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Question: Is it permissible to make tea and coffee in a Keli Shlishi using instant coffee or tea bags, or is this considered coloring the water? Answer: Almost all Poskim maintain that there is no issue with coloring… Question: Is it permissible to make tea and coffee in a Keli Shlishi using instant coffee or tea bags, or is this considered coloring the water? Answer: Almost all Poskim maintain that there is no issue with coloring food whether solid or liquid. There are those who are stringent L’chatchilla, but their position hasn’t been accepted as Halacha. In fact, the Rebbe has on occasion mixed wine into Mashke bottles in public at Shabbos Farbrengens. Some suggest that when possible to put in the coffee first and then the water to avoid the coloring issue, but there…Show more
The Mitzvah D'oiraisa applies to having two children, one boy and one girl. The primary Passuk is in Parashas Noach 9:7. It is also mentioned elsewhere in the Torah, Noach 9:1. Bereishis 1: 22. 1:28. For an analysis of… The Mitzvah D'oiraisa applies to having two children, one boy and one girl. The primary Passuk is in Parashas Noach 9:7. It is also mentioned elsewhere in the Torah, Noach 9:1. Bereishis 1: 22. 1:28. For an analysis of the multiple sources, see Sefer Hasichos 5751 I pp.75-88. See also Likkutei Sichos 30 p. 28 fns. 41-45. The Mitzvah D'rabonon involves having children so long one has the ability, even after fulfilling the Mitzvah D'oiraisa. This in sourced in Koheles 11:6. This Mitzvah is considered more than a regular D'rabanan; it is categorized often as Midivrei Kabala, meaning stemming…Show more
Question: I am making Shir Lamaalos cards. In order that people not be Nichshal by bringing them into a bathroom with one covering, I would like to add a tiny film (a Ma'shehu) that makes it shinier. Would… Question: I am making Shir Lamaalos cards. In order that people not be Nichshal by bringing them into a bathroom with one covering, I would like to add a tiny film (a Ma'shehu) that makes it shinier. Would this tiny plastic film covering for the purposes of shininess help so that when people place it in their pocket, they have a situation of Kis B'toch Kis? Answer: The definition of Keli B'toch Keli is that at least one Keli isn’t designed specifically for this holy item. There is a disagreement how to interpret the concept of…Show more
Question: My son was born on Chof Adar and his Bar Mitzvah is this year. I assume that we make the Bar Mitzvah Seudah in Adar Sheini. My question is, is there a preference if the Seuda "celebration" is… Question: My son was born on Chof Adar and his Bar Mitzvah is this year. I assume that we make the Bar Mitzvah Seudah in Adar Sheini. My question is, is there a preference if the Seuda "celebration" is Or L'chof or Chof by evening? Answer: The child becomes fully Bar Mitzvah in Adar Sheni. However, L'chumra, he is considered Bar Mitzvah already in Adar Rishon. He should put on Tefillin two months before Chof Adar Sheini. As a general rule, Chabad custom is to have L'chaim with cake in the morning after Shacharis, but the Seudah is…Show more
Whenever the flour/bread component is only a minute amount of the recipe, then it is not considered pas akum. (It goes without saying that you must make sure there is no isur of bishul akum involved). This only… Whenever the flour/bread component is only a minute amount of the recipe, then it is not considered pas akum. (It goes without saying that you must make sure there is no isur of bishul akum involved). This only applies if the bread is for the first time baked together in the recipe. However, if the bread crumbs are first baked separately—as is almost always the case with bread crumbs—and only afterwards mixed in then there is an issue of pas akum. Nonetheless, even if the bread crumbs were first baked themselves, if it is afterwards mixed into…Show more
It is permitted. Of course, one must be certain that the letter is indeed suitable to be read on such a holy day, which is like Yom Kippur. #1768
