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Question: When using the cup of birkas hamazon of seudah shlishis for havdalah, as it is the custom: Does it have to be the same person to do the zimun and havdalah? Can birkas hamazon and (maariv… Question: When using the cup of birkas hamazon of seudah shlishis for havdalah, as it is the custom: Does it have to be the same person to do the zimun and havdalah? Can birkas hamazon and (maariv and) havdalah be done in different rooms? Answer: No. Yes. בעיקר המנהג ראה אצלנו במקורות ועיונים להל׳ יומית אות שיא. #4916Show more
If so, would drying my hands for extra long during that time fix the problem (because niguv is considered part of the netila)? Answer: It’s not a hefsek. The Rosh had a custom to wash last in order… If so, would drying my hands for extra long during that time fix the problem (because niguv is considered part of the netila)? Answer: It’s not a hefsek. The Rosh had a custom to wash last in order to minimize the pause between washing and hamotzi, but this is not a requirement. It’s advisable to continue drying hands during the wait. Sources: מן הדין אין איסור להפסיק אפילו בדבור. אלא שטוב…Show more
No. Of course, if one wishes to be stringent they may do so. However, it should be noted that there are often probably much bigger issues with the food on the plate than the plate itself... See here for… No. Of course, if one wishes to be stringent they may do so. However, it should be noted that there are often probably much bigger issues with the food on the plate than the plate itself... See here for a similar issue: https://asktherav.com/article-458-are-styrofoam-cups-treif/ #21024Show more
You are not fleishig. Sources: ראה שו"ע יו"ד סי' פ"ט סעי' ג' [מִיהוּ אִם…
שאלה: יש לנו סיר גדול שמחובר למתקן מעל גבי צינורות ברזל חשמליות. האם מותר שגוי יוציא התבשיל בכף מכ"ר שע"ג האש? האם משנה אם אומרים לגוי לפני שבת או בשבת עצמו? מענה: כשאינו מבושל כל צרכו - יש… שאלה: יש לנו סיר גדול שמחובר למתקן מעל גבי צינורות ברזל חשמליות. האם מותר שגוי יוציא התבשיל בכף מכ"ר שע"ג האש? האם משנה אם אומרים לגוי לפני שבת או בשבת עצמו? מענה: כשאינו מבושל כל צרכו - יש מקום להתיר להוציא בכף על ידי גוי לצורך מצוה או אורחים, וכן בתבשיל שצריך לשבת צורך גמור שאי אפשר להיות בלעדיו אלא בדוחק קצת. וכשמבושל כל צרכו - יש להתיר גם בלא זה. טעם: להוציא בכף במבושל כ״צ הוא חומרא או דרבנן ומותר באופן הנ״ל. והרי לרוב הראשונים במבושל כ"צ אין איסור הגסה, אלא שחוששין לכלבו. וכשיש מחלוקת הפוסקים…Show more
It is only permitted if one uses a brush that doesn’t rip out hairs. Preferably one should set aside a special brush for Shabbos use only. Additionally, if the sheitel is only wearable if brushed, one should not brush… It is only permitted if one uses a brush that doesn’t rip out hairs. Preferably one should set aside a special brush for Shabbos use only. Additionally, if the sheitel is only wearable if brushed, one should not brush it even if there is no possibility of ripping our hair. Sources: כמה פרטים - גוזז (כבעור מתה. וי״ח). ודנו בזה…Show more
Generally it is recommended to do so although a decision should be made on a case to case basis. Sources: כ״ה בצוואת ריה״ח כד. ונסתפקו בזה אם הוא רק…
This is inaccurate. See here at length. #21456 (1)
Of course, one has to have kavanah. But if one didn’t, there is no obligation to repeat it, although it is meritorious to do so (unlike Pesukei D’zimrah where one must repeat this passuk if he did not… Of course, one has to have kavanah. But if one didn’t, there is no obligation to repeat it, although it is meritorious to do so (unlike Pesukei D’zimrah where one must repeat this passuk if he did not have kavanah). Sources ראה בכ״ז בשו״ע או״ח נא, ז ובנו״כ. ואקדים ואומר, דהא גופא שד״ז נזכר רק בדיני פסוד״ז מוכיח דלאו כללא הוא בכ״מ. ובפשטות, לא הוו שתקו הפוסקים מלהודיענו ד״ז, בדבר הרגיל ושכיח טובא. והטעם להחילוק, שהרי אעיקרא דמילתא מצינו בראשונים גירסאות שונות בברכות ד, ב, אם צ״ל תהלה לדוד ״ג״פ בכ״י״ או ״בכל יום״ גרידא. (וראה…Show more
The company matches donor organs to recipients etc. Answer: Yes you may. Sources: בהקדם, שאינו אפילו מושיט בחד עברי דנהרא, שבכל הדוגמאות…
Question: For example, if multiple people have access say to a Chabad House or office, but there is a male alone inside with a female, even though anyone can walk in at any time (so it isn't considered Yichud)… Question: For example, if multiple people have access say to a Chabad House or office, but there is a male alone inside with a female, even though anyone can walk in at any time (so it isn't considered Yichud) there will be advance warning as the person entering will be seen on the video screen when they are outside. Does that change the situation? Answer: In such a case, the fact that multiple people have access won’t help. See here: https://asktherav.com/article-679-handing-out-house-keys-to-preclude-yichud/ "Only if there is no surveillance system in place whereby those secluded in the house can receive…Show more
