People Just Asked
Question: I heard that we don’t sleep with shoes under the bed. Is it a superstition or written in a Sefer? Because I know people that keep all their shoes under their bed Answer: There’s no problem with… Question: I heard that we don’t sleep with shoes under the bed. Is it a superstition or written in a Sefer? Because I know people that keep all their shoes under their bed Answer: There’s no problem with it whatsoever. On the contrary, the Gemara tells us that Torah scholars keep their shoes under their bed. Some are nonetheless particular about the matter, but there is no such requirement. Sources: ראה ב״ב נח, רע״א. רש״י סוכה כא, ב ד״ה…Show more
One should stand at least to the Sheva Brachos, known as Birchos Nisu’in. Some Poskim specify to stand also for Birchas Eirusin. Nonetheless, the common custom is to be lenient. One proposed justification is the fact… One should stand at least to the Sheva Brachos, known as Birchos Nisu’in. Some Poskim specify to stand also for Birchas Eirusin. Nonetheless, the common custom is to be lenient. One proposed justification is the fact that those sitting are not under the actual Chupa, thus they are considered to be in a separate area and permitted to sit. A scrupulous individual should still be stringent in accordance with a simple understanding of the Halacha. Sources: טעמי המנהג: לכבוד החו״כ העומדים, וחתן דומה למלך; מחמת…Show more
The Torah teaches us that a woman should not dress like a man (and vice-versa). This prohibition includes any clothing, accessories, and even cosmetic effects that are standard for the opposite gender. Thus a woman may not shave her… The Torah teaches us that a woman should not dress like a man (and vice-versa). This prohibition includes any clothing, accessories, and even cosmetic effects that are standard for the opposite gender. Thus a woman may not shave her head, as men often do. שו"ע יו"ד קפב, ה. #10585Show more
One could remove the hair from the nose when it's causing discomfort. Sources: שו״ע יו"ד קפב, א. ועוד דלא ליפוי מכוין -…
Question: The Rebbe said that Jewish children should have a letter bought for them in a children's Sefer Torah. Because we cannot all afford to write a Sefer Torah, adults should also have a letter in a Sefer Torah.… Question: The Rebbe said that Jewish children should have a letter bought for them in a children's Sefer Torah. Because we cannot all afford to write a Sefer Torah, adults should also have a letter in a Sefer Torah. So if a child had a letter bought for himself or herself, should he or she buy another letter themselves in a Sefer Torah when turning Bar or Bas Mitzva? Answer: While is is not necessarily a Halachic requirement, the Rebbe did mention a few times that it is appropriate to purchase a letter even in more than one…Show more
Some have a custom that one who has not been by their parent's grave for over 7 years should not visit anymore. The original source is a quote in the name of Reb Sholem the tzadik of Belz. The… Some have a custom that one who has not been by their parent's grave for over 7 years should not visit anymore. The original source is a quote in the name of Reb Sholem the tzadik of Belz. The explanation given is that there is a concern that the visit may be offensive in such a case as the parent can be upset that the child has not visited for so long. Some say the concern applies only if ten years passed. However, the accepted position is that it’s not really an issue, but nonetheless, many people are accustomed…Show more
If it will cause even the slightest embarrassing or insulting of another person, it is absolutely forbidden. #10574
שאלה: האם הליכה למלון ללילה כדי "לצאת קצת מחוץ לעיר" ולהסתובב בפארק קצת וכדומה מותרים? ואם אפשר לתת קצת יותר הגדרה לסוג טיולים האסורים והמותרים אהיה אסיר תודה. תשובה: סוגי טיול המותרים ואסורים: אין איסור לטייל ברגל, ומותר… שאלה: האם הליכה למלון ללילה כדי "לצאת קצת מחוץ לעיר" ולהסתובב בפארק קצת וכדומה מותרים? ואם אפשר לתת קצת יותר הגדרה לסוג טיולים האסורים והמותרים אהיה אסיר תודה. תשובה: סוגי טיול המותרים ואסורים: אין איסור לטייל ברגל, ומותר ללכת לפארק וכדומה. והמחמיר קדוש יאמר לו. ואם הוא במקום מבודד ומיוחד ונעשה מתוך חיבה יתירה וגורם הרהור - אסור. לטייל באוטו או ספינה לשם טיול אסור, אבל אם המטרה ללכת למקום מסויים מותר, ובלבד שלא יגעו זה בזה. מותר ללכת למלון, אבל כמובן שצריכים להקפיד על כל שאר ההרחקות. #10564Show more
