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Question: I want to place bars of sweet-smelling soap as a drawer freshener inside dresser drawers. Would I then have a problem opening those drawers on Shabbos? It's just a plain, fragrant bar of soap sitting in the drawer.… Question: I want to place bars of sweet-smelling soap as a drawer freshener inside dresser drawers. Would I then have a problem opening those drawers on Shabbos? It's just a plain, fragrant bar of soap sitting in the drawer. It doesn't spray anything. I would open the drawer to take out items I need on Shabbos. I understood from halacha I've learned that if there are Muktza items in a drawer together with items I need on Shabbos, I would need to have something like a bencher in the drawer in order to open it. For instance, I have…Show more
While there is no official specific length per se, one should not deviate from what is considered proper length for a frum chassidish person. Regardless, if a haircut wasn’t taken for three months it’s certainly considered too long. Ideally,… While there is no official specific length per se, one should not deviate from what is considered proper length for a frum chassidish person. Regardless, if a haircut wasn’t taken for three months it’s certainly considered too long. Ideally, the hair should be cut once a month, or at least every 6 or 7 weeks. Certain cuts are more halachically forbidden, such as cutting the sides and leaving the middle, or cutting the front and leaving the back. Sources: באורך השערות, ג׳ חדשים, שכן שיעור גערה. וראה א״א…Show more
שאלה: השנה שלג בעומר חל בערב שבת, האם יש מקום לערוך התהלוכה וכו' ביום חמישי ערב לג בעומר. ושאלתי גם אם מתאים מבחינה חסידית לעשות כהוראת הרבי - לפני ל״ג בעומר? מענה: אפשר, אך כל דיני אבילות של… שאלה: השנה שלג בעומר חל בערב שבת, האם יש מקום לערוך התהלוכה וכו' ביום חמישי ערב לג בעומר. ושאלתי גם אם מתאים מבחינה חסידית לעשות כהוראת הרבי - לפני ל״ג בעומר? מענה: אפשר, אך כל דיני אבילות של ספירה עדיין בתוקף אז, גם השנה. ובכמה שיחות מצינו לעשות אחרי ל״ג בעומר. ראה לקו״ש לז ע׳ 122-3. ושם: ״באופן המותר לכתחילה (בלי שום ספיקות בדבר) בימי הספירה - דורך פארבינדן דאס מיט א סעודת מצוה...״ ע״ש. #14545Show more
The Alter Rebbe brings that a person should fast if the tefillin fell without a covering from the hand to the floor. If the tefillin were in their case at the time, there is no need to fast, however… The Alter Rebbe brings that a person should fast if the tefillin fell without a covering from the hand to the floor. If the tefillin were in their case at the time, there is no need to fast, however it’s recommended to give tzedaka. Since you are a yeshiva student, and need your koach for learning, you should fast half the day and redeem the remainder of the day with tzedakah (about seven or eight dollars). This would also apply to a Kollel yungerman or a teacher of kodesh subjects—and to anyone with health issues or a weak…Show more
What are the rules for burying Shaimos? Q. Are there different types of Shaimos with different rules? Answer: Sifrei Torah, mezuzos, and tefillin, and Tanach written on parchment: Must be buried in a sealed earthenware, metal or… What are the rules for burying Shaimos? Q. Are there different types of Shaimos with different rules? Answer: Sifrei Torah, mezuzos, and tefillin, and Tanach written on parchment: Must be buried in a sealed earthenware, metal or plastic container that will prevent them from decaying. They should be buried in or near a Jewish cemetery if possible. Seforim and paper Shaimos: Should be buried in a tightly closed plastic bag that will prevent it from decaying. They may be buried in any respectable place where they will not get uncovered. שו"ע או"ח קנד סעיף ה, יו"ד…Show more
