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There can be some kashrus concerns with aluminum foil pans. While there are various reasons to allow for leniency, it is nonetheless recommended, if possible, to buy only those with a hechsher or, alternatively, to “kasher” the… There can be some kashrus concerns with aluminum foil pans. While there are various reasons to allow for leniency, it is nonetheless recommended, if possible, to buy only those with a hechsher or, alternatively, to “kasher” the pan by rinsing it first with soap and water and then inverting it over an open flame for a few minutes. Source: דנו בזה מצד כלי העשוי להשתמש בשפע כיון שהחומר שיתכן ואסור באכילה מחמת שומן מן החי הוא מעט מאד, ובאב״י. וי״א דל״ש לגזור אטו ב״י כיון שתמיד הוא אב״י. ועוד שהחומר טעמו פגום ונפסל מאכילה. וגם שהוא…Show more
The Chachamim instituted certain practices of mourning during the days of sefira to commemorate the passing of the students of Rabbi Akiva. One of the practices is to refrain from dancing (see end). The Poskim have explained that this… The Chachamim instituted certain practices of mourning during the days of sefira to commemorate the passing of the students of Rabbi Akiva. One of the practices is to refrain from dancing (see end). The Poskim have explained that this includes listening to music as well; it brings just as much (if not more) joy. Based on this reasoning, we can understand that all types of joyous music would be a problem. With the advance of technology, we have means of playing music through other ("non-live") instruments, such as an electric keyboard or music player ("DJ"). As far as the…Show more
The pasuk (verse) in Tehillim says, “Imru ve’levavchem al mishkavchem v’domu selah” (reflect in your hearts upon your beds and be silent forever)—from which stems the halachic restriction of speaking after completing the recitation of the nighttime Shema. Those… The pasuk (verse) in Tehillim says, “Imru ve’levavchem al mishkavchem v’domu selah” (reflect in your hearts upon your beds and be silent forever)—from which stems the halachic restriction of speaking after completing the recitation of the nighttime Shema. Those who recite the nighttime Shema with the traditional nusach (variation in prayer text from one Jewish community to another) conclude with Hamapil and do not speak afterwards. Some poskim explain that the brachah of Hamapil is an actual brachah on slumber and there should be no hefsek (interruption) between its recitation and falling asleep, similar to the requirement to…Show more
You can ask them to sweep the area that you plan to step on so that there are no possible remnants of nails, and then that will remove all possible concerns. Sources: שולחן ערוך אדה"ז סי' רס סעיף ד. ולכאו׳ יש…
When drinking them clear, without the fruit, shehakol. See here: https://asktherav.com/12851-after-bracha-on-cooked-fruit-juice/ #14698
Question: If one eats dates or any other fruit of the 7 species, and drinks prune juice, how does the after-Brachah of the 7 species affect the after-Brachah of the prune juice. Some opinions hold that prune juice is… Question: If one eats dates or any other fruit of the 7 species, and drinks prune juice, how does the after-Brachah of the 7 species affect the after-Brachah of the prune juice. Some opinions hold that prune juice is adamah, not she'ha'kol. Answer: The din in regards to the soup of fruit soup (fruit that were cooked to be eaten together with the water they were cooked in - however one decided to only drink the water): One should first make a borei nefashos on something else if possible, or if not poosible make first the…Show more
Question: The non-Lubavitch shul I will be at on Yom Tov, has the Kohanim do the long chant before vyishmerecha, vichuneka, and Shalom. Do I say the Ribono Shel Olam nusach during those chants? Or do… Question: The non-Lubavitch shul I will be at on Yom Tov, has the Kohanim do the long chant before vyishmerecha, vichuneka, and Shalom. Do I say the Ribono Shel Olam nusach during those chants? Or do I not say it at all? Answer: You should say the whole Ribono Shel Olam, during the tune that precedes the word Sholom, (and the last 3 words ותשמרני ותחנני ותרצני should be said while the kohanim say the word Sholom,) as according to our Minhag, based on the Arizal, the transformation of dreams through Birchas Kohanim, is specifically…Show more
Question: If I want to begin shemoneh esrei when the tzibur is already holding in the middle of Shemoneh Esrei, it is impossible for me to take three steps back, without entering into another mespalel's 4 amos. What should… Question: If I want to begin shemoneh esrei when the tzibur is already holding in the middle of Shemoneh Esrei, it is impossible for me to take three steps back, without entering into another mespalel's 4 amos. What should I do? Answer: You should start Shemoneh Esrei without the 3 steps. P.s. The idea of taking 3 steps before davening is to go 3 steps forward out of respect. Taking 3 steps backward is only in order to be able to go 3 steps forwards, So if you are able to go forwards without getting in someone's way…Show more
