People Just Asked
Question: Since it's my first time buying tefillin for my son, I have some questions: Is there a preference that the sofer be a married person as opposed to a bochur? Regarding hiddurim in the klaf, battim… Question: Since it's my first time buying tefillin for my son, I have some questions: Is there a preference that the sofer be a married person as opposed to a bochur? Regarding hiddurim in the klaf, battim and retzuos, what can you tell me that I should be on the lookout for and try to make an effort to obtain? Answer: Sofer: No preference per se that the sofer be married. He should be at least 18 years old. The most important thing is that the sofer is a Yirei Shamaim. See here as…Show more
Question: I heard that it was mekubal from Chassidim that the Alter Rebbe said that the shiur of a reviis is the size of a "sotka" - 120 milliliters. Is there any makor for this? Answer:… Question: I heard that it was mekubal from Chassidim that the Alter Rebbe said that the shiur of a reviis is the size of a "sotka" - 120 milliliters. Is there any makor for this? Answer: There is such a tradition. But there are so many versions to this tradition, and it is also debatable whether this opinion was further revised and whether it was exactly that amount. Sources: ראה גולות עליות מג, א. שיעור מקוה ע׳ פג-ד.…Show more
35-6 inches. Sources: שצ״ל שוחקות ולא עצבות - ראה בהשמטות למנ״ח קומץ…
The minhag is not to go, unless visiting the Ohel or kivrei tzadikim. Sources: ראה יסוד יוסף פג. קב הישר פח. שו״ת מלמד…
Question: On second night of Yom Tov this year, candle lighting is after 9 pm. Can we drink wine with our guests at dinner earlier and then do kiddush after 9? I was told that may not eat or… Question: On second night of Yom Tov this year, candle lighting is after 9 pm. Can we drink wine with our guests at dinner earlier and then do kiddush after 9? I was told that may not eat or drink from sunset till kiddush is made. So us much older folk must wait to eat dinner at 9:15? Answer: Although this is not the custom, there is room to be lenient if necessary, such as in this case, and daven Maariv as well as make kiddush earlier, from plag hamincha (check the exact time in local calendars etc.)…Show more
במלוה על פה, פטור מדיני אדם. אבל חייב לצאת ידי שמים. טעמים ומקורות: לצאת ידי שמים - מהרשד״ם חו״מ א, הב״ד בש״ך עה, סה. אבל בש״ך כתב לדחות הראי׳ שצריך לציד״ש. ולש״ך עצמו, הרי קייל״ן שגם בשניהם מסופקים… במלוה על פה, פטור מדיני אדם. אבל חייב לצאת ידי שמים. טעמים ומקורות: לצאת ידי שמים - מהרשד״ם חו״מ א, הב״ד בש״ך עה, סה. אבל בש״ך כתב לדחות הראי׳ שצריך לציד״ש. ולש״ך עצמו, הרי קייל״ן שגם בשניהם מסופקים בסכום ההלואה כסתם שבשו״ע שם יח, שא״צ לציד״ש, ראה ש״ך שם סז. והה״נ בנדו״ד. וכ״כ באורים נו. נתה״מ חידושים מו. וכ״כ שב יעקב שהובא בפת״ש שם כא. אבל בתומים שם יט, הב״ד בפת״ש, שנראה עיקר כרשד״ם. וגם בקצוה״ח עו, א נקט לעיקר כדעה שבשו״ע במוספקים כמה שבספק צריך לציד״ש. וכ״כ בחזו״א חו״מ ז, ג כמהרשד״ם. ויש חולקים. אמנם, בשו״ע אדה״ז…Show more
כל זמן שהם מונחים באופן מכובד על גבי רצפה (קרקע מרוצף) נקי׳, שלא במקום הילוך בני אדם, שלא יבאו לידי בזיון, אין בזה קפידא. טעמים ומקורות: ראה בשו"ע או"ח סי כ"א עם נו"כ. וראה בהגהות מהרש"ם - בש״ס… כל זמן שהם מונחים באופן מכובד על גבי רצפה (קרקע מרוצף) נקי׳, שלא במקום הילוך בני אדם, שלא יבאו לידי בזיון, אין בזה קפידא. טעמים ומקורות: ראה בשו"ע או"ח סי כ"א עם נו"כ. וראה בהגהות מהרש"ם - בש״ס מהדורת וגשל - סוכה מא, ב, שמשם מוכח שאין ביזוי מצוה בהנחת הלולב ע״ג קרקע, ול״ד לציציות הנגררים ע״ג קרקע (שו"ע שם). וקיצר ול״כ לבאר כוונתו. ולכאו׳ אין טעמו לחלק בין ציצית לולב, אלא שר״ל שבהנחה לחוד מותר. וראה כעי״ז בשכנה״ג או״ח כא בהגב״י ג, שכתב לחלק כן לגבי היושב וציציותיו נופלים לארץ. אלא שסיים להחמיר גם בזה. ומ״מ, גם…Show more
