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Question: Someone was writing this on WhatsApp. “According to Rabbi Braun split it's not a hidur now days - and leads to a lot of problems with getting salt under the skin.... (I heard this from someone who spoke… Question: Someone was writing this on WhatsApp. “According to Rabbi Braun split it's not a hidur now days - and leads to a lot of problems with getting salt under the skin.... (I heard this from someone who spoke with him - not directly from him)” Is this the opinion of the rav or was the rav misquoted? Answer: It is true that the original reasons for splitting chickens hardly apply nowadays in many modern facilities. The key reasons for splitting the chickens are: to make sure that the salt goes all the way in, and to make…Show more
מענה: נכון שיעשו כך. מקורות (ומשולבים בו כמה הערות תוכניות שקיבלתי מח״א שליט״א, ויבוא על שכרו מן השמים): כך הי׳ פשוט אצלי תמיד - שהכוונה שתשמע הכלה היינו לא השאלה אלא התשובה, שהרי אם שמעה רק השאלה… מענה: נכון שיעשו כך. מקורות (ומשולבים בו כמה הערות תוכניות שקיבלתי מח״א שליט״א, ויבוא על שכרו מן השמים): כך הי׳ פשוט אצלי תמיד - שהכוונה שתשמע הכלה היינו לא השאלה אלא התשובה, שהרי אם שמעה רק השאלה מנין סמכה דעתה שבאמת כך התשובה. ושוב ראיתי כן גם אצל כמה מהמלקטים, אף שלא מפיהם אנו חיים. ובהקדם, שגוף המנהג לשאול לכלה, הובא ברמ״א אה״ע לא, ב, שנוהגין תחת החופה לשאול לעדים אם הטבעת שוה פרוטה כדי שתדע הכלה שאין מקדשה רק בשוה פרוטה. ובערוה״ש אה״ע לא, ח, שבמדינותינו אין נוהגין לשאול להעדים. [ולהעיר, שכתבו כדבר הפשוט, על מדינת…Show more
Yes, a Baal Tokea may rely on a new pair of Tzitzis to fulfill the custom of wearing a new garment by Tekias Shofar on the second day of Rosh Hashanah. Sources: מפורסם מנהגנו שבדרך כלל אין מברכים על בגדים חדשים…
The Rebbe instructed that the chosson leave during that time so that everything can be recited properly. The chosson himself does not say vidui and tachanun. For Slichos on a Tanis Tzibbur, vidui and tachanun is omitted… The Rebbe instructed that the chosson leave during that time so that everything can be recited properly. The chosson himself does not say vidui and tachanun. For Slichos on a Tanis Tzibbur, vidui and tachanun is omitted before Selichos but Selichos is recited as regular, and with the inclusion of vidui (ashamnu) after Shema Koleinu. Sources: ראה רשימת הרחמ״א ע״ה חדקוב - התקשרות גל׳ תרכט…Show more
Question: Kvod Harav, My five year old son was born with an ectopic testicle (a perineal ectopic testis, to be exact). That is - although both testicles were fully formed and descended, one testicle descended into the wrong place… Question: Kvod Harav, My five year old son was born with an ectopic testicle (a perineal ectopic testis, to be exact). That is - although both testicles were fully formed and descended, one testicle descended into the wrong place (right behind the scrotum) instead of inside the scrotum. We did not know that there were possible halachic concerns involved and he had surgery to correct this when he was 5 months old. The surgeon made an incision into the groin in order to be able to extract the blood vessels and testicle and then reinsert it into the correct…Show more
כנראה הוא כן מנהג גוים. אבל אין בזה איסור מן הדין של הליכה בחוקות הגוים. מקורות: ידוע שנהגו בזה בתפוצות ישראל בכ״מ, והשתתפו בשעת מעשה…
According to their website, they are certified by OU, but are produced on dairy equipment. Assuming this is correct, they are kosher but potentially not Cholov yisroel. The OU website it says it is dairy (OU-D). PS: It’s… According to their website, they are certified by OU, but are produced on dairy equipment. Assuming this is correct, they are kosher but potentially not Cholov yisroel. The OU website it says it is dairy (OU-D). PS: It’s possible that its only DE (dairy equipment) as they stopped labeling things as OU-de and only use OU-d. Either way, it’s still an issue of cholov akum. See here. #6436Show more
