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May one donate clothing or goods and take the cost out of their Maaser? If yes, would the condition matter? Is the current or demoted cost used or the original cost?

One can donate used goods and consider them as part of הפרשת מעשר - separating Maaser. Of course, the value is based on their current used cost and not…

האם יש מנהג חב”ד להחמיר ולא להשתמש בשעון שבת?

שאלה: האם למנהג חב"ד אכן נמנעים מלהשתמש בשעון שבת? לדוגמא בשביל מזגן או פלטה שלוקחים הרבה חשמל וכו'. במילים אחרות, האם יש מקום למנוע לעשות זאת? מענה: מעיקר הדין…

האם נכון שנשים גם למנהג חב”ד יכולות ללבוש שעון יד בשבת?

הענין אינו קשור למנהג חב״ד בצורה ספציפית. אכן, אדמו״ר הזקן פוסק שאין למחות בנשים שלנו היוצאות בכל מיני תכשיטים. וכל זה לענין להזהיר למחות בנשים. אבל כל אדם יש…

Is there any issue with using flavored waxed floss without a Hechsher?

Dental floss may be used even if flavored. Preferable to use unflavored. Sources: שאינו בדרך הנאה. ורגילים להדיח הפה. וראה ס׳ הכשרות כא, נ. ובבי׳ דבריו -יד יהודה…

Is there any reason why women don’t do Mayim Achronim?

Strictly speaking, there is no difference between men and women. Nonetheless, the custom has developed that women are lenient in this matter. The suggested explanation for the leniency among women…

Do you make a Bracha on lightning or thunder if you only see or hear one?

Meaning if I see lightning can I make a Bracha? Or do I need to hear thunder and make two Brachos together? Answer: One can make a bracha…

Can one whistle on Shabbos?

Yes. Sources: ראה שלטי הגבורים בעירובין דף ל"ה ע"ב מדפי הרי"ף אות ב', שו"ע סי' של"ח סעי' א' ברמ"א, מג"א שם ס"ק ב' ובמחצית השקל שם, אלי' רבא…

I didn’t see the moon (yet) tonight (Leil Yud daled). Tomorrow night I will be flying. What should I do if I see the moon on the plane, should I do it then or can I / should I push it off until the next night?

If you see the moon on the plane, you should do Kiddush Levana, and not risk the chance of missing Kiddush Levana altogether. Explanation: The Minhag is that…

What filter to remove the copepods in the water is recommended for a Crown Heights apartment sink?

See here: Filters rated 50 microns should be fine, but best to get commercial filters that are 10-15 microns. See here: https://checkvegetables.com/new-york-city-water/ #4266

While on Mivtzoyim, a couple of non-Jews gave us money for Tzedakah. Can we treat that money like regular Tzedakah? If not, what should we do with it?

In this case, as long as they didn't give it in the name of their Avodah Zara, there is no issue. The money should be used to pay for…

When 2 חתנים make their “שבע ברכות” in 770, at the same time, in the same room, can they make 2 separate שבע ברכות, or they make one, for both of them?

If there are two Miyonim they may split up and make two separate Sheva Brochos. Sources: שו"ע ורמ״א אה"ע סב, ג. פתחי תשובה ס"ק ו. בהתועדויות כ"ק אד"ש…

I use my right hand for writing and eating and everything else, but I use my left hand to play sports. What hand should I but Teffilin on?

If you write with your right hand and do most activities requiring strength with your right hand you are considered a right handed person and you should put on…

How must a Shabbos key belt be worn? Must one wear it on top of sweater, jacket or blouse, or can it be hidden underneath and worn at the waist.

A shabbos key belt may be worn in any place that one sometimes wears a belt. So for men since they wear a Bendel underneath their shirt, it is…

Does washing your hands before eating a “Dovor Shetibulo B’Mashkin” apply by everything (let’s say cake or cookies in milk)?

All foods which are immersed in one of the seven liquids (water, wine, oil, milk, dew, bees honey and blood) unless it’s normal to eat with a spoon. …

When a product has OU Hechsher, can a Chossid rely that Bishul Yisroel has been carried out? (specifically Gerber cereal baby puffs snack).

Obviously, the OU ensures that are all its products are Bishul Yisroel. However, there are a range of opinions regarding what needs Bishul Yisroel. You would have to contact…

BH we had our grandson’s Bris today; his name is Aryeh Leib after my husband’s Zaide; the other family was concerned because my Mechutainesteh’s father’s name is Moshe Aryeh (which was a fact none of the children knew until now); i.e. the Zaideh goes by Moishe; now that the name is given already in error, any Takannah needed? they don’t plan to call him Aryeh and they told the Zaideh that the baby’s name is Leib.

Leave as is. Ensure baby goes by the name Leib only. Same applies to the English name as well. טעמים ומקורות: ראה אג״ק ז ע׳ רפו. וכ״ה אפי׳ בנדו״ד…

In his Sefer on laws of Nidda, Darchei Taharah, Former Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu ZTL addresses the question of ערווה.

