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We are going to be staying at my in-laws house for Pesach, but they won’t be there. They will be selling their Chametz there. Can we do Bedikas Chametz there even if we are not the owner of the house? And, what are my obligations regarding cleaning the house for Pesach? We will be cleaning and Kashering a part of the kitchen, and otherwise, the house has been cleaned.

Someone who intends to travel on Erev Pesach in order to spend Pesach in a different location should not sell their entire property to a non-Jew as Chametz . Rather, at least one…

On Which Days Should I Wear a Kapoteh?

Question: I know one wears a Kapoteh on Shabbos, Yom Tov, Chol Hamoed, and 19th of Kislev. What other times is it Minhag Chabad to wear a Kapoteh? 10…

A non Cholov Yisroel K-kup was used in our school Keurig machine. Can it be Kashered?

Thoroughly clean the needles and K-cup pack holder. Pour in detergent. Replace the cup holder with a new K-cup holder (a replaceable part). Do not use the machine for…

Can one Lechatchila Kasher something through Libun on Chol Hamoed?

Yes, if it is a Libbun Gamur. However, it is recommended not to leave it till Pesach in case one will forget and use it without Libbun. Sources:…

אני עורך סדר פסח לזקנים דוברי רוסית. אני רוצה להתחיל את הסדר מוקדם מזמן צאת הכוכבים מכיוון שהם לא יוכלו לשבת כל כך מאוחר ועוד זמן קידוש ושאר הדברים. האם אוכל להתחיל את הסדר מפלג המנחה?

בנדון כזה אפשר לסמוך על המקילים בשעת הדחק. מצה חייבת להיות בלילה. מקורות: ראה בארוכה מה שכתבנו בקובץ התמים בשעתו (גליון כב - ניסן ה'תשס"ג). #3511

Does the kettle used to Kasher a sink have to be a Pesachdik or Chometzdik or either one?

These are the choices: Chometzdik - should be Kashered first. Pesachdik - should be Kashered after. Special designated kettle for Kashering. Sources: שו״ע אדה״ז תנב, טו. …

I am now applying to jobs in the corporate environment and I would like to know what should be my position in negotiations with potential employers in terms of working on Chol Hamoed. Is it something I must present as days when I absolutely cannot work, or as days where I can be called on for only urgent projects, etc?

In general work on Chol Hamoed is forbidden. However, under certain circumstances work can be permitted. One such example is Davar Hoaved, work that if not done immediately will lead…

I am leaving town Sunday and do not plan to be home all Pesach. However, the night of Bedika I will be in a hotel where I wont be the next day as I will be checking in to another hotel room. Do I need to do a Bedika at home? and do I need to do a Bedika when I check in to the new hotel room if I am not going to be there before Sof Zman?

This is not an acceptable arrangement. You should not put yourself in a situation where you circumvent the need for checking for Chometz. If you are already in such a situation,…

If someone needs to change a baby diaper after Kiddush, would it be better to do it between Kiddush and washing or after washing where then another washing would need to take place to eat more bread?

After washing, provided that the pamper does not give off smell which makes it problematic to recite Brachos. Sources: הנה, בשו״ת מהרי״ל החדשות לב במה שצ״ל קידוש במקום…

In what situation is a doctor allowed to go to the hospital to work on a patient on Shabbos? And is he allowed to take pay for his work?

In general a doctor needs to be in contact with a competent Rav for general guidelines for the multiple and constant Shaylos that relate to Shabbos and Yom Tov.…

Is pet food which is grain free acceptable on Pesach?

Yes. However, it is recommended you check one of the Pesach lists to make sure it is indeed acceptable for Pesach. #3508

Is there an issue with using a juicer (non electric) on Shabbos or Yom Tov to squeeze our oranges for orange juice?

Not allowed. Squeezing in general even by hand is not allowed. https://asktherav.com/41483-using-a-lemon-manual-squeezer-on-shabbos/ Sources: בנוגע שבת - ראה סימן ש"כ בהתחלתו. בנוגע יו"ט - ראה סימן תצה סעיף…

I am teaching about Pesach in a Chabad House preschool. Some children are somewhat Frum/modern orthodox. Can I allow the children to taste Matzah from last years Shmura Matzah?

One may eat Matzah till Erev Pesach. Chabad custom is not to eat it thirty days before Pesach, but this custom is not practiced universally. Even according to Chabad…

What is the status on Pesach of breast milk which was pumped using Chometzdike Keilim?

If the breast pump was washed with Chometz vessels throughout the year, the milk should not be used over Pesach. One should set aside an additional breast pump that is…

Can I Kasher my oven for Pesach or during the year with a blow torch?

A oven can be Kashered with a blowtorch. However, using a blowtorch on the inside walls of a oven until it is red hot (what would be required if using…

If one washed and ate only a tiny piece of bread (they did not like the bread) is one supposed to say Birchas Hamazon? If not, what does one Bentch? (They ate other foods in this meal as well).

