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Question: What is a Kohen allowed to do with the money he receives from the father by a pidyon haben, And is there a source for the Kohen giving the money back to the father as a present? … Question: What is a Kohen allowed to do with the money he receives from the father by a pidyon haben, And is there a source for the Kohen giving the money back to the father as a present? Answer: Although strictly speaking it may be returned afterwards, after some time passes, a Kohen shouldn’t make a habit of doing so, unless the father is poor. Furthermore, it’s mentioned in Seforim that if the Kohen doesn’t give it back one can be sure that the child will live and grow up to be a man. Sources: ע״פ שו״ע יו״ד שה, ח. וראה שו״ת נחלה לישראל…Show more
Question: I listened to a story told by R. Sheis Taub about Bob Dylan who "converted" to another religion and was told to do a tevilas baal teshuva. Only after that did the Rebbe communicate with Dylan. If… Question: I listened to a story told by R. Sheis Taub about Bob Dylan who "converted" to another religion and was told to do a tevilas baal teshuva. Only after that did the Rebbe communicate with Dylan. If I took communion and went into a Buddhist temple before I became religious, do I need to do a tvilas Baal Teshuva? If so, how do I do that? Answer: You should approach 3 learned men and formally accept on yourself all the Mitzvos (Torah & Rabanan), and toivel in a kosher mikva in front of them. As…Show more
Questions: If I cooked vegetables that weren't checked from bugs (like celery or Broccoli or cabbage) can I eat from: the soup? the actual vegetable? if the vegetable was blended? Answers: It depends on what type of vegetable… Questions: If I cooked vegetables that weren't checked from bugs (like celery or Broccoli or cabbage) can I eat from: the soup? the actual vegetable? if the vegetable was blended? Answers: It depends on what type of vegetable it is (see below). Regardless, If it's possible to strain it in a way that even small bugs won't go through and it's not a thick soup, then yes. If you are dealing with vegetables that are assumed automatically to contain bugs, the vegetable shouldn't be eaten. Checking wouldn't help then (if it softens through cooking). With regular vegetables that…Show more
שאלה: מישהו פירסם שהוא מוכר סט ספרים שנמכר בAmazon ב140 דולר במחיר של 80 דולר. קפצתי על המציאה, ולאחר זמן גילתי שבחניות השכונה סט כזה חדש עולה רק 55 דולר, כמובן שאילו ידעתי לא הייתי קונה ממנו את הסט.… שאלה: מישהו פירסם שהוא מוכר סט ספרים שנמכר בAmazon ב140 דולר במחיר של 80 דולר. קפצתי על המציאה, ולאחר זמן גילתי שבחניות השכונה סט כזה חדש עולה רק 55 דולר, כמובן שאילו ידעתי לא הייתי קונה ממנו את הסט. מה ההלכה בכזה מקרה? האם אוכל לדרוש ממנו להחזיר לי את ההבדל במחיר? מענה: דבר ראשון יש לבדוק אונליין מה המחיר הגבוה ביותר וכן בחנויות שבמקום המכירה, ולא רק בשכונה, ולפי זה - להוסיף על זה שישית מהסכום ששילם (דהיינו 13.3 דולר במקרה הזה), ואם המחיר עולה מעל סכום הגבוה שבשוק ביותר משישית - יכול לבטל המקח, ואם זה…Show more
Question: We have a large bikur cholim kitchen. We would like to begin buying pre-cut onions that comes with a national hechsher. Is there any "heter" that commercial kitchens do not need to abide by this… Question: We have a large bikur cholim kitchen. We would like to begin buying pre-cut onions that comes with a national hechsher. Is there any "heter" that commercial kitchens do not need to abide by this halacha? Or is there any heter when purchased in sealed bags from this company and we will cook them the same day that we open the bags? Answer: Some of the hechsheirim rely on the position of Reb Moshe that this prohibition does not apply in a commercial setting. His position is not accepted by mainstream Chareidi Poskim and…Show more
