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  Answer: He can say it after kaddish or after the haftorah.   Sources: ברוח חיים פלאגי קמד, ג כתב לומר אחר ברכה״ת…
  לא. ראה סה״ש תרצ״ב (כ״ז מ״ח. ריגא) ע׳ 6. בקודש פנימה ע׳ 14. אבל להעיר מלשמע אוזן מדור אדמו״ר מוהרש״ב סו.     #19408
  Question: Hi, All my life I grew up thinking I was a Bechor of my family, but recently I found out I'm not. As I studied halacha a lot more I found out that Bechorim who weren't born naturally…  Question: Hi, All my life I grew up thinking I was a Bechor of my family, but recently I found out I'm not. As I studied halacha a lot more I found out that Bechorim who weren't born naturally are not technically Bechorim. This destroyed me. I'm a huge learner with regards to the Mikdash and it was always my dream to serve in it. After learning from the sages that Bechorim will serve in the third Mikdash with Kohanim and Levi'im I was very excited. Then I heard that a Bechor that was born through the means of…Show more
  Since today the Challah is not given to the Cohen, any size portion is adequate. it is customary to separate at least a "kezayis".   עיין רמ"א יו"ד שכב ס"ד.     #9250
  Lechatchila you should designate a bowl that would be used for Negel Vaser only. If it happened and you used a bowl that is used for food for Negel Vaser, it should be washed out well. Some say to…  Lechatchila you should designate a bowl that would be used for Negel Vaser only. If it happened and you used a bowl that is used for food for Negel Vaser, it should be washed out well. Some say to wash it out seven times.   Sources: כן משמע לכאורה ממש״כ הפוסקים שהכלי התחתון יהי׳ מאוס…Show more
  If it was used for either meat or milk, but didn't get used for both at the same time, it can be kashered either via libun kal which involves cleaning the pan well, not using them for 24 hours,…  If it was used for either meat or milk, but didn't get used for both at the same time, it can be kashered either via libun kal which involves cleaning the pan well, not using them for 24 hours, and then putting them on an open flame until both the inside and outside of the pan are heated up to the temperature of , or Hagola which involves cleaning the pan well, not using them for 24 hours and then submerging it into boiling water. After Kashering it should be rinsed in cold water.   שוע"ר תנא, יג בהגהה.…Show more

Can I sell a Mezuzah to a non-Jew?

