People Just Asked
Question: What is the Rebbe's opinion regarding the chosson and kalla posing for a picture during the engagement? And what about without officially posing just someone taking a picture that both are near each other? Answer: The Rebbe… Question: What is the Rebbe's opinion regarding the chosson and kalla posing for a picture during the engagement? And what about without officially posing just someone taking a picture that both are near each other? Answer: The Rebbe was very much not in favor of a Chosson and Kalla posing together for a picture before the wedding for the lack of Tznius it entails, and asked that his disfavor be publicized in his name. Being in a picture together with other family members or someone snapping a picture of them next to each other without them posing for…Show more
Question Continued: Also, if I don't have Kavanah during Davening, then what's the point, I just mumble the words and they come out in one big mush and I feel like I said a huge Bracha levatalah. I… Question Continued: Also, if I don't have Kavanah during Davening, then what's the point, I just mumble the words and they come out in one big mush and I feel like I said a huge Bracha levatalah. I know you will answer that I SHOULD have Ahavas Yisroel and Kavana, but what about on the days that I don't? Answer: This is an excellent question, and it seems to be coming from a place of caring about davening and what is being said. This approach give rise to the above question: if I don't actually have Ahavas…Show more
One may lay down on his back, if the head and shoulders are elevated and are higher then the rest of the body. Source: עפ"י נשמת אברהם או"ח סי' סג ס"ק א בשם הגרש"ז אויערבאך. #10839
Question: The Rebbe often speaks about giving "כמה פרוטות" - several prutos to Tzedakah before davening. If the halachic value of a pruta is 3 cents, does that imply that the minimum amount of Tzedaka given should be 6… Question: The Rebbe often speaks about giving "כמה פרוטות" - several prutos to Tzedakah before davening. If the halachic value of a pruta is 3 cents, does that imply that the minimum amount of Tzedaka given should be 6 cents, or does pruta here refer to the translation of "coin," and 2 cents are enough? We are providing students with tzedakah to give before davening and are wondering how much to provide for them. Answer: It would seem that the word "peruta" here is referring to a coin. Thus, one might give two coins where one…Show more
They are fine as they are not considered food. Sources: גם לגבי אוכלין ומשקין נחלקו בדיעבד. וכש״כ בנדו״ז. ואין…
Question: 1. Is one allowed to use a hand washing station set up inside the walls of a cemetery that is more than 4 amos away from any kever? If not, should one bring water with them to… Question: 1. Is one allowed to use a hand washing station set up inside the walls of a cemetery that is more than 4 amos away from any kever? If not, should one bring water with them to wash outside the walls of the cemetery? 2. Also, if there’s a restroom within the walls of a cemetery and there is a washing station outside the bathroom but still within the walls of the cemetery, would there be any problem to wash there? Answer: 1. One should not wash their hands inside the cemetery, even if 4 amos…Show more
Question: Must I double wrap bread before discarding it? How big does the piece of bread have to be, to require double wrapping? And is there any problem throwing lots of bread to the birds, so that some will… Question: Must I double wrap bread before discarding it? How big does the piece of bread have to be, to require double wrapping? And is there any problem throwing lots of bread to the birds, so that some will stay on the ground for a while? Answer: Single wrap is enough. A kazayis of bread (or several small pieces that altogether add up to kazayis) should be wrapped (kazayis = a little less than an ounce). Less than a kazayis does not have to be wrapped but may not be stepped on. Leaving bread on the…Show more
Yes. P.s. Although one can make Havdalah before Ma'ariv, some are particular not to do so. Sources: כן הוא משמעות השו”ע סי’ רצט ס”י ושוע”ר סי’…
Question: Does a separate heating element (of about 500 degrees) which is added to a oven make the bread Pas Yisroel? Answer: There is a debate among contemporary kashrus agencies and their respective Poskim whether a glow plug… Question: Does a separate heating element (of about 500 degrees) which is added to a oven make the bread Pas Yisroel? Answer: There is a debate among contemporary kashrus agencies and their respective Poskim whether a glow plug lit by a Jew suffices for Pas Yisroel or not. While those in support of the glow plug compare it to throwing in a twig to the fire, which is considered as though one has participated in the baking, others challenge this comparison on several accounts. The twig forms parts of the fire; the glow plug is a disparate entity.…Show more