Question: I’ve seen people being careful to cover an open bottle while making Kiddush. From what I understand it’s not an halachic issue of pogum but I heard it was a minhag by the Baal Shem Tov. Is there… Question: I’ve seen people being careful to cover an open bottle while making Kiddush. From what I understand it’s not an halachic issue of pogum but I heard it was a minhag by the Baal Shem Tov. Is there a source for this? Answer: See here: Halacha2go.com #568: Kiddush on Uncovered Wine References in the name of the Baal Shem Tov are presented below in Hebrew. There are also Halachic grounds for the stringency (not because of Pogum, though) - see below as well. Sources: בשם הבעש״ט - ראה תורת אבות מאניסטריטש ערך אבות…Show more
Question: If one thought it was Rosh Chodesh when it really wasn't, and mentioned yaleh vyavo in shmoneh esrei, does he need to repeat shmoneh esrei? Answer: There is a machlokes regarding this. In practice, during the week,… Question: If one thought it was Rosh Chodesh when it really wasn't, and mentioned yaleh vyavo in shmoneh esrei, does he need to repeat shmoneh esrei? Answer: There is a machlokes regarding this. In practice, during the week, one should finish shmoneh esrei and daven a tefillas nedava. However, on Shabbos (or Yom Tov), when a tefillas nedava is not said, if they have not finished the bracha of "hamachazir shchinoso l'tzion", they should go back to the beginning of the bracha and repeat it. Even if they have already said the name of Hashem at…Show more
Question: Many people feel that well-meaning Rabonim who get advice from well-meaning doctors are getting incorrect information with regards to the safety of the Covid vaccines. Is it possible that Rabonim do make mistakes with Siyata Dishmaya? A very… Question: Many people feel that well-meaning Rabonim who get advice from well-meaning doctors are getting incorrect information with regards to the safety of the Covid vaccines. Is it possible that Rabonim do make mistakes with Siyata Dishmaya? A very recent example is the closing of shuls during the beginning days of Covid. Obviously, during those times no one knew the severity of the virus, so surely closing down was the proper decision at the time (at least according to most people and the data that was readily available), but knowing what we know now it is a sure thing…Show more
Question: What is the worth of the Kesubah מנה & מאתיים זוז in today’s money? How is it calculated for today’s times? Answer: AskTheRav is primarily focused on providing answers to practical relevant Halachic questions. Due to limited… Question: What is the worth of the Kesubah מנה & מאתיים זוז in today’s money? How is it calculated for today’s times? Answer: AskTheRav is primarily focused on providing answers to practical relevant Halachic questions. Due to limited time and funding, we are currently unable to answer questions which are for research and learning purposes. Due to the fact that a Chasan is supposed to be aware of this by the Chupah, we will answer this question, (though this will usually be explained by the Mesader Kidushin) According to Ashkenazi custom, it would be the worth of 961.5…Show more
שאלה: בחזרת הש"ץ במנחה טעה הש"ץ ואמר ותן טל ומטר לברכה, תיקנו אותו תיכף ואמר ותן ברכה. הערתי להם שלפי מש"כ בשו"ע נראה שצריך לחזור לראש הברכה, טען מישהו, שתוך כדי דיבור תיקן את עצמו. א) כמדומני שתוכ"ד לא… שאלה: בחזרת הש"ץ במנחה טעה הש"ץ ואמר ותן טל ומטר לברכה, תיקנו אותו תיכף ואמר ותן ברכה. הערתי להם שלפי מש"כ בשו"ע נראה שצריך לחזור לראש הברכה, טען מישהו, שתוך כדי דיבור תיקן את עצמו. א) כמדומני שתוכ"ד לא מועיל כאן. ב) האם יש קולא, מצד שזהו אחרי ז' חשון? מענה: א.יש בזה מחלוקת. ורבו האומרים שתוך כדי דיבור לא מהני. ולדעתי, מן הדין, גם אם תיקן עצמו תוך כדי דיבור ואמר ותן ברכה צריך לחזור לראש הברכה. אך כיון שיש חולקים לכן בדיעבד אם המשיך ואמר השם לא יחזור מספק אך יתפלל תפילת נדבה. והארכנו בעיקר…Show more
Question: I flew from NY to California this morning and said Tefilas Haderech with “vesachazireinu leshalom”. Now that I’m heading back on the same day but after Shkiah (my flight is 10:30 pm), do I need to… Question: I flew from NY to California this morning and said Tefilas Haderech with “vesachazireinu leshalom”. Now that I’m heading back on the same day but after Shkiah (my flight is 10:30 pm), do I need to make another Tefilas Haderech, or am I covered from the one I made this morning when I mentioned returning? Answer: You do not say it again. Explanation: The “cutoff” for the requirement to say Tefilas Haderech again (whether one said the words “vesachazireinu leshalom” or not) is morning (– following the same rules as Birchas Hatorah, that it…Show more
