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Renting together is not allowed, even for a short amount of time, as this is considered permanently dwelling with your sister. However you may visit her temporarily (e.g. coming from out of town to stay by her for several… Renting together is not allowed, even for a short amount of time, as this is considered permanently dwelling with your sister. However you may visit her temporarily (e.g. coming from out of town to stay by her for several days or vice versa) but permanently is not allowed. Poskim dispute the exact amount of days that is deemed temporary. A brother and sister living by their parents, are allowed to dwell permanently in the same house, since others are present. Source: אבהע״ז ס׳ כ״ב חלקת מחוקק ס״ק א. אג"מ אבהע"ז ח"ד סי' סד ס"ק ג. #10819Show more
One should not pause unnecessarily in the middle of reading Shema and definitely not interrupt with speech or doing other things. Nevertheless, one does not need to restart Shema even if he had paused for a long time, unless… One should not pause unnecessarily in the middle of reading Shema and definitely not interrupt with speech or doing other things. Nevertheless, one does not need to restart Shema even if he had paused for a long time, unless he has paused because he was not fit to read Shema at that time (e.g. he relieved himself) or he passed a place where he cannot read Shema and the lapse was long enough for him to read the entire Kriyas Shema in it's entirety - in such a case he would have to restart from the beginning of Shema.…Show more
Question continued: If so, why is this not specifically mentioned in Siman 61, where it seems that such a halacha would belong (especially, for example, about pronouncing the word "ve'ahav'ta" with the emphasis mil'ra (like it is in the… Question continued: If so, why is this not specifically mentioned in Siman 61, where it seems that such a halacha would belong (especially, for example, about pronouncing the word "ve'ahav'ta" with the emphasis mil'ra (like it is in the Torah reading) and not mil'el (like many children are taught to sing it in school))? And if it is indeed not necessary to conform to the rules of mil'el and mil'ra when pronouncing the words of davening, why not? Answer: Lechatchila one should be careful to emphasize the correct syllable just as one should be careful with all the…Show more
One should be careful not to put anything on top of tefillin or seforim even when the tefillin/seforim are in a bag. Some are lenient with regards to putting a Siddur in the tallis bag on top of the… One should be careful not to put anything on top of tefillin or seforim even when the tefillin/seforim are in a bag. Some are lenient with regards to putting a Siddur in the tallis bag on top of the tefilin if the tefilin has its own bag. Source: ע”פ שו”ע יו”ד סי’ רפב סי”ט. והנה, יש שהעירו משו״ע או״ח סי’ כה ס”א, דלא יניח כיס התפילין למעלה מן הטלית, דמשמע דיש להניח הטלית ע”ג התפילין, וראה בחיי״א יג, א שכתב בפשיטות להניח טלית על התפילין, וכנראה טעמו לפי שהוא צורך התפילין לפי שצריך להתעטף תחילה בטלית. וכ”ה בקיצור…Show more
It should be pronounced as "Hashem" without saying the actual name, because it’s not a Posuk. #13001
Can I bake my Challa in my fleishig oven? Yes, Challah for Shabbos may be baked in a fleishig oven, even if the oven is dirty (and it’s considered fleishig, see below about cake). If you’re baking regular bread,… Can I bake my Challa in my fleishig oven? Yes, Challah for Shabbos may be baked in a fleishig oven, even if the oven is dirty (and it’s considered fleishig, see below about cake). If you’re baking regular bread, you may use the fleishig oven only if the oven is clean (see below more about its status), or if it's a small amount, or if you make a Heker (sign) before baking. Source: ראה סימן צז סעיף א ברמ"א, שלשבת נחשב כדבר מועט, אבל שאר לחם אסור אף ביש ששים נגד הטוח בעין, ראה משב"ז שם סק"א. בנקי'…Show more