Question: Does one take 3 steps back and then say tehillos le'eil elyon or Shira chadosha and then go back to their place, or take 3 steps back and then 3 steps forward and start davaning? It says… Question: Does one take 3 steps back and then say tehillos le'eil elyon or Shira chadosha and then go back to their place, or take 3 steps back and then 3 steps forward and start davaning? It says one thing in the Shulchan Aruch but in the English Siddur it doesn’t say the same as Shulchan Aruch and watching the Rebbe davaning it seems like the Rebbe doesn’t say anything after he takes 3 steps back. Answer: The general custom amongst Anash is that the three steps back and forward are to be taken after finishing the…Show more
Question: My mother got me a beautiful ring from Israel with the Passuk Shema on it. The issue with wearing it is, I'm sure i'll forget to take it off before entering the bathroom throughout the day. So I… Question: My mother got me a beautiful ring from Israel with the Passuk Shema on it. The issue with wearing it is, I'm sure i'll forget to take it off before entering the bathroom throughout the day. So I was thinking of turning the Hey's of Hashem and Elokeinu into Ches' or Kuf's. Would that even be allowed? And if yes, would I then be able to take the ring into the bathroom? Answer: It’s forbidden to change the letters of Hashem’s name. Even if one (mistakenly) did remove or change it, it is still forbidden to bring…Show more
Question: Is it better for each of us to do our own chicken by Kaparos, or is it just as good to do one rooster for all the males and one chicken for all the females? It is quite… Question: Is it better for each of us to do our own chicken by Kaparos, or is it just as good to do one rooster for all the males and one chicken for all the females? It is quite expensive if not really necessary. Answer: Ideally, one chicken per family member should be taken. And this is the Chabad custom. If, however, one is unable to afford doing so, then one male rooster and one female chicken are sufficient to be used for all the male and female members of one’s household, respectively. Also, if the mosad arranging…Show more
It’s permissible to use gloves, especially as the one doing the kaporos isn’t performing the actual mitzvah of shechita. Still, it’s appropriate to demonstrate our love to the minhag yisrael by not wearing gloves. See also here: https://asktherav.com/article-842-glove-free-mitzvos/… It’s permissible to use gloves, especially as the one doing the kaporos isn’t performing the actual mitzvah of shechita. Still, it’s appropriate to demonstrate our love to the minhag yisrael by not wearing gloves. See also here: https://asktherav.com/article-842-glove-free-mitzvos/ #1675Show more
Question: There is a tree called a Moringa Tree and it’s leaves are extremely healthy and also edible. I was wondering what the Bracha of it would be, haeitz or haadamah as they are just leaves and if your… Question: There is a tree called a Moringa Tree and it’s leaves are extremely healthy and also edible. I was wondering what the Bracha of it would be, haeitz or haadamah as they are just leaves and if your eating it for health if there would even be a bracha from the beginning? Answer: If the purpose of planting the tree is for the leaves, the bracha Haadama should be recited. If not, Shehakol. ראה שו״ע אדה״ז רב, ב. משנ״ב רב בשעה״צ מא בשם הברכ״י. #23445Show more
Questions: I was recently sent via WhatsApp a speech from a conservative rabbi speaking favorably about Chabad that was filmed in his sanctuary.. Is it mutar to listen to words from a reform/conservative rabbi if they are favorable words?… Questions: I was recently sent via WhatsApp a speech from a conservative rabbi speaking favorably about Chabad that was filmed in his sanctuary.. Is it mutar to listen to words from a reform/conservative rabbi if they are favorable words? Is there a difference if it was filmed in his shul/sanctuary? I know we don't enter their sanctuary.. What about viewing a video of their sanctuary? If it was filmed on Shabbos, would such a video be appropriate to watch? Answers: Yes, as long as there’s no heresy in those words. It’s inappropriate to watch such videos, though not…Show more
