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Question: According to the ויש אומרים the Alter Rebbe brings in שכו:ד, washing hands and then placing them near something warm is not allowed on Shabbos (if they are still wet). Would this apply to a heated floor in… Question: According to the ויש אומרים the Alter Rebbe brings in שכו:ד, washing hands and then placing them near something warm is not allowed on Shabbos (if they are still wet). Would this apply to a heated floor in a mikvah as some mikvahs have (for example Mikvah Meir)? If so, how should one use such a mikvah? Would I need to be careful to dry off before stepping on the heated floor? Would I need to be careful not to step in the water on the floor after drying off? If not why not? Answer: This isn’t…Show more
Question: I have a 3-part question When one makes a Siyum Sefer Torah does one have to make Seudah with it? Does it have to be on the same day? Can you do it the day after with a… Question: I have a 3-part question When one makes a Siyum Sefer Torah does one have to make Seudah with it? Does it have to be on the same day? Can you do it the day after with a bar mitzvah from the family? Answer: The custom is to make a nice Seudah. The Seudah need not be on the same day. It best that it not be done in conjunction with a Bar Mitzvah, but if necessary can be done this way by setting aside special food for each purpose. Sources: סעודת הכנסת ס״ת כסעו״מ - שו״ת חו״י ע. והו״ד…Show more
If it's just not touching but it's Mamosh right near it, like a hairbreadth or two away, and it is obvious that the letters were written according to the sirtut it's kosher. Sources: כבר הביאו בכ''מ, שבס' הישר לר"ת קד, וכן ברמב"ן…
Under the circumstances you may rely on the following: clean the surface well, wait 24 hours since last usage, turn the elements to the highest heat and pour boiling water directly from a hot kettle or urn on the… Under the circumstances you may rely on the following: clean the surface well, wait 24 hours since last usage, turn the elements to the highest heat and pour boiling water directly from a hot kettle or urn on the stove top. Make sure the water spills all over. It’s best to put on the stovetop a metal disk when cooking. The middle section where pots don’t usually sit should not be used. If necessary, it can be used provided the pots placed there are not wet on the bottom. Anything spilled there should not be used. This leniency should…Show more
If it's not the norm to receive gifts during the meal, a bracha is made. However, on Purim or in an area where it's quite normal for someone to send a gift during the meal, a bracha is not… If it's not the norm to receive gifts during the meal, a bracha is made. However, on Purim or in an area where it's quite normal for someone to send a gift during the meal, a bracha is not recited. Sources: כ"מ מלשון אדה"ז בשולחנו סי' קעז, ס"ה ובסדבה"נ פ"ד…Show more
אם אוכלם עם פת - אינו מברך. ואם אוכלם כדי לגרר תאוות האכילה - אינו מברך. ואם אוכלם לתענוג, נחלקו בזה. ולמעשה, המנהג שבכל אופן דינם כדברים הבאים מחמת הסעודה ואינו מברך עליהם. מקורות: בשו״ע שירקות הם דברים הבאים מחמת הסעודה. ולא כתב…
מותר, אבל לא נכון שכל אחד ואחד יעשה כן. מקורות: ראה צרור החיים לר״ח מטודילו, תלמיד הרשב״א, דיני טעויות…
It questionable whether the prohibition of chukas hagoyim applies here. Nonetheless, there is still reason for prohibition on other grounds, especially since the Churban, and also due to moshav leitzim and Bittul Torah, and megare yetzer hara… It questionable whether the prohibition of chukas hagoyim applies here. Nonetheless, there is still reason for prohibition on other grounds, especially since the Churban, and also due to moshav leitzim and Bittul Torah, and megare yetzer hara. See for a similar matter, but not the same issues, here: https://asktherav.com/6923-is-it-permissible-halachically-hashkaficlly-to-take-my-kids-to-walt-disney-in-orlando/ And also here: https://asktherav.com/11635-red-line-between-bittul-torah-and-relaxing/ Sources: ראה פירש״י אחרי יח, ג עה״פ ובחוקותיהם לא תלכו…Show more
Yes. Sources: ראה עד״ז בפמ״ג תפז בא״א א - בנוגע יו״ט,…
Question: I have nodules on my vocal cords which causes long term hoarseness. Part of the treatment my doctor gave me is to do the straw phonation vocal exercise multiple times daily. The exercise involves singing and making sounds… Question: I have nodules on my vocal cords which causes long term hoarseness. Part of the treatment my doctor gave me is to do the straw phonation vocal exercise multiple times daily. The exercise involves singing and making sounds thru a straw into a cup of water. Am I allowed to do it on Shabbos? Answer: It may be done on Shabbos. ראה שו"ת ציץ אליעזר ח"ו סוף סי' ד. #23295Show more