שאלה: בשיעורי תורה (סימן ג', ס"ח) מכריע הגרא"ח נאה שיש לדחוס את הלחם על מנת לשער כזית, והוא מגיע שהמשקל הסגולי של הלחם (כשהוא דחוס), שווה לזה של המים, והיינו שכזית הוא כ-26 גרם. אך דבר זה לא נראה… שאלה: בשיעורי תורה (סימן ג', ס"ח) מכריע הגרא"ח נאה שיש לדחוס את הלחם על מנת לשער כזית, והוא מגיע שהמשקל הסגולי של הלחם (כשהוא דחוס), שווה לזה של המים, והיינו שכזית הוא כ-26 גרם. אך דבר זה לא נראה תואם את פשט אדה"ז בסימן תפו. והרי בספר כזית השלם מגיע לכזית לחם של 6 עד 7 גרם! מה דעת הרב בנידון? מענה: אין צריך לדחוס כלל. אבל אם יש חלל גדול ניכר ימעך החלל. טעמים ומקורות: כבר הקשו כמה על מש״כ בשיעורי תורה סי׳ ב (קנו, א) וסי׳ ג הע׳ יז בסופה ״בדוחק עצום״, שסותר למשנה מפורשת…Show more
It’s advisable to kasher. Where kashering is impossible, such as earthenware, one should ideally kasher the keilim three times nonetheless and use only after 24 hours. Sources: נחלקו בזה טובא, שבתפל״מ בשם זקינו הובא בפת״ש קטז,…
Question: I have been trying not to show my back to the Aron haKodesh the whole time while in the shule, even while moving from one part of the room to the other. I’m kind of new in the… Question: I have been trying not to show my back to the Aron haKodesh the whole time while in the shule, even while moving from one part of the room to the other. I’m kind of new in the community and there are people who walk out of the room with their face to the Aron and back to the door. I had someone tell me it’s unnecessary. Do I need to stop this chumra? Or is this one of those things where I shouldn’t listen to people laughing about the situation? Answer: It is not halachically…Show more
Question: When learning shechita, shochtim must learn to hold and properly shecht the animal or bird. The first few cannot be eaten due to kashrus issues. Is it Mutar to practice with the intent of throwing out the birds?… Question: When learning shechita, shochtim must learn to hold and properly shecht the animal or bird. The first few cannot be eaten due to kashrus issues. Is it Mutar to practice with the intent of throwing out the birds? If it is Mutar, is there a limit how many birds may be used for practice? Answer: It is asur to make a bird a Neveila and certainly not with the intention of throwing it out, as it is Bal Tashchis, destroying something which is useful. An exception would be if a Neveila is worth the same…Show more
There is no halachic objection to buying German products. However there’s certainly nothing wrong with people who wish to avoid doing so based on history. Sources: אג״ק באנגלית ט״ו כסלו תש״ל, נדפס בלקט ניצוצי אור…
Question: I remember learning somewhere in Gemara that one should not publicize Aveiros bein adam lamakom but one should publicize Aveiros bein adam lachaveiro. Is this halacha lemaaseh? If it may help others, is it okay for me… Question: I remember learning somewhere in Gemara that one should not publicize Aveiros bein adam lamakom but one should publicize Aveiros bein adam lachaveiro. Is this halacha lemaaseh? If it may help others, is it okay for me to speak about my past Aveiros? Like if someone is going through something which I went through. What about just speaking freely while speaking to people who are struggling in Yiddishkeit, in order to show them that they can also do Teshuva? Answer: The reason this shouldn’t be done is because it appears as though one doesn’t care about…Show more
Answer: A Jew should not serve as a waitress for a non-kosher restaurant. This is especially the case when there are many kosher restaurants that are always looking to hire, thus there is no financial pressing need for one… Answer: A Jew should not serve as a waitress for a non-kosher restaurant. This is especially the case when there are many kosher restaurants that are always looking to hire, thus there is no financial pressing need for one who needs a job. Reasoning: The Pischei Teshuva (YD 117:6) holds that the prohibition of sechora (doing business transactions) with non kosher food should apply even if one does not own the food. On the other hand, some poskim (including Sho’el U’meishiv I, III :122; Igros Moshe, YD I:51) do not extend this prohibition to food delivery. (Even…Show more
