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No, because the Bracha of Shehechiyanu for Tzitzis is for the clothing of it, not the Mitzva, and a Tzitzis is not (generally) considered an important garment in this regard. You can buy him a new fruit and… No, because the Bracha of Shehechiyanu for Tzitzis is for the clothing of it, not the Mitzva, and a Tzitzis is not (generally) considered an important garment in this regard. You can buy him a new fruit and he will say Shehechiyanu on both. Sources: ראה שו"ע או"ח סימן כב ובמג"א שם. ובנוגע לט״ק…Show more
תשובה: אם הפרי אינו מצוי בכל השנה (אף שאפשר למצוא באיזה מקום) או שאפי' מצוי אך ניכר שהוא חדש, יש לברך שהחיינו. מקורות: שו''ע או''ח רכה, ו ובמג''א שם, ולהעיר שהאג''מ או''ח…
It should be בשעה טובה ומוצלחת. A Bris must be done by a qualified mohel, not a doctor etc. I can not think of any options other than waiting for the borders to open, unless an arrangement can… It should be בשעה טובה ומוצלחת. A Bris must be done by a qualified mohel, not a doctor etc. I can not think of any options other than waiting for the borders to open, unless an arrangement can be made where the mohel can travel to the border on one side and the baby till the border on your side. Hopefully the borders will be open by the time the baby is born. Sholom Zachor should be held the first Friday night regardless. It should be noted that if the baby name name needs to be written before…Show more
Question: I gave birth approx 6 weeks ago and trying to get tehora. I made a hefsek and a moch on Monday and there was some color on it so I sent in the shaila to the rov… Question: I gave birth approx 6 weeks ago and trying to get tehora. I made a hefsek and a moch on Monday and there was some color on it so I sent in the shaila to the rov and got an answer after shkia the next day, on Tuesday. My questions are as follows: On Tuesday before shkia, am I supposed to just make a bedika as if the hefsek and moch were good or should I assume that they weren’t good and do a hefsek and moch again? In general, from when blood slows down to…Show more
AskTheRav: There are details missing here. What type of shul is this that uses a "Shabbos microphone"? What are their mechitzah standards and other religious standards? User: Thank you for your reply: The shule is Orthodox, as is… AskTheRav: There are details missing here. What type of shul is this that uses a "Shabbos microphone"? What are their mechitzah standards and other religious standards? User: Thank you for your reply: The shule is Orthodox, as is the rabbi. Many (if not almost all) are not yet Shomrei Shabbos. The mechitzah is 40”. The microphone is tzomet. The rabbi is willing to let us make a separate minyan in our own room. So the question is: Could I join the main minyan, based on the microphone/mechitza? Could we use the facility to make…Show more
They should all be said at the appropriate place during Davening, not specifically with the Minyan. Sources: ראה מג"א קלד סק"א: ואומרים אל ארך אפים מעומד…
Covid-19 Second Wave According to Halacha As long as you follow medical guidelines you are okay. #9806
Question: Many national flags (especially of European countries) and historical coats-of-arms incorporate symbols of the Nazarene faith. Is it permitted to display such flags and is there any idea not to look upon them? Answer: It is permissible… Question: Many national flags (especially of European countries) and historical coats-of-arms incorporate symbols of the Nazarene faith. Is it permitted to display such flags and is there any idea not to look upon them? Answer: It is permissible to own a flag that has a cross on it (like Switzerland or Great Britain) since no one today considers the flags as a religious item or worshiping tool. However, one who wishes may decided to be stringent to refrain from owning one. Similarly, there were those who were stringent not to stare at such a flag. Reasoning: See…Show more
I know we don't cut on Thursday, but is Wednesday night included too? Because the day starts from the night before. Also, it there an inyan not to cut at nights (any other night)? Answer: Nails shouldn’t be cut… I know we don't cut on Thursday, but is Wednesday night included too? Because the day starts from the night before. Also, it there an inyan not to cut at nights (any other night)? Answer: Nails shouldn’t be cut on Wednesday night - like Thursday. Regarding nights in general - May I cut my hair and nails after chatzos (midday)? Sifrei Kabbalah (Holy writings of Kabbalah) relate that the Arizal would refrain from having his hair cut after midday. Some are of the opinion that the same would apply to cutting nails. The question is: what was…Show more
