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  I got the Mirena IUD inserted on Friday. I know I might stain for a while. How does it work with Mikva? Would I be able to go to the mikva after a certain amount of time or a  I got the Mirena IUD inserted on Friday. I know I might stain for a while. How does it work with Mikva? Would I be able to go to the mikva after a certain amount of time or a certain staining color etc.   Answer: The actual IUD insertion makes you a Niddah [as does its removal]. Since it is common to experience irregular bleeding or staining during the first few months, it’s important to ensure you don’t become a Niddah unnecessarily by showing all shaalos to a Rav. Some situations might be halachically acceptable due to color…Show more
  Yes, as many times Chometz gets stuck there when one is eating and touches under the table and chair.     #3415 (2)

Are Magic Shows Permissible? 

  It is permissible to perform, watch, or bring out a magician (when done in a Tznius fashion) only if the magician explains to the audience that everything is slight of hand tricks etc. and that none of the magic…  It is permissible to perform, watch, or bring out a magician (when done in a Tznius fashion) only if the magician explains to the audience that everything is slight of hand tricks etc. and that none of the magic is real or possible. It is even better if he demonstrates with one trick how it is done. Many Poskim permit it even without the explanation if it is done by a non-Jew.   Sources: Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 179:15. Shach 17. See Igros Kodesh…Show more
  Article: Snow on Shabbos According to some Poskim, snow that falls on Shabbos is Muktzeh, but if it fell before Shabbos, it isn’t. Many Poskim say that we may not make snowballs on Shabbos—no matter when the…  Article: Snow on Shabbos According to some Poskim, snow that falls on Shabbos is Muktzeh, but if it fell before Shabbos, it isn’t. Many Poskim say that we may not make snowballs on Shabbos—no matter when the snow fell. We may not deliberately cause the snow to melt on Shabbos, but we are permitted to walk in it, since we are not intentionally melting the snow—and it is not a foregone conclusion that by walking in the snow we will cause it to melt. In fact, we may walk on the snow even if the snow will…Show more
  Yes.   Sources: שו"ע אדה"ז ב, ג. וראה מאמרי אדמו"ר האמצעי דברים…
If one has already answered Kedushah but hears a Minyan saying Kedushah, he should stop and say it with them. See here for more details.     #2450   This answer is sponsored: לע"נ רב יונה בן רב מאיר ע"ה 
  (if she needs to wash afterwards, does that prohibit her from saying a Brachah until she washes)?   Answer: Usually after nursing it is very likely a mother will have touched a part of her body that requires Netilas…  (if she needs to wash afterwards, does that prohibit her from saying a Brachah until she washes)?   Answer: Usually after nursing it is very likely a mother will have touched a part of her body that requires Netilas Yadayim. However, if the mother was careful not to touch any uncovered parts of her body, then she does not need to do Netilas Yadayim.   Sources: See Shulchan Aruch Admur Hazaken 4:18 (Mahadura Kama). Shu”t…Show more
  הרבי הורה בכמה מקומות שקודם שניגשים לשידוך יש לסדר לבקש מחילה אצל האח הגדול ושימחול לו במחילה גמורה, והמחילה עצמה היא סגולה שגם הוא ימצא שידוך בשעטו"מ.   Sources: כ"ה באג"ק חט"ו ע' קפב. ועד"ז בלקו"ש ח"כ ע'…
  AskTheRav cannot give a definitive answer on this. The following are issues to consider: 1. Is it OK to make a change to the structure of the Beis Hamikdosh?  There is room for leniency underground. See references in the…  AskTheRav cannot give a definitive answer on this. The following are issues to consider: 1. Is it OK to make a change to the structure of the Beis Hamikdosh?  There is room for leniency underground. See references in the Hebrew sources below. 2. Some Shuls of yesteryear had a custom not to allow heating. Some Poskim however preferred underground heating in a Shul. Do any of the reasons apply to the Beis Hamikdosh? The Beis Hamikdosh had heating in the Beis Hamoked. But that was in the non-sacred section. See below.   Sources: כמה צדדי שקו״ט כאן: הר הבית צ״ל חלול מפני…Show more
כיון שיש בעלות לפי חלק מהפוסקים על יצירה ספרותית וזה כולל גם על העריכה והעיצוב, לזאת אסור לצלם דפים אלו אם זה יגרום הפסד או מניעת ריוח למוציא לאור.   Sources: שו”ת צמח צדק חו”מ ע, ט.   This answer…

Can I attend a MicDrop event?

