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Question: I am in Crown Heights with a group of CTeen. The program tonight starts at 4:15 (before plag), and continues with candle lighting, some sessions and then the Shabbos meal. My girls and my sister who is… Question: I am in Crown Heights with a group of CTeen. The program tonight starts at 4:15 (before plag), and continues with candle lighting, some sessions and then the Shabbos meal. My girls and my sister who is their chaperone will not be joining the meal and will be coming back to their hosts for the Shabbos meal. Can they light Shabbos candles at the program location with everyone else although they are not sleeping or eating there? Answer: No, they should eat at least something there. Alternatively, they can light at their host. Sources: בשו"ת מהרי"ל ובמג"א רסג, טו הו"ד בשוע"ר שם סעיף…Show more
Question: Does one need to say all Shema's that the minyan says together with the minyan, like when they take out the Torah or if they do Korbonos out loud? If yes, does that mean that one should be… Question: Does one need to say all Shema's that the minyan says together with the minyan, like when they take out the Torah or if they do Korbonos out loud? If yes, does that mean that one should be mafsik for these even in the middle of Pesukei Dzimra? Answer: Yes, one should answer. However, one should not be Mafsik for these during pesukei dezimra, except for Shema during kedusha at Musaf. During Birchos Krias Shema, one should not be mafsik even for Shema at Musaf. Sources: שלא להפסיק - הליכות שלמה א, ו, י. ובשם…Show more
No, it’s permitted. Sources: משום מוקצה ליכא, כדמוכח מהיתר להפלות בגדיו וכו׳. ופשוט…
If it is a place that is set aside for non-tznius dress, it is exempt from Mezuzah. The definition of tznius in this regard is if it is socially viewed as overly exposed. If people dress there tzniusdik… If it is a place that is set aside for non-tznius dress, it is exempt from Mezuzah. The definition of tznius in this regard is if it is socially viewed as overly exposed. If people dress there tzniusdik, it would be obligated. Sources: נחלקו המורים בני זמננו בענין זה. והנה, בכ״מ משמע…Show more
In all cases it's kosher. Sources: צריך לכתוב מתוך הכתב גם במגילה - מגילה יח,…
Question: Someone in the process of becoming frum is taking on to kasher his house and keep kosher. While he is ready to make the commitment to kosher year-round, he isn't sure he's ready to do Pesach fully properly.… Question: Someone in the process of becoming frum is taking on to kasher his house and keep kosher. While he is ready to make the commitment to kosher year-round, he isn't sure he's ready to do Pesach fully properly. Before going through the step of kashering his kitchen he is wondering if he will not keep Pesach properly will that make his kitchen unkosher again following Pesach? (in other words - are keilim from chametz sheavar olov hapesach a problem following Pesach?) Answer: I cannot imagine you are discussing someone who will be chas veshalom cooking chometz on…Show more
הנה, אם אינו יכול ליישר ללא אומן מותר, שלא גזרו בכה״ג. ולאידך, אם אינו מפריע לו לראות, מותר גם כן. וגם בלא זה, יש כמה צדדים להקל. מקורות: אם צריך אומן או מומחה מפורש בכ״מ להקל, ראה…
Question: I saw your answer regarding toilet paper. Is it also אסור if I use the paper towel/toilet paper first and then rip it off the roll so I am not making a keli when ripping because its already dirty…Question: I saw your answer regarding toilet paper. Is it also אסור if I use the paper towel/toilet paper first and then rip it off the roll so I am not making a keli when ripping because its already dirty and not fit for use? Answer: If the ripped paper is still somewhat usable, one may not do so. If it’s no longer usable, although some wish to permit doing so, in practice one must avoid it because they are making the roll more usable now. When stuck without tissues in the bathroom, one may be lenient in using…Show more
