People Just Asked
You may let children color or paint on Chol Hamoed, as long as it doesn’t produce professional results. Sources: חול המועד כהלכתו פ"ו סעי' פד. דהוי צורך המועד…
If it has no water, yes. PS Some are lenient with children before the age of chinuch with gebrokts in general. Others are lenient to put the cream cheese on the matzah and eat it right away. See also… If it has no water, yes. PS Some are lenient with children before the age of chinuch with gebrokts in general. Others are lenient to put the cream cheese on the matzah and eat it right away. See also here: https://asktherav.com/14070-may-we-eat-butter-on-matzah-or-is-that-classified-as-gebrokts/ Sources: בנוגע לקטנים - ראה שיחת י״ג ניסן תשי״א. אבל…Show more
If there is no clean linen available, Yes. שו"ת באר משה ח"ז ח"א סי' ח. #14087
Not ideal. Sources: רעק״א סי׳ תמ״ו על מג״א סק״ב, והגהות ח״ס שם,…
Question: If a child who is the age of Chinuch was sleeping and missed Havdala, should he make/hear Havdala on Sunday morning? Answer: Yes, although some are lenient about this. PS. This answer is specifically about Motzai Shabbos… Question: If a child who is the age of Chinuch was sleeping and missed Havdala, should he make/hear Havdala on Sunday morning? Answer: Yes, although some are lenient about this. PS. This answer is specifically about Motzai Shabbos havdala, not Motzai Yom Tov (when even adults shouldn’t make up havdala). Question: What is the age of chinuch in this regard? Does my 5 1/2-year-old son need to do it? Answer: Chinuch age for Havdalah is when the child understands the concept of Shabbos (If he knows and understands the concept of six day creation and resting…Show more
Although halachically nail polish is accepted on Pesach without a hechsher, many have the custom not to use them on Pesach unless you know it's chometz free. #13998
The Alter Rebbe writes that Gebroks only applies to Matza with water. Thus there is no issue of Gebroks with Matza and butter. However, many people will not eat Matzah with Butter either as an extra stringency, or because… The Alter Rebbe writes that Gebroks only applies to Matza with water. Thus there is no issue of Gebroks with Matza and butter. However, many people will not eat Matzah with Butter either as an extra stringency, or because they can’t be sure no water was mixed into it. Some are lenient to eat it only while the butter is still congealed. See also: https://asktherav.com/14093-can-children-have-matzah-and-cream-cheese/ וראה שו״ת שבט הקהתי ד, קלב. #14070Show more
Charcoal which might contain chometz as a binder should not be used. One would need to inquire if wheat is used. Starch binders from corn are okay. Sources: ראה שו״ע אדה״ז תמה, יא - ממנהגא עכ״פ. ובימינו…
Any unflavored bottled water without any additives of minerals, carbonation etc. is kosher for Pesach. Check the label carefully. #14075 (1)
Question: I usually wear a mask when between people indoors, not on the street. If I want to go to shul Shabbos does this present a problem of carrying? Answer: If there is any level of concern even… Question: I usually wear a mask when between people indoors, not on the street. If I want to go to shul Shabbos does this present a problem of carrying? Answer: If there is any level of concern even outdoors, such as that you might meet a group of people, it is okay. Sources: ראה כאן בכללות הענין, וש"נ: https://asktherav.com/is-one-allowed-to-wear-a-mask-outdoors-on-shabbos/ ובנדו״ד יש כמה…Show more
Question: I am very worried whether my kiddushin was valid, because when I said "harei at mekudeshes..." I was very overwhelmed and I don't remember that I had the kavana of the words. Is it a problem?… Question: I am very worried whether my kiddushin was valid, because when I said "harei at mekudeshes..." I was very overwhelmed and I don't remember that I had the kavana of the words. Is it a problem? Answer: Many Chasanim feel overwhelmed during the Chupa because of excitement, nervousness, and because of the holiness and life change which is taking place. It may be hard to remember now if you had kavana, but that does not in any way disqualify the kiddushin. So long as you were in a general good state of mind,…Show more