I have been encouraged by a close friend to attend a seminar called MicDrop. I have done a bit of research and there seems to be some questionable Halachic and Hashkafic issues with it, although I am not sure if…I have been encouraged by a close friend to attend a seminar called MicDrop. I have done a bit of research and there seems to be some questionable Halachic and Hashkafic issues with it, although I am not sure if they are truly real issues. I hear that people reveal publicly, private information about themselves and their relationships with others. I am assuming some information can possibly fall under the category of Lashon Harah. Also, there can be issues of breaches of Tznius with these revelations. I am not sure if they mention names of people who they are upset…Show more
Ovens are challenging to use for Shabbos and Yom Tov, for a number of reasons. The main problem with using them on Shabbos is the thermostat, which is affected by opening or closing the oven. When the oven door is…Ovens are challenging to use for Shabbos and Yom Tov, for a number of reasons. The main problem with using them on Shabbos is the thermostat, which is affected by opening or closing the oven. When the oven door is opened, the thermostat will detect the cold air that rushes in and will activate the heating element if it is off at that moment. It is forbidden to cause this to occur, even if all the food will be removed all at once before the oven door is re-closed. [If the oven door is re-closed with some of the food…Show more
  It is considered a Keli Sheni (or Shlishi, when using two cups). However, it should be noted that one should be stringent with boiling water in a Keli Sheni, and it should be considered as Keli Rishon. The solution…  It is considered a Keli Sheni (or Shlishi, when using two cups). However, it should be noted that one should be stringent with boiling water in a Keli Sheni, and it should be considered as Keli Rishon. The solution would be to pour from the Keli Sheni cup into another cup and only pour from the second cup into the bowl or cup. In this way, the cold contents of the bowl or cup serve to cool off the hot liquid. Additionally, there are those who question the acceptability of Keli Shlishi altogether, see here (in the references): https://asktherav.com/is-it-permissible-to-make-tea-and-coffee-in-a-keli-shlishi-using-instant-coffee-or-tea-bags-or-is-this-considered-coloring-the-water/…Show more
  If the Kesem is deemed Tamei you may start your five days from it, but for the calendar only an actual flow is considered for Vestos.     #2794
  Question: We are being guests for Shabbos and the room we will be staying in has Seforim bookcases. It would be complicated to cover them, is there anything else we can do to allow us to be together there?…  Question: We are being guests for Shabbos and the room we will be staying in has Seforim bookcases. It would be complicated to cover them, is there anything else we can do to allow us to be together there?   Answer: These are the following options: Erecting a Mechitzah ten Tefachim tall. However, this Mechitza should not be made on Shabbos. Placing the Seforim in a container which can contain forty Seah. Having the Seforim covered with two coverings. One may rely on the binding being one cover. Where no other choice exists, one can rely on covering themselves…Show more
  Must they all be kept? Is the difference only regarding Veses Kavua. How does it work?   Answer: After a birth one must keep the Onos (Hachodesh, Beinoni, Hafloga) only after she started having her period again (which usually…  Must they all be kept? Is the difference only regarding Veses Kavua. How does it work?   Answer: After a birth one must keep the Onos (Hachodesh, Beinoni, Hafloga) only after she started having her period again (which usually will not happening for a couple of months after a birth). Those Onos are to be kept as an "unfixed cycle". One cannot set up a fixed cycle during 24 months after a birth, even if 3 periods happen at the same date and Onah.   Source: Y"D 189 33.     #3117Show more
1) Push the buttons to adjust the hospital bed to a sitting/lying position (so she can nurse the baby and sleep when needed)? 2) Push the button to call the nurse for assistance. 3) Turn on hot water in the…1) Push the buttons to adjust the hospital bed to a sitting/lying position (so she can nurse the baby and sleep when needed)? 2) Push the button to call the nurse for assistance. 3) Turn on hot water in the sink to wash herself. Answer: If the baby was born Wednesday night after שקיעה, then it is considered within three days of childbirth. During this time one may be Mechalel Shabbos for anything normally done for a women after birth, even if she says she doesn’t need it, unless the doctor or nurse says it’s not needed. Nonetheless, it is…Show more
  I.e. a book, you never charged others to borrow, but because a person is using it without permission, the owner would like to stop such behavior by setting a fine.   Answer: One is not allowed to use someone…  I.e. a book, you never charged others to borrow, but because a person is using it without permission, the owner would like to stop such behavior by setting a fine.   Answer: One is not allowed to use someone else's belongings without permission. There are certain circumstances when one may use another's items without first asking permission (for the assumption is that the owner wouldn't mind). An example would be, one is allowed to borrow a Talis or Tefilin without the knowledge of the owner so that they can used for a Mitzvah. However, this is only if it…Show more
  The point of the canteen is to give access to kosher food to the students that need that availability. There is also a point or ticket system that they are rewarded with, that they can redeem in the canteen.  The point of the canteen is to give access to kosher food to the students that need that availability. There is also a point or ticket system that they are rewarded with, that they can redeem in the canteen. They can get food with cash as well.   Answer: They can pick up items in the canteen and pay after Shabbos. They should not mention price or measurement. The canteen should find a method of keeping a record through paperclips etc. Using points is OK. But it is questionable whether one may use special Yeshiva dollars or vouchers. See…Show more
Yes. See here at length for an analysis of the issues. Kosher Cholov Yisroel whey protein powder is available. See, for example, here.  
  צריך טבילה. אם בברכה, תלוי בכמה פרטים. אם הכלי לא הי׳ ראוי כלל לשימוש לפני זה, וכגון שיש בו נקב בשיעור כונס משקה, יטביל בברכה. אם הי׳ ראוי לשימוש, יש מקום לסמוך לברך, בפרט אם החלק החדש של הגוי…  צריך טבילה. אם בברכה, תלוי בכמה פרטים. אם הכלי לא הי׳ ראוי כלל לשימוש לפני זה, וכגון שיש בו נקב בשיעור כונס משקה, יטביל בברכה. אם הי׳ ראוי לשימוש, יש מקום לסמוך לברך, בפרט אם החלק החדש של הגוי גדול יותר. אם המתכת הוא רק מעמיד או ציפוי, יטביל ללא ברכה.   מקורות: שקו״ט בכמה פרטים: דין שותפות יהודי וגוי. אומן קונה…Show more

