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Question: Raw nuts are kosher with no Hechsher, but what about almonds that are Steam Pasteurized? Are they still considered raw in this case? Answer: Yes, they are considered raw and are acceptable, provided there are no additives.… Question: Raw nuts are kosher with no Hechsher, but what about almonds that are Steam Pasteurized? Are they still considered raw in this case? Answer: Yes, they are considered raw and are acceptable, provided there are no additives. #18568Show more
The hot plate is electric and does not have any adjustment options. Does the hot plate need to be covered with foil? Does the food need to go over a pot (and does that pot need to be full… The hot plate is electric and does not have any adjustment options. Does the hot plate need to be covered with foil? Does the food need to go over a pot (and does that pot need to be full of food or is an empty pot good enough?) Answer: See here: https://asktherav.com/2405-shabbos-the-hotplate/ Fully cooked dry foods may be re-heated on Shabbos (see link regarding covering the hotplate). Wet foods that are still warm may be re-heated on Shabbos (see link regarding covering the hotplate). According to the Alter Rebbe in the Siddur, any dry solid which will become…Show more
Question: My family follows sephardi minhag. I follow Chabad. My mother warms up oven roasted chicken and rice, even after it cooled off completely, on Shabbos on a hot plate. I don’t eat from it but can I eat… Question: My family follows sephardi minhag. I follow Chabad. My mother warms up oven roasted chicken and rice, even after it cooled off completely, on Shabbos on a hot plate. I don’t eat from it but can I eat it when it has cooled down? Or do I need to wait for the amount of time it takes to cook the food to pass after Shabbos? Answer: If it’s being done in her home, you may eat it. Sources: הנה בנידון זה - שמה שאסור לזה מותר לזה…Show more
Question: I saw in seforim not to play chess on Shabbos. Is that the halacha, or is it coming from the aspect of kavod Shabbos? Answer: The Alter Rebbe writes (338:6) that chess (or a similar… Question: I saw in seforim not to play chess on Shabbos. Is that the halacha, or is it coming from the aspect of kavod Shabbos? Answer: The Alter Rebbe writes (338:6) that chess (or a similar game to chess) is permitted on Shabbos. Some write not to play due to not being shabbos'dik (unless designating a specific set for Shabbos), and some mention actual Halachic concerns. It should however be noted of these issues are not mentioned by the Alter Rebbe. After playing one shouldn’t sort them due to Borer. P.S. Grown men should obviously…Show more
The Alter Rebbe brings (25:8 and in siddur) that if the street is filthy, one should not walk in the street with tefillin. With big tefillin, it is difficult to have them covered. I am not aware of any… The Alter Rebbe brings (25:8 and in siddur) that if the street is filthy, one should not walk in the street with tefillin. With big tefillin, it is difficult to have them covered. I am not aware of any official minhag Chabad regarding this, although some are accustomed to don tefillin in an antechamber before entering the actual shul (this is also the custom of the Rebbe - to don tefillin in his room). Some suggest that once you are already in shul before davening to learn chassidus there’s not much point in going back out in order to…Show more
Question: Can I write Parshas Ha'azinu (as in this picture) not as part of a Sefer Torah? If yes, can it be written using ksav ashuris? Answer: This should not be written. Sources: נפסקה ההלכה שאסור לכתוב פרשיות שבס״ת - שו״ע יו״ד…
שאלה: שכח לומר ותן טל ומטר בברכת השנים ונזכר בברכות שלאחריה. אבל שכח שאפשר להזכיר בשומע תפלה וחזר לברך עלינו. מה דינו? מענה: יפסיק ויחזור למקום שאחז בתחילה, ויזכיר בשומע תפלה. טעמים ומקורות: בהקדם, שלכאו׳ יש לדון שכיון… שאלה: שכח לומר ותן טל ומטר בברכת השנים ונזכר בברכות שלאחריה. אבל שכח שאפשר להזכיר בשומע תפלה וחזר לברך עלינו. מה דינו? מענה: יפסיק ויחזור למקום שאחז בתחילה, ויזכיר בשומע תפלה. טעמים ומקורות: בהקדם, שלכאו׳ יש לדון שכיון שאסור להפסיק, ושאלת צרכיו בש״ת תקנתא היא, יש לו לומר שאינו חפץ בתקנה זו בכדי שלא להפסיק לחנם. ולכאו׳ מזה גופא שבנזכר אחר ש״ת חוזר לברכת השנים מוכח דתקנתא לחוד הוא. וילה״ע מהשקו״ט באחרונים אם שאלת גשמים היא ממטבע הברכה או דין הזכרה עלה. ואם נאמר שממטבע הברכה היא, עכצ״ל בטעם ששואל בש״ת, שבדיעבד בלא שאל בברכת השנים ג״ז מקומה…Show more
