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Question: Is it more preferable to prepare Chanukah candles by oneself than buying ready-made ones, and if it is: what if the ready-made ones burn nicer? Answer: There is no halachic requirement to prepare the wicks yourself, though… Question: Is it more preferable to prepare Chanukah candles by oneself than buying ready-made ones, and if it is: what if the ready-made ones burn nicer? Answer: There is no halachic requirement to prepare the wicks yourself, though some are particular to do so for various reasons (see references in Hebrew below). Clearly, if the ready-made ones burn better they are halachically preferable. Note however that often the ready-made ones might have other deficiencies in terms of various Hiddurim (though some of these hiddurim are questionable as there are many who maintain that there is really no significant…Show more
Question: I work as a para for a little girl with autism. She is an active child and her mother is expecting a baby and is desperate for help on Shabbos. I work with her in school during the… Question: I work as a para for a little girl with autism. She is an active child and her mother is expecting a baby and is desperate for help on Shabbos. I work with her in school during the week as well as “help out” at home on Shabbos morning. I need to log my hours on an app (which I have been filling out after Shabbos) in order to get paid. I’m wondering how this can be done so that I am not Chas v'shalom “working” on Shabbos. Answer: If the job is as such that: A)…Show more
To dry the hair lightly so it shouldn't be squeezing deliberately, you should also use a towel so that you don't mind it getting wet. Sources: סימן שכ"ו סעיף ז ובמג"א סק"ח ממהרי"ל, אדה"ז שם…
If it's a Kli that's able to be kashered (see attached) you can pour boiling hot water over it or do full hagala. For Keilim that can't usually be Kashered they should be discarded. Sources: דינו כעירוי שנפסק הקלוח שאוסר עכ"פ כדי קליפה, זבחים…
Question: Is it mitztaref for kvius seudah if one eats Mezonos crackers more than 4 ביצים but each kzayis was eaten during a timeframe more than אכילת פרס? Same question, if one has eaten less than 4 ביצים and… Question: Is it mitztaref for kvius seudah if one eats Mezonos crackers more than 4 ביצים but each kzayis was eaten during a timeframe more than אכילת פרס? Same question, if one has eaten less than 4 ביצים and then waited a shiur אכילת פרס (or maybe some other shiur?) before eating more. Answer: In order to be mitztaref each kezayis has to be eaten within כדי אכילת פרס. Additionally, all the כזיתים must be eaten consecutively (or during an amount of time which is equivalent to כדי אכילת פרס per כזית). Sources: הטעם פשוט שכל שהפסיק ביניהם היאך יצטרפו זל״ז. והנה,…Show more
Question: If I had a new suit tested and it was found to be Shaatnez-free, and then I purchased the same exact model suit from the same company, do I still need to check the new ones? Answer:… Question: If I had a new suit tested and it was found to be Shaatnez-free, and then I purchased the same exact model suit from the same company, do I still need to check the new ones? Answer: Yes, this new unchecked suit has to be also checked for Shaatnez. The one identical suit that was checked and been found without Shaatnez does not constitute a sufficient Chazaka to rely on in order to exempt checking the other identical unchecked suit. Explanation: There are over 20 places in a suit that are being checked for Shaatnez by…Show more
Yes. Sources: ראה: רמ"א ביו"ד סי' קצ"ו ס"ג, סד"ט בסי' ק"צ…
Question: The Rambam writes (הלכות יסודי התורה ג ח): והארץ גדולה מן הירח כמו ארבעים פעמים, והשמש גדולה מן הארץ כמו מאה ושבעים פעמים, נמצא הירח אחד מששת אלפים ושמונה מאות מן השמש בקירוב How does this make sense?… Question: The Rambam writes (הלכות יסודי התורה ג ח): והארץ גדולה מן הירח כמו ארבעים פעמים, והשמש גדולה מן הארץ כמו מאה ושבעים פעמים, נמצא הירח אחד מששת אלפים ושמונה מאות מן השמש בקירוב How does this make sense? According to the ancient estimates, 40 times is the Earth-to-Moon volume ratio (close enough to the modern 50 times), while 170 is the Sun (with bright corona)-to-Earth diameter ratio (close to the modern data), so what is the meaning of 40*170=6800 Sun-to-Moon ratio? Answer: The Rebbe’s explanation that this refers only to the diameter (ראה לקוטי שיחות י ע׳…Show more
The Alter Rebbe brings from the Gemara that one should not step on egg shells because it can cause leprosy. Although many of these types of things are not brought in Shulchan Aruch and other Poskim, this one is… The Alter Rebbe brings from the Gemara that one should not step on egg shells because it can cause leprosy. Although many of these types of things are not brought in Shulchan Aruch and other Poskim, this one is quoted by the Alter Rebbe. There is also a story recorded of the Rebbe Maharash telling someone not to throw out egg shells in a area where people may walk. Sources: ראה שו"ע אדה"ז הל' שמירת גו"נ סעיף ט. שמועות…Show more
