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Question: I live in California and I'm taking a road trip from New York to my home over the next few days, when and how often do I say Tefilas Haderech? Answer: You should say Tefilas Haderech every… Question: I live in California and I'm taking a road trip from New York to my home over the next few days, when and how often do I say Tefilas Haderech? Answer: You should say Tefilas Haderech every day (since after the day you left your original home) after davening without Shem U'malchus, which means that you finish off the Bracha by saying "Barouch atah shomea tefilah". Tefilas Haderech with shem umalchus is only said on the first day of your trip when leaving your original home. After that (including the day(s) traveling back home) you…Show more
Women do not say the Yehi Ratzon for they are not obligated in the Mitzvos (Krias Shma, Tzitzis and Tefilin) mentioned in these paragraphs. However, they should say the Ribon Haolamim (minus the section about waking up at Chatzos)… Women do not say the Yehi Ratzon for they are not obligated in the Mitzvos (Krias Shma, Tzitzis and Tefilin) mentioned in these paragraphs. However, they should say the Ribon Haolamim (minus the section about waking up at Chatzos) for everything in that paragraph is true regarding women as well. Sources: פשוט. וכ״כ בסדר קריאת שמע על המיטה (גינזבורג) ע'…Show more
Question: Many hospitals and nursing homes require that temperature be taken from each visitor when they enter. One of their staff members takes the temperature with a digital thermometer that is placed on the forehead or arm of each… Question: Many hospitals and nursing homes require that temperature be taken from each visitor when they enter. One of their staff members takes the temperature with a digital thermometer that is placed on the forehead or arm of each visitor. Is it ok to allow them to do this? Especially if the visit is also to perform a mitzvah with the patient (Shofar, Lulav, etc.) Answer: Yes, if it's indeed for a Mitzvah purpose since it is done by a non-Jew. Sources: מדידה מותרת לצורך מצוה - שוע"ר ש"ו סי"ח. גם…Show more
Question continued: In my case, I went to the doctor on Thursday and I got antibiotics. I had 103.5 fever and the doctor said if I feel sick on Shabbos I should call even on Shabbos due to COVID-19.… Question continued: In my case, I went to the doctor on Thursday and I got antibiotics. I had 103.5 fever and the doctor said if I feel sick on Shabbos I should call even on Shabbos due to COVID-19. I said if I feel sick, I’ll take a Tylenol so I don't have to call on Shabbos. Answer: You should use a non-electric thermometer if possible. If the doctor says to call if the fever is high you should call and not rely on taking a Tylenol. If possible, call with a shinuy. See here regarding…Show more
It’s not considered Avodah Zarah and one may visit there. Nonetheless, it’s not appropriate to get photographed near the statue. See also here: https://asktherav.com/6923-is-it-permissible-halachically-hashkaficlly-to-take-my-kids-to-walt-disney-in-orlando/ Sources: לדינא, אין זה בגדר עבודה זרה ומותר לבקר שם.…
בסידור אדה"ז כתוב שמותר להפסיק בין הנחת תפילין של יד לשל ראש בעניית דברים שמותר לאמרם בברכות ק"ש. ואח"כ יברך על של ראש. שאלה: אם הפסיק בין של יד לשל ראש בעניית ימלוך דקדושה, וקודם שאמר הברכה על של… בסידור אדה"ז כתוב שמותר להפסיק בין הנחת תפילין של יד לשל ראש בעניית דברים שמותר לאמרם בברכות ק"ש. ואח"כ יברך על של ראש. שאלה: אם הפסיק בין של יד לשל ראש בעניית ימלוך דקדושה, וקודם שאמר הברכה על של ראש כבר הגיע הש"צ לסיום ברכת אתה חונן, האם מפני שכבר הפסיק ויברך על השל ראש מותר לו כבר לענות אמן על ברכת הש"צ? וראיתי מובא מהרבי שאף שהלשון הוא "מותר" מ"מ הכוונה שהוא חיוב. תשובה: מותר לענות אמן על כל הברכות, וכל דבר שהוא חובה ולא מנהג. טעם הדבר: שלאחרי שהפסיק כבר וכעת עליו לברך על תש״ר,…Show more
