People Just Asked
The inside box that holds the Torah? The doors also? How about the entire design on the outside that makes it look larger and is part of the extended Aron Kodesh? Answer: The whole Aron should be buried.… The inside box that holds the Torah? The doors also? How about the entire design on the outside that makes it look larger and is part of the extended Aron Kodesh? Answer: The whole Aron should be buried. Sources: בשו"ע או"ח סי' קנד ס"ג כותב המחבר דיש לגונזן.…Show more
As long as it is clean and there are no particles of food, there is no problem to eat milchig and fleishig either cold or hot with the same false tooth and there is no need to have a… As long as it is clean and there are no particles of food, there is no problem to eat milchig and fleishig either cold or hot with the same false tooth and there is no need to have a separate ones for milichig and fleishig. Best would be, if possible, to be more stringent and transfer all hot food to a keli sheni first. טעמים ומקורות: בנוגע לשניים תותבות - עיין בדרכי תשובה סי’ פט ס”ק יא, שראוי ליר״ש להחמיר שיהיו שיניים מיוחדות לבשר וחלב. ועכ״ז המנהג להקל. וכמה טעמים בדבר. ומהם, דדמיא לשיניים טבעיות (אבל ראה שו״ת…Show more
Question: A certain company which typically looks to hire talented help with experience in their specific field is having a problem, since it is very difficult, as there are very few qualified candidates. A recommendation was made to a… Question: A certain company which typically looks to hire talented help with experience in their specific field is having a problem, since it is very difficult, as there are very few qualified candidates. A recommendation was made to a Jewish person in this company to identify competing companies and have an executive recruiter fish for candidates; looking for qualified candidates who for whatever reason are looking to make a switch. Would it be Hasogas Gvul for this Jewish employee to just give the name of Jewish-owned competing companies? Answer: Giving a name isn’t Hasogas Gvul but s considered…Show more
A husband and wife are forbidden to have relations in front of a child who is able to speak if he is awake. From the simple reading of Shulchan Aruch and Poskim it would imply that that the child… A husband and wife are forbidden to have relations in front of a child who is able to speak if he is awake. From the simple reading of Shulchan Aruch and Poskim it would imply that that the child has to speak full sentences. If the child is sleeping, there is no problem. Though midas chassidus is to put up a mechitza when they are sleeping as well. This is in addition to the practical reason that they may wake up. Sources: S"A O"C 240:6 & Aruch Hashulchan O"C 240:11. See…Show more
If there is a chance that the goy will realize and it will thus cause a Chilul Hashem then one must inform the goy (therefore when possible one should tell the goy that “I’m relying on your calculation”). Likewise,… If there is a chance that the goy will realize and it will thus cause a Chilul Hashem then one must inform the goy (therefore when possible one should tell the goy that “I’m relying on your calculation”). Likewise, if asked about this by the goy you cannot deny that you received the extra goods. In absence of the above circumstances you may keep the additional item. *The above is the “letter of the law”. It must however be mentioned that the Sefer Chasidim writes, (roughly:) “Do not do treat the goyim unjustly as this will only pull…Show more
B'yechidus with a hat, jacket and gartel. However you should be present when the Minyan davens and answer Kaddish, Kedusha etc. Sources: משום הכון לקראת אלוקיך, וכעומד לפני המלך, שהוא מדינא…
Question: I was recommended to do martial arts for good fitness and focus, with the bonus of some self defense techniques. Is this allowed? They claim to be Pareve and not religious. Answer: Martial arts is not a… Question: I was recommended to do martial arts for good fitness and focus, with the bonus of some self defense techniques. Is this allowed? They claim to be Pareve and not religious. Answer: Martial arts is not a recommended sport activity. For keeping healthy, a different exercise or sport is more advisable. Reasoning: The idea of martial arts could be permissible (albeit not endorsed) if the following conditions are met: 1) No women in the vicinity where the martial arts taking place. 2) One cannot hurt another person or be hurt (for example taking punches while making…Show more
Question: When I give my baby a bath, often the most comfortable position to do it is by kneeling, meaning to have my knees on the floor and bend into the bath. Is this an issue? The floor is… Question: When I give my baby a bath, often the most comfortable position to do it is by kneeling, meaning to have my knees on the floor and bend into the bath. Is this an issue? The floor is made from tiles. I also have a small rug near the bath I sometimes kneel on, is that any better? Answer: You may help your baby with a bath even when your knees are touching the tile floor. There is no need here to place a towel under your knees. Reasoning: The main problem is prostrating and touching…Show more
