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Question: If I am volunteering and taking kids out who have a sibling in the hospital, can I use Ma'aser money to pay for the kids' entertainment / treats? Obviously not using the Ma'aser money to pay for anything… Question: If I am volunteering and taking kids out who have a sibling in the hospital, can I use Ma'aser money to pay for the kids' entertainment / treats? Obviously not using the Ma'aser money to pay for anything for me, only for the kids. Answer: Ma'aser money may be used. However, it is always better (if possible) to use private funds. Sources: ראה: שו"ע יו"ד סי' רמ"ט סעי' א' בהגהה (בשם…Show more
Question: Around Purim this past year, I heard that saying shnayim mikra on Erev Shabbos is good for the pandemic. I’ve been careful to do it ever since. Now in the winter, and I’m back at work etc. it’s… Question: Around Purim this past year, I heard that saying shnayim mikra on Erev Shabbos is good for the pandemic. I’ve been careful to do it ever since. Now in the winter, and I’m back at work etc. it’s hard to keep it up. Do I need to do Hatoras Nedorim? Answer: Unlike any other Hanhoga Tova, this is an absolute obligation according to Shulchan Aruch. Thus, there is no such thing as Hatoro. I suggest you find some time to do it perhaps on Shabbos. Sources: י״א שאינו חובה גמורה - ראה שו״ת מהרש״ם א,…Show more
Question: Very often in our shul, people hear Kriah before davening, and then, if there is a Minyan, they would daven with that Minyan, It happens where there was only 4 people that didn't hear Kriah. Should we read… Question: Very often in our shul, people hear Kriah before davening, and then, if there is a Minyan, they would daven with that Minyan, It happens where there was only 4 people that didn't hear Kriah. Should we read the Torah? Answer: Krias Hatorah should only be recited if there are six who did not yet hear Kriah (or who had in mind not to be yotze from the earlier Kriah). Sources: ראה נודע ביהודה או"ח תניינא סי' ט"ו, מנחת פתים…Show more
Question: If I understand correctly, when eating a chocolate chip cookie, the brocho is mezonos unless I eat the measurement of 4 beitzim and get satisfied. What if I eat it as a dessert in a meal: if I… Question: If I understand correctly, when eating a chocolate chip cookie, the brocho is mezonos unless I eat the measurement of 4 beitzim and get satisfied. What if I eat it as a dessert in a meal: if I eat less than 4 beitzim can I make mezonos, or is it hamotzi (since I am already satisfied from the entire meal) and therefore I don't make a brocho? Answer: Mezonos. Sources: ידועה הקושיא היאך מברך מזונות על פהב״כ - כשהוא…Show more
Question: When saying Hallel I have adopted the Chabad minhag of repeating "Hodu lashem" (first passuk of kapitel 117) after the first 4 verses. But I recently read in a Chabad source that made me question if, when davening… Question: When saying Hallel I have adopted the Chabad minhag of repeating "Hodu lashem" (first passuk of kapitel 117) after the first 4 verses. But I recently read in a Chabad source that made me question if, when davening alone, "Hodu" should be repeated after the 1st Hodu as well, or only for the next 3 verses? Answer: Not after the verse of Hodu. Only after the following 3 verses. P.S. This isn’t an exclusive Chabad minhag. It’s practiced in many other communities too, as per the sources below. Sources: אינו חוזר אחר פסוק הודו: כמפורש בהיום יום ל'…Show more
לכתחילה ישתה בעצמו את הקידוש. ובאם אינו רוצה לשתות ישמע קידוש מאחר. כשמטעמי בריאות או נדר וכדומה אא״פ לו לשתות, ואין מי שיקדש בשבילו, עדיף להביא את הקידוש לשתות לגדול. ובאם אין גדול, מותר אף לתת לקטן שהגיע לחינוך.… לכתחילה ישתה בעצמו את הקידוש. ובאם אינו רוצה לשתות ישמע קידוש מאחר. כשמטעמי בריאות או נדר וכדומה אא״פ לו לשתות, ואין מי שיקדש בשבילו, עדיף להביא את הקידוש לשתות לגדול. ובאם אין גדול, מותר אף לתת לקטן שהגיע לחינוך. ובאופן כזה, עדיף שישתה הוא בעצמו קצת. וגם עדיף כשהשני השותה במקומו יוצא עכשיו ממנו ידי חובת קידוש. והשותה צריך לשתות כמלוא לוגמיו דהיינו רוב רביעית לאדם בינוני. ולקטן מספיק כמלוא לוגמיו דידיה. מקורות: שוע"ר סי רע"א סכ"ה וסי ערב סי"ב. והנה בשו״ע…Show more
