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Specific Questions: 1) Are we allowed to purchase clothing now to be worn after the Omer? 2) If current shoes aren't comfortable, can new ones be purchased and worn in the Omer? 3) If it's more convenient for clothes… Specific Questions: 1) Are we allowed to purchase clothing now to be worn after the Omer? 2) If current shoes aren't comfortable, can new ones be purchased and worn in the Omer? 3) If it's more convenient for clothes to be bought here, is that permitted? 4) Can new clothes be worn on Shabbos? General Answer: There is a Minhag* with sources in early Poskim to not buy clothing during Sefiras Haomer (except for Lag B'omer). However, in a pressing situation (i.e., where one will have a financial loss, or they will be uncomfortable until new clothing is…Show more
Specific Questions: First of all, why is there no mention of the prohibition against dancing until the Magen Avraham (the Shulchan Aruch and Rema don't even mention it). Also, it seems to be taken for granted that since dancing… Specific Questions: First of all, why is there no mention of the prohibition against dancing until the Magen Avraham (the Shulchan Aruch and Rema don't even mention it). Also, it seems to be taken for granted that since dancing is prohibited it follows that music should be as well. What is the basis for this? And finally, if the whole basis is the concern of dancing, why should slow or classical music be prohibited? Answer: See here for a thorough analysis of the matter. Regarding your specific questions, we elaborated on them below in the Hebrew Sources. Sources: לגבי שאלתו הא' - למה לא נזכר בשו"ע: כיון…Show more
The general custom is to avoid taking a haircut on Lag Ba'Omer. If there is a special necessity (for instance, your hair is inappropriately long), you may take a haircut. טעמים ומקורות: כבר העירו שבלוח יומי לילדים (שנערך… The general custom is to avoid taking a haircut on Lag Ba'Omer. If there is a special necessity (for instance, your hair is inappropriately long), you may take a haircut. טעמים ומקורות: כבר העירו שבלוח יומי לילדים (שנערך ע״י הרבי) כתוב שאפשר להסתפר. אבל להעיר שבלוח הנ״ל לילדים לא הובאו בד״כ ענינים השייכים לקבלה או אפילו מנהגי חסידים, וגם בענין זה גופא - הרי הובא שם שכמה פוסקים מתירים בג׳ ימי הגבלה, משא״כ בלוח היום יום כתוב שכ״ק אדמו״ר מוהרש״ב נ״ע לא הי׳ דעתו נוחה מזה. וכמעט ולא מצינו בהיום יום ובמק״א כיו״ב שיובא - וכהוראה למעשה -…Show more
Shouldn’t be worn unless necessary. טעמים ומקורות: בכל מקום שצריך שלא יהא ניכר חידושו, באבילות, בתשעת הימים. ויש אומרים דדי בשעה אחת. ואף ששם מדובר בלבישת בגדים מכובסים, ולכן מהני גם לי״א מה שמניח ע״ג קרקע. משא״כ בבגדים… Shouldn’t be worn unless necessary. טעמים ומקורות: בכל מקום שצריך שלא יהא ניכר חידושו, באבילות, בתשעת הימים. ויש אומרים דדי בשעה אחת. ואף ששם מדובר בלבישת בגדים מכובסים, ולכן מהני גם לי״א מה שמניח ע״ג קרקע. משא״כ בבגדים חדשים - מ״מ מסברא גם בזה צריך שלא יהי׳ ניכר. ועוד שמצינו גם באבילות דיני בגדים חדשים ליתן לאחר ללבוש לכמה ימים. #3818 Show more
Many poskim have choice words to say about men growing a fringe, long hair in the front, or even long hair in the back. A key problem mentioned by many poskim is that of Chatzitzah (separation), that long hair… Many poskim have choice words to say about men growing a fringe, long hair in the front, or even long hair in the back. A key problem mentioned by many poskim is that of Chatzitzah (separation), that long hair can be a Chatzitzah between the Tefilin Shel Rosh (the Tefilin worn on the head), and the head itself, due to the amount of hair. Even in the event where it would not be considered a Chatzitzah, sometimes the extra hair actually does not allow the Tefilin to be worn in the proper way. In addition, it raises the following…Show more
During the Sefirah days we do not listen to music (from instruments, even if recorded). However music which is not intended to make one be happy and/or dance is not forbidden in certain situations (like depression, or heavy fatigue),… During the Sefirah days we do not listen to music (from instruments, even if recorded). However music which is not intended to make one be happy and/or dance is not forbidden in certain situations (like depression, or heavy fatigue), and one may listen to that type of music. However initially one should try their best to avoid even this type of music in all situations. I suggest listening to tapes of Chassidim singing slow Chabad Nigunim. The occasional music which is secondary and background isn’t an issue. Sources: Minchas Yitzchak (1:111) explains that music is forbidden during…Show more
Question: I know the Bimah needs to be in middle of Shul and was told that one row of seats in the back of the Bimah is sufficient. The Bimah we have has 2 chairs connected to structure of… Question: I know the Bimah needs to be in middle of Shul and was told that one row of seats in the back of the Bimah is sufficient. The Bimah we have has 2 chairs connected to structure of Bimah, would that be enough for having "seating" behind the Bimah, or would we have to put more chairs behind the whole structure? Answer: Since the Bimah appears (based on the picture you sent) to be close to the back wall of the Shul on the west side, there should be chairs also staged behind it, so it is…Show more
