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It is best to avoid school preparation even for Limudei Kodesh if it is arduous work. Arduous work is only to be allowed when there is a need for the Chag itself, or דבר האבד. Since it can be done…It is best to avoid school preparation even for Limudei Kodesh if it is arduous work. Arduous work is only to be allowed when there is a need for the Chag itself, or דבר האבד. Since it can be done after the Chag, it would be preferred. See the Mishna Berurah 530:1 towards the end in the name of the Yerushalmi that the purpose of Chol Hamoed is to learn Torah, so if this work is like "learning Torah" more than "arduous work" there would be room to be lenient. Similarly, if your work involves your creativity, there is room…Show more
Even if one is accustomed to cutting their nails every Erev Shabbos and Erev Yom Tov, they may not cut their nails on Erev Shabbos Chol Hamoed or on Hoshana Rabbah which is Erev Yom tov (Shmini Atzeres), unless… Even if one is accustomed to cutting their nails every Erev Shabbos and Erev Yom Tov, they may not cut their nails on Erev Shabbos Chol Hamoed or on Hoshana Rabbah which is Erev Yom tov (Shmini Atzeres), unless using their hands or teeth. If they have cut their nails this Erev Yom Tov, or if there was nothing to cut on Erev Yom Tov and they grew over Chol Hamoed, they may cut normally on Erev Shabbos Chol Hamoed or on Hoshana Rabbah. If the nail is causing pain, one may be lenient. If one was planning to…Show more
One should refrain from eating fish with milk since there is a danger involved. It is proper to also refrain also from eating cheese with fish, at least when cooked. This applies only to hard cheese. Same applies with… One should refrain from eating fish with milk since there is a danger involved. It is proper to also refrain also from eating cheese with fish, at least when cooked. This applies only to hard cheese. Same applies with parmesan cheese. The Tzemach Tzedek holds that if one adds butter or sour cream to the mixture there is no concern. One can serve the fish and milk on the same table. Sources: ראה ב"י יו"ד סי' פ"ז ד"ה דגים, ש"ך שם…Show more
From Chol Hamoed onward it may be used even for the Mitzvah, and with a Brachah. Sources: .שו״ע אדה״ז תרמה, יא. תרמט, יט #1325…
There is no issue of Bishul (or Pas) Akum applicable here because the oats are not fit for a kings table. They also need more cooking to make them edible or at least to improve them. When you put hot…There is no issue of Bishul (or Pas) Akum applicable here because the oats are not fit for a kings table. They also need more cooking to make them edible or at least to improve them. When you put hot water on them, it is fine. Sources: .אבקת רוכל ל. שו״ת נחלת שבעה עא. חת״ס קיב,…Show more
If someone goes to sleep after Alos Hashachar, should they wash Negel Vasser by the bed? Answer: One who naps in the evening and wakes up before Chatzos needs to wash Negel Vasser by the bed. After one… If someone goes to sleep after Alos Hashachar, should they wash Negel Vasser by the bed? Answer: One who naps in the evening and wakes up before Chatzos needs to wash Negel Vasser by the bed. After one sleeps, whether by day or night, they must wash their hands when waking up. However, if sleeping by day, it does not have to be by their bed. Sources: .עפ"י סדור רבינו .וראה כאן #1313…Show more
Question: I went away for Sukkos and planned on bringing enough clothes to last the whole Yom Tov and upon arrival realized that I only brought 2 shirts and forgot the others. Is there room to be lenient and… Question: I went away for Sukkos and planned on bringing enough clothes to last the whole Yom Tov and upon arrival realized that I only brought 2 shirts and forgot the others. Is there room to be lenient and wash them on Chol Hamoed? Do I need to just wear the same shirt for 3-4 days, or maybe buy new ones? Answer: If one has only one shirt, he may wash it Chol Hamoed. Although some Poskim maintain this Heter doesn't apply nowadays, one may rely on the lenient position, which is the mainstream Halacha. If one has…Show more
One is allowed to sweep a tiled or cemented floor house, however, one may not sweep earthen floors. Likewise, one may not sweep a Sukkah which has an earthen floor. Although Chazal decreed against covered floors due to the concern…One is allowed to sweep a tiled or cemented floor house, however, one may not sweep earthen floors. Likewise, one may not sweep a Sukkah which has an earthen floor. Although Chazal decreed against covered floors due to the concern that people will sweep earthen floors, this does not apply nowadays where most homes are floored. It still applies to outdoor areas, such as a courtyard or in the backyard, but the Sukkah is considered an indoor area. However, one may have a non-Jew sweep an outdoor floor in all situations. One may only use a broom that does not…Show more
