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Questions: Is one not allowed to talk when in the bathroom in general, or just when actually using the toilet? Is it OK to make sounds instead of words, or is that also not allowed? Is texting considered talking… Questions: Is one not allowed to talk when in the bathroom in general, or just when actually using the toilet? Is it OK to make sounds instead of words, or is that also not allowed? Is texting considered talking or is it allowed? Is it any different for women? Answers: One should not speak in the bathroom even if it’s extremely important. However, one may speak to save people from danger or to stop people from doing the wrong thing. Calming a child is considered protecting them from danger. When not using the toilet, or when inside the…Show more
It's just like all other days of mourning. One may not wash in hot water but one may wash their hands, face, and feet in cold water. Alternatively, one may wash a minority of the body in cold water.… It's just like all other days of mourning. One may not wash in hot water but one may wash their hands, face, and feet in cold water. Alternatively, one may wash a minority of the body in cold water. A little bit of hot water may be added if needed to remove the frigidness of the water. If one is heavily perspired, they may wash that area as necessary. טעמים ומקורות: שו"ע יו"ד שפא, א - רק פניו ידיו ורגליו בצונן. ועד״ז מיעוט גופו - ראה כעי״ז בב״י רסי׳ שכו. רמ״א שם א. ט״ז שם א. אדה״ז שם…Show more
Yes. Anyone who fails or struggles to meet their children’s needs is entitled to receive Maaser. Additionally, when there are children over 6 or 13 years old the parent's don't have a complete halachic obligation to support them financially… Yes. Anyone who fails or struggles to meet their children’s needs is entitled to receive Maaser. Additionally, when there are children over 6 or 13 years old the parent's don't have a complete halachic obligation to support them financially and this is considered a form of Tzedaka. Nonetheless, if you can afford it you should not use Maaser money. מקורות: טעמים ומקורות: שו"ע יור"ד רנ"א ס"ג, ש"ך שם ס"ק…Show more
Question: If I understand correctly, women do not take part in a Zimun for Bentching. But are they supposed to answer - "Yehi Shem..." "Baruch She'achalnu..."? Answer: If there are three men who are obligated to Bentch B’Zimmun,… Question: If I understand correctly, women do not take part in a Zimun for Bentching. But are they supposed to answer - "Yehi Shem..." "Baruch She'achalnu..."? Answer: If there are three men who are obligated to Bentch B’Zimmun, the women are obligated to respond. They have the actual Mitzvah of Zimun and should not leave the table without doing so. If they are sitting on the other side of the Mechitza and can’t see the men, they should not respond with Hashem’s name (Baruch Elokeinu... when there are ten men) unless there is a shared waiter. Sources: ראה נו״כ השו״ע או״ח קצט, ז. אדה״ז שם ו-ז.…Show more
One may receive money to teach Torah, even when teaching adults if it is needed in order to live properly. However, it is forbidden to accept money if one has a fixed Parnossa that allows them to live properly,… One may receive money to teach Torah, even when teaching adults if it is needed in order to live properly. However, it is forbidden to accept money if one has a fixed Parnossa that allows them to live properly, even if it would cause one to study less. Followup Question: What about if he is paying me for the learning together as a Chavrusa and not as a teacher? Answer: If you are a Yoshev Ohel (Bachur or Avrech) it is allowed to take money to study B’Chavrusa, since you have no stable and fixed Parnasah. Additionally,…Show more
Link to The Rebbe's letter in Likkutei Sichos vol. 22 page 332 Where it is significantly more expensive you do not need to buy from El Al. טעמים ומקורות: מקור הדין בדרשת רז"ל - מובא ברש"י ויקרא… Link to The Rebbe's letter in Likkutei Sichos vol. 22 page 332 Where it is significantly more expensive you do not need to buy from El Al. טעמים ומקורות: מקור הדין בדרשת רז"ל - מובא ברש"י ויקרא כב, ב - על הפסוק או קנה מיד עמיתך. וכמה פוסקים כתבו כן אפילו אם צריך להוסיף על המקח - אבל רק במעט, ראה בס' אמרי יעקב (שטרן) על שו"ע אדה"ז הל' מכירה ומתנה ס"ק כ"ב, וש"נ. אבל בנדו"ד הוי הוספה מרובה ופשוט שאינו צריך. ובמש"כ החת"ס דהחיוב הוא רק במי שאתך בתורה ומצוות - יל"ע ממכתב כ"ק אד''ש (לקו"ש…Show more
