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Question: If someone has plants that to grow properly they need to have specific lighting (sometimes the light on and sometimes the light off). Is one allowed to cover or uncover the lights on Shabbos? Answer: If you… Question: If someone has plants that to grow properly they need to have specific lighting (sometimes the light on and sometimes the light off). Is one allowed to cover or uncover the lights on Shabbos? Answer: If you are covering and uncovering the lights with the intention of helping the plants, then this is forbidden. Sources: שש"כ כ"ו ט. שו"ת הר צבי סי' קלג. …Show more
If they will be moving them from a rental into a property which you own, it may be done on Chol Hamoed. However, if the new apartment/home is a rental, it may not be done on Chol Hamoed. … If they will be moving them from a rental into a property which you own, it may be done on Chol Hamoed. However, if the new apartment/home is a rental, it may not be done on Chol Hamoed. ראה שו"ע או"ח סי' תקל"ה, שו"ת חקקי לב ח"א סי' ט"ז, ועוד. Q. Is this the case even if they will get to my new address after Yom Tov? A. Yes, unless this will cause a significant financial loss. #16829Show more
Question: I see that according to the Alter Rebbe, the best time to do Kaporos is Erev Yom Kippur, at Ashmores Haboker. Being that I have young children at home, I have always been doing it the afternoon the… Question: I see that according to the Alter Rebbe, the best time to do Kaporos is Erev Yom Kippur, at Ashmores Haboker. Being that I have young children at home, I have always been doing it the afternoon the day before Erev Yom Kippur. My question is, since I am anyways not doing it in the best preferable time, is there: Any benefit of doing it on the 8th of Tishrei, rather than an earlier day when there are other -more convenient- Kaporos available What about the night of Erev Yom Kippur, before Ashmores Haboker (by keeping my kids…Show more
מותר לקנות עליות בבית הכנסת מדמי מעשר כספים, ובתנאי שכך הי' בדעתו בעת קניית המצוה. מקורות: ראה ש''ך יו''ד סי' רמט ס''ק ג. ובבאר הגולה…
Question: We were blessed Bh with a baby boy 5 weeks ago but due to the yellowness, the bris is waiting. The question is whether there is an inyan to do things to make the bris happen earlier e.g.… Question: We were blessed Bh with a baby boy 5 weeks ago but due to the yellowness, the bris is waiting. The question is whether there is an inyan to do things to make the bris happen earlier e.g. feeding formula which is said to quicken the yellowness to go. Answer: Formula is not a first option if breast milk is readily available. One need not try to find ways to prematurely quicken the process of the baby being fit to have a bris. The Rebbe would often quote the Rambam in connection to a delayed Bris "…Show more
Question: This year I was given a non-Jewish assistant in my classroom. Is she allowed to check kids when they read alef-beis? She won't be teaching alef-bais to the class, but I wonder if she can hear them read… Question: This year I was given a non-Jewish assistant in my classroom. Is she allowed to check kids when they read alef-beis? She won't be teaching alef-bais to the class, but I wonder if she can hear them read one-on-one if there is no one else available. Answer: Not ideal. If there is no other choice and she's supervised it can be done, provided she knows the alef-beis already on her own, but you may not teach her it to begin with. See here as well: https://asktherav.com/12121-non-jewish-or-non-frum-teachers/ Sources: עיקר חומר הענין כאן בלימוד הא״ב לגוים שאסור ללמדם…Show more
Night time Kiddush: One may not drink even water before kiddush. When lighting candles, a woman may stipulate not to accept Shabbos till sunset, to be able to drink afterwards. If it’s already sunset, or if she didn’t stipulate,… Night time Kiddush: One may not drink even water before kiddush. When lighting candles, a woman may stipulate not to accept Shabbos till sunset, to be able to drink afterwards. If it’s already sunset, or if she didn’t stipulate, she may not drink without kiddush, but can make kiddush on challah, or if not possible - even coffee or tea, if necessary. If making kiddush isn't practically possible, and she is very thirsty, there is room for leniency to drink water if it’s still before sunset. Daytime Kiddush: Once she already davened, she is obligated in kiddush and…Show more
Question: What do I need to do if I want to walk through a Shul (as a shortcut)? What if it's the only way out? Answer: One is not allowed to use a shul as a shortcut. However,… Question: What do I need to do if I want to walk through a Shul (as a shortcut)? What if it's the only way out? Answer: One is not allowed to use a shul as a shortcut. However, if he did not go in initially to use it as a shortcut, he can use the other (closer) exit. (This is actually the preferred method - for someone to come in from one entrance and leave from a second exit). If it is for a dvar mitzvah he should say a passuk in the shul and then go through…Show more