Question: What to do in a situation that the 10th person walks in to Shul, after everyone (the nine men) finished Shmone Esrei and there has definitely been a hefsek after the finish. It is my understanding that there… Question: What to do in a situation that the 10th person walks in to Shul, after everyone (the nine men) finished Shmone Esrei and there has definitely been a hefsek after the finish. It is my understanding that there needs to be 10 davening b'lachash in order to do to the Chazan's repetition. Is it so? Answer: It is permissible in that situation to do Chazaras Hashatz. As a general rule, there only needs to be six people davening in order to do Chazaras Hashatz. Note: you should be aware that there are communities that have a different…Show more
Question: I awoke at about 4am to use the restroom, to my shock and dismay, no qvart was waiting in the shissel by my bed, I thought that my roommate was getting the Negel Vasser. I walked a few… Question: I awoke at about 4am to use the restroom, to my shock and dismay, no qvart was waiting in the shissel by my bed, I thought that my roommate was getting the Negel Vasser. I walked a few steps and stopped, and proceeded in this way - to the kitchen - three flights down!!! I then washed Negel Vasser at the kitchen sink. How was my soul effected? And what exactly can I do to rectify this situation retroactively? Answer: You did the right thing, Your soul was not affected in any way. The Zohar which states…Show more
If there is any סרך קדושה (a slight amount of holiness) discussed in these books, like lessons you can take from it, be it Yiras Shamayim or some other wisdom, there is room for leniency. In any case, it… If there is any סרך קדושה (a slight amount of holiness) discussed in these books, like lessons you can take from it, be it Yiras Shamayim or some other wisdom, there is room for leniency. In any case, it is proper to only read books on Shabbos which are of Torah and instill fear of Heaven. See here as well: https://asktherav.com/my-therapist-recommended-i-read-some-books-however-i-dont-really-have-the-time-to-read-them-during-the-week-am-i-allowed-to-read-them-on-shabbos/ See also Halacha2go article #99. Sources: ראה המצוין שם בהלינק, וראה גם קצה"ש סי' קז…Show more
Question: I have a old set of Seforim and I would like to replace it with a new set. Can I buy the new set (fully or partially) with Ma'aser on condition that I sponsor the old one to… Question: I have a old set of Seforim and I would like to replace it with a new set. Can I buy the new set (fully or partially) with Ma'aser on condition that I sponsor the old one to a Yeshiva or Shul? Answer: No. However, You can donate the old set of Seforim and consider it as part of separating Ma'aser. See also here: https://asktherav.com/using-maaser-for-seforim/ https://asktherav.com/4023-may-one-donate-clothing-or-goods-and-take-the-cost-out-of-their-maaser-if-yes-would-the-condition-matter-is-the-current-or-demoted-cost-used-or-the-original-cost/ #12178Show more
שאלה: במקרה שאני לא התחלתי סעודה מיד (ולא תוך ארבע דקות) אחרי קידוש, לא באשמתי אלא בגלל אונס, ולפני שהתחלתי סעודה יצאתי לכמה רגעים לחדר אחר. האם אני צריך לעשות קידוש עוד הפעם? וכמה זמן נחשב הפסק מוחלט בין… שאלה: במקרה שאני לא התחלתי סעודה מיד (ולא תוך ארבע דקות) אחרי קידוש, לא באשמתי אלא בגלל אונס, ולפני שהתחלתי סעודה יצאתי לכמה רגעים לחדר אחר. האם אני צריך לעשות קידוש עוד הפעם? וכמה זמן נחשב הפסק מוחלט בין קידוש לאכילה? תשובה: אין צריכים לקדש עוד הפעם. הרחבה: בשוע”ר סי’ רעג ס”ה דאם כשקידש היה כוונתו לאכול לאחר זמן לא יצא ידי חובתו וצריך לחזור ולקדש. ובהשיעור של לאח”ז נחלקו טובא. ובבדי השולחן סי’ פא סק”י כתב שהוא כדי אכילת פרס. ויש לדון האם יש לחוש להשיעור של 4 דקות או אפילו כהי”א בשיעור כדא״פ שהוא י״א…Show more
Question: What’s if I fell asleep in the middle of davening, between שומר את עמו ישראל לעד and שמונה עשרה? And what if I fell asleep in the middle of ברכות קריאת שמע? Answer: If you fell asleep… Question: What’s if I fell asleep in the middle of davening, between שומר את עמו ישראל לעד and שמונה עשרה? And what if I fell asleep in the middle of ברכות קריאת שמע? Answer: If you fell asleep in between שומר את עמו ישראל לעד and שמונה עשרה, you should continue on with Shemone Esrei. If you fell asleep in the middle of Birchos Krias Shema; If you interrupted for the amount of time it takes you to say the entire Bracha, you should start from the beginning of the Bracha. If however you interrupted for…Show more
Question: Many Jewish magazines and/or newspapers come with a closed plastic wrapper over them. Is it permitted to tear it open on Shabbos to read the magazine? Answer: Yes, though better if done before Shabbos. See also here.… Question: Many Jewish magazines and/or newspapers come with a closed plastic wrapper over them. Is it permitted to tear it open on Shabbos to read the magazine? Answer: Yes, though better if done before Shabbos. See also here. Sources: בונה וסותר: בנין גרוע בכלים שאין בהם משום בונה וסותר…Show more