The custom to use gold is based on Kabalah. Now, there are many types of gold. The Gemara lists seven types of gold. There are variations as to the difference between the types of gold. However, I don’t… The custom to use gold is based on Kabalah. Now, there are many types of gold. The Gemara lists seven types of gold. There are variations as to the difference between the types of gold. However, I don’t know of any Kabalah source which distinguishes between the various types of gold in relation to the Kiddushin ring (though the concept of seven types of gold is certainly expounded upon in Kabalah). Nonetheless, rumor has it in the name of the Rebbe to use yellow gold only. So testifies Rabbi Leibel Groner. Also, Rabbi Pesach Schmerling told me…Show more
Is it necessary for a mother who wakes during the night but does not get out of bed to wash Negel Vasser before touching her child? Please see here: https://asktherav.com/article-negel-vasser-and-midnight-feedings/ #3022
Question: Is it halachically permissible for a man to co-found a company with a woman? Currently, the company is a startup that is expanding. Also is it permissible to work for that startup if it is only 1-2 people… Question: Is it halachically permissible for a man to co-found a company with a woman? Currently, the company is a startup that is expanding. Also is it permissible to work for that startup if it is only 1-2 people and would involve close interactions discussing business strategy and analysis etc? Most work would be done by computer but there would be business meetings etc. Answer: Permissible. However, one must ensure not to violate the rules governing the interaction between men and women. This includes ensuring there is no Yichud, physical contact, flirtatious talk or behavior, excessive unnecessary conversation,…Show more
Because it is more explained, it is from a later generation and the Halacha is like it. #4082
If both were cold, the knife does not need to be Kashered - just washed (NOT in hot water). #4297
A nursing mother with a young baby may wake up multiple times during the night to feed her baby. Must she wash Negel Vasser (the alternating right/left-hand ritual washing upon waking) each time she awakens? To require washing, sleep… A nursing mother with a young baby may wake up multiple times during the night to feed her baby. Must she wash Negel Vasser (the alternating right/left-hand ritual washing upon waking) each time she awakens? To require washing, sleep must exceed the timeframe of Shishim Neshimos (lit., sixty breaths, according to mainstream opinion, a half hour; see Article #623 for all the parameters). In addition, the following two halachos might come into play with a nighttime nursing mother (or bottle-feeding, with prepared bottles): Upon waking, a person may not walk four Amos (arm lengths, i.e., a distance of approximately…Show more
מותר לגעת בבקבוק מים. [להעיר אשר בכלל, אפשר למלא נטלה כבר בתחילת הלילה]. מקורות: בגמרא שבת קט, רע״א: יד לגיגית תיקצץ. ולב״י היינו משום…
According to some opinions, in the second marriage, the spouse is now not the other half of the original soul but rather the other half of the substitute soul. When married a second time after divorce the association with… According to some opinions, in the second marriage, the spouse is now not the other half of the original soul but rather the other half of the substitute soul. When married a second time after divorce the association with the original husband’s soul no longer exists. After death, the connection with the soul of the original spouse departs after twelve months. טעמים ומקורות: ראה זח״א צא,ב. שו״ת חת״ס ז,לד. אג״ק ב ע׳ קצג. רוחא שביק בעלה בגרושה - ראה שו״ת מהרש״ם ג, שלג. שלחן העזר י, ג, יא. באלמנה - זח״ב קב, ב. שעה״פ להאריז״ל תצא ד״ה וירקה.…Show more
לא. ספרדים מקילים. מקור: שו״ע יו״ד צה, א-ב. #4324
Question: When one had a baby boy and did not say הטוב והמטיב immediately, what is the time limit to making this Bracha? (Same question with regard to שהחיינו for a baby girl). Answer: So long the Simcha… Question: When one had a baby boy and did not say הטוב והמטיב immediately, what is the time limit to making this Bracha? (Same question with regard to שהחיינו for a baby girl). Answer: So long the Simcha is still fresh and strong. טעמים ומקורות: כמה שיטות בדבר, ראה בהנסמן לקמן. וההכרעה כבפנים. משנ״ב רכג, ג בשם הפמ״ג. והוא ע״פ פמ״ג בא״א שם ב. כה״ח ה. ברכת הבית כג, כח. וראה משנ״ב שם טו. וכבר מצינו בברכת אברהם טריווש בזמן הב״י ח״ד ע׳ רטו שיכול לברך גם אחרי תוכ״ד אע״פ שעבר ענינם מזמן הרבה. ואולי עיקר דבריו…Show more
