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For shmira purposes, it’s enough to keep it for three or seven days (or, according to some, four weeks or thirty days). However, there is an additional reason why we put Shir Hamaalos on cribs and carriages: This is… For shmira purposes, it’s enough to keep it for three or seven days (or, according to some, four weeks or thirty days). However, there is an additional reason why we put Shir Hamaalos on cribs and carriages: This is for the child to be surrounded always with words of Torah. Accordingly it’s a good idea always to have matters of Kedusha that the child should be able to see. שמירה בכלל - י״א ג או ז׳ ימים כבדיני יולדת תוך ז׳. וכ״מ בשו״ת שלמת חיים מהדו״ח קצח. ובנדו״ד בפרט - כן המשמעות בסה״ש תשמ״ז דלקמן הערה 5. (ובפנים…Show more
In a place where it is common that men, including religious men, wear rings there isn’t really an issue. However, in a place where men do not wear rings, this can be a serious concern of lo yilbash,… In a place where it is common that men, including religious men, wear rings there isn’t really an issue. However, in a place where men do not wear rings, this can be a serious concern of lo yilbash, a Torah violation of dressing with female ornaments. Additionally, one must always take into account the local custom; one may never breach what is locally acceptable. At times, violation of local mores can be as severe as breaking Torah law. An additional issue is the prohibition of chukos hagoyim. This includes any non-Jewish mode of behavior which has no…Show more
The halacha is that Shehecheyanu is recited upon building or purchasing a home. If one has loans to pay due to the purchase, there is a dispute whether to recite Shehecheyanu. Therefore, it is best to buy a… The halacha is that Shehecheyanu is recited upon building or purchasing a home. If one has loans to pay due to the purchase, there is a dispute whether to recite Shehecheyanu. Therefore, it is best to buy a new fruit or a garment and recite Shehecheyanu over it. Many have the custom to do so at the Chanukas Habayis. If it is an investment property or it’s going to be used to rent out to others, one does not recite Shehecheyanu. שו״ע או״ח רכג, ג. סדר ברה״נ יב, ב. (והנה, בשו״ע ל״כ להדיא שכ״ה גם…Show more
אין לאומרו לבטלה. ונהוג לאומרו בשינוי - אהקה. אבל באומר לא בתור שם השם, כמו בפסוק (שמות ג, יב) ״כי אהי׳ עמך״ אין חשש. טעמים ומקורות: כ״ה סתימת הפוסקים, למ״ד ששם אהי׳ הוא מהז׳ שמות, דכיילו כל הז׳… אין לאומרו לבטלה. ונהוג לאומרו בשינוי - אהקה. אבל באומר לא בתור שם השם, כמו בפסוק (שמות ג, יב) ״כי אהי׳ עמך״ אין חשש. טעמים ומקורות: כ״ה סתימת הפוסקים, למ״ד ששם אהי׳ הוא מהז׳ שמות, דכיילו כל הז׳ שמות בחדא מחתא ללא חילוק. וכן המנהג בפועל. ומעשה רב בהתוועדות כ׳ טבת תשמ״ה. ומפי עדים נאמנים שכן הי׳ גם בש״פ שמות וש״פ וארא תשמ״ג. וכ״מ בס׳ שערי אורה בתחילתו, ש״א ד״ה דע. איברא, שבכ״מ בספרי קבלה ששם אהי׳ מותר להגות - ראה מגיד מישרים ס״פ בראשית (מהדו״ק). פרדס רמונים שער כ ועסיס רמונים שם. אור זרוע ביאורים לע״ח למהר״ם…Show more
COLLEGE Applying the Rebbe's position to the realties of today Click here to view and read the PDF
There are different opinions about this matter. The consensus is that applies to all forms of tzedaka. Sources: בטור יו״ד רמז - גם בצדקה. ובב״י הקשה ע״ז…
Hashem’s name written in other languages has no kedusha and may be erased. Nonetheless, one should not write it without a separation of a dash, and if written, one should not discard it in the garbage. It should be… Hashem’s name written in other languages has no kedusha and may be erased. Nonetheless, one should not write it without a separation of a dash, and if written, one should not discard it in the garbage. It should be noted that one may not say Hashem’s name in other languages. see here. ראה שו״ע אדה״ז פה, ג ובקו״א. ולהעיר משו״ע אדה״ז שלד, יב-יג. סדר ברה״נ יג, ד. שו״ת אחיעזר ג, לב. לקו״ש לו ע׳ 237. וראה הנסמן בגנזי הקודש פיינהנדלר ז, יב. קדש לה׳ רייך ח, ו. שם בנספח ג. מכתב אאמו״ר שם ע׳ שסט ואילך. …Show more