Question: Can an adult who wears diapers daven with a wet diaper on, given there is no smell and it's completely covered? Answer: Yes., where no choice exists. However, if you can change first and daven later, you… Question: Can an adult who wears diapers daven with a wet diaper on, given there is no smell and it's completely covered? Answer: Yes., where no choice exists. However, if you can change first and daven later, you should do so. Sources: שו״ע אדה״ז סי׳ ע״ח סעי׳ א׳ וד׳. ולהעיר משולחן…Show more
If you know for sure it happened, and that there was actual residue there, then if the water was below approximately 45 degrees celsius or 113 fahrenheit, or if there was a substantial amount of soap placed on dishes… If you know for sure it happened, and that there was actual residue there, then if the water was below approximately 45 degrees celsius or 113 fahrenheit, or if there was a substantial amount of soap placed on dishes (with only small amount of residue) before it became to that level of heat, there is no issue. If you are in doubt if it happened at all also no issue, otherwise it should be kashered. Sources: סבון - ראה סימן צה סעיף ד ובנו"כ כולל…Show more
According to some there is indeed a prohibition to take a picture of the sun. Even according to those that are lenient, it seems that printing such a picture would be prohibited. There is room for leniency if it… According to some there is indeed a prohibition to take a picture of the sun. Even according to those that are lenient, it seems that printing such a picture would be prohibited. There is room for leniency if it is not of the full sun such as when it has partially sunken or it is partially blocked by some clouds. See also here: https://asktherav.com/drawing-the-sun-moon-and-stars-for-education-purposes/ Sources: ראה מנחת יצחק ח"י, עב. אבל ראה שו"ת שבט…Show more
Question: If a woman would like a service of manicures or pedicures in a salon, and it includes a goy cutting her nails, is the goy allowed to throw the nails out in the garbage or must they still… Question: If a woman would like a service of manicures or pedicures in a salon, and it includes a goy cutting her nails, is the goy allowed to throw the nails out in the garbage or must they still be burned? Answer: The same Halacha as when a yid cutting them. Best to burn them or throw them in the toilet. Many maintain that throwing them into the garbage would be like burning them since eventually the garbage will be burned. Sources: שוע”ר סי’ רס ס”ד. וראה שו”ת בצל החכמה ח”ב…Show more
No, as they will bring in Avoda Zara or do their practices/prayers there. However, if it’s a purely secular school (ran by a church) there is no issue. Sources: שו״ע יו"ד קנא א. שם י. וברמ״א וש״ך שם.…
Question: I hired a snowplowing company to plow my driveway throughout the winter for a flat rate. (That is the local custom here, it is unheard-of to pay per storm). Do I have to tell them not to plow… Question: I hired a snowplowing company to plow my driveway throughout the winter for a flat rate. (That is the local custom here, it is unheard-of to pay per storm). Do I have to tell them not to plow on Shabbos? Does it make a difference that my house is also used as a Shul? Answer: If there is a danger that people will slip and fall, you may allow them or even tell them to do it, otherwise you may not allow them to do it unless in extreme circumstances. See here as well: https://asktherav.com/what-are-the-halachos-of-snow-on-shabbos-may-one-spread-salt-on-an-icy-path-on-shabbos/ Sources: אמירה לנכרי במקום חשש סכנה. ובליכא סכנה אסור, שו״ע…Show more
Question: Is one permitted to cover a Sefer when leaving the room with another Sefer? How about using a Sefer to save your spot (like in 770, putting a Sefer on your spot so that no one else should… Question: Is one permitted to cover a Sefer when leaving the room with another Sefer? How about using a Sefer to save your spot (like in 770, putting a Sefer on your spot so that no one else should sit there)? Answer: Ideally one should not use a Sefer for this purpose. Where one can't find anything else and it will cause bittul Torah if he would close the Sefer and then have to find his place, there might be room for leniency. In any case, one should refrain from using a Chumash or Nach for this purpose.…Show more
You can melt the snow in one area and toivel keilim there. When melting the snow it can't be done by adding hot water there but rather bring heat there. This shouldn’t be done through placing metal heaters on… You can melt the snow in one area and toivel keilim there. When melting the snow it can't be done by adding hot water there but rather bring heat there. This shouldn’t be done through placing metal heaters on the snow. The snow should not be brought elsewhere due to a concern of שאובים. There are ways of bringing it, see below. This is assuming that there is a lot of snow together so there will be 40 סאה of water after it's melted (since snow is about 10 times the size of when it's melted). Sources: במשנה מקואות פ”ז מ”א אלו מעלין ולא פוסלין השלג…Show more
If it's three consecutive words, yes. You may cut out the words which require Sheimos and discard the rest. See also Halacha2go.com article #84. #12528
Have a Halachic Question?
Submit your question and receive an answer shortly.
Submit A Question