There is a popular camp activity called color run, where campers run across a path as fellow campers shower them with colored chalk powder. It is a fun group activity that I've seen many camps do. I recently heard… There is a popular camp activity called color run, where campers run across a path as fellow campers shower them with colored chalk powder. It is a fun group activity that I've seen many camps do. I recently heard that the origins stem from a Hindu festival of colors when they would do a somewhat similar activity. (This is the origin given by Wikipedia. There were also links that led to Indian missionary websites with information on it). Is there any halachik or hashkafic problem with doing such an activity if it is meant as a completely "neutral" fun…Show more
מותר לעשות בימים אלו טיפולים רגילים שאינם מעמידים את האדם בסכנה, ובכלל זה טיפולי שיניים וכדומה. והרוצה, יעדיף לעשות לפני תשעת הימים. ע"פ אג"ק חי"ט ע' שעו. #9837
No halachic issue. However, some hechsherim aren’t particular about reiyas goy, a non-Jew seeing their wine. See here: https://asktherav.com/wine-seen-by-a-non-jew-for-kiddush-and-general-use/ #9855
Article: Play-by-Play: The Case of the Non-Kosher Oven Scene: A newly married couple in their tiny kitchen on their first day of “real life.” She: We have a problem. He: [Coffee cup clatters to the table]… Article: Play-by-Play: The Case of the Non-Kosher Oven Scene: A newly married couple in their tiny kitchen on their first day of “real life.” She: We have a problem. He: [Coffee cup clatters to the table] What is it!? She: I don’t know whether our oven is kosher or treif (non-kosher). He: [sighing with relief] Then let’s kasher it. Let’s see: libun kal (light purging by fire) would mean heating it up to at least or perhaps to the point that kash nisraf (a straw burns). Maybe libun gamur (complete, red-hot purging by fire), just to…Show more
Engagement - Yes. L'Chaim - only if it is small with a bit of refreshments. A normal style L'Chaim may not be made. Other restrictions (such as dancing, listening to music, eating meat and drinking wine) still apply even… Engagement - Yes. L'Chaim - only if it is small with a bit of refreshments. A normal style L'Chaim may not be made. Other restrictions (such as dancing, listening to music, eating meat and drinking wine) still apply even at a L'Chaim during this period. שו״ע או״ח תקנא, ב. משנ״ב טז. #9871Show more
There is no set minhag for the exact day for this. However it seems that the accepted practice is to do it close (but not before) the boys third birthday. ראה היכל מנחם ג ע׳ רמז. שיחת י״א… There is no set minhag for the exact day for this. However it seems that the accepted practice is to do it close (but not before) the boys third birthday. ראה היכל מנחם ג ע׳ רמז. שיחת י״א ניסן תשל״ח – שיחות קודש תשל״ח ח״ב ע׳ 116. שיחת כ״ח מרחשון תשנ״ב – שיחות קודש תשנ״ב א ע׳ 343. וראה סה”ש ת״ש ע׳ 67. לקו״ש ה ע׳ 86 בהערה. סה״מ תשי״א ע׳ 168. #4876Show more
Full Question: I generally wear a mask indoors in stores, etc. because of its protective effect (especially for others). I have the following shaila - When it comes to outdoors, I found out that the official NY State rule… Full Question: I generally wear a mask indoors in stores, etc. because of its protective effect (especially for others). I have the following shaila - When it comes to outdoors, I found out that the official NY State rule is that one must wear a mask outside if social distancing is not possible, meaning, if you are walking down the street without people around you, you don't have to wear one. However, most goyim have been machmir to wear them at all times outside. If I don't wear one outside, even though I'm abiding by the rule, is this…Show more
Question: It seems halachically that chadash is a real issue that happened to not be stringently kept for centuries. Nowadays it is much more practical, should one be makpid and to what extent? Is there a specific minhag Chabad?… Question: It seems halachically that chadash is a real issue that happened to not be stringently kept for centuries. Nowadays it is much more practical, should one be makpid and to what extent? Is there a specific minhag Chabad? Answer: The Torah forbids the consumption of new grains (Chodosh) until after the Minchas HaOmer was offered up in the Beis Hamikdash on the second day of Pesach, or in our times, the third day of Pesach in Eretz Yisroel, and the fourth day in Chutz Lo’oretz. The grains become permissible after this time, and…Show more
