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I seem to remember that the Alter Rebbe writes that if a Yid does a Melacha and has a particular purpose in mind and another Yid wants to have Hanoah from the Melacha in a different manner that it is okay? A hypothetical example: If someone comes into my kitchen and puts on the stove to warm up food, can I use the fire on the stove to warm myself up if I am cold?

There is no such Halacha in Alter Rebbe Shulchan Aruch. You might be confusing this with something similar; There is a Halacha that one may ask a non-Jew to…

If I work for a Shaliach that is supposed to pay for my car, am I allowed to use my Maaser money to pay for it and consider it as if I gave that Maaser to the Shliach?

If the car is being used primarily for Shlichus work, you may pay the cost from Maaser. The car remains the property of Tzedaka and does not transfer into your…

My work gave me a mobile internet box to use for work if I don’t have internet and need to use my laptop. I had my laptop and internet box at home and my family connected to it and the usage was a lot. My work incurred a couple thousand dollars extra expenses because of this. Am I obligated to pay for it?

It depends on the policy of your workplace. If they gave it to you for work purposes only, then you are obligated to pay the difference. #3103

I have a boarded up house that is full of junk. Every once in a while people go inside. Should I put up Mezuzos in there or not?

I am assuming the house is not completely boarded up but rather has an entryway to get in and out. The need for Mezuzos on such a house depends…

Are we still obligated to rebuke another Jew nowadays? Is there a difference between different types of Aveiros? What if someone sees their non-Jewish boss doing something wrong, should he say something if there is potential he might loose a promotion?

Certainly the Mitzvah of rebuking a Jew who does not act proper applies today and is a Mitzvah in the Torah! See the Chinuch Mitzvah 239 for details of…

I have a woman in my community who is still single in her 30s and she feels she needs a new “Mazal”. She received a Jewish name in Russia. Is it OK to add another Jewish name to add or change her Mazal?

See here for answer.

Can I bake something in a Fleishig oven and serve it with Milchig ice cream?

If served together Mamosh, it should not be done L'chatchilla. So, can I first preheat the oven on high temperature and then use it together? See here. …

Can a girl dress up as a male (ex yarmulka/hat/suit/tzitzis) for a play?

If it’s for a play, it’s more serious, as it’s not a mitzvah (in contrast to Simchas Purim) and its purpose is to appear like a man, not purely…

Do I need to make Birchas Hatorah if I wake up for 45 minutes in middle of the night and listen to a Shiur (while putting my child back to sleep) and then go back to sleep myself?

If listening to a recording, no. See here: https://asktherav.com/article-260-are-torah-mp3s-considered-learning-torah/ #3138

I have only one sink. May I put metal racks in the sink, to be able to use it for Milching and Fleishig?

It is very difficult to have one sink and properly use it for Milichig and Fleishig. The best solution is to designate the sink for the use of the…

Can/Should I cut my nails on Rosh Chodesh which falls on Erev Shabbos?

If the nails are large and need to be cut, they should be cut regardless. Otherwise, if one cuts the nails every single Erev Shabbos, they may be lenient…

About 8 years ago I used a friend’s phone without permission

Question: About 8 years ago I used a friend's phone without permission and went on to various websites, not realising it I signed him up to SMS messages from…

כמה ימים לפני החתונה חתן צריך ליווי?

לדעתי אפשר להקל ולהתחיל מג׳ ימים לפני החתונה, ועכ״פ שיהי׳ משבת שלפני החתונה ואילך. מקורות: בברכות נד, ב שחתן וכלה צריכים שימור מן המזיקין. והובא גם ברי״ף ורא״ש…

Can I put a snap on the Tzitzis, to prevent it riding up?

If the snap is attached to the Tzitzis it is not acceptable. Sources: בשו״ע אדה״ז י, יח: צריך ליזהר בטליתות קטנים שלנו שמטילין בהם ציצית שיהיה רובו פתוח…

What is the Bracha for Quinoa?

Haadama and Borei Nefashos, unless pureed and unrecognizable where it would be Shehakol. While quinoa is technically classified by many as a grain, it is not one of the…

May I record phone calls without consent from those with whom I am talking?

Aside from the legal issues which are different from state to state, there are also Halachic issues. See more here. #3052

Attending a Wedding on the Day of a Yartzeit

Question: My husband has Yortzeit for his father today. His sister in law (My sister) is making a wedding for her daughter. The Chuppah is before Shkiah, so it…

What parts of a wedding am I allowed to go to during the year of Aveilus?