Question: I have a device that cuts pills in halves, it is plastic with a metal razor. Do I have to toivel it? Answer: No, unless the device is used for chewable pills, or if you decide to… Question: I have a device that cuts pills in halves, it is plastic with a metal razor. Do I have to toivel it? Answer: No, unless the device is used for chewable pills, or if you decide to use the device for other food usages. אינו כלי אכילה כלל. #13587Show more
בינתיים מצאנו רק אצל אוה״ע. ולע״ע לא מצאתי שום מקור אמיתי אצל בנ״י, ורק ״המצאות״ לבאר טעם ה״מנהג״. וראה המצו״ב. וניכר שהטעמים נתחדשו זה מקרוב. #14588
Regarding after Bar Mitzvah: Can the garment of the 2 shoulders on the sides of the hole count towards the front/back Amos? I vaguely recall Reb Chaim Naeh writing that if the shoulder parts are a certain width, then… Regarding after Bar Mitzvah: Can the garment of the 2 shoulders on the sides of the hole count towards the front/back Amos? I vaguely recall Reb Chaim Naeh writing that if the shoulder parts are a certain width, then they can count towards the length of the front/back. Answer: Under Bar Mitzvah: The Alter Rebbe rules in the Siddur that the age of Chinuch begins at six. Nevertheless, Minhag Chabad is to begin at the age of three, based on directives of the Frierdiker Rebbe and the Rebbe. See here regarding a child under the age of 3:…Show more
Questions: Is there a concern of: Zoreh of the water? The high-pressure pump, is there a question due to sound? Some of the water sprays plants, so is there a concern of planting? Can a timer be used to… Questions: Is there a concern of: Zoreh of the water? The high-pressure pump, is there a question due to sound? Some of the water sprays plants, so is there a concern of planting? Can a timer be used to have it turned off on Shabbos? Answer: If it makes noise, there is a problem of זלזול שבת. If your clothes get a little wet, there can be an issue of סחיטה. If the clothes are somewhat dirty, there is an issue of ליבון. If none of the above issues exist, then the system may be used if…Show more
Question: I have a lotion made in Israel that has plant material. I tried asking the company if these plants were from Israel but never got an answer. I was told by you to not use it, and… Question: I have a lotion made in Israel that has plant material. I tried asking the company if these plants were from Israel but never got an answer. I was told by you to not use it, and also not to throw it out. It will take decades to degrade. Can I wrap the bottle twice and throw it out? I have nowhere to put it. Most of it is gone. I can't afford to take it wherever I move. There may be a doubt about the plants coming from Israel. Apple extract, watercress extract, and borage oil…Show more
No. Sources: שהרי אינו מכשיר האוכל. והוא רק לתועלת ראיית האדם.…
אין חיוב מעקה בבית הכנסת, ואפילו על גג בית הכנסת אין חיוב, לפי שאינו מקום דירה. אמנם, למעשה אם משתמשים על הגג יש לשים מעקה. מקורות וטעמים: עיין רמב״ם רוצח יא, א. שו"ע חו"מ ס' תכ"ז ס״ג. שו"ע… אין חיוב מעקה בבית הכנסת, ואפילו על גג בית הכנסת אין חיוב, לפי שאינו מקום דירה. אמנם, למעשה אם משתמשים על הגג יש לשים מעקה. מקורות וטעמים: עיין רמב״ם רוצח יא, א. שו"ע חו"מ ס' תכ"ז ס״ג. שו"ע אדה"ז שמירת הגוף והנפש סעיף א. וידוע השקו״ט דמי גרע משאר מקום סכנה. אמנם, בשו״ע אדה״ז הטעם לפי שאין רגילות להשתמש על גגיהן. וכ״מ בסמ״ע שם סק״ב וסק״ה. ולהעיר מל׳ הרמב״ם גגך למעט בית כנסיות ובית מדרשות לפי שאינן עשויים לדירה. ועד״ז בטעם הב׳ ברש״י חולין קלו, א. חינוך מ׳ תקמו. וכנראה מפרש אדה״ז הכוונה שאין משתמשים על הגג. וראה…Show more
The common custom is to say it with the eyes uncovered. Certainly, if due to kavanah it’s easier to say it with the eyes uncovered, one should indeed not cover the eyes. Sources: הנה, בפוסקים בכלל לא נתפרש ד״ז. וכתבו בסתמא רק…
No need (assuming you are using a spoon), because any food (fruit in yogurt) that is usually eaten with a spoon (or a fork or other implement) does not require Netilas Yadayim. Sources: אף שהמים הם מז׳ משקין המצריכים נטילה, דלא כהיוגורט,…
Question: When on flights, especially long ones, it's hard for women to wear sheitels. Can a tichel be worn instead? Answer: According to halacha, a woman must always have all her hair covered, certainly in public places and… Question: When on flights, especially long ones, it's hard for women to wear sheitels. Can a tichel be worn instead? Answer: According to halacha, a woman must always have all her hair covered, certainly in public places and where others are around. A tichel is sufficient for hair covering if she ensures that no strand of hair is showing. Nonetheless, the Rebbe insisted on covering hair davka with a sheitel, for many reasons, among them as it does a much better job at covering all the hair. Accordingly, yes it IS permissible to cover the hair with a…Show more