A. One should be careful not to do so unless there is no choice. Or if he was sitting there first and then the seforim were placed there later by someone else. Q. What about on benches like… A. One should be careful not to do so unless there is no choice. Or if he was sitting there first and then the seforim were placed there later by someone else. Q. What about on benches like the ones in 770? A. As above unless they’re separated into different sections Q. What about on a couch where the seats are made out of different "cushions"? A. Not an issue Q. Are you allowed to stand on a table, bench etc. which has seforim on it, (which is sometimes almost the only way to get around…Show more
Question: There is a Halacha that you can’t sit on a bench where there are seforim. Does this apply by when the seforim are in a box or a bag? Answer: Permitted, though there is room to be… Question: There is a Halacha that you can’t sit on a bench where there are seforim. Does this apply by when the seforim are in a box or a bag? Answer: Permitted, though there is room to be stringent that the seforim should be a tefach above the seating area. יו"ד סי' רפב ש"ך סק"ט, וראה שו"ת באר שבע סי' לח, שו"ת רדב"ז ח"ג סי' תקיג. #18513Show more
On the Shabbos of the birthday. Sources: לקו״ש ה ע׳ 86 הע׳ 5. וצ״ל שבסה״ש תשמ״ח…
Q. Is it true that at any place in the body that women don't grow hair there, a man will be permitted to shave? A. Not accurate. Only with an implement that isn't razor-like. Q. Is it permitted… Q. Is it true that at any place in the body that women don't grow hair there, a man will be permitted to shave? A. Not accurate. Only with an implement that isn't razor-like. Q. Is it permitted for a man to shave or wax his back/stomach/neck? A. It is permitted for a man to have the hair of these areas cut with a razor. However, regarding the neck - one may not use a razor, or electric shavers, only on the back of the neck. (Some are particular not to use even scissors if the resulting trim…Show more
Question: My husband is in Maimonides hospital, healing from surgery. Should he take the Shabbos elevator down to the Minyan or daven alone in his room? Answer: Your husband may use the elevator (provided all buttons are pressed… Question: My husband is in Maimonides hospital, healing from surgery. Should he take the Shabbos elevator down to the Minyan or daven alone in his room? Answer: Your husband may use the elevator (provided all buttons are pressed by a goy, of course). If the elevator has a Hechsher he should definitely not Daven without a Minyan. Even if it has no Hechsher, there are strong arguments in favor of using the elevator over Davening without a Minyan. One who does so is acting correctly and cannot be faulted. At the same time, one who chooses to…Show more
Question: When buying whole radishes without their greens, they are packaged without any hashgacha. I noticed that some have a cut where they were attached to greens. Is that a problem? Do I need to cut off a… Question: When buying whole radishes without their greens, they are packaged without any hashgacha. I noticed that some have a cut where they were attached to greens. Is that a problem? Do I need to cut off a certain amount? What exactly do I do? They are small as it is so there's not too much to cut away. Answer: You may eat as is if they are bought in a regular fruit and vegetable store, or in a supermarket with a designated fruit/vegetable section. It is assumed that the knife was used to cut only fruits…Show more
