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שאלה: כתב דרכי משה סימן תרסג סק"ב וכתוב במנהגים (שם עמ' קלה) וחותם [בהפטרה] בשבת שבחול המועד מקדש השבת וישראל והזמנים וכן הוא בכל המנהגים וצ"ע מאי שנא שבת של חול המועד שבפסח דאין חותמין בהזמנים עכ"ל. ולי נראה… שאלה: כתב דרכי משה סימן תרסג סק"ב וכתוב במנהגים (שם עמ' קלה) וחותם [בהפטרה] בשבת שבחול המועד מקדש השבת וישראל והזמנים וכן הוא בכל המנהגים וצ"ע מאי שנא שבת של חול המועד שבפסח דאין חותמין בהזמנים עכ"ל. ולי נראה דלא קשה מידי דשאני ימי הסוכות דכל אחד יום טוב בפני עצמו הואיל וחלוקים בקרבנותיהם לכן מברכין הזמנים עכ"ל. וצ"ב נהי שבסוכות כל יום יש קרבן אחר, מ"מ כיון שבחול המועד לא אומרים הפטרה, מדוע להזכיר את חג הסוכות בהפטרה של שבת. ומובן היטב דעת הסוברים שלא לחתום כן. ושמעתי שכ״ד הגר״ז. מענה: הסברא היא לפי שיום הוא שנתחייב,…Show more
Question: My question is about the orlah status of passion fruit in chutz laaretz. I understand that there is a machlokes as to whether the fruit has a bracha of Ha'eitz or Ha'adama. The problem is that… Question: My question is about the orlah status of passion fruit in chutz laaretz. I understand that there is a machlokes as to whether the fruit has a bracha of Ha'eitz or Ha'adama. The problem is that the passion fruit bush has a relative short life, usually 3 years, but sometimes 4 or 5 years... Answer: One need not be concerned about orlah in this case. https://asktherav.com/5432-what-bracha-is-passion-fruit/ Sources: בעיקר הענין שקו״ט טובא עפמש״כ בשו״ת הרדב״ז ג, תתקסו…Show more
About 56cm. One should not follow the smallest shiur, especially as one should use here wider tefachim, thus it would be at least 57.16 cm. Ideally it should be even larger, closer to 63-64cm. Sources: בכ״מ שהשיעור ז״ט ומשהו ולא ז״ט לחוד - ראה…
Question: My extended family had a get together on Shabbos afternoon. A cousin in Eretz Yisroel made a Door Dash order (after Shabbos ended there) from 7-Eleven to be delivered to my house for Shabbos treats. Am I allowed… Question: My extended family had a get together on Shabbos afternoon. A cousin in Eretz Yisroel made a Door Dash order (after Shabbos ended there) from 7-Eleven to be delivered to my house for Shabbos treats. Am I allowed to accept the delivery and eat/drink it? Note. This was a surprise; I did not ask for the order to be made. Answer: May not be used till after Shabbos. You would have to wait the same amount of time it would take to get such a delivery after Shabbos. Sources: שקו״ט בישראל העושה מלאכה במקום שאינו שבת עבור חבירו…Show more
When leaving a review on Amazon you are stating: 1. That you bought the product. 2. That you tried and used the product. 3. How the product performed. One may not lie even in writing. Furthermore, the Torah says:… When leaving a review on Amazon you are stating: 1. That you bought the product. 2. That you tried and used the product. 3. How the product performed. One may not lie even in writing. Furthermore, the Torah says: ”Lifnei Iver Lo Siten Michshol”, which is explained that one may not give bad or inaccurate advice to someone who is "blind" in the subject. In this case, you may not portray the product as a good product to someone who does not know better. This also involves geneivas daas, deception. If you indeed bought the product,…Show more
Question: Regarding finishing mishnayos for shloshim, if Rosh Hashana ends shiva early and then Yom Kippur ends shloshim early, does that apply also for chalukas mishnayos? Or is it the full 30 days for chalukas mishnayos purposes? … Question: Regarding finishing mishnayos for shloshim, if Rosh Hashana ends shiva early and then Yom Kippur ends shloshim early, does that apply also for chalukas mishnayos? Or is it the full 30 days for chalukas mishnayos purposes? Answer: Full thirty days. (Though noteworthy to mention that when Rebbetzin Chana passed away [on Vov Tishrei 5725] there was a division of mishnayos to be finished before Yom Kippur). Sources: ראה לגבי נר - שו״ת נחלת שבעה עג. וכן…Show more
One should not spread icing on a cake on Shabbos, nor make designs on it. On Yom Tov, one may spread icing. Sources: ממרח - ראה רמ"א או"ח שכא, יט. קצוה"ש קמו…
