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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
Although in general we don't give dreams much significance these days, a dream in which a person sees a Tzadik and certainly in which a Chosid sees the Rebbe, is telling. The Friediker Rebbe related that chasidim traditionally made… Although in general we don't give dreams much significance these days, a dream in which a person sees a Tzadik and certainly in which a Chosid sees the Rebbe, is telling. The Friediker Rebbe related that chasidim traditionally made a celebration (farbrengen) after seeing the Rebbe in a dream. I suggest you discuss the dream with your Mashpia. The Gemara says: one who sees Dovid in a dream should anticipate chasidus (piety), (one who sees) Shlomo should anticipate wisdom . . One who sees Rebbi (Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi) in a dream should anticipate wisdom, (one who sees) Rabbi Elazar…Show more
Question: What is the correct wording for the Possuk וזה כל האדם? When I see it with the word יתברך it is without the word זו and when I see it with זו it's without יתברך. I know the… Question: What is the correct wording for the Possuk וזה כל האדם? When I see it with the word יתברך it is without the word זו and when I see it with זו it's without יתברך. I know the Rebbe added יתברך, does that mean we should say it without זו? Answer: Indeed, the Rebbe added the word יתברך and removed the word זו, and this is the custom to write in such a way when used as one of the 12 Pesukim, but not in Tanya. Nonetheless, at all of the rallies in the presence of the…Show more
Hatavos Chalom should be done as well giving Tzedaka. Following this, you should ignore the dream. Halachically most dreams are considered meaningless nowadays, and should only be deemed as a message for teshuvah, to awaken us to be focused… Hatavos Chalom should be done as well giving Tzedaka. Following this, you should ignore the dream. Halachically most dreams are considered meaningless nowadays, and should only be deemed as a message for teshuvah, to awaken us to be focused on that which was always true. In general, we are also not particular about dreams nowadays, because we don't really know how to interpret them properly. However, a dream about losing teeth is among those mentioned to be particular nowadays as well. Sources: ראה שו"ע אדה"ז רפח, ז. בכללות ענין החלומות בזמננו,…Show more
Q. Is one allowed to rip or peel off dry skin on Shabbos? A. No. שוע"ר שכח, לז. וראה משנ"ב סקצ"ז, ובערוה"ש סמ"א. וראה גם קצה"ש סימן קמג סק"ג. Q. If not, would it make a difference if… Q. Is one allowed to rip or peel off dry skin on Shabbos? A. No. שוע"ר שכח, לז. וראה משנ"ב סקצ"ז, ובערוה"ש סמ"א. וראה גם קצה"ש סימן קמג סק"ג. Q. If not, would it make a difference if it was intentional or not, for example sometimes one can play with dry skin on his face, and it will unintentionally (eventually) fall off, is that problematic? A. One should be cautious not to scratch or play around with dry skin as it will cause it to fall off. ראה שו"ת לב חיים ח"ב סי קפ"ה. Q. Similarly, is…Show more
One may not manually crush ice on Shabbos in order to melt it. One may crush it if the purpose is just to break it up. Sources: See Alter Rebbe's Shulchon Aruch 320:16-17. #6434…
In general we are not particular about dreams nowadays, because we don't really know how to interpret them properly; only a Rebbe can tell us their meaning. Sometimes the yetzer hara tries to make us feel lowly by… In general we are not particular about dreams nowadays, because we don't really know how to interpret them properly; only a Rebbe can tell us their meaning. Sometimes the yetzer hara tries to make us feel lowly by making us have such dreams, and we must ignore them and continue serving Hashem with joy. The Rebbe suggested to people that were disturbed by dreams try to find a positive interpretation for it, be careful about saying Krias Shema at night, check the mezuza of the room they sleep in, and give tzedaka every erev shabbos and yom tov…Show more
Putting away leftover food in the freezer instead of fridge is allowed and is not considered preparing for after Shabbos. Sources: בכלל, התירו הכנה להציל מהפסד, כשאא״פ בע״א, כשאינו עושה…
Besimcha. Sources: This is our custom and is based on a…
Yes. As long as you push lightly and the swing doesn't move more than four Amos (Aprox. 5.5 feet). Same rule applies even if there is a fence, if the park is larger than 1150 square meters. See here.… Yes. As long as you push lightly and the swing doesn't move more than four Amos (Aprox. 5.5 feet). Same rule applies even if there is a fence, if the park is larger than 1150 square meters. See here. Of course, this is all provided the swing isn’t attached to a tree which involves a separate prohibition. Sources: לשים התינוק - ה"ז מכרמלית (שהרי אינו מקום הילוך…Show more
Question: I have been נוהג all these years, since 5755, דוקא NOT to take an עלי' לתורה on the Shabbos before 3 Tammuz and on 3 Tammuz itself so as not to make it appear that it is a… Question: I have been נוהג all these years, since 5755, דוקא NOT to take an עלי' לתורה on the Shabbos before 3 Tammuz and on 3 Tammuz itself so as not to make it appear that it is a yartzeit. However, this year I am in אבילות and I take an aliyah every Shabbos and Mon, Thurs. if possible. My question is if I can take an aliyah this Shabbos and on 3 Tammuz, and if yes, do I have to do התרת נדרים first? Answer: If it is only for this year and you did not…Show more
There are different opinions on the matter. If the slices are slightly thick, or the slicer is designed only for eggs, it’s permitted. Sources: בביצים אין משום טחינה. ומ״מ יש שכתבו לאסור, כמו…
Question: Does a woman say atifa vekitfa after kiras shema before zivug? Do we say the last few words that are in parentheses after atifa? Answer: A woman doesn’t say this paragraph. The last words in… Question: Does a woman say atifa vekitfa after kiras shema before zivug? Do we say the last few words that are in parentheses after atifa? Answer: A woman doesn’t say this paragraph. The last words in the parentheses don’t have to be said. משמעות לשון הזוהר ויקרא דף יט. וע״ע שיקדש עצמו ע׳ 59. #8470Show more
The Challah board is glass on wood and silver plated. Answer: It should be Toiveld, but WITHOUT a Bracha. Reasoning: A Challah board is considered a kli Seudah - a vessel used by a meal, thus… The Challah board is glass on wood and silver plated. Answer: It should be Toiveld, but WITHOUT a Bracha. Reasoning: A Challah board is considered a kli Seudah - a vessel used by a meal, thus it requires Tevilah. Wooden vessels are exempt from Tevilah. Glass and silver (plated) require Tevilah. A wooden vessel covered with a materiel which requires Tevilah should be Toiveled without a Bracha. In the case of a Challah board, it isn't clear whether indeed no Bracha should be recited, being that the glass might actually be considered the "main" part of…Show more
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