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If there is a big need, one may attend a workshop (that is in a Kosher fashion) taking place in a Muslim school. This is especially since the event is not taking place in the actual mosque. Sources: There is a dispute whether one may enter a…
There is no Halachic problem in doing so. Gedolei Yisroel of all generations, including the Rebbe, have done so. Some are careful not to write their own Chiddushim in a Sefer of Tanach, but even that isn’t practiced widely.… There is no Halachic problem in doing so. Gedolei Yisroel of all generations, including the Rebbe, have done so. Some are careful not to write their own Chiddushim in a Sefer of Tanach, but even that isn’t practiced widely. If there is a mistake in a Sefer, it should be corrected on the margin, unless the Sefer belongs to someone else and he would mind the look of the Sefer after the correction. However, one should not alter the actual text. One may not write secular matters in a Sefer. Nonetheless, many have a custom to write their family…Show more
The Milchig knife needs to be Kashered. The Fleishig dishes are fine. Sources: .סי' צ"ה ש"ך סק"י…
The part that comes in contact with the corn requires Tevilah. Regarding electric appliances in general - see here: https://asktherav.com/do-i-need-to-toivel-my-electric-hot-water-urn/
The problem with a Chasan giving the Kalah a ring before the Marriage under the Chupah, particularly in the context of an engagement proposal and using words associated with marriage, is very serious. Using a different piece of jewelry… The problem with a Chasan giving the Kalah a ring before the Marriage under the Chupah, particularly in the context of an engagement proposal and using words associated with marriage, is very serious. Using a different piece of jewelry or any other gift in the context of an engagement proposal is also problematic. It is not only an issue of Chabad custom, but a Halachic problem involving a question of potential Kiddushin prior to marriage — and quite serious consequences if they separate C"V. It also puts the Beracha of Kidushin under the Chupa into question. This idea should…Show more
According to Halacha, if it is clean it needs no rinsing. However, some say that according to Kabalah it should be rinsed even if clean. The Rebbe would wipe out his Becher even though it was rinsed first. Sources: שו״ע או״ח קפג, א. אדה״ז שם ב. וראה כה״ח…
When making a cup of coffee or tea on Shabbos, it is common to pour boiling water into a cup that was previously used for hot water or was rinsed with cold water. This raises the question of whether this…When making a cup of coffee or tea on Shabbos, it is common to pour boiling water into a cup that was previously used for hot water or was rinsed with cold water. This raises the question of whether this would be considered Bishul (cooking), since the boiling water affects the small amount of cold water left in the cup from prior use. The Halachah is that, strictly speaking, Irui (pouring hot water) is a problem on Shabbos only when water is added to solids, not to liquids. However, there’s room for stringency if one is adding a comparatively large…Show more
There is a specific prohibition against using any type of boat or other flotation device on Shabbos and/or Yom Tov, even on a private lake etc. (though it may be permissible in certain specific types of swimming pools). Sources: .גמ' ביצה ל"ו ע' ב', שו"ע אדה"ז סי' רמ"ח…
Question: The Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch (Mahadura Basra) indicates that it is appropriate to wake up before Alos Hashachar. How should we conduct ourselves nowadays? Answer: Poskim say that if waking up early would affect one's health or… Question: The Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch (Mahadura Basra) indicates that it is appropriate to wake up before Alos Hashachar. How should we conduct ourselves nowadays? Answer: Poskim say that if waking up early would affect one's health or concentration in Davening, one may wake up later. Also, nowadays that we have electricity and people stay awake late at night, it is okay to wake up a bit later. However, one must ensure not to miss Zman Krias Shema and Tefillah, as well as Tefillah B'tzibur. One should be up an hour or at least a half hour before…Show more
One may wear a hairband with teeth on Shabbos outdoors provided that it is connected firm to the hair. One may put on and adjust a hairband with teeth on Shabbos and Yom Tov provided that one ensures that… One may wear a hairband with teeth on Shabbos outdoors provided that it is connected firm to the hair. One may put on and adjust a hairband with teeth on Shabbos and Yom Tov provided that one ensures that it will not remove a hair while doing so. Reasoning: A hairband is permissible and not considered 'carrying' since it is to keep the hair together. Although, combing hair which can inadvertently uproot hair is forbidden (see Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim 303:27 & Mishna Berurah ibid:87 in regards to using a hard comb), however placing or adjusting a hairband…Show more