It is quoted that the Rebbe instructed that while driving from city to city at night one should stop to rest every hour. Sources: ביחידות עם הרב חיים צימענט (מנהל ישיבת אחי תמימים…
If they took the same water and poured it into the Keurig machine while cold is there any problem? The water being poured was always cold. Answer: If there was hot steam coming out of the Cholent when… If they took the same water and poured it into the Keurig machine while cold is there any problem? The water being poured was always cold. Answer: If there was hot steam coming out of the Cholent when the water was poured (and still hot when reaching the bottle) then the bottle is Fleishig and this is a problem for the Keurig machine. If though there was no hot steam coming out of the Cholent, then this poses no problem for the Keurig machine. Regarding the plastic bottle one should consider it Fleishig. See also the following link…Show more
Yes. Sources: ובמכ״ש מבין המצרים כשיפסיד הברכה - ראה שו״ע או״ח…
Q. Is one allowed to ride with an Uber when a cross is dangling from the driver's mirror? A. Yes. Q. Is there a problem to daven and learn Torah while I'm in the taxi? A. There is… Q. Is one allowed to ride with an Uber when a cross is dangling from the driver's mirror? A. Yes. Q. Is there a problem to daven and learn Torah while I'm in the taxi? A. There is no prohibition when it’s very small and unnoticeable. Even if not, if you are not directly facing it, it is permissible. If necessary, you may be lenient to Daven with closed eyes or turning your face away. Sources: א. אין כאן סרך איסור שהרכב אינו של הנוסע…Show more
Answer: On the Seoul (ICN)-JFK segment, the passenger will be flying against the sun, which will cause the passenger to experience evening, morning, afternoon, and the next evening in quick succession. The only reason it is still Sunday evening… Answer: On the Seoul (ICN)-JFK segment, the passenger will be flying against the sun, which will cause the passenger to experience evening, morning, afternoon, and the next evening in quick succession. The only reason it is still Sunday evening when the passenger lands in JFK is because the passenger crossed the International Dateline, which moves the date one day backward. The two Sunday night are regarded as separate, and the passenger will need to count a different Sefirah on each one. In other words, the passenger with count the Sunday night on the plane as the 9th of the…Show more
According to most poskim, one may listen to music during Chol Hamoed Pesach, and this is the common custom. Sources: ראה שו"ע או"ח סי' תצ"ג ובמשב"ז שם ס"ק א'…
Permitted, and should say Nusach of Bein Kodesh Le'kodesh. Sources: ראה שו״ע אדה״ז רצט,יא. ודון מינה ואוקי באתרין. וראה…
Question: If a family is going away for Pesach and selling the whole house but has a non-religious son that will be staying in the house. Forcing him to leave will cause strife. He will probably eat some of… Question: If a family is going away for Pesach and selling the whole house but has a non-religious son that will be staying in the house. Forcing him to leave will cause strife. He will probably eat some of the Chometz. Does this effect the validity of the sale? Answer: They should have done Bedika and removed Chometz instead of selling. Nonetheless, the sale is still valid. #3773Show more
Question: What is the Halachos for men regarding Tznius Like shorts, covering parts etc.? Answer: The clothing of a man should not be provocative or demeaning. Certainly the garments should not be tight in a way that could… Question: What is the Halachos for men regarding Tznius Like shorts, covering parts etc.? Answer: The clothing of a man should not be provocative or demeaning. Certainly the garments should not be tight in a way that could cause friction in the "erva" area. One must also follow the standard custom of the locale. One must wear pants (not shorts) and that they not be very tight, as is the custom among all G-d fearing Jews. The Rebbe was very displeased with seeing a picture of a man wearing shorts in a bungalow in the summer,…Show more
It can be frustrating when our child does not follow the values and ideals that we strongly believe in. This can be compounded when we believe that 'she is an extremely difficult child" in general. As you did not… It can be frustrating when our child does not follow the values and ideals that we strongly believe in. This can be compounded when we believe that 'she is an extremely difficult child" in general. As you did not share much of the background of the situation and the family dynamics, I can only answer more generally. More important than working to change her Tznius is addressing the issue of her being an extreme difficult child. It is worthwhile to address that with a professional as soon as possible as you have many years of life together and the…Show more
Tzedaka in the equivalent of the meals eaten on 41 days should be given. This Tzedaka does not have to be given at once and can be given over time. Sources: ראה שולחן מנחם ח"ג ע' קל ואילך ובהערות שם,…
