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Question: Does the door of an accordion partition wall (like many public institutions have) need a Mezuzah? What if that wall is periodically folded up and then reclosed, do you need to take off the mezuzah so that… Question: Does the door of an accordion partition wall (like many public institutions have) need a Mezuzah? What if that wall is periodically folded up and then reclosed, do you need to take off the mezuzah so that it should be תעשה ולא מן העשוי? What if you open and close the accordion wall very frequently is the door considered a halachic door needing a mezuzah? Answer: If possible, put up a mezuzah while the wall is spread out to be yotze according to all opinions, for there is an opinion that holds that such a door…Show more
Question: I've seen many people bring dishes to the mikvah to toivel, after they first go to the mikvah. Is it a problem to toivel keilim while undressed? And if it's ok, what about a Bracha? Or… Question: I've seen many people bring dishes to the mikvah to toivel, after they first go to the mikvah. Is it a problem to toivel keilim while undressed? And if it's ok, what about a Bracha? Or maybe only for dishes we wouldn't need to make a Bracha for? Answer: Besides the fact that many men's mikvaos are not suitable for immersing Keilim, if it is a Keli which requires a Bracha, one may not Tovel it while being undressed. If the Mikva is in fact kosher for immersing Keilim, the Bracha should be made out…Show more
Yes, if they normally eat out for Seudas Purim. Even one who doesn’t normally eat out on Purim, if the cost of eating at home is prohibitive, or if one is alone at home, they may join a seudah… Yes, if they normally eat out for Seudas Purim. Even one who doesn’t normally eat out on Purim, if the cost of eating at home is prohibitive, or if one is alone at home, they may join a seudah out of their home. Likewise, if invited out to family and the family will be very upset if they don’t attend there is room for leniency too. Regarding dancing, see here. Sources: ראה שו״ת ישכיל עבדי ח, כ, ח. אלא שסברתו…Show more
Question: If a person cannot drink alcohol, what recommendations are there for them to fulfill the mitzvah of עד ולא ידע so that it affects their body on Purim? Answer: In this case, they’re exempt from the literal… Question: If a person cannot drink alcohol, what recommendations are there for them to fulfill the mitzvah of עד ולא ידע so that it affects their body on Purim? Answer: In this case, they’re exempt from the literal interpretation of עד דלא ידע. However, it should be noted that the Rebbe asked that Bachurim under 40 fulfill this mitzvah through “true wine”, the wine of Torah. In Sefer Hamamorim 5679 the Rebbe Rashab explains that עד דלא ידע is fulfilled through the soul enjoying Pnimiyus HaTorah and through a tremendous love to Hashem, אהבה בתענוגים. In Igros Kodesh…Show more
There is 7 and a half inches between the doors? Answer: In this case, a mezuzah is required only on the inside door. Sources: כבר דנו במקום שחלל הפתח רחב מאד, והוכיחו מרש״י…
Question: In an apartment with only one entrance: a sliding door (no tzir) between the dining room and a bedroom. (The bedroom has no other doors, but it has large windows that a person could go through.) Derech… Question: In an apartment with only one entrance: a sliding door (no tzir) between the dining room and a bedroom. (The bedroom has no other doors, but it has large windows that a person could go through.) Derech Biascho is that you enter the dining room and then enter the bedroom. As for chashivus, I was told the dining room is more choshuv. Should the mezuzah go on the right side going from the dining room into the bedroom, or the opposite? The apartment map is attached. Thank you. Answer: It should go on the…Show more
