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Question: I was asked to be chazan in a backyard Minyan for not frum people on Yom Kippur, for Kol Nidrei and Ne'ilah. The person asked if I could bring a Sefer Torah. Is a Sefer Torah a necessity… Question: I was asked to be chazan in a backyard Minyan for not frum people on Yom Kippur, for Kol Nidrei and Ne'ilah. The person asked if I could bring a Sefer Torah. Is a Sefer Torah a necessity for these Tefilos, or B'dieved I don't need one? and if I do need one, could I bring a Sefer Torah out of a shull for ONLY these Tefilos (not any tefilos that have a Kri'ah)? Answer: Though it's ideal to hold a Torah during Kol Nidrei, it's not an issue when it's not possible. For Neilah, no Torah…Show more
A rvi’is of the coffee or tea should be drunk within a time frame of 4 minutes. Practically speaking, for most people, this is not an issue. Nonetheless, since these beverages may be extremely hot at first, many people… A rvi’is of the coffee or tea should be drunk within a time frame of 4 minutes. Practically speaking, for most people, this is not an issue. Nonetheless, since these beverages may be extremely hot at first, many people leave over a rvi’is of coffee/tea to cool off to drink at the end to avoid all Shaalos. אדה״ז בסברה״נ ח, ו. שו״ת שארית יהודה או״ח טו. משנ״ב רי, א. #16467Show more
Question: If food is fully cooked before Shabbos, can the pot it is in be uncovered and Re-covered while it is on the blech as it seems to be described in The Laws of Cooking on a Shabbos and… Question: If food is fully cooked before Shabbos, can the pot it is in be uncovered and Re-covered while it is on the blech as it seems to be described in The Laws of Cooking on a Shabbos and the Blech book? Answer: There is a machlokes haposkim. Although most poskim permit, l'chatchilla one should be stringent. Even according to the lenient position, there are good reasons to be stringent: The heter only applies if one is absolutely certain that all the food is completely cooked. Many times there are bones in the meat which haven’t been…Show more
Some details that might be of importance: It has not been built yet. This is for someone who wants to construct one now. They need basic kashrus, no extra chumros. I also want to build one as well… Some details that might be of importance: It has not been built yet. This is for someone who wants to construct one now. They need basic kashrus, no extra chumros. I also want to build one as well and want it to be lchatchilah. Here is a pic for illustration purposes. Answer: There are a few points to have in mind when turning a pergola into a Sukkah: 1) Material of the support for the S'chach: From the picture it looks like it will be wooden beams - that is totally fine and the S'chach may…Show more
If it has a smiley face, mirror, etc., or if it is colorful, it would be permitted to keep as it doesn't represent the sun as we see it. Sources: הארכנו כאן בנוגע לבובות. וכ"ה בנדו"ד שאינו קבוע ועשוי…
The custom is not to do the Upshernish on Chol Hamoed. It should be done the night of Isru Chag, i.e. Motzei Yom Tov, if possible. Source: אפשערעניש בחול המועד - נוסף להמנהג, גם מדינא יש לדון, שאף… The custom is not to do the Upshernish on Chol Hamoed. It should be done the night of Isru Chag, i.e. Motzei Yom Tov, if possible. Source: אפשערעניש בחול המועד - נוסף להמנהג, גם מדינא יש לדון, שאף שע״פ דין מותר בקטן שנולד, הרי ההיתר לפי שמצערו, כדלקמן, משא״כ בנדו״ז, שקובע מלאכתו למועד. [ויש שכתב שסתם קטן בתגלחת הראשונה מצטער. ואומדנא זו איני יודע טיבה. וראה ירושלים במועדי׳ חוה״מ ע׳ רצו שסתם קטן בן ג״ש אינו מצטער. וראיתי לח״א שכתב לצדד סברא להתירא, להדעות שמותר לכוון מלאכתו במקום מצוה, או באו״א עד״ז מחמת שהמטרה היא להוסיף בשמחת החג…Show more
Question: If I make cookies by mixing Old Fashioned Quaker Oats (rolled oats)-- without cooking them--with peanut butter (and some honey and chocolate chips) and then freezing them, what would the Bracha be? Would there be any difference if… Question: If I make cookies by mixing Old Fashioned Quaker Oats (rolled oats)-- without cooking them--with peanut butter (and some honey and chocolate chips) and then freezing them, what would the Bracha be? Would there be any difference if using Quick One-Minute Oats? Also, is there an issue of Bishul Akum if I didn't cook the oatmeal (I don't know what process was done to the rolled oats in manufacturing)? Answer: The Beracha Rishona would be Ha’adama. There is a doubt about the proper Beracha Achrona. Therefore, one should not eat a Kezayis outside of a meal. See…Show more
The soup is completely cooked and wrapped in a towel before Shabbos. It usually settles and the thickness goes to the bottom of the pot. Can I stir it before serving it in bowls? Answer: You may stir… The soup is completely cooked and wrapped in a towel before Shabbos. It usually settles and the thickness goes to the bottom of the pot. Can I stir it before serving it in bowls? Answer: You may stir it if it’s fully cooked and no longer in the original pot. #9276Show more