You are allowed to touch the alarm clock before Negel Vasser. מקורות: ראה בארוכה בשאלה 4103 בנוגע לנגיעה בכלים לפני נט״י.…
According to Halacha, the Biblical obligation to affix a mezuzah applies only to someone who both owns and resides in the property. A landlord who does not live on the premises is not obligated at all, while a renter… According to Halacha, the Biblical obligation to affix a mezuzah applies only to someone who both owns and resides in the property. A landlord who does not live on the premises is not obligated at all, while a renter is obligated on a Rabbinic level - immediately upon moving in when in Eretz Yisroel, and after thirty days in Chutz La’aretz (outside of Eretz Yisroel). Nevertheless, many renters in Chutz La’aretz have the custom of putting up mezuzos right upon moving in; however, since they are not yet obligated in the mitzvah, they do so without a brachah. In…Show more
According to the Rambam a Mezuzah is needed only on a doorway that has a door. The majority of Poskim disagree and rule that a doorway with no door also requires a Mezuzah; the Halachah is in accordance with… According to the Rambam a Mezuzah is needed only on a doorway that has a door. The majority of Poskim disagree and rule that a doorway with no door also requires a Mezuzah; the Halachah is in accordance with the widely held opinion. However, in order to also abide by the opinion of the Rambam, when affixing a Mezuzah to a doorway that has no door, we affix one to a doorway with a door at the same time, and when making the Brachah on the one with the door, we have in mind the doorless one as well.…Show more
When renting a house or apartment in Chutz La׳aretz (outside of Eretz Yisroel), one is not obligated in the Mitzvah of Mezuzah until 30 days have passed. However, it has become the custom to affix Mezuzos right away for… When renting a house or apartment in Chutz La׳aretz (outside of Eretz Yisroel), one is not obligated in the Mitzvah of Mezuzah until 30 days have passed. However, it has become the custom to affix Mezuzos right away for any of the following reasons: Even if one isn׳t obligated yet to affix Mezuzos, he fulfills a Mitzvah when he affixes them; According to some opinions, if it׳s a long-term rental there is an obligation to affix Mezuzos right away; So that the mezuzah should protect the inhabitants from potential harm; Or because it׳s a spiritual matter not to live…Show more
This is primarily a medical question. When the Rebbe spoke about little children coming to Shul to hear Aseres Hadibros he added: “if health allows”. Ask the doctor and follow his or her guidelines. #4334
If the dairy (lactose) is in the actual capsule itself, you can remove the capsule and take the powder or pill on its own. Alternatively, you can get a kosher capsule to put the powder inside. Of course, you… If the dairy (lactose) is in the actual capsule itself, you can remove the capsule and take the powder or pill on its own. Alternatively, you can get a kosher capsule to put the powder inside. Of course, you should ascertain that it is safe to do so. Strictly speaking, one may, however, swallow such capsules, where there is a medical need. If the medicine is bitter, one may eat it together with meat. If however, it is not bitter one should not eat or swallow it together with meat. There is room to be lenient and eat the…Show more
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 their original price. #4023
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 - מזגן מותר. בפלטה - מותר להשתמש בשעון שבת רק…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 - מזגן מותר. בפלטה - מותר להשתמש בשעון שבת רק להפסיק פעולתו אבל לא אם השעון שבת מפעיל את הפלטה בשבת, וכל שכן שאסור להניח אוכל לח עליו לבשל בשבת. כמובן, יש מקום להחמיר ולא להשתמש כלל בשעון שבת. ויש יחידים, כולל גם מחסידי חב'"ד, שנהגו בכך. מקורות: פלטה - דנו בזה מצד אוושא מילתא וזילותא דשבתא,…Show more
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 לו להחמיר על עצמו. מקורות: ראה שו״ע אדה״ז שג, כג. משנ"ב שם סד, ובבה"ל ד"ה…
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