Q. The ones that say they are Mezonos, do they have the same issues of Mezonos Bread? A. It depends on how they are made. If they’re made using flour and water, then they carry the same Bracha as… Q. The ones that say they are Mezonos, do they have the same issues of Mezonos Bread? A. It depends on how they are made. If they’re made using flour and water, then they carry the same Bracha as bread, i.e. Hamotzi. However, if they are made with fruit juices or other liquids, then they will have the same rules as mezonos bread. Q. Just to clarify: Does that mean to say that if they are made with fruit juices or other liquids, they are מזונות, however a בעל נפש should be מחמיר not to eat them…Show more
Question: We moved into our new house. Leaving our old seforim bookcases. We need to clear out the old apartment now. I plan on putting out the bookcases on the street. Is it ok to take a few to… Question: We moved into our new house. Leaving our old seforim bookcases. We need to clear out the old apartment now. I plan on putting out the bookcases on the street. Is it ok to take a few to my new basement and use them as storage shelves? Answer: One may not use anything that was servicing holy items, called tashmish kedusha, for mundane purposes. Seforim however usually stand in a bookcase with their covers, rendering the cover of the sefer a tashmish kedusha and the bookcase a tashmish d'tashmish and thus permissible for other uses. Nonetheless,…Show more
If yes, does it need to be on every door there or just on the main (side) entrance? Or, alternatively, should he just have a Mezuzah inside the RV and not fixed on the wall? Answer: According to… If yes, does it need to be on every door there or just on the main (side) entrance? Or, alternatively, should he just have a Mezuzah inside the RV and not fixed on the wall? Answer: According to Halacha, motor homes do not require a Mezuza. If they’re being used on a permanent basis, although not required, it is best that a mezuzah should be placed without a blessing. However, the Rebbe advised some people to have a mezuza near their bed (with a double cover if needed). For that reason, some people take with them mezuza for…Show more
One may drink the water left in his cup that was used for Mayim Acharonim. Nonetheless, some people are particular about this. This refers only to the cup from which the water was poured. However one should not drink… One may drink the water left in his cup that was used for Mayim Acharonim. Nonetheless, some people are particular about this. This refers only to the cup from which the water was poured. However one should not drink the leftover water in the cup into which the water was poured and many are particular not to use at all unless rinsed very well. Sources: עיין בקובץ אהרן וישראל שבט תנש״א ע׳ 139 שהוכיח דאין…Show more
Question: Is it ok and considered fulfilled to split chitas of the day with more than one person. I so badly want to fulfill the Rebbes Hora'ah especially with everything that’s going on in the world and to bring… Question: Is it ok and considered fulfilled to split chitas of the day with more than one person. I so badly want to fulfill the Rebbes Hora'ah especially with everything that’s going on in the world and to bring Moshiach. But chitas is too long for me to actually do while raising my kids etc. I had in mind to make a WhatsApp group to divide it between other women. Would that be considered fulfilling the chitas? Answer: The takana to learn chitas is on an individual basis, where everyone will finish the Chumash and Tanya throughout…Show more
Question: When rewarding good behavior, Is it at all oisgehalten to choose certain missions that are mandatory, meaning if they miss those mandatory ones, they will not get rewarded for the other (non-mandatory) missions? I know that we always… Question: When rewarding good behavior, Is it at all oisgehalten to choose certain missions that are mandatory, meaning if they miss those mandatory ones, they will not get rewarded for the other (non-mandatory) missions? I know that we always tell people on mivtzoim "even though you just ate non-Kosher it's irrelevant whether or not to put on tefillin now". My question is when it comes to chinuch does that same rule apply? Answer: You may choose whichever system works for you or for the purpose you’re trying to achieve. Furthermore, there might be a particular advantage in using…Show more