Question: If one didn't finish saying בריך שמיה and they closed the ארון already, can he finish it while the Torah is out, or is it only when the ארון is open? If not, can he finish it when… Question: If one didn't finish saying בריך שמיה and they closed the ארון already, can he finish it while the Torah is out, or is it only when the ארון is open? If not, can he finish it when they reopen it to put the Torah back? If yes, if he still didn't finish it, can he finish it, even though the Torah was put back, because there's no other way? Answer: One may start saying בריך שמיה until the Sefer Torah is opened for kriah. If one didn’t finish saying it before kriah, he may…Show more
שאלה: שלחתי משלוח מנות דרך ה'פוסט אופיס', ובאמצע חול המועד פסח זה חזר לבית סבי (הכתובת שלי בארצות הברית) וזאת מכיון שכתבתי כתובת לא נכונה של המקבל. ומכיון שסבי לא היה בביתו בשעתו הכניס שכנו החבילה לביתו. ורק לאחר… שאלה: שלחתי משלוח מנות דרך ה'פוסט אופיס', ובאמצע חול המועד פסח זה חזר לבית סבי (הכתובת שלי בארצות הברית) וזאת מכיון שכתבתי כתובת לא נכונה של המקבל. ומכיון שסבי לא היה בביתו בשעתו הכניס שכנו החבילה לביתו. ורק לאחר חג הפסח כשחזר סבי לביתו, הודיע לי שיש בשבילי חבילה. ורציתי לדעת מה לעשות אם המאכלים שהם חמץ , ומה דינם והאם מישהו עבר על איסור חמץ בפסח? בתודה מראש. תשובה: מותר להשתמש במאכלי החמץ וא״צ ביעור, בפרט אם הוא הפסד מרובה. מקורות: הנה, בנדו״ד שהוא במתנה ולא במכירה, קייל״ן דהולך לאו…Show more
If one feels the need to go to the bathroom, one is obligated to go to the bathroom right away as our chachomim said that this is loathsome. It is generally forbidden to speak words of Torah in such… If one feels the need to go to the bathroom, one is obligated to go to the bathroom right away as our chachomim said that this is loathsome. It is generally forbidden to speak words of Torah in such a state. One who feels that he wouldn't be able to contain his urge to go the bathroom for another 72 minutes, and doesn’t relieve himself might be violating the rabbinic prohibition of bal tashktzu. But even if he could not contain himself for 72 minutes, listening to a Torah recording or thinking words of Torah is still permitted.…Show more
Question: There are some words in Chumash that depending on which Chumash you use there is either a patach or shva (for example צללו in אז ישיר). What is the proper pronunciation for these words? It sounds more correct… Question: There are some words in Chumash that depending on which Chumash you use there is either a patach or shva (for example צללו in אז ישיר). What is the proper pronunciation for these words? It sounds more correct to say it with a shva but many Chumashim as well as the classic siddurim have it with a patach. Answer: This is a very old difference of traditions amongst the baalei dikduk and mesorah. Generally speaking (with some important exceptions) the sefardi custom is to write it as a shva and the Ashkenazi custom is that…Show more
No. Sources: משום מוליד ריח בגוף ובבגדים, ראה כאן: https://asktherav.com/which-deodorant-is-ok-for-shabbos-aerosol-spray-or-roll-on/ אבל…
Question: May one interrupt while reading Shnayim Mikra? When one cannot be ma’avir the whole sedra at once, may one pause at sheini, shlishi, etc. or only at the ‘pei’ and ‘samach’? Answer: Yes. Either option is fine, as…Question: May one interrupt while reading Shnayim Mikra? When one cannot be ma’avir the whole sedra at once, may one pause at sheini, shlishi, etc. or only at the ‘pei’ and ‘samach’? Answer: Yes. Either option is fine, as long as it’s not in middle of an inyan. One should refrain from interrupting during the following sections: עשרת הדיברות שירת הים תוכחה מ״ב מסעות שמונה פסוקים אחרונים שבתורה Explanation: The Alter Rebbe (OC 285:6) writes that while some have the custom to read the entire week’s Shnayim Mikra without interruption, the basic Halacha allows for it to be…Show more
No. P.S. He may however sell the dog to a non Jew, and have that non Jew instruct another non Jew to neuter it (and then buy it back). Sources: שו״ע אבה״ע סי׳ ה׳ סעי׳ י״ד, מנחת חינוך מצוה רצ״א אות ג׳ [הובא באוצר הפוסקים אות ע״ו]. נ.ב. ראה רמ״א…
