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Answer: On an earth floor, one may not rub the spit but rather they should place their shoe over it without rubbing it. On a wooden floor, in an area where most floors aren’t earth floors, one may rub… Answer: On an earth floor, one may not rub the spit but rather they should place their shoe over it without rubbing it. On a wooden floor, in an area where most floors aren’t earth floors, one may rub the spit. Nonetheless, there is room for stringency. On a rug floor, one may rub the spit. Best to do it lightly. https://asktherav.com/17161-i-go-to-an-outdoor-minyan-on-shabbos-what-should-i-do-for-spitting-aleinu/ Sources: רוק שע״ג קרקע - שו״ע או״ח שטז, יא. ויניח…Show more
The song is originally a chassidishe nigun that was sung in many circles, including Lubavitch. How to relate to it now is a debate among Chassidim and should be discussed with one’s personal Mashpia. Certainly, if sung with the… The song is originally a chassidishe nigun that was sung in many circles, including Lubavitch. How to relate to it now is a debate among Chassidim and should be discussed with one’s personal Mashpia. Certainly, if sung with the words, as a secular Zionist song, it shouldn’t be done. Does the Rebbe address it? Not to my knowledge, however, it was not sung at the Rebbe's farbrengen nor at the Frierdiker Rebbe's. (It is reported that it was sung by the Rebbe Rashab during Hakofos on Simchas Torah). Is it Ok for it to be sung at…Show more
Question: If one washed and ate a milchig meal, and an hour later did not yet bentch, is he allowed to eat fleishig hamotzie flatbread in the same meal and bentch afterward on both? Answer: The custom is… Question: If one washed and ate a milchig meal, and an hour later did not yet bentch, is he allowed to eat fleishig hamotzie flatbread in the same meal and bentch afterward on both? Answer: The custom is not to do so. Sources: See page 42 in our (Hebrew) Shavuos guide: https://asktherav.com/shavuos-day-to-day-guide-5780-2020/…Show more
Question: Is mindfulness halachically acceptable even though some say it came from Buddhism many years ago? Answer: It really depends on what you mean when you’re saying mindfulness. The concept of mindfulness is rooted in Torah. However, the… Question: Is mindfulness halachically acceptable even though some say it came from Buddhism many years ago? Answer: It really depends on what you mean when you’re saying mindfulness. The concept of mindfulness is rooted in Torah. However, the implementation of the principles and discipline of mindfulness can vary so much, depending on who, what and how. Please tell us what specifically you have in mind. Question clarified: It’s hard to describe but basically what you do is you just sit on the couch and you just try as much as possible with your eyes closed to…Show more
The filter bags don't need to be kosher but you must be sure that no bugs can leave the bag. As for the idea of using such bags to prevent the need for checking: With foods that are certainly… The filter bags don't need to be kosher but you must be sure that no bugs can leave the bag. As for the idea of using such bags to prevent the need for checking: With foods that are certainly infested, one should not do this, but we need not admonish those who do, provided the garment is thick. Where the food is not definitely infested, it may be done but one should check and clean first superficially. Explanation in brief: The bugs that are in the unchecked herbs would give off a bad taste to the soup and…Show more
It’s a bottle with a ball in it. I use it for shaking together green powder and a juice. Otherwise, the green powder remains separate. Answer: If it remains a liquid and does not become thick, then it is…It’s a bottle with a ball in it. I use it for shaking together green powder and a juice. Otherwise, the green powder remains separate. Answer: If it remains a liquid and does not become thick, then it is permitted to use on Shabbos. #9544Show more
Question: When there are a group of families, bochurim, and older single men and women together for the Shabbos meals, how should they be seated? Is mixed seating allowed? Is it okay for men and women of the opposite… Question: When there are a group of families, bochurim, and older single men and women together for the Shabbos meals, how should they be seated? Is mixed seating allowed? Is it okay for men and women of the opposite gender to sit next to each other or face each other (if they're not in the same family)? Should there be separate tables? At what age should children not be allowed to sit with the opposite gender? I'd like to know please both for a small group in the house, and a large group in Shul, does that make a…Show more
Question: We have construction starting in our sunroom a week before the 3 weeks. Am I allowed to continue into the 3 weeks if the work is not done yet? Or do I have to wait till after the… Question: We have construction starting in our sunroom a week before the 3 weeks. Am I allowed to continue into the 3 weeks if the work is not done yet? Or do I have to wait till after the 3 weeks? Answer: You may have the contractor continue and finish the construction in the three weeks as long it does not continue past Rosh Chodesh Av. Sources: טושו"ע סי' תקנ"א, ב. ב"ח סק"ד. אלי' רבה סק"ג.…Show more