An Amah by two Amos (48 cm. x 96 cm.), provided he can do the "ituf" with that size. It’s best to have it a bit larger, in case it folds or shrinks. According to Kabala it… An Amah by two Amos (48 cm. x 96 cm.), provided he can do the "ituf" with that size. It’s best to have it a bit larger, in case it folds or shrinks. According to Kabala it should cover head, body and arms and reach at least the end of his chest (front and back). Any standard Tallis Gadol usually is the correct shiur. Sources: ראה שו"ע אדה"ז טז, א. ובסידור פירש שיעורו. ומוכרח…Show more
It is true that the Rebbe did usually not use an umbrella. However, I’m not aware of any indication that others should not use an umbrella. At times, others held an umbrella above the Rebbe. Sources: ראה ימי בראשית ע׳ 243 ושם בהע׳ 18. מעשה…
Ma'aser money may be used to purchase the raffle tickets, since the money is ultimately benefitting a proper Tzedakah organization. However, the prize would become the property of the tzedakah organization. Please see here: https://asktherav.com/article-485-may-i-use-maaser-money-to-buy-a-ticket-at-an-auction/
Question: Is it a Halachic issue for a woman to wear leggings? If girls go on a trip with an activity that wearing leggings, under the skirt of course, as an added value for Tznius, is also an issue… Question: Is it a Halachic issue for a woman to wear leggings? If girls go on a trip with an activity that wearing leggings, under the skirt of course, as an added value for Tznius, is also an issue of לא ילבש? Same applies for pajamas at night, as an added Tznius? What about wearing woman pajama pants? Answer: Hashem made the Jewish people a גוי קדוש, a holy nation. The general idea of Tznius is 'modesty'; this means that the parts of the body that need to be covered are done so— and more than that, the…Show more
Sometimes one is bombarded with people all day long, while learning and davening, or at home. Therefore, if one is in the middle of a Mitzvah, even if one is busy with their children which is also a Mitzvah,… Sometimes one is bombarded with people all day long, while learning and davening, or at home. Therefore, if one is in the middle of a Mitzvah, even if one is busy with their children which is also a Mitzvah, they do not have to do another Mitzvah. However, if one is in the middle of learning, they have to interrupt their learning and give the person Tzedaka. Additionally, the Mitzvas Lo Saasei of Al Yoshuv Dach Nichlam, not to let a person go empty-handed, does not apply to someone who is collecting for other people or for institutions,…Show more
I put the leftover salad in a fleishig plastic container with a piece of chicken. The milchig metal salad tongs and glass salad bowl were all in the fleishig sink and were exposed to other fleishigs and hot (not… I put the leftover salad in a fleishig plastic container with a piece of chicken. The milchig metal salad tongs and glass salad bowl were all in the fleishig sink and were exposed to other fleishigs and hot (not boiling) water. One of the salad tongs was washed with the fleishig sponge. The other two items I washed under cold water in the bathroom. I don’t know what to do with the food or the keilim. Answer: Regarding all the Keilim as long as you didn't wash them with water that is they are all fine (just clean…Show more
אסור לאוכלו. מקורות: בצל ירוק בכלל בצל. ולו יהיבנא דהויא ספיקא -…
A holocaust survivor may technically forgive an individual Nazi Yimach Shemo for what he has done to him personally. Anyone else can not forgive a Nazi Yimach Shemo for murdering other Jews; this is not not how forgiveness works.… A holocaust survivor may technically forgive an individual Nazi Yimach Shemo for what he has done to him personally. Anyone else can not forgive a Nazi Yimach Shemo for murdering other Jews; this is not not how forgiveness works. The Nazi Yimach Shemo may feel bad for what he did, and should make restitution etc., but ultimately only the victim has the right to forgive. An additional point: in order for forgiveness to be complete, complete remorse and repentance (Teshuva) is needed on the side of the perpetrator (including understanding the sin, asking forgiveness, making restitution and promising never…Show more
There is indeed reason to approach this with care. • In a Yechidus with Mrs. Backman, a children’s book illustrator, the Rebbe instructed that when drawing Tzaddikim from Chumash, Nach, or any period in history where their true appearance… There is indeed reason to approach this with care. • In a Yechidus with Mrs. Backman, a children’s book illustrator, the Rebbe instructed that when drawing Tzaddikim from Chumash, Nach, or any period in history where their true appearance is unknown, they should be depicted only in side profile and not with a full face. (Kfar Chabad, issue 1072) • Similarly, in a letter containing instructions from Rabbi Chadokov to an illustrator for Shmuasen (Talks and Tales), he advised against drawing figures from Tanach, though figures from the Gemara are ok. It’s unclear whether this was a direct instruction…Show more
Haadama. Sources: ראה סדר ברה״נ ו, ז: מיני עצים רכין שהעלין והפירות…