שאלה: בשיחת ח''י אלול תנש''א קרוב לסופו: "הוספה אין דעם לימוד פון הלכות הגאולה אין דעם רמב''ם אדער אין שולחן ערוך וכיו''ב וואו ס'רעדט זיך וועגן דער ברכת הגאולה פון שמונה עשרה וכיו''ב..." א. האם הכוונה להלכות סמיכת גאולה… שאלה: בשיחת ח''י אלול תנש''א קרוב לסופו: "הוספה אין דעם לימוד פון הלכות הגאולה אין דעם רמב''ם אדער אין שולחן ערוך וכיו''ב וואו ס'רעדט זיך וועגן דער ברכת הגאולה פון שמונה עשרה וכיו''ב..." א. האם הכוונה להלכות סמיכת גאולה לתפילה (כ''נ בדברי משיח) או לברכת גאל ישראל או בכלל לאת צמח דוד עבדך... ב. איפה עוד בשו''ע יש הלכות הגאולה? תשובה: סגנון הדברים ״ברכת הגאולה פון שמונה עשרה״ משמע שהמדובר בברכות השייכות לגאולה בשמונה עשרה גופא. ולא בברכת גאל ישראל שלפני׳ או בדיני סמיכת גאולה לתפלה. פרטי דינים - בטור סימנים קטו-טז, קיט-כ. עוד מקומות בשולחן ערוך -…Show more
שאלה: מה הדין לטלטל תמונה (-כגון שנפלה) בשבת, שכל השנה נזהר בה לא לטלטלה, האם זה דומה לכלים שמלאכתם לההיתר שהכניסם לאוצר לסחורה, שאדה"ז כתב ע"ז שהם מוקצה מחמת חסרון כיס? תשובה: לא. הסבר: אין דין מוקצה מחמת חסרון… שאלה: מה הדין לטלטל תמונה (-כגון שנפלה) בשבת, שכל השנה נזהר בה לא לטלטלה, האם זה דומה לכלים שמלאכתם לההיתר שהכניסם לאוצר לסחורה, שאדה"ז כתב ע"ז שהם מוקצה מחמת חסרון כיס? תשובה: לא. הסבר: אין דין מוקצה מחמת חסרון כיס רק בכלי שמלאכתו לאיסור ומקפיד שלא ישתמש, או שעומד לסחורה. והאיסור רק מה שמקפיד שלא להשתמש, ולא מה שמייחד לה מקום. וכלי גדול וכבד לא נתבטל ממנו שם כלי מחמת כובדו. ורק בדבר שאינו כלי בעצם כקורה ואבן צריך לייחדו שישתמש בו ע״י טלטול. מקורות: כן מוכח בשו״ע אדה״ז שח, ד שממח״כ הוא רק…Show more
Question: A chicken soup (with vegetables and chicken) is shehakol. My wife also cooks Kneidlach in the soup. She cooks the Kneidlach in the soup itself and it gives some flavor to the liquid. Would this make the… Question: A chicken soup (with vegetables and chicken) is shehakol. My wife also cooks Kneidlach in the soup. She cooks the Kneidlach in the soup itself and it gives some flavor to the liquid. Would this make the soup Mezonos? Answer: If the kneidlach are cooked together with the soup, one should only make Mezonos on the soup and Kneidlach. However, it’s still better (whenever there isn’t a large amount of kneidlach so that they are the primary ingredient) to make a bracha on the chicken first to cover the soup (or on the vegetables if…Show more
תלוי. אם הסיבה שאינו שומר שבת מחמת שאינו מאמין בזה, אי אפשר לצאת ידי חובה ממנו. כמו כן אם הוא מחלל שבת בפרהסיא, קשה להקל לצאת ממנו. אבל אם מתבייש ולא מחלל שבת בפני אנשים חשובים, אפשר להקל. כמובן,… תלוי. אם הסיבה שאינו שומר שבת מחמת שאינו מאמין בזה, אי אפשר לצאת ידי חובה ממנו. כמו כן אם הוא מחלל שבת בפרהסיא, קשה להקל לצאת ממנו. אבל אם מתבייש ולא מחלל שבת בפני אנשים חשובים, אפשר להקל. כמובן, כל זה בתנאי שהבן אדם מבטא נכון את כל המילים, וגם מתכוון להוציא ידי חובה. חשוב שהיין יהא מבושל. כמו כן, צריך שישתה, או שלפחות מישהו אחר, ישתה רוב רביעית. בכל אופן, במצבים כאלה, כדאי שהשומע יאמר מילה במילה בלחש. ולא יענה אמן. כדאי גם שיסתכל על הכוס. וישתה בעצמו רוב רביעית. ואם אין מספיק יין בכוס יוסיף מהיין שבבקבוק…Show more
It seems to be used originally for Asian religious and meditating purposes but now has become very popular for the geometric designs. Answer: Halachically permitted. There is room for stringency not to use such art. דומה לזה,… It seems to be used originally for Asian religious and meditating purposes but now has become very popular for the geometric designs. Answer: Halachically permitted. There is room for stringency not to use such art. דומה לזה, ראה כאן: https://asktherav.com/is-it-a-problem-to-buy-a-chess-set-since-there-is-a-cross-can-i-break-it-off/ #23177Show more
If it is still keeping the shoe tight on your foot, it is not an issue. However, if your shoe is now loose, you must stop and tie your laces. Sources: ראה שוע"ר סי' שא סמ"ו. וכ"ה בנדו"ד שמותר לצאת…
