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No, they are not obligated. For the first day of Selichos, many have the custom to go and recite it. If said without a Minyan, the Yud Gimmel Midos Harachamim should be omitted. In regards to language: if it's… No, they are not obligated. For the first day of Selichos, many have the custom to go and recite it. If said without a Minyan, the Yud Gimmel Midos Harachamim should be omitted. In regards to language: if it's hard to understand, see here. Sources: בס׳ התדיר לר״מ ב״ר יקותיאל מן האדומים לח, שהנשים…Show more
English pruzbul 5782 מכתב פרוזבול תשפב What? The annulment of all debts in the shemitah year applies also nowadays, rabbinically, both in Eretz Yisrael and in chutz la’aretz. When our Sages saw that people were not lending… English pruzbul 5782 מכתב פרוזבול תשפב What? The annulment of all debts in the shemitah year applies also nowadays, rabbinically, both in Eretz Yisrael and in chutz la’aretz. When our Sages saw that people were not lending money when Shemitah approached, thereby transgressing the prohibition of, “Beware, lest there be in your heart an unfaithful thought, saying, ‘The seventh year, the year of release has approached,’ and you will begrudge your needy brother and not give him . . and it will be a sin to you”, they enacted the pruzbul. In this ceremony, the lender…Show more
We may often see a product with a hechsher, but it is important to be vigilant, because some hechsherim rely on leniencies that are not in accordance with mainstream halacha. This is particularly relevant when it comes to shmita… We may often see a product with a hechsher, but it is important to be vigilant, because some hechsherim rely on leniencies that are not in accordance with mainstream halacha. This is particularly relevant when it comes to shmita. When visiting Eretz Yisroel during a shmita year, people may be shopping for produce, eating in hotels and restaurants, etc., and may often encounter products which are labeled "kosher", but the laws of shmita may not have been observed according to mainstream halacha. There are many methods how to observe shmita properly, whether through eating food that has the…Show more
Question: He is very likely to be the 10th person for Minyan at the daily Davening that takes place in his school. Can he be part of the Minyan beginning on his "birthday" in Adar Rishon? Answer: No.… Question: He is very likely to be the 10th person for Minyan at the daily Davening that takes place in his school. Can he be part of the Minyan beginning on his "birthday" in Adar Rishon? Answer: No. Sources: רמ"א או"ח נה, י. סתימת המחבר שם ט: שנת…Show more
No. Sources: בקובץ מבית לוי (מפסקי בעל שבט הלוי) ח ע׳…
And what about the same name for a son and a daughter, such as names which are usually given to both boys and girls (e.g. Simcha)? Answer: The custom is not to in both cases. Sources: כ״כ בשו״ת דברי מלכיאל ג, עה. וראה שו״ת צי״א…
Question: There are a few websites that offer to buy a piece of land in Eretz Yisroel prior to Shmita, so that one can fulfill the mitzvah of Shmita. Is this recommended by Rabbi Braun Shlit"a? Answer:… Question: There are a few websites that offer to buy a piece of land in Eretz Yisroel prior to Shmita, so that one can fulfill the mitzvah of Shmita. Is this recommended by Rabbi Braun Shlit"a? Answer: No. Best to use the money instead for Tzedakah. Of course, if you’re not going to give the money to Tzedakah, you should donate it to such a cause. P.S. The concept of donating to Keren Hashvi’is to support struggling farmers, mentioned by the Rebbe, is a different matter altogether. See about that here. https://asktherav.com/16575-keren-shmita-donating-to-shmita-observant-farmers/ Sources: ומכמה טעמים, ועיקרם שכמעט ולא מצאנו הידור כזה בשום…Show more