Question: I baked cookies together in the oven with chicken, both pans were uncovered. Are the cookies considered Fleishig? I know I can't eat it with a Milchig meal, but wondering if I'm considered Fleishig after eating the cookies?… Question: I baked cookies together in the oven with chicken, both pans were uncovered. Are the cookies considered Fleishig? I know I can't eat it with a Milchig meal, but wondering if I'm considered Fleishig after eating the cookies? Answer: The cookies are considered Fleishig and one should not eat them with Milchig. One must rinse their mouth and hands after eating the cookies prior to eating Milchig. Ideally one should wait 6 hours after eating them before eating Milchig. See also: https://asktherav.com/6411-do-i-need-to-wait-six-hours-after-eating-potatoes-that-were-cooked-in-the-same-oven-as-chicken-before-eating-milchigs/ Sources: ע"פ שו"ע יו"ד צב, ח. צג, א. קח, א…Show more
Yes, if the Challah is dry (otherwise regardless it is forbidden on Shabbos) and the pot is totally closed and cover is clean and dry. If the crockpot cover has a hole, the Challa should not be placed directly… Yes, if the Challah is dry (otherwise regardless it is forbidden on Shabbos) and the pot is totally closed and cover is clean and dry. If the crockpot cover has a hole, the Challa should not be placed directly over the hole (unless covered with a silver foil) or anywhere where steam from the cholent would reach it. Sources: הנה מה שיש לברר הוא דין מאכל שהונח ע"ג…Show more
You cannot melt it on Shabbos. If it's already melted you may massage it lightly for pleasure. Otherwise, one may not give a massage on Shabbos. Sources: להמיס באש יש בו איסור בישול - כמפורש בסימן…
With a Tzeirei and then with a Segol. Sources: כמ״ש בס׳ המנהגים חב״ד ע׳ 72. וראה אג״ק יב…
Question: If an elderly person is in a wheel chair and wants to go to her relatives kever, can we place wooden boards on top of the bottom of the kevorim that are in that row in order… Question: If an elderly person is in a wheel chair and wants to go to her relatives kever, can we place wooden boards on top of the bottom of the kevorim that are in that row in order that she can be wheeled to the kever? Answer: Where no other choice exists, this is permissible. It is customary in such a case to ask forgiveness before stepping on top of the kevorim. Sources: ראה ט״ז יו״ד סי׳ שס״ד סק״א וש״ך סק״ד בשם…Show more
Question: I'm a Shliach. I happen to be friendly with a handful of generous Yidden around the world, and I occasionally ask for their financial support of the Chabad house. The thing is, these Yidden are the "Baalei… Question: I'm a Shliach. I happen to be friendly with a handful of generous Yidden around the world, and I occasionally ask for their financial support of the Chabad house. The thing is, these Yidden are the "Baalei Batim" of Shluchim where they live. I never saw an issue with doing this, since I felt that a person can, and does, give Tzedakah to wherever he wishes, and is not "bound" to giving only to his local Shliach. Recently, a friend of mine said this isn't right and I should rethink it. What does Halacha say about…Show more
Do I have to put unused and unread Mivtzoim pamphlets into Shaimos? Please see the links below: Halacha2go.com articles #334, #84, #205 https://asktherav.com/can-i-put-nshei-chabad-magazines-into-the-recycling-or-does-it-have-to-go-into-shaimos/ As well as the link provided there. Some other examples are: Stories for… Do I have to put unused and unread Mivtzoim pamphlets into Shaimos? Please see the links below: Halacha2go.com articles #334, #84, #205 https://asktherav.com/can-i-put-nshei-chabad-magazines-into-the-recycling-or-does-it-have-to-go-into-shaimos/ As well as the link provided there. Some other examples are: Stories for kids that bring out a lesson (but not always so clearly), or stories of Tzadikim - don't need to be put in Shaimos unless it's Torah stories Or explain a Halacha or Torah thought. Pictures that depict scenes from the Parsha - no. Unless it contains captions. Class newsletters that contain some points from the Parsha that they learned about…Show more
It’s Mezonos, until the amount that would be considered establishing a meal. סדר ברכת הנהנין ב, יב. #9342
Answer: If the spatula was only used when the onions were already mostly fried (and lost their sharpness) you can be lenient, and only Kasher the spatula and the food is fine, otherwise they should both be Kashered and… Answer: If the spatula was only used when the onions were already mostly fried (and lost their sharpness) you can be lenient, and only Kasher the spatula and the food is fine, otherwise they should both be Kashered and food discarded. Kashering can be done with Libun Kal (=leave upside down on top of open flame till both the inside and outside of the pan are hot enough to singe paper), or Hagalah (place in pot of boiling hot water that's on the fire), though some are stringent not to kasher Teflon coated pans. Sources: בדין דבר חריף - עיין שו"ע יו"ד סימן צו…Show more
