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Question: Are you allowed to demolish a non working chimney (which starts from the ground all the way up to the roof)? I have heard that it may be problematic based on tzava’as Rabbi Yehuda hachosid. Would I… Question: Are you allowed to demolish a non working chimney (which starts from the ground all the way up to the roof)? I have heard that it may be problematic based on tzava’as Rabbi Yehuda hachosid. Would I be able to demolish it and put a small pipe (in the place of the chimney) which comes out on the roof instead? Answer: Since you are not totally sealing it and rather placing a pipe in its place, it would be ok. See here: https://asktherav.com/article-433-what-is-the-source-for-not-closing-up-doors-and-windows/ Sources: בהקדם, שיש ב׳ נושאים כאן: סתירת תנור וסתימת דלת…Show more
Rabbi Yehuda HaChossid writes in his tzavaah (will) that one should not completely close up doors or windows in one’s home. If one wishes to close up a door or a window, they should make sure to leave a… Rabbi Yehuda HaChossid writes in his tzavaah (will) that one should not completely close up doors or windows in one’s home. If one wishes to close up a door or a window, they should make sure to leave a small round opening, about a tefach and a half (4.5-5 inches). This can be accomplished by inserting a narrow tube, open at both ends, through the opening, so that it is not totally sealed. After it’s cemented into place, the ends of the tube may be covered, cemented, and painted. Installing an air conditioner in a window is not considered…Show more
Yes, provided there was a minyan for mizmor l’dovid. Sources: כשלא היו עשרה בעת התפילה, ראה משנ"ב סימן נ"ה…
שאלה: יש לי שאלה על קשר תפלין של ראש הנפוץ בחב״ד הנראה כמו דל״ת, שהרי הב"י בסוף סי' לב מביא דעות מכמה ראשונים ויוצא מזה שהקשר בשל ראש מרובע. וישנם עוד הוכחות הן ע״פ הלכה והן ע״פ הזהר שצריך… שאלה: יש לי שאלה על קשר תפלין של ראש הנפוץ בחב״ד הנראה כמו דל״ת, שהרי הב"י בסוף סי' לב מביא דעות מכמה ראשונים ויוצא מזה שהקשר בשל ראש מרובע. וישנם עוד הוכחות הן ע״פ הלכה והן ע״פ הזהר שצריך להיות מרובע דוקא. מענה: פשוט שאין שום מקום לשנות צורת קשר הנפוץ. מקורות: לכל לראש, קשר תפלין מסוג הנ״ל נפוץ לא רק…Show more
Question: I heard from a lot of people that it is not appropriate to get an aliyah without going to mikva first, but I also know that many are not careful about this and most people never heard of… Question: I heard from a lot of people that it is not appropriate to get an aliyah without going to mikva first, but I also know that many are not careful about this and most people never heard of such a thing. Is it the correct thing to do? Answer: According to halacha, one may receive an Aliya even without mikvah. There is room for stringency not to receive an Aliya if one requires Tevilas Ezra. Even so, if someone was already called to the Torah he shouldn’t refuse. One may wish to extend this idea to general…Show more
Question: If there is a chiyuv which is supposed to get an aliyah, and the gabbai called up somebody else by mistake (for the last aliyah) can the chiyuv still be called up instead as long as… Question: If there is a chiyuv which is supposed to get an aliyah, and the gabbai called up somebody else by mistake (for the last aliyah) can the chiyuv still be called up instead as long as the oleh didn't say Hashem's name in the bracha yet, or is it too late once the first name is called? Answer: If the individual who was called is a Kohen or Levi, he should get the Aliya. Even if it’s a Yisroel, unless the chiyuv was already promised, the one who was called should go up. However, if…Show more
