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Question: A lady who recently became observant used to play a musical instrument and give concerts in front of a general, mixed audience. Is it OK to continue doing so, or is it not tznius? She does not… Question: A lady who recently became observant used to play a musical instrument and give concerts in front of a general, mixed audience. Is it OK to continue doing so, or is it not tznius? She does not sing. Answer: First of all, it is forbidden for anyone to perform for, or attend a performance in, a mixed audience. Additionally, it is forbidden for women to perform in front of men. This refers to doing any special skills that can attract the attention of men to their movements. This is part of the prohibition of "in front…Show more
There is no official original source for this custom. See discussion below. However, this is a widespread custom, quoted in numerous places. Sources: ראה מחזור ויטרי עמוד 256 הלכות פסח אות י.…
The Rebbe was asked this question and responded that if one asks this question, that itself is an indication that the questioner lacks the "hergesh" (feeling). Practically, this question might be better answered by your personal mashpia… The Rebbe was asked this question and responded that if one asks this question, that itself is an indication that the questioner lacks the "hergesh" (feeling). Practically, this question might be better answered by your personal mashpia. מענה מט' תמוז תשמ"ט: ״בענינים התלוים ברגש - אין לשאול כיון שזוהי הוכחה שאין רגש״. #15365Show more
If the dirt, etc. hasn't dried yet, you may leave them to soak in water. You may rinse them, if you are afraid of attracting insects, or of the dishes getting ruined. See here as well: https://asktherav.com/9185-is-one-allowed-to-wash-the-dishes-friday-night-after-the-shabbos-meal-and-put-them-in-the-dishwasher/ Sources: ראה שש"כ פרק יב סעיפים ב-ג, ועיין בשוע"ר סימן…
Yes, unless it was a barren tree before, or - according to some opinions - it was planted before Klal Yisroel arrived to Eretz Yisroel (at least in areas which were originally not part of Eretz Yisroel, or were… Yes, unless it was a barren tree before, or - according to some opinions - it was planted before Klal Yisroel arrived to Eretz Yisroel (at least in areas which were originally not part of Eretz Yisroel, or were conquered through Yehoshua but not subsequently through the olei Bavel). During the second era of Yemos HaMashiach, after the final resurrection, some maintain there will be no prohibition against Orlah or other Mitzvos. Sources: ידוע השקו״ט מהי התועלת בעץ נטוע ועושה פירות בן…Show more
Question: I need to do a training class for my business which requires knowledge of 50 different examples of wine from around the world. The wine is stam yeinom. Many of the examples would be available in… Question: I need to do a training class for my business which requires knowledge of 50 different examples of wine from around the world. The wine is stam yeinom. Many of the examples would be available in kosher but I can’t bring them to the class and it would cost me a lot of money to buy them all. I heard that a woman can taste food on a fast day and spit it out and this shows that she doesn’t want to have benefit from it. Can I taste and spit the stam yeinom examples in…Show more
There is an argument amongst contemporary poskim if one is allowed to open it on Shabbos. In practice, one should open it before Shabbos. If one forgot to do so, there is room for leniency to do it on… There is an argument amongst contemporary poskim if one is allowed to open it on Shabbos. In practice, one should open it before Shabbos. If one forgot to do so, there is room for leniency to do it on Shabbos. However, even then it is best to cut or rip the entire top of the carton and avoid the issue. See here for similar topic: https://asktherav.com/is-one-allowed-to-pull-open-the-seal-of-a-carton-orange-juice-bottle-on-shabbos-i-am-referring-to-the-seal-under-the-cap-that-you-need-to-pull-hard-to-rip-off-3381/ Sources: כמה צדדי היתר, כנז׳ שם בלינק הנ״ל, ובפרטיות: שיש מתירים…Show more
שאלה: ילמדנו רבינו, האם ישנו חיוב ע"פ הלכה (ולא רק ע"פ פנימיות הענינים - שזה מוסיף חיות וכו') לקבל מלכותו של מי שהוא חזקת משיח? ובאם כן במה מתבטא קבלת מלכות זו. האם זה כמו כל החזקות שבתורה, והלא… שאלה: ילמדנו רבינו, האם ישנו חיוב ע"פ הלכה (ולא רק ע"פ פנימיות הענינים - שזה מוסיף חיות וכו') לקבל מלכותו של מי שהוא חזקת משיח? ובאם כן במה מתבטא קבלת מלכות זו. האם זה כמו כל החזקות שבתורה, והלא בד"כ בחזקות אין צריכים לעשות עוד פעולות לברר החזקה? [היינו האם הכוונה "בחזקת" הוא שבעינינו מחזיקים אותו כמשיח, או שיש לו חזקה שהוא המשיח?] תשובה: מסתבר לומר שאם יש מישהו שהוא בחזקת משיח חייבים להאמין בו, כד׳ הרמב״ם רפי״א, ובפשוטו הוא להאמין ולחכות שיתקיימו על ידו שאר הסימנים, שכיון שהמלך המשיח עתיד לעמוד ולהחזיר מלכות בית דוד, ומי שאינו…Show more