Question: At the beginning of my pregnancy, I was thinking (and perhaps voiced to my husband) that if I have a girl I'd like to name her for my grandmother who passed away several years ago (and for whom… Question: At the beginning of my pregnancy, I was thinking (and perhaps voiced to my husband) that if I have a girl I'd like to name her for my grandmother who passed away several years ago (and for whom several babies have been named). In the middle of my pregnancy, however, my other grandmother passed away, and now I would like to give her name. It would mean a lot to me and our family, this would be the first name given for her. Is it okay to change the "plan"? (Once heard a story in A Glimpse Through…Show more
Question: On Shabbos morning, I went to Mikveh Meir, which requires you to pay before Shabbos for both Friday afternoon and Shabbos together. Normally that is what I do, but I didn't make it to mikveh this past Friday… Question: On Shabbos morning, I went to Mikveh Meir, which requires you to pay before Shabbos for both Friday afternoon and Shabbos together. Normally that is what I do, but I didn't make it to mikveh this past Friday and only realized after I had already gone to the mikveh on Shabbos morning. So, basically, I used the mikveh without paying, by mistake. Is there an issue to pay just for Shabbos because of schar shabbos. Answer: No Issue. You should pay what they are asking. Sources: וכמ"ש בשו"ת נודע ביהודא, או"ח תנינא בסוף סי' כ"ו:…Show more
שאלה: מה שאסור (ע"פ הזוהר והובא להלכה) שהאישה לא תניק את התינוק אחר התשמיש, למשך זמן של כדי הילוך שני מילין, ואם התינוק בוכה, מיל אחד - מה לגבי חלב שהאישה שאבה בתוך זמן זה, לתוך כלי, האם החלב… שאלה: מה שאסור (ע"פ הזוהר והובא להלכה) שהאישה לא תניק את התינוק אחר התשמיש, למשך זמן של כדי הילוך שני מילין, ואם התינוק בוכה, מיל אחד - מה לגבי חלב שהאישה שאבה בתוך זמן זה, לתוך כלי, האם החלב נאסר לעולם או שמא הרוח הרעה חולפת מהחלב עצמו (אף כשהוא כנוס בכלי) כעבור זמן הילוך שני מילין מהתשמיש. תשובה: מותר לתת חלב שנשאב תוך זמן זה. וימתין עד אחרי הזמן. מקורות: ראה שו"ת שבט הקהתי ח"ה מח, ה שנסתפק אם…Show more
Is there a problem to go on a bike ride before Davening (if you have a set Minyan)? The halachah is that one may not get involved bitzrachav (in their personal affairs) half an hour before the time… Is there a problem to go on a bike ride before Davening (if you have a set Minyan)? The halachah is that one may not get involved bitzrachav (in their personal affairs) half an hour before the time of davening arrives until they have davened, lest they get caught up in what they are doing and forget to daven. This applies to all three tefilos (prayers), Shacharis, Minchah, and Maariv. Moreover, there is an additional reason not to do work before Shacharis: one’s personal needs and wants should not come before doing Hashem’s affairs. One should not get…Show more
אינו אומר הרחמן זה, לפי שאסור לברך גוי משום לא תחנם. ויאמר במקומו: הָרַחֲמָן הוּא יִשְׁלַח לָנוּ בְּרָכָה מְרֻבָּה בִּמְקוֹם הֲלִיכָתֵנוּ וּבִמְקוֹם יְשִׁיבָתֵנוּ עַד עוֹלָם (וי״א: הרחמן הוא ישלח לנו ברכה מרובה בהליכתנו ובישיבתנו עד עולם). או: הרחמן הוא… אינו אומר הרחמן זה, לפי שאסור לברך גוי משום לא תחנם. ויאמר במקומו: הָרַחֲמָן הוּא יִשְׁלַח לָנוּ בְּרָכָה מְרֻבָּה בִּמְקוֹם הֲלִיכָתֵנוּ וּבִמְקוֹם יְשִׁיבָתֵנוּ עַד עוֹלָם (וי״א: הרחמן הוא ישלח לנו ברכה מרובה בהליכתנו ובישיבתנו עד עולם). או: הרחמן הוא ישלח לנו ברכה מרובה במעשה ידינו בכל עסקינו. מקורות: ראה מקו״ח קפט בקיצור הלכות א. באה״ט קצג, ה.…Show more