There is a an advantage in putting the Mezuzah in a see-through case so that the mezuzah with ש-ד-י could be seen. Please see here: https://asktherav.com/12438-arent-see-through-mezuzah-cases-problematic/ When a non-see-through case is needed, it may be of silver. Nonetheless, there… There is a an advantage in putting the Mezuzah in a see-through case so that the mezuzah with ש-ד-י could be seen. Please see here: https://asktherav.com/12438-arent-see-through-mezuzah-cases-problematic/ When a non-see-through case is needed, it may be of silver. Nonetheless, there is a tradition in the name of the Baal Shem Tov not to use a metal case (which many maintain includes any type of metal, including silver). Sources: ראה רע״ב כלים טז, ז: קנה של מתכות. אבל בפיה״מ…Show more
The Torah forbids us from acting cruel to animals, including fish, and/or causing them pain. Fishing causes pain to the fish that are caught, as the hook pierces the mouth of the fish. Sometimes this injury can prevent the… The Torah forbids us from acting cruel to animals, including fish, and/or causing them pain. Fishing causes pain to the fish that are caught, as the hook pierces the mouth of the fish. Sometimes this injury can prevent the fish from being able to eat, causing more pain and death. While we are permitted to cause (necessary) harm to an animal in the process of preparing them to be eaten, “catch and release” is prohibited for the above reason. P.S. The above is regarding fishing as a sport. If it is being done for the purpose of eating, or…Show more
Yes. שו"ע אדה"ז נה, ו שבדברי סופרים סומכין על החזקה. וראה גם קצט, ט. #8778
Question: I know games like poker are prohibited because of the element of stealing that can be applied to it. But what about a game like blackjack where, depending on the casino, the one dealing the cards would prefer… Question: I know games like poker are prohibited because of the element of stealing that can be applied to it. But what about a game like blackjack where, depending on the casino, the one dealing the cards would prefer that the contents win? Answer: There is an element of stealing, as well as wasting time and bittul Torah amongst other issues. Thus, either way it should not be done. See here as well: https://asktherav.com/1855-can-one-use-poker-playing-cards/ Sources: משחק בקוביא - נחלקו בגמ' סנהדרין כד, ב בטעם…Show more
Question: We fully cook the cholent before Shabbos in a pot and then transfer it to the crock pot. Last Shabbos we forgot to plug in the crock pot. Shabbos morning, the insulated crock pot was still warm. We… Question: We fully cook the cholent before Shabbos in a pot and then transfer it to the crock pot. Last Shabbos we forgot to plug in the crock pot. Shabbos morning, the insulated crock pot was still warm. We were doing the mitzvah of hachnasas orchim Shabbos day by having many guests. Is it permitted to ask a non-Jew to plug in the pot? If it permitted to hint it to her? We had children by the meal. Technically they could eat cold food, but they would be much happier eating hot meat. If that's considered tzar for them,…Show more
Question: If a child under bar mitzvah is saying Kaddish and is the only one, does someone else, like the Chazan, need to also be saying it with them? Is there any difference between Kaddish d’rabbanan, which the… Question: If a child under bar mitzvah is saying Kaddish and is the only one, does someone else, like the Chazan, need to also be saying it with them? Is there any difference between Kaddish d’rabbanan, which the minyan would always say, and Kaddish Yasom? Answer: A katan may recite kaddish himself and there’s no need for someone to say with him. This applies to all kaddeishim which are not normally recited by the Chazan. Sources: רמ״א יו״ד שעו, ה, שלא נתקן אלא לקטנים. וכ״מ…Show more
לברך על השלימה. ויצרף פת הבאה בכיסנין או פרוסה נוספת. מקורות: פשוט ששלימות מעיקר הדין הוא ג״כ. והחיוב לבצוע על…