Question: Please advise on the practical application of this halacha, and if any heterim exist etc. Shulchan Aruch (YD 179:19) states that it is forbidden to learn anything from an apikores for one may be influenced by his beliefs.… Question: Please advise on the practical application of this halacha, and if any heterim exist etc. Shulchan Aruch (YD 179:19) states that it is forbidden to learn anything from an apikores for one may be influenced by his beliefs. One of the exercises of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) for healthcare chaplaincy is to interview a non-Jewish chaplain and share what they said with the class. Would participating in such an exercise be in violation of this halacha? Answer: Generally, something like this would be included too. However, it would be permissible under the following conditions: if the non-Jewish…Show more
Generally yes, but this depends on the person, his time and capabilities. In Yeshiva, this depends on Hanhala too. Sources: קשה לקבוע מסמרות בזה. והכל לפי מה שהוא אדם.…
Question: If my landlord is Jewish and they are not fulfilling legal requirements such as taking care of rodents & pests, is it Mesirah to lodge a complaint with 311 which may subject them to fines or other repercussions?… Question: If my landlord is Jewish and they are not fulfilling legal requirements such as taking care of rodents & pests, is it Mesirah to lodge a complaint with 311 which may subject them to fines or other repercussions? Is it allowed to withhold rent until such time as the issue is rectified? Answer: This would be considered Mesirah. You can call him instead to a din Torah. If it is believed that the landlord is being negligent, you can withhold some of the rent, approximately the cost of dealing with the problem yourself, in order to force…Show more
Question: Who is responsible to affix, check and maintain the Mezuzahs in a Yeshiva dorm? The Yeshiva rents apartments for the bochorim and then charges tuition to bochorim. The bochorim say the yeshiva is the renter of the… Question: Who is responsible to affix, check and maintain the Mezuzahs in a Yeshiva dorm? The Yeshiva rents apartments for the bochorim and then charges tuition to bochorim. The bochorim say the yeshiva is the renter of the apartments and it's their responsibility. The yeshiva says the bochorim pay tuition which includes rent and are therefore the renters and are the ones who live and sleep there and obligated in Mezuzah. Would it make a difference if the Yeshiva owns the dorm (vs. renting)? Answer: Generally speaking the Hanhalah of the yeshivah are responsible to put up…Show more
Halachically, there is no need to stand while the reading of the Torah even if the Bima is not on a raised platform or the Torah is being read on a low table and it is not 10 Tefochim… Halachically, there is no need to stand while the reading of the Torah even if the Bima is not on a raised platform or the Torah is being read on a low table and it is not 10 Tefochim high. However, there are poskim who say that one must stand in these cases. Regardless, one must stand or rise themselves slightly for Barchu before the Aliya. Still, there are those who accustomed to stand for Krias Hatorah regardless. It is preferred to follow this custom unless it is hard, and you wouldn't be able to concentrate on Krias Hatorah.…Show more
Question: If I forgot יעלה ויבוא on ראש חודש שחרית and remembered תוך כדי דיבור of יהיו לרצון before I started taking 3 steps back, can I go back and start from רצה? Answer: No. Sources: בגליוני הש״ס ברכות כט, ב דמהני תוכ״ד משים שלום.…
Question: I heard that Kabbalisticlly it’s not good to cover the head Tefillin with ones Tallis. So what is one supposed to do for Birchas Kohanim when he’s supposed to cover his face with his tallit while he’s wearing… Question: I heard that Kabbalisticlly it’s not good to cover the head Tefillin with ones Tallis. So what is one supposed to do for Birchas Kohanim when he’s supposed to cover his face with his tallit while he’s wearing Tefillin? Answer: Generally the Tefillin shel Rosh should be visible, but according to Kabalah they should be at least partially covered with the Tallis. Regarding Birchas Kohanim: The Kohanim should cover their heads including their tefillin. As for the congregation, they should preferably cover just their their face with the Tallis on the sides of their face leaving the…Show more