You don't need to wear a Tallis. If the congregation is particular about this, you should wear it just over the shoulders (together with a hat), so it shouldn't seem fully as a Tallis Gadol. In this case, you… You don't need to wear a Tallis. If the congregation is particular about this, you should wear it just over the shoulders (together with a hat), so it shouldn't seem fully as a Tallis Gadol. In this case, you should use a borrowed Tallis - not a communal Tallis so you won’t need to make a Brocha. (Regarding Selichos, and Maariv and Neilah of Yom Kippur - where Yud Gimmel Middos is said - see #5657). #16579Show more
It is not an halacha, but a documented Minhag. Source: ראה טעמי המנהגים ליקוטים קפג עפמש״כ בשו"ת מהר"י אסאד או"ח קנז שבפסח המצות עגולות כדי להרחיק מחוקות התועבות של המצרים בזמן ההוא לעשות הלחמים שלהם מרובעים ומשולשים… It is not an halacha, but a documented Minhag. Source: ראה טעמי המנהגים ליקוטים קפג עפמש״כ בשו"ת מהר"י אסאד או"ח קנז שבפסח המצות עגולות כדי להרחיק מחוקות התועבות של המצרים בזמן ההוא לעשות הלחמים שלהם מרובעים ומשולשים לפי ריבוי האלוקות שהאמינו, ולכן המצות עגולות המורה על האחדות. וכן בראש השנה שממליכים המלך יחיד ומיוחד. ובתורת משה להחת״ס לסימן טוב שדבר עגול אין לו קץ וסוף והוא סימן טוב לאריכות ימים בלי סוף ונזכה לראות סוף השנה כתחילתה. וי״א לרמז על צורת כתר ע״ש כתר מלוכה, שר״ה זמן ההכתרה. או לרמז על גלגל המזלות של חודשי השנה. וראה…Show more
This is a Machlokes haposkim. Most mention specifically meat. Sources: See references in Hebrew Shavuos Guide fn. 142. …
Question: I read a Sicha about donating to the farmers for Shmitah. How do I fulfill the directive practically? Is there a specific organization or link that is recommended? Answer: קרן השביעית https://keren7.com/ https://kerenhashviis.org/ See also: Pictures… Question: I read a Sicha about donating to the farmers for Shmitah. How do I fulfill the directive practically? Is there a specific organization or link that is recommended? Answer: קרן השביעית https://keren7.com/ https://kerenhashviis.org/ See also: Pictures of checks from the Rebbe Promotional poster Likkutei Sichos, vol. 29, p. 277: ”Another call of the hour this Elul is in regard to the upcoming year of Shemitah: this involves making public announcements to spur on the necessary preparations for the optimal fulfillment of the mitzvah in Eretz Yisroel... and since keeping Shemitah is an expensive…Show more
You should not use the mezuzah as a bookmark. Explanation: In theory, there would be no halachic problem per se with using a passul mezuzah as a bookmark for a Sefer provided that The mezuza is marked as… You should not use the mezuzah as a bookmark. Explanation: In theory, there would be no halachic problem per se with using a passul mezuzah as a bookmark for a Sefer provided that The mezuza is marked as passul so one should not mistakenly use it, It is covered so no letters become erased, And of course it is treated respectfully. Nonetheless, according to poskim, the very act of using a mezuzah as a bookmark is in itself a form of disrespect. Aside from that, it is not recommended to do this because it can easily fall…Show more
A quote from the Day-To-Day Halachic Sukkos Guide: The father of a boy who knows how to shake the lulav according to its laws is obligated to purchase a set of arba minim for his son. Although many are… A quote from the Day-To-Day Halachic Sukkos Guide: The father of a boy who knows how to shake the lulav according to its laws is obligated to purchase a set of arba minim for his son. Although many are not accustomed to doing so, in our times when sets of arba minim can be easily obtained, it is preferable to buy a kosher set of minim for all boys who know how to shake the lulav (who are obligated in these laws for the sake of chinuch). At a minimum, each household should have one set devoted to the…Show more
Avinu Malkeinu is not said on Shabbos. The minhag is not to sing the nigun either. Haneiros Halalu (rather just the last phrase "al nisecha..." Is sung). Hamavdil bein kodesh lechol (and other Motzaei Shabbos nigunim).… Avinu Malkeinu is not said on Shabbos. The minhag is not to sing the nigun either. Haneiros Halalu (rather just the last phrase "al nisecha..." Is sung). Hamavdil bein kodesh lechol (and other Motzaei Shabbos nigunim). Sad tunes such as the tune of Eicha and Kinos. Sources: אבינו מלכנו - לקו״ש יט ע׳ 284 בהערת המו״ל…Show more
