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Question: Is the Meyuchad brand of Tzitzis strings made by machine fine to use, or is it preferred to have Avodas Yad? (in other words, is it just a new chumra that someone came up with recently, or something… Question: Is the Meyuchad brand of Tzitzis strings made by machine fine to use, or is it preferred to have Avodas Yad? (in other words, is it just a new chumra that someone came up with recently, or something serious enough to offset the charge etc.) Answer: Tzitzis must be made Lishmah - with the intention of of the Mitzvah of Tzitzis. The question is, whether Tzitzis made by machine can be considered Lishmah. Although many Poskim are of the opinion that as long as the machine was operated with the intention of the Mitzvah, it is Kosher,…Show more
Question: Due to COVID-19, I did not have the chance to Toivel some Keilim for last year's Pesach, so I instead gave them to a non-Jew and then borrowed them back from him. Now that the Mikvahs are open… Question: Due to COVID-19, I did not have the chance to Toivel some Keilim for last year's Pesach, so I instead gave them to a non-Jew and then borrowed them back from him. Now that the Mikvahs are open and I will Toivel them for this Pesach's use, do I make a Brocha when doing so? Answer: No. Sources: מה שהביא מקצוה"ש קמו ס"ק ו - הנה אין…Show more
While burning the nails is generally preferred to flushing them, it is better to flush immediately than to burn later. To explain: The main reason given by Rishonim of why its preferred to burn nails over burying them, is… While burning the nails is generally preferred to flushing them, it is better to flush immediately than to burn later. To explain: The main reason given by Rishonim of why its preferred to burn nails over burying them, is because the burial may become uncovered over time, while the burning is assured to not become undone. Achronim point out that flushing nails in the toilet nowadays, is more secure than the burial of the Gemora. See also here: https://asktherav.com/12265-burning-nails/ Even if burning them is preferable over flushing, it stands to reason that (for most people) holding on to nails…Show more
Question continued: I was asked by a friend to hold some of his things by my house for a while. They now moved and my house is too small to store things much longer. He is requesting that I… Question continued: I was asked by a friend to hold some of his things by my house for a while. They now moved and my house is too small to store things much longer. He is requesting that I keep it by me indefinitely, until he eventually finds a place to put them. Must I keep it by me or can I return it to him against his will? Answer: If he hasn’t made up with you how long you would hold the items for him or if he has but that time has passed, you may return…Show more
Poskim indeed are lenient regarding garlic/onion/egg "powder" that was left (peeled) overnight, on the grounds that once these items are grinded, they have thus changed their original status and the prohibition doesn't apply anymore. Some kashrus agencies add oil… Poskim indeed are lenient regarding garlic/onion/egg "powder" that was left (peeled) overnight, on the grounds that once these items are grinded, they have thus changed their original status and the prohibition doesn't apply anymore. Some kashrus agencies add oil or salt to the powder. Source: מטעמי ההיתר - של״ש רו״ר ביבש לגמרי, שחזר לעפר ופנים חדשות באו לכאן ונשתנה צורתו וגם שמו, שבמבושל ל״ש רו״ר, שאינו ראוי לאכילה כמו שהיא ואינו בכלל האיסור, שלא גזרו רק בדבר שדרך לאוכלו מיד. ראה ספר הכשרות (פוקס) פי"ח הע' נח. ועוד. #12786Show more
Question: I give $1000 to an organization via credit card. Credit card charges $25 as a processing fee. So the organization receives $975. Assume I pay my card in full and my credit card rewards me with $10. What's… Question: I give $1000 to an organization via credit card. Credit card charges $25 as a processing fee. So the organization receives $975. Assume I pay my card in full and my credit card rewards me with $10. What's my effective maaser in that scenario? A follow up, I assume I'll need to pay a maaser from the reward from my credit card - in that scenario - $1? Answer: 1. Every time you donate to tzedaka by using a credit card, the tzedaka will only end up getting a percentage of the actual funds. It’s still considered…Show more
You may lein there, provided you make a disclaimer before you begin that according to the clear majority of Poskim one is not yotzeh with a Megillah reading heard over the phone or online. PS It’s obvious that even… You may lein there, provided you make a disclaimer before you begin that according to the clear majority of Poskim one is not yotzeh with a Megillah reading heard over the phone or online. PS It’s obvious that even those who permitted it we’re not aware of the science and mechanics involved. Furthermore, even according to this opinion which has been rejected by virtually all mainstream Poskim, reading the Megillah via zoom is perhaps worse because there’s a time delay between the reading and the hearing. Sources: See more here and here: #13334…Show more