One may remove all Mezuzas for the purpose of checking. If possible, one should borrow Mezuzas to put up in the meantime, especially in a home that is owned and not rented (many Sofrim have such an option). A… One may remove all Mezuzas for the purpose of checking. If possible, one should borrow Mezuzas to put up in the meantime, especially in a home that is owned and not rented (many Sofrim have such an option). A Brocha is made when placing the temporary Mezuzos (on entrances that require a Brocha in the first place). (To note that the outside door of a home is actually sometimes less likely to need a Mezuzah, or at least it might not be min haTorah - see details in article #671). Sources: לא מצינו בפוסקים הקדמונים חשש בזה במשך הבדיקה (אף…Show more
Q. Is it more mehudar to have many wicks in the Havdalah candle? A. Yes, there is a hiddur mitzvah to have more than one flame for the havdalah candle. The Alter Rebbe writes in Shulchan Aruch (298:4): “The… Q. Is it more mehudar to have many wicks in the Havdalah candle? A. Yes, there is a hiddur mitzvah to have more than one flame for the havdalah candle. The Alter Rebbe writes in Shulchan Aruch (298:4): “The optimum manner of fulfilling the mitzvah is to recite the blessing over a torch containing many [burning] brands and many [sources of] light, for the blessing uses the wording “borei meorei ha’eish” [“Who created the lights of fire” in the plural], an expression implying many sources of light.” . Q. Is there an Inyan to specifically use a beeswax…Show more
Though some say that “a person’s life is numbered according to solar years, as is the life of any growing thing, for example, trees and the like” (Rasa"g commentary on Bereishis), nonetheless, the secular birthday shouldn’t be recognized or… Though some say that “a person’s life is numbered according to solar years, as is the life of any growing thing, for example, trees and the like” (Rasa"g commentary on Bereishis), nonetheless, the secular birthday shouldn’t be recognized or celebrated beyond legal requirements. See also here. Source: ראה ביאור רס"ג בראשית. וראה אגרת השבת לראב"ע: ואומר בתחלה כי כל עגול אין לו ראשית, רק כרצון איש ואיש, אכן ראשית שנת כל אדם מרגע הולדו, ובשוב השמש אל הנקודה הראשונה שהיתה שם בתחילה תעלה לו שנה תמימה. מצאנו שהתורה מציינת את יום הולדת פרעה וכן במלחמת עמלק הלכו למלחמה…Show more
If someone is saying korbonos for Shacharis, but gets confused with Mincha and skips "Abaye" and remembers once they finished or almost finished "Ana Bechoach", do they repeat "Ana Bechoach" after they say "Abaye" or not? If someone spaces… If someone is saying korbonos for Shacharis, but gets confused with Mincha and skips "Abaye" and remembers once they finished or almost finished "Ana Bechoach", do they repeat "Ana Bechoach" after they say "Abaye" or not? If someone spaces out during pesukei dezimra on Shabbos and realizes after saying "Yishtabach" that they skipped "Nishmas" and other Shabbos additions, how should they proceed? Answer: Korbonos: no need to repeat. Nishmas: if one remembers before saying Hashem's name in the Beracha of Yishtabach, he should go back to Nishmas. If one already…Show more
ראה כאן וראה כאן (ה'). #10872
The custom is to not be particular about doing so. Source: ראה הר צבי א, סד. בירור הלכה תליתאי קלד. דברי יציב א, עו. וראה המובא בפסק"ת קלד ז, עם כמה טעמים לזה. #10841
If there is a הפסד גדול or a צורך גדול there room for leniency. Source: אמירה לנכרי בדבר שאינו אסור אלא משום שבות לצורך מצוה התירו-סימן ש"ז סעיף ה ואדה"ז סעיף י"ב. אבל בנדו"ד זה לאחרי המצוה. ומ״מ… If there is a הפסד גדול or a צורך גדול there room for leniency. Source: אמירה לנכרי בדבר שאינו אסור אלא משום שבות לצורך מצוה התירו-סימן ש"ז סעיף ה ואדה"ז סעיף י"ב. אבל בנדו"ד זה לאחרי המצוה. ומ״מ יש להתיר במקום הפסד, ובהקדם שיש לעיין אם זה שבות דשבות, שמצד קושר ומתיר הרי דעתו רק לכמה ימים ובמילא אינו דאורייתא, ומצד בנין וסתירה יש סברא להתיר משום מלאכה שאינה צריכה לגופה - ראה דעת אדה"ז בסימן ש"מ סעיף ב' וסימן של"ד סעיף כ"ה בטעם הר"ן (דלא כהמג"א סימן ש"ז סק"ז) שדוקא בדליקה החמירו לומר לנכרי מפני שאדם בהול,…Show more
Question: My first cousin recently passed away. I am aware that I have no obligation to say Kaddish for him, but I have the question whether my saying Kaddish would accomplish more than paying someone else to do it.… Question: My first cousin recently passed away. I am aware that I have no obligation to say Kaddish for him, but I have the question whether my saying Kaddish would accomplish more than paying someone else to do it. One Rabbi told me that although he never saw anything written on the matter, he would think that my being a close relative would mean that I would say it with more feeling. A different Rabbi shared his opinion that it would be better if I did not say Kaddish. If I am not accomplishing anything more than a…Show more
