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Question: If chas veshalom Moshiach doesn't come before Tisha B'Av, can I make a siyum on mesechta makos on Tisha B'av (the mesechta finishes with the story of the fox on har habayis, which is also brought in… Question: If chas veshalom Moshiach doesn't come before Tisha B'Av, can I make a siyum on mesechta makos on Tisha B'av (the mesechta finishes with the story of the fox on har habayis, which is also brought in Eicha Rabba) Answer: No. Although it speaks about makom hamikdash and how foxes were walking there, it is a story of nechama and should not be learned on Tishah Be'av. Sources: קייל״ן לדינא שגם בלומד דברים הרעים שבירמי׳ צריך לדלג…Show more
שאלה: כלי מתכת חדש שלא הוטבל, התערב בכלים שנטבלו כבר. עקב כך, טבל בעל הכלים את כל הכלים, כיון שמדרבנן הכלי שלא נטבל אינו בטל ברוב, שהרי הוא 'דבר שבמנין', וגם יש לו מתירים בטבילה. לאחר מכן התברר איזהו… שאלה: כלי מתכת חדש שלא הוטבל, התערב בכלים שנטבלו כבר. עקב כך, טבל בעל הכלים את כל הכלים, כיון שמדרבנן הכלי שלא נטבל אינו בטל ברוב, שהרי הוא 'דבר שבמנין', וגם יש לו מתירים בטבילה. לאחר מכן התברר איזהו הכלי שלא הוטבל. האם צריך לטבול כלי זה שוב, כיון שבעת הטבילה היה חיוב הטבילה רק מדרבנן, וכעת הכלי חייב טבילה מן התורה? מענה: אינו צריך. מקורות: אף שכלי שנפל למקוה בלי כונה עלתה לו טבילה, אינו…Show more
Question: Someone donated to me a new pair of tefillin for peulos. I got it checked by a sofer, who said there was a serious shaalos tinok, the kid said it was a vov (which it… Question: Someone donated to me a new pair of tefillin for peulos. I got it checked by a sofer, who said there was a serious shaalos tinok, the kid said it was a vov (which it is), and the sofer fixed up the letter and closed up the Tefillin. He said the Tefillin are kosher bidieved. I sent the picture of this shaaloh to a handful of other sofrim, many who said there is no shaaloh at all and few who said it's a shaalos tinok. I am very confused; I am not sure…Show more
Question: 1. Is there any heter to learn between aliyos during kriah, if you already heard Krias Hatorah? 2. What about in 770 or the Ohel where there are many minyanim throughout the whole day and maybe it's considered… Question: 1. Is there any heter to learn between aliyos during kriah, if you already heard Krias Hatorah? 2. What about in 770 or the Ohel where there are many minyanim throughout the whole day and maybe it's considered as if you are not in the same room or its not nikar that you're not listening. Answer: 1. There is a disagreement. Practically, one shouldn’t, as according to the Rebbe Rashab, it is highly questionable. 2. During the main official Minyan, you must stop. Even so, if it’s a large room, and the kriah cannot be heard from…Show more
If you are in middle of saying shema, you should pause and listen to the chazzan. [If you don't hear the chazzan saying it, you should say it as if davening without a minyan.] If you are holding… If you are in middle of saying shema, you should pause and listen to the chazzan. [If you don't hear the chazzan saying it, you should say it as if davening without a minyan.] If you are holding earlier in davening, before Shema, you should say it as one davening without a minyan. Follow-up: If I have already finished Shema and have said the word “emes”, but I didn’t hear the Chazan repeat the words out loud (either because he said them too quietly or was unaware he needed to), what should I do?…Show more
When Chazal institute a lenient rule, one may not be more stringent than Chazal, as that borders on heresy. The question is raised by poskim: When there is a disagreement among authorities, may one opt to follow the… When Chazal institute a lenient rule, one may not be more stringent than Chazal, as that borders on heresy. The question is raised by poskim: When there is a disagreement among authorities, may one opt to follow the stringent position if the lenient position is the accepted one? In a case where there are differing opinions regarding a certain halachah, and the lenient position was accepted, one may opt to take on the chumrah. This is because there is an understanding that although the halachah is to be lenient, there is nevertheless an advantage in being…Show more