Question continued: In general regarding daber dovor, if one is on shlichus and it would make someone uncomfortable to avoid a conversation is there room for leniency? Is there room for leniency if talking about his week at work would…Question continued: In general regarding daber dovor, if one is on shlichus and it would make someone uncomfortable to avoid a conversation is there room for leniency? Is there room for leniency if talking about his week at work would relieve his stress? Answer: One may not say on Shabbos that he is going to do something after Shabbos, if the activity after Shabbos involves a melacha or even a shvus (rabbinic prohibition to do in Shabbos). For example, one may not say that he is going to buy something after Shabbos. Even if there is no gain from…Show more
There is no requirement to remove tefillin straps when doing Hagbah; it’s purely for convenience. Sources: המנהג מובא בזר זהב ב, א. מנהגי בוסטון בסי׳…
Question: The big grant available for seminary makes you sign that you will continue after with college for at least a certain amount of time. Is one allowed to sign that and not actually go? It's kind of lying… Question: The big grant available for seminary makes you sign that you will continue after with college for at least a certain amount of time. Is one allowed to sign that and not actually go? It's kind of lying if you sign and don't go...but if I don't get this grant I most probably won't be able to go to seminary.. what should I do? Answer: One may not lie or mislead people, Jews or non-Jews, including governments or institutions. Even if this means you won’t be able to go to seminary, this wouldn’t justify deceptive practices on…Show more
If the bowl is used for storage only, it should be toveled without a beracha. If fruit is eaten directly from the bowl a bracha should be made. Source: כלי איחסון - ראה הנסמן בטבילת כלים… If the bowl is used for storage only, it should be toveled without a beracha. If fruit is eaten directly from the bowl a bracha should be made. Source: כלי איחסון - ראה הנסמן בטבילת כלים כהלכתה ו, א. #2857 .Show more
There is a minority opinion which allows this, however from a halachic point of view this position is highly questionable and it’s difficult to rely on this on a practical level. Poskim state that those who rely on this… There is a minority opinion which allows this, however from a halachic point of view this position is highly questionable and it’s difficult to rely on this on a practical level. Poskim state that those who rely on this leniency should only do so if otherwise the minyan will fall apart completely, i.e. there will not be a minyan on a regular basis. To do so on the occasion when there’s no minyan is not acceptable. In practice, this should not be done at all even in those circumstances, and it’s better to daven biyechidus regularly than resorting to…Show more
כשמוכרים בית בכדי לקנות בית חדש לצרכי מגורים, והריוח שיתקבל מושקע בבית החדש - אין צורך להפריש מעשר כספים. אבל אם מכרו את הבית עבור צרכי ביזנס - הרי אם קנו את הבית ממעות מעושרים, אין צריך להפריש מעשר… כשמוכרים בית בכדי לקנות בית חדש לצרכי מגורים, והריוח שיתקבל מושקע בבית החדש - אין צורך להפריש מעשר כספים. אבל אם מכרו את הבית עבור צרכי ביזנס - הרי אם קנו את הבית ממעות מעושרים, אין צריך להפריש מעשר רק מהריוח שקיבל. אופן חישוב המעשר מחמת התייקרות הבית - ראה בהערה. מקורות: ראה שו״ת תועפות ראם צט. דרך אמונה מתנות עניים…Show more
In this case, you only recite Borei Nefashos on the ordinary fruit, as the seven kinds of fruit had less than the requisite amount. In fact, even if the ordinary fruit was less than a kezayis too, if… In this case, you only recite Borei Nefashos on the ordinary fruit, as the seven kinds of fruit had less than the requisite amount. In fact, even if the ordinary fruit was less than a kezayis too, if the total amount is a kezayis, you should recite Borei Nefashos. If you are in doubt whether you ate a kezayis from the seven kinds, or even if it was certainly less than a zayis but it was complete fruit, then you should eat more fruit from the seven kinds, so that you have a definite kezayis. In this case,…Show more
Full Question: I left non mevushal wine in an open brown bag on my desk in school overnight. There are non Jewish janitors that clean the room each day after everyone leaves. Can I use the wine or should… Full Question: I left non mevushal wine in an open brown bag on my desk in school overnight. There are non Jewish janitors that clean the room each day after everyone leaves. Can I use the wine or should I throw it out? Answer: If the wine is still sealed, or if it certainly wasn’t touched (and seen) by a non-Jew (i.e., it is clear that it remained inside the bag the entire time), it is permissible. Otherwise, if it’s known that the wine was touched by a non-Jew, it should not be used and it must be…Show more