כ"ד מנ"א תשע"א: הסכמה לספר וכל מצותיך אמת (לר' שאול סילם). לחץ לקרוא. - אי עדיף למי שאין לו נעגל וואסער ללכת פחות פחות מד"א או במרוצה - האם עיקר הטומאה עוברת בנטל ידיו פ"א ולא בסירוגין - בנוגע… כ"ד מנ"א תשע"א: הסכמה לספר וכל מצותיך אמת (לר' שאול סילם). לחץ לקרוא. - אי עדיף למי שאין לו נעגל וואסער ללכת פחות פחות מד"א או במרוצה - האם עיקר הטומאה עוברת בנטל ידיו פ"א ולא בסירוגין - בנוגע להירהור במציאות הקב"ה בביה"כ - שיעור שיתין נשמין - נט"י ג"פ להיוצא מביה"כ חמשה עשר באב תשע"א: הסכמה לספרים שמירת התפילה - ושמירת מצוות היום (לר' שמעון גדסי). לחץ לקרוא. כ"ח מנ"א תשע"ב: הסכמה לספר שמירת הטהרה (לר' שמעון גדסי). לחץ לקרוא. כ"ו שבט תשע"ג: הסכמה לספר בירורי מנהגים (לר' שבתי יונה פרידמן). לחץ לקרוא. א.…Show more
אין להשתמש בכספי מעשר עבור מעמד. טעמים ומקורות: אג״ק מוהריי״צ י ע׳ שכד. (ולהעיר מאג״ק יד ע׳ תיח. שם ע׳ תמח. אבל שם הוא בנוגע לקופת רבינו. ושם, שאין לתת מגרעות בתרומות שע״ע. ובנוגע למי שאין ביכולתו -… אין להשתמש בכספי מעשר עבור מעמד. טעמים ומקורות: אג״ק מוהריי״צ י ע׳ שכד. (ולהעיר מאג״ק יד ע׳ תיח. שם ע׳ תמח. אבל שם הוא בנוגע לקופת רבינו. ושם, שאין לתת מגרעות בתרומות שע״ע. ובנוגע למי שאין ביכולתו - אפשר לתת באופן שנכלל במעשר שע״ע). וילה״ע מתדפיס מספר תולדות בערל בוימגארטען ע׳ 59. וראה הנסמן בכיו״ב כאן, בנוגע לקרן השנה וכדומה. https://asktherav.com/if-one-may-not-use-maaser-for-a-mitzvah-which-one-must-do-regardless-how-would-that-rule-apply-to-a-minhag-of-giving-to-a-certain-cause-in-certain-times-may-one-use-maaser-to-give-tzedakah-for-inst/#.XIq9pKaceLc.link וע״ד ההלכה לכאו׳ יש לדון מדין תבא מארה כבאביו ואמו וכו׳. אבל, לכמה דעות במע״כ ל״ש ד״ז, ורק בצדקה, ראה הנסמן אצלנו כאן: https://asktherav.com/can-a-working-girl-give-her-maaser-money-to-her-parents-to-help-them-cover-the-cost-for-the-bar-mitzva-of-their-son-and-chasuna-of-their-daughter-and-to-pay-for-seminary-and-yeshiva-for-their-childre/ ועוד, שבנוגע לרב העיר - ובמרדכי ב״ב רמז תרנח כתב חכם המתעסק בצ״צ…Show more
I'm asking because I'm working on a children's project, and I'm wondering if it's appropriate to mention to the children that this project was sponsored lizchus/leiloy nishmas... Should children be exposed to this concept? I'm asking min hadin… I'm asking because I'm working on a children's project, and I'm wondering if it's appropriate to mention to the children that this project was sponsored lizchus/leiloy nishmas... Should children be exposed to this concept? I'm asking min hadin and also darkei hachasidim. Answer: We are allowed to test Hashem with Tzedakah as opposed to other Mitzvos because Hashem guaranteed that we become rich from giving Maaser, as the Gemarah says עשר בשביל שתתעשר. Accordingly, it is only permitted to test Hashem to see if we will receive money in return, whereas testing Him for someone’s recovery…Show more
Although obviously I can not answer why the Rebbe does something, we can try to explain the minhag of those who are particular about this matter, to the best of our understanding. From the pictures it looks like the… Although obviously I can not answer why the Rebbe does something, we can try to explain the minhag of those who are particular about this matter, to the best of our understanding. From the pictures it looks like the knots are (partially) cut, not untied. The Alter Rebbe writes that one should cut off any long strings along the edges, because they might be counted in the Shiur of the Beged, causing the Tzitzis strings to be too far from the corner. Some argue that the extra strings might be considered like "corners". FYI, in the later years the…Show more
המשך השאלה: לענ״ד לא נראה בכלל כאות נ. ואפילו אם כן, בבעיה כזו זה שאלת תינוק. ואיני חושב שתינוק יקרא לזה נ׳. תשובה: ע"פ התמונה נראה בסדר גמור. עכ"פ שאלת תינוק מועיל. ראה: אלפא ביתא השלישית באות נ.…המשך השאלה: לענ״ד לא נראה בכלל כאות נ. ואפילו אם כן, בבעיה כזו זה שאלת תינוק. ואיני חושב שתינוק יקרא לזה נ׳. תשובה: ע"פ התמונה נראה בסדר גמור. עכ"פ שאלת תינוק מועיל. ראה: אלפא ביתא השלישית באות נ. המק"מ על אות ב' ס"ק י' ועל אות נ' ס"ק ד. ועוד. #6580Show more
