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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…

Putting on a Tallis just for Birchas Kohanim

Question: If I am in a Shul where the Kohanim Duchan but I do not have a Tallis on, should I put one on just for Birchas Kohanim? That…

Kiddush in honor of the birth of a baby girl

Question: Regarding a Kiddush for my daughter’s birth, can I do it on Friday night after the meal? Similarly, can I do it during the week? Answer: The…

Is there any problem with taking rocks from Eretz Yisroel out of Eretz Yisroel?

No. Sources: פשוט שהאיסור רק בפירות משום יוקר השער. ול״ש בנדו״ד. ואפי׳ מיני תבלין מותר - רמב״ם מכירה יד, ז. וגם בפירות מותר בדבר מועט - שערי צדק שער…

Because of a dental issue, I have been sleeping with a bite splint in my mouth. I will likely need to wear it also on Pesach. I think it is completely plastic and acrylic (transparent material). I usually only wear it at night after brushing my teeth, but there have been a few times that I put it on without brushing after eating. How I should clean this for Pesach? I am also wondering how to clean it on Pesach. I am supposed to use only antibacterial hand soap on it (no toothpaste, or mouthwash or the like). Is there a hand-soap that definitely is kosher for Pesach?

If there was never any hot food that came in contact with the bite splint you can suffice with cleaning it immaculately in all crevices. Use a brand new…

I own a medical practice. We have 8 employees. I am the only Jew. I have a private office within the practice where I eat. The rest of the office space is common space for any employee to use. I work on Chol Hamoed. What is the best way to clean for Pesach?

Inform the staff that you will be cleaning the office from all food before Pesach. Before Pesach, You must remove the Chometz and clean the kitchenware like coffee mugs…

Bimah in the Middle of Shul & Chazzen Davening from Bimah

Questions: 1. Is there an issue of having the Bimah behind the seats in back of Shul rather than in middle? (There is a table behind the Bimah that…

My baby has a rash and I have been told by the doctor to put on cream 4 times a day, can I put it on Shabbos?

This is permitted in this case. One is not allowed to use lotion on an adult as a medical treatment. However if it is not as a medical treatment,…

May I participate in a party before a wedding of a Jewish woman who is not yet Frum, if there won’t be so much Judaism going on there, just fun party games? (the religious women are making sure everything is 100% kosher- made by us and everything is according to Halacha).

Additional Question: At the party I want the Kallah to make the Bracha on Challah dough to get her to do a Mitzvah before her wedding. A. She will…

Do the restrictions on not eating Matzah 30 days before Pesach apply to products made with Matzah meal (i.e. Kneidlach)?

No. Sources: ראה שו״ע אדה״ז תעא, ח - אפילו בנוגע לערב פסח. #3360

Does Halacha allow a non Jewish house cleaner to just clean dishes and kitchen or even just the house -regarding Kashrus of kitchen -when we are not inside? Would a camera facing the kitchen make a difference? If I tell her I am coming back within a short time-help?

See here for answer.

Do pharmaceutical vitamins and probiotics need a hechsher?

Article #180: Non Kosher Pills There is a heter for a sick person to take non-kosher pills, provided they are 1) swallowed whole, and 2) tasteless. Regarding this halachah,…

If I decide to save and reuse disposable glass bottles (wine, Snapple, kamboucha) must I Toivel them?

Yes. See here: https://asktherav.com/article-395-does-a-glass-bottle-of-snapple-require-tevilah/ #3357

When spitting by Oleinu on Shabbos does one need to wipe it differently then during the week? Is there a difference between a wood floor and a rug? Does it matter if its a dark rug?

On an earth floor, one may not rub the spit but rather they should place their shoe over it without rubbing it. On a wooden floor, in an area…

Selling one room to the Goy for Pesach

Question: I am going away for the full Pesach, but my family will be staying at home. Can I just lock up my individual bedroom (and instead of cleaning…

We were learning about Tznius and a few questions came up…

What is the standard for the Crown Heights community as far as Jeans? Is it accepted or not supposed to be worn? Jeans skirts should not be worn. They…

בתפילין שלי מצאו שפרשיות של תפילין של רש”י ור’ת הוחלפו ואינו יודע אם משעת היצירה נתחלף או לאחרי שהנחתים. מה עלי לעשות האם להשאירם כך או לשנותם כבתחילה?

יש לסדרן מחדש כראוי. מראי מקומות: אות חיים ושלום לד, יג. ודלא כשו״ת אבני חן ו. והנה, באות חיים ושלום שם מדבר בהוחלפו לאחרי שכבר הונחו כתיקונן, אבל…

I wanted to know if Maos Chitim is only for food for Pesach or all Pesach expenses (clothing etc.). Let’s say someone I know can use help with money but is not making Pesach (eating all meals by someone else) can I still use Maaser money to give to them towards other Yom Tov expenses?

Maos Chitim was originally instituted as a tax on every person to help those that are in need for Pesach with wheat or Matzos. Over time it has been…

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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?

Putting on a Tallis just for Birchas Kohanim

Kiddush in honor of the birth of a baby girl

Is there any problem with taking rocks from Eretz Yisroel out of Eretz Yisroel?

I own a medical practice. We have 8 employees. I am the only Jew. I have a private office within the practice where I eat. The rest of the office space is common space for any employee to use. I work on Chol Hamoed. What is the best way to clean for Pesach?

Bimah in the Middle of Shul & Chazzen Davening from Bimah

My baby has a rash and I have been told by the doctor to put on cream 4 times a day, can I put it on Shabbos?

May I participate in a party before a wedding of a Jewish woman who is not yet Frum, if there won’t be so much Judaism going on there, just fun party games? (the religious women are making sure everything is 100% kosher- made by us and everything is according to Halacha).

Do the restrictions on not eating Matzah 30 days before Pesach apply to products made with Matzah meal (i.e. Kneidlach)?

Does Halacha allow a non Jewish house cleaner to just clean dishes and kitchen or even just the house -regarding Kashrus of kitchen -when we are not inside? Would a camera facing the kitchen make a difference? If I tell her I am coming back within a short time-help?

Do pharmaceutical vitamins and probiotics need a hechsher?

If I decide to save and reuse disposable glass bottles (wine, Snapple, kamboucha) must I Toivel them?

When spitting by Oleinu on Shabbos does one need to wipe it differently then during the week? Is there a difference between a wood floor and a rug? Does it matter if its a dark rug?

Selling one room to the Goy for Pesach

We were learning about Tznius and a few questions came up…

בתפילין שלי מצאו שפרשיות של תפילין של רש”י ור’ת הוחלפו ואינו יודע אם משעת היצירה נתחלף או לאחרי שהנחתים. מה עלי לעשות האם להשאירם כך או לשנותם כבתחילה?

Can a Jew eat Kosher Meat that is blessed by Muslims?

האם יש ענין בנוגע לד’ כוסות להחמיר כשיטת הצל”ח/חזו”א?

Tehillim, Davening & learning while Nursing

I wanted to know if Maos Chitim is only for food for Pesach or all Pesach expenses (clothing etc.). Let’s say someone I know can use help with money but is not making Pesach (eating all meals by someone else) can I still use Maaser money to give to them towards other Yom Tov expenses?