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Question: Sometimes I come out of the bathroom and after washing three times on each hand, there are no paper towels to dry my hands with. Is there an inyan to wash four times on each hand in such… Question: Sometimes I come out of the bathroom and after washing three times on each hand, there are no paper towels to dry my hands with. Is there an inyan to wash four times on each hand in such a case? Answer: No. This only applies for negel vasser. Sources: בנט״י שחרית מנהגנו לברך אחרי הניגוב - ראה לקו״ד ג…Show more
One need not rewash his hands if he shakes someone's hands. Sources: בשו״ת לב חיים פלאגי א, סה (וראה שם ב,…
Question: If one is by a river and the waters are quite dirty (there is a sign that says some sewage goes there). It is not clear if a dog would drink from the waters. If there is no… Question: If one is by a river and the waters are quite dirty (there is a sign that says some sewage goes there). It is not clear if a dog would drink from the waters. If there is no nearby water, what is the recommended practice for washing netilas yadayim for bread? I was told that for some rivers doing tevila with the hands is also a problem because these waters are used to create electricity and therefore are not even good for tevilas yadayim. What if someone is not sure if these waters have that problem? …Show more
If food will never touch the scale plate/bowl directly, it doesn’t require Tevilah. If it will touch scale directly, even if on rare occasions, it should be Toiveled (provided it’s a material that requires tevilah in the first place),… If food will never touch the scale plate/bowl directly, it doesn’t require Tevilah. If it will touch scale directly, even if on rare occasions, it should be Toiveled (provided it’s a material that requires tevilah in the first place), but without a Brocha. Sources: ללא ברכה כיון שאין אוכלים ממנו ישירות. ובפרט בשוקל…Show more
Writing Hashem's name on a matzeiva is allowed, unless it could get erased through rain and snow. ראה שו״ת חת״ס ו, ה. שד״ח אס״ד אבלות קכד. הלכה למשה ה, יז. מעורר ישנים כו, ע. Regarding using the English language,… Writing Hashem's name on a matzeiva is allowed, unless it could get erased through rain and snow. ראה שו״ת חת״ס ו, ה. שד״ח אס״ד אבלות קכד. הלכה למשה ה, יז. מעורר ישנים כו, ע. Regarding using the English language, many poskim forbid the use of languages other than lashon hakodesh on a tombstone. As part of a zechus for the neshamos, one should be careful in this matter. See also here: Halacha2go.com article #170: Language of Tombstones Nonetheless, if the local custom in the cemetery is to be lenient about it, and the family isn’t familiar with lashon hakodesh…Show more
שאלה: נשאלתי ממשפחה הגרים בחו"ל וקברו היום בארץ. האם יש בעיה לכתוב תאריך לועזי על המצבה. ועד כמה זה בעיה כיון שכך נוהגים שם. ואם אסור מן הדין משום ובחוקותיהם - מדוע אין מקפידים לא לכתוב כן בהזמנות לשמחות.… שאלה: נשאלתי ממשפחה הגרים בחו"ל וקברו היום בארץ. האם יש בעיה לכתוב תאריך לועזי על המצבה. ועד כמה זה בעיה כיון שכך נוהגים שם. ואם אסור מן הדין משום ובחוקותיהם - מדוע אין מקפידים לא לכתוב כן בהזמנות לשמחות. ומה ההבדל? והשואל, שהוא אחד מחשובי הרבנים שליט״א, כתב שראה בשו״ת מהר״ם שיק יו״ד סי׳ קע״א שכותב שהוא איסור ממש. ושאלתו בפיו - האם אכן כן הוא? והנ״ל ציין גם שראה בכמה מלקטים שהביאו דברי מהר״ם שיק שהוא איסור גמור. אמנם, בשו״ת שבט הלוי חלק ז סימן קצ״ד כותב להתיר לכתוב שם משפחה כשאינם מבינים לשון הקודש שידעו למצוא הקבר.…Show more
- Originally published in the Tzemach Tzedek of Sydney community journal - Ok. Listen carefully. This is serious stuff we are talking about today. I recommend you “fasten your seat belts” as it might be “tough talk”. But,… - Originally published in the Tzemach Tzedek of Sydney community journal - Ok. Listen carefully. This is serious stuff we are talking about today. I recommend you “fasten your seat belts” as it might be “tough talk”. But, rest assured that it really is “tough love”. For a change, this alert is NOT directed towards our spiritual growth; on the agenda now is our physical health. I have a very pointed question to ask (which I ask myself too, though perhaps not often enough): are you looking after your health seriously, properly and regularly? Rabbonim are usually…Show more
למעשה, המנהג הפשוט שאין מקפידים לומר ויכולו עם אדם נוסף, אלא נוהגים שאומרים זאת בעמידה. מקורות: ע"פ דברי אדה"ז בקו"א סי' רסח כפשטות דברי המ”א…