If he learnt the mesechta/seder as a katan, and finishes as a gadol (on his Bar Mitzvah day) is Kaddish recited afterwards? Answer: Yes, if there’ll be a Minyan present, See also here. The Kaddish to be said… If he learnt the mesechta/seder as a katan, and finishes as a gadol (on his Bar Mitzvah day) is Kaddish recited afterwards? Answer: Yes, if there’ll be a Minyan present, See also here. The Kaddish to be said is a regular Kaddish Derabanan - see here and here. If there will be someone with a Chiuv present, the custom is that they say the Kaddish. Otherwise, the one who makes the Siyum says it. If he is a minor before his Bar Mitzvah, an adult should say it (although a minor may technically say Kaddish as done by…Show more
When Moshiach comes, we will no longer ask for our needs in Shmoneh Esrei; instead, we will only give thanks to Hashem. Whether this will take effect immediately or not is not clear, as we do not know a… When Moshiach comes, we will no longer ask for our needs in Shmoneh Esrei; instead, we will only give thanks to Hashem. Whether this will take effect immediately or not is not clear, as we do not know a lot of the details of Yemos Hamoshiach until they happen. Otherwise, you may not stop in the middle of Shmone Esrei. Sources: א. פשוט שאין להפסיק באמצע העמידה. ואפילו מלך ישראל…Show more
Question: If someone had apples in a Ziploc bag and went into the Ohel with them, may the apples be eaten? Answer: There is no restriction against bringing food into a cemetery, and the food does not contract… Question: If someone had apples in a Ziploc bag and went into the Ohel with them, may the apples be eaten? Answer: There is no restriction against bringing food into a cemetery, and the food does not contract any impurity etc. through doing so. Hence, there is no issue with eating foods that entered a cemetery. Sources: בהוריות יג, ב השותה מאמת המים העוברת בביה״ק. אבל…Show more
Is there a difference between Yom tov and Chol Hamoed due to live music? Answer: You may attend, but not dance, if there is no music. If there is music, you may only attend if not doing so… Is there a difference between Yom tov and Chol Hamoed due to live music? Answer: You may attend, but not dance, if there is no music. If there is music, you may only attend if not doing so will cause the prohibition of showing public Aveilus. Sources: שקו״ט בפוסקים להתיר לאבל לנגן שם כשפרנסתו בכך -…Show more
Question: https://asktherav.com/376-showers-on-yom-tov/ Regarding your rulings about showers on Yom Tov, the Rav quotes from Rav Akiva Eiger that when in Tzar one can take a cold shower. Does the Rav only permit this when there is "great pain", or… Question: https://asktherav.com/376-showers-on-yom-tov/ Regarding your rulings about showers on Yom Tov, the Rav quotes from Rav Akiva Eiger that when in Tzar one can take a cold shower. Does the Rav only permit this when there is "great pain", or if in private shower the Rav would allow even by tzar (like the loshon of Rav Akiva Eiger [as quoted by the Biur Halacha]) that would seem to translate more as "strong discomfort" vs. "strong pain"? Answer: This has to be judged on a case by case basis. General discomfort more than normal is sufficient in this case. Sources: כן מוכח מהוכחת רעק״א לשו״ע או״ח שז, ה דקאי…Show more
Question: A family member has asked me for tzedakah. In my opinion, this person is making unwise financial decisions, and I do not trust that my tzedakah support will actually be helpful and effective. Am I obligated to give… Question: A family member has asked me for tzedakah. In my opinion, this person is making unwise financial decisions, and I do not trust that my tzedakah support will actually be helpful and effective. Am I obligated to give what I being asked to give anyway? Answer: Yes, a "poor person" may ask for money as long as they are in need. What are the basic needs? Food, clothing, rent/housing, utilities, school tuition (if one cannot afford to pay the tuition for their children) etc. If one wants they may receive Tzedakah so not to live in צער…Show more
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