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Question: I am making a Bris for my son. I'm wondering what the Chabad Minhag is whether I should go to work after or not? I teach music (with Jewish songs and stories) and also secular studies. Answer:… Question: I am making a Bris for my son. I'm wondering what the Chabad Minhag is whether I should go to work after or not? I teach music (with Jewish songs and stories) and also secular studies. Answer: Mazal Tov. Many Poskim advise that the father not work on the day of the Bris. Nonetheless, this isn’t strictly forbidden. There is no known Chabad tradition on this matter. Sources: יו״ט שלו הוא - רמ״א או״ח תקנט. ובמאמ״ר תסח,…Show more
Yes. Sources: כן המנהג. וכן מעשה רב במוצש״ק, אור לי״ז טבת,…
Hard boiled eggs need not be checked. Sources: ברא״ש ע״ז ג, כט, דלא חיישינן לדם בביצים לפי…
Question: Regarding Nittel Nacht, if someone won’t be Davening Maariv in Shul that night, is it preferable to Daven Maariv at home at Tzeis Hakochavim, or as one is anyway not Davening with a Minyan, Daven just after Chatzos?… Question: Regarding Nittel Nacht, if someone won’t be Davening Maariv in Shul that night, is it preferable to Daven Maariv at home at Tzeis Hakochavim, or as one is anyway not Davening with a Minyan, Daven just after Chatzos? Is Davening not included in the addition to Chayos on this night? Answer: Davening is NOT included. One should not delay Davening unnecessarily. Krias Shema of Maariv MUST be recited before Chatzos. Lchatchillah, one should not push off Davening Shemoneh Esrei till after Chatzos. Sources: ק״ש של ערבית - טושו״ע או״ח רלה, ג. תפלת…Show more
Yes. Sources: כן המנהג בחצרות חסידים. וכן נהג הר״י ע״ה וויינבערג…
A water cooler is essentially a fridge. Still, even with a fridge, the usage of modern fridges on Shabbos isn’t that simple. See here for more details: Halacha2go.com article #700: Hot Debate: Keeping Food Cold on Shabbos Furthermore, a… A water cooler is essentially a fridge. Still, even with a fridge, the usage of modern fridges on Shabbos isn’t that simple. See here for more details: Halacha2go.com article #700: Hot Debate: Keeping Food Cold on Shabbos Furthermore, a cooler is worse, as the effect is more instantaneous. In the case of a cooler, one should neutralize the UV light before Shabbos, if there is one. It is also recommended to disconnect the electricity before Shabbos and check if water still comes out. If no water comes out, this proves that the operation is electrical and not mechanical. If…Show more
While it is forbidden to directly filter on Shabbos due to Borer (see Alter Rebbe's Shulchon Aruch 319: 23), if a filter is attached to the faucet it is permitted, so long as you let the faucet run… While it is forbidden to directly filter on Shabbos due to Borer (see Alter Rebbe's Shulchon Aruch 319: 23), if a filter is attached to the faucet it is permitted, so long as you let the faucet run before filling your cup or pitcher. Sources: בקצרה: כמה טעמים שמלכתחילה אינו בגדר בורר - שאינו…Show more
The Brachah is made by the one who is separating the Challah, even if it is not their dough and they are not baking it.