If the hair obstructs the tefillin from sitting comfortably on the head, If there is hair from the sides of the head combed over the spot where the tefillin would be. If one didn’t take a haircut for three… If the hair obstructs the tefillin from sitting comfortably on the head, If there is hair from the sides of the head combed over the spot where the tefillin would be. If one didn’t take a haircut for three months. Hair combed backward is not a problem for the Bayis, but It is still a problem for the knot in the back. See also: https://asktherav.com/article-243-men-growing-long-hair/ #9282 Show more
Question: Are you allowed to make a meal in a shul like by a farbrengen? What about renting a shul for a Bas Mitzvah? It seems from the research I have done that food is only allowed in a… Question: Are you allowed to make a meal in a shul like by a farbrengen? What about renting a shul for a Bas Mitzvah? It seems from the research I have done that food is only allowed in a shul for someone who is learning there all day? Answer: The accepted custom is that all occasions that are associated with a mitzvah (including a farbrengen), or a common need of the community, can be celebrated/done in a shul. However in regards to a Bas Mitzvah the poskim write that a shul is not the place for it, rather…Show more
There is a machlokes about this. In practice, one should untie the left shoe first. Sources: סתימת כל הפוסקים שלא נחתו לפרט משמע שמתיר של…
Question: I want to place bars of sweet-smelling soap as a drawer freshener inside dresser drawers. Would I then have a problem opening those drawers on Shabbos? It's just a plain, fragrant bar of soap sitting in the drawer.… Question: I want to place bars of sweet-smelling soap as a drawer freshener inside dresser drawers. Would I then have a problem opening those drawers on Shabbos? It's just a plain, fragrant bar of soap sitting in the drawer. It doesn't spray anything. I would open the drawer to take out items I need on Shabbos. I understood from halacha I've learned that if there are Muktza items in a drawer together with items I need on Shabbos, I would need to have something like a bencher in the drawer in order to open it. For instance, I have…Show more
While there is no official specific length per se, one should not deviate from what is considered proper length for a frum chassidish person. Regardless, if a haircut wasn’t taken for three months it’s certainly considered too long. Ideally,… While there is no official specific length per se, one should not deviate from what is considered proper length for a frum chassidish person. Regardless, if a haircut wasn’t taken for three months it’s certainly considered too long. Ideally, the hair should be cut once a month, or at least every 6 or 7 weeks. Certain cuts are more halachically forbidden, such as cutting the sides and leaving the middle, or cutting the front and leaving the back. Sources: באורך השערות, ג׳ חדשים, שכן שיעור גערה. וראה א״א…Show more
שאלה: השנה שלג בעומר חל בערב שבת, האם יש מקום לערוך התהלוכה וכו' ביום חמישי ערב לג בעומר. ושאלתי גם אם מתאים מבחינה חסידית לעשות כהוראת הרבי - לפני ל״ג בעומר? מענה: אפשר, אך כל דיני אבילות של… שאלה: השנה שלג בעומר חל בערב שבת, האם יש מקום לערוך התהלוכה וכו' ביום חמישי ערב לג בעומר. ושאלתי גם אם מתאים מבחינה חסידית לעשות כהוראת הרבי - לפני ל״ג בעומר? מענה: אפשר, אך כל דיני אבילות של ספירה עדיין בתוקף אז, גם השנה. ובכמה שיחות מצינו לעשות אחרי ל״ג בעומר. ראה לקו״ש לז ע׳ 122-3. ושם: ״באופן המותר לכתחילה (בלי שום ספיקות בדבר) בימי הספירה - דורך פארבינדן דאס מיט א סעודת מצוה...״ ע״ש. #14545Show more
The Alter Rebbe brings that a person should fast if the tefillin fell without a covering from the hand to the floor. If the tefillin were in their case at the time, there is no need to fast, however… The Alter Rebbe brings that a person should fast if the tefillin fell without a covering from the hand to the floor. If the tefillin were in their case at the time, there is no need to fast, however it’s recommended to give tzedaka. Since you are a yeshiva student, and need your koach for learning, you should fast half the day and redeem the remainder of the day with tzedakah (about seven or eight dollars). This would also apply to a Kollel yungerman or a teacher of kodesh subjects—and to anyone with health issues or a weak…Show more
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