A hot water urn that is available for public use in a place of business, work or school cafeteria or an airline kitchen may become Treif (non-kosher) when it comes in contact with non-kosher foodstuff. This can create issues… A hot water urn that is available for public use in a place of business, work or school cafeteria or an airline kitchen may become Treif (non-kosher) when it comes in contact with non-kosher foodstuff. This can create issues for kosher consumers who would like a hot coffee or hot instant soup on the go. It is safe to assume—based on standard food-safety protocol and additional halachic rationale—that a public hot water urn is used only for heating water, and, in most cases, is washed separately from other dishes. However, it can still become treif in three basic ways:…Show more
Le’chatchilah (the correct behavior before the fact), a hot milchig (dairy) pot and a hot fleishig (meat) pot should not come into contact with each other. In case they did touch, Be’dieved (after the fact), the Halachah is as… Le’chatchilah (the correct behavior before the fact), a hot milchig (dairy) pot and a hot fleishig (meat) pot should not come into contact with each other. In case they did touch, Be’dieved (after the fact), the Halachah is as follows: If there was liquid on the outside of either one of the pots—on the side that is adjacent to the other pot—both pots become treif (non-kosher) due to the taste being transferred from one to the other via the liquid on the pot (or pots). However, if there was only a minimal amount of moisture, according to many opinions,…Show more
Opening a can on Shabbos involves a host of halachic issues, some of which are subject to serious debate amongst contemporary poskim. The issues include the risk of transgressing Shabbos Isurim (prohibitions), in any one of the following ways:… Opening a can on Shabbos involves a host of halachic issues, some of which are subject to serious debate amongst contemporary poskim. The issues include the risk of transgressing Shabbos Isurim (prohibitions), in any one of the following ways: Fashioning or building a new vessel, Demolishing an existing vessel, The possibility of Mechatech (cutting to size), if opening a can on the perforations, Making a Pesach Yofe (a nice opening), which is a derivative of Makeh Be’Patish (completing the final stage of a vessel). For all these reasons and others, it is a good idea to open cans before…Show more
An issue frequently addressed by poskim is whether disposable utensils require Tevilah. The majority opinion is that since these utensils are not intended to last, and will eventually be disposed of, they do not have to be Toveled, and… An issue frequently addressed by poskim is whether disposable utensils require Tevilah. The majority opinion is that since these utensils are not intended to last, and will eventually be disposed of, they do not have to be Toveled, and that is indeed the accepted custom. A more difficult question is whether a disposable glass soft drink bottle has to be Toveled. Regular glass utensils require Tevilah according to all opinions, and are very durable; however, since we live in a time of plenty, very many things are thrown away shortly after use. How do we avoid the issue of…Show more
Question: Recently I have been feeling Hargashos many times, I do a Bedika, usually it comes out good, however twice it did have blood in it. The other night I woke up in the middle of the night, I… Question: Recently I have been feeling Hargashos many times, I do a Bedika, usually it comes out good, however twice it did have blood in it. The other night I woke up in the middle of the night, I felt something, however, I wasn't able to determine if I felt a flow coming out, or just wetness on the outside. I didn't do a Bedika. The next morning I found a spot of blood on my dark blue sheet. Is this a problem? In general, if I can't determine what kind of feeling I have, do I have to…Show more
Most certainly since videos of the Rebbe constitute Limmud HaTorah and/or inspire people to the observance of Mitzvahs. However, this only applies if: People won’t come otherwise. Amount and/or quality of food is reasonable and proportionate, not over the… Most certainly since videos of the Rebbe constitute Limmud HaTorah and/or inspire people to the observance of Mitzvahs. However, this only applies if: People won’t come otherwise. Amount and/or quality of food is reasonable and proportionate, not over the top. This is for people that would otherwise be wasting their time, or would otherwise be involved in in Divrei Hareshus, not if they would otherwise be involved in learning Torah etc. #3994 Show more
Question Continued: What about Birchos Haftarah? If yes, what about when a person is relying on listening to these Brachos for the account of 100 Brachos required daily? Answer: The custom is to answer Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo… Question Continued: What about Birchos Haftarah? If yes, what about when a person is relying on listening to these Brachos for the account of 100 Brachos required daily? Answer: The custom is to answer Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo in all these cases. Sources: שקו״ט בכ״מ באמירת ב״ה וב״ש בחזרת הש״צ כשיוצא יד״ח…Show more
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