Question: Is it okay to participate in a raffle for a Tzedaka organization. It has all the elements of a gambling game. For the participants and for the organization. Answer: Without looking into the details of the raffle… Question: Is it okay to participate in a raffle for a Tzedaka organization. It has all the elements of a gambling game. For the participants and for the organization. Answer: Without looking into the details of the raffle in order to be able to determine if it is indeed considered Halachicly gambling - this is a non issue since the funds are going to a Tzedakah. Sources: ואין אסמכתא להקדש - שו״ע חו״מ סי׳ ר״ז סעי׳ י״ט ברמ״א, שו״ע יו״ד סי׳ רנ״ח סעי׳ י׳. וראה עד״ז פתחי חושן קנינים כ״א בהע׳…Show more
Question: I have a Sefer Torah in Chabad house in a portable dresser/closet. What is the minhag in general regarding how many coverings and how to cover it? Right now it is just in the dresser (it's the only… Question: I have a Sefer Torah in Chabad house in a portable dresser/closet. What is the minhag in general regarding how many coverings and how to cover it? Right now it is just in the dresser (it's the only thing in the dresser). There's no paroches. Should I put a talis on the entire dresser, should I just cover the Torah itself inside with a talis? Or is it ok to just leave it the way it is, because either way no one is living permanently in the Chabad house? If you can tell me if there's…Show more
Question: Dear Rabbi Braun, 1. Regarding a Aron Kodesh that is attached to the wall and does not extend to the ground, I saw that the Chayei Adam prohibits but others permit. Would this be okay for a Chabad… Question: Dear Rabbi Braun, 1. Regarding a Aron Kodesh that is attached to the wall and does not extend to the ground, I saw that the Chayei Adam prohibits but others permit. Would this be okay for a Chabad House? I saw a letter of the Rebbe that one should not change from the minhag. Would this be in that category? 2. A second question: I noticed some Chabad houses have wooden doors on the outside, then a curtain, and then doors again. Supposedly the outer doors are creating a mechitzah between the Aron and the shul when…Show more
Question: Is there anything wrong to put the Paroches of an Aron Kodesh behind the wooden doors in front of the Sifrei Torah and put the names of the 10 mivtzoyim on the doors (made wooden letters)? Answer:… Question: Is there anything wrong to put the Paroches of an Aron Kodesh behind the wooden doors in front of the Sifrei Torah and put the names of the 10 mivtzoyim on the doors (made wooden letters)? Answer: There are many purposes for the Paroches, some of which require it to be on the outside. Regardless, one may not change from the accepted custom in Klal Yisroel, especially regarding a Shul. Some of the reasons: In order to divide between the Yidden (kodesh) and the Aron Kodesh (kodesh kodoshim). Similar to the coverings over the Keilim in…Show more
Question: My wife has gallstones and she is on a gluten free diet. The sulfites in the wine and sugar in the grape juice don't agree with her at all. She reacts immediately in terrible pain. Is it ok… Question: My wife has gallstones and she is on a gluten free diet. The sulfites in the wine and sugar in the grape juice don't agree with her at all. She reacts immediately in terrible pain. Is it ok for her to dilute the wine in water for the arba kosos and if yes how much water to how much wine. Answer: One may only add water to the extent that the wine - or grape juice - can still be drunk as wine and served to guests that way. Regardless, the water may never be 85.7% or…Show more