Yes it is Muktza. One may not move objects out of boredom, unless there is an actual need. There is a disagreement if it is permitted if you are doing it for slight enjoyment or out of nervousness (or… Yes it is Muktza. One may not move objects out of boredom, unless there is an actual need. There is a disagreement if it is permitted if you are doing it for slight enjoyment or out of nervousness (or the like). Otherwise only food and books - that are allowed to be read - may be moved even without a substantial need. Sources: ובהקדם, שמצינו לענין קני לחה״פ, בבמאירי שבת קכג, ב…Show more
Question: The Rebbe writes in a letter לקו''ש חלק ז' עמוד 325 that it is permitted to comb your beard with a comb. what does the Rebbe mean by writing in another letter לקו''ש חלק ל''ב עמוד 249 that… Question: The Rebbe writes in a letter לקו''ש חלק ז' עמוד 325 that it is permitted to comb your beard with a comb. what does the Rebbe mean by writing in another letter לקו''ש חלק ל''ב עמוד 249 that it has to be a proper comb. In other words, what type of comb are you allowed to use? Is it better not to comb your beard at all or on the contrary הואיל ונפק מפומי'ה? Just to note, the Rebbe mentions in the above mentioned letter חלק ז about the כיבוד אם that will come as a result of…Show more
Question: Is wearing a belt itself sufficient as a Gartel for Davening? Why do some wear their belt on top of their jackets for davening - isn't wearing it over the pants/underneath sufficient? Answer: The belt helps to… Question: Is wearing a belt itself sufficient as a Gartel for Davening? Why do some wear their belt on top of their jackets for davening - isn't wearing it over the pants/underneath sufficient? Answer: The belt helps to make a separation between ones heart and ervah (though wearing pants close to the body would be enough, even without a belt) however, it isn’t considered the same as wearing a gartel for davening as a act of respect and honor when speaking to Hashem (הכון לקראת אלקיך ישראל). Another advantage of wearing a gartel, as it’s a special…Show more
No. Sources: בנדרים ל״ז ע״ב - ״ויבינו במקרא״ זה פיסוק טעמים,…
Yes, you may, but you may not recite Tehilim or other Torah passages. Sources: לא שמענו שנמנעו מזה וכיו״ב. ואדרבה, להעיר מסה״ש תש״נ…
Answer: Here is a quote from the Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch (OCH 101:2): "One should not pray in his heart alone. Rather, he should articulate the words with his lips and whisper them audibly [the literal translation of the… Answer: Here is a quote from the Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch (OCH 101:2): "One should not pray in his heart alone. Rather, he should articulate the words with his lips and whisper them audibly [the literal translation of the original would be: “make them heard by his ears”]. He should not, however, make his voice heard (by someone standing more than four cubits away), as it is written [regarding Chanh in I Shmuel 1:13] , “Only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard.” A person who projects his voice during Shemoneh Esreh is one of…Show more
Question: Can I prepare food for the Seudah between Kiddush and Washing, if it will not cause me to delay the washing? For example: there are lots of guests waiting for the sink, can I finish preparing salads meanwhile?… Question: Can I prepare food for the Seudah between Kiddush and Washing, if it will not cause me to delay the washing? For example: there are lots of guests waiting for the sink, can I finish preparing salads meanwhile? Also if someone is at the door may someone go (leave the room) to get the door between Kiddush and Hamotzie? Answer: Both are ok (When possible - Hamotzie should be made before opening the door). Sources: לצורך הסעודה – ראה מג״א רפו, א מחה״ש שם…Show more