Question: I teach sheva mitzvos to non-Jewish students, and they asked me a question I didn't know how to answer: One student has a mom who's 94 years old and she takes her to church because she has no… Question: I teach sheva mitzvos to non-Jewish students, and they asked me a question I didn't know how to answer: One student has a mom who's 94 years old and she takes her to church because she has no one else who could do it. Can she accompany her inside (just for her not to fall and to show kibud av veem) and then leave her there and wait in the car until the end of the service? Answer: Permitted. Sources: האיסור להיכנס לבית ע״ז ל״ש בב״נ. והרי לכמה דעות…Show more
Would this apply to an airport lounge where I wouldn't be paying for it? Answer: It would only be an issue if you buy it at the hotel, and you’re not sleeping in this hotel. Even then, there… Would this apply to an airport lounge where I wouldn't be paying for it? Answer: It would only be an issue if you buy it at the hotel, and you’re not sleeping in this hotel. Even then, there is room for leniency. However, in practice one should be stringent. It would not be an issue in the airport lounge. Sources: שו"ע יו"ד סי' קיד, א. והוא במקום מכירתו. והנה,…Show more
שאלה: על פי הגמרא (יבמות קיז) שנשים השונאות זו את זו אינן כשרות להעיד שמת בעלה וכו' (וכן הן לא מצילות בעניין ייחוד), ומהן כלה וחמותה. מהי כוונת חז"ל, האם שתי היבמות וכו' באמת עוברות כל רגע על "לא… שאלה: על פי הגמרא (יבמות קיז) שנשים השונאות זו את זו אינן כשרות להעיד שמת בעלה וכו' (וכן הן לא מצילות בעניין ייחוד), ומהן כלה וחמותה. מהי כוונת חז"ל, האם שתי היבמות וכו' באמת עוברות כל רגע על "לא תשנא את אחיך בלבבך". אם כן, אז איך מותר בכלל להתחתן, הלא הכלה הצעירה החדשה מכשילה את חמותה בשנאת חינם ועוברת על "לפני עיור לא תתן מכשול". מענה: כבר העירו שאינו בהכרח ח״ו שכ״ה תמיד במציאות, וראה גם עז״נ ושו״ת פנ״י וחת״ס דלקמן, אלא ״שחזקתן ששונאות״ ולכן אינן נאמנים. אבל כמובן הן מצוות שלא לשנוא, ולהתגבר על הטבע. וע״ד…Show more
One may not place clothing in a washing machine or dryer before Shabbos if the cycle will finish only after the commencement of Shabbos. In some cases of great need (such as when one desperately needs the clothing right… One may not place clothing in a washing machine or dryer before Shabbos if the cycle will finish only after the commencement of Shabbos. In some cases of great need (such as when one desperately needs the clothing right after Shabbos) this might be permitted. One would be permitted to remove them from the machine on Shabbos (provided no lights turn on etc. when doing so), if needed for Shabbos. However, if it’s wet at the beginning of Shabbos to the extent that it could make your hand wet and the wetness would affect another hand when touched, there…Show more
The type that we have - you open it, and push down the center, and pull up the sides. Then you take the cover it was wrapped in and put it at the bottom as the mattress. It is… The type that we have - you open it, and push down the center, and pull up the sides. Then you take the cover it was wrapped in and put it at the bottom as the mattress. It is a heavy structure. If it is fine to open on Shabbos are there types of porta cribs that would not be ok? Answer: They may be opened on Shabbos. However, if screws or bolts need to be tightened, or it needs to be interlocked on Shabbos, it is forbidden. There is an issue with the removable bottom. It should…Show more
When halachic questions come up, is it enough to ask a seniors community Rabbi, and not have an official Rabbi of the shul? Answer: It is the correct thing to have a rov. Sources: ראה שו״ע או״ח נג, כד. אדה״ז שם לא (צבור…