Question: We recently rented a cottage for a few days. The host, who lived next door was impressed with us, Baruch Hashem, and wanted to leave us a gift. He gave us a jar of maple syrup which he… Question: We recently rented a cottage for a few days. The host, who lived next door was impressed with us, Baruch Hashem, and wanted to leave us a gift. He gave us a jar of maple syrup which he had tapped from his own trees. When I asked him if he ever cooked anything else in his pots he assured me that he did not. Just a bit of water and maple syrup are the only things that ever entered this pot. Although I hadn't mentioned kashrus in my question he may have known it was on my mind…Show more
The common custom is to keep the Mikva at regular temperature or close to that temperature (not to deter anyone from using it), but not to be in the water longer than needed. Sources: ובמכ״ש משבת קודש, דחמיר טפי מת״ב, שהוא מדינא, ונהגו…
It may be ordered but may not be delivered and installed until after the nine days. Source: ראה אג"מ או"ח ח"ג סי' פב. #10097
Question: Is there a difference (with regards to traveling) between the nine days and motzoei Tisha B'Av until Yud Av at Chatzos? Answer: The common custom is to refrain from traveling during the nine days and that extends… Question: Is there a difference (with regards to traveling) between the nine days and motzoei Tisha B'Av until Yud Av at Chatzos? Answer: The common custom is to refrain from traveling during the nine days and that extends until Chatzos Yud Av. In a case of need, there is room to be lenient especially after the fast. Certainly, one should not take a pleasure trip before Chatzos of Yud Av. Sources: ראה אצלנו שאלה ד'שנה וש"נ. והעיקר משום דממעטים בשמחה.…Show more
Question: The Rabbonim שיחיו have come out with a letter urging people, now that B"H we are able to go back to shul, to be more diligent in heeding what the Alter Rebbe writes about not talking during any… Question: The Rabbonim שיחיו have come out with a letter urging people, now that B"H we are able to go back to shul, to be more diligent in heeding what the Alter Rebbe writes about not talking during any part of davening. But does this apply to talking in learning (e.g., explaining pirush hamilos, or clarifying instructions in the siddur - or, indeed, questions in Torah unrelated to davening)? I often have my son with me in shul, and when he comes up with a question, it may be difficult for him to wait with it all the…Show more
Question: I will not be attending Minyan, is there a way I can reach 100 Brochos? Answer: Following is a list of Brachos a man will make on Tisha Be'av when not davening with a Minyan: 4 shema… Question: I will not be attending Minyan, is there a way I can reach 100 Brochos? Answer: Following is a list of Brachos a man will make on Tisha Be'av when not davening with a Minyan: 4 shema at maariv 19 amidah of maariv 1 borei meorei haesh (when Tisha Beav is on Motzaei Shabbos) 1 hamapil 17 birchos hashachar (no sheasa li kol tsorki) 3 birchos hatorah 2 baruch sheamar and yishtabach 3 shema at shacharis 19 amidah of shacharis 2 talis/tzitzis and tefillin 19 amidah of mincha Total is 89 [90] Brachos. The other 11 [10]…Show more
Unless it has a reliable Hechsher, the skillet must be kashered before use. The proper way to kasher new cast iron cookware is through hag’alah, which involves bringing a pot of water to a boil and then submerging… Unless it has a reliable Hechsher, the skillet must be kashered before use. The proper way to kasher new cast iron cookware is through hag’alah, which involves bringing a pot of water to a boil and then submerging the cookware into the water. [If one mistakenly uses cast iron cookware with a non-kosher item, in many cases libun gamur will be required]. Hag’alah for cast iron cookware is complicated by two matters – the size of the cookware and its weight/thickness – as follows. Some cast iron cookware is so large that it cannot easily be put into…Show more
Yes if there is no one else available. One should preferably use a Jewish woman. ראה שו"ת צי"א יג, ז. שבט הלוי א,ח. וראה גם לקו"ש ח"ט ע' 257. #15892
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