Question: I read somewhere that the laws of a Tavshil counting as the actual food is only by meat (like an egg in a cholent), but if something was cooked along with milk, it does not become milchig and… Question: I read somewhere that the laws of a Tavshil counting as the actual food is only by meat (like an egg in a cholent), but if something was cooked along with milk, it does not become milchig and you may eat meat right after, even according to those who usually wait an hour after milk. What I extract from this, is that if I cook/warm up something pareve in a milchig microwave that isn't necessarily clean, I can eat meat right after. Is this the final halacha? Is there any reason to be strict? Answer: The custom…Show more
Question: I always thought that one may not eat anything in the morning before saying Shema and one may not eat anything in the evening before Shema (davening maariv). However, I was told that one MAY indeed eat… Question: I always thought that one may not eat anything in the morning before saying Shema and one may not eat anything in the evening before Shema (davening maariv). However, I was told that one MAY indeed eat after צאת, even before saying Shema. This is allowed only if one davens by a Minyan maariv בקביעות. However, that same logic does NOT apply with krias Shema in the morning. (One may NOT eat, even if he has a set Minyan before סוף זמן ק"ש.) Is this true? If so, why the difference? Don't you have a mitzva ק"ש…Show more
Question: I bought a Kosher for Shabbos toothbrush: Can use this according to Chabad pask? Can I use toothpaste? If toothpaste is not allowed, can I use tooth powder? Answer: See here: https://asktherav.com/article-626-may-i-brush-my-teeth-on-shabbos/ Regarding tooth powder: besides… Question: I bought a Kosher for Shabbos toothbrush: Can use this according to Chabad pask? Can I use toothpaste? If toothpaste is not allowed, can I use tooth powder? Answer: See here: https://asktherav.com/article-626-may-i-brush-my-teeth-on-shabbos/ Regarding tooth powder: besides the possible Shabbos concern, it should not be used even in the middle of the week, because of potential kashrus concerns. Follow-up Question: How about using baking soda to brush teeth with? Is powder allowed to be used? Answer: If it's put on dry without making a paste beforehand, or you make a paste before Shabbos, it would be…Show more
שאלה: שאלו בנות סמינר האם מותר בשבת ללמוד הסטוריה למבחן. האם דינו כלימוד שאר חכמות, שהמנהג להקל. ולכאורה נהוג ללמוד את ולעשות על זה מבחנים וכדומה, אם כן מבואר שמחשיבים את זה כחכמה. מצד שני, אסור לקרוא בספרי מלחמה.… שאלה: שאלו בנות סמינר האם מותר בשבת ללמוד הסטוריה למבחן. האם דינו כלימוד שאר חכמות, שהמנהג להקל. ולכאורה נהוג ללמוד את ולעשות על זה מבחנים וכדומה, אם כן מבואר שמחשיבים את זה כחכמה. מצד שני, אסור לקרוא בספרי מלחמה. השאלה היא מדוע אסור לקרוא בספרי מלחמות ומותר לקרוא ספרי חכמה. מה החילוק בין זה לזה? תשובה: אסור. מקורות: לדידי פשיטא כביעתא בכותחא שספרי היסטוריא אינם בגדר ספרי…Show more
לכבוד הרה״ג וכו׳ שליט״א. במענה למכתבו, ומצורף בו גם דברי בעל שאילת משה שליט״א, הנה, קטנתי מלהביע דעה בדברים אלו. אבל חשוב לציין לאידך גיסא, שידוע שהרבה רבנים בדורנו הורו להיתר (נוסף לדברי הפוסקים שבדור העבר, שמדבריהם נשמע להיתר,… לכבוד הרה״ג וכו׳ שליט״א. במענה למכתבו, ומצורף בו גם דברי בעל שאילת משה שליט״א, הנה, קטנתי מלהביע דעה בדברים אלו. אבל חשוב לציין לאידך גיסא, שידוע שהרבה רבנים בדורנו הורו להיתר (נוסף לדברי הפוסקים שבדור העבר, שמדבריהם נשמע להיתר, בעל פרי השדה, מחזה אברהם, אבן יקרה, אמרי יושר, מעשי למלך, מור ואהלות, רע״י שלזינגר, הגר״י קאמעלהאר, ועוד, אלא שלא באו דבריהם בכתובים באופן ברור. ובדור האחרון - בעל בית אבי, משנת יעקב מקאפיש, ציץ אליעזר, ומפי השמועה - האדמו״ר מקאסוב). ועל צבאם - הגאון המפורסם הרב בנימין לנדא שליט״א מטאהש ראש ארגון איי-טיים. וכן נמסר בשם האדמו״ר מהר״א מסאטמאר,…Show more