Question: I have visited a Sephardi place which has mezuzahs on doorways with real doors, but the other places without actual doors don't have. Is that a Sephardic thing or is it just that they’re not so religious? … Question: I have visited a Sephardi place which has mezuzahs on doorways with real doors, but the other places without actual doors don't have. Is that a Sephardic thing or is it just that they’re not so religious? Answer: The entry needs a mezuzah without a Bracha. Explanation: According to most Rishonim, a doorless entrance requires a Mezuzah. This is the implication of Rashi and Tosfos to Menachos 33a, as well as the explicit positions of Rosh (Mezuzah §8) and Raavad (Mezuzah 6:1). The Rambam (Mezuzah 6:1) maintains that a doorless entry is completely…Show more
No. But you should preferably ensure that Mezuzos which were on a door which is obligated מן התורה do not go on a doorway which is obligated מדרבנן or פטור completely. Sources: מצד הורדה בקדושה או מחמת שמבטלה ממצותה – להעיר…
Question: We are traveling upstate to stay in a bungalow house. I expect us to stay there for 1-2 weeks, and we might do this a few times this summer. In other words, I don't expect us to be… Question: We are traveling upstate to stay in a bungalow house. I expect us to stay there for 1-2 weeks, and we might do this a few times this summer. In other words, I don't expect us to be staying there for 30+ days at once. Is there a need for a mezuzah? And if there isn't, can mezuzahs be put up anyway for extra protection? Answer: If the bungalow house is owned by you, you need to place mezuzahs all year around. If the bungalow is rented, and you stay less than 30 days, a mezuzah…Show more
Question: Do the halachas of a bathroom, such as using the water for Negel Vassar, or drinking the water etc. apply to a new, fully renovated bathroom that has not been used? Answer: Yes, the halachos regarding a… Question: Do the halachas of a bathroom, such as using the water for Negel Vassar, or drinking the water etc. apply to a new, fully renovated bathroom that has not been used? Answer: Yes, the halachos regarding a bathroom apply. The exception is that only inside is considered a bathroom before using it, but the walls on the outside are not. Nonetheless, the examples you mentioned are fine, such as drinking the water or using the water tor Negel Vasser. Sources: אדה״ז פג, ב: הזמין מקום או חדר לבית הכסא…Show more
Question: I went to acquire a collection of Jewish books at a residency in Manhattan earlier this week. The library is comprised of both Jewish and Christian books amongst many radical theological and anti-Semitic and Jewish conspiracy theory propaganda… Question: I went to acquire a collection of Jewish books at a residency in Manhattan earlier this week. The library is comprised of both Jewish and Christian books amongst many radical theological and anti-Semitic and Jewish conspiracy theory propaganda books. I didn't meet the owner of the books, but I understand he's Jewish and from what I can tell has been affiliated with JW as well as other Christian groups. I was told he also went to Shul, but I haven't verified whether that is indeed the case. On any note, amongst the Seforim I found a reasonable-looking Mezuzah…Show more
Question: Does a sofer who knows the Megillah by heart and is writing מתוך הכתב need to say the words before he writes them, or is it the same as the A"R says in Siman 32 that if הפרשיות… Question: Does a sofer who knows the Megillah by heart and is writing מתוך הכתב need to say the words before he writes them, or is it the same as the A"R says in Siman 32 that if הפרשיות שגורות בפיו and he's writing מתוך הכתב then he doesn't need to say the words before writing? Answer: A Sofer who knows the Megillah by heart and is writing מתוך הכתב must still say the words before he writes them. The Din in Siman 32 is specific to Tefillin and Mezuzos. Sources: ראה: גמ' מנחות דף ל' ע"א, ול"ב ע"ב, וברש"י…Show more