There is a discussion amongst contemporary poskim regarding prenuptial agreements. Sometimes a husband and wife have irreconcilable differences, which unfortunately lead to divorce. Numerous solutions have been proposed over the generations to address the agunah scenario that occurs when… There is a discussion amongst contemporary poskim regarding prenuptial agreements. Sometimes a husband and wife have irreconcilable differences, which unfortunately lead to divorce. Numerous solutions have been proposed over the generations to address the agunah scenario that occurs when a recalcitrant husband declines to give his wife a get voluntarily. According to Jewish law, a divorce is valid only if the husband places a get in his wife’s hands of his own free will. In the past, the term agunah was used to describe a woman chained to a marriage, unable to remarry because her husband had vanished without…Show more
Generally, Maaser money cannot be used for obligatory Mitzvos or causes but may be used for Hiddur Mitzvos in certain cases. Subsequently, if the checking is being done because there is a concern for the status of the Tefillin… Generally, Maaser money cannot be used for obligatory Mitzvos or causes but may be used for Hiddur Mitzvos in certain cases. Subsequently, if the checking is being done because there is a concern for the status of the Tefillin etc., Maaser money should not be used. Otherwise, if they’re being checked as a way of “beautifying the Mitzvah”, it may be used. One should ideally use one third from their own money. However, this is only if they were checked already twice in seven years, i.e. every three and a half years approximately. If they were not checked then,…Show more
Question: I left a bottle of non-mevushal wine that had the cap on but had been opened and some of it consumed less than 24 hours before, one bag inside another bag but with no specific siman, inside… Question: I left a bottle of non-mevushal wine that had the cap on but had been opened and some of it consumed less than 24 hours before, one bag inside another bag but with no specific siman, inside a closet. A person who is mechalel Shabbos in public goes into that closet occasionally because she has things there that belong to her. Because my wine is not sealed, I have no certainty that she did not touch it. On one occasion, I was in the room and she actually went into that closet but I'm not sure if…Show more
Question: It says in hilchos seudah that one shouldn't give food that is befitting for a person to an animal as its an embarrassment to the food. Does that mean that one can't feed vegetables to farm animals? Or… Question: It says in hilchos seudah that one shouldn't give food that is befitting for a person to an animal as its an embarrassment to the food. Does that mean that one can't feed vegetables to farm animals? Or is it refering to proper meals? Answer: There is a dispute about this halacha. In practice, if the animal doesn't belong to you, you should be stringent with any food fit for human consumption (as long as there is still a possibility of it being eaten by humans), though you need not rebuke those that are lenient in this…Show more
Yes, unless it has a noticeably sour taste. There is room to argue that there is also an issue with the name of the bread, that if it’s locally referred to as “sourdough bread”, not “bread”, it’s recommended not… Yes, unless it has a noticeably sour taste. There is room to argue that there is also an issue with the name of the bread, that if it’s locally referred to as “sourdough bread”, not “bread”, it’s recommended not to use it. If it’s called by another name it’s certainly OK. Same would apply to sour-sticks. (Sauerkraut has a sour taste, so it would be an issue regardless). Sources: מסברא, כיון שסימנא מילתא הוא. ואף שידוע שבמשך השנים…Show more
Question: I left a bottle of non-mevushal wine that had the cap on but had been opened and some of it consumed, less than 24 hours ago, one bag inside another bag but no specific siman, inside a… Question: I left a bottle of non-mevushal wine that had the cap on but had been opened and some of it consumed, less than 24 hours ago, one bag inside another bag but no specific siman, inside a closet. A person who is mechalel Shabbos in public goes into that closet occasionally because she has things there that belong to her. Because my wine is not sealed, I have no certainty that she did not touch it. On one occasion I was in the room, and she actually went into that closet but I'm not sure if she…Show more