I was trying to look up a source and came across this. In the name of the Ba'al Shem Tov, "don't present a knife as a gift" (Sichot Haran no. 9. First printed in 1798-99. Maaglei Tzedek pg. 3a.… I was trying to look up a source and came across this. In the name of the Ba'al Shem Tov, "don't present a knife as a gift" (Sichot Haran no. 9. First printed in 1798-99. Maaglei Tzedek pg. 3a. This tradition is also found in Baal Shem Tov al Hatorah, Parshas Re’ah in the Mekor Mayim Chaim, no. 6.). Answer: Although this tradition exists in some circles, in many places they were not particular about this. There are authentic reliable sources that indicate that great tzadikim would distribute knives as a gift. Thus, if this is your family…Show more
The garment (Beged): Should be 1 Amah (48cm) in length, and 1 Amah in width on both sides (i.e. total length two amos, one Amah front length and one Amah in back) excluding the hole. The Tzitzis strings:… The garment (Beged): Should be 1 Amah (48cm) in length, and 1 Amah in width on both sides (i.e. total length two amos, one Amah front length and one Amah in back) excluding the hole. The Tzitzis strings: Regarding the length of the Tzitzis strings, a distinction must be made between L’chatchila (when the strings are originally being tied onto the Beged) and B’dieved (if they rip or untangle afterwards). L’chatchila: Every string must be at least 12 Gudlin = 9.4 inches. Practically speaking, the area of the knots will be 4 Gudlin = 3.2 inches, and…Show more
If there is a need to measure baby formula on Shabbos, one may do so. However it is proper that one should not be absolutely particular on the exact measurements. No electronic weights may be used. Of course if… If there is a need to measure baby formula on Shabbos, one may do so. However it is proper that one should not be absolutely particular on the exact measurements. No electronic weights may be used. Of course if this can be done before Shabbos without compromising on the health of the baby, then the measurements should take place before the commencement of Shabbos. Sources: ראה שו"ע או"ח סי' שו סעיף ז. אדה״ז שם…Show more
An oven may be Kashered by turning on the self-clean for a full cycle. When Kashering from Milchig to Fleishig one may Kasher even by leaving the oven on for a full hour on the highest setting. The custom… An oven may be Kashered by turning on the self-clean for a full cycle. When Kashering from Milchig to Fleishig one may Kasher even by leaving the oven on for a full hour on the highest setting. The custom among Ashkenazim is to avoid Kashering from Milchig to Fleishig or vice versa. This applies to Kashering done via boiling water (hag'ala), and according to some, even to kashering via direct heat (libun). This custom doesn’t apply when kashering an oven from Milchig to Fleishig via self-clean. For more on the above-mentioned custom please see…Show more
Yes you may. Sources: .ע"פ שו"ע אדה"ז סי' שכא סט"ז. סי' שכו ס"ט…
Question: What is the reason behind not sleeping together even when the wife is tahor? and should one be meikel if it means a lot to his wife? Answer: This is not a halacha, but is based… Question: What is the reason behind not sleeping together even when the wife is tahor? and should one be meikel if it means a lot to his wife? Answer: This is not a halacha, but is based on many holy sources. The Arizal stated that even when performing the mitzvah one should not stay in the one bed for the entire night. It is told that the Alter Rebbe said that he credits himself with a few things, one of them ביטל מטות רחבות (that there should be separate beds even during טהרה days). There are several…Show more