Tzeis Shabbos occurs at Tzeis Kochavim Ketanim, and the Shiur of Tosfos Shabbos is several minutes later (see Seder Hachnasas Shabbos. Cf. Alter Rebbe's Shulchon Aruch (OC 293:1) who writes until Kochavim Ketanim can be seen close together). Maariv… Tzeis Shabbos occurs at Tzeis Kochavim Ketanim, and the Shiur of Tosfos Shabbos is several minutes later (see Seder Hachnasas Shabbos. Cf. Alter Rebbe's Shulchon Aruch (OC 293:1) who writes until Kochavim Ketanim can be seen close together). Maariv should not begin before this time so as not to cause community/family members to start any Melacha/Hachana before that time. This time is after the Zman of 6.6 degrees plus 4 minutes. In 770, the minhag is to always wait until 42 flat minutes after sunset. In many places, the accepted practice is to wait until the Zman of 8.5…Show more
You should not be watching ceremonies that contain idol worship, nor videos and pictures from inside a Church, amongst other issues. See here: https://asktherav.com/14441-may-one-look-at-pictures-of-the-inside-a-church-must-one-spit-when-passing-a-church/ Sources: משום אל תפנו אל אלילים ויקרא יט ד, רמב"ם…
It may be done. Sources: הרש״ש כתב בהגהות השמ״ש על ע״ח טו - שער…
Question: I've experienced and been told that it's good to vent. דאגה בלב איש ישיחנה. I'm wondering though how this can work if it can turn on Lashon Hora. For example if someone said something rude or unjustified… Question: I've experienced and been told that it's good to vent. דאגה בלב איש ישיחנה. I'm wondering though how this can work if it can turn on Lashon Hora. For example if someone said something rude or unjustified and one wants to share it, many times sharing the name explains the full situation. Because it's not so much the words that are said but who said those words. So how can venting be done in a correct way? Answer: If necessary, one may vent about an insult etc. and include the person's name, provided one meets the…Show more
Question: The Shulchan Aruch (CM 70, 1, Alter Rebbe Halvaah #6) says that a loan with a shtar is משובח יותר. Does this also apply to an employment agreement? Answer: No. Source: עיקר טעם לעדים -… Question: The Shulchan Aruch (CM 70, 1, Alter Rebbe Halvaah #6) says that a loan with a shtar is משובח יותר. Does this also apply to an employment agreement? Answer: No. Source: עיקר טעם לעדים - ומשובח יותר שטר - כדי שלא יבוא הלווה לשכחה, וגם המלווה מצווה ע"ז משום לפני עור. והנה כל הנ"ל שייך רק להלוואה בגלל מצות חזרת מלוה, משא"כ בשכירות הפועלים, ותלוי בשניהם באם נאמנים אחד על השני בלי שטר. וראה שו"ע אדה"ז דיני שאלה ושכירות סכ"א. #10547Show more
According to halacha, one may not accept tzedaka from a non-Jew at all unless it's needed urgently, and even then not openly. One may accept tzedaka from them if it's for a shul if he specifies that he is… According to halacha, one may not accept tzedaka from a non-Jew at all unless it's needed urgently, and even then not openly. One may accept tzedaka from them if it's for a shul if he specifies that he is giving it leshem shomayim. If he gives it without saying anything, nowadays we assume it's not for avoda zarah. In this case, if she is praying to anything other than leshem shomayim it would be a problem to accept it even for a shul. Source: שו''ע יו''ד סי' רנ''ד סע' א-ב. סי' רנ''ט ס''ד. ערוך השולחן רנ''ט…Show more
Question: I learned Rambam late tonight and finished 3 minutes after dawn, without reciting Birchas Hatorah. Do I need to relearn what I said after dawn? Also, I realized that dawn is a different time on Chabad.org than on… Question: I learned Rambam late tonight and finished 3 minutes after dawn, without reciting Birchas Hatorah. Do I need to relearn what I said after dawn? Also, I realized that dawn is a different time on Chabad.org than on MyZmanim.com, why is this? Answer: There is no need to re-learn that which was learned after dawn. However once dawn arrives one may not continue learning without reciting Birchas Hatorah. Regarding the Zmanim: The reason for the discrepancy in the Zmanim is based on a disagreement how to calculate this zman. See here for an analysis of this matter…Show more