Question: Would there be any Halachic problem for a Torah observant Jew to work in a non kosher liquor store that services Jewish (including many not yet frum) clientele? Answer: In regards to serving a Jew these… Question: Would there be any Halachic problem for a Torah observant Jew to work in a non kosher liquor store that services Jewish (including many not yet frum) clientele? Answer: In regards to serving a Jew these type of beverages, there might be room for leniency depending on the circumstances. If however it involves pouring the client a 'non kosher' beverage on the spot for him to taste or drink, it may not be done. However, the main issue here is handling and benefiting from forbidden beverages and especially wine. Nevertheless, so long they sell other beverages…Show more
Question: The Rebbe was against naming a baby by combining a name of one of the Rabbeim with a family name. Does this apply as well to combining a name of one of the Rebbetzin's with a family name?… Question: The Rebbe was against naming a baby by combining a name of one of the Rabbeim with a family name. Does this apply as well to combining a name of one of the Rebbetzin's with a family name? Answer: No, it does not apply. One may use the name of a Rebbetzin together with a name of a family member etc. Sources: בנוגע לשמות הרבניות - כך עמא דבר. ובכ״מ נז׳…Show more
Question: A Jewish public school boy asked me: In his high school the boys are encouraged to raise money for some trip they are having, so they are selling Welch's candies which contain grape juice and gelatin (I believe… Question: A Jewish public school boy asked me: In his high school the boys are encouraged to raise money for some trip they are having, so they are selling Welch's candies which contain grape juice and gelatin (I believe both from pork and beef). May he sell them? Answer: Although in general it is prohibited to do business with non kosher food, in this case there is room for leniency as long as he sells it only to non-Jews. Sources: לכאורה יש בזה משום איסור סחורה באיסורי דאורייתא (שו"ע…Show more
According to many opinions, a mezuzah should be placed, as long as the mezuzah will not come to be disgraced. No bracha should be recited. Sources: ראה דעת קדושים סי רפ"ו ס"ה. ערוה"ש שם ס"ג.…
Does it matter if they are called slightly different i.e. Mendel versus Mendy? If they both have the same exact name, one of them should add a name. Different nicknames wouldn’t be considered to be two different names. … Does it matter if they are called slightly different i.e. Mendel versus Mendy? If they both have the same exact name, one of them should add a name. Different nicknames wouldn’t be considered to be two different names. Must the new name be used and the person called by it? or only during Aliyos and formal occasions when full names are usually used. In this case, it would suffice if it will be used when being called up to the Torah and for other formalities such as when signing their name etc. Sources: ראה מכתב ג׳ אייר תשי״ב באג״ק ח״ו עמ׳ יב.…Show more
Question: From the list of Brachos that Shulchan Aruch says to say when you see something, which ones do we say? Is there a rule about it? Why don't we say some of them? Answer: Blossoming tree in… Question: From the list of Brachos that Shulchan Aruch says to say when you see something, which ones do we say? Is there a rule about it? Why don't we say some of them? Answer: Blossoming tree in Nissan: Yes. (As printed also in the Siddur סדר הברכות). See details here: https://asktherav.com/birchas-hailanos/ Solar Eclipse: https://asktherav.com/33127-solar-eclipse/ Shooting star/comet: Yes. (ibid.) Fierce winds: Yes. Of course, the winds must be very strong, and they cannot start at night. Source: ibid.; see also Seder Birkas Hanehenin 13:15. See Ketzos Hashulchan 66 footnote 20. Lightning and thunder: Yes. Source: ibid.,…Show more
Question Continued: Like if double wrapped or, if I put foil on the hotplate? (The hotplate had been used for meat, and would be used for meat on Yom Tov - not at the same time). Answer: If… Question Continued: Like if double wrapped or, if I put foil on the hotplate? (The hotplate had been used for meat, and would be used for meat on Yom Tov - not at the same time). Answer: If necessary, it will be permitted to heat up milchig foods on a fleishig blech or hot plate on Yom Tov, provided that the fleishig surface is perfectly clean of meaty foods and the dairy food is placed on a neutral layer such as pre-cut foil (it is forbidden to cut foil off the roll on Yom Tov, even to an…Show more
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