Question: If one ate two foods that each one needs M’ain Shalosh, (for example, figs and mezonos, etc), but only mentioned one type when starting the bracha and then in the middle of the bracha remembered the second… Question: If one ate two foods that each one needs M’ain Shalosh, (for example, figs and mezonos, etc), but only mentioned one type when starting the bracha and then in the middle of the bracha remembered the second type, what is the proper procedure at that point: should he add it in at the end, or should he just finish with what he started and make the bracha again? Answer: You should go back to the beginning after the opening words “Baruch Ato etc. Melech Haloam” and mention both categories of food. If one already finished the…Show more
Question: I feel very badly because while I was trying to affix a mezuzah, it went on the ground briefly. I had put it on top of my phone which was resting on the ground as I was going… Question: I feel very badly because while I was trying to affix a mezuzah, it went on the ground briefly. I had put it on top of my phone which was resting on the ground as I was going to put it up on a doorway outside. But then I accidentally made it roll off to the ground. It was wrapped only in parchment. Is there anything I should do? Also is it ok that I then put up that same Mezuzah already? Answer: The idea of fasting when holy objects fall to the ground G-D forbid is…Show more
Women may not eat or drink prior to Havdala, just like men. Women can either fulfill their obligation to hear Havdala through listening to the Havdala of another person or through saying it themselves, just as is the law… Women may not eat or drink prior to Havdala, just like men. Women can either fulfill their obligation to hear Havdala through listening to the Havdala of another person or through saying it themselves, just as is the law by men. However, if a man has already fulfilled the obligation of Havdala he may not repeat Havdala for women that did not yet hear Havdala unless there is a man who is also fulfilling his obligation with this Havdala. Therefore, in cases where such a man is not present, a woman must make Havdala herself. A man cannot fulfill…Show more
Question: I’ve noticed many ladies do not make the Bracha of בורא מאורי האש by Havdalah. Is there a source or reasoning for this? And what is our custom? Answer: Indeed, some women do not say this Brocha.… Question: I’ve noticed many ladies do not make the Bracha of בורא מאורי האש by Havdalah. Is there a source or reasoning for this? And what is our custom? Answer: Indeed, some women do not say this Brocha. There is a disagreement regarding whether women are obligated in this Brocha. If they are fulfilling their obligation through someone else, it is preferable for them not to recite it. However, if they are making Havdalah themselves, they should say it. Even those who hold that women are exempt agree that they may say the Brocha. The custom, however, is…Show more
Question: My paychecks are usually an odd number of cents, like $365.44, so when I try to calculate Ma'aser I wind up with something like $36.54 plus 4/10ths of a cent. I've just been rounding up, in this example… Question: My paychecks are usually an odd number of cents, like $365.44, so when I try to calculate Ma'aser I wind up with something like $36.54 plus 4/10ths of a cent. I've just been rounding up, in this example to $36.55, but I want to make sure I'm fulfilling the mitzvah properly. Should I be careful to have in mind that I'm giving 4/10ths of a cent and the rest is separate and extra? Or am I overthinking things? Answer: One is not obligated to do so. However, there is a Segula and Hidur in doing so. Sources: ראה אבקת רוכל סי' ג', וכנה"ג סי' רמ"ט, מובא…Show more
Yes. They should have in mind when separating Challa that it should include also the flour that will be added, and only burn the Challa after that flour has been added. שו"ע יו"ד שכז, ב. #15055
Full Question: May I wear a kippa clip on Shabbos? Even when it's not attached to my hair? Like the clip on the inside of the kippa? Answer: When it is not being used for a purpose, such… Full Question: May I wear a kippa clip on Shabbos? Even when it's not attached to my hair? Like the clip on the inside of the kippa? Answer: When it is not being used for a purpose, such as to connect it to the hair so that it shouldn't fall off one's head it should not be carried on Shabbos. Sources: ראה שוע"ר סי ש"א ס"ד וסימן ש"ג סו"ס כ"ג.…Show more
Question: I run a Chabad House and have always used the Chabad House account to pay my bills, including tuition. The Chabad House gives me (i.e. I give myself) a certain amount of money daily which I use for… Question: I run a Chabad House and have always used the Chabad House account to pay my bills, including tuition. The Chabad House gives me (i.e. I give myself) a certain amount of money daily which I use for tzedakah. Is this arrangement acceptable? In general is Ma'aser given before or after expenses? Do we hold that the first person to get Ma'aser is yourself if one is needy? Do we hold that giving Ma'aser is a chiyuv or an option? Obviously on my taxes I factor the expenses paid by Chabad House as income. Answer: Every…Show more