Yes, though you may not inflate it on Shabbos. Sources: שבת מח, א ורש"י שם, וראה ברמב"ם פרק כב…
Assuming that there was Milchig residue on spoon, then if the water was below approximately 45 degrees Celsius or 113 Fahrenheit, or if there was a substantial amount of soap there (with only small amount of residue) before it… Assuming that there was Milchig residue on spoon, then if the water was below approximately 45 degrees Celsius or 113 Fahrenheit, or if there was a substantial amount of soap there (with only small amount of residue) before it reached that level of heat, there is no issue. If you are in doubt there is room to be lenient as well. Otherwise you can pour hot water over your sink, and kasher spoon if it came in contact with sink. Sources: עיין שאלה 12235: https://asktherav.com/i-found-a-milchig-frying-pan-in-the-fleishig-drawer-which-means-it-was-very-likely-washed-with-steel-wood-used-for-other-fleishige-dishes-what-do-i-do/ ו12307. בלי ממשות אין…Show more
שאלה: רבנו הזקן כותב (בכמה מקומות) שיעור גדול למיל - שעה וחומש, אבל בסדר הכנסת שבת כותב שהוא שעה ושלוש חומשין, האם יש להקל לשעה וחמש? תשובה: לשאלתו בשיעור מיל בסדר הכנסת שבת - לא נכתב בסדר הכנסת… שאלה: רבנו הזקן כותב (בכמה מקומות) שיעור גדול למיל - שעה וחומש, אבל בסדר הכנסת שבת כותב שהוא שעה ושלוש חומשין, האם יש להקל לשעה וחמש? תשובה: לשאלתו בשיעור מיל בסדר הכנסת שבת - לא נכתב בסדר הכנסת שבת שהוא 96 דקות. מראי מקומות: כבר כתבו כמה שהסברא שהשיעור 96 דקות היא טעות דמוכח, אף שמצינו באחרונים למאן דס״ל הכי. וגם היתה אהובה על הגרא״ל ע״ה קפלן והחרה החזיק אחריו בנו בכמה קובצים. ובקצרה: יש ב׳ שיטות בשיעור מיל. אבל אין ב׳ שיטות בשיעור ד׳ מילין, שפשוט כשנקטו ד׳ מילין התכוונו למילין בני 18 דקות. והאריכו בזה…Show more
Question: Recently a new type of Sheitels hit the market that are basically undiscernible, you really cannot tell that this person is wearing a Sheitel and definitely not from afar, (it has a lace front, meaning it makes it… Question: Recently a new type of Sheitels hit the market that are basically undiscernible, you really cannot tell that this person is wearing a Sheitel and definitely not from afar, (it has a lace front, meaning it makes it look like the hair is growing right out of the head, so the white scalp (or skin color) after that looks like the persons head, so if you don't look closely, it doesn't look like the person is wearing a Sheitel). Is this allowed? and what is the Rebbe's opinion on this? Also, even if a Sheitel doesn't have…Show more
Question: We heated up Challa over a cholent pot on the fire over a blech. We put it on the cover that was covering the cholent. Didn't open the pot. We ended up not using the bread. After Shabbos,… Question: We heated up Challa over a cholent pot on the fire over a blech. We put it on the cover that was covering the cholent. Didn't open the pot. We ended up not using the bread. After Shabbos, we cut it up and dipped it in egg only and fried it in a milk frying pan with a spatula. The dairy equipment wasn't used in over 24 hours and was clean. Is the food ok to eat? What about the frying pan? (Its a non-stick type) And how about the spatula? (Rubber one) If anything needs to be…Show more
Question: Is a knife that someone used as if he's going to stab someone else become trief? And how do I kasher it? I was told that the knife has to be buried in earth for days, is… Question: Is a knife that someone used as if he's going to stab someone else become trief? And how do I kasher it? I was told that the knife has to be buried in earth for days, is there anything to that? Answer: It is not treif. It has been famously said that in this case the knife does not become treif, but the one who used it in this manner does become treif... PS. It is possible that a source for this is in order to prevent people from using knives against other people…Show more
Yes, even though he might eventually enter a situation of pikuach nefesh and will have to come in contact with a dead body. If other hatzalah members which are not kohanim are available, he may not deal with terminal… Yes, even though he might eventually enter a situation of pikuach nefesh and will have to come in contact with a dead body. If other hatzalah members which are not kohanim are available, he may not deal with terminal patients (unless they’re not as expert as him, in which case he may go into their house and it is indeed a big mitzvah). P.S. I should note however they are communities that do not allow kohanim to join. Sources: עי׳ בשו״ת חת״ס יו״ד סי׳ שלח שרשאי הכהן ללמוד…Show more
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