שאלה: נסתפקתי באם בשעה שאומרים קדיש מותר לי להמשיך לומר תהלים או שאר תפילה ולעצור לעניית אמן. שמעתי מרב אחד שאם אצליח לכוין שעניית אמן זו הולכת על היתגדל אז אפשר להמשיך בתפילתי. אך לאח"ז מצאתי בספר הפסק בתפילה… שאלה: נסתפקתי באם בשעה שאומרים קדיש מותר לי להמשיך לומר תהלים או שאר תפילה ולעצור לעניית אמן. שמעתי מרב אחד שאם אצליח לכוין שעניית אמן זו הולכת על היתגדל אז אפשר להמשיך בתפילתי. אך לאח"ז מצאתי בספר הפסק בתפילה להרב למברג שכתב לא כנ"ל אלא שצריך לעצור איפה שאוחז ולהקשיב לאומר הקדיש. ונפשי בשאלתי אם אכן מותר להמשיך בתפילה בשעת אמירת הקדיש עם התנאי דלעיל. ובאותו ענין, האם ישתנה הדין לענין חזרת הש"ץ? תשובה: א. לכתחילה, אם אפשר, מצוה לשמוע מן הש״ץ מתחילת יתגדל וכו׳ ולכוון על מה הוא עונה. ויש להטות אוזן לשמוע מהש״ץ בכוונה. ולכן, יש…Show more
Question: Hi! My family isn't frum yet, and there is a family vacation booked in the mountains, beginning on Sunday before Roch Chodesh Av and ending on Friday 3 Av. I really, really want to go and see my… Question: Hi! My family isn't frum yet, and there is a family vacation booked in the mountains, beginning on Sunday before Roch Chodesh Av and ending on Friday 3 Av. I really, really want to go and see my mother and sister, who I haven't seen much these past few years. My mother made a lot of changes to accommodate me, and I hesitate to ask her to change ANOTHER thing for me, especially when she's already paid in full. I could leave before R"C Av, but I don't get many chances to see my family and that would…Show more
Not an issue. See also: https://asktherav.com/3014-hearing-aids-on-shabbos/ Sources: דל״ש ממשקפיים שנתפשט להתיר. וגם להחיי״א נו, ג שאסר…
Question: In a recently written Sefer Torah, which was written according to the Alter Rebbe’s ksav, we noticed that the letter Vav in the word ‘shalom’ is not split. Should we have it changed, and if… Question: In a recently written Sefer Torah, which was written according to the Alter Rebbe’s ksav, we noticed that the letter Vav in the word ‘shalom’ is not split. Should we have it changed, and if yes, was the Sefer Torah still considered kosher without the change? Answer: Should be fixed. Still considered kosher. Sources: לתקן - ע״פ ריטב״א קידושין סו, ב. (אבל בפחד…Show more
Answer: In general, any residue (which has actual substance, not just color) has the same status as food, and would consequently emit ריחא/זיעה equally. Practically speaking, when baking fish in a meat oven (at least) one of the following… Answer: In general, any residue (which has actual substance, not just color) has the same status as food, and would consequently emit ריחא/זיעה equally. Practically speaking, when baking fish in a meat oven (at least) one of the following conditions must be met: The oven is clean from any meat residue etc. The fish is fully covered. #9486Show more
Question: I am thinking about using beeswax candles for Shabbos in the month of Elul as a hiddur. I found candles on Amazon that are made from beeswax and are scented like honey. Do they need some kind… Question: I am thinking about using beeswax candles for Shabbos in the month of Elul as a hiddur. I found candles on Amazon that are made from beeswax and are scented like honey. Do they need some kind of a hechsher? Also, they only burn for 5 hours. The candles I normally use burn for 6 hours. Assuming that these candles are kosher, which is better, the beeswax candles that burn for a shorter amount of time or the regular Shabbos candles that burn for longer? Answer: It is best if the candles burn at least till…Show more
Question: I am a doctor. I have seen from personal experience that people get better care if they are not alone in the hospital. Especially sometimes if the woman is alone during birth, she may be pressured to do… Question: I am a doctor. I have seen from personal experience that people get better care if they are not alone in the hospital. Especially sometimes if the woman is alone during birth, she may be pressured to do a procedure to save a doctor or other provider time which is not necessary and can lead to negative health outcomes for herself or the newborn baby. Answer: According to halacha, there are serious concerns with the husband being present in the delivery room. Even where a potential heter can be found, the Rebbe spoke strongly against this practice…Show more
They should not use the same congregants for both minyanim at the same time. They may however have two minyanim consecutively, by only using six congregants to daven at the first minyan, and four people joining without davening. Thereafter,… They should not use the same congregants for both minyanim at the same time. They may however have two minyanim consecutively, by only using six congregants to daven at the first minyan, and four people joining without davening. Thereafter, they can have the second minyan with the six that haven't davened yet, and have the four of the first minyan join them, without davening again. Of course, the ideal way is to have a minyan of all ten congregants davening at once. But this is acceptable, especially in order to accommodate chiyuvim. Where even two consecutive minyanim are…Show more