(AD(H)D Medication, or any other similar medicines) Does it make a difference if prescribed? (Some rely on such medications for basic personal function, some for enhancement.) Does it make a difference if you regularly take, and if yes, how… (AD(H)D Medication, or any other similar medicines) Does it make a difference if prescribed? (Some rely on such medications for basic personal function, some for enhancement.) Does it make a difference if you regularly take, and if yes, how often is it necessary to be considered regular? Answer: Permitted. Sources: דנו בזה מכמה טעמים: שהוא מאכל בריאים (וע״ד השקו״ט…Show more
Question: We purchased a new home BH and the patio area has metals slats that are about 1.5 inches wide and are spaced 1.5 inches apart from each other. I know that I can’t put schach directly on the… Question: We purchased a new home BH and the patio area has metals slats that are about 1.5 inches wide and are spaced 1.5 inches apart from each other. I know that I can’t put schach directly on the metal but even if I put wooden slats perpendicular to the metal slats, is that okay or are the metal slats considered lavud because of how close they are to one another? Answer: Remove every other metal slat. Place wooden beams to the length and width of the sukkah so the schach will be supported by the wooden beams,…Show more
Question: Can you make a Sukkah under a gazebo that has metal/aluminum slats that open and close. The slats are not 3 tefachim apart. I am attaching pictures of the structure. I have seen this: https://asktherav.com/16424-what-are-halachic-considerations-when-going-about-using-a-pergola-as-a-sukkah/ The question however… Question: Can you make a Sukkah under a gazebo that has metal/aluminum slats that open and close. The slats are not 3 tefachim apart. I am attaching pictures of the structure. I have seen this: https://asktherav.com/16424-what-are-halachic-considerations-when-going-about-using-a-pergola-as-a-sukkah/ The question however here is, if you can make a Sukkah UNDER the pergola. The slats of this pergola are metal slats and close automatically in the rain. The person wants to know if he can construct the Sukkah inside this pergola and the schach will be below the slats that cover the pergola as illustrated in the picture. Answer: If the…Show more
Question: I am a teacher who also has children in the school I teach at. My kids tuition are deducted from my full salary. Ex. instead of receiving $2000, only $1200 is paid to me with the remaining amount… Question: I am a teacher who also has children in the school I teach at. My kids tuition are deducted from my full salary. Ex. instead of receiving $2000, only $1200 is paid to me with the remaining amount taken off for tuition. Do I need to give Ma'aser on the $2000? Answer: If you have a choice to take this portion of salary as you wish but you chose to allocate it for tuition, it is obligated in ma'aser. If you have no choice in the matter, it is exempt. See similar point here: https://asktherav.com/article-737-maaser-on-gift-money/ To use…Show more
How about in other rooms in the house? Answer: I don't know of a specific Chabad custom. However, common practice in Chabad is not to do so. A number of reasons are provided for not doing so. See… How about in other rooms in the house? Answer: I don't know of a specific Chabad custom. However, common practice in Chabad is not to do so. A number of reasons are provided for not doing so. See references below. Sources: שאין טעם לתלות מחמת שהוא שטר התחייבות בעלמא, ותוכנו…Show more
שאלה מאחד מחשובי הרבנים שליט״א: רציתי לדעת שראיתי בכמה וכמה קהילות חסידיות שמצד אחד נזהרים על זמן תפילה, אבל מצד שני מסתפקים במה שמתחילים שמו"ע רגע לפני סוף זמן תפילה ורוב השמו"ע הוא לאחר מכן. וכידוע שזה נגד דברי… שאלה מאחד מחשובי הרבנים שליט״א: רציתי לדעת שראיתי בכמה וכמה קהילות חסידיות שמצד אחד נזהרים על זמן תפילה, אבל מצד שני מסתפקים במה שמתחילים שמו"ע רגע לפני סוף זמן תפילה ורוב השמו"ע הוא לאחר מכן. וכידוע שזה נגד דברי המג"א והשוע"ה והמשנ"ב וכל האחרונים שכתבו דבעינן שיגמור את כל התפילה בתוך הזמן. ורציתי לדעת האם יש מקור על פי הלכה למנהג הנ"ל. ידעתי גם ידעתי מה שכתב בשו"ת ארץ צבי קכא ד״ה ואמנם, בשם היהודי הק' מפשיסחא, שהראה מקור לזה מדברי התוס' ריש ברכות גבי בלעם עיי"ש, דכל שהתחיל לקלל בשעת חרון אף, אזי כל מה שממשיך לאחר מכן…Show more