Yes, as long as he is one person joining two new people who didn't hear zimun yet (and not two people who did hear zimun who are joining one person who did not hear zimun). This applies only… Yes, as long as he is one person joining two new people who didn't hear zimun yet (and not two people who did hear zimun who are joining one person who did not hear zimun). This applies only if he eats after the last zimun another kazayis of food or drinks a revi's. The best would be if he eats another kazayis of bread. If he is joining a minyan of people in order to say “elokenu” then there is no preference in eating bread. Similarly when it is a group of people eating together…Show more
Question: The bathroom in our shul opens to the shul without a double door, so I'm looking into putting in a screen magnet door in the inside of the bathroom. Basically, this screen closes automatically by magnetic pieces, and… Question: The bathroom in our shul opens to the shul without a double door, so I'm looking into putting in a screen magnet door in the inside of the bathroom. Basically, this screen closes automatically by magnetic pieces, and when you walk through it, it opens. Is such a kind of double door enough for a shul, or is something else needed? Answer: You do not need anything else. Sources: אף שבזמננו אין חשש מלומר דברים שבקדושה נגד מחיצות…Show more
Question: Sometimes on mivtzoim I meet a Jew who wants to put on tefillin, but he has a “chup” or a huge ponytail is there any point of putting on tefillin (shel rosh) with him… Question: Sometimes on mivtzoim I meet a Jew who wants to put on tefillin, but he has a “chup” or a huge ponytail is there any point of putting on tefillin (shel rosh) with him since it’s a chatzitza? Answer: Yes. There is room for leniency even to make a Brocho on the Shel Rosh. Sources: ראה מנחת אהרן כלל ח, ח - לה, ב.…Show more
You may continue saying tehillim for them as you wish. Sources: ראה מהרי"ל בתחילת הלכות שמחות: "ואמר שמה"ר זלמן היה…
Question: In our Yeshiva, the minyan usually davens very slowly. We start at 10 am, but by the time Krias Hatorah is finished, it will almost for sure be after Chatzos now that the clocks have changed. (Usually, we… Question: In our Yeshiva, the minyan usually davens very slowly. We start at 10 am, but by the time Krias Hatorah is finished, it will almost for sure be after Chatzos now that the clocks have changed. (Usually, we have been finishing Chazaras Hashatz around 11:30 for Shacharis). Since Motzei Shabbos is Yud Kislev, is it appropriate for the minyan to say Av Harachamim or not? Answer: Av Harachamim shouldn’t be recited. Sources: הנה, בפורים שחל ביום א׳, מצינו שכתב רעק״א בפסקים ותקנות…Show more
כל חטא שהוא בין אדם למקום - אין לפרסם. מקורות: יומא פו, ב וברש״י: בחטא שאינו מפורסם. לא יגלה חטאו וכבוד…
It depends. If this is tevilas ezra, and one is always particular about it, it supersedes the advantage of davening k’vasikin. However, the daily mikvah which chassidim do every day for tosefes tahara doesn't override tefillah k’vaskin… It depends. If this is tevilas ezra, and one is always particular about it, it supersedes the advantage of davening k’vasikin. However, the daily mikvah which chassidim do every day for tosefes tahara doesn't override tefillah k’vaskin, for one who is careful about it. Nonetheless, there were certain Chassidim who were very particular about tevilah, even to the extent of davening biyechidus because of this. Certainly, if not toveling will distract someone’s kavanah, he may act accordingly. Sources: ראה ס׳ מי דעת ע׳ צח בארוכה. ושם ע״פ…Show more
Question: I have a few general questions regarding the Minhag to say a Passuk that corresponds with one's name at the conclusion of Shmone Esrei: This is the main source for Saying a Pusuk for your name after Shemona… Question: I have a few general questions regarding the Minhag to say a Passuk that corresponds with one's name at the conclusion of Shmone Esrei: This is the main source for Saying a Pusuk for your name after Shemona Esrei. Question is, the Shalo writes that if your name is in a Pusuk ("Like Shalom or Dan") you don't say a pasuk starting and ending with the same letter, rather "obviously" say that pasuk with his name inside it. If so, is that how we should do it? And why don't we see that rule in the list he…Show more