Question: I just made a batch of waffles with a waffle mix that was mislabeled as being parve, but I see now that the ingredients include a dairy (chalav stam) product (Milk Protein Isolate) The kashrut agency… Question: I just made a batch of waffles with a waffle mix that was mislabeled as being parve, but I see now that the ingredients include a dairy (chalav stam) product (Milk Protein Isolate) The kashrut agency reported an alert that this is was mislabeled and should be OUD instead of OU. I threw out the food, but what is the status of my (previously pareve) waffle maker? We generally follow the Chabad practice to be strict to consider even chalav stam keilim as totally not kosher. Answer: In a case where they can not easily…Show more
I heard the Rebbe was not particular about this, although some say the Rebbe was at times? Answer: One should make sure that his back is not directly facing the Sefer Torah. To the best of my knowledge,… I heard the Rebbe was not particular about this, although some say the Rebbe was at times? Answer: One should make sure that his back is not directly facing the Sefer Torah. To the best of my knowledge, the Rebbe was particular about this. Sources: קייל״ן שאסור להחזיר אחוריו לס״ת - רמב״ם סוף הל׳…Show more
א. כן. המנהג לאומרה לאחר ובהמשך לקרה"ת ובנוכחות הס"ת (ונהגו פעם להחזיק הס"ת כמו בברכת החודש). ב. יש ענין, אבל אומרים אותו ביחיד ג"כ. טעמים ומקורות: א. ראה שוע"ר סי' רפד סי"ד. ב. ראה בשוע"ר סי' קא ס"ה.… א. כן. המנהג לאומרה לאחר ובהמשך לקרה"ת ובנוכחות הס"ת (ונהגו פעם להחזיק הס"ת כמו בברכת החודש). ב. יש ענין, אבל אומרים אותו ביחיד ג"כ. טעמים ומקורות: א. ראה שוע"ר סי' רפד סי"ד. ב. ראה בשוע"ר סי' קא ס"ה. ובמשנ"ב שם סקי"ט שלפי זה אם מתפלל בביתו אין יכול לומר שום יקום פרקן. אבל בשערי אפרים שער י' פתחי שערים סקע"ד הביא מס' סידור של״ה שהמתפלל ביחיד לא יאמר אלא יקום פורקן הראשון ולא חששו כלל לאמירת בקשה ביחיד בלשון ארמית. וכ"ה בסידור אדה"ז שכתב שיקום פורקן הב' א״צ לומר ביחיד. והארכנו עוד מזה בלוח לימי הסליחות (בנוגע מחי…Show more
The common custom is to exchange our personal money with the silver half dollars owned by the Shule. We lift up the Shule’s silver coins in order to acquire them and then give them to tzedaka. Some individuals give… The common custom is to exchange our personal money with the silver half dollars owned by the Shule. We lift up the Shule’s silver coins in order to acquire them and then give them to tzedaka. Some individuals give machatzis hashekel also on behalf of family members, and therefore they pick up the silver coins several times, to acquire them again after each time they gave them to tzedakah. There are individuals who for some inexplicable reason have a custom that even if they are only giving only on their own behalf they lift up the coins three…Show more
You should still get rid of them. Moving them won’t necessarily help, see below in the references. However if mistakenly a nail fell and you can’t find it you should sweep the area into another room. Sources: בפי׳ כיון דאשתני שבמו״ק יח, א, כמה אנפי: בפי׳…
What about on an airplane? or is that not considered eating together? Answer: One should have a heker in a car. In the airplane when eating on separate pull-out tray tables a heker is not required. Sources: הנה בטעם איסור אכילה בשולחן אחד, מצינו ב׳ אופנים…
Question: I daven in a small minyan and we often wait for the 6th to be holding by shemone esrei. When the chazan says Emes.. usually a minute later 5 guys start shemone esrei and the 6th who… Question: I daven in a small minyan and we often wait for the 6th to be holding by shemone esrei. When the chazan says Emes.. usually a minute later 5 guys start shemone esrei and the 6th who is a slow davener is about 30-45 seconds behind the other 5. My question is: What is considered 6 as tefila btzibur? Do they need to all begin exactly the same time? What if 5 are in the middle of amida and didn't conclude yet and the 6th guy begins. Where is the cut-off? Bideieved..if 5 people were halfway…Show more
