pay a maaser from the reward from my credit card - in that scenario - $1? Answer: 1. Every time you donate to tzedaka by using a credit card, the tzedaka will only end up getting a percentage of the actual funds. It’s still considered…Show more
You may lein there, provided you make a disclaimer before you begin that according to the clear majority of Poskim one is not yotzeh with a Megillah reading heard over the phone or online. PS It’s obvious that even… You may lein there, provided you make a disclaimer before you begin that according to the clear majority of Poskim one is not yotzeh with a Megillah reading heard over the phone or online. PS It’s obvious that even those who permitted it we’re not aware of the science and mechanics involved. Furthermore, even according to this opinion which has been rejected by virtually all mainstream Poskim, reading the Megillah via zoom is perhaps worse because there’s a time delay between the reading and the hearing. Sources: See more here and here: #13334…Show more
Question continued: In general regarding daber dovor, if one is on shlichus and it would make someone uncomfortable to avoid a conversation is there room for leniency? Is there room for leniency if talking about his week at work would…Question continued: In general regarding daber dovor, if one is on shlichus and it would make someone uncomfortable to avoid a conversation is there room for leniency? Is there room for leniency if talking about his week at work would relieve his stress? Answer: One may not say on Shabbos that he is going to do something after Shabbos, if the activity after Shabbos involves a melacha or even a shvus (rabbinic prohibition to do in Shabbos). For example, one may not say that he is going to buy something after Shabbos. Even if there is no gain from…Show more
There is no requirement to remove tefillin straps when doing Hagbah; it’s purely for convenience. Sources: המנהג מובא בזר זהב ב, א. מנהגי בוסטון בסי׳…
Question: The big grant available for seminary makes you sign that you will continue after with college for at least a certain amount of time. Is one allowed to sign that and not actually go? It's kind of lying… Question: The big grant available for seminary makes you sign that you will continue after with college for at least a certain amount of time. Is one allowed to sign that and not actually go? It's kind of lying if you sign and don't go...but if I don't get this grant I most probably won't be able to go to seminary.. what should I do? Answer: One may not lie or mislead people, Jews or non-Jews, including governments or institutions. Even if this means you won’t be able to go to seminary, this wouldn’t justify deceptive practices on…Show more
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