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Spending Shabbos with family who dosen’t keep Shabbos

Question: My family, who I live with, doesn't keep Shabbos. If someone buys something on Shabbos, am I able to use it? (tissues, food, appliances etc.) And is it…

להתחיל חזרת שמו”ע עם הש”ץ

שאלה: בשו"ע מסביר כ"ק אדה"ז למה לא להתחיל חזרת שמו"ע עם הש"ץ חוץ אם אין ברירה, היות שיצטרכו להגיד "נקדישך" ביחד עם הש"ץ. אבל לדידן שבין כך אומרים תמיד…

Can we throw away a dried up Esrog, or does it have to go with Shaimos?

May be discarded in a respectful manner (such as placing it in a separate bag before putting in the garbage). Best to use it for another Mitzvah, such as…

Can a Shliach try to have Hashpa’ah on a Reform community in such a situation?

Full Question: On page two of this interview with Rabbi Riskin, he quotes a Psak that Horav Soloveitchik A”H gave him about a frum rabbi sitting in Reform temple,…

I just moved into a new apartment. The one that lived there before probably didn’t keep Kashrus. How should I Kasher the sink?

Kashering a sink: Which sinks can be Kashered: Only a metal/stainless steel sink can be koshered. porcelain and enamel sinks cannot be Kashered. Preparing the sink: Wait 24…

I just moved into a new apartment. The one that lived there before probably didn’t keep Kashrus. How can I Kasher Formica counters?

Kashering a countertop: Granite countertops: Preparing the countertop: The countertop must be thoroughly cleaned. if any dirt is on the countertop it cannot be Koshered (generally speaking). A mere discoloration…

Using pictures or videos that were taken on Shabbos

Question: If I get pictures or videos (of a Seuda or Shul) that were taken on Shabbos by a non-Shomer Shabbos (or LeHavdil, a Goy), can I print/use/publicize them?…

On Mivtzoyim I go to someone who is right handed from birth but had an accident and cannot use his right hand (besides for opening and closing his fingers) so now he uses his left hand for all practical needs. Which hand should he lay the Tefillin on?

He puts on his left hand. There are those that say that in this situation he puts on right arm (מ״ב סי׳ כז ס״ק כב בשם הדגול מרבבה). However…

Is there any source to use specifically green (evergreen or palm branches) for Schach?

Some are particular to use tree branches (specifically palm leaves) for various reasons (see references below), although halachically it isn’t a requirement. ונתנו טעם לדבר, שסוכה בגי׳ אילן…

When do you we say “Hamiracheim” and when do we say “V’Hamiracheim” in Modim? And what’s the reason?

We say והמרחם in every Tefilla which does not have 18 (or 19) Berochos, such as Shabbos, Yom Tov, Musaf of Rosh Chodesh and Musaf of Chol Hamoed. We…

Is there a Minhag in Chabad whether to or not to use a “Yad” for the Torah reading?

While the Rebbe insisted on decorating the Sefer Torah with a Yad, we do not find that it was actually used during Krias HaTorah not in 770 and neither…

Do the pods or liquid of E-cigarettes and VAPES, need to be Kosher?

E-cigarettes and VAPES, whether in pod or liquid form are problematic both from a Halachic and health standpoint. See here: Rabbi Daniel Stein: "Are Vaping and E-Cigarettes Kosher?"…

Would Harry Potter would fall under the category of books that are Assur?

I was asked this question by my camper. She described it as "the world-class 7 book series talking about magic and a young boys adventure through school and conquering…

Can my son work in a supermarket that has mostly non-kosher food?

Question: There aren’t many summer jobs available for my young teenage son. Can he work in a supermarket where they have a nice kosher section, but it’s mostly non-kosher…

I was trying on clothing in a store, and my makeup left a mark on a dress. I put the dress back on the rack and left the store. What is the proper course of action to set this right? Does it matter that the store is part of an international chain and not a small boutique, or am I just rationalizing?

You must inform the store and ask them how to deal with it. #5325

My parents have divorced a civil divorce without a Get. They are now back together. Do they need to remarry?

My parents have divorced a few years ago. They are not observant, so dealing with it as a Jewish matter did not occur to them as being important so…

Is it Ok to wear a trench-coat with a slit over a fully Tznius dress?

Question: I learned that it is improper for a woman to wear a garment with a slit in it. Does this apply to a garment that is worn atop…

Does cholent need to be cooked before Shabbos starts?