Can one touch or move the actual lamp or only the top may be turned? What if the top has broken off, may one still turn whatever is left? Answer: You may move the lamp לצורך גופו או… Can one touch or move the actual lamp or only the top may be turned? What if the top has broken off, may one still turn whatever is left? Answer: You may move the lamp לצורך גופו או לצורך מקומו if you need to put something in its place or if you need to use the lamp somewhere else. There are opinions that are stringent not to move it unless כלאחר יד with one's elbows or back of the hand. You may turn the top even if it's broken. #10503Show more
Question: Hi! Today is my citizenship ceremony. If I’m asked to pledge allegiance is it permitted? Is it the same as a vow? What’s the “kosher” way? I’ll take my chitas too in case they ask me to touch… Question: Hi! Today is my citizenship ceremony. If I’m asked to pledge allegiance is it permitted? Is it the same as a vow? What’s the “kosher” way? I’ll take my chitas too in case they ask me to touch the xtian bible, maybe they’ll allow me to touch my own? Answer: It is permitted to pledge allegiance but you substitute the words “solemnly affirm” for the words “on oath”, as permitted by law: “When a petitioner or applicant for naturalization, by reason of religious training and belief (or individual interpretation thereof), or for other reasons of good conscience,…Show more
Question: Years ago, I received a pushka from a local Chabad House. Ever since, I've been filling the pushka every few weeks, at which point I count up $20 worth of coins, then put aside a $20 bill so… Question: Years ago, I received a pushka from a local Chabad House. Ever since, I've been filling the pushka every few weeks, at which point I count up $20 worth of coins, then put aside a $20 bill so that I can reuse the coins in the same pushka. When I run out of $20 bills, I write a check to the Chabad House that supplied me with the pushka, then restart the process again, until the next time I run out of the same $20 bills and have to write a check again. The question is this: Last…Show more
I have read your excellent write-up about davening after chatzos. Question: If I enter into a shul where people do not know the correct halacha and make a complete minyan with Baruch sheamar, yishtabach, bircas krias shema, and… I have read your excellent write-up about davening after chatzos. Question: If I enter into a shul where people do not know the correct halacha and make a complete minyan with Baruch sheamar, yishtabach, bircas krias shema, and a Shachris Shemone Esrei after chatzos. Are they saying a bracha l'vatala? Should one respond to their kedusha and Amen to their brachos, Or is that saying Hashem's name in vein? Is there a difference if the minyan and Shemone Esrei was recited before Mincha Gedolah? Or if they started before chatzos? Answer: Yes. No. It’s considered…Show more
שאלה: מוסד א נכנס לחנות, ובעל החנות נותן לו קופה של מוסד ב, ואומר לו: הם לא באים לרוקן, וגם שמתי צדקה בכונה לתת למוסד שלך. שניהם מוסדות חב"ד. האם מותר למוסד א לקחת את הקופה ששייכת למוסד ב?… שאלה: מוסד א נכנס לחנות, ובעל החנות נותן לו קופה של מוסד ב, ואומר לו: הם לא באים לרוקן, וגם שמתי צדקה בכונה לתת למוסד שלך. שניהם מוסדות חב"ד. האם מותר למוסד א לקחת את הקופה ששייכת למוסד ב? אכן, הרבה הרבה פעמים קורה שאנשים טוענים שלא באים לרוקן את הקופות ונותנים אותם למוסד חב"די אחר. האם מותר לקחת את הקופה? כך גם קורה שמרוקנים קופה לפניך ממוסד אחר של חב"ד, ונותנים לך לקחת ואומרים: חב״ד זה הכל אותו דבר. האם מותר לקחת את הכסף שבקופה? תשובה: אם הקופה של המוסד, הרי הכסף נקנה להם ברגע שהכסף נכנס…Show more
I am referring to the seal under the cap that you need to pull hard to rip off. Answer: It has come to our attention that there is no preexisting opening on the orange juice container. Thus, when removing…I am referring to the seal under the cap that you need to pull hard to rip off. Answer: It has come to our attention that there is no preexisting opening on the orange juice container. Thus, when removing the ring tab one is creating a new opening and therefore it shouldn’t be done on Shabbos. It would be best to remove the entire top of the carton and avoid the issue. Regarding opening bottle caps, there is an argument amongst contemporary Poskim, if one is allowed to open it on Shabbos. Therefore one should open before Shabbos. If…Show more
Yes, Ma'aser money can be used to help with such expenses, if it can't be funded by the one responsible for them. (And being that this is regarding a family member, they have preference over others that are in… Yes, Ma'aser money can be used to help with such expenses, if it can't be funded by the one responsible for them. (And being that this is regarding a family member, they have preference over others that are in need.) Sources: טו"ר שו"ע יו"ד סי' ר"נ. וראה שם סי' רנ"ג…Show more