Yes. Most certainly. There is the custom of going to the Mikvah every day before Shacharis, and also on Erev Shabbos. The latter should preferably be done after Chatzos of Friday, or at least, close to Chatzos (see sources… Yes. Most certainly. There is the custom of going to the Mikvah every day before Shacharis, and also on Erev Shabbos. The latter should preferably be done after Chatzos of Friday, or at least, close to Chatzos (see sources listed below, and here), hence the two times. Sources: פע״ח שבת ג מהחברים. ס׳ הכוונות הישן הוצאת אהבת…Show more
יש קצת מצוה. וכשמשתוקקת אליו ומקשטת ומראה לו חיבה, או שיש חשש הרהור, ודאי חייב בכך. אבל אם זה עונת הוסת אסור לו לפקוד. ויש להחמיר גם בחיבוק ונישוק כבכל עונת וסת. ואף שמותר לפייסנה ולדבר על לבה דברי… יש קצת מצוה. וכשמשתוקקת אליו ומקשטת ומראה לו חיבה, או שיש חשש הרהור, ודאי חייב בכך. אבל אם זה עונת הוסת אסור לו לפקוד. ויש להחמיר גם בחיבוק ונישוק כבכל עונת וסת. ואף שמותר לפייסנה ולדבר על לבה דברי ריצוי ופיוס עד שתתרצה ותמחול לו - אין צורך בכך. משא״כ כשהבעל יוצא לדרך, גם אם הוא בעונת הוסת, חייב לפקוד אשתו. והמחמיר שלא לפוקדה רק בדברי ריצוי תבוא עליו ברכה. מקורות: נסתפקו אם חייב או מצוה או קצת מצוה או…Show more
Question: In 770, where the minhag is for a chosson to wear a tallis when receiving an aliyah at his aufruf, should one make a bracha? When one is davening in a shul where the minhag is… Question: In 770, where the minhag is for a chosson to wear a tallis when receiving an aliyah at his aufruf, should one make a bracha? When one is davening in a shul where the minhag is for the baal tefillah to wear a tallis, should one make a bracha? Does it matter if it's your tallis vs. the shul's tallis? Answer: In both cases, when borrowing a tallis, one does not have to make a bracha but can if he wants. In this case, he should have in mind he is wearing it…Show more
Question: I brought a glass coffee pot and ceramic coffee mug to a mikveh to toivel them. Although the mikveh is kosher, there is a sign that states toiveling keilim is forbidden. The mikveh doesn't want to deal with… Question: I brought a glass coffee pot and ceramic coffee mug to a mikveh to toivel them. Although the mikveh is kosher, there is a sign that states toiveling keilim is forbidden. The mikveh doesn't want to deal with accidents and broken glass. Are my keilim ok to use? Or must I toivel again? Answer: The keilim are OK to use after the fact, assuming it is indeed a kosher mikvah in terms of tevilas keilim's requirements. This would need to be properly verified. It should be noted that if a mikva asks not to tovel keilim, it’s…Show more
בבית הכסא שבביתו, נכון להוריד החליפה לפני הכניסה. במקוה, מותר. ומכל מקום, עדיף באם אפשר להוריד החליפה לפני הכניסה ולהיכנס בחליפה כשאינו לבוש בו. מקורות: יש מקילים בכיסן אפילו בבית הכסא שבביתו - כ״מ…
Question clarified: There is no apple juice sold in the Commissary. He uses coffee for Havdalah. What should he use for Kiddush on Friday night and Shabbos day? He doesn't receive challah, but he does have two slices of… Question clarified: There is no apple juice sold in the Commissary. He uses coffee for Havdalah. What should he use for Kiddush on Friday night and Shabbos day? He doesn't receive challah, but he does have two slices of bread. What about on Yom Tov? Answer: For Friday night, he should make Kiddush on the two slices of bread. Shabbos day - he can use Chamar Medina, assuming there's no way to use any alcoholic beverages. In such a situation, can he get access to hot, (following, of course, all Hilchos Shabbos) or even cold, coffee or tea?…Show more