Can I eat in a home where the water used for cooking is not filtered? Answer: According to most Poskim, tap water in NYC must be filtered due the infestation of copepods or crustaceans. Thus, if one… Can I eat in a home where the water used for cooking is not filtered? Answer: According to most Poskim, tap water in NYC must be filtered due the infestation of copepods or crustaceans. Thus, if one isn’t filtering their water, you should not drink water in their home, due to the severe prohibition of Tolaiim. Extensive cooking and mixing the food, especially if blended, can crush the insects to the extent that they lose the status of a Briah - complete creature - and can become Batul - nullified - if it’s impossible to remove them.…Show more
One should not buy any fish from a non-Kosher store if the skin has been removed and you cannot identify if it has scales (and is actually a kosher fish). Some are lenient with salmon due to its color.… One should not buy any fish from a non-Kosher store if the skin has been removed and you cannot identify if it has scales (and is actually a kosher fish). Some are lenient with salmon due to its color. But this leniency shouldn’t be relied upon. The way to buy it from a non-Kosher store is to ask for the fish before it is skinned. In addition, if buying from a non-Kosher store, one should be aware that the knives and boards used there have non-Kosher grease on them. You should therefore bring your own knife and make sure…Show more
Expressing Mother’s Milk on Shabbos A nursing mother may feed her baby in the usual manner on Shabbos. This sometimes entails expressing some milk directly into a newborn’s mouth, and this is allowed on Shabbos, if necessary. In the… Expressing Mother’s Milk on Shabbos A nursing mother may feed her baby in the usual manner on Shabbos. This sometimes entails expressing some milk directly into a newborn’s mouth, and this is allowed on Shabbos, if necessary. In the case of engorgement, or other situations that would require a nursing mother to express milk when she is not feeding her baby, there are strict limitations. It’s a Melachah Min HaTorah (a Biblical prohibition) to even manually pump mother’s milk into a container for use, and it is Assur Mi’dirabbanan (forbidden by rabbinic decree) to express the milk in a…Show more
Firstly, one needs to ensure that there is no tearing on letters or designs when opening any package. If it is possible to open the package without ripping the letters then one may attempt to do so even if… Firstly, one needs to ensure that there is no tearing on letters or designs when opening any package. If it is possible to open the package without ripping the letters then one may attempt to do so even if there is a chance that he may accidentally tear the letters. The concerns of opening a band-aid or diapers for the first time on Shabbos touch on either the Melochos of מכה בפטיש or קורע or תופר. There is a Machlokes whether these may be stuck or unstuck on Shabbos. Therefore, one should open them before Shabbos, unstick them, and…Show more
Poskim address the subject of pasta that was first cooked and ready to eat as a regular cooked food, but then further baked, such as lasagna or baked ziti. The halacha is that in this case, it becomes Hamotzi*,… Poskim address the subject of pasta that was first cooked and ready to eat as a regular cooked food, but then further baked, such as lasagna or baked ziti. The halacha is that in this case, it becomes Hamotzi*, unless a large amount of tomato sauce or other liquid remains in the pan after baking. [*This doesn't apply to regular pasta that was first cooked and later simply reheated in the oven; in such a case, it remains Mezonos.] There are, however, two exceptions: If the pasta is egg-based rather than water-based, it is Mezonos. If the sum total…Show more
Q. When is the 7th hour that we're not supposed to make Kiddush? A. There is a dispute whether it is the seventh hour of that specific day or the seventh hour from the average midday. The custom is… Q. When is the 7th hour that we're not supposed to make Kiddush? A. There is a dispute whether it is the seventh hour of that specific day or the seventh hour from the average midday. The custom is to follow the average midday, with the time being the same throughout the whole year (adjusting to DST accordingly). [Some follow always 6:00 to 7:00 pm no matter the location, though it is difficult to comprehend this opinion.] The average midday is different in every location because it is based on the longitude of each place. In Crown Heights, the…Show more
Mentalist - If the performer clearly attributes their results to natural skills, such as the ability to read body language or to manipulate the subject subliminally through psychological suggestion, then it should be permissible. Illusionist - It is permissible… Mentalist - If the performer clearly attributes their results to natural skills, such as the ability to read body language or to manipulate the subject subliminally through psychological suggestion, then it should be permissible. Illusionist - It is permissible to perform, watch, or bring out an illusionist (which is done with Tznius of course) only if the magician explains to the audience that everything is sleight of hand tricks etc. and that none of the magic is real or possible. Even better would be if he demonstrates how one trick is done. Many Poskim permit if it is done…Show more