Question: What is the Rebbe's opinion on stocks, like mutual funds? Is there an issue of Ribbis in that? (How about when the money is being invested by a family friend who does this for a living, so there… Question: What is the Rebbe's opinion on stocks, like mutual funds? Is there an issue of Ribbis in that? (How about when the money is being invested by a family friend who does this for a living, so there is not דאגות since it's being done through someone else). Please advise. Answer: In general, the Rebbe was not in favor of investing in stocks. See here. See also Igros Kodesh vol. 16 pg. 293. vol. 19 pg. 232. Vol. 22 pg. 245. It seems that if you are not involved in the investment and someone else is investing…Show more
Strictly speaking, one may use glue or even double sided tape provided they are strong and durable. Nonetheless, nails are preferable, according to some. Sources: ראה בנימוקי יוסף ב”מ קא ד”ה בגובתא. ריטב”א שם…
Question: One of my mekuravim sends her boys to their non-Jewish father on weekends. She is asking if she should put up mezuzahs on the doorposts of the father's home. And even if there is no requirement, may she… Question: One of my mekuravim sends her boys to their non-Jewish father on weekends. She is asking if she should put up mezuzahs on the doorposts of the father's home. And even if there is no requirement, may she do it anyway? Answer: The Halacha is that only an actual owner (and resident) is required to affix a Mezuza on the door. An owner is defined as someone that has some sort of "long term" hold on the home, be it through purchase, rent, or even borrowing. One who is a guest in another's home has less "ownership"…Show more
Question: A Yid I know will probably have his leg amputated (from above the knee and down). Does the leg need to be buried in a cemetery or can it be buried a backyard or the like? Is there… Question: A Yid I know will probably have his leg amputated (from above the knee and down). Does the leg need to be buried in a cemetery or can it be buried a backyard or the like? Is there anything Tefilos/Tahara that has to be done? Answer: It does not need to be buried. The custom is to bury it anyhow, either due to tumas kohanim or as a minhag. There is no need to do tahara, but some do it. Some save it, or un-dig it, to be buried later together with the rest of…Show more
Question: I made a purchase on amazon and got a notification that it was delivered. When I checked for the package though I wasn’t able to find anything so I called amazon to tell them, and they refunded me… Question: I made a purchase on amazon and got a notification that it was delivered. When I checked for the package though I wasn’t able to find anything so I called amazon to tell them, and they refunded me for it. A while later someone told me they found the item which was in the mailbox, as opposed to the lobby where they usually get packages sent to. Am I halachically obligated to call up amazon to let them know? Answer: Firstly, if there is a legal requirement to return items to the company, then obviously this requirement…Show more
אף שמנהג זה יסודתו בהררי קודש ונתפשט בתפוצות ישראל, ולא רק אצל חסידים, ונהגו בו מדורי דורות, כידוע ומפורסם, ומילא מובן גם שיש לחנך הילדים לקיים המנהג - מעולם לא שמענו שצריך למחות בכגון דא. וישתמש בכח וכושר המחאה… אף שמנהג זה יסודתו בהררי קודש ונתפשט בתפוצות ישראל, ולא רק אצל חסידים, ונהגו בו מדורי דורות, כידוע ומפורסם, ומילא מובן גם שיש לחנך הילדים לקיים המנהג - מעולם לא שמענו שצריך למחות בכגון דא. וישתמש בכח וכושר המחאה לדברים אחרים. ובפרט במי שאצלו לא נהגו במנהג זה (שהרי ידוע שבכמה קהילות לא נתפשט המנהג. וראה אג״ק חי״ג ע׳ קיט). ולהעיר מהסיפור באג״ק ח"ז ע׳ קסא, וכ״ה בתורת מנחם רשימת היומן ע׳ שסה: ידוע הסיפור מה ששמענו מכ"ק מו"ח אדמו"ר, שפעם בליל ניטל, נכנס אחד לכ"ק הצמח צדק ומצאו לומד, ושאלו: רבינו, הלוא ניטל היום, וענהו הצ״צ: פתח [פעטאח]!…Show more