Question: Can I place granola/blueberries/pomegranate on top of yogurt on shabbos? If yes, can I also mix it in? Answer: When putting a little bit of granola on yogurt there is no issue of 'losh' and… Question: Can I place granola/blueberries/pomegranate on top of yogurt on shabbos? If yes, can I also mix it in? Answer: When putting a little bit of granola on yogurt there is no issue of 'losh' and one may even mix them since one piece doesn't stick to the other. When putting a lot of granola there would be an issue of 'losh' when mixing it. Therefore it should be mixed with a shinui. The same would apply with pomegranate if the seeds get stuck to each other. When mixing blueberries there is no '…Show more
Question: I have a friend (who is slowly increasing in observance) who suffers from anxiety. He recently started davening on a regular basis and often finds it difficult to finish the whole shacharis. Are there parts he can… Question: I have a friend (who is slowly increasing in observance) who suffers from anxiety. He recently started davening on a regular basis and often finds it difficult to finish the whole shacharis. Are there parts he can skip? Is there an order of priority he can follow depending on how much he feels he can do that day? Can he say any parts skipped at a later time? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch when discussing which parts of davening to skip when coming late to davening gives preference to certain parts of davening. Even though it is…Show more
Some forbid planting tall trees for shade in the shul courtyard. If they are planted like a fence and are cut regularly it’s not an issue. Any trees or plants which resemble church practices are certainly forbidden. Sources: ר״ד עראמה על הרמב״ם ע״ז ו, ט. הובא בהגהות…
Yes. Sources: ואפי׳ בגוי יש לפייס משום חילול השם - ראה…
This depends on a lot of details. If it is something dangerous, either physically or spiritually for the student, not only may the Mechanech take it away, he must confiscate it. It should not be given back to the… This depends on a lot of details. If it is something dangerous, either physically or spiritually for the student, not only may the Mechanech take it away, he must confiscate it. It should not be given back to the child and depending on what it is and the age of the student, it might need to be returned to the parents. Similarly, if a student brings something which they are not allowed to according to the school rules, it may be confiscated. Poskim disagree whether a teacher may confiscate an object which is disturbing the learning in class such…Show more
Answer: Yes, it is the Minhag to say הרי זה חלה. Sources: בענין קריאת שם לחלה: ראה ברמב"ם הל' טומאת אוכלין…
Digital water meters, which monitor and record water usage electronically, have become prevalent lately. Does this pose a problem on Shabbos, since it would seem that a digital form of writing takes place when one uses water? Although those… Digital water meters, which monitor and record water usage electronically, have become prevalent lately. Does this pose a problem on Shabbos, since it would seem that a digital form of writing takes place when one uses water? Although those who don’t use these meters out of the desire to honor the sanctity of Shabbos tavo aleihem brachah (should be commended), the consensus among contemporary poskim is that digital water meters are not an issue due to a combination of factors, among them: It’s not considered a typical form of writing, and at the very worst would be forbidden only…Show more
Question: I have 2 basement apartments to rent. You come into a square hall. On the right is the door for one apartment, on the left is the door for the other apartment. One is rented to boys. Is… Question: I have 2 basement apartments to rent. You come into a square hall. On the right is the door for one apartment, on the left is the door for the other apartment. One is rented to boys. Is it proper to rent the other to girls? Answer: Renting out such an apartment is highly inappropriate and halachichally problematic in itself. Additionally, you would be responsible for any issues that may arise from it, like yichud (in the hallway and possibly even while in their respective apartments), or worse. Sources: להשכיר - ראה שו"ת אג"מ יו"ד ח"ב סי' לה…Show more
Question Continued: She would like to light candles before my son's bedtime so that he can watch her lighting. Answer: Yes - as long as the candles are being lit after the time of plag hamincha (which is… Question Continued: She would like to light candles before my son's bedtime so that he can watch her lighting. Answer: Yes - as long as the candles are being lit after the time of plag hamincha (which is 1 and 1/4 seasonal hours before shkiah). See more here: Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch 261:5 Halacha2go.com article #173: Early Maariv #9394Show more
Some people have such a custom, though there is nothing wrong with wishing Mazal Tov immediately after birth. Sources: נזכר כמנהג הנשים בדא״ג בשו״ת ישועות מלכו יו״ד סוס׳…
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