  Question: I live in Ukraine and I recently came across a very influential criminal Ben Noach who is expressing a lot of interest in Judaism and is giving serious financial support to the local mosdos. Due to his…  Question: I live in Ukraine and I recently came across a very influential criminal Ben Noach who is expressing a lot of interest in Judaism and is giving serious financial support to the local mosdos. Due to his vast connections and control in the Ukrainian government, as well as his methods of conducting business, there is a credible fear of him retaliating with violence if people do not do what he wants. Is it permitted to provide him with Mezuzos if he wants to have them on his houses, and is it ok to hang the Mezuzos for…Show more
  No.   Sources: גבעת הלבונה או״ח נח. מהרש״ג ב, קיז. שש״כ כט,…
  Question: There is an eruv chatzeiros in my Crown Heights building which is mostly filled with Yidden. Does that Eruv extend to include the building's roof? Nobody lives on the roof, and officially the building disfavors that residents to…  Question: There is an eruv chatzeiros in my Crown Heights building which is mostly filled with Yidden. Does that Eruv extend to include the building's roof? Nobody lives on the roof, and officially the building disfavors that residents to go up there, and usually the roof is empty from anyone. However, it is very accessible and has a nice view and occasionally a resident or two will go up. Can one carry on this roof?   Answer: 1. An Eruv is required to carry from a privately-owned property to a commonly-owned property or vice-versa. However, one may carry from…Show more
  One can rinse fruits in their plastic containers. These containers have holes and therefore there’s no problem with borer at all. If there are no holes it is still permitted to immerse the fruits before eating them since the…  One can rinse fruits in their plastic containers. These containers have holes and therefore there’s no problem with borer at all. If there are no holes it is still permitted to immerse the fruits before eating them since the rinsing is just for an extra hygiene but not necessarily to remove any dirt.   Sources: עיין או״ח סימן שיט ס״ח ובשוע״ר סעיף יא. וע״ע…Show more
  The Halacha is that a dish has to be toiveled by the owner or when it's being given as a gift, the recipient. If that is not possible, either because they are not going to do it themselves or…  The Halacha is that a dish has to be toiveled by the owner or when it's being given as a gift, the recipient. If that is not possible, either because they are not going to do it themselves or because they will not be able to do it themselves before Yom tov, you may tovel it on their behalf. The procedure is as follows: The giver first makes a kinyan (halachic transfer of ownership) by handing the gift to another person who acts as a shaliach (representative) of the recipient and lifts it up on their behalf. Once the…Show more
  Question: I bought a Gluten-Free Bar that is made with a mixture of non-Gluten-free flour. It has potato, oat, tapioca, and a few other types of flour. Is it Pas Yisrael?   Answer: It doesn't need to be Bishul…  Question: I bought a Gluten-Free Bar that is made with a mixture of non-Gluten-free flour. It has potato, oat, tapioca, and a few other types of flour. Is it Pas Yisrael?   Answer: It doesn't need to be Bishul or Pas Yisroel.   Sources: שו"ע יו"ד קיב, א. ש"ך שם, ה. אינה עעש"מ…Show more
  Question: My nephew is coming to stay by us for Shabbos. My husband isn't always around. I have a 2 1/2 son and a 9-month-old boy. What should be done? Is there a difference by day or night?  …  Question: My nephew is coming to stay by us for Shabbos. My husband isn't always around. I have a 2 1/2 son and a 9-month-old boy. What should be done? Is there a difference by day or night?   Answer: If your husband is in town and can possibly come, he may stay, provided you don’t have a particularly close relationship. If this is the case, he cannot be home when your husband is away.     #5594Show more
  Question: If I'm at a meal in Crown Heights on Shabbos and someone brings a bottle of wine to the meal on Shabbos can I drink from that wine, or take part of anything else that was carried on…  Question: If I'm at a meal in Crown Heights on Shabbos and someone brings a bottle of wine to the meal on Shabbos can I drink from that wine, or take part of anything else that was carried on Shabbos, such as food and so on?   Answer: A Jew may not benefit from a Melacha that was done by another Jew on Shabbos. According to many opinions, this includes carrying. After Shabbos it is permitted right away. Many Poskim hold that if a Melacha was done by a non-observant Jew one must wait after Shabbos to benefit from…Show more
  Questions: If someone lives in a community like Crown Heights in which constructing an eruv is halachically problematic, A) Is one allowed to make an Eruv around their property or around the properties of a few neighbors? B) How…  Questions: If someone lives in a community like Crown Heights in which constructing an eruv is halachically problematic, A) Is one allowed to make an Eruv around their property or around the properties of a few neighbors? B) How does one go about this? C) Is there a limit to how many neighbors can be added?   Answers: A) You may make an Eruv between several properties if there is no road, alleyway, or public/city-owned area in the middle. B) In a place like Crown Heights, you should go about this under the guidance of someone well-versed in the…Show more
  Question: I live in an apartment building, and the only way to get it in is through an electronic door. I normally wait for a car to drive through the garage door and follow it. Today, I walked up…  Question: I live in an apartment building, and the only way to get it in is through an electronic door. I normally wait for a car to drive through the garage door and follow it. Today, I walked up to the garage door and it opened, and there was no car around. I suspect that my non-Jewish neighbor saw me waiting for a passing car and did me a favor and opened the garage door through his remote control. Am I allowed to walk in?   Answer: In general, one may not benefit from a Melacha that a Goy…Show more
  Question: I need an electric key to enter the building I live in (attached is a picture of the key). On Shabbos, they try to put something in the door that it shouldn't lock, sometimes though some גוים from…  Question: I need an electric key to enter the building I live in (attached is a picture of the key). On Shabbos, they try to put something in the door that it shouldn't lock, sometimes though some גוים from the building take it out and it gets locked. The question therefore is: 1. Can one carry this key on their bendel on Shabbos? 2. Can one give the key on Shabbos to a goy passing by (and ask them) to open the door Note, there is no other way to enter the building!   Answer: The key is Muktzah…Show more