(המוכר מקראון הייטס אומר שלכאורה אין שעטנז כי הוא מוכר אותם הרבה שנים ואף אחד לא פנה אליו בנידון). על התווית רשום: Wool 50% Polyester 30% Acrylic 15% Other fibers 5% :מענה ע״פ דין צריך רק לבדוק כלי… (המוכר מקראון הייטס אומר שלכאורה אין שעטנז כי הוא מוכר אותם הרבה שנים ואף אחד לא פנה אליו בנידון). על התווית רשום: Wool 50% Polyester 30% Acrylic 15% Other fibers 5% :מענה ע״פ דין צריך רק לבדוק כלי צמר שנקנו מנכרים - שו״ע יו״ד שב, ב, שישראל אינו נחשד למכור שעטנז. אבל אחרוני זמנינו העלו שבזמנינו, שנתחדשו תחבולות באופן עשיית החוטים, שקשה גם לסוחר יהודי להבחין, חייב לבדוק אפילו אם נעשו ע״י ישראל. ולמעשה, כתבו רבני זמנינו בשנים הכי אחרונות, שלא לסמוך על הסוחר, אפילו שומר תומ״צ, אא״כ נבדק ע״י מומחה, שלאחרונה שנמצאו כו״כ פעמים בבגדים רבים שהובטחו…Show more
According to Halacha, it is perfectly fine (though not the custom of many Lubavitcher Sofrim). Indeed, this is how most Arizal R"T Parshiyos are written (by Yidden in general/Chassidishe). Therefore, you are not obligated to not to inform the customer,…According to Halacha, it is perfectly fine (though not the custom of many Lubavitcher Sofrim). Indeed, this is how most Arizal R"T Parshiyos are written (by Yidden in general/Chassidishe). Therefore, you are not obligated to not to inform the customer, even if he explicitly said he wants very Mehudar Tefillin. However, if he explicitly told you that he wants all the Minhagei Anash, or something of that nature, you should give him a full report. P.S. Other issues to consider from a practical, but not Halachic, point of view: Sometimes, in the long run, it’s worthwhile to mention to the…Show more
There is no prohibition to buy a chess set with a cross. However, there are those who are careful to take down the cross, as many (Yirei Shomayim) do. Sources: נחלקו הפוסקים בשתי וערב אם דינה כעבודה זרה ובפרט…
The stove top does not need to be Toiveled. If it is brand new, it does not need to be Kashered either. Sources: לענין טבילה, ראה שו"ע סי' ק"כ סע' ד'. ומה…
Uber: Almost all of the Halachos of driving a regular car apply to a taxi or Uber, i.e. one may travel when it is lit up and during the time when there are people in the street (on those… Uber: Almost all of the Halachos of driving a regular car apply to a taxi or Uber, i.e. one may travel when it is lit up and during the time when there are people in the street (on those streets), and the windows are not tinted in a way that someone can't see into the car.(ראה שערים מצויינים בהלכה סי' קנב ס"ק ג) However, there are those that are Machmir and hold that wherever possible, one should not travel with a non-Jew or a 'Parutz' even by day (ראה מנחת איש פרק יז ה' ד). With an Uber there…Show more
You may attend the Bar Mitzvah. Sources: לכל לראש, ד״ז הוא ממנהגא - ד״מ יו״ד סוסי׳…
Healthforce Superfoods: Vitamineral Green and Vitamineral Earth are certified by the OU when bearing an OU symbol. The Friendly Fats version was discontinued about four years ago and was not kosher. #1757
There is no problem to sing in front of Goyim. However, one should ensure it is always done in a modest manner. One should certainly not sing with deliberate intention to entertain non-Jewish men. Sources: Shu''t Rivevos Ephraim 5:491. וראה בארוכה גן נעול ט,…
Question: Is it better to refrain from using produce of Eretz Yisroel, or to follow the procedure for separating Terumos and Ma'asros as described by the COR, Toronto's Hashgocho, or is there an alternative process? Answer: In general,… Question: Is it better to refrain from using produce of Eretz Yisroel, or to follow the procedure for separating Terumos and Ma'asros as described by the COR, Toronto's Hashgocho, or is there an alternative process? Answer: In general, one should not eat fruits and vegetables from Eretz Yisrael without a good Hechsher. Vegetables may be eaten after performing the procedure of Terumos and Ma'asros. Fruit, however, may still have a Kashrus problem, due to a concern of Orla. You can follow the instructions from the COR. Here is another informational link. There are some people in Chutz La'aretz…Show more
What about putting on new Retzuos, making the Kesher, and painting it at night? Answers: Yes. Sources: See Pnei Maivin (1:14); Daas Torah 31:2 ד"ה ובדין.…
I'm living in an apartment with some friends who aren't very careful with Kashrus. Some of the Keilim used for food are probably not kosher anymore. There's a few Keilim that I think are still perfectly kosher, but it… I'm living in an apartment with some friends who aren't very careful with Kashrus. Some of the Keilim used for food are probably not kosher anymore. There's a few Keilim that I think are still perfectly kosher, but it could be someone mixed it up at a certain point. I can't afford to buy completely new Keilim, which is obviously the most ideal. Can I use the pots and pans that I'm pretty sure are kosher, if they're kept with stuff that aren't for sure kosher, and are being used by people who aren't careful with Kashrus? Answer:…Show more