Q. May I say Tehillim at night during Elul? A. No. See sources below. Q. May Tehillim be said at night during Aseres Yemei Teshuva, or is it only Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur? A. There are conflicting… Q. May I say Tehillim at night during Elul? A. No. See sources below. Q. May Tehillim be said at night during Aseres Yemei Teshuva, or is it only Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur? A. There are conflicting instructions about this matter. The bulk of sources mention only RH and YK. See references below. See also here: https://asktherav.com/4178-can-i-say-tehillim-on-friday-night-and-yom-tov/ Article: May I say Tehillim at night? The Arizal taught that Mikra, Torah She’bichsav (the Written Torah) should not be read at night. However, translating the Chumash into any other language, and especially learning Chumash with the…Show more
שאלה: האם הרמב"ם היומי (תעניות ה, יד) נוגע לפועל? "וכן גזרו שלא לנגן בכלי שיר כולם, וכל מיני זמר וכל משמיעי קול של שיר - אסור לשמוח בהן, ואסור לשומען מפני החורבן. ואפילו שירה בפה על היין - אסורה,… שאלה: האם הרמב"ם היומי (תעניות ה, יד) נוגע לפועל? "וכן גזרו שלא לנגן בכלי שיר כולם, וכל מיני זמר וכל משמיעי קול של שיר - אסור לשמוח בהן, ואסור לשומען מפני החורבן. ואפילו שירה בפה על היין - אסורה, שנאמר "בשיר, לא ישתו יין". וכבר נהגו כל ישראל, לומר דברי תושבחות או שיר של הודאות לאל וכיוצא בהן על היין". תשובה: כמובן, כך גם נפסקה ההלכה בשולחן ערוך. אמנם, יש בזה כמה וכמה שיטות, וכן כמה פרטים ותנאים. אבל בכללות, ההלכה היא שאסור לשמוע מוזיקה אחרי החורבן. מכל מקום, לצורך מצוה מותר. וכן כתבו הפוסקים להתיר כשמטרת המוזיקה…Show more
Question: Can a Kohen work or walk around a medical laboratory that works with dead bodies if he is certain that there are only non Jewish bodies, and if yes what if he is not sure if the bodies… Question: Can a Kohen work or walk around a medical laboratory that works with dead bodies if he is certain that there are only non Jewish bodies, and if yes what if he is not sure if the bodies are Jewish or not? Answer: If he isn't in the same room as the dead body and he is sure that the bodies aren't Jewish, there is room to be lenient בשעת הצורך. Sources: עיין שו״ת מהרש״ם ח''ב סימן רל'ג ובשערים מצויינים בהלכה…Show more
Article: How is your Scotch “finished"? Aging whisky is an art that endeavors to produce optimal taste and smoothness with a precise blend of ingredients and methods. Many producers (specifically of Scotch whiskies) have reintroduced the practice of storing… Article: How is your Scotch “finished"? Aging whisky is an art that endeavors to produce optimal taste and smoothness with a precise blend of ingredients and methods. Many producers (specifically of Scotch whiskies) have reintroduced the practice of storing the spirit in casks that were previously used for wine, called “sherry finishing.” Contemporary poskim question whether this process may place the resulting spirits under the issur d’rabbanan (Rabbinic restriction) of stam yainam (wine produced by non-Jews). The wine product that remains absorbed in the walls of the empty casks would seemingly be halachically insignificant according to the principle of…Show more
Question: I am a Lefty, and I want to know what is the exact direction that the Yud of the Tefillin Shel Yad needs to Face, Should it be an upside-down Yud, i.e. Facing upwards, or is it like… Question: I am a Lefty, and I want to know what is the exact direction that the Yud of the Tefillin Shel Yad needs to Face, Should it be an upside-down Yud, i.e. Facing upwards, or is it like a regular righty, facing downwards? Answer: The section of the Yud which protrudes out of the knot should be facing the Bayis. Sources: שגוף הקשר הוא הראש, וקצה הרצועה הוא הרגל, כדמוכח…Show more