Question: I have a flight on Chol Hamoed to come to the Rebbe for Simchas Torah. Is there any reason not to eat on the flight? (I was thinking that this petur of osek bemitzva may be different than… Question: I have a flight on Chol Hamoed to come to the Rebbe for Simchas Torah. Is there any reason not to eat on the flight? (I was thinking that this petur of osek bemitzva may be different than the petur of mitztaer where we are nevertheless machmir, as over here the choice is eating or not eating, vs by mitztaer the choice is eating in a sukkah or outside a sukkah, amongst other possible differences.) Answer: One shouldn’t fast - certainly not past midday - but should eat non mezonos foods. Please see here: https://asktherav.com/eating-outside-the-sukkah/ I…Show more
שאלה: בש"ץ שהתחיל חצי קדיש אחר ישתבח ושכח לומר שיר המעלות ממעמקים גו', האם יחזור ויאמר שיר המעלות או שימשיך בקדיש? וכן האם תחילת הקדיש הוא משיאמר תיבת יתגדל? דנ"ל דלענין אמירת קדיש כשאין עשרה נחשב תיבת יתגדל להתחלת… שאלה: בש"ץ שהתחיל חצי קדיש אחר ישתבח ושכח לומר שיר המעלות ממעמקים גו', האם יחזור ויאמר שיר המעלות או שימשיך בקדיש? וכן האם תחילת הקדיש הוא משיאמר תיבת יתגדל? דנ"ל דלענין אמירת קדיש כשאין עשרה נחשב תיבת יתגדל להתחלת הקדיש שיוכל להמשיך גם בלא מנין (אולי בא"א מבוטשאטש)? בתודה מראש. תשובה: ש"ץ ששכח לומר שיר המעלות, והתחיל קדיש - אינו מפסיק לאומרו בין קדיש לברכו, ואומרו אחר התפילה. וראה עוד כאן, בסוף ה"לוח יומי הלכה למעשה". תחילת הקדיש - למעשה נהגו שאינו התחלה עד בעגלא ובזמן קריב ואמרו אמן - ראה שע״א ז, לג ובשערי רחמים שם כג.…Show more
Question: I'm in the middle of Shiva and I can't make a minyan in the Shiva house. Is it better to stay at home without saying kaddish or go daven in a different place with a minyan? I am… Question: I'm in the middle of Shiva and I can't make a minyan in the Shiva house. Is it better to stay at home without saying kaddish or go daven in a different place with a minyan? I am the only one who is saying kaddish. Answer: המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים. There are different opinions on the matter. In practice, it’s better to stay at home and pay someone else to say kaddish. Sources: קשה מאד ההכרעה בנידון. וראה בארוכה נשמת ישראל במקומו.…Show more
Question: I'm teaching my 4th-grade students the Halachos of washing 2nd Negel Vaser. Do the hands have to be dried before reciting the Bracha על נטילת ידים, or can we say the Bracha with wet hands? Answer: In… Question: I'm teaching my 4th-grade students the Halachos of washing 2nd Negel Vaser. Do the hands have to be dried before reciting the Bracha על נטילת ידים, or can we say the Bracha with wet hands? Answer: In the morning - halachically we do not need to dry them, however, minhag Chabad is to first dry the hands, raise them to head level (where the peyos are) separate from each other, and say the Bracha. Before a meal - we wash our hands (leaving a bit of water in the left hand), begin the beracha before rubbing our…Show more
Question: Hi Rabbi Braun, I would like to try a method called “The Emotion Code” by Bradly (Brad) Nelson to try to figure out what’s bothering me and the cause. The method is supposed to “release trapped emotions in… Question: Hi Rabbi Braun, I would like to try a method called “The Emotion Code” by Bradly (Brad) Nelson to try to figure out what’s bothering me and the cause. The method is supposed to “release trapped emotions in the body that cause stress and disfunctionality.” Many of my friends use this method and it has helped them. They can actually do this test by speaking with a practitioner over the phone. Is this allowed according to Torah? Thank you Answer: There are many alternative healing methods (as well as meditations) out there that are based on ancient…Show more
שאלה: לכב' כת"ר שליט"א! הגמרא במסכת כתובות (י, ב) אומרת: אמר רב, אכל תמרים אל יורה. וביאר רש"י: אל יורה שום הוראה לפי שטורדות דעתו כשיכור. האם זה גם בימינו שאין להורות אחר אכילת תמרים? וכעת אנו עומדים בער"ה… שאלה: לכב' כת"ר שליט"א! הגמרא במסכת כתובות (י, ב) אומרת: אמר רב, אכל תמרים אל יורה. וביאר רש"י: אל יורה שום הוראה לפי שטורדות דעתו כשיכור. האם זה גם בימינו שאין להורות אחר אכילת תמרים? וכעת אנו עומדים בער"ה וכידוע יש הנוהגים לאכול תמרים בר"ה. יישכ"ג! כוח"ט תשובה: תלוי במציאות. וגם הרמב״ם שהביאו לדינא - ביאהמ״ק א, ג (אבל ברמ״א יו״ד רמב, יג כתב בסתמא: או שאר דברים המשכרים, ולא פירט. וראה בש״ך שם כ, שהביאו. וכ״ה בחכמ״א קד, ד) - כתב להדיא דמיירי רק כש״שנשתבשה דעתו מעט״. ובחינוך מ׳ קנב: ונתבלבלה דעתו. (וברמ״א לא פירט, וכנראה מובן…Show more
What is the reason that with regards to relations with one's wife, one is allowed to have thoughts of Torah? Seemingly, he isn't in a modest state? According to Halacha, thinking about words of Torah is not the same… What is the reason that with regards to relations with one's wife, one is allowed to have thoughts of Torah? Seemingly, he isn't in a modest state? According to Halacha, thinking about words of Torah is not the same as speaking, and is permitted in most circumstances, marital relations included. The exception is in bathrooms and similar places where filth is present, where even thinking words of Torah is forbidden. In addition, what specific Torah thoughts should one have; Kabbalistic, maybe more Talmudic...? The idea is to have spiritual and holy concepts in mind, especially those that will…Show more
