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Yes. ראה משנ"ב תקנא, סקי"א: ובזמנינו נהגו להקל בכל זה, משום דהכל נחשב כעת כדי פרנסתינו. #9847
There is a mitzvah of “Ve’asu Li mikdash” (to build a Beis Hamikdash for Hashem). When Am Yisroel (the Jewish nation) was in the midbar (desert), they fulfilled this mitzvah by constructing the Mishkan, and years later in… There is a mitzvah of “Ve’asu Li mikdash” (to build a Beis Hamikdash for Hashem). When Am Yisroel (the Jewish nation) was in the midbar (desert), they fulfilled this mitzvah by constructing the Mishkan, and years later in Eretz Yisroel, by building the Beis Hamikdash. This mitzvah is an eternal one, for all future generations—including ours. Unfortunately, we are still in galus (exile) awaiting the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu, and cannot yet fulfill this mitzvah in its literal sense. Nevertheless, we can fulfill this mitzvah while in galus in various ways: halachically, by building batei kneisiyos…Show more
Question: We are making a production in two days and we need to sew some more costumes, is there a way we can be allowed to sew on Rosh Chodesh, maybe with a shinuy? Answer: You can sew… Question: We are making a production in two days and we need to sew some more costumes, is there a way we can be allowed to sew on Rosh Chodesh, maybe with a shinuy? Answer: You can sew with a shinuy (for example sew every other stitch etc.) Sources: שו"ת אבני ישפה או"ח סי' עד עפ"י הרמ"א בסי'…Show more
One should not move homes on Monday (including Sunday night) or Wednesday (including Tuesday night). It most auspicious and preferable to move on Tuesday (including Monday night). If the entire move cannot be done on Tuesday, at least move… One should not move homes on Monday (including Sunday night) or Wednesday (including Tuesday night). It most auspicious and preferable to move on Tuesday (including Monday night). If the entire move cannot be done on Tuesday, at least move the first items on that day. See also here. [This time of year (the three weeks), one should bear in mind that it is preferable to delay moving until Elul, or at least until the 15th of Av.] Also, any other Halachos that are related to moving? It is customary to bring bread and salt into the…Show more
Shliach: I was asked the following by a mekurav: My brother was drafted into the Russian army many years ago. We haven't heard from him in a long time and we are pretty sure, for many reasons, that… Shliach: I was asked the following by a mekurav: My brother was drafted into the Russian army many years ago. We haven't heard from him in a long time and we are pretty sure, for many reasons, that he didn't make it. We never made any Yartzeit or kaddish for him and we want to start now. How does this work? Do we set up a day on the calendar? AskTheRav: How many years ago? Was there a war while he was serving? Is there a way to know whether or not he went to battle? Was…Show more
There might be serious halachic issues involving the prohibition of ribbis. Poskim have dealt with this issue and suggested various approaches. See also here about the general topic of ribbis with corporations: https://asktherav.com/3609-4-questions-regarding-stocks-1-shabbos-2-goy-who-sels-treif-to-yidden-3-ribbis/ Since you asked for the… There might be serious halachic issues involving the prohibition of ribbis. Poskim have dealt with this issue and suggested various approaches. See also here about the general topic of ribbis with corporations: https://asktherav.com/3609-4-questions-regarding-stocks-1-shabbos-2-goy-who-sels-treif-to-yidden-3-ribbis/ Since you asked for the Chabad position about Israeli bonds, I should point out that the Rebbe has decried several times the fact that the government doesn’t wish to write on the bonds that it is based on a heter iska. See this video of the Rebbe speaking with the US head of Israel Bonds. The Rebbe is talking about buying Israel Bonds…Show more
It’s fine. Sources: ראה שו״ע אדה״ז פט, ז, שלימוד ברבים מותר לפני…
Yes you should. See here: https://asktherav.com/when-is-a-married-man-meant-to-wear-a-gartel/ #9725
Question: We wanted to know the halacha with regard to closing on a house purchase in the 3 weeks. And also once that is done with regard to moving into the house. If there is a time sensitive contract… Question: We wanted to know the halacha with regard to closing on a house purchase in the 3 weeks. And also once that is done with regard to moving into the house. If there is a time sensitive contract can we close it in the 3 weeks? And are we allowed to move houses in the three weeks/nine days? Answer: While some have the custom to try to be stringent in this matter since it is not a good siman דלא מסמנא מילתא, according to halacha one may purchase a home during the 3 weeks to live in…Show more