Question: If someone goes to the bathroom in the middle of a Seudah, and they are still planning on continuing to eat or drink, but not planning on eating any more bread, does he still have to wash for… Question: If someone goes to the bathroom in the middle of a Seudah, and they are still planning on continuing to eat or drink, but not planning on eating any more bread, does he still have to wash for netilas yadayim and eat some bread, or is that only if he wants to continue eating bread? Answer: One who goes to the bathroom in middle of a seuda, if he touched במקומות המכוסים he should wash his hands again, three times each hand etc. This is even if he is not planning on continuing to eat bread,…Show more
Question: Due to a health issue my father can not say or read brachos. However he can answer Amen and he is aware of what he is listening. My question is: can I say the 18 morning brachos… Question: Due to a health issue my father can not say or read brachos. However he can answer Amen and he is aware of what he is listening. My question is: can I say the 18 morning brachos for him to answer Amen if I was already yotze, as I had said the brachos myself earlier in the day Answer: No, unless there is a minyan present. He can - and should - however think the words of the brachos, if that’s possible for him. It’s best that you wait to recite the morning Brachos (for…Show more
Question: Women in our shul have complained that they don't have access to the backyard playground from their side of the mechitza. A proposal has been made to move the mechitza and switch around the mens' and women'… Question: Women in our shul have complained that they don't have access to the backyard playground from their side of the mechitza. A proposal has been made to move the mechitza and switch around the mens' and women' sections. Is there a problem with making part of the shul which used to be the mens' section into the women' section or vice versa. Please see diagrams for current side-by-side setup vs. proposed new setup Answer: This is permissible if this is not done permanently, rather on certain occasions the Mechitzah will remain…Show more
They should not be eaten. Sources: לכאו׳ דמי לצפרניים וטלפיים שאסור מדרבנן (ראה ברמב״ם מאכ״א…
In the Rebbe's letters we find that the Rebbe suggested to people experiencing not good dreams: • Not to think of the bad dreams. • Dreams come from the thoughts of the day. So, if you take care of… In the Rebbe's letters we find that the Rebbe suggested to people experiencing not good dreams: • Not to think of the bad dreams. • Dreams come from the thoughts of the day. So, if you take care of the reason by only having good thoughts throughout the day, the outcome would automatically go away. • Be careful with regards to Krias Shma before bed. • Check the Mezuzos and (a women should make sure to check her husband's) Tefillin by a scribe to ensure that they are still kosher. • Give Tzedaka before candle lighting before Shabbos and…Show more
Question: How far does one have to check after the bathroom to be concerned about these issues brought in shulchan Aruch? For some, being overly concerned can at times cause fissures and bleeding, which can be an issue… Question: How far does one have to check after the bathroom to be concerned about these issues brought in shulchan Aruch? For some, being overly concerned can at times cause fissures and bleeding, which can be an issue on Shabbos, and which can cause medical problems in the long term. Answer: Even though one should Lechatchila clean until a tissue would come out clean, one should definitely not stress about this and clean to the point where damage may be inflicted. Additionally, when using water or a bidet one can be lenient about the wiping. (And there’s…Show more
There is no minimum height, it suffices that they are not directly on the floor. ראה שו"ע יו"ד סי' רפ"ב סעי' ז' ובש"ך ס"ק ט' ובית הלל ס"ק א' שם, חיי אדם כלל ל"א אות מ"ג, ועוד. … There is no minimum height, it suffices that they are not directly on the floor. ראה שו"ע יו"ד סי' רפ"ב סעי' ז' ובש"ך ס"ק ט' ובית הלל ס"ק א' שם, חיי אדם כלל ל"א אות מ"ג, ועוד. #23146Show more
Nowadays it’s usually better for them to learn Gemara. Wherever possible, they should choose a Mesachta which deals with relevant halachos for women. See also: Derher.org/The Rebbe's View on Teaching Torah to Women Derher.org/Yechidus with the Belzer… Nowadays it’s usually better for them to learn Gemara. Wherever possible, they should choose a Mesachta which deals with relevant halachos for women. See also: Derher.org/The Rebbe's View on Teaching Torah to Women Derher.org/Yechidus with the Belzer Rebbe -4 Adar II 5741 Sources: לכל לראש, ראה באוצר המלך להרה״צ וכו׳ הר״צ מלובלין ת״ת…Show more
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