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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: כך עמא דבר. ובכ״מ נז׳ רק ע״ד שמות הנשיאים.…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
Question: I cut an onion with a milchig knife, then put the onion into a brand-new blender with a new blender blade, is the blender blade now milchigs or can the blender blade be used with fleishig food? … Question: I cut an onion with a milchig knife, then put the onion into a brand-new blender with a new blender blade, is the blender blade now milchigs or can the blender blade be used with fleishig food? Answer: You should kasher the blade of the blender. If this is not possible, then you may use it for fleishig. Similar Question: I cut an onion in half with a fleishige knife. Then I continued cutting it with a parve knife. What's the din of the onion? What's the din of the parve knife? Whoever eats that…Show more
Question: My goye accidentally washed a fleshing knife with the milchig dishes all in one sink. She was not using gloves and the knife wasn’t dirty with meat, just vegetables at most, it may have even been clean... … Question: My goye accidentally washed a fleshing knife with the milchig dishes all in one sink. She was not using gloves and the knife wasn’t dirty with meat, just vegetables at most, it may have even been clean... Answer: If either one of the following conditions were met, then all is fine: There was nothing milchigs on the milchig dishes (only pareve). It was not washed with hot water. If she washed them with her bare hands (as you said), you may assume that it was not hot. Detergent was applied before any hot water touched the dishes.…Show more
Question: If I have baked dairy food in my oven, can I make it fleighig after by raising the temperature for a certain amount of time? I also have the pyrolytic function for cleaning, was wondering if it can… Question: If I have baked dairy food in my oven, can I make it fleighig after by raising the temperature for a certain amount of time? I also have the pyrolytic function for cleaning, was wondering if it can be counted as Kashering by using it? Answer: Yes, to both questions. See here: https://asktherav.com/article-727-when-kashering-an-oven-from-fleishig-to-milchig-is-ok/ https://asktherav.com/article-719-moving-into-a-house-previously-lived-in-by-a-jew-who-did-not-keep-kosher-treif-working-electric-oven-can-it-be-kashered/ #6441Show more
Yes. Without Birchas Hatorah. Haftorah (without the Brochos) should also be said. Sources: רמ״א קמג, ב. מג״א שם ב. משנ״ב שם ט.…
You can spray the area where you’re standing with air freshener and then make a Bracha. Sources: עפ"י שוע"ר עט סעי' ו וסי' פה סעי' א…
Question: I am descended from the Shaloh hakadosh and my family minhag is not to eat turkey. I am now married to someone whose family does not have that minhag and I want to know if I must continue… Question: I am descended from the Shaloh hakadosh and my family minhag is not to eat turkey. I am now married to someone whose family does not have that minhag and I want to know if I must continue to avoid eating turkey or not? Would I need to do a hataras nedarim? My family is definitely not ben achar ben from the Shaloh if that makes a difference. Answer: Indeed, not all descendants of the Shaloh have adopted this minhag. But those who have done so should continue adhering to it. Many descendants of the Shaloh…Show more
Question: We have an Aron Kodesh which is narrow and therefore the two Sifrei Torah in the Aron are one in front of the other (rather than side by side), so in order to take out the Sefer Torah… Question: We have an Aron Kodesh which is narrow and therefore the two Sifrei Torah in the Aron are one in front of the other (rather than side by side), so in order to take out the Sefer Torah in the back, you need to take out the Sefer Torah in the front first. In a situation where the front Sefer Torah in rolled to the wrong place (e.g. to Rosh Chodesh Kria), and the back one is rolled to the correct place, is it better to use the Sefer in the front (even though it will have to…Show more
That is says in Pirkei Avos that its like eating from a table of Avoda Zara, is that applicable even if one didn't wash? Answer: This rule only applies in a meal consisting of bread. However, if… That is says in Pirkei Avos that its like eating from a table of Avoda Zara, is that applicable even if one didn't wash? Answer: This rule only applies in a meal consisting of bread. However, if it is a fixed meal, not a snack, there would be a point in doing so even if it does not consist of bread. Sources: פוק חזי מאי עמא דבר שאין מקפידים על כך…Show more
Answer: Yes. Sources: כבר כתב הפמ״ג רצד במ״ז ב, שגם בשכח ותודיענו…
שאלה: האם מותר לכתחילה לבקש מהגוי שיסלק קדירה מכירה גרופה או קטומה ויחזירה על גבי הכירה בשבת, באם הוא יעשה כל תנאי החזרה? דהיינו האם אפשר לסמוך על הגוי שדעתו להחזיר? מענה: מותר. טעמים ומקורות: ליכא לספוקי… שאלה: האם מותר לכתחילה לבקש מהגוי שיסלק קדירה מכירה גרופה או קטומה ויחזירה על גבי הכירה בשבת, באם הוא יעשה כל תנאי החזרה? דהיינו האם אפשר לסמוך על הגוי שדעתו להחזיר? מענה: מותר. טעמים ומקורות: ליכא לספוקי שגם בגוי איכא מחשבה. ובדע״ת למהרש״ם רנג, ב ד״ה ועודה, שבמשרתת שלא היתה דעתה להחזיר, כשעודה בידה יש להקל די״ל לתקוני שדרתיך ולא לעוותי. ויש להסתפק בקטן שאין לו מחשבה ודעת או בקוף. ולהסברא שא״צ דעה חיובית וסגי שאין דעה שלילית שלא להחזיר ודאי מהני. ומל׳ אדה״ז רנג, יד משמע שצ״ל דעה חיובית דוקא, ועוד שם, שגדר דעתו להחזיר שבשעת…Show more