Women may go to sleep with socks for Tznius purposes. See here regarding woman exposing their feet while they are alone: https://asktherav.com/may-a-woman-walk-around-the-house-without-socks-on-if-there-are-no-men-around/#.XRV6Qq-l1A0.link Sources: שלא לישון באנפלאות - ראה במ"מ כאן: https://asktherav.com/in-shulchan-aruch-it-mentions-that-one-is-obligated-to-wear-socks-for-tznius-and-that-one-must-take-off-and-put-back-on-their-socks-while-under-the-blanket-is-this-applicable-these-days-also/ ולהעיר…
Any Yid that was (or R”L still is) Mechalel Shabbos ‘in private’, may cook food for another on any weekday. This is so long their actions remain private and does not become public knowledge nor is the individual doing… Any Yid that was (or R”L still is) Mechalel Shabbos ‘in private’, may cook food for another on any weekday. This is so long their actions remain private and does not become public knowledge nor is the individual doing it with the knowledge that it will become public. Their cooked food is permissible to eat, as long it is not cooked on Shabbos and it is Kosher food. Sources: טושו"ע או"ח סי' שפ"ה סעי' ג: "אם אינו מחללו…Show more
Such a purchase is not recommended and potentially problematic halachically. However if there is a real need, like to help your children relax and fall asleep, and there’s no other way to accomplish this, there is room to rely… Such a purchase is not recommended and potentially problematic halachically. However if there is a real need, like to help your children relax and fall asleep, and there’s no other way to accomplish this, there is room to rely on the lenient opinions, provided that it does not project a three dimensional image. Sources: ראה שו״ע יו״ד קמ"א, סעי' ד' וט"ז סקי"ג ונקוה"כ…Show more
I have an hour walk to the Mikvah Friday night. So we want to hire a babysitter so my husband can walk with me. How can we pay her for this "work" done on Shabbos? One may not… I have an hour walk to the Mikvah Friday night. So we want to hire a babysitter so my husband can walk with me. How can we pay her for this "work" done on Shabbos? One may not accept schar Shabbos (payment for work done on Shabbos). Even though one is being paid after Shabbos, it is nevertheless forbidden since the work is being done on Shabbos. Accepting payment for babysitting on Shabbos falls under the category of schar Shabbos. However, schar Shabbos behavla’ah (when “absorbed” with other payment) is permissible, but only if all of the…Show more
Yes. Can they run at the same time? Yes. If you don't mind to clarify, since the two waters will drain out together and still be boiling hot, why is there no chashash of bishul basar bechalav… Yes. Can they run at the same time? Yes. If you don't mind to clarify, since the two waters will drain out together and still be boiling hot, why is there no chashash of bishul basar bechalav? (Like R' Akiva Eiger mentions at the beginning of siman 87 on the Rama who writes not to combine the water in which milk dishes were washed with water in which meat dishes were washed because of an issur hannah. R' Akiva Eiger notes that the issue is also the bishul). Wouldn't the same apply here? כיון…Show more
Kiddush Levanah can only be recited after tzies hakachavim. Sources: עיין רמא סימן תכו סעיף א ומשנ״ב שם סק״ב.…
Hunting deer is not allowed. Reasoning: As a general rule mere sport hunting is not allowed. Since deer are not a danger to humans as a general rule, it would be difficult to argue that hunting would be… Hunting deer is not allowed. Reasoning: As a general rule mere sport hunting is not allowed. Since deer are not a danger to humans as a general rule, it would be difficult to argue that hunting would be permitted to regulate population control. See the Noda Be'Yehuda (Tanina Yoreh Deah 10) that prohibits hunting for various reasons, of them: 1) it is dangerous, 2) it is causing needless pain to animals, and 3) it is wasting, Bal Tashchis. Even if not all three reasons for sure apply, at least one of the reasons should apply in any…Show more