Kashrus: Oat flour is inherently kosher and requires no hechsher for year-round use (not for Pesach), if there are no added kosher sensitive ingredients. Obviously, one must ensure the flour isn’t infested. If one is particular about chodosh,… Kashrus: Oat flour is inherently kosher and requires no hechsher for year-round use (not for Pesach), if there are no added kosher sensitive ingredients. Obviously, one must ensure the flour isn’t infested. If one is particular about chodosh, you would need to check the date code. Matzah: There are serious shaalos with oat matzoh since they are treated with heat in order to store them. There are available oat matzos that are not treated with heat. These should be used when necessary. Even so, wheat matzah is always preferred. See also: https://asktherav.com/7062-is-it-allowed-to-eat-spelt-matzah-at-the-seder-instead-of-wheat-matzah/ #20014Show more
I've seen so many people doing this, yet I was never told to do this. Do I need to begin doing this? Answer: There are different customs between Chabad Chassidim on this matter. You may continue with your… I've seen so many people doing this, yet I was never told to do this. Do I need to begin doing this? Answer: There are different customs between Chabad Chassidim on this matter. You may continue with your current practice. It appears that the Rebbe did not do it. Either way, one who does do it should do it before the Bracha to avoid a question of a hefsek. Sources: מנהגים שונים אצל אנ״ש בדבר. וכו״כ חסידים העידו שלא…Show more
Yes. Only when saying within the year of Aveilus for a father or mother and only if you cannot say later. Sources: ק״ו מבאמצע פסוקי דזמרה, שהתירו הפוסקים לאומרו שם כיון…
Question: If I'm eating chicken, vegetables and rice and I made on the chicken a שהכל can I eat the rice relying on the שהכל I made on the chicken, or does the שהכל have to be made on… Question: If I'm eating chicken, vegetables and rice and I made on the chicken a שהכל can I eat the rice relying on the שהכל I made on the chicken, or does the שהכל have to be made on the rice specifically? Answer: The Bracha on the chicken covers the rice if when you made shehakol on the chicken you had in mind to eat rice or if you had the rice in front of you. If this wasn’t the case, you still shouldn’t make a new Bracha on the rice if you have some chicken left in…Show more
Question: Can I attend my daughter's school performance which will include choir, song and dance with music during the year of Aveilus for my father? Answer: You may attend to watch your daughter performing. However, you should be… Question: Can I attend my daughter's school performance which will include choir, song and dance with music during the year of Aveilus for my father? Answer: You may attend to watch your daughter performing. However, you should be wearing headphones throughout. Despite the fact that you won’t be able to hear her sing, she will feel your support and the encouragement of your presence. Sources: עיקר האיסור בכאן משום כלי זמר. ובאופן שבפנים לית…Show more
Question: If I only wash on Shabbos and I’m not sure if I said retzei, do I have to repeat bentching? (Because my usual bentching is with retzei, is it considered part of my normal way of… Question: If I only wash on Shabbos and I’m not sure if I said retzei, do I have to repeat bentching? (Because my usual bentching is with retzei, is it considered part of my normal way of bentching that I automatically say it)? Answer: You should not say the Beracha of שנתן שבתות and you should not repeat bentching. Sources: בהקדם שבגוף הענין שבנסתפק אם אמר רצה חוזר נחלקו…Show more
