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Is there Yichud in an elevator? What should one do if at the last second a woman walks in?

When it is common for people to enter the elevator at any floor (for example, during the day and beginning of night), there is no problem of Yichud according…

A principal from the local Catholic elementary school reached out to us and asked that we come do an outreach education for the children in the School. I think this can be a great platform to teach them about the 7 Mitzvos Bnei Noach. Are we are allowed to go into their building?

One may not enter a Catholic School even for a purpose like this. ש"ך יו"ד קמט, א. שו"ע קנ, א. #6057

Is there a Halachic or Hashkafic problem with a single post-sem girl working with mixed teen groups?

Your question assumes that this is only a problem for a single girl. There can be serious issues with such a setup to begin with, even for married people…

I noticed that Sweet and Low has cream of Tartar. Is there a problem of using it since cream of Tartar is derived somehow from wine?

There is a way for it to be considered kosher according to the Shulchan Aruch (see Yoreh Deah 123:16). The reason is that the wine crystals become so deteriorated…

Do women Bench Hagomel?

Question: Can a woman recite Birchas Hagomel (on Shabbos) from the women’s section? Or at the Torah? Answer: It is permissible to do so from the women’s gallery…

I had a few brain surgery’s about two years ago and had not made a Birchas Hagomel yet. What should I do?

Say it now. Sources: סדר ברכת הנהנין פי"ג ה"ה: "ואם איחר מלברך יש לו תשלומין כל זמן שירצה ונכון שלא לאחר ג' ימים". וראה בברכת הבית שער כז…

If the Chazan starts the Bracha of Sim Sholom, during Chazoras Hashat”z of Shachris, without saying Birchas Kohanim – does he go back?

He should go back unless he already said Boruch Ata Hashem. ערך השולחן טייב קכז, א בשם המאירי מגילה כד, ב (לפני משנה ו), ושם הביאו בשם הגאונים. והו״ד…

Should the white Tishrei Paroches be changed tonight at the start of 7 Cheshvon or tomorrow night at the conclusion?

I know of no instruction from the Rebbe one way or another. For many years, the Paroches was changed after Simchas Torah. Furthermore, in many places it’s changed even…

I am considering buying the set of Yalkut Me’am Lo’ez. Is it a reliable set?

Question: Apologize for asking a non-Halachic question, though it is relevant to Maaseh B'Poel; I am considering buying the set of Yalkut Me’am Lo’ez. However, I realized that many…

Can one say Shemoneh Esre sitting down because she gets light headed when she stands in the morning and she does not enjoy saying it because it’s hard for her to stand in the morning. May she sit?

We stand during Davening as a slave before his master, with awe and fear. One should make an effort to Daven standing even if it means pushing off Davening…

I have many boys KAH. Is it proper to pray to Hashem to be blessed with a girl?

Yes. Sources: ויש בזה קיום מצות פו״ר. וכמו שמצינו בלאה שהתפללה כן - ברכות ס, א. ומש״א שם ובשו״ע או״ח רל, א - היינו ע״ד הרגיל. ולהעיר מב״ב…

Article: May I use Ma’aser Money to buy a Ticket at an Auction?

People often ask whether it’s permissible to use their maaser money (a tenth of one’s earnings donated to charity) to purchase raffle tickets, such as at a Chinese auction, where the…

Is it OK to go to the Ohel at night?

Question: Is it OK to go to the Ohel at night? How about not eating; I can't eat all day, or it's OK not to eat just from Shkiah?…

If we have kids from the neighborhood come on Halloween asking for candies, should we open the door? Should we give treats and such?

Halloween is rooted in Avoda Zara. Celebrating Halloween also involves serious issues of Chukos Hagoyim, especially that it is difficult to find a rational explanation to the celebrations other…

A Gut Chodesh Elul from AsktheRav.com!

The dedicated team of Rabbonim at AskTheRav would like to wish you a Gut Chodesh Elul! “The King is in the field . . and displays a benevolent countenance…

Is there anything wrong with living across the street from an old non Jewish cemetery?

It's OK to live near a non Jewish cemetery. Upon seeing a non-Jewish burial site one recites the following Passuk (ירמי׳ נ, יב): בּ֤וֹשָׁה אִמְּכֶם֙ מְאֹ֔ד חָפְרָ֖ה יֽוֹלַדְתְּכֶ֑ם הִנֵּה֙…

Can one use a sand timer on Shabbos?