Question: We don't cut nails on Thursday because of the resulting growth of the nails that will start on Shabbos. Why are timers allowed to be used to make appliances start running on Shabbos? Is there a difference? … Question: We don't cut nails on Thursday because of the resulting growth of the nails that will start on Shabbos. Why are timers allowed to be used to make appliances start running on Shabbos? Is there a difference? Answer: The reason why some are particular — and this is this the common custom —not to cut nails on a Thursday is because they will grow back on Shabbos. This will not be considered respectful for Shabbos as they grow back on Shabbos and hence lacking the mitzva of כבוד שבת. The theory that the reason for the custom…Show more
תשובה: מן הדין, מברך על שאר המאכלים והמשקאות. ומכל מקום, עדיף לברך ברכה אחרונה תחילה על פת הבאה בכיסנין לצאת מספק. מקורות: אף שספק שמא דינו כלחם גמור וממילא צ״ל הדין…
שאלה: כתב אדה"ז (בסבה"נ ב, י): "...חוּץ מִפַּת שֶׁנִּלּוֹשָׁה בְּחָלָב וְכַיּוֹצֵא בּוֹ שֶׁאֵין לְבָרֵךְ עֲלֵיהֶם "בּוֹרֵא מִינֵי מְזוֹנוֹת" בְּתוֹך הַסְּעוּדָה אוֹ בְּסוֹפָהּ בְּכָל ענין מֵאַחַר שֶׁיֵּשׁ אוֹמְרִים שֶׁבִּרְכָתָם "הַמּוֹצִיא" כְּלֶחֶם גָּמוּר, וְנִפְטֶרֶת כְּבָר בְּבִרְכַּת "הַמּוֹצִיא", וּסְפֵק בְּרָכוֹת לְהָקֵל ולכאורה… שאלה: כתב אדה"ז (בסבה"נ ב, י): "...חוּץ מִפַּת שֶׁנִּלּוֹשָׁה בְּחָלָב וְכַיּוֹצֵא בּוֹ שֶׁאֵין לְבָרֵךְ עֲלֵיהֶם "בּוֹרֵא מִינֵי מְזוֹנוֹת" בְּתוֹך הַסְּעוּדָה אוֹ בְּסוֹפָהּ בְּכָל ענין מֵאַחַר שֶׁיֵּשׁ אוֹמְרִים שֶׁבִּרְכָתָם "הַמּוֹצִיא" כְּלֶחֶם גָּמוּר, וְנִפְטֶרֶת כְּבָר בְּבִרְכַּת "הַמּוֹצִיא", וּסְפֵק בְּרָכוֹת לְהָקֵל ולכאורה גם עוגות בכלל זה, וא"כ אין מברכים עליהם כלל בתוך הסעודה אפילו כשאוכלם לעידן ולתענוג דלא כמנהג רוב העולם! ואף שהם בגדר רוב דבש שאפילו בעל נפש יכול להקל - הרי גם אז יש דיעה לברך המוציא (ורק מקילים כדעה האחרת), ואם יש טעם לברך עליו מזונות בתוך הסעודה נא להאיר עיני בזה. תשובה: לדעת רבנו בסידורו לדברי הכל…Show more
If so, should the person say/respond with amen? Answers: 1. A bracha can be given in writing or verbally. Each one has its own special power. One should respond "Amen" in writing. 2. Regarding placing the hands… If so, should the person say/respond with amen? Answers: 1. A bracha can be given in writing or verbally. Each one has its own special power. One should respond "Amen" in writing. 2. Regarding placing the hands over one's head while blessing them - Some do this. Some don’t. Some use only right hand. The reasons of this custom: To make the recipient a vessel for the bracha; to unite the one blessing and the recipient; to indicate extra flow of blessing, ayin yafeh; because there are 15 joints in the hand corresponding to the…Show more
Question: In the halochos regarding hair covering, a bald married woman needs to cover her head, meaning the head needs to be covered even though the focus is on a married woman's hair. What if a woman decides she… Question: In the halochos regarding hair covering, a bald married woman needs to cover her head, meaning the head needs to be covered even though the focus is on a married woman's hair. What if a woman decides she wants to extend her forehead and lasers off the hair in the front of her head...is that area allowed to be exposed? Do we define the covering that is necessary based on the head or the hair? What is the beginning point? Answer: Whatever her natural hairline was. However this is only referring to a case where a woman…Show more
Although it's best to be properly covered while learning, nonetheless when it is not possible you can still listen to a shiur. Sources: האשה יושבת וקוצה חלתה ערומה ומותרת לברך (ראה שו״ע…
There is a dispute whether one has the right to restrict others from photographing them. Regardless, if the person expresses explicit opposition one may not to do so, in account of Ahavas Yisroel. Sources: שו״ת שלמת חיים תשעג. שלמת יוסף כ, ה. משנ״ה…