שאלה: אני נמצא בבית חב״ד ויש תפילת שחרית כל בוקר. היום, כשהתחלנו את העמידה של שחרית היו פחות ממנין ורק 3 מתפללים. תוך כדי שמונה עשרה הגיעו אנשים ונהיינו 10. השאלה היא אם יש אפשרות לעשות חזרת השץ אפילו… שאלה: אני נמצא בבית חב״ד ויש תפילת שחרית כל בוקר. היום, כשהתחלנו את העמידה של שחרית היו פחות ממנין ורק 3 מתפללים. תוך כדי שמונה עשרה הגיעו אנשים ונהיינו 10. השאלה היא אם יש אפשרות לעשות חזרת השץ אפילו שלא היה 6 מתפללים ביחד? או אולי שאחד מאלו שלא התפללו יעשה חזרת הש"ץ? מענה: כדי לומר חזרת הש"ץ, צריך שיהי' ששה שמתפללים יחד. אם אין ששה מתפללים - אז אחד שעדיין לא התפלל יכול להתחיל תפלתו בקול ולומר קדושה ולאחר ברכת אתה קדוש להמשיך תפלתו בלחש. וכן אינו אומר קדיש תתקבל. אבל אם אחר שהתפללו השלשה אנשים התפללו…Show more
שאלה: נהג הסעות, יוצא בבוקר לעשות קו הסעה, הוא רוצה קפה, אבל אין לו זמן לשתות בבית, אז הוא מכין קפה לדרך, אבל הוא לא התאפק ובירך וטעם מהכוס בבית ולוקח את הכוס לדרך, האם (בהתאם לסדר ברכות הנהנין… שאלה: נהג הסעות, יוצא בבוקר לעשות קו הסעה, הוא רוצה קפה, אבל אין לו זמן לשתות בבית, אז הוא מכין קפה לדרך, אבל הוא לא התאפק ובירך וטעם מהכוס בבית ולוקח את הכוס לדרך, האם (בהתאם לסדר ברכות הנהנין פרק ט' הלכה י"א) כעבור דקה, כשיצא מהבית, צריך לברך עליו שוב? מענה: כן. שהרי אינו טעון ברכה אחרונה במקומו ושינוי מקום הוי הפסק. מקורות: ראה כאן - https://asktherav.com/35099-ate-less-than-a-kazayis-after-netilas-yodaim-and-left-the-place/ #35961…Show more
Question: My brother washed netilas yodaim l'seuda at home and cause of the rush he forgot to eat a full kazayis and he only ate a small piece of bread less than kazayis. 5 minutes into the car… Question: My brother washed netilas yodaim l'seuda at home and cause of the rush he forgot to eat a full kazayis and he only ate a small piece of bread less than kazayis. 5 minutes into the car ride to the airport he realized that he didn't eat a kazayis. What is he meant to do if he wants to continue eating? Does it make a difference if he's still able to go back? Answer: He must make a new beracha Hamoitzi. But not wash his hands again. There is no point in going back. Sources: שהרי אינו טעון ברכה אחרונה במקומו ושינוי מקום הוי…Show more
לכאורה מקומו אחרי מוסף כבשבת ויום טוב. ולהעיר שגם בנוגע לגברים - אין מקור ברור מתי לאמרם בר"ח, אף שכן המנהג אצל כמה וכמה. מקורות: בס׳ והודעתם לבניך בינעט ו הע׳ קלז וקמב במנהג…
Question: May adults shake rattles or other shaker toys on Shabbos to soothe or entertain children? Should a child be allowed to shake these toys on Shabbos? Answer: An adult may not play with the toys, both… Question: May adults shake rattles or other shaker toys on Shabbos to soothe or entertain children? Should a child be allowed to shake these toys on Shabbos? Answer: An adult may not play with the toys, both due to the issur of mashmia kol, making noise, as well as muktza. Toys that make noise only when pressed may obviously not be pressed, but may be moved if you are using the toy without pressing on it, or if you need the place. They may not be moved if you wish to protect the toy or…Show more
Question: I invited a Jewish man over for Yom Tov and he brought his 6-year-old non-Jewish son. Can I use the remaining wine in the bottle for kiddush and Havdalah if he saw it? At what age is it… Question: I invited a Jewish man over for Yom Tov and he brought his 6-year-old non-Jewish son. Can I use the remaining wine in the bottle for kiddush and Havdalah if he saw it? At what age is it a problem (and is it required to cover) if a non-Jew sees non mevushal wine? Answer: For those stringent about this -see link- it should not be used. https://asktherav.com/wine-touched-or-seen-by-non-jews/ Sources: אף שיש מקום לצדד בגוי קטן (כשאין לו כוונת…Show more
Question: I have mesibas Shabbos on Shabbos and we walk back usually after Shabbos is over. On the way there the weather is still nice but the way back it gets cold at night. Could I wear a coat… Question: I have mesibas Shabbos on Shabbos and we walk back usually after Shabbos is over. On the way there the weather is still nice but the way back it gets cold at night. Could I wear a coat or sweater on the way there to have it on the way back? Answer: —Yes. and on Yom-Tov - could I carry my coat in my hand for the way back? —No. Sources: שבת - שו״ת מנח״ש ב, לה, יב אות ח…Show more