שאלה: החינוך כותב (מצוה כה) "מצות האמנה במציאות ה' וזאת מן המצוות שאין להם זמן ידוע שכל ימי האדם חייב לחיות במחשבה זו". ילמדנו רבינו איך מקיימים מצוה זו? וכן גם בנוגע לשאר (שש) המצות תמידיות – האם צריך… שאלה: החינוך כותב (מצוה כה) "מצות האמנה במציאות ה' וזאת מן המצוות שאין להם זמן ידוע שכל ימי האדם חייב לחיות במחשבה זו". ילמדנו רבינו איך מקיימים מצוה זו? וכן גם בנוגע לשאר (שש) המצות תמידיות – האם צריך לחשוב עליהם כל היום? תשובה: אופן הקיום בכל היום: לחשוב בתחילת היום. וכן בכל רגע שחושב בזה מקיים מצות עשה. אבל אינו חייב לחשוב כל היום. מקורות: בכ״מ מבואר שאא״פ לחשוב ב׳ מחשבות בב״א. וראה גם…Show more
Question: If someone is davening in a shul building, but not in the actual Beis Hakeneses where the Sifrei Torah are kept and not in a room that opens up to the Beis Hakeneses or in a room where… Question: If someone is davening in a shul building, but not in the actual Beis Hakeneses where the Sifrei Torah are kept and not in a room that opens up to the Beis Hakeneses or in a room where the Beis Hakenses is visible, can one perform nefilas apayim during Tachanun? Answer: One may if it’s in the time that the tzibur is saying nefilas apayim. Nonetheless, there are opinions that one may regardless. Rumor has it that the Rebbe did once when he stopped to daven Mincha on the way back from the Ohel. Sources: ראה שוע"ר קלא, ג. ט"ז שם ס"ק ו. פמ"ג…Show more
Question: Does a Chocolate Danish you buy in the bakery have the Bracha (מעיקר הדין and for בעל נפש ect) as the Babka described here? Answer: There is no one way that bakery Danishes are made, although there… Question: Does a Chocolate Danish you buy in the bakery have the Bracha (מעיקר הדין and for בעל נפש ect) as the Babka described here? Answer: There is no one way that bakery Danishes are made, although there are plenty of bakeries that use other ingredients in a larger quantity than flour, one would have to inquire regarding each bakery and pastry on its own. As a general rule, most Danishes have a high amount of sugar, cocoa, chocolate, eggs, oil, etc., aside from the fillings, and would normally qualify as mezonos even for a baal nefesh,…Show more
Question: Should we say that nowadays Mezonos bread (made from juice) is an “every day” food and people get full and satisfied from it, and would therefore become Hamotzi? Answer: Following is an excerpt from "Summer - Halachos… Question: Should we say that nowadays Mezonos bread (made from juice) is an “every day” food and people get full and satisfied from it, and would therefore become Hamotzi? Answer: Following is an excerpt from "Summer - Halachos and Minhagim" (published by the Badatz in 5773): For a number of Halachic considerations, one should avoid eating Mezonos rolls outside the context of a meal for which he washed for Hamotzi and ate a Kezayis of real bread. Alternatively, he may eat K’dei Sevi’a of these rolls, meaning the size of four eggs, provided that it is sufficient to…Show more
Q. #1: Is it a mitzvah to learn Lashon HaKodesh for the purpose of learning Torah? Is it a mitzvah to teach our sons Lashon HaKodesh for the purpose of their Limud HaTorah? If so, what precisely is the… Q. #1: Is it a mitzvah to learn Lashon HaKodesh for the purpose of learning Torah? Is it a mitzvah to teach our sons Lashon HaKodesh for the purpose of their Limud HaTorah? If so, what precisely is the geder of the mitzvah? What sources can I look up to learn more about it? A. Not a Mitzva by itself, but it is often a prerequisite to learning Torah. Teaching our children Lashon HaKodesh is part of the obligation of teaching Torah, similar to הכשר מצוה. See more in these sources: פירוש המשניות להרמב"ם אבות ב, א. שו״ת…Show more
Question: The shliach in my area gave the whole community cheesecake. I prefer not to have it in my house since it makes people in my family sick with all the cheese and sugar. If I can't find someone… Question: The shliach in my area gave the whole community cheesecake. I prefer not to have it in my house since it makes people in my family sick with all the cheese and sugar. If I can't find someone to give it to, can I throw it in the garbage? Answer: If you can't give it to someone else, then you can put it in a bag and then throw it in the garbage. Sources: בגמרא שבת קמ עמוד ב "ואמר רב חסדא האי…Show more
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