Bracha on Granola for Children

  Question: I saw the Rav say that granola bars are Ha'adoma, but for the after Brachah one should try to either eat it B'toch Seuda or to eat a small amount of it at a time, taking care not…  Question: I saw the Rav say that granola bars are Ha'adoma, but for the after Brachah one should try to either eat it B'toch Seuda or to eat a small amount of it at a time, taking care not to eat a Kezayis or more within a time-span of Achilas Pras. My question is for children where the above two options are not possible, is it better not to give them this snack, or to give it and just tell them to make a Borei Nefoshos?   Answer: L'chatchilla one should not eat a Kezayis of a granola bar…Show more
  One may schmear hair oil. However, one may not use a cream or ointment (besides for the issue of ממרח) or gel or spray, which shapes the hair. Only a little bit of oil should be used so that…  One may schmear hair oil. However, one may not use a cream or ointment (besides for the issue of ממרח) or gel or spray, which shapes the hair. Only a little bit of oil should be used so that it doesn’t cause squeezing the hair.   Sources: ראה ריב״ש, הובא במג״א שג, כג. משנ״ב בבה״ל שם…Show more

Shabbos & the Hotplate

  Question: We are getting a hot plate for Shabbos. On Shabbos, how does one reheat cold food from the fridge on a hot plate? Is it permissible for a Goy to put cold food from the fridge onto the…  Question: We are getting a hot plate for Shabbos. On Shabbos, how does one reheat cold food from the fridge on a hot plate? Is it permissible for a Goy to put cold food from the fridge onto the hotplate to reheat it? Our hot plate does not have a timer yet or a temperature adjuster.   Answer: Hotplates are permissible to use for Shabbos if used in a kosher manner, i.e. being careful about placing cold food on the hotplate (Nesina Batchillah), and how to return pots back unto the hotplate (Chazara).   Placing food before Shabbos (Shehiya):Show more
If you make sure to wash them well so that there is definitely no Milchigs whatsoever on the vegetables, then it is OK.

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