Halachically one may smoke on fast days. On Tisha B'av one should not smoke. However, if one is unfortunately addicted and it is very difficult for him to refrain, he may smoke after Chatzos and in privacy. There is… Halachically one may smoke on fast days. On Tisha B'av one should not smoke. However, if one is unfortunately addicted and it is very difficult for him to refrain, he may smoke after Chatzos and in privacy. There is more room for stringency when it comes to vaping, even on a regular fast day. This is all aside for the general issues with smoking or vaping - See more here: https://asktherav.com/4681-do-the-pods-or-liquid-of-e-cigarettes-and-vapes-need-to-be-kosher/ Sources: עישון בתענית - משנ"ב סי' תקנ"ה ס”ק ח וכ"כ…Show more
שאלה: לגבי בורקס מבצק עלים שנילוש ברוב מרגרינה ראיתי בספר ממלכת כהנים (לגה"ר ישראל יוסף שיחי' הנדל), שער בירורי הלכה סי' יד, כותב שגם לבעל נפש, הברכה על מאפה מבצק עלים תהיה בורא מיני מזונות, כי הולכים בתר… שאלה: לגבי בורקס מבצק עלים שנילוש ברוב מרגרינה ראיתי בספר ממלכת כהנים (לגה"ר ישראל יוסף שיחי' הנדל), שער בירורי הלכה סי' יד, כותב שגם לבעל נפש, הברכה על מאפה מבצק עלים תהיה בורא מיני מזונות, כי הולכים בתר מצב המאפה אחר האפיה, ואחר האפיה, הבצק נעשה שכבות שכבות, ואין בו תואר לחם כלל; ולכן נראה שלדעתו, לא יברכו המוציא על מאפים אלו אף אם יקבעו עליהם סעודה. אך בספר שערי הברכה עמ' תקכ"ג הערה 67, איתא: אולי דינו (של בורקס העשוי מבצק עלים) כטריתא שאין בה קביעות סעודה, מאחר שכל דף בצק הוא דק מאד, אמנם בפשטות…Show more
שאלה: בסדר ברכת הנהנין פ"ב ה"ט מופיע הדין המיוחד של פת שנילושה בדבש כאשר הקמח מועט מן הדבש, שגם בעל נפש יברך עליו בורא מיני מזונות כי עשוי לעדון ומתיקות כו'. ובבדי השלחן סי' מח סקי"ד,… שאלה: בסדר ברכת הנהנין פ"ב ה"ט מופיע הדין המיוחד של פת שנילושה בדבש כאשר הקמח מועט מן הדבש, שגם בעל נפש יברך עליו בורא מיני מזונות כי עשוי לעדון ומתיקות כו'. ובבדי השלחן סי' מח סקי"ד, כותב הגרא"ח נאה: ופשוט דהוא הדין אם עירב בקמח תבלין או שקדים טחונים וכיוצא, עד שהם הרוב נגד הקמח, גם כן ברכתן בורא מיני מזונות לכולי עלמא, ופשוט גם כן שמצרפין יחד הדבש עם המי ביצים ושמן והתבלין, ואם בין כולם הם רוב נגד הקמח, ברכתן בורא מיני מזונות לדברי הכל, ע"כ. ושאלתי: 1. נראה שאז, בעוגות אלו,…Show more
Question: Can one use a non electric carpet and floor sweeper on Shabbos? It works by the wheels turning brushes on the bottom, that picks up dirt and brushes it into a small compartment. Answer: You may not… Question: Can one use a non electric carpet and floor sweeper on Shabbos? It works by the wheels turning brushes on the bottom, that picks up dirt and brushes it into a small compartment. Answer: You may not sweep a carpet on Shabbos as it is potentially included in the Melacha of Melaben as well as other reasons. You may however ask a non Jew to use it. Likewise, one may use a hair brush. You may use a non electric sweeper on hard floors in one’s home, see here: https://asktherav.com/936-is-it-permitted-to-sweep-ones-house-on-shabbos/ Sources: כבר כתבו לאסור משום מלבן, והוא חשש דאורייתא -…Show more
Q. Does the Rebbe want unmarried sefardi girls to disregard the ruling of the sefardi poskim and longstanding sefardi minhag, and instead make a bracha on lighting Shabbat candles? A. The Rebbe maintained that Sefardim may also light.… Q. Does the Rebbe want unmarried sefardi girls to disregard the ruling of the sefardi poskim and longstanding sefardi minhag, and instead make a bracha on lighting Shabbat candles? A. The Rebbe maintained that Sefardim may also light. This is the position of many Sefardi poskim and many maintain was the minhag too. Q. According to Rav Ovadia and the Ben Ish Chai, it is a bracha levatala al pi Bet Yosef. A. The position of the Ben Ish Chai isn’t clear. See below in the references. Q. According to other sefardi poskim that…Show more
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