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Is it permissible to add boiling water with a cup from the Shabbos urn to the Cholent in the crock pot, in order to add moisture so that the Cholent should not burn, without mixing or doing anything else?

One is not allowed to take water in a glass and pour into the crock pot because of the Issur of Chazara. The water may be poured directly into the…

Is it a problem to bring something with Alef-Beis on them, into a bathroom, (e.g. Negel Vasser set, Yarmulke)?

While there is room for stringency, the custom is to be lenient. Newspapers are printed regularly in Hebrew using square characters, כתב מרובע, and the custom is to use…

There is an expensive item that once it has been shipped, if it is canceled before it reaches the buyer, the store gives a refund, but it does not have to be returned. Knowing this policy, can it be ordered L’chatchila – planning to cancel the order once it is shipped and keeping the item and the refund?

This may not be done. Sources: איסור גניבת דעת קיים גם בגוי, וכיון שודאי אין ברצונו של המוכר שיקנו ממנו ויבקשו החזר, הרי זה גניבת דעת. ראה שו"ע חושן…

Is there any room to permit placing a Bimah in the front of a Shul?

The Bimah may not be in the front of the shul. If absolutely necessary, there is room to permit so when there is at least one row of seats…

Is it Halachically acceptable to display an open Sefer Torah in a glass display case in a Shul?

Several Shuls do this with Sifrei Torah from the holocaust... Answer: It is permissible to keep a worn-out invalid Sefer Torah in a glass display in a Shul.…

Is there an Inyan in Chabad to wear a hat and jacket? where is the source?

Yes, there is a Halachik Inyan, practiced by Charedi Jews at large and not unique to Chabad. See references below. Please listen here for a quick explanation on the matter.…

Ideally, what is the the earliest time one can do Tallis, Tefilin, Shema and Shacharis – all of these from Misheyakir? Bedieved, for example someone who starts work really early, what is the earliest time one can do Tallis, Tefilin, Shema and shacharis?

Lechatchilah one may Daven Shemone Esrei from Netz Hachamah. However, one should not make a Brochoh on Tallis and Tefilin until after Misheyakir. In this situation, follow this procedure (assuming…

Would a woman rapping to a beat be considered Kol Isha?

As we are looking to record a rap for a fundraiser we are doing and want to have women involved.. Answer: Men may not listen to a woman…

May I Learn Kabbalah Before the Age of 40?

Question: Does the restriction of learning Kabbalah only after the age of 40 still apply nowadays? How about learning it when it is translated into English? Answer: Firstly,…

Can I cook a whole garlic head without peeling it at all? I am concerned that there may be bugs by the root. And if permitted what would be the procedure to clean it to be able to do so?

You may not, as garlic must be checked since it is sometimes infested. The peels have insects, but the cloves, though, are generally clean. Therefore the peels should be…

My two year old daughter stuck a cold pizza in the Pareve toaster oven. But did not turn on the toaster so everything remained cold. But perhaps some of the cheese got scraped off the pizza into the toaster and when turned on will be heating up those specs of cheese. Does this make the toaster Milchig?

If the toaster looks clean, it remains Pareve.

If I bake a cake in a Pareve oven using clean utensils that are sometimes used for Fleishigs, is the cake considered completely Pareve?

No, it is not necessarily completely Pareve. To make a cake Pareve, you have to put the cake in a disposable dish, Pareve dishes, or with a piece of aluminum…

I grew up knowing that there was a Jewish Hamsa and the hand of Fatima, the Arabic Hamsa. My grandmother who lived in North Africa was very adamant not to let the hand of Fatima in our house. The later has 2 thumbs but the Jewish Hamsa has only one thumb. Are there any sources for this? Today all one can find and sees everywhere is the hand with 2 thumbs.

While there are some traditional Jewish sources mentioning the Hamsa, none make the distinction that you have mentioned. Indeed, there are available ancient Jewish Hamsas which have two symmetrical…

I have heard that the Minhag is for a Chosson to wear all new clothing by the Chupa. What is the source for this? And does it include his coat and glasses? Additionally, is there an Inyan to have my Tefillin checked before the Chasunah?

This is a Shmuah in the name of the Rebbe Rayatz, although there is strong support for this in earlier sources. It is unlikely that this would apply to…

Must I hear myself while I Bentch? What if I am at a wedding and the music is very loud?

See here for answer. Sources: מקורות: חסל״א הובא בכה״ח סב, ז. מנחת יהודה הו״ד בשפ״ח שמות ח, ח. הליכות שלמה כב, ד. וראה העמק שאלה שאילתות ואתחנן קמג שהוכיח…

Can I place a Challah on a hot plate on Shabbos day to warm it up?

Are there details as to how I should place it? Answer: You can put it on top of the hot plate, either on top of a pot that…

If I encounter a special needs man who cannot speak, can he fulfill the Mitzvah of putting on Tefilin? Can I say the Brachah instead?

The Mitzvah of Tefilin can be fulfilled even without a Brachah. If the only issue is the fact that he cannot speak, not mental capacity, then you can make…

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Is it permissible to add boiling water with a cup from the Shabbos urn to the Cholent in the crock pot, in order to add moisture so that the Cholent should not burn, without mixing or doing anything else?

Is it a problem to bring something with Alef-Beis on them, into a bathroom, (e.g. Negel Vasser set, Yarmulke)?

Is there any room to permit placing a Bimah in the front of a Shul?

Is it Halachically acceptable to display an open Sefer Torah in a glass display case in a Shul?

Is there an Inyan in Chabad to wear a hat and jacket? where is the source?

Ideally, what is the the earliest time one can do Tallis, Tefilin, Shema and Shacharis – all of these from Misheyakir? Bedieved, for example someone who starts work really early, what is the earliest time one can do Tallis, Tefilin, Shema and shacharis?

Would a woman rapping to a beat be considered Kol Isha?

May I Learn Kabbalah Before the Age of 40?

Can I cook a whole garlic head without peeling it at all? I am concerned that there may be bugs by the root. And if permitted what would be the procedure to clean it to be able to do so?

If I bake a cake in a Pareve oven using clean utensils that are sometimes used for Fleishigs, is the cake considered completely Pareve?

I have heard that the Minhag is for a Chosson to wear all new clothing by the Chupa. What is the source for this? And does it include his coat and glasses? Additionally, is there an Inyan to have my Tefillin checked before the Chasunah?

Must I hear myself while I Bentch? What if I am at a wedding and the music is very loud?

Can I place a Challah on a hot plate on Shabbos day to warm it up?

If I encounter a special needs man who cannot speak, can he fulfill the Mitzvah of putting on Tefilin? Can I say the Brachah instead?

What is the correct way to use menstrual pads on Shabbos?

Kriah in Jerusalem and the Kosel

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