Hand Washing For A Sick Person

  Question: Does a person who is suffering from a life-threatening illness (can hardly take care of their own basic needs, for example, can’t use the bathroom without assistance) need to wash Negel Vasser at the kitchen sink (or with…  Question: Does a person who is suffering from a life-threatening illness (can hardly take care of their own basic needs, for example, can’t use the bathroom without assistance) need to wash Negel Vasser at the kitchen sink (or with water brought to her from the kitchen sink), or is a rinse of the hands in the bathroom sink sufficient?   Answer: From your question, it is not clear how the washing affects the life-threatening illness. Generally, In the morning after they wake up, they should be brought Negel Vaser from a sink outside of the bathroom in order to…Show more
  Question: If I donate the proper amount of Ma'aser to a tzedaka organization and, after receiving the full amount, that organization sends me a tax-exempt receipt which might help me save on tax payments to the government (for having…  Question: If I donate the proper amount of Ma'aser to a tzedaka organization and, after receiving the full amount, that organization sends me a tax-exempt receipt which might help me save on tax payments to the government (for having contributed to a non-profit). Am I allowed to benefit from that receipt and save on tax payments?   Answer: Maaser is 10% (and Chomesh is 20%) of the net income. One may keep any tax credit that came about due to tzedaka donations, and even funds given with the purpose of reduce taxes qualifies as maaser. At the same time,…Show more
  Question: If someone put on Tefillin before Alos Hashachar but Shema was said after Alos (and the tefillin were taken off before zman tefillin began); Must the person put on tefillin again? With a Bracha or without? Should…  Question: If someone put on Tefillin before Alos Hashachar but Shema was said after Alos (and the tefillin were taken off before zman tefillin began); Must the person put on tefillin again? With a Bracha or without? Should Shema be said again? (With tefillin or doesn't matter)?   Answer: 1. Lchatchila the tefillin should only be worn after "misheyakir". B'dieved one fulfilled the mitzva from "Alos". If the tefillin were worn earlier, one should move them a bit at "misheyakir" and make the Bracha. Even if they absolutely must be removed before…Show more

Using a Towel as a Scarf on Shabbos

  Question: When using a towel as a scarf to go to the Mikva on Shabbos, does it need to be wrapped around the neck or does it suffice to just have it hanging down? Some people do wear…  Question: When using a towel as a scarf to go to the Mikva on Shabbos, does it need to be wrapped around the neck or does it suffice to just have it hanging down? Some people do wear scarves without wrapping them.   Answer: Firstly: One may only use any towel as a scarf in a place where people wear scarfs in the winter. In warmer weather when no one ever wears a scarf - it should not be that big of a towel. Also, a very thick towel is problematic. Additionally, if the towel is damp and…Show more
  Yes, provided that the shirt is not tucked in and that there is no bendel or belt around the shirt.   In regards to wearing a towel as a "scarf" - see here: https://asktherav.com/12047-using-a-towel-as-a-scarf-on-shabbos-2/   Sources: ראה סימן ש"א פמ"ג א"א סקמ"ז, ואדה"ז סעיף מ"ג.…
  The custom is not to put out the match after lighting Shabbos candles, rather you should put it down and let it go out by itself. Sources: Based on Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch 263, 7. Some…
  The paddle is now milchig and should be kashered if you want to use the bread for fleishig. This can be done by immersing in boiling water or by placing it in the oven on the highest setting…  The paddle is now milchig and should be kashered if you want to use the bread for fleishig. This can be done by immersing in boiling water or by placing it in the oven on the highest setting for an hour. Doesn’t need to be on self-clean. This is assuming the cloth was wet on the outside. If the cloth is dry and the milk is just absorbed in it, the paddle remains pareve.   Sources: ע"פ רמ"א יו"ד צב, ז שאם העמידו קדירה חמה…Show more
  There is no problem if the streets are well-lit and there is a steady stream of traffic which should be the case at this time of the evening. See here: https://asktherav.com/what-are-the-halachos-of-yichud-when-using-uber-or-uber-pool/     #6174

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