Question: On Shabbos, I stay in a building that has a front door which is locked. The doorman (who is a goy) is inside and he uses a camera to see who is at the door. He buzzes… Question: On Shabbos, I stay in a building that has a front door which is locked. The doorman (who is a goy) is inside and he uses a camera to see who is at the door. He buzzes you in (although the door can be opened manually from the inside). I usually try wait for someone else to walk in the door (even though it's likely that the person is a Jew), but it could take a while for someone to come. Do I need to wait for someone else to open the door or can I initially…Show more
No, because if it was not paid for it is considered stolen and one may not use stolen goods. See here: https://asktherav.com/2942-is-it-permitted-to-listen-to-music-i-have-received-from-a-friend/ שו"ע אדה"ז הל' גזלה וגנבה סי"א, כ. I have heard of the claim: "הגונב מן גנב… No, because if it was not paid for it is considered stolen and one may not use stolen goods. See here: https://asktherav.com/2942-is-it-permitted-to-listen-to-music-i-have-received-from-a-friend/ שו"ע אדה"ז הל' גזלה וגנבה סי"א, כ. I have heard of the claim: "הגונב מן גנב פטור". For some reason it does not sound legitimate... Can you please explain what it means and what it implies? It means that one who steals from a thief does not need to pay the original owner additional fines (a thief needs to pay back double and sometimes X4-5), however the second thief still needs to return the item to…Show more
No halachic problem (assuming they are not Kohanim). #10512
I delayed putting on Rabbeinu Tam's Tefillin. I daven Mincha and Maariv in a shul that davens Maariv early, I only remembered I didn't put Rabbeinu Tam's after I had already davened Maariv, but there was still an hour… I delayed putting on Rabbeinu Tam's Tefillin. I daven Mincha and Maariv in a shul that davens Maariv early, I only remembered I didn't put Rabbeinu Tam's after I had already davened Maariv, but there was still an hour until shkia. What should be done in such a case? You should put them on. Sources: נתחבטו רבים בפי׳ דברי אדה''ז סי' ל ס''ה בדעת…Show more
No. But if one remembers before saying Hashem's name at the end of the Brocha ("Boruch Ato..."), he should go back and mention "Vezochreinu..." and continue from there. Sources: מג"א רח, יז. מ"ב סקנ"ח, כפה"ח סקס"ז. וראה בארוכה…
With family - yes, but not with friends. שו״ע יו״ד שפ, כה. #10493
Yes you say על נטילת ידים even though you wash only one hand. Sources: חיי״א מ, יח. שו''ת זבחי צדק ח''ב בסופו או''ח…
No Shofar is blown in this case during Musaf. שוע"ר תקצב ז. However, after davening, it is proper to blow 70 sounds in order to hear a total of 100. The Shofar blown during Mivtzoim etc. may count for… No Shofar is blown in this case during Musaf. שוע"ר תקצב ז. However, after davening, it is proper to blow 70 sounds in order to hear a total of 100. The Shofar blown during Mivtzoim etc. may count for this purpose. It is important to note that when davening without a Minyan on Rosh Hashana one should make sure to blow the Shofar and daven Musaf only after 3 hours of the day has passed, i.e., only after Sof Zman Kerias Shema. שם תקצא יג-יד. #10509Show more
Question: My father was niftar in the end of Nissan. I understand that one is supposed to wait 3 months before taking a haircut. The 3 months end in the 3 weeks. Should I wait until after תשעה… Question: My father was niftar in the end of Nissan. I understand that one is supposed to wait 3 months before taking a haircut. The 3 months end in the 3 weeks. Should I wait until after תשעה באב to take a haircut or can I take one earlier? Answer: You may take a haircut when three months are up even though it is during the three weeks and you're not obligated to wait until after Tisha B’av. Nonetheless, because you are taking your haircut only due to the fact that your hair is long you…Show more
Question: I am moving from a building that has a Jewish landlord, but it hasn't been rented out to the next tenant as of yet (so I don't know if they will be Jewish). Must I keep all the… Question: I am moving from a building that has a Jewish landlord, but it hasn't been rented out to the next tenant as of yet (so I don't know if they will be Jewish). Must I keep all the Mezuzos up? Or only the front door.? Also, if I must leave them up can I replace them with cheaper Mezuzos? Article: Removing Mezuzos When Moving When a person moves from a home or an apartment, the halachah is not to take down the mezuzos. The reason: Most poskim explain that it is considered disrespectful to uproot a…Show more
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