People Just Asked
Question: We bought a van for the purpose of getting to and from school; that is what it is used for 95% of the time. I drive myself and another teacher, so the van and related expenses would be… Question: We bought a van for the purpose of getting to and from school; that is what it is used for 95% of the time. I drive myself and another teacher, so the van and related expenses would be considered a job expense (i.e.. deducted from income when calculating for Maaser). However I also drive my child to school, which makes it a personal expense. Can I record the van and related expenses as a job expense? Answer: Yes. #2837Show more
Chas vsholom. If you have a claim you must take it first to a Beis din. See here and here about the severe prohibition of suing in secular court.
It may not be used on Shabbos, but is permissible for use on Yom Tov. An excellent comprehensive article about Sous Vide for Shabbos has been written by Horav Shmuel Lesches, Melbourne, Australia, and appears below (with minor adaptations).… It may not be used on Shabbos, but is permissible for use on Yom Tov. An excellent comprehensive article about Sous Vide for Shabbos has been written by Horav Shmuel Lesches, Melbourne, Australia, and appears below (with minor adaptations). It’s the latest fad in cooking, and with a name like sous vide, who can resist? Sous vide (pronounced su‑vee) is the French equivalent of “under vacuum”; sous vide will cook food uniformly while retaining its natural juices and aroma, achieving results that are impossible through other cooking methods. How does it work? The food is vacuum-packed in a plastic…Show more
The Gabbai calls his father as יעמוד אבי מורי פלוני בן פלוני. The same with a brother יעמוד פלוני בן אבי מורי פלוני. It is always better if someone else can call up in this case. See also halacha2go.com… The Gabbai calls his father as יעמוד אבי מורי פלוני בן פלוני. The same with a brother יעמוד פלוני בן אבי מורי פלוני. It is always better if someone else can call up in this case. See also halacha2go.com article #684. Sources: ארץ צבי צו. שערים מצויינים בהלכה קמג ושכן המנהג.…Show more
A) The following is done if the Minyan is all Leviyim and one Yisroel: The Yisroel goes up for the first Aliya and then followed by Leviyim only. B) The following is done if the Minyan is all Leviyim… A) The following is done if the Minyan is all Leviyim and one Yisroel: The Yisroel goes up for the first Aliya and then followed by Leviyim only. B) The following is done if the Minyan is all Leviyim and one Kohen: Kohen for the first Aliya followed by Leviyim for the rest. If there is another Kohen he will have Shlishi and then the Leviyim. If there are more Kohanim the order would be Kohen, Levi, Kohen, Levi, Kohen, Levi etc., depending how many Kohanim there are. C) The following is done if the Minyan is all Leviyim,…Show more
אין חשש. מטעמי ההיתר: אינו בגדר מטה שמיועד בעיקר לישיבה; השינה בגדר שינת עראי; המטה אינה ראוי׳ לביאה; האוכל אינו על הקרקע (אהל זרוק וכו׳); המקום מלכתחילה מיועד להניח שם מאכלים. ועוד שדשו בה רבים ושומר פתאים השם.… אין חשש. מטעמי ההיתר: אינו בגדר מטה שמיועד בעיקר לישיבה; השינה בגדר שינת עראי; המטה אינה ראוי׳ לביאה; האוכל אינו על הקרקע (אהל זרוק וכו׳); המקום מלכתחילה מיועד להניח שם מאכלים. ועוד שדשו בה רבים ושומר פתאים השם. ובלא״ה, כמה פוסקים מתירים בדיעבד (והארכנו במק״א. ואכ״מ). וראה שו״ת שלמת חיים יו״ד כג. הערות הגריש״א פסחים קיב, א. שו״ת תשוה״נ א, ח. שבט הקהתי ד, רב. צי״א י, לה. שם יז, לה. משנת יוסף יא, קמא, י. שם יג, רסג. משנ״ה יא, י. וראה הנסמן בהלכתא מאורייתא לט. #2808Show more
Being that there are complete Torah thoughts, it would qualify as Shaimos. You may remove the Shaimos parts and discard the rest. See here.