It is always preferable to visit a doctor of the same gender (if that doctor is equally experienced etc.) A visit to a doctor of the opposite gender is permissible for necessary medical needs including dental. Regarding dental procedures… It is always preferable to visit a doctor of the same gender (if that doctor is equally experienced etc.) A visit to a doctor of the opposite gender is permissible for necessary medical needs including dental. Regarding dental procedures which are deemed cosmetic: sometimes the need for a procedure is medical (pain), and it is the method (for instance a root canal instead of just extracting the tooth) which is cosmetic, in such a case it would be permissible even though it is not covered by insurance. Regarding a procedure which seems to be completely cosmetic (for instance those…Show more
A. An unmarried man should change his Tzitzis every morning and wear that pair until the next morning (i.e. change the pair every 24 hours). This way he’ll be wearing a garment that is obligated to have Tzitizs all… A. An unmarried man should change his Tzitzis every morning and wear that pair until the next morning (i.e. change the pair every 24 hours). This way he’ll be wearing a garment that is obligated to have Tzitizs all day - even in the early morning (according to the opinion that a כסות לילה is not obligated in the morning) and at night (according to the opinion that one who wears a כסות יום at night is fulfilling the mitzvah even at night). ראה פסקי דינים להצ״צ יח - ג, ב. והובא בהערת כ״ק אד״ש שעה״ג לשעה״כ פ״ב סק״ג.…Show more
Question: What is our practice regarding personal Tefilos such as for Refuah, Shidduch, or Parnasa? I noticed in other Siddurim a Teffila that can be inserted by Refaenu, for example, where you can mention a specific name. I have… Question: What is our practice regarding personal Tefilos such as for Refuah, Shidduch, or Parnasa? I noticed in other Siddurim a Teffila that can be inserted by Refaenu, for example, where you can mention a specific name. I have alopecia and I want to daven for hair. When is the best time to do that during Shemoneh Esrei? In refa'einu, shmah koleinu, elokay nitzor, etc.? Is there a specific Nusach Does it have to be in Lashon Hakodesh? Can I just think about the request? Answer: The correct place to make the request is in…Show more
Question: This past Shabbos, I verbally accepted Shabbos during the 18 minutes. Someone then drove past me and offered me a ride to shul. While in the car I realized that I already have accepted Shabbos. When I… Question: This past Shabbos, I verbally accepted Shabbos during the 18 minutes. Someone then drove past me and offered me a ride to shul. While in the car I realized that I already have accepted Shabbos. When I got into the car, someone else opened the door, but I closed it (when exiting I asked someone else to open and close). Was this OK bedieved? Bedieved, was it OK that someone drove me to shul? Answer: In general once somebody took upon himself Shabbos he can't do any melachah just like on Shabbos (except for…Show more
Question: This Friday my wife won’t be at home to light. She’s usually lights 5 candles. How should I light in the house? Just 2 or 5 like what she does? And do I make a bracha? What… Question: This Friday my wife won’t be at home to light. She’s usually lights 5 candles. How should I light in the house? Just 2 or 5 like what she does? And do I make a bracha? What should my wife do out of town (does she light 5 when she out of town)? Answer: 1. You must light with a bracha. If she is lighting the complete amount of candles where she is staying, you only need to light two candles. Otherwise, it’s recommended you continue her minhag, though this point is far from…Show more
Question: Many donating platforms offer free processing for the organization that is collecting money, and the ask the people donating to leave a tip or pay for the processing fee. That fee is not required in order to donate.… Question: Many donating platforms offer free processing for the organization that is collecting money, and the ask the people donating to leave a tip or pay for the processing fee. That fee is not required in order to donate. Can I pay this fee or the tip with Ma'aser money. Or do I need to say that I don't want to pay the fee if I am using Ma'aser money? Answer: I understand that the following are the two options, for example: 1. Donate $30 without paying a $1 fee. The organization will then have to pay this…Show more
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