No. This is a violation of Yichud. Sources: אשה אחת עם שני אנשים מותר רק בכשרים. ולדעת…
1. From half-hour before the time for Krias Shma until after one Davens Maariv, it is forbidden to eat a proper meal. However, one may snack on small quantities of fruit and drink etc. One may also consume Mezonos… 1. From half-hour before the time for Krias Shma until after one Davens Maariv, it is forbidden to eat a proper meal. However, one may snack on small quantities of fruit and drink etc. One may also consume Mezonos if it is not more than a K'beitzah. [The Terumas Hadeshen indicates that even snacks are forbidden. This is not the accepted Halacha. Nevertheless, some choose to practice this as a stringency.] 2. If one nonetheless began a meal within the half-hour, he stops to recite Krias Shma as soon as the preferred time arrives, but he may conclude the…Show more
Spending Shabbos at a Hotel Due to the widespread use of technology, there are quite a number of issues that have to be addressed prior to spending Shabbos at a hotel. Doors: All the doors we go through have… Spending Shabbos at a Hotel Due to the widespread use of technology, there are quite a number of issues that have to be addressed prior to spending Shabbos at a hotel. Doors: All the doors we go through have to be manual, not electronic; if we must use an electronic door, we should wait until a non-Jew walks through the door, and then walk through together with them. If the door to our hotel room is equipped with an electronic key, we may not open the door, nor may we handle the keys, as they’re considered to be Muktzah.…Show more
You may bring the bags to the front desk to watch. Since giving the bags to the hotel to watch is a permissible act, there is no issue of Amirah L’nachri. This should be arranged in advance for various… You may bring the bags to the front desk to watch. Since giving the bags to the hotel to watch is a permissible act, there is no issue of Amirah L’nachri. This should be arranged in advance for various reasons. Alternatively, you are allowed to put your Muktzah items in your suitcase before Shabbos, and then Shabbos morning close it up and bring it to the luggage room, if the non-Muktzah items inside are more important than the Muktzah items. In principle, one would have to first shake out the Muktzah items before carrying the suitcase, but in this…Show more
I know that we don’t cut our nails on Thursday. Answer: If there is a need or if it is for a Mitzvah, you may do it on Thursday. Best to wait till after nightfall. Sources: בשו״ע אדה״ז רס, ב הובא כדעה בתראה, וידוע השקו״ט…
Question: I asked my brother for a large loan and he was not able to give me one. However, he offered to give me from his bank (home equity) line of credit which charges interest of approximately 6%. I… Question: I asked my brother for a large loan and he was not able to give me one. However, he offered to give me from his bank (home equity) line of credit which charges interest of approximately 6%. I assured him that any interest charges he incurs I will repay so that he does not lose anything for giving me the loan. We want to ask if there is any problem with doing this? The loan was for a little over a month and the repayment would be sent directly to his bank, not to him. Answer: If…Show more
If not, can one give Maaser for funds received in a check before depositing it? If not, what about after depositing it, before it has been processed (e.g. Mobile deposit, transaction pending, etc.). Answer: The Halachah is that… If not, can one give Maaser for funds received in a check before depositing it? If not, what about after depositing it, before it has been processed (e.g. Mobile deposit, transaction pending, etc.). Answer: The Halachah is that one may in fact give Maaser Kesafim on account of future income. However, one should nevertheless separate Maaser again when those earnings actually arrive and then one could keep it as reimbursement for the Tzedakah that was laid out previously. Poskim state that it is advisable to stipulate before committing to adopt the practice of separating Maaser, that one should…Show more
Question: If I am teaching a student a song of Davening such as Shmoneh Esrei, can I teach her the song of the Davening using Hashem's name? Is the girl allowed to practice the Davening song using Hashem's name?… Question: If I am teaching a student a song of Davening such as Shmoneh Esrei, can I teach her the song of the Davening using Hashem's name? Is the girl allowed to practice the Davening song using Hashem's name? Answer: If you are teaching a full Brachah of Shemone Esrei, you can teach the song using Hashem's name if it is necessary. However, it is preferred to say Hashem’s name as Ado.., without saying the whole name, if the students would understand the intent. While they "Daven", they can sing the song using Hashem’s name, but when practicing…Show more