I woke up pretty excited. I’m traveling to Yerushalayim for a summer learning program! I’m happy to be able to spend some time in the holy atmosphere of Eretz Hakodesh, and my parents (we had a long talk last… I woke up pretty excited. I’m traveling to Yerushalayim for a summer learning program! I’m happy to be able to spend some time in the holy atmosphere of Eretz Hakodesh, and my parents (we had a long talk last night) are hoping that some time away from home will turn me into a more responsible bachur. So, I’m just about ready to leave the house, and a neighbor drops off a package with a state-of-the-art alarm clock and an envelope of extra spending money for their son, a friend of mine in yeshiva in Eretz Yisroel. “Sure!” I say—I’m…Show more
Orthodontic care to straighten teeth (i.e. braces), maxillofacial surgery to improve the look of the jaw, plastic surgery for cosmetic purposes—as well as other elective treatments may constitute the issur (restriction) of chavalah (causing injury) or sakanah (unnecessary danger)—especially… Orthodontic care to straighten teeth (i.e. braces), maxillofacial surgery to improve the look of the jaw, plastic surgery for cosmetic purposes—as well as other elective treatments may constitute the issur (restriction) of chavalah (causing injury) or sakanah (unnecessary danger)—especially when using general anesthesia. This would apply equally to men and women. But what about the halachic prohibition of “lo yilbash gever” (a man should not wear [a woman’s clothing]), which many poskim maintain include a man beautifying himself—are these cosmetic corrections therefore restricted for men? Using orthodontics—generally, non-invasive treatment—has been determined acceptable by poskim, since chavalah…Show more
שאלה: האם עונים לקדישים של מנהג (היינו כל הקדישים שאינם חלק מז' הקדישים בכל יום שהם חיוב בסימן נו) כשאוחזים בפסוקי דזמרה וק"ש, או כשם שאין עונים לחצי השני של קדיש משום שאינו חיוב, עד"ז בחצי הראשון או "יהא… שאלה: האם עונים לקדישים של מנהג (היינו כל הקדישים שאינם חלק מז' הקדישים בכל יום שהם חיוב בסימן נו) כשאוחזים בפסוקי דזמרה וק"ש, או כשם שאין עונים לחצי השני של קדיש משום שאינו חיוב, עד"ז בחצי הראשון או "יהא שמי' רבה" ו"דאמירן בעלמא" של קדיש שאינו חיוב אלא מנהג. מענה: כן, עונים. מקורות: ידוע שכך פי׳ במט״י סו, ג בפי׳ ״מתתקבל ואילך״,…Show more
Question: I was wondering if the cup that we buy for the Chuppah to drink from and then break at the end of Chuppah needs to be toiveled, or is it considered as if it's a keli that's… Question: I was wondering if the cup that we buy for the Chuppah to drink from and then break at the end of Chuppah needs to be toiveled, or is it considered as if it's a keli that's meant for one-time use? Answer: It should be toiveled without a bracha. Sources: לית דין צריך בושש שלמנהג ששוברים הכוס שבירכו עליו…Show more
The laws regulating tevilas keilim (immersion of vessels and utensils in a mikvah) are based on the parameters of a vessel or utensil’s use—food preparation—and on its materials and construction. An exception to this rule would be a kli… The laws regulating tevilas keilim (immersion of vessels and utensils in a mikvah) are based on the parameters of a vessel or utensil’s use—food preparation—and on its materials and construction. An exception to this rule would be a kli (vessel) that is disposed of after use—therefore, single-use containers or cutlery do not require immersion. “Disposable” aluminum pans, although they are arguably meant to be single-use, are often reused several times. Strictly speaking, disposable pans that one plans to reuse would require tevilah before being used even once. Yet, we find that this is not the common custom. What is…Show more
Question: Can I move a LED light. It is a pre lit lantern that has a power button to turn on and off. Is not connected to a battery or plug. Is the lamp Muktzah or can it be… Question: Can I move a LED light. It is a pre lit lantern that has a power button to turn on and off. Is not connected to a battery or plug. Is the lamp Muktzah or can it be moved to put in a closet at night? Answer: Yes, if you need the place, or in order to use it to illuminate. Sources: ככל כשמל״א. והרי לכמה פוסקים כ״ה אפי בנורת חשמל.…Show more
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