All articles of food combine to make up a Kazayis. So, if you ate half a Kazayis of something that requires the after-Brachah, Borei Nefashos Rabbos, and then you ate another half a Kazayis…

Can we use a hot water urn that we use for year round – for Pesach as well? As it boils anyways when we use it?

If Chometz touches it from the outside (while hot), then it needs to be Kashered on the outside. See also article #352 and article #739. #3448 …

Kashering a sink, counters, oven and stove for Pesach:

Please note: The following guidelines apply only to Kashering vessels that are kosher for year round use, but Chametzdik for Pesach. (the Kashering of non kosher vessels has different…

Mechiras Chometz for a store who will remain open on Pesach

Questions: 1. I have a liquor store on my Mivtzoim route that I want to sell their Chometz for Pesach but they do not want to close for 8…

1. My kids would like to listen to children music Cd’s with Kol Isha, is it Mutter for me to be present while the music is being played? 2. Isn’t the “Kol” an electronic one and therefore not Halachically the same?

1. You may not listen intentionally. If you can be there and totally not pay attention because you are concentrating on something else it is permissible. Obviously, your older…

We are looking for a Cohen to Duchen for Yom Tov. I found a college student (not frum) who says he is a Cohen. May I allow him to Duchen; what research must I do to validate that he is indeed a Cohen?

You can rely on his word regarding giving him an Aliyah and Birchas Kohanim. Sources: עפ"י הרמא אבהע"ז סי' ג סעי' א וראה בב"ש ס"ק ב שאע"פ שהוא…

April Fools: Gneivas Daas?

Question: It is Minhag Haolam, and unfortunately became a custom among Yidden too L'havdil, to make various pranks on the Secular calendar day today, under the name "April Fools".…

I have a lot of couches in my house and for Pesach, I obviously take off all the cushions to clean out what is under there but I want to know if I have to also reach my hand further under, into the places you can not see, to try to pull out any crumbs or is that unnecessary? I attached a picture which gives a visual of what I am referring to.

Answer: You must clean out as much as you can reach with your hand. Best is to pour a cleaning agent which will make all the crumbs of food…

Must a pregnant woman drink 4 cups of wine? Can grape juice suffice?

For those that dislike wine, with a medical condition or pregnant, Grape Juice may be used. It is recommended to add some wine to the grape juice if possible.…

When one goes to eat at a friend or in-laws Shabbos day, and takes off the Tallis for the meal, may he put the Tallis back on and wear it in order to get it back home? Does it matter if it is cold outside?

It is not a problem, even if it is not cold. However, if the Tallis has been off for three hours or more, one would have to make a…

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On Which Days Should I Wear a Kapoteh?

A non Cholov Yisroel K-kup was used in our school Keurig machine. Can it be Kashered?

Can one Lechatchila Kasher something through Libun on Chol Hamoed?

Does the kettle used to Kasher a sink have to be a Pesachdik or Chometzdik or either one?

If someone needs to change a baby diaper after Kiddush, would it be better to do it between Kiddush and washing or after washing where then another washing would need to take place to eat more bread?

In what situation is a doctor allowed to go to the hospital to work on a patient on Shabbos? And is he allowed to take pay for his work?

Is pet food which is grain free acceptable on Pesach?

Is there an issue with using a juicer (non electric) on Shabbos or Yom Tov to squeeze our oranges for orange juice?

I am teaching about Pesach in a Chabad House preschool. Some children are somewhat Frum/modern orthodox. Can I allow the children to taste Matzah from last years Shmura Matzah?

What is the status on Pesach of breast milk which was pumped using Chometzdike Keilim?

Can I Kasher my oven for Pesach or during the year with a blow torch?

If one washed and ate only a tiny piece of bread (they did not like the bread) is one supposed to say Birchas Hamazon? If not, what does one Bentch? (They ate other foods in this meal as well).

Can we use a hot water urn that we use for year round – for Pesach as well? As it boils anyways when we use it?

Kashering a sink, counters, oven and stove for Pesach:

Mechiras Chometz for a store who will remain open on Pesach

1. My kids would like to listen to children music Cd’s with Kol Isha, is it Mutter for me to be present while the music is being played? 2. Isn’t the “Kol” an electronic one and therefore not Halachically the same?

We are looking for a Cohen to Duchen for Yom Tov. I found a college student (not frum) who says he is a Cohen. May I allow him to Duchen; what research must I do to validate that he is indeed a Cohen?

April Fools: Gneivas Daas?

Must a pregnant woman drink 4 cups of wine? Can grape juice suffice?

When one goes to eat at a friend or in-laws Shabbos day, and takes off the Tallis for the meal, may he put the Tallis back on and wear it in order to get it back home? Does it matter if it is cold outside?