Question: I have an immersion blender (a stick) and the blade is on the end of a metal stick (not plastic). It has been used for milchig (possibly hot, I don't remember). Is there any way to kasher this… Question: I have an immersion blender (a stick) and the blade is on the end of a metal stick (not plastic). It has been used for milchig (possibly hot, I don't remember). Is there any way to kasher this stick with the blade at the end? Answer: Generally, you can kasher from treif, but lechatichila we don't kasher from milchig to fleishig. In this case, as you don't remember whether it was used for milchig, it is okay to kasher from potential milchig. (Kashering is done through הגעלה או ליבון קל) Please see here:…Show more
Question: More specifically: can a bochur who has only had his hanochos teffilin fix the "yud" of his teffilin shel yad kesher? Answer: A קטן is פסול to make the knots of the Tefillin. A child… Question: More specifically: can a bochur who has only had his hanochos teffilin fix the "yud" of his teffilin shel yad kesher? Answer: A קטן is פסול to make the knots of the Tefillin. A child who will follow the custom of loosening the knot every day before putting on Tefillin may do so starting from his Hanachas Tefillin. In this case, it’s important to note that: This Tefillin may not be used by anyone else (such as on Mivtzoim) until the child turns Bar Mitzvah. The child should make sure to loosen the knot also…Show more
שאלה: כשאני אוחז באמצע תחנון, ובשני וחמישי באמצע תחנון הארוך - האם עלי להפסיק כשהציבור אומר ויהי בנסוע, בריך שמיה, לך ה' וכו', ולומר עמהם, או שאין להפסיק באמצע תחנון לדברים אלו? מענה: באמצע תחנון - לא. ראה… שאלה: כשאני אוחז באמצע תחנון, ובשני וחמישי באמצע תחנון הארוך - האם עלי להפסיק כשהציבור אומר ויהי בנסוע, בריך שמיה, לך ה' וכו', ולומר עמהם, או שאין להפסיק באמצע תחנון לדברים אלו? מענה: באמצע תחנון - לא. ראה כאן: https://asktherav.com/what-are-the-halachos-of-interruptions-during-tachanun/ באמצע והוא רחום - כן. טעמים ומקורות: והוא רחום - כ״ה להדיא ביסוש״ה ה, ח. אבל להעיר מפמ״ג נא בא״א ג, שתחנונים חמור יותר מפסוד״ז. ועפ״ז כתב בשו״ת פרי השדה ג, קיב להתיר להפסיק לבריך שמי׳ גם באמצע פסוד״ז. והנה, באג״ק ג ע׳ קמט למעשה שאין להפסיק לבריך שמי׳ בפסוד״ז. ומ״מ נראה להתיר בנדו״ז, שפשטות ד׳ הפמ״ג…Show more
Q. Should I try to put tefillin with him on both arms? A. Yes. Q. Which arm would be optimal to put on tefillin with him (assuming he doesn't have time - or agree - to put on… Q. Should I try to put tefillin with him on both arms? A. Yes. Q. Which arm would be optimal to put on tefillin with him (assuming he doesn't have time - or agree - to put on both)? A. Left. Sources: ראה כאן: https://asktherav.com/12752-stronger-right-arm-but-writes-with-left-arm-which-hand-does-he-put-on-teffilin/ ושם הכרענו כהצ״צ. משא״כ בנדו״ד שגם…Show more
Yes. Sources: שלא להסתפר בתענית - הנה מצינו חומרת בענ״פ לנהוג…
Question: Are raisins considered a Beryah, that one would have to abstain from eating them or eat more than a Kezayis in the right amount of time, in order to not get into a Safek about the Bracha Acharona?… Question: Are raisins considered a Beryah, that one would have to abstain from eating them or eat more than a Kezayis in the right amount of time, in order to not get into a Safek about the Bracha Acharona? https://asktherav.com/article-211-beriya-a-berachah-acharonah-when-eating-less-than-a-kezayis/ Answer: Yes. Sources: וכ״כ בשו״ת שבה״ל ח, לד. (ושם כתב שבנתייבש כ״כ…Show more
Making A Brachah Acharonah when Eating Less than a Kezayis The minimum amount of food that requires a brachah acharonah, an after-blessing, to be said after eating it, is a kezayis, the volume of an olive, which… Making A Brachah Acharonah when Eating Less than a Kezayis The minimum amount of food that requires a brachah acharonah, an after-blessing, to be said after eating it, is a kezayis, the volume of an olive, which according to halachah is approximately the equivalent of half an average-sized egg (or, according to some, just under a third of an egg). However, if one ate a briyah (a.k.a. beryah), a naturally whole item, even if it is smaller than a kezayis, such as a grape (or raisin), a pea, or perhaps a single section of a…Show more