Question: Is it l'chatchila better to use a kvort for washing your hands if the option of using a spring to dip your hands in is available or does it not make a difference? Answer: Although one may… Question: Is it l'chatchila better to use a kvort for washing your hands if the option of using a spring to dip your hands in is available or does it not make a difference? Answer: Although one may dip their hands in a spring or rain water that contains 40 seah even lchatchillah (assuming that the spring is 100% kosher for dipping, as there are several conditions), this would only apply for washing for a meal, not for washing in the morning where lchatchillah one should use a keli. Even when washing for a meal, there would…Show more
Question: I recently had surgery and I now wear (with Hashem’s help only temporarily) an ileostomy pouch, which means that my bowel was cut at the ilium (the lowest part of the small intestine) and surgically rerouted outside of… Question: I recently had surgery and I now wear (with Hashem’s help only temporarily) an ileostomy pouch, which means that my bowel was cut at the ilium (the lowest part of the small intestine) and surgically rerouted outside of my body through a hole in my abdomen. Its output flows into a bag—the ostomy pouch—which must be emptied periodically, in my case rather frequently. My question is, how does this affect my davening, wearing tefillin, making brachos, etc.? In practice, I empty my ostomy pouch before going to shul in the morning, although there is always some residue…Show more
שאלה: החתונה תתקיים בעז"ה בשעטו"מ בNassau Bahamas. הורה לי מישהו לכתוב ככה: נסאו איי בהאמה; לפי מה שלימדו אותי רבותי שיחיו עדיף לכתוב בלע"ז מבלה"ק, ולענ"ד הנ"ל מצורף מלה"ק ולהבדיל לע"ז. ואשר לכן נ"ל לכתוב ככה: נאסאו באהאמאס … שאלה: החתונה תתקיים בעז"ה בשעטו"מ בNassau Bahamas. הורה לי מישהו לכתוב ככה: נסאו איי בהאמה; לפי מה שלימדו אותי רבותי שיחיו עדיף לכתוב בלע"ז מבלה"ק, ולענ"ד הנ"ל מצורף מלה"ק ולהבדיל לע"ז. ואשר לכן נ"ל לכתוב ככה: נאסאו באהאמאס מענה: מסברא יש לכתוב ״נאסאו בבאהאמאס״ עם ב׳ השימוש, או ״אשר בבאהאמאס״ וכדומה. אבל לפי הנהוג (בברוקלין וכדומה - ברוקלין נוא יארק) כותבים נאסאו באהאמאס. מקורות: ראה שו״ת אג״מ אה״ע ד, ק, ב. (וכעי״ז במסורת…Show more
There is a disagreement if this is effective. Of course, it would be better to use the saliva than not to use anything at all. Sources: ראה שו״ת פני מבין או״ח לב. שארית יהודה בלום…
It cannot be done over zoom, unless the three people are in one place. Sources: כמו בהתרת נדרים - ראה בכלבו קמז. וראה אצלנו…
Question: Sometimes after making Ha'adama on a salad with lettuce, cucumber, and tomatoes etc. I discover a large piece of avocado or almond buried underneath... Am I yotzei these foods with the Ha'adama bracha I made? Or do I… Question: Sometimes after making Ha'adama on a salad with lettuce, cucumber, and tomatoes etc. I discover a large piece of avocado or almond buried underneath... Am I yotzei these foods with the Ha'adama bracha I made? Or do I now need to say Ha'eitz? Answer: In some cases, the correct bracha would be ha’adama regardless of the ha’etz food in the mixture, for example if it’s the primary ingredient in the mixture . See details here: https://asktherav.com/12158-bracha-on-salad-mixture/ In a case where one is required to make a separate ha’etz - he does not fulfill his obligation by making…Show more
Question: My son has hearing aids, we keep them on him during the day but not by night. Generally when one takes them out or puts them in, they make a noise. Is it allowed to be used on… Question: My son has hearing aids, we keep them on him during the day but not by night. Generally when one takes them out or puts them in, they make a noise. Is it allowed to be used on Shabbos? Answer: Yes. It should be removed and returned with a shinui. Sources: מותר לעשות אפי׳ מלאכה דאורייתא בשינוי לצורך חושאיב״ס. וראה…Show more
I am not sure how the lake is; If it's flowing - it must not stem from rainwater. Pipes through which water passes can also invalidate the water. Even if the river originated from a spring, it often increases… I am not sure how the lake is; If it's flowing - it must not stem from rainwater. Pipes through which water passes can also invalidate the water. Even if the river originated from a spring, it often increases due to rainwater or melted snow. If it’s stagnant – not flowing - even if it originates from rainwater, it is kosher. In addition, if there is any filtering, as it seems like is the case in the Prospect Park Lake, It would be an issue too. #8661 See also: https://asktherav.com/10787-is-a-brook-or-lake-kosher-for-toveling-utensils-there-is-no-other-mikvah-in-my-area/ Show more
שאלה: ילמדנו רבינו: מפני מה מורים לכל הנשים לטבול כדג? הרי בכל המקורות משמע דכ"ז הוא רק אם אינה יכולה לטבול כדרכה מפני שאין המים גבוהים דים. ומאגרות כ"ק אדמו"ר (ח"ג אג' תקנב) משמע דלא שמיע לי' כלומר לא… שאלה: ילמדנו רבינו: מפני מה מורים לכל הנשים לטבול כדג? הרי בכל המקורות משמע דכ"ז הוא רק אם אינה יכולה לטבול כדרכה מפני שאין המים גבוהים דים. ומאגרות כ"ק אדמו"ר (ח"ג אג' תקנב) משמע דלא שמיע לי' כלומר לא ס"ל. והאם הכל נשען על רשימת הר"י לנדא מפי השמועה? מענה: לכאורה הכוונה - כהוספה על שאר הטבילות. מקורות: אף שבכ״מ דמהני בשוטח כל גופו בקרקע, ובשו״ת הר״ן…Show more