Question: In his Sefer on laws of Nidda - "Darchei Taharah", Former Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu ZTL addresses the question of ערווה. He writes in…

Is there any truth to this rumor that if you make three Shidduchim you secure a place for yourself in Gan Eden? Where does this rumor come from if there is no truth to this at all?

I don’t know of any source which indicates this. Certainly, it is a great Mitzvah to get involved in doing Hashem’s work to bring about Shidduchim. The reward for…

If your using the bathroom very frequently do you say Asher Yatzer after each time?

Yes. If he forgot to recite the first time, he recites it only once later. However, if one is taking a medication causing him to urinate frequently, is different,…

Can a baby boy wear gender neutral clothing that a baby girl has worn before?

Yes. However, the very first garment after birth should not be one that the opposite gender has worn before. In today’s day and age where mothers give birth in the…

I crossed the dateline, traveling eastward (from Australia to California), during Sefira. What should I do regarding Shavuos?

One who travelled east, observes Shavuos a day earlier than the people at his destination (i.e. on Shabbos and Sunday, the fifth and sixth of Sivan). These Halachos are relevant for this situation: Shabbos:…

Can I say Tehillim on Friday night and Yom Tov?

The Arizal taught that Mikra (which includes Tehillim) should not be read at night. See here: Article #498: May I say Tehillim at night? There is no clarity about…

If one awakes after Alos HaShachar and will be returning to sleep, can they drink or eat then? Or do they need to say Brachos first, because its after Alos Hashachar?

One is not allowed to eat from Alos Hashachar until after davening Shachris. The Chabad custom is in accordance with the Halacha that one may eat if necessary in…

האם יש בעיה לחבוש כיפה של פשתן מתחת לכובע של צמר?

לא. כיון שאפשר להוריד אחד מהם ללא השני. וגם אם קשה קצת, אפשר להקל. טעמים ומקורות: ראה רמ״א יו״ד ש, ד. ובנו״כ שם. שו״ת שבה״ל ט, רכו. וראה…

When a man lights Shabbos candles in the proper time (18 min. before Shekiah), and stipulates he doesn’t wish to accept Shabbos right away so he can perform some Melachos afterwards, is he obligated to accept Shabbos within 10 min. of the lighting?

Yes. Sources: ראה סימן רסג סעיף ד ואדה"ז סעיפים ו-ז. ובפי׳ מיד - קו"א ס"ק ב. וכנראה הכניסו אדה״ז במוסגר כיון דמספקא לי׳ או שהוא חידוש מד״ע. וראה תהלה…

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May one donate clothing or goods and take the cost out of their Maaser? If yes, would the condition matter? Is the current or demoted cost used or the original cost?

האם יש מנהג חב”ד להחמיר ולא להשתמש בשעון שבת?

האם נכון שנשים גם למנהג חב”ד יכולות ללבוש שעון יד בשבת?

Is there any issue with using flavored waxed floss without a Hechsher?

Is there any reason why women don’t do Mayim Achronim?

Do you make a Bracha on lightning or thunder if you only see or hear one?

Can one whistle on Shabbos?

I didn’t see the moon (yet) tonight (Leil Yud daled). Tomorrow night I will be flying. What should I do if I see the moon on the plane, should I do it then or can I / should I push it off until the next night?

What filter to remove the copepods in the water is recommended for a Crown Heights apartment sink?

While on Mivtzoyim, a couple of non-Jews gave us money for Tzedakah. Can we treat that money like regular Tzedakah? If not, what should we do with it?

When 2 חתנים make their “שבע ברכות” in 770, at the same time, in the same room, can they make 2 separate שבע ברכות, or they make one, for both of them?

I use my right hand for writing and eating and everything else, but I use my left hand to play sports. What hand should I but Teffilin on?

How must a Shabbos key belt be worn? Must one wear it on top of sweater, jacket or blouse, or can it be hidden underneath and worn at the waist.

Does washing your hands before eating a “Dovor Shetibulo B’Mashkin” apply by everything (let’s say cake or cookies in milk)?

When a product has OU Hechsher, can a Chossid rely that Bishul Yisroel has been carried out? (specifically Gerber cereal baby puffs snack).

In his Sefer on laws of Nidda, Darchei Taharah, Former Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu ZTL addresses the question of ערווה.

Is there any truth to this rumor that if you make three Shidduchim you secure a place for yourself in Gan Eden? Where does this rumor come from if there is no truth to this at all?

If your using the bathroom very frequently do you say Asher Yatzer after each time?

Can a baby boy wear gender neutral clothing that a baby girl has worn before?

I crossed the dateline, traveling eastward (from Australia to California), during Sefira. What should I do regarding Shavuos?

Can I say Tehillim on Friday night and Yom Tov?

If one awakes after Alos HaShachar and will be returning to sleep, can they drink or eat then? Or do they need to say Brachos first, because its after Alos Hashachar?

האם יש בעיה לחבוש כיפה של פשתן מתחת לכובע של צמר?

When a man lights Shabbos candles in the proper time (18 min. before Shekiah), and stipulates he doesn’t wish to accept Shabbos right away so he can perform some Melachos afterwards, is he obligated to accept Shabbos within 10 min. of the lighting?