Question: There is this "instant pot" (pressure cooker appliance) that has its heating element in the lid of the pot, for air frying. The way this lid is designed means that it can never be absolutely cleaned, unlike the… Question: There is this "instant pot" (pressure cooker appliance) that has its heating element in the lid of the pot, for air frying. The way this lid is designed means that it can never be absolutely cleaned, unlike the lid of an ordinary metal pot. (The pot itself can be cleaned.) If this lid is used to cook meat, for example, would one have to consider whatever is cooked subsequently in that pot with that same lid to also contain meat? And is it an issue to subsequently cook fish in that pot with that lid? Answer: If…Show more
In general one may add a couple of pennies, provided both of the following conditions are met: 1. It is an insignificant amount, that neither the borrower nor the lender would search for the amount of money if they… In general one may add a couple of pennies, provided both of the following conditions are met: 1. It is an insignificant amount, that neither the borrower nor the lender would search for the amount of money if they had dropped it on the floor. 2. He is only doing so because it is easier (e.g. someone who owes 99 cents and gives a dollar instead of getting change to pay 99 cents). In your specific case with cash app, it is not easier to give 9.50 instead of 9.49 and therefore it would be a problem. After it…Show more
There are different opinions how to calculate this. The common custom is to follow 42 minutes in NY. Otherwise, it’s several minutes, specifically 4 minutes after the sun sets 6.6 degrees below the horizon. Others wait till 8.5 degrees… There are different opinions how to calculate this. The common custom is to follow 42 minutes in NY. Otherwise, it’s several minutes, specifically 4 minutes after the sun sets 6.6 degrees below the horizon. Others wait till 8.5 degrees below the horizon. Sources: ראה סדר הכנסת שבת. ביאור לסדר הכנסת שבת לוין…Show more
Question: After cutting off and using the edible part of an onion for food, I took the leftover bottom-parts of these long green onions (i.e. basically the roots) and replanted them in dirt so they can regrow into more… Question: After cutting off and using the edible part of an onion for food, I took the leftover bottom-parts of these long green onions (i.e. basically the roots) and replanted them in dirt so they can regrow into more onions. The problem is that I had cut some with a Milchig knife and some with a Fleishig knife, but I don't know which ones are which. What can I do? Answer: Not a problem, as the seeds rots and then is born thus making any original flavor destroyed in the process. Sources: גם גדולי תרומה אסורים רק משום קנס, ובפשטות גם…Show more
If yes, can you cut a corner (to make it round)? What is considered rounded? Answer: The common custom is not to attach Tzitzis to blankets, whether they are made of wool or of linen. [The rationale is… If yes, can you cut a corner (to make it round)? What is considered rounded? Answer: The common custom is not to attach Tzitzis to blankets, whether they are made of wool or of linen. [The rationale is that] some authorities maintain that the Torah requires [that Tzitzis be attached] only to an article with which one covers himself as a garment. The words ”which you cover yourself” clearly imply “clothe yourself.” Articles that one merely spreads over oneself, like sheets or blankets, are not called garments at all. However, since some authorities dissent with this interpretation, one…Show more
Question: We met a not-yet-frum couple recently, and we are to gift them a Mezuzah and help put it up for them. However, it's very likely they wouldn't want it on their front door. Is there any benefit to… Question: We met a not-yet-frum couple recently, and we are to gift them a Mezuzah and help put it up for them. However, it's very likely they wouldn't want it on their front door. Is there any benefit to putting it up on a different door of their house? If so, which is the best doorway? Answer: It definitely is a good idea to help them affix a Mezuzah to their home. If they won't agree to put it on the front door, then they should put it by any room that is halachically obligated in Mezuza according…Show more
Yes, a Mesichta of Mishanyos (preferably with a Pirush such as Bartenura etc.) suffices as a Siyum to be able to serve meat. P.S. Technically, at a Seudah of a Bar Mitzvah one may serve meat and wine… Yes, a Mesichta of Mishanyos (preferably with a Pirush such as Bartenura etc.) suffices as a Siyum to be able to serve meat. P.S. Technically, at a Seudah of a Bar Mitzvah one may serve meat and wine even without a Siyum if it is the day he turns Bar Mitzvah. Or if the Bar Mitzvah Bocher says a Deroshah or Ma'amar, even if the Seudah is not on the same day. In this case however ideally it should not be scheduled during the nine days. However if it is during the week of Tishah Be'av (not relevant…Show more
Have a Halachic Question?
Submit your question and receive an answer shortly.
Submit A Question