Full Question: We are making a shloshim video presentation for my father. Are we allowed to put music in the background of the video? Most of it will be people talking or narrating, but to show pics etc. Is… Full Question: We are making a shloshim video presentation for my father. Are we allowed to put music in the background of the video? Most of it will be people talking or narrating, but to show pics etc. Is this a halachic issue for us to put music (niggunim) if we'll be present? Answer: Slow background recorded music of Nigunim which is secondary and incidental is OK. Sources: בנוגע ניגונים שאינם מעוררים לריקוד - ראה הליכות שלמה…Show more
Yes. ראה משנ"ב תקנא, סקי"א: ובזמנינו נהגו להקל בכל זה, משום דהכל נחשב כעת כדי פרנסתינו. #9847
There is a mitzvah of “Ve’asu Li mikdash” (to build a Beis Hamikdash for Hashem). When Am Yisroel (the Jewish nation) was in the midbar (desert), they fulfilled this mitzvah by constructing the Mishkan, and years later in… There is a mitzvah of “Ve’asu Li mikdash” (to build a Beis Hamikdash for Hashem). When Am Yisroel (the Jewish nation) was in the midbar (desert), they fulfilled this mitzvah by constructing the Mishkan, and years later in Eretz Yisroel, by building the Beis Hamikdash. This mitzvah is an eternal one, for all future generations—including ours. Unfortunately, we are still in galus (exile) awaiting the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu, and cannot yet fulfill this mitzvah in its literal sense. Nevertheless, we can fulfill this mitzvah while in galus in various ways: halachically, by building batei kneisiyos…Show more
Question: We are making a production in two days and we need to sew some more costumes, is there a way we can be allowed to sew on Rosh Chodesh, maybe with a shinuy? Answer: You can sew… Question: We are making a production in two days and we need to sew some more costumes, is there a way we can be allowed to sew on Rosh Chodesh, maybe with a shinuy? Answer: You can sew with a shinuy (for example sew every other stitch etc.) Sources: שו"ת אבני ישפה או"ח סי' עד עפ"י הרמ"א בסי'…Show more
One should not move homes on Monday (including Sunday night) or Wednesday (including Tuesday night). It most auspicious and preferable to move on Tuesday (including Monday night). If the entire move cannot be done on Tuesday, at least move… One should not move homes on Monday (including Sunday night) or Wednesday (including Tuesday night). It most auspicious and preferable to move on Tuesday (including Monday night). If the entire move cannot be done on Tuesday, at least move the first items on that day. See also here. [This time of year (the three weeks), one should bear in mind that it is preferable to delay moving until Elul, or at least until the 15th of Av.] Also, any other Halachos that are related to moving? It is customary to bring bread and salt into the…Show more
Shliach: I was asked the following by a mekurav: My brother was drafted into the Russian army many years ago. We haven't heard from him in a long time and we are pretty sure, for many reasons, that… Shliach: I was asked the following by a mekurav: My brother was drafted into the Russian army many years ago. We haven't heard from him in a long time and we are pretty sure, for many reasons, that he didn't make it. We never made any Yartzeit or kaddish for him and we want to start now. How does this work? Do we set up a day on the calendar? AskTheRav: How many years ago? Was there a war while he was serving? Is there a way to know whether or not he went to battle? Was…Show more
There might be serious halachic issues involving the prohibition of ribbis. Poskim have dealt with this issue and suggested various approaches. See also here about the general topic of ribbis with corporations: https://asktherav.com/3609-4-questions-regarding-stocks-1-shabbos-2-goy-who-sels-treif-to-yidden-3-ribbis/ Since you asked for the… There might be serious halachic issues involving the prohibition of ribbis. Poskim have dealt with this issue and suggested various approaches. See also here about the general topic of ribbis with corporations: https://asktherav.com/3609-4-questions-regarding-stocks-1-shabbos-2-goy-who-sels-treif-to-yidden-3-ribbis/ Since you asked for the Chabad position about Israeli bonds, I should point out that the Rebbe has decried several times the fact that the government doesn’t wish to write on the bonds that it is based on a heter iska. See this video of the Rebbe speaking with the US head of Israel Bonds. The Rebbe is talking about buying Israel Bonds…Show more
It’s fine. Sources: ראה שו״ע אדה״ז פט, ז, שלימוד ברבים מותר לפני…
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