Lchatchillah - yes. Some say that even bedieved, after the fact, one cannot make Sheva Braachos, if they didn’t wash. In other meals other than the wedding night one should be stringent and not recite Sheva Brachos. See… Lchatchillah - yes. Some say that even bedieved, after the fact, one cannot make Sheva Braachos, if they didn’t wash. In other meals other than the wedding night one should be stringent and not recite Sheva Brachos. See also: https://asktherav.com/33088-is-it-okay-to-make-sheva-brochos-when-the-chosson-cant-wash-as-he-is-gluten-free/ Sources: ראה שו״ת האלף לך שלמה או״ח צג. הלל אומר…Show more
Question: 1. While one's wife is Nidah, can he look at pictures of her from when she was younger, even if she isn't completely Tznius in them? 2. Additionally, may one look at Picture taken when she was a… Question: 1. While one's wife is Nidah, can he look at pictures of her from when she was younger, even if she isn't completely Tznius in them? 2. Additionally, may one look at Picture taken when she was a Niddah if she currently is not? Answer: 1. One shouldn’t look at pictures or videos of his wife who is currently a niddah if they contain areas that must be covered. Certainly, one shouldn’t look at such pictures, with the intention to derive pleasure from the viewing. However, if one isn’t focusing on those areas, and just happens to…Show more
You can use regular coins and give the value of half dollars, or even better give whole dollars and specify that half is for Machatzis Hashekel and half as a gift. ראה שו״ת מהרש״ם ח, צז. ועוד. -… You can use regular coins and give the value of half dollars, or even better give whole dollars and specify that half is for Machatzis Hashekel and half as a gift. ראה שו״ת מהרש״ם ח, צז. ועוד. - נסמנו בלוח יומי לפורים הע׳ 52. אבל ראה וישאל שאול א, קלח. #19844Show more
Question: I'm at a camp that the grounds is surrounded, more walls than open space עומד מרובה על הפרוץ and we put a צורת הפתח around the rest of the grounds. The question is that there is a lake… Question: I'm at a camp that the grounds is surrounded, more walls than open space עומד מרובה על הפרוץ and we put a צורת הפתח around the rest of the grounds. The question is that there is a lake in the middle of the grounds (that we circle from all 4 sides) and there is no wall around the lake. Is the lake a problem because it's not מוקף לשם דירה and do we have to put a special wall around the lake? Answer: If the lake is larger than 1150 square meters, you should not carry in…Show more
Question: Is there any specific behavior to follow during weekdays or Shabbos Birkat Kohanim in Sefardi minyan? I've seen some leave the room for that time. Answer: There is no reason to leave if you are listening and… Question: Is there any specific behavior to follow during weekdays or Shabbos Birkat Kohanim in Sefardi minyan? I've seen some leave the room for that time. Answer: There is no reason to leave if you are listening and receiving the Bracha, and on the contrary, one should davka stay. (On occasion the Rebbe spoke of the benefit all Yidden recive from the daily birchas kohanim of the Sfardim). However, one should not say the ribono shel olam for dreams (as we always say on Yom Tov), unless there is a particular negative dream that they had recently,…Show more
Have a Halachic Question?
Submit your question and receive an answer shortly.
Submit A Question