בבא על הנכרית, ולאחר משך זמן נתגיירה שלא לשם אישות, ואין שום רינון, שלא ידעו מזה כלל - לכאורה אין איסור לישא אותה אפי׳ לכתחילה, שהרי האיסור רק משום לזות שפתיים שיאמרו שלשם אישות נתגיירה (כרמב״ן רשב״א) או שיאמרו… בבא על הנכרית, ולאחר משך זמן נתגיירה שלא לשם אישות, ואין שום רינון, שלא ידעו מזה כלל - לכאורה אין איסור לישא אותה אפי׳ לכתחילה, שהרי האיסור רק משום לזות שפתיים שיאמרו שלשם אישות נתגיירה (כרמב״ן רשב״א) או שיאמרו אמת הי׳ הקול שבא עלי׳ (לפירש״י), משא״כ בדליכא שום רינון - כ״נ פשוט. ושו״ר שכ״כ ליישב הא דאותן מצעות שהציעה לו וכו׳ בשו״ת מצפה ארי׳ תנינא יו״ד מ ד״ה אמנם יש. (אלא דנטה מזה מטעם אחר). וכ״כ מד״ע בשו״ת בית אבי א קיג, ה. וראה גם מילי דאגרות א יח, ג. ובשו״ת חבלים בנעימים ג, אה״ע עב כתב ליישב איפכא…Show more
Question (& Answer inline) I have a very urgent issue, which I have a condition which requires that medically I have to wake up every day after chatzos in the day time. —- Never heard of such a condition.… Question (& Answer inline) I have a very urgent issue, which I have a condition which requires that medically I have to wake up every day after chatzos in the day time. —- Never heard of such a condition. Can you please elaborate? There's nothing I can do about it. —- If indeed there’s nothing you can do about it — which is hard to believe — then you’re not accountable for not davening. If however, you can do something about it, you are absolutely obligated to do something about it. What procedure should I follow when davening…Show more
Question: This past Shabbos I borrowed a Sefer Torah for our minyan. I opened it before shul in order to roll it and I found that the gartel around the parchment had a double knot. I tried calling a… Question: This past Shabbos I borrowed a Sefer Torah for our minyan. I opened it before shul in order to roll it and I found that the gartel around the parchment had a double knot. I tried calling a goy, but I could not find one. I then asked my 5-year-old son to untie it. Was that allowed? I was relying on the Rashba brought by the Alter Rebbe in Siman 343. However, I was uncertain if untying a double knot (that was probably tied to stay until next Shabbos because the Torah was in a shul that…Show more
Question: I have newly pierced ears, and the earrings are supposed to stay in for two months or the holes will close up. Can I keep them in when I go to the Mikvah? Answer: You should find… Question: I have newly pierced ears, and the earrings are supposed to stay in for two months or the holes will close up. Can I keep them in when I go to the Mikvah? Answer: You should find out if you can remove it as a one off for several minutes. If this can’t be done, loosen the earring in a way that it will not be directly against the skin. Clean the area well. During tevilah, move the earring around so that the water will reach every section of the ear. If even that is not…Show more
שאלה: בחור תושב חו"ל היה במחנה של הישיבה שלו בדרום. היתה אמורה להיות לו טיסה באותו ערב לבית הוריו בחו"ל, ולכן יצא מהמחנה בנסיעה לירושלים ומשם לשדה התעופה. בהיותו באוטובוס התקשרו אליו שהטיסה התבטלה. צערו היה גדול ורצה לחזור… שאלה: בחור תושב חו"ל היה במחנה של הישיבה שלו בדרום. היתה אמורה להיות לו טיסה באותו ערב לבית הוריו בחו"ל, ולכן יצא מהמחנה בנסיעה לירושלים ומשם לשדה התעופה. בהיותו באוטובוס התקשרו אליו שהטיסה התבטלה. צערו היה גדול ורצה לחזור למחנה להיות לכה"פ עם חבריו. השאלה שעמדה לפניו, כשיגיע לי-ם יכול לקחת מיד אוטובוס חזרה למחנה אך אז לא יספיק להתפלל במנין בי-ם ויצטרך להתפלל ביחידות כשיגיע למחנה, או שישאר בי-ם ללילה ויתפלל במנין ויחזור למחנה רק למחרת. אך יהיה לו צער גדול להישאר לבד בי-ם ללילה, אף שיש לו מקום לינה שם, בנוסף לזה שעתה מצטער טובא על ביטול…Show more
שאלה א: מי שלא התפלל מנחה עד אחרי צאת הכוכבים (לא במזיד. כגון שהתעורר אז, או שלא היה גופו נקי), האם מותר לו לסמוך על שיטה המאחרת את צאת הכוכבים (דלא כאדמו"ר הזקן) או על שקיעה דר"ת כדי להתפלל… שאלה א: מי שלא התפלל מנחה עד אחרי צאת הכוכבים (לא במזיד. כגון שהתעורר אז, או שלא היה גופו נקי), האם מותר לו לסמוך על שיטה המאחרת את צאת הכוכבים (דלא כאדמו"ר הזקן) או על שקיעה דר"ת כדי להתפלל מנחה? ובדיעבד שכבר התפלל בתוך זמן זה, האם חייב להתפלל מעריב? תשובה: לפני צאת הכוכבים הרגיל עדיין יכול להתפלל, אבל אחר כך לא. וראה כאן. אם כבר התפלל מנחה אחרי צאת הכוכבים, לכמה דעות עולה לו למעריב. ולכן, יתפלל רק מנחה לתשלומין אחר כך. אבל יתנה בדעתו שאם תפלתו הראשונה עלתה לו למעריב תהא זו למנחה, ואם לא עלתה לו…Show more
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