Question: If I had to interrupt (to say Kedusha for example) in between putting on Teffilin Shel Yad and Shel Rosh and therefore must say an additional Bracha, do I revert to no longer answering “lower-level” devarim shebikdusha (like… Question: If I had to interrupt (to say Kedusha for example) in between putting on Teffilin Shel Yad and Shel Rosh and therefore must say an additional Bracha, do I revert to no longer answering “lower-level” devarim shebikdusha (like the amen on Chonen Hada’as), or I should answer them? Answer: You should answer all those things (excluding things that are a minhag — like V’zos HaTorah for example — and not obligatory). The reason is because there is no longer the concern that answering those devarim shbikdusha will cause an unnecessary Bracha, because you will say that second…Show more
Question: Our son's Pidyon Haben is scheduled for Asarah B'Teves. What exactly do we do? Also is there an Inyan to do it together with Mincha? I'm Wondering because Mincha that day involves a Sefer Torah and we may… Question: Our son's Pidyon Haben is scheduled for Asarah B'Teves. What exactly do we do? Also is there an Inyan to do it together with Mincha? I'm Wondering because Mincha that day involves a Sefer Torah and we may not do it in a shul. Answer: Pidyon by day and seudah the following night. The kohen should make a Bracha on the wine and give to a katan who is the age of Chinuch to drink. No need to do it with Mincha. Sources: ש״ך שה, יב בסופו שכן נהגו. והב״ד במג״א תקסח,…Show more
Only if can be viewed by the street or if people occasionally walk in without permission. Also, only in hours when there is traffic in the streets. Sources: ראה שו״ת בנין ציון קלח. מנח״י ז, עג. ברית…
You may apply the moisturizer normally if it is not very thick (i.e. if it is truly a liquid or an oil). If it is thick, (more like a cream) it should be applied with a shinui (שינוי) [for… You may apply the moisturizer normally if it is not very thick (i.e. if it is truly a liquid or an oil). If it is thick, (more like a cream) it should be applied with a shinui (שינוי) [for instance, you can smear it with a gauze or cloth, instead of with your hands]. Sources: ראה שו"ע אדה"ז סימן תקי"א סעיף א', סימן שכ"ח…Show more
The Bracha on the fish sticks would be shehakol if the breadcrumbs are there to ease the frying or to create a particular texture. If however, the breadcrumbs are there for taste, assuming the bread crumbs are mezonos -… The Bracha on the fish sticks would be shehakol if the breadcrumbs are there to ease the frying or to create a particular texture. If however, the breadcrumbs are there for taste, assuming the bread crumbs are mezonos - not hamotzi - the Bracha should be mezonos. However, the common custom is to make shehakol regardless. (A number of theories have been proposed to justify this practice). To avoid the shaalah one should either remove some of the bread crumbs and recite mezonos on the bread crumbs and then shehakol on something else or mezonos on something else…Show more
Question: I would like to thank Hashem that my daughter is safe, as she was under water for some seconds. What’s the best to do - sponsor a kiddush, make a Seudas Hoda'ah, give tzedakah in her honor? … Question: I would like to thank Hashem that my daughter is safe, as she was under water for some seconds. What’s the best to do - sponsor a kiddush, make a Seudas Hoda'ah, give tzedakah in her honor? Answer: The common custom is to make a Seudas Hodaah when someone was saved from danger. By this Seuda Divrei Torah should be shared. It is a common practice to make this Seuda on Shabbos after Davening – by the Kiddush when there is a big crowd, and the miracle is shared to a bigger public. Also, the custom is…Show more
You may open it after Shabbos after the amount of time it takes to post such a picture or video after Shabbos elapses, which is literally a few seconds after Shabbos. See also here: https://asktherav.com/2039-spending-shabbos-with-family-who-dosent-keep-shabbos/ However, if you believe… You may open it after Shabbos after the amount of time it takes to post such a picture or video after Shabbos elapses, which is literally a few seconds after Shabbos. See also here: https://asktherav.com/2039-spending-shabbos-with-family-who-dosent-keep-shabbos/ However, if you believe that by not opening it, the individual will refrain in the future from sending it to you on Shabbos, you should indeed not open it. If it’s a picture or video of an event that happened on Shabbos, other rules might apply. See here: https://asktherav.com/4378-using-pictures-or-videos-that-were-taken-on-shabbos/ #18295Show more