Work on items attached or being attached to a building may not be done on Chol Hamoed even through a non-Jewish contractor. However, in a location where it is well known that such work in this locale is generally… Work on items attached or being attached to a building may not be done on Chol Hamoed even through a non-Jewish contractor. However, in a location where it is well known that such work in this locale is generally done with a contractor and the workers are hired by the contractor without the owner having any involvement (this is the situation normally nowadays in most places), then it is permitted, provided that this is the case here too that and the contractor is contracted and not paid by the hour, and the owner has no involvement- and they are…Show more
One should not make Kiddush on a plastic or disposable cup. Kiddush should be made on a real cup. If there is no other cup available, one may make Kiddush on a plastic cup. Sources: אג"מ או"ח ח"ג סי' ל"ט (ויש המחלקים שכוונתו היתה…
I also have a fear of giving birth and someone recommended a book to help can I read that book on Shabbos? Answer: These books may be read on Shabbos, as it is for medical purposes. The same… I also have a fear of giving birth and someone recommended a book to help can I read that book on Shabbos? Answer: These books may be read on Shabbos, as it is for medical purposes. The same applies to the book to aid in giving birth. As a general rule, however, it really depends on the nature of the books: If these books are psychological by nature then it has the Halacha of books of wisdom. They may be read on Shabbos, however a G-d-fearing person would be stringent. If they are more of a practical matter,…Show more
Lechatchila, one should not do Kiddush Levana on Shabbos or Yom Tov unless it is the final opportunity. Sources: רמ״א תכו, ב. מג״א שם ז. ושם דשבת חמיר…
In addition to sitting in the Sukkah during Sukkos, there is a Mitzvah to actually build the Sukkah (see references in Likkutei Sichos vol. 17 pg 188 Ha'arah 56). This is not fulfilled through merely learning the Halachos.… In addition to sitting in the Sukkah during Sukkos, there is a Mitzvah to actually build the Sukkah (see references in Likkutei Sichos vol. 17 pg 188 Ha'arah 56). This is not fulfilled through merely learning the Halachos. One must physically build it. Nevertheless, we do find in many places (see Likkutei Sichos vol. 7 Sicha of Pesach Seif 3) about Mitzvos, that one who learns their Halachos it is as if he fulfilled it to a certain degree (again, this is only to a certain spiritual level, but does not substitute in any way the actual…Show more
.כדאי Sources: אף שנהגו בער״ה, ובמט״א תקפא סמ״ט מהשל״ה מס׳ יומא…
If you or the sender did not intend to have it specifically arrive on Shabbos, then you do not need to wait at all. If the package was intended to arrive on Shabbos, one would need to wait after… If you or the sender did not intend to have it specifically arrive on Shabbos, then you do not need to wait at all. If the package was intended to arrive on Shabbos, one would need to wait after Shabbos בכדי שיעשו -the amount of time it would take to do Melacha on Shabbos to send it. Sources: שו״ע או״ח סי׳ תקטו סעיף ח. מ״ב ס״ק סו.…Show more
Later in the day cookies were put in, after the oven was previously heated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, for about 5 minutes. Are the cookies allowed to be served in a Fleishig meal? Answer: The cookies may be eaten at…Later in the day cookies were put in, after the oven was previously heated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, for about 5 minutes. Are the cookies allowed to be served in a Fleishig meal? Answer: The cookies may be eaten at the meal - even if Fleishigs was eaten beforehand. They shouldn't be eaten or mixed together with anything Fleishigs. Regarding the oven, if you want it to continue being Pareve for the future, see this link for details on how to Kasher it. Show more
One who did not hear Krias Hatorah should read that Parsha himself from a Chumash. This applies to both Shabbos (Shachris & Mincha) as well as to Monday & Thursday. Sources: כ"כ בקצוה"ש סי' כ"ה ס"י (ובשער הכולל פ"י סט"ו…