Question: I’m eating some cake or fruit or fish etc., is there a simple way to estimate if it’s a kazayis? Answer: Approximately the size that fits into a small matchbox. An excellent resource on this matter… Question: I’m eating some cake or fruit or fish etc., is there a simple way to estimate if it’s a kazayis? Answer: Approximately the size that fits into a small matchbox. An excellent resource on this matter is the book Halachos of Kezayis by Rabbi Bodner. For more information, see the following articles on halacha2go.com: Article #235: How Much Is a Kezayis? מ"מ Article #537: What is the correct way to measure a kezayis? מ"מ Article #724: Sizing up Shiurim: Modern-Day Measuring—Up or Down? מ"מ #4895Show more
Question: The following question, in itself, is not a Halachic question per se. However, the issue has very practical ramifications, and thus I am seeking guidance as to the proper approach to this issue. תורה, in general, and the… Question: The following question, in itself, is not a Halachic question per se. However, the issue has very practical ramifications, and thus I am seeking guidance as to the proper approach to this issue. תורה, in general, and the תניא קדישא in particular, talk at great length about anxiety and depression. תורה states that anxiety is a reflection of a lack of אמונה and בטחון in הקב"ה, because if one would truly believe that אין רע יורד מלמעלה, he would never be anxious about his future. Similarly, תורה states that depression is one of the gravest emotions that one…Show more
מותר. מקורות: בגוף הענין, הרי נצוצות לא שכיחי, וגם אם נתמלא…
שאלה: לא ראיתי מובאת בלוח הבד"צ הזהירות שהביא הרב יעקב לנדא ששמע מאדנ"ע - להקדים ולסיים אכילת חמץ שלושת רבעי שעה לפני סוף הזמן (יגדיל תורה נ.י. גל' נב ע' קנ). וגם בפועל לא ראיתי נוהגים כן, ואפילו אעיקרא… שאלה: לא ראיתי מובאת בלוח הבד"צ הזהירות שהביא הרב יעקב לנדא ששמע מאדנ"ע - להקדים ולסיים אכילת חמץ שלושת רבעי שעה לפני סוף הזמן (יגדיל תורה נ.י. גל' נב ע' קנ). וגם בפועל לא ראיתי נוהגים כן, ואפילו אעיקרא דדינא להקדים סוף זמן ק"ש לא ראיתי נוהגים. האם יש טעם לזה ואין צריך להזהר בזה? תשובה: לא הובא כי למעשה לא ראינו נוהגים כן. וגם כ״ק אד״ש לא נהג כן וברבים לגבי שריפת חמץ. ובכלל, הדבר הוא רק מפי השמועה וקשה לחדש לעשות היפך הנהוג על סמך שמועה בעלמא, ושמועה שאינה עולה בהשקפה ראשונה בקנה אחד עם פשטות…Show more
Question: I have 6 cookie sheets that were Parve. One was accidentally used to bake hot dogs. That sheet got mixed in with the rest, I no longer know which one it was. Are all the baking pans considered… Question: I have 6 cookie sheets that were Parve. One was accidentally used to bake hot dogs. That sheet got mixed in with the rest, I no longer know which one it was. Are all the baking pans considered fleshing? If I bake cookies on those trays (in a Parve oven) can they be eaten with milk? Answer: If it's not too much of a hassle you can put them all in the oven on the highest setting for an hour, and they are considered Kashered. Otherwise, you should wait 24 hours, Kasher one, and then…Show more
Question: I am finishing an Invisalign treatment and one of the options is to glue a metal wire behind the front bottom teeth. Is there any problem? Such as בשר בחלב or פסח? Answer: There is no Kashrus… Question: I am finishing an Invisalign treatment and one of the options is to glue a metal wire behind the front bottom teeth. Is there any problem? Such as בשר בחלב or פסח? Answer: There is no Kashrus concern regarding mixture of milk and meat. It is however preferable to clean the wire between milk and meat, if food usually gets stuck there when eating. Regarding Pesach, the custom is to make a Hagala style Kashering before the deadline to eat Chametz. You should refrain from all hot Chametz within the 24hr before that Zman, and then…Show more
One may touch their hair that is not usually covered, and need not wash their hands afterwards, unless one scratched their head within the hair on the scalp. שו״ע אדה״ז מהדו״ק סי׳ ד׳ סעי׳ י״ח, סי׳ קס״ד סעי׳ ב׳. #12826
Question: We received a gift that is a spice rack with about 20 different Glass bottles of spices; There's no hechsher on the bottles, just the name of the spice. Also, do these bottles/containers need to be toiveled in… Question: We received a gift that is a spice rack with about 20 different Glass bottles of spices; There's no hechsher on the bottles, just the name of the spice. Also, do these bottles/containers need to be toiveled in a mikvah? If yes, can we wait till we finish the bottle before toiveling it? Answer: Many spices require a hechsher due to the manufacturing process. The following spices are fine without a kosher supervision if nothing is added to them. Allspice Basil Bay Leaves Black pepper Cardamom Cilantro Coriander Fennel Seed Marjoram Oregano The bottles require Tevila…Show more