You may make Techina on Shabbos however it requires a couple of conditions. First you most pour a large amount of liquid right in the beginning so that the Techina should not become thick and it should become right… You may make Techina on Shabbos however it requires a couple of conditions. First you most pour a large amount of liquid right in the beginning so that the Techina should not become thick and it should become right away a liquid (and not thick like chummos). Additionally one needs to prepare the Techina in a non regular fashion than one would do on the weekday. That is that on Shabbos one would need to: 1) place the ingredients in a non regular way (if usually you put the Techina then the water, on Shabbos you should do the…Show more
Question: I’m going away after Tisha B’Av. Am I allowed to do laundry during the 9 days, and the clean clothes will be only worn after 10th of Av? Does it make a difference if it's adults or kids… Question: I’m going away after Tisha B’Av. Am I allowed to do laundry during the 9 days, and the clean clothes will be only worn after 10th of Av? Does it make a difference if it's adults or kids clothing? Answer: You should wait to do the laundry after the nine days have ended. Regarding children's clothing see here: https://asktherav.com/4979-we-will-try-to-laundry-all-clothes-before-start-of-nine-days-however-if-we-run-out-of-childrens-clothes-during-9-days-can-we-laundry-their-clothes/ Sources: בב״ח תקנא התיר ביוצא לדרך למרחקים שאא״פ לכבס בהיותו…Show more
These pills may be taken if they are swallowed and not chewed. Although it is preferable not to drink water while taking a pill, if it is needed to take the medication, one can drink a small amount of… These pills may be taken if they are swallowed and not chewed. Although it is preferable not to drink water while taking a pill, if it is needed to take the medication, one can drink a small amount of water to help the pill go down. If water is needed, the water should be made bitter first. ראה נשמת אברהם סי' תק"נ ס"ק ד. #9747Show more
It is preferable to use a female. If that is not practical, it is permitted to use a male instructor. However, you should ensure that you put boundaries and fences to avoid improper situations. The touching: if it happens… It is preferable to use a female. If that is not practical, it is permitted to use a male instructor. However, you should ensure that you put boundaries and fences to avoid improper situations. The touching: if it happens accidentally and not intentionally - it is OK. #9753Show more
Her status is considered as any other woman, as being in the 24 months of giving birth is not sufficient reason enough for exempting her from fasting. Although the Maharsha”m states that women should not have to fast for… Her status is considered as any other woman, as being in the 24 months of giving birth is not sufficient reason enough for exempting her from fasting. Although the Maharsha”m states that women should not have to fast for twenty four months after giving birth, his Pesak is not accepted by the mainstream Poskim. For more on this topic, see here: https://asktherav.com/718-article-do-i-have-to-fast/ See also the enclosed latest letter of the Badatz: https://asktherav.com/badatz-letter-fasting-on-17-tammuz/ Sources: מינקת שפסקה מלהניק תוך כ"ד חודש, דינה כמינקת -…Show more
The most stringent of all fast days is Yom Kippur, since fasting is min haTorah (a Biblical law), as the passuk in Parashas Acharei Mos says: “Ta’anu es nafshoseichem” (afflict your souls)—and the severe punishment for not fasting… The most stringent of all fast days is Yom Kippur, since fasting is min haTorah (a Biblical law), as the passuk in Parashas Acharei Mos says: “Ta’anu es nafshoseichem” (afflict your souls)—and the severe punishment for not fasting is kareis (early death by Divine decree). Only a heter (dispensation) dispensed by a rav in critical circumstances and in a strictly prescribed manner would allow breaking the fast. A choleh she’ein bo sakanah (a person who has a non-life threatening illness) and similarly, a woman who is expecting or nursing (under normal circumstances), must fast. Four other fasts are…Show more
Question: Is chicken considered something which is eaten with a fork? (and therefore if it is wet you still do not need to wash your hands for it)? My dilemma is that on the one hand it's probably "proper"… Question: Is chicken considered something which is eaten with a fork? (and therefore if it is wet you still do not need to wash your hands for it)? My dilemma is that on the one hand it's probably "proper" to eat it with a fork, but I often see people eventually eating part of it with their hands... (Which would maybe mean that if it's wet you have to wash before eating it)... Answer: If the chicken was boiled in water or fried in oil, or cooked in any other one of the seven liquids that are able…Show more