Question: The governor of New York just released a new mask mandate. The rule is that businesses and venues (which presumably includes shuls) must implement a mask requirement or require proof of fully vaccinated status. Is one halachically obligated… Question: The governor of New York just released a new mask mandate. The rule is that businesses and venues (which presumably includes shuls) must implement a mask requirement or require proof of fully vaccinated status. Is one halachically obligated to follow this? Answer: Yes. Generally, government mandates that are done for the welfare of the community are halachically binding. However, if the rule has not been accepted by society at large, there is no halachic mandate to follow this rule, though it is still legally required (assuming it is within the framework of the local legal code and…Show more
Question: Is there a specific direction the oleh and baal koreh should face or look when saying chazak? Do we have any cheshash that people would say that chazak is written in the Torah, like the discussions we… Question: Is there a specific direction the oleh and baal koreh should face or look when saying chazak? Do we have any cheshash that people would say that chazak is written in the Torah, like the discussions we have about the brachos of Torah and megillah? Answer: While there are those who suggest that the Torah be closed first or at least that the baal korei and oleh face to the side, this is not practiced. Sources: אף שפסק הרמ״א או״ח קלט, ד "בשעה שמברך ברכה…Show more
There is no clear Chabad custom in this matter. The Rebbeim would generally sit. It is reported that the Rebbe however stood. Some sit and raise themself up slightly in the middle of the Brocha. This is what the… There is no clear Chabad custom in this matter. The Rebbeim would generally sit. It is reported that the Rebbe however stood. Some sit and raise themself up slightly in the middle of the Brocha. This is what the Rebbe did in public at the farbrengen, though usually that wasn’t his actual kiddush. Sources: בשעה״כ ענין סעודת שחרית של שבת מוכח להדיא לישב,…Show more
Question: If the Minyan just started and one didn't yet say karbanos, is it better to first say karbanos or can it be said after Shmone Esrei? How about Hodu and Pasach Eliyahu? Answer: Strictly speaking, according… Question: If the Minyan just started and one didn't yet say karbanos, is it better to first say karbanos or can it be said after Shmone Esrei? How about Hodu and Pasach Eliyahu? Answer: Strictly speaking, according to halacha one should Daven with the Minyan and say Korbonos afterwards, however, the Rebbe writes that this "Heter" should not be taught to the youth lest they get into the habit of skipping. Generally, it is not our minhag to skip, even for the purpose of tefillah btzibur. One should skip Hodu and Pasach Eliyahu in…Show more
Questions: Our Eiruv was recently broken and repaired. Is the crooked pole on one side a problem? The pole on the top goes thru a temporary partition to reach the inside wall. Answers: 1. Not a problem, as… Questions: Our Eiruv was recently broken and repaired. Is the crooked pole on one side a problem? The pole on the top goes thru a temporary partition to reach the inside wall. Answers: 1. Not a problem, as long as if you were to make a straight line vertically from the top point to the bottom point, the entire poll would be within three Tefachim (about 10 inches). ראה בשו"ת ויען יוסף או"ח (ח"א) סי' קצט להכשיר. ובשו"ת מנחת שלמה ח"ב סי' לה אות כו כתב להכשיר אם העקמימות פחות מג' טפחים. אך ביותר מזה - עיין חכמת…Show more
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