Question: I have a Sefardi cousin who is getting married a week after Pesach. Am I allowed to go to the Chasunah, be there by the music and dancing and participate in the dancing? Answer: You may… Question: I have a Sefardi cousin who is getting married a week after Pesach. Am I allowed to go to the Chasunah, be there by the music and dancing and participate in the dancing? Answer: You may participate in the wedding and dancing. Sources: ראה שו"ת חת"ס או"ח קמב. שו"ת שבות יעקב סימן…Show more
Question: What bracha is soup that has blended vegetables inside? Maybe since had you not blended it, it would be vegetable soup, which is ha'adama, so the fact that it was blended doesn't change that? Answer: It… Question: What bracha is soup that has blended vegetables inside? Maybe since had you not blended it, it would be vegetable soup, which is ha'adama, so the fact that it was blended doesn't change that? Answer: It is shehakol. Sources: אם נימוחו בשעת הבישול ודאי ברכתו שהכל, שהרי כיון…Show more
No. שו״ע יו״ד סי׳ פ״ט סעי׳ ד׳, וראה אג״מ יו״ד ח״א סי׳ ל״ח. #13403
Question: What is the source for the prevalent preference for one to make his own Kiddush by night, and if it's a real thing does it also apply by day? Answer: According to Halacha, although one may make… Question: What is the source for the prevalent preference for one to make his own Kiddush by night, and if it's a real thing does it also apply by day? Answer: According to Halacha, although one may make kiddush themselves, it’s preferable to be yotze from someone else in order to have ברוב עם הדרת מלך - “The King’s glory is evident amidst a multitude of people.” (see Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch OC 213:6). However, the custom is otherwise, seemingly because it’s difficult to concentrate on the bracha. See also Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch OC 59:4…Show more
Full Question: I always drink water during a meal as per the Halacha. Halacha2go.com article #512: The Importance of Drinking along with Eating But usually I only remember after I finish eating and get a Siddur... I'm not sure… Full Question: I always drink water during a meal as per the Halacha. Halacha2go.com article #512: The Importance of Drinking along with Eating But usually I only remember after I finish eating and get a Siddur... I'm not sure if I should make a shehakol on the water because of נמלך, or not, because that's my רגילות and דעתו עליו בהעלם. Answer: You should not make another Beracha. Preferably you should make a תנאי one time that you never intend to finish eating until after drinking. Sources: כמה פוסקים נקטו שאפילו שיר המעלות אינו נמלך -…Show more
Women are not obligated to daven Ma'ariv. However, according to the Alter Rebbe, women have the obligation to mention Yetzias Mitzrayim by day and night. This includes the bracha for Yetzias Mitzrayim - Emes Vyatziv in the morning, and… Women are not obligated to daven Ma'ariv. However, according to the Alter Rebbe, women have the obligation to mention Yetzias Mitzrayim by day and night. This includes the bracha for Yetzias Mitzrayim - Emes Vyatziv in the morning, and in the case of the night - Emes Veemunah. Some are accustomed to say it after VaYomer while reciting Krias Shema before going to bed. This doesn’t have to be said during Krias Shma al Hamita. In fact, it’s best if said earlier at nightfall. Sources: שו״ע אדה״ז ע, א ע״פ מג״א שם א. [ולהעיר…Show more
Recommended above 5%. If this is difficult, one may be lenient with 3-4%. Sources: מבוסס על שיעור חוזק היין בזמנם ואחוזי האלקוהול אחרי…
Full Question: On Purim I made a donation online for Matanos L'Evyonim, and it seemed not to go through so I did it again, and later found out that I was charged twice. Am I allowed to ask for… Full Question: On Purim I made a donation online for Matanos L'Evyonim, and it seemed not to go through so I did it again, and later found out that I was charged twice. Am I allowed to ask for it back? Now, if yes, I would still be uncomfortable to do so, so may I instead just be mochel it to them and have in mind that its from Ma'aser? Answer: Yes, you can count the amount given by accident towards your Maaser. Sources: ראה הרמ"א ביו"ד סי' רנ"ח סעי' ב', עמק התשובה…Show more
שאלה: שלום הרב. מה אפשר לעשות אם בטעות לפני שבת קשרתי את הנעליים בשתי קשרים, האם אני יכול להתיר את הקשר בשביל להוריד את הנעליים (לפני שאני הולך לישון)? וגם, אם קשרתי את השקית של חלות בשתי קשרים האם… שאלה: שלום הרב. מה אפשר לעשות אם בטעות לפני שבת קשרתי את הנעליים בשתי קשרים, האם אני יכול להתיר את הקשר בשביל להוריד את הנעליים (לפני שאני הולך לישון)? וגם, אם קשרתי את השקית של חלות בשתי קשרים האם אפשר להתיר בשבת, ואם לאו מה אפשר לעשות? תשובה: בנעליים במקום צער יש להקל. בשקית חלה מותר לקרוע אותה שלא במקום הקשר. מקורות: ראה שוע"ר סימן שי"ז סעיף ב. קצוה״ש קכג בבדה״ש…Show more
Question: Are pita chips Mezonos or Hamotzie? Answer: Hamotzie. (Best to eat within a meal to avoid all doubt.) Sources: נ"ל שברכתם המוציא - הן מצד שגם עוגות יבשות…
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