Question: If there is a disagreement between the poskim and the mekubalim, who do we follow? I’ve seen in שער השמועה סימן א (printed in the הוצאה חדשה דשולחן ערוך רבינו הזקן חלק ו) in the name of… Question: If there is a disagreement between the poskim and the mekubalim, who do we follow? I’ve seen in שער השמועה סימן א (printed in the הוצאה חדשה דשולחן ערוך רבינו הזקן חלק ו) in the name of the Alter Rebbe that we should follow the mekubalim. I’ve also seen in the פתח דבר there from the Tzemach Tzedek that even though not every שמןעה in the name of the Alter Rebbe we must follow, but we should at least be machmir if possible. This is very relevant to me for every time I see a machlokes…Show more
You don't have to (though some are particular about this). Sources: ראה יו"ד סימן שכ"ו סעיף ב בפת"ש סק"ב, אף…
שאלות: ברצוני לשאול כת"ר ב' שאלות בשיטת אדה"ז במלאכת מלבן בשבת. א. הנה בשו"ע אדה"ז (סי' שיט, יג) מבואר שבמשמרת שעשויה לכך אין בה איסור שרייה במים, וז"ל: "יין או מים שהם צלולים מותר לסננן במשמרת כדי שיהיו צלולין… שאלות: ברצוני לשאול כת"ר ב' שאלות בשיטת אדה"ז במלאכת מלבן בשבת. א. הנה בשו"ע אדה"ז (סי' שיט, יג) מבואר שבמשמרת שעשויה לכך אין בה איסור שרייה במים, וז"ל: "יין או מים שהם צלולים מותר לסננן במשמרת כדי שיהיו צלולין יותר או אפילו מפני הקמחין שע''פ היין או שנפלו בו קסמין דקין, ואינו חשוב כבורר הואיל וראוי לשתיה לרוב בני אדם בלא ברירה זו, אבל בסודרין אסור לסנן את המים או יין לבן וכיוצא בהם משום איסור ליבון ששריית הבגד זהו כיבוסו, משא''כ משמרת שהיא עשויה לכך ואינו חושש לסחטה וגם אינו חושש לליבונה כלל, ולפיכך אין ליבונה חשוב כלום…Show more
Question: I posted a Job on Upwork.com (a freelancing website) to develop some software (write code, test & fix, etc. using computers & servers). The freelancer I found mentioned to me in passing that he will start work on… Question: I posted a Job on Upwork.com (a freelancing website) to develop some software (write code, test & fix, etc. using computers & servers). The freelancer I found mentioned to me in passing that he will start work on the project "tomorrow" (Shabbos, as today is Friday). Which made me wonder: do I need to specify to him not to work on my project during the hours while it's Shabbos in his and/or my time zone? Answer: As long as he's hired by the job, and he doesn't have to do it specifically on Shabbos, and he’s not…Show more
Yes. Sources: פשוט, לפי שכל היום הוא בגדר ימי רצון. ואף…
Question: If I work for an organization where I get paid on the basis of how much I work, am I able to clock less time than what I actually worked with the intention to give the unpaid money… Question: If I work for an organization where I get paid on the basis of how much I work, am I able to clock less time than what I actually worked with the intention to give the unpaid money back to the organization as ma'aser? For example, if I worked 10 hours, to earn $100, would I be allowed to just write that I worked for 9 hours, get paid $90, and be yotzei giving ma'aser? And if the answer to the above is yes, what if I did that inadvertently? Answer: For the mitzva of…Show more
Question: Here are the conditions:The house is owned by an older couple who are vacationing out of town. Around five of their adult children (who all live in Crown Heights) have keys to the house. Some of them do… Question: Here are the conditions:The house is owned by an older couple who are vacationing out of town. Around five of their adult children (who all live in Crown Heights) have keys to the house. Some of them do go in once in a while. One of them goes in at least once a day, at any given time. Besides, there are two tenants living in the basement. May I date there? Is opening a window shade facing the street enough? What if the children are told that a couple is dating, does that make it better (because they…Show more
Answer: There is no known source for this custom. We haven’t seen this practiced among talmidei chachamim and gedolei Yisroel. The Rebbe didn’t practice it either. See also here: https://asktherav.com/8366-is-it-our-minhag-to-tilt-ones-head-right-left-and-center-while-saying-in-kedusha-the-words-vekara-ze-el-ze-veamar/ Sources: בכ״מ אצל אחרוני זמננו שלא מצאו מקור לדבר, וכנ״ל…
Question: Is it necessary to have bread on the table during bentching after a meal, or is it enough to have the bread in view in the same room? (I’m asking for a classroom of young children, who are… Question: Is it necessary to have bread on the table during bentching after a meal, or is it enough to have the bread in view in the same room? (I’m asking for a classroom of young children, who are tempted to touch/destroy the bread left on the table). Answer: It is necessary to leave the bread on the table where one ate. Leaving bread in the same room is not enough. However, one may clear the table of big pieces of bread and just keep some crumbs, as long as they are big enough that it will be…Show more
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