שאלה: בשבת, השעון מעורר התחיל לצלצל מוקדם בבוקר. וזה שעון מעורר שאם לא עוצרים אותו הוא לא נעצר מעצמו. האם מותר לטלטל (ללא שינוי) את הפלאפון למקום אחר משום גרף של רעי? תשובה: לא. ולפעמים יש לדון להתיר… שאלה: בשבת, השעון מעורר התחיל לצלצל מוקדם בבוקר. וזה שעון מעורר שאם לא עוצרים אותו הוא לא נעצר מעצמו. האם מותר לטלטל (ללא שינוי) את הפלאפון למקום אחר משום גרף של רעי? תשובה: לא. ולפעמים יש לדון להתיר משום צורך מקומו - ראה כאן: https://asktherav.com/15481-moving-muktzeh-for-the-sake-of-its-place/ מקורות: סתימת כל הפוסקים שהיתר גש״ר הוא רק בדבר המאוס…Show more
There is no change in the position. #24142
They may be toveled in a natural lake. A brook can also be used when there is no mikve. It is best not to use them for toveling in a rainy season, or at least to tovel the dishes… They may be toveled in a natural lake. A brook can also be used when there is no mikve. It is best not to use them for toveling in a rainy season, or at least to tovel the dishes in the part of the stream which is originally from the spring (i.e. whatever is there during the summer when it doesn't rain). If you use a river for tevilah, you need to verify that it has no electricity-dam somewhere upstream. Sources: יש בזה ג' שיטות בראשונים: א. הרמב"ם סובר דרבו…Show more
Question: Please specify a detailed procedure on how to add a name to a relative who is in a hospital and is in need of a big Refuah Shleimah. Where can I find the nusach, is it printed in… Question: Please specify a detailed procedure on how to add a name to a relative who is in a hospital and is in need of a big Refuah Shleimah. Where can I find the nusach, is it printed in Tehilas Hashem siddurim? Answer: Please see here: Halacha2go.com #809: Not Nonchalant on a Name Change Shinui hashem (under the proper halachic guidelines) usually occurs before the Torah, when a specific mi shebeirach (prayer for an individual at the end of a Torah reading portion) is recited in front of a minyan (prayer quorum [of ten men]). (The subject of…Show more
יש ענין להורידם מהשולחן. ובפרט לפני ברכת המזון. שמועה שמעתי שהיו חסידים שנהגו להשכיבם ולא להורידם. אבל לא ידוע לי מקור לכך. מקורות: בעת ברכת המזון - תפארת שמואל על הרא״ש ברכות…
There is a Machlokes whether the Issur of Cholov Akum includes milk which a Mechalel Shabbos milked. Even according to the lenient view, there will be an issue if the milk was sent to you by a mechalel Shabbos… There is a Machlokes whether the Issur of Cholov Akum includes milk which a Mechalel Shabbos milked. Even according to the lenient view, there will be an issue if the milk was sent to you by a mechalel Shabbos unless it was fully sealed at the milking plant before it was sent. Also, if there is any milk in the area which was milked by a non Jew, whether in the farm or store-bought milk for drinking, this leniency would not apply. Regardless, you must ensure that the cow is not a treifa; a medical record would suffice…Show more
Question: Am I allowed to photograph a chosson/kallah kissing? Does it make a difference if it's in front of others or in private (just me and the two of them)? Answer: They may not do so in your… Question: Am I allowed to photograph a chosson/kallah kissing? Does it make a difference if it's in front of others or in private (just me and the two of them)? Answer: They may not do so in your presence. See here: https://asktherav.com/3292-showing-physical-affection-to-ones-spouse/ If nevertheless they have done so in your presence, you may not photograph them. In extreme circumstances there might room to be lenient and photograph it if you are absolutely certain that it doesn’t cause you any hirhurim. However, you may not instruct them, or cause them, to do so. Sources: שאף שאין לנהוג חיבה בפני אחרים - וראה שם…Show more
Question: If someone is very thirsty and they will also eat, for instance, after the gym or exercise or after a fast. Should they first make a mezonos/hamotzie on the cake or bread for instance, or is it ok/preferred… Question: If someone is very thirsty and they will also eat, for instance, after the gym or exercise or after a fast. Should they first make a mezonos/hamotzie on the cake or bread for instance, or is it ok/preferred to first drink water which is what they really crave to have first? Answer: They should first have water. Indeed, if they are very thirsty before they start a meal it’s important they take a small sip of water, less than the shiur for bracha acharona, in order not to go into a question of whether the water…Show more
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