Question: If the minyan has less than 6 that are holding together right before Shmoneh Esrei - should the Chazan (or someone) NOW do just kedusha out loud, or have someone wait to do kedusha after they finish their… Question: If the minyan has less than 6 that are holding together right before Shmoneh Esrei - should the Chazan (or someone) NOW do just kedusha out loud, or have someone wait to do kedusha after they finish their own Shmoneh Esrei? Answer: Lechatchilah, a minyan should have at least six men daven Shmoneh Esrei together (even if it will take a few extra minutes) and then they can have a proper chazaras hashatz. If there aren't six that haven't davened, then all people except one should daven Shmoneh Esrei and once they finish he should…Show more
יש לחשוש לוסתות הללו. טעמים ומקורות: ראה דגו"מ קפט, יב מהד"ת שהפלגה ארוכה מב' חדשים אין לחוש. והוא וחידוש גדול שאינו מובא במק"א. וכבר הקשו עליו שהוא נגד שו״ע קפז, יא בדין רמ"ת חצי שנה לחצי שנה. וראה… יש לחשוש לוסתות הללו. טעמים ומקורות: ראה דגו"מ קפט, יב מהד"ת שהפלגה ארוכה מב' חדשים אין לחוש. והוא וחידוש גדול שאינו מובא במק"א. וכבר הקשו עליו שהוא נגד שו״ע קפז, יא בדין רמ"ת חצי שנה לחצי שנה. וראה שם אדה"ז סקע"ה.ואולי ס״ל לחלק בין רמ״ת לשאר הפלגה. ולדינא קשה לסמוך ע״ז, שלא מצינו דוגמתו בשום מקום, והדגו״מ עצמו כתב שהוא דוחק. (אלא שגם בלחם ושמלה שם כ, כ״כ. וראה גם בערוה״ש כד). ועוד שעל עיקר קושיית הדגו״מ במה שאינה חוששת משום הפלגה - יישב החוו״ד שם סקי״ט באו״א שהי׳ שלא היו הפלגות שוות ור״ח אב לאו דוקא. וכ״כ…Show more
Question: I have mice in my apartment and I have glue traps out. If a mouse gets trapped in one of the glue traps over Shabbos what should I do? Let the mouse sit in the glue trap over… Question: I have mice in my apartment and I have glue traps out. If a mouse gets trapped in one of the glue traps over Shabbos what should I do? Let the mouse sit in the glue trap over Shabbos? Or can I throw away the mouse and the glue trap? Answer: If it's in a corner and not bothering anyone, best to leave it until after Shabbos. If it's noticeable and making people feel uncomfortable, you can discard it on Shabbos (best with a Shinui, like with the back of your hand etc). Sources: מותר לפרוס מצודות מבעו״י והם ניצודים בשבת - אדה״ז…Show more
This should not be written. See also here: https://asktherav.com/18509-can-i-write-parshas-haazinu-not-as-part-of-a-sefer-torah/ Sources: ולהעיר ממש״כ באג״ק יא ע׳ שמח, להתיר במגילת אסתר…
During Haftorah one should ideally not leave, unless absolutely necessary, but it’s not forbidden, unless there will not be ten people when he leaves. During Megillah reading, one may leave if there are ten people there, but there is… During Haftorah one should ideally not leave, unless absolutely necessary, but it’s not forbidden, unless there will not be ten people when he leaves. During Megillah reading, one may leave if there are ten people there, but there is room to be stringent. Sources: הנה בדברי חמודות עהרא״ש ברכות ז, לא, הקשה במש״כ…Show more
Question: Me and my wife are starting a diet that eliminates all potential foods that can cause allergies, sensitivities, inflammations for 30 days. Among other things, we can't consume alcohol, added sugar or any grains. I could see myself… Question: Me and my wife are starting a diet that eliminates all potential foods that can cause allergies, sensitivities, inflammations for 30 days. Among other things, we can't consume alcohol, added sugar or any grains. I could see myself doing Kiddush on natural grape juice but I can't think of what I can do regarding Chala. Any provisions or heters for 4 weeks? Answer: Kiddush - order of preference: Hear kiddush from someone else and be yotze even without drinking. Make kiddush yourself on grape juice and drink it. Make kiddush on wine and have someone else drink…Show more
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