For coffee in general, see halacha2go.com #66: Does a coffee shop need a Hechsher? See also attachment p. 53, for an excellent review of the issues in Hebrew. As for Starbucks, due to constant changes in how Starbucks operates,… For coffee in general, see halacha2go.com #66: Does a coffee shop need a Hechsher? See also attachment p. 53, for an excellent review of the issues in Hebrew. As for Starbucks, due to constant changes in how Starbucks operates, including but not limited to their recent announcement about dropping their kosher program, it is impossible to recommend any drink unless there is certainty that the dishes used weren’t cross-contaminated during washing with other non-kosher or chalav akum ingredients, something which is very difficult to ascertain. See the CRC updated position on this matter here. Additionally, note that many Poskim…Show more
Question: Sunday - Erev Rosh Chodesh is still within the first year, and we were told not to visit before 12 months' end. Monday - Rosh Chodesh, one doesn't visit the beis hachaim at all. The family would rather… Question: Sunday - Erev Rosh Chodesh is still within the first year, and we were told not to visit before 12 months' end. Monday - Rosh Chodesh, one doesn't visit the beis hachaim at all. The family would rather not wait until Tuesday, which is after the yartzeit. What do you recommend? Answer: The best would be to go Tuesday, but if that's not possible one may go Monday or Sunday. The choice to go on Sunday is preferred. However, on Monday, Rosh Chodesh, one should ensure there is no hespiedim or anything to be meoireir tzaar.…Show more
Electric burners with a glass stovetop are different than gas burners in that the glass will also need to be Kashered. Due to the extremely technical and halachic difficulties, glass should not be Kashered. Option 1: To cover the… Electric burners with a glass stovetop are different than gas burners in that the glass will also need to be Kashered. Due to the extremely technical and halachic difficulties, glass should not be Kashered. Option 1: To cover the burner with something (like a blech) when cooking milchig. However, this may damage the glass. Option 2: In the event that you have no other way to cook milchig, one may be lenient and Kasher the stovetop. This should be done by cleaning the area well, waiting 24 hours, turning on the burner to the highest setting for a few…Show more
Is a heter needed from a Rov for a scheduled C-section? If medically mandated, there is no need for a heter. Can a husband be in the room by the wife's head? A husband should not be… Is a heter needed from a Rov for a scheduled C-section? If medically mandated, there is no need for a heter. Can a husband be in the room by the wife's head? A husband should not be present in the room at the time of delivery/birth due to his wife becoming Nidda. This applies to a C-section as well, for all laws of Niddah apply then as well. See here: https://asktherav.com/9501-can-the-husband-be-in-the-delivery-room-especially-if-there-is-no-doula-present/ What is the husband supposed to do in this situation regarding Tehillim or anything else? See here: מקורות: הנה בשו"ע יו"ד סי' קצד סי"ד נפסק שיוצא דופן…Show more
Ideally, you should remove one Mezuzah for rechecking. Even better would be to replace with a better Mezuzah, and make a Bracha when putting it up. Sources: שאינו מברך - כ״מ בש״ך יו״ד רפו, כה. וכן…
Yes, as pretzels are subject to the laws of Pas Yisroel. See here. Sources: חידושי חת"ס יו"ד קיב, יב. דרכי תשובה קיב, מט.…
One should make a fire and burn all the leftover oil and wicks used for the Menorah. (This does not include the oil that is still in the bottle) It is questionable whether Chanukah wicks and oil may be… One should make a fire and burn all the leftover oil and wicks used for the Menorah. (This does not include the oil that is still in the bottle) It is questionable whether Chanukah wicks and oil may be thrown away in a respectful manner, e.g. by putting them in their own bag and putting that bag in the garbage. However, one can destroy them in any other respectful manner. Shabbos candles may be disposed of directly into the garbage. See also: https://asktherav.com/18187-can-i-put-leftover-chanukah-wicks-and-oil-in-the-garbage/ Sources: ראה שו״ע ונו״כ סתרע״ז, ד, ובפר״ח שם. וראה משמ״ש…Show more
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