Ha'etz. It appears that the dates are the primary ingredient and therefore it would require a Ha'etz. Even assuming that two ingredients are primary, we follow the majority ingredient, in this case - it is the dates too. As… Ha'etz. It appears that the dates are the primary ingredient and therefore it would require a Ha'etz. Even assuming that two ingredients are primary, we follow the majority ingredient, in this case - it is the dates too. As for the Bracha Acharona, ensure a Kezayis of dates are eaten within the amount of time of Kedei Achilas Pe'ras. This will be accomplished by eating two Larabar's. Otherwise, there is a Safek on the Bracha Acharona. One would then have to eat another definite Al Ha'etz food and a Borei Nefashos food to avoid all Shaalos. See also here. Sources: כמה ספיקות בדבר: האם הטפל מצטרף לשיעור כזית לבר״א,…Show more
Question: I work in a field where I interact almost exclusively with Goyim. When a client asks me "How are your doing" is it Mutar to answer "Thank G-d"? Or is it saying Shaim Hashem l'vatala? Saying "Thank G-d… Question: I work in a field where I interact almost exclusively with Goyim. When a client asks me "How are your doing" is it Mutar to answer "Thank G-d"? Or is it saying Shaim Hashem l'vatala? Saying "Thank G-d Alm-ghty" (as the Rebbe seems to append whenever he says "G-d") would come across as bizarre in a typical professional exchange. If it is forbidden, is there an alternative for Boruch Hashem in English? Answer: It is forbidden to answer “Thank G-d”. As it is considered saying Shem Shomayim l’vatalah. Adding the word A-mighty doesn’t make it acceptable either;…Show more
Assuming that the trucks actually go often through the doorway and are not just parked on the outside for loading, and the drivers are Jewish, the doorway needs a Mezuzah. However, without a Bracha. Sources: כיון שעשוי גם לכניסת הנהג עם המשאית - ראה…
Questions: 1) Is there any Halachic source for following a holistic diet instead of following a legal doctor? 2) What Is the definition of a "Rofe Yedid"? Is it only a family doctor? Or is a professional… Questions: 1) Is there any Halachic source for following a holistic diet instead of following a legal doctor? 2) What Is the definition of a "Rofe Yedid"? Is it only a family doctor? Or is a professional neurologist also counted? Answers: 1) Halacha has a nuanced position in relation to holistic or alternative medicine. As a rule, a doctor must be recognised by the local government authorities in order to be permitted to heal. One may not violate any Mitzvah for a medication which hasn’t proven to be effective. According to some authorities, it must also…Show more
אין בזה שום חשש. טעמים ומקורות: שניכר שבא מאדם – ראה דרכ״ת סו, סח. כה״ח מז. וכ״מ בש״ך טז. וראה שטמ״ק כריתות כא, ב בהשמטות. וכן מוכח מט״ז סוסי׳ תקפד, לגבי דם מילה. וצ״ע מש״כ בהפלאה כתובות… אין בזה שום חשש. טעמים ומקורות: שניכר שבא מאדם – ראה דרכ״ת סו, סח. כה״ח מז. וכ״מ בש״ך טז. וראה שטמ״ק כריתות כא, ב בהשמטות. וכן מוכח מט״ז סוסי׳ תקפד, לגבי דם מילה. וצ״ע מש״כ בהפלאה כתובות ס, א שבעת המציצה אין דם שפירש). ואינו דומה לשם שע״ג הככר דדילמא מעלמא אתא. וגם להאוסרים במציצה מאצבעו – היינו שעדיין שייך מרא״ע, אבל בנדו״ד נראה דל״ש החשש דאתי לאחלופי, שהחשש הוא לטעות במציאות (ולא בדין) ״דאתי למימר דם בהמה אכל״ (פירש״י כתובות שם). וכן בנדו״ד ל״ש בל תשקצו (ראה יד״י שם בנוגע למציצת דם שבאצבע). שאינו בולע –…Show more
I do not know of any reason. Some people report so in the name of the Rebbe. Sources: ראה שו״ת חלקת יעקב א, קה. מנח״י ד, לג.…
If his allergy is to the potassium dichromate in the Retzuos, as is most likely, he should obtain chrome free Tefillin straps. There are Retzuos made with a vegetable tanning process also. Until new Tefillin straps can be obtained… If his allergy is to the potassium dichromate in the Retzuos, as is most likely, he should obtain chrome free Tefillin straps. There are Retzuos made with a vegetable tanning process also. Until new Tefillin straps can be obtained one can wear the Tefillin for shorter time such as only for Shema and Shemone Esrai or even only Shema if necessary. One can also look into the option of painting the leather on the inner side so the leather does not touch the skin directly. Where no other choice exists, one may place the straps on the sleeves but…Show more
If you rent a house or a room, then the Bedikah should be done there on the night of the 14th of Nissan. (You should arrange a Mechiras Chometz for your apartment where you live and no one should… If you rent a house or a room, then the Bedikah should be done there on the night of the 14th of Nissan. (You should arrange a Mechiras Chometz for your apartment where you live and no one should be using it over Pesach) If you are in your home on the night of the 14th of Nissan, then one must clean one room and do the Bedikah there with the blessing, and do not include that room in the sale of Chometz. If you will be staying by someone else on the night of Bedikas Chometz, then the…Show more
For a blanket that is sometimes used by day, you should make one corner round. There is no need to put Tzitzis on a towel even if one is wrapping himself with it. Sources: א. שו״ע אדה״ז או״ח יח, ה - רק בשל…