Question: I want to use a “crock pot plastic bag” to line the pot to prevent it from getting dirty - are there any halachic concerns with using these plastic bags? (I also have a thin layer of foil… Question: I want to use a “crock pot plastic bag” to line the pot to prevent it from getting dirty - are there any halachic concerns with using these plastic bags? (I also have a thin layer of foil around the heating element (under the actual pot) used as a blech). Answer: Using a crockpot liner poses an issue of Hatmana. However, there won't be an issue if there is a noticeable space between the majority of the bag and the pot's walls. This can be achieved by either using a smaller bag that doesn't touch the sides…Show more
Question: I was not feeling well, so I made kiddush and drank a second cup of wine for kiddush bemakom seudah. I threw up a couple of hours later and all the wine from kiddush was thrown up,… Question: I was not feeling well, so I made kiddush and drank a second cup of wine for kiddush bemakom seudah. I threw up a couple of hours later and all the wine from kiddush was thrown up, in this case, I did make myself throw up in order to provide some relief (which it did). Was I yotzei kiddush? Answewr: There is a machlokes about this. Therefore, one should not make kiddush again. Sources: בנוגע לסעודת שבת - ראה שו״ת כת״ס או״ח עא.…Show more
Questions: Bishul: If I'm the one who turns the electricity on in my house from the fuse box, can a goy plug an electric pot into the outlet? is it considered that I turned on the fire to be… Questions: Bishul: If I'm the one who turns the electricity on in my house from the fuse box, can a goy plug an electric pot into the outlet? is it considered that I turned on the fire to be considered bishul yisroel? Bishul: I have a smart plug that can be turned on and off from my phone. My cholent is plugged into the smart plug. If a goy prepares everything and puts the pot in the crockpot, and then I use my smartphone to turn on the plug, is the cholent bishul yisroel? Pas: There's a…Show more
Question: I was a guest in a home and was served mezonos bread. I wanted to avoid any shailos of the bracha rishona and achrona and asked for additional bread made from flour and water. The host took out… Question: I was a guest in a home and was served mezonos bread. I wanted to avoid any shailos of the bracha rishona and achrona and asked for additional bread made from flour and water. The host took out regular bread. My question is: being that to recite al netilas yadayim, one needs to eat a kebeitza of bread. Do I need to have a full shiur of kebeitza from the lechem gamur to recite al netilas yadayim? Or can I wash on a small amount, a kezayis, of lechem gamur and use also the mezonos…Show more
It is permitted for someone that's missing some hair to wear a hair extension on Shabbos. There is no problem of carrying etc. שוע"ר שי' שא סס"ב. שש"כ פי"ח ס"ז. #17765
Question: In order to fulfill the mitzva of זכור את השבת לקדשו according to what the מכילתא brings, by saying "יום ראשון בשבת" - Do I need to say "בשבת" or is "יום ראשון" enough because I'm obviously counting… Question: In order to fulfill the mitzva of זכור את השבת לקדשו according to what the מכילתא brings, by saying "יום ראשון בשבת" - Do I need to say "בשבת" or is "יום ראשון" enough because I'm obviously counting to/from Shabbos? Also, does it apply to writing also? Answer: An introductory comment: This mitzvah is already accomplished by saying the shir shel yom and there is no requirement to say it again throughout the day. Furthermore, the Rebbe suggests that the obligation, which is accomplished by saying so once a day as mentioned, exists only when anyhow counting…Show more
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