פשוט וברור אצלי שאין שום הבדל בתוכן הלימוד, וגם עניני ניטל בכלל, שהרי כל שלימודו הוא בגדר תורה נהגו לא ללמוד בלילה זה. וכ״ה לכל הטעמים שנאמרו במנהג זה (מחשש סכ״נ, בכדי שילכו לישון, וכיו״ב), שעיקר הענין שלא ילמוד… פשוט וברור אצלי שאין שום הבדל בתוכן הלימוד, וגם עניני ניטל בכלל, שהרי כל שלימודו הוא בגדר תורה נהגו לא ללמוד בלילה זה. וכ״ה לכל הטעמים שנאמרו במנהג זה (מחשש סכ״נ, בכדי שילכו לישון, וכיו״ב), שעיקר הענין שלא ילמוד תורה. וסתמו כפירושו - שלא נחתו לחלק. וכש״כ להטעם הפנימי שהוא בכדי שלא להוסיף חיות בו ובההולכים בשיטתו. (ואינו דומה כלל לעניני אבילות לאבל וכדומה, שאינו גורם שמחה). וגם אם הימצא תימצא באיזהו מקומן שנזכר טעם מחודש, ושלפי טעם זה מקום לחלק בחילוק דקה מן הדקה שבעניני ניטל אין מקום למנהג הנ״ל - פשוט שהעיקר המנהג עצמו, והטעמים שנאמרו -…Show more
Question: I know the minhag of many is not to make kiddush between six and seven. This was what I remember my custom in my parents' home. My question is, sometime this leads to stress in the house either… Question: I know the minhag of many is not to make kiddush between six and seven. This was what I remember my custom in my parents' home. My question is, sometime this leads to stress in the house either rushing through Sholom Aleichem to get on time and rushing from shul home. On the other hand, we have a house of young children at home and waiting till seven can lead to chaos sometimes. Kids are impatient and hungry. In addition, we have guests, and this can add pressure. Is there room to be maikel on this custom? …Show more
In Shulchan Oruch, bringing in Shabbos early is regarded as a noble practice. Nevertheless, in 770, Shabbos was never brought in early, and it is common practice in Chabad not to bring Shabbos in early. [It is told that… In Shulchan Oruch, bringing in Shabbos early is regarded as a noble practice. Nevertheless, in 770, Shabbos was never brought in early, and it is common practice in Chabad not to bring Shabbos in early. [It is told that Tzach once suggested that the Pegishos bring in Shabbos early to make it easier for the students who were tired and not accustomed to a late Friday night schedule. However, the Rebbe responded something to the effect that to bring in Shabbos early is not Minhag Chabad.] Possible suggested reasons for this practice: 1. The Alter Rebbe writes (in…Show more
תשובה: חנוכיה כזו כשרה לכתחילה. ועם כל זה, יש מהדרין שלא להדליק בחנוכיה כזו, משום מצוה מן המובחר. מקורות: ברמ״א תרעא, ד: יש ליזהר להעמיד הנרות בשורה בשוה…
If the salt is fully dried, then yes, provided that the grains of salt are not all very fine (like table salt) nor very big (too big to adhere well to the meat). Generally sea salt is the… If the salt is fully dried, then yes, provided that the grains of salt are not all very fine (like table salt) nor very big (too big to adhere well to the meat). Generally sea salt is the preferred size (even though there are finer grains mixed in with the larger ones). Sea salt is actually the preferred koshering salt of most kashrus agencies. ראה שו"ע יו"ד סי' ס"ט ובנו"כ שם ועוד. #12316Show more
Question: I received a message on my WhatsApp from... explaining why the COVID vaccine is not to be used. I am definitely hesitant about taking it. I am curious to know what the Halacha is regarding this vaccination. … Question: I received a message on my WhatsApp from... explaining why the COVID vaccine is not to be used. I am definitely hesitant about taking it. I am curious to know what the Halacha is regarding this vaccination. Answer: I’ll wait to hear what our doctors will tell us before forming an opinion on this matter. I cannot give a final conclusive opinion without doing proper due research. For a general analysis (in Hebrew) on the matter of vaccination according to halacha, including the COVID vaccine, see the attached document. See also here: https://traditiononline.org/halakha-approaches-the-covid-19-vaccine/ For more about vaccinations,…Show more
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