Question: If a Minyan skips Tachanun, thinking that there is no Tachanun, and they said Kaddish, but then they find out that there is Tachanun, should they say Tachanun? If yes, should they say Kaddish again? Answer: Tachnun… Question: If a Minyan skips Tachanun, thinking that there is no Tachanun, and they said Kaddish, but then they find out that there is Tachanun, should they say Tachanun? If yes, should they say Kaddish again? Answer: Tachnun should be said, and Kaddish should be recited only after U’va Letziyon. If this happens at Mincha, no kaddish is recited after Tachanun, and the minyan should proceed to Aleinu. Sources: ובענין ש"צ שטעה ואמר קדיש אחרי שמו"ע לפני תחנון…Show more
Question: How do the Halochos of Ona'ah (cheating) apply in business? I remember coming across the halacha that one is not allowed to sell something for more than its value or buy for under its value, and if it's… Question: How do the Halochos of Ona'ah (cheating) apply in business? I remember coming across the halacha that one is not allowed to sell something for more than its value or buy for under its value, and if it's more than 1/6, the transaction can be canceled. How does this apply in practical terms? A pizza shop or a shoe store obviously get their goods for cheaper than they're selling them for. How do they make a profit without committing Ona'ah? Most industries have "brokers" who work in the industry, who between them have a certain set of prices…Show more
Questions: Is it only leather shoes? Does one wash their hands only if in the middle of davening or learning? Is it preferable to wash negel vasser or just a rinse? Answers: There is no difference in what… Questions: Is it only leather shoes? Does one wash their hands only if in the middle of davening or learning? Is it preferable to wash negel vasser or just a rinse? Answers: There is no difference in what material the shoes are made of. One should ideally strive to wash one's hands right after touching shoes. See here: https://asktherav.com/there-are-many-times-one-has-to-wash-negel-vasser-like-after-cutting-nails-when-wake-up-before-learning-torah-when-scratched-scalp-walking-into-a-bathroom-touch-shoe-etc-when-does-one-wash-three/ Sources: א. סתימת ההלכה בטושו״ע ובפוסקים שלא חילקו בדבר, משמע…Show more
Question: When at the airport, what would be the right thing to do with my Tallis, Tefillin, Seforim and Food while going to the restroom? (In the past I have always found someone to watch my things, but that… Question: When at the airport, what would be the right thing to do with my Tallis, Tefillin, Seforim and Food while going to the restroom? (In the past I have always found someone to watch my things, but that might not work out. Some people have told me it's okay if it's double wrapped.) Answer: Tallis & Tefillin - Permitted when the outer bag is placed within a briefcase, backpack, small suitcase, or carry-on. Tallis even without a case. If you have someone who can watch it, you should rather do so. תפילין - אדה״ז מג, א. שם…Show more
Question: My brother, 12 years old, used to have a lop top and stopped using it years ago. Since I needed a lop top I asked him to look for it and he didn't want to because be said… Question: My brother, 12 years old, used to have a lop top and stopped using it years ago. Since I needed a lop top I asked him to look for it and he didn't want to because be said he doesn't want to bother. I asked him where it could be he said in a certain corner with toys. I didn't find it there, but I found it somewhere else. Now he claims that it belongs to him. What's the Din? Answer: It belongs to the koton. Stealing from a koton is forbidden, in some cases it’s…Show more
Our custom is to recite Shir Hamaalos and Livnei Korach any day/time upon which Tachanun is not said. Therefore, on a regular Motsaei Shabbos these should be recited only if the Birkas Hamazon is being said before Chatzos, as… Our custom is to recite Shir Hamaalos and Livnei Korach any day/time upon which Tachanun is not said. Therefore, on a regular Motsaei Shabbos these should be recited only if the Birkas Hamazon is being said before Chatzos, as Tachanun is not recited up until that time. היום יום י׳ אד״ר. שולחן מנחם ח״א ע׳ 377. #9341Show more
Yes. ספר המנהגים ע׳ 76. #6948
If one is not intending for the mitzva or as a zecher for the mitzvah, it is OK. Sources: ראה עד״ז אדה״ז מז, ז. אבל ראה סה״ש תנש״א…
Question: There are these Listerine "breath strips" that you put on your tongue and they melt, which are meant to give a fresh smell to your breath. Do I need to make a bracha when inserting them into the… Question: There are these Listerine "breath strips" that you put on your tongue and they melt, which are meant to give a fresh smell to your breath. Do I need to make a bracha when inserting them into the mouth? And would there be a difference if I'm eating it just for the taste (e.g. I already had one a few minutes ago so my mouth already has a good smell and I'm just eating another one for the taste)? Answer: Yes, you should make a shehakol on them as they have a taste. P.S. It should…Show more
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