If it's on a Blech, it doesn't need to be cooked. But then you may not put it back on the fire on Shabbos. If it's not on a Blech,…

Is it Tznius for a woman to daven in a public place (i.e on the street or on the train)? If not, should a woman rather daven after Shkiah than daven in a public area?

The Issur to daven in an outdoor public area applies to both men and woman unless one is traveling (see Alter Rebbe 90:5). However, there is nothing not Tznius…

Can a woman jog in a public place? At night? What about running, when in a rush?

A. May a woman go jogging in a public place (i.e Eastern Pkwy) during the day? B. Does this differ from jogging at night (when there are fewer people…

Do stockings for women’s legwear need to be opaque?

Questions: 1. Must a woman's stockings be opaque (I.e. the leg isn't seen through the stockings)? 2. Is it permissible to wear stockings which cover the leg completely (no…

I am an educator at a school where many students can’t read well. We have attempted various methods to get OUR Bochurim (mostly Chabad) involved in Davening including giving reward for being Chazan. Is it permitted for one that is not fluent in Hebrew to be Chazan in English? If yes do any parts have to be in Loshon Kodesh?

Davening should be said in Loshon Hakodesh only. The words that were instituted in our Davening by our sages cannot be accurately translated into other languages. Additionally, many authorities…

Being that it is difficult to understand Selichos in its original form, would it be better to read all or part of it in English or in a language which is easier understood? Would there be any difference between fast days and the Selichos before Rosh Hashana?

Slichos (both of before Rosh Hashana and of a Taanis) is like any other part of Davening which one should understand what he is saying. It is preferred that…

May one regard coffee with milk from such a supermarket as Cholov-Yisroel.

Question: A local supermarket has introduced several brand-new commercial coffee machines (providing espressos, cappuccinos, americanos etc). They have dedicated one for Cholov Yisroel. These machines self-clean and there is…

What is our basis for davening Shacharis L’chatchila after Zman Tefila (i.e. not paying attention to it)?

B’dieved, one may daven till Chatzos, according to many Poskim. Chassidim who are involved in proper Hachana to davening rely on this. There is no basis to allow davening…

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Spending Shabbos with family who dosen’t keep Shabbos

להתחיל חזרת שמו”ע עם הש”ץ

Can we throw away a dried up Esrog, or does it have to go with Shaimos?

Can a Shliach try to have Hashpa’ah on a Reform community in such a situation?

I just moved into a new apartment. The one that lived there before probably didn’t keep Kashrus. How should I Kasher the sink?

I just moved into a new apartment. The one that lived there before probably didn’t keep Kashrus. How can I Kasher Formica counters?

Using pictures or videos that were taken on Shabbos

On Mivtzoyim I go to someone who is right handed from birth but had an accident and cannot use his right hand (besides for opening and closing his fingers) so now he uses his left hand for all practical needs. Which hand should he lay the Tefillin on?

Is there any source to use specifically green (evergreen or palm branches) for Schach?

When do you we say “Hamiracheim” and when do we say “V’Hamiracheim” in Modim? And what’s the reason?

Is there a Minhag in Chabad whether to or not to use a “Yad” for the Torah reading?

Do the pods or liquid of E-cigarettes and VAPES, need to be Kosher?

Would Harry Potter would fall under the category of books that are Assur?

Can my son work in a supermarket that has mostly non-kosher food?

I was trying on clothing in a store, and my makeup left a mark on a dress. I put the dress back on the rack and left the store. What is the proper course of action to set this right? Does it matter that the store is part of an international chain and not a small boutique, or am I just rationalizing?

My parents have divorced a civil divorce without a Get. They are now back together. Do they need to remarry?

Is it Ok to wear a trench-coat with a slit over a fully Tznius dress?

Does cholent need to be cooked before Shabbos starts?

Is it Tznius for a woman to daven in a public place (i.e on the street or on the train)? If not, should a woman rather daven after Shkiah than daven in a public area?

Can a woman jog in a public place? At night? What about running, when in a rush?

Do stockings for women’s legwear need to be opaque?

Being that it is difficult to understand Selichos in its original form, would it be better to read all or part of it in English or in a language which is easier understood? Would there be any difference between fast days and the Selichos before Rosh Hashana?

May one regard coffee with milk from such a supermarket as Cholov-Yisroel.

What is our basis for davening Shacharis L’chatchila after Zman Tefila (i.e. not paying attention to it)?