שאלה: כשצריך לחתוך סלט ירקות קודם שהולך לבית הכנסת האם מותר לכתחילה לעשות כן אם חותך החתיכות חתיכות גדולות במקצת? שהרי המשנ"ב חשש לדעת היראים והב"י שא"א בקיאין בשיעור של חתיכות דקות ולכן הר"ז מותר לחתוך הירקות רק אם… שאלה: כשצריך לחתוך סלט ירקות קודם שהולך לבית הכנסת האם מותר לכתחילה לעשות כן אם חותך החתיכות חתיכות גדולות במקצת? שהרי המשנ"ב חשש לדעת היראים והב"י שא"א בקיאין בשיעור של חתיכות דקות ולכן הר"ז מותר לחתוך הירקות רק אם חותך חתיכות גדולות במקצת וכן לאלתר, אמנם אדה"ז (בסימן שכ"א) לא כתב במפורש כן אם צריך גם שיהיה לאלתר או רק שיהיה חתיכות גדולות במקצת לכתחילה, ואע"פ שיש לדוק בלשונו, מ"מ מה דעת רבני חב״ד בנידון? תשובה: אם ודאי אינו דק דק, יש להקל שמותר לחתוך גם כשאינו לאלתר. מקורות: אעתיק כאן מרשימותיי, עודנו בכתובים, בענין זה: הנה בב״י…Show more
תשובה: דינה שוה לאנשים. מקורות: דן בזה בשו״ת רעק״א א, ובהשמטות לשם. (ובכ״מ שקו״ט…
Question: When multiple people make kiddush one after another on a Kos, is it required that the Kos be rinsed in between each person, or is it enough that it was washed before the first person made kiddush and… Question: When multiple people make kiddush one after another on a Kos, is it required that the Kos be rinsed in between each person, or is it enough that it was washed before the first person made kiddush and then passed to the next person to make kiddush immediately after without rinsing? Answer: Strictly speaking, there is no need, as long as no food was eaten in between. Nonetheless, some are strict to do so. Additionally, for hygiene reasons, it's best that the cup be washed, or at least the place where the first person drank from should…Show more
Q. When bentching, do I answer Amen to the mezamen on his brochos? A. Yes, making sure to conclude before the Mevarech, so that you can answer Amen to his blessings. שוע"ר קפג י. Q. How about… Q. When bentching, do I answer Amen to the mezamen on his brochos? A. Yes, making sure to conclude before the Mevarech, so that you can answer Amen to his blessings. שוע"ר קפג י. Q. How about answering Amen during yale viyovo, on zachreinu etc.? A. Yes, after "letova", "livracha" and "lechaim tovim". These "Amen" can be said only when holding between sections - at the end of the third Bracha. Sources: לענין גוף העני׳ - נזכר בספר המנהגים ע' 22.…Show more
Assuming the visit is beneficial and important for the patient: • One must first inquire if there are any Jewish deceased individuals in the hospital. • One must ensure that the morgue is separate from the rest of the… Assuming the visit is beneficial and important for the patient: • One must first inquire if there are any Jewish deceased individuals in the hospital. • One must ensure that the morgue is separate from the rest of the hospital. • The door must be kept closed at all times. • One should stay only for the necessary amount of time and avoid lingering. Sources: שו"ת תשורת ש"י ח"א סי' תקנט. שו"ת טוטו"ד מהדו"ג…Show more
Questions: Boruch Hashem, we have the z'chus to give thousands in maaser every month. For the past many years, we have been giving to yeshivos who seem to be struggling, thereby giving for Torah and for Aniyi'im (i.e., the… Questions: Boruch Hashem, we have the z'chus to give thousands in maaser every month. For the past many years, we have been giving to yeshivos who seem to be struggling, thereby giving for Torah and for Aniyi'im (i.e., the mechanchim, ramim). We have family (on my side and on my wife's side) who seem to be really struggling with parnassa. One relative is living 9 people in a small 2 bedroom, because they cannot pay for a larger place. Our questions: 1. What is considered an "Ani" nowadays that would justify giving tzeddaka? 2. I…Show more
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