The common custom is not to make this Brocha nowadays. If one lives in the area where there are no Shules around and he hasn’t seen a Shule in 30 days, he should make this Brocha when seeing a… The common custom is not to make this Brocha nowadays. If one lives in the area where there are no Shules around and he hasn’t seen a Shule in 30 days, he should make this Brocha when seeing a beautiful active Shule, if the Jewish community there is living in relative tranquility. Sources: העיקר לדינא שנוהגת גם שלא בזה״ב, וגם בחו״ל, אלא…Show more
Q. When is the last time to make a Chanuka Habayis. Can one do it a year after move-in date? A. If it has not been done yet it should be done within a year. Best to schedule to… Q. When is the last time to make a Chanuka Habayis. Can one do it a year after move-in date? A. If it has not been done yet it should be done within a year. Best to schedule to have some of the mezuzos checked and affix them at the event, as long as you don’t delay because of this the affixing of the mezuzos. There’s no prohibition of doing it afterwards but it loses most of the significance. Q. Also when is the last time to say Shehecheyanu on the purchase of the house? A. Shehecheyanu…Show more
It should ideally be dried with a towel or napkin. However where this is not possible one may use such a machine if washing with a full Reviis for each hand. One should make sure to rub the hands… It should ideally be dried with a towel or napkin. However where this is not possible one may use such a machine if washing with a full Reviis for each hand. One should make sure to rub the hands while using the machine and not put the hands facing downwards. Sources: ראה בשוע"ר סי' קנח סי"ז, בפי׳ הראשון, שא' הטעמים…Show more
Question: Someone took money from me; about $1,300; without my permission. They took a few years to pay it back to me. When they finished paying it back, they paid me $50 extra. Do I have to give that… Question: Someone took money from me; about $1,300; without my permission. They took a few years to pay it back to me. When they finished paying it back, they paid me $50 extra. Do I have to give that back to them? Is it considered interest? Answer: First of all, if they gave it to you by mistake, due to a miscalculation or the like, you must return the money to them. If they gave it to you as compensation for the time that they had the money in their hands, in other words, interest, then it would…Show more
Question: Is it a rule that we do not make a שהחיינו on vegetables (for example a fresh tomato)? If yes what is the גדר of vegetables in this context? (is it the same things which would make it… Question: Is it a rule that we do not make a שהחיינו on vegetables (for example a fresh tomato)? If yes what is the גדר of vegetables in this context? (is it the same things which would make it העץ or האדמה?) Answer: Such a rule does exist, but this is not the opinion of the Alter Rebbe and therefore not accepted Chabad practice. There is however a halacha which excludes many vegetables from Birkas Shehechiyanu: we don’t make the Brocho on any fruit or vegetable which can be stored from season to season. Sources: ראה: שו''ע או''ח סי' רכ''ה סעי' ו', פרישה בטור…Show more
Question: Our son was born on 19 Iyar. This year Erev Shavuos is on Shabbos. When should we make the Upshernish - on Friday 4 of Sivan or Tuesday Isru Chag? Answer: • Generally: For a child whose… Question: Our son was born on 19 Iyar. This year Erev Shavuos is on Shabbos. When should we make the Upshernish - on Friday 4 of Sivan or Tuesday Isru Chag? Answer: • Generally: For a child whose birthday is from after Lag Baomer until Erev Shavuos, the Upshernish haircut should take place on Erev Shavuos. [When Erev Shavuos falls on Shabbos - on 4 Sivan (with the exception of someone whose birthday is on Erev Shavuos, in which case it should be postponed until after Shavuos)]. See more in the following pages: https://asktherav.com/4243-when-should-one-get-his-hair-cut-before-shavuos-this-year-since-erev-shavuos-is-shabbos/ https://asktherav.com/13133-when-should-a-boy-start-wearing-kippa-and-tzitzis/ • However,…Show more
Question: Does a sweater with a zipper in front and so has 4 corners (two on top and two on bottom) need tzitzis? (I know there is a discussion about the four corners being on one side, but… Question: Does a sweater with a zipper in front and so has 4 corners (two on top and two on bottom) need tzitzis? (I know there is a discussion about the four corners being on one side, but not sure the halacha b'poel.) If yes how large would the split creating two more corners or how big does the rounding of the corner need to be? Answer: The Alter Rebbe writes: Today's jackets and sweaters which are open in front, both above and below, do not require tzitzis despite the fact that they have four corners,…Show more
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