I have a first cousins wedding who I am very close with, and would like to go even for short while. Answer: One may attend the Kabolas Ponim…

We typically would not Kasher our year-round oven for Pesach use. We have someone who wants to give us a used oven, is it permissible to Kasher it for Pesach to use on Pesach and leave it Pesach’dik?

According to Halacha, one may Kasher a Oven for Pesach, though there are various levels of Chumra as to how to Kasher the oven. Some are Machmir not to…

May one clean his glasses with a Tallis Gadol or Tallis Katan?

According to Halacha, one may clean glasses with the Tallis Katan, though some are stringent. With the Tallis Gadol, one should not clean their glasses. However, even with the…

My friend sold me an iPhone and I opened up the box already and then I changed my mind about buying it. May I still back out of the sale? I already paid him the money.

You may not return it, since you already made a Kinyan, unless the seller agrees. Sources: חושן משפט סימן קפ"ט ועוד

When does Tekufas Nissan start? Meaning when could you make the Bracha on trees? (Since it is a leap year). The trees that we always go to have flowers now, but they might not have flowers in a month.

Tekufas Nissan this year (5780) corresponds to Tuesday, 13 Nissan. However, the Bracha on the trees should be said in the month of Nissan, not earlier or later. It…

One who is reading the Megilah, and simply cannot read עשרת בני המן in one breath – and at the same time, taking the time to ascertain that he is reading the proper “ואת” on the left column. I know that בדיעבד, one fulfills his obligation even if he does not read עשרת בני המן in one breath, and even if he reads SOME words of the Megilah by heart. Naturally then, the question is; if one cannot do both, which one should he do?

In such a case, one should rather read them not in one breath than reading orally. Sources: אם החסיר השומע בתחילתה או בסופה או ענין שלם – ראה…

Can My Mother Bring It For Me On Shabbos?

Question: I asked my sister for a laptop. She offered to send it with my mother who would be returning back from her on Shabbos day. (My mother is…

If one does not finish Tehillim on Shabbos Mevarchim, is there still a way to make it up? If yes, when?

You should finish as soon as possible, during the next few days (but not at night). Sources: ההוראה הכללית היא בש״ק לפני התפלה, כבכ״מ. וגם בהיום יום כ״ו…

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If I work for a Shaliach that is supposed to pay for my car, am I allowed to use my Maaser money to pay for it and consider it as if I gave that Maaser to the Shliach?

I have a boarded up house that is full of junk. Every once in a while people go inside. Should I put up Mezuzos in there or not?

Are we still obligated to rebuke another Jew nowadays? Is there a difference between different types of Aveiros? What if someone sees their non-Jewish boss doing something wrong, should he say something if there is potential he might loose a promotion?

I have a woman in my community who is still single in her 30s and she feels she needs a new “Mazal”. She received a Jewish name in Russia. Is it OK to add another Jewish name to add or change her Mazal?

Can I bake something in a Fleishig oven and serve it with Milchig ice cream?

Can a girl dress up as a male (ex yarmulka/hat/suit/tzitzis) for a play?

Do I need to make Birchas Hatorah if I wake up for 45 minutes in middle of the night and listen to a Shiur (while putting my child back to sleep) and then go back to sleep myself?

I have only one sink. May I put metal racks in the sink, to be able to use it for Milching and Fleishig?

Can/Should I cut my nails on Rosh Chodesh which falls on Erev Shabbos?

About 8 years ago I used a friend’s phone without permission

כמה ימים לפני החתונה חתן צריך ליווי?

Can I put a snap on the Tzitzis, to prevent it riding up?

What is the Bracha for Quinoa?

May I record phone calls without consent from those with whom I am talking?

Attending a Wedding on the Day of a Yartzeit

What parts of a wedding am I allowed to go to during the year of Aveilus?

We typically would not Kasher our year-round oven for Pesach use. We have someone who wants to give us a used oven, is it permissible to Kasher it for Pesach to use on Pesach and leave it Pesach’dik?

May one clean his glasses with a Tallis Gadol or Tallis Katan?

My friend sold me an iPhone and I opened up the box already and then I changed my mind about buying it. May I still back out of the sale? I already paid him the money.

When does Tekufas Nissan start? Meaning when could you make the Bracha on trees? (Since it is a leap year). The trees that we always go to have flowers now, but they might not have flowers in a month.

Can My Mother Bring It For Me On Shabbos?

If one does not finish Tehillim on Shabbos Mevarchim, is there still a way to make it up? If yes, when?