Yes, if it is the same Berocho as the one you just finished. There is no difference in this case if it is a child, providing he is actually davening and not just learning the Berocho. Source:… Yes, if it is the same Berocho as the one you just finished. There is no difference in this case if it is a child, providing he is actually davening and not just learning the Berocho. Source: וע״ר סי' נ''ט ס''ד. וראה בקצות השולחן סי' י''ט ס''א: ''מהש''צ או מאחר''. ובשוע''ר סי' רט''ו ס''ב - כשהילד מחוייב כדי לפטור עצמו. #10620Show more
Question continued: 1. What about rose water which is very common in sfaradic circles and they do smell it and eat it as well? 2. Also for havdala would it be better to use something that is definitely minei…Question continued: 1. What about rose water which is very common in sfaradic circles and they do smell it and eat it as well? 2. Also for havdala would it be better to use something that is definitely minei besamim like cloves and cinnamon but not mint? Answer: The following is a summary based on Seder Birchos Hanenim chapter 11. If they grow as a grass, or on a soft stalk, the beracha is Borei Isvei besamim. If they grown on a hard stalk, and certainly if they grow on a tree, the beracha is Borei Atzei Besamim.…Show more
No. Source: ראה שו"ע אדה"ז סא, ח. ואפילו בקריאת שמו"ת דנו הפוסקים, ראה קצוה"ש עב סק"י. וגם בקששעהמ״ט ראוי לחוש - אדה״ז שם. וכן כשאומרים במוצאי יו״כ - ראה המחזור ויטרי (עמ' 396-395). תוספות ברכות לד, א ד״ה… No. Source: ראה שו"ע אדה"ז סא, ח. ואפילו בקריאת שמו"ת דנו הפוסקים, ראה קצוה"ש עב סק"י. וגם בקששעהמ״ט ראוי לחוש - אדה״ז שם. וכן כשאומרים במוצאי יו״כ - ראה המחזור ויטרי (עמ' 396-395). תוספות ברכות לד, א ד״ה אמר פסוקא. רא״ש שם טו. Q. If not, does it become permitted if we only say "Hashem" and not the real Pasuk? A. Nope. זיל בתר טעמא. Q. Conversely, is it better to use or not to use Hashem's real name when singing Shema and Bereishis in the 12 Pesukim? A. Better not to use Hashem’s name. …Show more
Question continued: I am doing a mass mivtza mezuza in a huge complex of buildings where the yidden live among many unfriendly & unsafe neighbors. They are afraid to put their mezuzos on the front door, and many… Question continued: I am doing a mass mivtza mezuza in a huge complex of buildings where the yidden live among many unfriendly & unsafe neighbors. They are afraid to put their mezuzos on the front door, and many have stories of people taking their mezuzos, harassing them or trying to destroy their mezuzos. Answer: When there is Sakana (danger) one may affix the mezuzah behind the door underneath the lintel. If this is not possible, one may affix it behind the door on the doorpost (within a handbreadth to the door). In such a case no…Show more
Question continued: My grandmother, who passed away recently was named Victoria . That was her only name. I would like to name my daughter after her but my husband says it's not a Jewish name, I want to know what…Question continued: My grandmother, who passed away recently was named Victoria . That was her only name. I would like to name my daughter after her but my husband says it's not a Jewish name, I want to know what makes a name Jewish. Answer: Giving a name to your child should be with the agreement of both parents. You can honor your grandmother by giving a Hebrew name which is similar to Victoria, such as Malka, which means a queen, or Atara, which means a crown. You might also choose to retain the name Victoria for secular…Show more
Question clarified: I moved to town 2 years ago. Right when I moved in I put the yearly mikvah fee in the box. I later found out that as an employee in the mosad, I don't have to pay.…Question clarified: I moved to town 2 years ago. Right when I moved in I put the yearly mikvah fee in the box. I later found out that as an employee in the mosad, I don't have to pay. So I didn't pay for the second year. Now I will not be working in the mosad anymore. Would I have to pay for the next year or can I use the money that I paid originally as if it were on credit? Answer: It depends on your thoughts originally when you discovered that you really don’t need…Show more
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