Question: I'm generally careful not to go to the Ohel when I'm on my menstrual cycle. (I'm a single girl). I would like to go on Erev Rosh Hashanah, since it's an extra important time to go, but will… Question: I'm generally careful not to go to the Ohel when I'm on my menstrual cycle. (I'm a single girl). I would like to go on Erev Rosh Hashanah, since it's an extra important time to go, but will be on the fourth day of my cycle. Is it okay to go, since it's an auspicious day, or is it better not to? Answer: In this case, you may go. Nonetheless, it’s recommended to stand from a distance. See also here: https://asktherav.com/may-a-woman-who-is-nida-go-to-the-ohel/ Sources: לקברי צדיקים בכלל - יש המתירים, (באר מרדכי פארהאנד…Show more
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Yes, if done occasionally. Sources: ספל לנט״י אינו כלי סעודה ופטורה מטבילה, כפשוט. וראה…
Question: We warmed wheat taco shells in the oven. Then we realized they are not pas yisroel. Do we need to do anything about the oven, i.e. kasher it? Answer: There is no need to kasher the… Question: We warmed wheat taco shells in the oven. Then we realized they are not pas yisroel. Do we need to do anything about the oven, i.e. kasher it? Answer: There is no need to kasher the oven. Sources: בפשטות, אין חשש בליעות כלים בפת גוים. ורק בבשול…Show more
ברור שכשר לעדות. מקורות: הוא ע"ד המובא בסמ"ע בחו"מ סי' ל"ד ס"ק יו"ד…
Question: If someone was raped at 4 years old and at 12 years old, are they still considered a virgin? I know physically they are not. But spiritually, are they? And are they from a Jewish view? Answer:… Question: If someone was raped at 4 years old and at 12 years old, are they still considered a virgin? I know physically they are not. But spiritually, are they? And are they from a Jewish view? Answer: No, she does not lose the purity associated with virginity. This is because the Torah does not attribute any of it to her, only to the rapist - equaling it to murder. However, this may impact her in terms of eligibility to marry a kohen. If the issue comes up, it should be discussed with an expert rov. Additionally,…Show more
כן, אם הוא אדם נאמן וראוי להיות משגיח בלאו הכי. כמובן, עדיף משגיח שמקפיד בעצמו. מקורות: יו"ד קיט סעיף ז ברמ"א וש"ך סק"כ. וראה שו״ת…
There is no clear conclusive evidence one way or another. Although the phrase K’mo Shehodata is technically more correct, K’hodata can also be used. The common nusach in many siddurim, including Siddur Torah Ohr, and older prints of Tehillas… There is no clear conclusive evidence one way or another. Although the phrase K’mo Shehodata is technically more correct, K’hodata can also be used. The common nusach in many siddurim, including Siddur Torah Ohr, and older prints of Tehillas Hashem is K’hodatah in Kel Erech and Kmo Shehodata in Kel Melech. See below for an explanation. Indeed, at least on one occasion, the Rebbe can be heard saying K’mo Shehodata when reciting Kel Melech. Nonetheless, in Selichos Chabad and original prints of Machzor Chabad K’hodata is printed in both, and it’s recorded that the Rebbe has said so at…Show more
There is a Halachic prohibition against getting a haircut from a non-Jew. This is brought in Mishnayos (Avoda Zarah: Perek 2 Mishna 2) and in Shulchan Aruch (Yorah Deya: Siman 156). However, one may get a haircut from… There is a Halachic prohibition against getting a haircut from a non-Jew. This is brought in Mishnayos (Avoda Zarah: Perek 2 Mishna 2) and in Shulchan Aruch (Yorah Deya: Siman 156). However, one may get a haircut from a Goy if it is in public with other people present or there are passersby, or if the one getting their haircut looks in the mirror during the haircut. It is not enough to be able to see in the mirror, rather one must actually look in the mirror in a noticeable way. However, there are Kabalistic reasons for people…Show more
Question: Is the Chabad custom of women going to a bor al gabei bor mikveh a hiddur or a minhag or something else? Where I live right now, the mikveh is called bor geshomim. I would prefer bor… Question: Is the Chabad custom of women going to a bor al gabei bor mikveh a hiddur or a minhag or something else? Where I live right now, the mikveh is called bor geshomim. I would prefer bor al gabei bor since that is what I learned in kallah classes. what should I do in the case where mikveh would be on Shabbos or Yom Tov? There are possibly other mikvaos around but I'm not sure if they are within safe walking distance or if those are not al gabei bor either. Answer: Chabad Chassidim are very…Show more
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