Question: Last Friday afternoon I found myself on a subway train as shkiah was approaching. The train had stopped in between two stations and as the minutes ticked by I realized that it would not reach the next station… Question: Last Friday afternoon I found myself on a subway train as shkiah was approaching. The train had stopped in between two stations and as the minutes ticked by I realized that it would not reach the next station until after shkiah. I had with me Tefillin, a wallet, a cellphone, money, keys, gloves etc. I put everything I had on me into one plastic bag and asked some goyim who were in the subway car if they could take it to my home for me. They all refused. What should have been my next step? What type of…Show more
https://asktherav.com/6982-women-spitting-and-bowing-by-aleinu/ Question: I am a woman and recently learned that there is a practice to spit at a certain part in Alienu. I grew up in another sect of Yiddishkeit where we just skipped that section so… https://asktherav.com/6982-women-spitting-and-bowing-by-aleinu/ Question: I am a woman and recently learned that there is a practice to spit at a certain part in Alienu. I grew up in another sect of Yiddishkeit where we just skipped that section so as to avoid benefiting from the spit produced to say those words. Now that I have learned that Chabad Chassidim actually do spit, I am kind of grossed out— I have never noticed women spitting before and it’s hard to imagine myself beginning this practice. I have been skipping Alienu besides saying the Al Tira section because I don’t know…Show more
Question: When listening to another making Kiddush, must the listener drink wine as well? Does it make a difference whether it is night Kiddush or day Kiddush? Answer: It’s not a requirement rather a "mitzvah min hamuvchar"… Question: When listening to another making Kiddush, must the listener drink wine as well? Does it make a difference whether it is night Kiddush or day Kiddush? Answer: It’s not a requirement rather a "mitzvah min hamuvchar" - the optimum manner of fulfilling the mitzvah Sources: שו״ע אדה״ז רעא, כה. ויש מי שכתב (ראה המובא…Show more
Question: Based on the Admur Hazaken in Hilchos Shmiras Guf V'Nefesh Halacha 7, is one allowed to drink canned water? I have seen such a product in an airport while traveling a couple of years ago, but never thought… Question: Based on the Admur Hazaken in Hilchos Shmiras Guf V'Nefesh Halacha 7, is one allowed to drink canned water? I have seen such a product in an airport while traveling a couple of years ago, but never thought about it until now. Answer: The same issue of drinks staying overnight in metal containers applies to many other canned drinks which contain water such as soda etc. Obviously, the common custom is to be lenient. See below for a number of explanations. It should be noted that there is always a thin plastic layer (coating) inside drink cans…Show more
Question: I remember once hearing that there is a problem kashering certain sink faucets. I may be somewhere for Pesach where the head of sink faucet (the main faucet) can detach and became hand held with a retractable hose… Question: I remember once hearing that there is a problem kashering certain sink faucets. I may be somewhere for Pesach where the head of sink faucet (the main faucet) can detach and became hand held with a retractable hose (I think which may be be plastic) and the head has a button on it that you press and it sprays like a shower. Is there a problem kashering this faucet for Pesach? If there is a problem, would there be a problem using this sink on Pesach if I only used cold water from this sink on Pesach and…Show more
Question: Raw eggs got wet from milk on the way back from shopping, and I haven't rinsed them when I came home, they sat like that for over 24 hours, are they now Milchig? Answer: If the eggs… Question: Raw eggs got wet from milk on the way back from shopping, and I haven't rinsed them when I came home, they sat like that for over 24 hours, are they now Milchig? Answer: If the eggs were to actually sit in milk - they would be Milchig. In your case - they aren't Milchig. Sources: שקליפת הביצה בבירור מנוקבת - שו״ת הרשב״א תקטז. הובא…Show more
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