As in more than just regular hugging; like holding hands, falling asleep on each other and more… Is there a problem in halacha? Answer: Many people struggle with issues such as these, and I commend you for seeking… As in more than just regular hugging; like holding hands, falling asleep on each other and more… Is there a problem in halacha? Answer: Many people struggle with issues such as these, and I commend you for seeking help. I would like to point out that such tendencies are usually symptoms of something more serious, and I strongly encourage whoever is dealing with this issue to seek help from a professional. For obvious reasons, this should only be discussed with a professional who is a ירא שמים. The Torah teaches us (Vayikra 18:13): "You should not act…Show more
No. Sources: שו"ת הרשב"א ח"א קא. שו״ע ורמ״א קז, ב. ש״ך…
One should not listen to music during the Bein Hemeitzarim (three weeks). Some authorities are lenient by slower non happy music. However there is no room to allow happy fast pace Niggunim on the campgrounds. If it deemed by… One should not listen to music during the Bein Hemeitzarim (three weeks). Some authorities are lenient by slower non happy music. However there is no room to allow happy fast pace Niggunim on the campgrounds. If it deemed by the camp directors a real must for the campers to have music, one could find room to play Niggunim like the slower version of צמאה לך נפשי and similar types of Niggunim. Non happy cappella music may be acceptable for a kid's camp. It should be noted that the success of a summer camp is to educate the children to…Show more
Question: I am trying to choose a date to get married. A good date would be Yud Beis Tammuz. Would there be a halachic issue having the wedding so close to the beginning of the three weeks and having… Question: I am trying to choose a date to get married. A good date would be Yud Beis Tammuz. Would there be a halachic issue having the wedding so close to the beginning of the three weeks and having Sheva Brachos over Shiv'a Asar B'Tammuz? Answer: The Rebbe actually mentions 13 Taamuz for a wedding date. Not a problem at all to make sheva brachos during the 3 weeks. Obviously on 17 Taamuz there can not be sheva brachos, but you may do it the night before or the night after. With the belief that these days will…Show more
Nowadays the Bracha on hearts of palm is usually Ha'adama. Sources: ראה שו״ע ורמ״א או״ח רד, א שעל הקורא -…
The Bracha on Bamba is Shehakol. The Bracha of popcorn is Ha’adama. Sources & Explanation: ראה שוע״ר סי׳ ר״ב סי״ז, סדר ברה״נ פ״ז כב. Some have argued that the Bracha of peanut products such as Bamba… The Bracha on Bamba is Shehakol. The Bracha of popcorn is Ha’adama. Sources & Explanation: ראה שוע״ר סי׳ ר״ב סי״ז, סדר ברה״נ פ״ז כב. Some have argued that the Bracha of peanut products such as Bamba is Ha’adama because most of the peanut planting is done for such purposes, but many counter arguments were advanced to explain why the Bracha should still be Shehakol. The main difference between Bamba and Popcorn is that (at least in most plants) Bamba is made from ground pieces of corn and peanuts that have already lost their natural form…Show more
One of the prominent poskim of the past generation, R. Dov Berish Weidenfeld, who was the Tshebiner Rav and author of Dovev Meisharim, ruled that freezing water to make ice cubes on Shabbos is not permitted due to… One of the prominent poskim of the past generation, R. Dov Berish Weidenfeld, who was the Tshebiner Rav and author of Dovev Meisharim, ruled that freezing water to make ice cubes on Shabbos is not permitted due to the prohibition of molid (creating a new entity), or nolad (benefiting from something that came into existence on Shabbos). Other poskim argue that it might be similar to the melachah of boneh (using existing ingredients to construct something). However, the majority of poskim rejected both these positions and ruled that making ice cubes on Shabbos is permitted, provided they are…Show more
Making sushi on Shabbos can potentially violate any of the following five melachos (forbidden acts on Shabbos): Mevashel (cooking): Hot rice might cook the raw fish and vegetables; however, sushi is generally made with rice that has cooled off,… Making sushi on Shabbos can potentially violate any of the following five melachos (forbidden acts on Shabbos): Mevashel (cooking): Hot rice might cook the raw fish and vegetables; however, sushi is generally made with rice that has cooled off, eliminating this problem. Tochen (grinding): Cutting the vegetables very thinly would violate this melachah; however, this problem can be avoided by preparing the vegetables before Shabbos. Boneh (constructing): Although one is generally permitted to put various ingredients together to create a dish on Shabbos, making sushi involves forming it into a particular shape—usually used for decorative purposes—an act that…Show more
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