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Question: I have been fired from my teaching job and the school owes me money. They admit to that. I have access to the place where the school stores some of its belongings, specifically Seforim. Can I take their… Question: I have been fired from my teaching job and the school owes me money. They admit to that. I have access to the place where the school stores some of its belongings, specifically Seforim. Can I take their Seforim and sell them to repay the debt? Can I take the ones that I could use and deduct it from the debt? Answer: You may not take their belongings and sell them to repay the debt. This is considered stealing. Question 2: It seems to say explicitly in Choshen Mishpat that this can be done. Can you…Show more
שאלה: אני קונה סיר ברזל בחנות של יהודי ואני לא יודע מי ייצר את זה. צריך לברך על זה? ואם אני קונה בחנות של גויים או באינטרנט מה הדין? מענה: א. באם קונה במקום שרוב המייצרים אינם יהודים יכול…שאלה: אני קונה סיר ברזל בחנות של יהודי ואני לא יודע מי ייצר את זה. צריך לברך על זה? ואם אני קונה בחנות של גויים או באינטרנט מה הדין? מענה: א. באם קונה במקום שרוב המייצרים אינם יהודים יכול גם לברך. ב. כשקנה מחנות של גוים מברך בכל מקרה. לגבי אינטרנט - ראה כאן: https://asktherav.com/24835-does-an-urn-from-a-jewish-manufacture-bought-on-amazon-require-tevilah/ Sources: ראה שו״ת אג״מ או״ח ג, ד. יבי״א ו יו״ד…Show more
Question: If a Pidyon Haben falls out on Shabbos, do we do it on Motzei Shabbos (זריזין מקדימין), or is there a problem to do it at night? Answer: Generally, a Pidyon Haben is not done at night.… Question: If a Pidyon Haben falls out on Shabbos, do we do it on Motzei Shabbos (זריזין מקדימין), or is there a problem to do it at night? Answer: Generally, a Pidyon Haben is not done at night. In this case, however, there is a Machlokes. L'maaseh, it should be done Sunday morning. Sources: כ״מ בביהגר״א שה, כ במש״כ ״כמו במילה״ (ראה בכוונתו…Show more
I’m assuming that the flour is not the key ingredient, nor is it there for taste, rather it is there just to give it a crispy texture, and it is therefore Tafel (secondary) to the Ikar (the primary ingredient),… I’m assuming that the flour is not the key ingredient, nor is it there for taste, rather it is there just to give it a crispy texture, and it is therefore Tafel (secondary) to the Ikar (the primary ingredient), which is the onion. Hence, it does not change the status of the Brachah, nor causes it to become prohibited on account of Pas or Bishul akum. As for the onions, since they are eaten raw nowadays, it would not be an issue. Sources: ראה ערוך השלחן סי' קיג סעי' יט שבזה הולכים…Show more
Yes. However if you can afford you shouldn’t use Maaser money. Sources: שו״ע יו״ד רנא, ג. ש״ך שם ה. רמ״א יו״ד…
Does it need to be a man who himself is M'chuyav? Answer: The silk Atarah does not need to be sewn by a Jew. #2239
Question: Regarding Licht Bentching, is there a source for a woman to say יהי רצון, שיבנה... when doing the 3 Mitzvos, or is it something women did on their own, and therefore some feel it's almost like הלכה, and… Question: Regarding Licht Bentching, is there a source for a woman to say יהי רצון, שיבנה... when doing the 3 Mitzvos, or is it something women did on their own, and therefore some feel it's almost like הלכה, and it must be said and printed with the Brachos? (I know about the Kavanos the Frierdiker Rebbe mentions in Likkutei Diburim). Answer: There is no known source for this Minhag. While there are many Techinos customarily recited at Hadlokas Neiros Shabbos, Yehi Ratzon is not found among them in earlier sources, though in later sources it is mentioned. It…Show more
If there is an assumption that they are serious and will actually convert, one may teach them Torah. The curriculum should include Halachos, Davening and anything necessary to be Mekarev them to authentic Yiddishkeit. Gemara would usually not be… If there is an assumption that they are serious and will actually convert, one may teach them Torah. The curriculum should include Halachos, Davening and anything necessary to be Mekarev them to authentic Yiddishkeit. Gemara would usually not be part of the curriculum unless there is a compelling reason in this case. Sources: ראה מאירי סנהדרין נט, א. מהרש"א בחדא"ג שבת לא,…Show more
Question: Is there an Inyan for a father to get an Aliyah for a son (who is under Bar Mitzvah) and a daughter, on the Shabbos before their birthday? Is there an Inyan to get an Aliyah on their… Question: Is there an Inyan for a father to get an Aliyah for a son (who is under Bar Mitzvah) and a daughter, on the Shabbos before their birthday? Is there an Inyan to get an Aliyah on their birthday if it falls out on a Monday or Thursday? Answer: There is indeed an Inyan for parents to observe Minhagei Yom Huledes on their young children's birthdays, until they reach an appropriate level of understanding to do so on their own. This however doesn’t necessarily apply to Aliya L’Torah. Nonetheless, there were certain cases where the Rebbe advised…Show more
There is a Machlokes Haposkim whether a peeler may be used on Shabbos. Some allow it for all fruits and vegetables. This opinion seems most correct. Others maintain that it may only be used for fruits and vegetables of… There is a Machlokes Haposkim whether a peeler may be used on Shabbos. Some allow it for all fruits and vegetables. This opinion seems most correct. Others maintain that it may only be used for fruits and vegetables of which the peel is edible. Still, others argue that it may not be used at all. According to all opinions, it may only be used right before the meal. Sources: שקו״ט בכ״מ עפ״ד המג״א סוסי׳ שכא, ל, ובפמ״ג בא״א…Show more
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
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