Question: My children want to say Tehillim on Shabbos Mevorchim and will earn rewards for it. They will earn rewards by the amount of time they spend saying Tehillim.…

Is there any source for/validity to a מנהג not to blow out candles but rather to wave them out with your hand or the like?

This is sourced in many Sefarim. It is considered a Sakana to blow out candles. כלבו קיח. ראשית חכמה בחופת אליהו רבה ג. והוב״ד בבא״ח ש״ב פינחס יח. לחה״פ…

I want to sell a second hand item to a friend. We have made up a price that we both agree on. Now I found out that it may be worth much less in the market, although he really likes specifically what I have. Is it a problem to sell it for the agreed price?

One should let the buyer know about the market rate of this second hand item, and if he agrees it is permitted. Sources: חו״מ רכ״ז סכ״א. שוע"ר הלכות…

Can I throw in the trash old Menorahs and oil cups?

Yes. However, it’s best to wrap first in something and then discard. ראה גנזי הקודש טז הערה יט. יט, יג. https://asktherav.com/how-should-one-dispose-of-the-menorah-wicks-and-also-the-shabbos-candles/ #6466

If a couple has a boy and a girl, thereby Halachically fulfilling the Mitzvah of Pru U’Rvu, then why is necessary to get a Heter for birth control?

See here for a thorough analysis of the parameters of this Mitzvah: https://asktherav.com/i-am-teaching-a-high-school-class-about-the-mitzva-of-pru-urvu-what-is-the-mitzvah-mdoiraisa-and-what-is-the-mitzva-mderabanan/#.XcvxTrulXq8.link This link in itself deals with the basic premise in your question. In addition…

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Is there Yichud in an elevator? What should one do if at the last second a woman walks in?

A principal from the local Catholic elementary school reached out to us and asked that we come do an outreach education for the children in the School. I think this can be a great platform to teach them about the 7 Mitzvos Bnei Noach. Are we are allowed to go into their building?

Is there a Halachic or Hashkafic problem with a single post-sem girl working with mixed teen groups?

I noticed that Sweet and Low has cream of Tartar. Is there a problem of using it since cream of Tartar is derived somehow from wine?

Do women Bench Hagomel?

I had a few brain surgery’s about two years ago and had not made a Birchas Hagomel yet. What should I do?

If the Chazan starts the Bracha of Sim Sholom, during Chazoras Hashat”z of Shachris, without saying Birchas Kohanim – does he go back?

Should the white Tishrei Paroches be changed tonight at the start of 7 Cheshvon or tomorrow night at the conclusion?

I am considering buying the set of Yalkut Me’am Lo’ez. Is it a reliable set?

Can one say Shemoneh Esre sitting down because she gets light headed when she stands in the morning and she does not enjoy saying it because it’s hard for her to stand in the morning. May she sit?

I have many boys KAH. Is it proper to pray to Hashem to be blessed with a girl?

Article: May I use Ma’aser Money to buy a Ticket at an Auction?

Is it OK to go to the Ohel at night?

If we have kids from the neighborhood come on Halloween asking for candies, should we open the door? Should we give treats and such?

A Gut Chodesh Elul from AsktheRav.com!

Is there anything wrong with living across the street from an old non Jewish cemetery?

Can one use a sand timer on Shabbos?

Is there any source for/validity to a מנהג not to blow out candles but rather to wave them out with your hand or the like?

I want to sell a second hand item to a friend. We have made up a price that we both agree on. Now I found out that it may be worth much less in the market, although he really likes specifically what I have. Is it a problem to sell it for the agreed price?

Can I throw in the trash old Menorahs and oil cups?

If a couple has a boy and a girl, thereby Halachically fulfilling the Mitzvah of Pru U’Rvu, then why is necessary to get a Heter for birth control?

זיווג בליל שני של שבועות: האם אפשר או שנכלל בהימים שנוהגים חומרא בהם עפ״י קבלה?

ארכיון חוברות באתרא דרב, גליון התמים ועוד

Is it halachicly forbidden to pay for an item with cash so as to avoid paying sales tax?

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