Question: I have heard that on some fast days and the night following it, meat/chicken shouldn't be eaten. Which fast days does this apply to and is this the same Din for someone not fasting (pregnancy, nursing etc.)? … Question: I have heard that on some fast days and the night following it, meat/chicken shouldn't be eaten. Which fast days does this apply to and is this the same Din for someone not fasting (pregnancy, nursing etc.)? Answer: This applies according to halacha the night after Tisha B’av. Some follow this custom on the night preceding and following every fast (with the exception of the night after Yom Kippur). This concept can apply even to those who don’t fast, if their health permits. However, the Alter Rebbe implies that this applies only in relation to the night…Show more
There is no such Halacha, except regarding a Kos Shel Bracha. Some are particular about this as they are concerned that broken dishes are associated with Kelipah, which brings about forgetting one’s learning. However, there is no clear… There is no such Halacha, except regarding a Kos Shel Bracha. Some are particular about this as they are concerned that broken dishes are associated with Kelipah, which brings about forgetting one’s learning. However, there is no clear source for this custom. In any event, this only applies to clear breakages, not a chip or defect, and only to eating from such a dish, not mere usage of it. Also, women need not be particular. Obviously, if the chip can cause one to hurt themselves, one ought to be cautious. Sources: נלאו כו״כ למצוא מקור לקפידא הנ״ל. ובכה״ח ב, ג…Show more
יש החוששים שמורחים כלי מתכת וטפלון בשומן מן החי בשעת היצור ודורשים להגעיל. למעשה, מן הדין אין צורך כלל להגעיל, והוא חומרא בעלמא. ויתכן שגם אינו בגדר מדת חסידות. מקורות: ד״ז תלוי במציאות. ובזמננו כמעט ואין משתמשים בשומן מן החי.…
It is forbidden to use on Shabbos. Sources: עיין סימן שמ מש"ז ס"ק ג בנוגע אותיות שפולטים…
Question: Are lifting weights and stretching, done for enjoyment, completely Assur on Shabbos? I have a designated routine that I've been doing specifically on Shabbos, so it is not like my regular weekday workout. Answer: There are multiple… Question: Are lifting weights and stretching, done for enjoyment, completely Assur on Shabbos? I have a designated routine that I've been doing specifically on Shabbos, so it is not like my regular weekday workout. Answer: There are multiple issues with exercising on Shabbos. Even if done for enjoyment and using a different routine than during the week, one should still refrain. See here for additional information on the subject: https://asktherav.com/article-363-exercising-on-shabbos-and-yom-tov/ Sources: ראה שו"ע או״ח שכו, ה. שם שכז, ב. שכח,…Show more
There is no requirement, but it is a Minhag to pay for part or all of the Seudah, depending on circumstances. Sources: בארחות חיים הל׳ מילה שנותן מעות ליולדת - ואח״כ…
I recently came across a blanket on the street. I was afraid to touch it and find its owner being that I was in an unsafe part of the neighborhood, and the blanket, presumably having been trampled on, was dirty…I recently came across a blanket on the street. I was afraid to touch it and find its owner being that I was in an unsafe part of the neighborhood, and the blanket, presumably having been trampled on, was dirty and probably full of germs. Is it permissible to pass by something lying on the ground and, for safety reasons, transgress the Mitzvah of Hashavas Aveida? What should one do in a situation as such? Answer: You do not need to pick up the item or even go out of your way to announce its' whereabouts. In this case, if…Show more
The primary issue with putting together jigsaw puzzles is the issue of writing (Koisev), while taking them apart is the issue of erasing (Moichek). The prohibitions of writing and erasing on Shabbos extends to both words as well as… The primary issue with putting together jigsaw puzzles is the issue of writing (Koisev), while taking them apart is the issue of erasing (Moichek). The prohibitions of writing and erasing on Shabbos extends to both words as well as images, and even if they will not last a long time. Thus putting together a puzzle, thereby creating a picture, or taking it apart and thus erasing it, may be a transgression of this prohibition. (An additional issue will be discussed at the end.) On the other hand, since the picture already exists and one is merely connecting or disconnecting…Show more
If the money is given for a specific cause, Maaser should not be given. See here for more on this topic: Article: Ma’aser on Gift Money #2184
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