Question: If a husband must wear a hospital bracelet when his wife is in the hospital, is he permitted on Shabbos to walk outside with it on? If no, what can he do? Answer: According to many Poskim,… Question: If a husband must wear a hospital bracelet when his wife is in the hospital, is he permitted on Shabbos to walk outside with it on? If no, what can he do? Answer: According to many Poskim, one is not allowed to wear the bracelet outside since it is not something that someone usually wears and is not considered a Tachshit (Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchoso 40:32). One can use it to close the cuff of the shirt by opening the sleeve button, and sticking the sleeve under the bracelet so that it is now serving as an…Show more
If you put out the garbage before Yom Tov, one may rely on the position that it is OK. This is since they get paid for the job and not per hour, and this is common knowledge. Since you did…If you put out the garbage before Yom Tov, one may rely on the position that it is OK. This is since they get paid for the job and not per hour, and this is common knowledge. Since you did not ask for it to be done on Yom Tov, it is not considered Koveya Melachto L'shabbos. Sources: .וראה גם ערוה״ש רמד, ח. ראה בענין עד״ז ממש…Show more
If no Chatzitzah was found in the teeth, Bedieved the Tevila is valid. Note, one must not Davka floss. Any method of checking and cleaning the teeth is fine. Obviously from a practical point flossing is preferable. Sources: .ראה שו״ע יו״ד קצח, כד- כה ובנו״כ …
One is not allowed on Chol Hamoed to give something to a non Jew to be done on Chol Hamoed. However, if it was given on Chol Hamoed to the non Jew specifically to do after Yom Tov and he…One is not allowed on Chol Hamoed to give something to a non Jew to be done on Chol Hamoed. However, if it was given on Chol Hamoed to the non Jew specifically to do after Yom Tov and he chose to do it on Chol Hamoed, it is permitted to be used. The reason: Melachah performed by a non Jew on movable objects is more lenient than work done on real property and can be allowed. However, this is only if it was given to be done before Yom Tov without requesting that it to be done on Chol…Show more
The oven needs to be Kashered if you want it to be Pareve, (even if none of the Milchig cookies spilled or splattered). To Kasher the oven in this instance it is enough to heat it up on the highest…The oven needs to be Kashered if you want it to be Pareve, (even if none of the Milchig cookies spilled or splattered). To Kasher the oven in this instance it is enough to heat it up on the highest setting for about half hour. In addition, if possible, it is best not to use the oven for 24 hours. If you need to use the oven though before that than this step is not necessary. See below for a brief discussion on the topic. Sources: אע"פ שלא נשפך וכו' מ"מ צריך הכשר מצד הזיעה…Show more
Question: When squeezing a lemon on Shabbos, I know it has to be done directly into the food or drink but how can I avoid the seeds falling in as well? Answer: You are allowed to squeeze a… Question: When squeezing a lemon on Shabbos, I know it has to be done directly into the food or drink but how can I avoid the seeds falling in as well? Answer: You are allowed to squeeze a lemon into food if it enhances the food or gets absorbed in the food, but not into a drink. According to the Alter Rebbe in the Siddur, you have no way to take out the seeds. You have to eat the food and leave the seeds on the plate. If you wish to serve the food without seeds, remove the…Show more
.אם מעמידים הסכך מעל קרשים אלו כשר לכתחילה Sources: ברגים אלו הינם מעמיד למעמיד עיין שוע״ר סימן תרכט…
Question: I have a question of Maros and we live near a larger city that has a qualified Litvishe Rov there, is it okay to show the Shailah to him or do I need to overnight it to you?… Question: I have a question of Maros and we live near a larger city that has a qualified Litvishe Rov there, is it okay to show the Shailah to him or do I need to overnight it to you? Answer: Maros can be shown to any qualified Rov who knows Maros. If it is not a question of color but of Psak, it should be noted that the Alter Rebbe and the Tzemach Tzedek have unique rulings, specifically in matters of Niddah. Determining whether a particular color is acceptable or not isn’t something unique to Chabad Rabbonim, although…Show more
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