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If one puts on only Tefillin Shel Rosh, which Brocho should he make?

על מצות. מקורות: ראה מה שכתבנו מזה בארוכה בקובץ העו״ב יו״ד שבט תשס״ז ע' 167. #4175

What is the difference between a Rav and a Mashpia?

A Rov is someone who answers halachic queries. A Mashpia, AKA Aseh Lecha Rav, answers queries in Avodas Hashem, and assesses your spiritual standing in a regular basis. …

I come from a town with one kosher restaurant. Many locals and tourists alike rely on the restaurant. The restaurant has to do construction (otherwise the city will remove the permits) which requires it to be closed for an entire day. This causes a major inconvenience and even can cause some to eat non-kosher R”L. Is their any way to hire a Goy to do the construction on Yom Tov when the restaurant is closed anyways?

No. #4274

Is it okay to have my name written in a Smicha certificate with Ksav Stam (Ashuri)?

There is no Issur to do so. However, ideally כתב אשורי should be used only for holy matters. Sources: הנה, בשו״ת הרמב״ם בלאו רסח: הטעם השני אשר…

Can the Avi-Haben buy a new Kapota for the Bris during Sefira?

I've heard that the Avi-Haben doesn't take a haircut during Sefira, does the same apply to new clothes? Answer: The Avi-Haben may buy new clothing for the Bris…

When should one get his hair cut before Shavuos this year, since Erev Shavuos is Shabbos?

It is a Mitzvah to have hair cut before every Yom Tov, so as not to enter into Yom Tov unkempt. The prohibition of haircutting on Chol Hamoed was…

Is it okay to say that Moshiach is already here and the Geulah is already here? The Rebbe said it and printed it and even said that a Yid needs to agree that it’s here. But a lot of people are telling me that it’s wrong.

Your question reminds me of the story where the rabbi presiding over a Din Torah has determined that both parties are in the right. His wife in the kitchen…

האם מותר לעשות מסיבת “קבלת תורה” לגן ילדים עם מוזיקה ביום שלישי ראש חודש סיון ביום?

האיסור לשמוע כלי נגינה היא עד ליל ערב שבועות. ויש מתירים מיום ג׳ סיון בבוקר. אין היתר רק לילדים קטנים קודם גיל החינוך. ועם כל זה אין זה בדרך…

If I Daven after Chatzos on a regular Friday, do I say Tachnun?

1. One may not daven after Chatzos. 2. Tachanun isn’t recited Friday after Chatzos. #4261

Lighting Shabbos Candles When Wife Isn’t Home For Shabbos

Question: My wife will be away for Shabbos and light candles where she is. I will be eating at home together with my children. Is the candle that my…

ממתי אפשר להסתפר השנה שערב שבועות חל בשבת? אפשר כבר מליל שישי?

מצוה על האדם לגלח בערב יום–טוב, שלא יכנס לרגל כשהוא מנוול [ומפני טעם זה אסרו לגלח ב(חול ה)מועד], ובפרט בערב שבועות (כיון שלא הסתפרו בימי הספירה). השנה, שערב שבועות…

May I split the cost of buying a video with someone and each of us will keep a digital copy?

You may buy the video together, and take turns using it, but you can’t make an additional copy, since it has a copyright. #4167

Is a non Jewish family who will soon be going through conversion allowed to say Brochos on lighting the Menorah? And are there a group of Brochos they are not allowed to say in general?

They may not say Brachos on Mitzvos or Brachos which contain content which isn’t applicable such as "שלא עשני גוי" or ״אלקי אבותינו״. They may say Brachos on food.…

If the Baal Korah is a Cohen and there is no other Cohen in the Minyan, who gets Shlishi for Bechukosai?

You have several options, listed in order of preference: 1. Someone else should prepare the Kriah of that Aliya and he will take that Aliya (without being called up)…

Who should take the Aliyah that has the Tochacha if the Ba’al Kriyah is a Levi?

You have several options, listed in order of preference: 1. Someone else should prepare the Kriah of that Aliya and he will take that Aliya (without being called up)…

Is there an Inyan to have the same Mohel for all the boys in the family?

It's not just an Inyan; it’s usually halachically required. טעמים ומקורות: מועתק כאן מספר מקיף על הלכות מילה להרה״ג ר׳ מרדכי אורי אנגלמן שליט”א (בשינוים קלים - במודגש עם…

I remember there was an Inyan of giving money to a school when a baby is born, but I am not sure. Is it accurate?

Yes. This is our Minhag, at the time of the Bris. ראה היום יום כ״ח אדר שני. שיחת ז׳ אד״ש תשי״א. #981 (2)

There is someone in my Shule who sometimes on his own adjusts the heat or put on the air conditioner etc. on Shabbos. Does that create a problem of having Hana’ah for the rest of us in the Shule? I can say that usually, most people are comfortable the way things are, but, perhaps sometimes it does enhance the Shule.

The individual must be told that this is forbidden to do. If he does do it, one need not leave the Shule. However, one should not stay in the…

Tzivos Hashem has identical sweatshirts and caps for boys and girls. Is there a problem with this?

There is no problem with clothing which by nature are the same for men and women. Nonetheless there should be other ways to identify between man and woman when…

I bought a new summer weekday dress the other day, completely forgetting that one isn’t supposed to go shopping during Sefira. May I keep the dress? If yes, must I wait until after Shavuos to wear it?

You may keep the dress. If it is a simple day to day dress, you may wear it now. If it is an expensive Shabbos dress, you should wait…

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If one puts on only Tefillin Shel Rosh, which Brocho should he make?

What is the difference between a Rav and a Mashpia?

Is it okay to have my name written in a Smicha certificate with Ksav Stam (Ashuri)?

Can the Avi-Haben buy a new Kapota for the Bris during Sefira?

When should one get his hair cut before Shavuos this year, since Erev Shavuos is Shabbos?

Is it okay to say that Moshiach is already here and the Geulah is already here? The Rebbe said it and printed it and even said that a Yid needs to agree that it’s here. But a lot of people are telling me that it’s wrong.

האם מותר לעשות מסיבת “קבלת תורה” לגן ילדים עם מוזיקה ביום שלישי ראש חודש סיון ביום?

If I Daven after Chatzos on a regular Friday, do I say Tachnun?

Lighting Shabbos Candles When Wife Isn’t Home For Shabbos

ממתי אפשר להסתפר השנה שערב שבועות חל בשבת? אפשר כבר מליל שישי?

May I split the cost of buying a video with someone and each of us will keep a digital copy?

Is a non Jewish family who will soon be going through conversion allowed to say Brochos on lighting the Menorah? And are there a group of Brochos they are not allowed to say in general?

If the Baal Korah is a Cohen and there is no other Cohen in the Minyan, who gets Shlishi for Bechukosai?

Who should take the Aliyah that has the Tochacha if the Ba’al Kriyah is a Levi?

Is there an Inyan to have the same Mohel for all the boys in the family?

I remember there was an Inyan of giving money to a school when a baby is born, but I am not sure. Is it accurate?

Tzivos Hashem has identical sweatshirts and caps for boys and girls. Is there a problem with this?

I bought a new summer weekday dress the other day, completely forgetting that one isn’t supposed to go shopping during Sefira. May I keep the dress? If yes, must I wait until after Shavuos to wear it?