Question: In a case of a sliding door that opens from house to a balcony that is 4 by 4 Amos - how do we determine placement of Mezuza? Also I have read that in case of sliding doors… Question: In a case of a sliding door that opens from house to a balcony that is 4 by 4 Amos - how do we determine placement of Mezuza? Also I have read that in case of sliding doors it depends on which side the sliding frame is. (If it’s close/towards the inside of house) so the Mezuza goes on the right towards the balcony. Answer: According to Minhag Chabad, we follow the rule of ‘’Heiker Tzir’’. In this case, if the track that the door slides on is inside the house, we put the Mezuza on the…Show more
Some Maaser money may be used to pay for a Sheva Brachos Seudah provided that you are helping a Chosson and Kallah who cannot afford it from their own money, and they will be happy with your hospitality, and… Some Maaser money may be used to pay for a Sheva Brachos Seudah provided that you are helping a Chosson and Kallah who cannot afford it from their own money, and they will be happy with your hospitality, and the Seudah is not overly extravagant. If you are doing this as a family favor since "you owe the family a favor", or it is an expected norm (whether from a family or community point of view) that you pay for the Sheva Brachos, it is not right to use Maaser money. If there will most likely be leftover food…Show more
יש לעשות קידוש או סעודה בנפרד, או לפחות כשאי אפשר או כשיש צורך – לייחד משהו מיוחד (תבשיל מיוחד, אורח מיוחד וכו׳) בסעודת הברית עבור – ולזכות – הבת. טעמים ומקורות: כמה טעמים נאמרו בנוגע לקידוש ללידת הבת,… יש לעשות קידוש או סעודה בנפרד, או לפחות כשאי אפשר או כשיש צורך – לייחד משהו מיוחד (תבשיל מיוחד, אורח מיוחד וכו׳) בסעודת הברית עבור – ולזכות – הבת. טעמים ומקורות: כמה טעמים נאמרו בנוגע לקידוש ללידת הבת, 1) כדי להודות לה’ על בריאות הולד והיולדת לאחרי הלידה, בבחי׳ ״ישוע הבת״, ע”ד ישוע הבן. 2) כדי להודות לה’ על גוף הענין שזיכהו בבת 3) כדי לתת הזדמנות למכיריהם לברך ברכת מזל טוב וליתן איחולים עבור הבת. ולפי כל הטעמים, יש לדאוג לייחד משהו מיוחד כדי להודות לה’ או כדי שיוכלו לברכם, משא״כ אם יעשה רק הסעודה של הברית…Show more
The baby bottle is Milchig, the kettle is Pareve, and our kitchen sink and all our other kitchen utensils are Fleishig. Answer: You are allowed to put a baby bottle even in a Kli Sheni (assuming that the… The baby bottle is Milchig, the kettle is Pareve, and our kitchen sink and all our other kitchen utensils are Fleishig. Answer: You are allowed to put a baby bottle even in a Kli Sheni (assuming that the contents of the bottle consists only of liquid, or previously cooked solid food). However, you must ensure that the bottle is not covered on top, i.e. it is without the lid, or even with a lid but the water is not covering the lid, because then it would be a problem of הטמנה, since it could add heat (or remove…Show more
Yes, but the point of contact between the urn and the plug must get wet. Sources: ראה טבילת כלים כהלכתה יח, לח. וש״נ. …
Mor - Borei Minei Besamim. Levonah - Borei Atzei Besamim. Sources: מור - סדר ברכת הנהנין יא, ה, וכפס״ד השו״ע…
Question: Should one encourage a child of 9 years old to avoid eating after Shkia (candle lighting)? What if the child did it three weeks in a row, does that make it problematic? How strongly should Mitzvos like these… Question: Should one encourage a child of 9 years old to avoid eating after Shkia (candle lighting)? What if the child did it three weeks in a row, does that make it problematic? How strongly should Mitzvos like these that entail not eating be encouraged for children? Answer: Children should not be encouraged at all to avoid eating before Kiddush, when it causes them affliction. Even if they were careful three times in a row not to eat before Kiddush, they may go back to eating before kiddush. Many have the custom of training older kids not…Show more
Question: I made croutons to be used as additions in salad or snacking from leftover Challah, by baking it with oil. What Bracha will it be? Do I need to wash for it? Answer: The Bracha is Hamotzie.… Question: I made croutons to be used as additions in salad or snacking from leftover Challah, by baking it with oil. What Bracha will it be? Do I need to wash for it? Answer: The Bracha is Hamotzie. Unless they remained in the salad liquid for a long time and dissolved somewhat and they start to look like pieces of dough, which then the Bracha is Mezonos. #2773 #21174 See also: https://asktherav.com/23379-bracha-on-croutons-hebrew/Show more
The flight may not be paid for with Maaser. If the Shluchim qualify for Maaser, i.e. they cannot make ends meet, you may buy for them their needs from Maaser money. If you are buying items for the Chabad… The flight may not be paid for with Maaser. If the Shluchim qualify for Maaser, i.e. they cannot make ends meet, you may buy for them their needs from Maaser money. If you are buying items for the Chabad House or for their outreach activities it may be bought from Maaser. דמי הנסיעה - ראה בשאלה #1882. וכש״כ כאן. #2735Show more
Have a Halachic Question?
Submit your question and receive an answer shortly.
Submit A Question
