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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
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.…
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