Question: My cleaning help saw a bottle of non-Mevushal wine on my dining room table, but she did not touch it. Can it be used for Kiddush? Can it be used just as a drink? Answer: The wine… Question: My cleaning help saw a bottle of non-Mevushal wine on my dining room table, but she did not touch it. Can it be used for Kiddush? Can it be used just as a drink? Answer: The wine is permissible. Some have a stringency - not rooted in Halacha - not to use the wine for Kiddush or other Kos Shel Brocho. Many Chassidim practice this stringency. Others are particular not to use it at all. Below is a brief informative discussion on the general topic: Wine Touched by Non-Jews Wine which is not Mevushal, boiled, and…Show more
Am I as a Bochur allowed to hug/hold/touch my 3 year old niece? Despite a common misconception, there are strict Halachic guidelines regarding touching, hugging, and kissing relatives of the opposite gender. In fact, these Halachos are often… Am I as a Bochur allowed to hug/hold/touch my 3 year old niece? Despite a common misconception, there are strict Halachic guidelines regarding touching, hugging, and kissing relatives of the opposite gender. In fact, these Halachos are often more stringent because Libo Gas Ba, there is a higher degree of familiarity among family members. Of course, different Halachos pertain to spouses, parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren. However, an uncle may not touch in a loving, friendly manner, hug, or kiss his niece once she turns three. The same applies to an aunt and her nephew, as well…Show more
There is no Halachic issue whatsoever with doing so, nor is such a Kepeida or custom to be particularly cautious about this matter recorded in any of the Seforim which list a range of “superstitions” in the realm of Shemiras…There is no Halachic issue whatsoever with doing so, nor is such a Kepeida or custom to be particularly cautious about this matter recorded in any of the Seforim which list a range of “superstitions” in the realm of Shemiras Hanefesh. While there are Torah sources which mention to be cautious in matters that people consider worthy of caution, it applies to matters which are rooted in ancient Jewish tradition, but not to “beliefs” which are sourced in general folklore and have no Jewish basis. See also the references listed here in the מראי מקומות tab. Show more
Question: Is there any reason not to give my Maaser to people who stop me on the street asking for Tzedaka? Is it a problem that they may not be Jewish? Can I give Maaser to non-Jews who ask… Question: Is there any reason not to give my Maaser to people who stop me on the street asking for Tzedaka? Is it a problem that they may not be Jewish? Can I give Maaser to non-Jews who ask for money, in the subway let's say? Answer: One must give Tzedaka, even a minimal amount, to all people who stop and ask for Tzedaka. See here and here for the parameters of this obligation. If they are not Jewish, other Halachos apply, as indicated below. In an area where most passersby are Jewish, one should assume they are…Show more
Question: I'm teaching in a school to girls who struggle in many areas. What would you suggest as basic Tefillos that would be the minimum the girls should be trained to say? Answer: Each case should be… Question: I'm teaching in a school to girls who struggle in many areas. What would you suggest as basic Tefillos that would be the minimum the girls should be trained to say? Answer: Each case should be determined individually by the Mechaneches. However, as a general rule regarding women's Davening, the following is a guideline what they should minimally say: (The Mechaneches can subtract some parts from this list if she feels that the class is not ready for all these parts yet.) שחרית: ברכות-השחר, ברכות-התורה, פרשת התמיד, פסוק ראשון של שמע, ברכת אמת ויציב (עד…Show more
Question: On which side of the Mechitzah does a transgender man (i.e., someone who was born a woman but identifies herself as a man) sit? Answer: While there are different opinions among the Achronim about the status of… Question: On which side of the Mechitzah does a transgender man (i.e., someone who was born a woman but identifies herself as a man) sit? Answer: While there are different opinions among the Achronim about the status of a person who R"L goes through a transgender surgery, the consensus is that the individual retains their original status. Regarding where to sit, she should sit in the women’s section dressed as a woman. Even if she doesn't appear completely like a woman, it would be acceptable to sit there in this case. On the other hand, sitting in the…Show more
Yes. But the necklace has to be made before Shabbos. It may also be worn in a place where there’s no eiruv. Sources: עיין משנה שבת ס״ה וגמרא שם במטבע פרפרה עליו…
Question: What happens if somebody buys your (a Jew's) bank note that you owe the bank and that person is a Jew himself (an attorney collection firm). Now he is suing you and is demanding back and future interest… Question: What happens if somebody buys your (a Jew's) bank note that you owe the bank and that person is a Jew himself (an attorney collection firm). Now he is suing you and is demanding back and future interest on the note that he purchased. He’s obviously doing this in secular court. What happens if the court orders you to pay him? You are a Jew paying interest to another Jew and you are ordered by the court of law. Would Dina D'malchusah Dina not apply in this case since there is an Issur of the Torah? Would bankruptcy…Show more
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