Q. Can my kids have dolls? Do we need to deface them? A. Best to be stringent and deface by removing the tip of the nose. Q. Does the same problem apply to a lion or cow figurine… Q. Can my kids have dolls? Do we need to deface them? A. Best to be stringent and deface by removing the tip of the nose. Q. Does the same problem apply to a lion or cow figurine since they are included in the Merkavah? We have some cow and lion figurines that are meant to look realistic and we also have some with softer features to appeal to small children. Do we need to disfigure any of those categories? A. A human figurine made for adults is more severe than a doll, and one must deface it,…Show more
Question: What do I do if switching the clocks changed the Ona, do I keep the time or the Ona? My last period came at 5:30 pm which then was the day, but now it's the night. … Question: What do I do if switching the clocks changed the Ona, do I keep the time or the Ona? My last period came at 5:30 pm which then was the day, but now it's the night. Answer: You don’t keep the time if it moves into a new Ona. If it’s a day Ona, the Bedika must be done before Shkiah. If it’s a night Ona, before sunrise. The time mentioned in this context is not on the clock, using standard time, but rather Halachic time, i.e. which part of the day it is and…Show more
As a health practitioner, one may work on and touch women, as well as work on gentiles including gentile women. One may also receive treatment from a female practitioner, as is the case with any other health treatment. However,… As a health practitioner, one may work on and touch women, as well as work on gentiles including gentile women. One may also receive treatment from a female practitioner, as is the case with any other health treatment. However, one must avoid any issues of Yichud, by either having another man/child in the room with him, leaving the door slightly open, or if it is accepted in the office for other workers to enter the room without prior announcement. However, Poskim question whether male health practitioners may engage in massaging females, as it involves excessive touch and isn't usually…Show more
There are those who permit it, but most Poskim maintain kingklip is Treif for many reasons. This is the position of Harav Elyashiv, Harav Shternbuch, the Eida Charedis, the OU, Harav Vosner etc.. One of the reasons is as it…There are those who permit it, but most Poskim maintain kingklip is Treif for many reasons. This is the position of Harav Elyashiv, Harav Shternbuch, the Eida Charedis, the OU, Harav Vosner etc.. One of the reasons is as it lacks the criteria of Sichsuch - see Tzemach Tzedek YD 61 for a precise definition. It should be noted there is more than one type of this fish. Sources: ראה שו״ת תשובות והנהגות ה, רמו. ובארוכה אפיקי מגינים…Show more
Lice should be checked by someone of the same gender. A male may be used if it is a close relative, such as a sibling, parent-child, grandparent-grandchild. Even when there is no other choice (e.g. to prevent or stop… Lice should be checked by someone of the same gender. A male may be used if it is a close relative, such as a sibling, parent-child, grandparent-grandchild. Even when there is no other choice (e.g. to prevent or stop an outbreak of lice and he is the only qualified person available), there are those who forbid using someone of the opposite gender, but there is room for leniency if absolutely necessary, provided one uses a professional. Important note: All of the above concerns examining, but one should ensure that there is no concern of Yichud either. Sources: ראה ש"ך יו"ד סי' קצ"ה ס"ק כ', ומפלה כינים…Show more
This may not be done. Reasoning: Certainly, if the instructor was Jewish there would be a problem of Lifnei Iver. This is true, even if the woman was dressed Tznius, for when a woman is exercising her movements… This may not be done. Reasoning: Certainly, if the instructor was Jewish there would be a problem of Lifnei Iver. This is true, even if the woman was dressed Tznius, for when a woman is exercising her movements and positions could cause a man to have immodest thoughts. If one is fully dressed Tznius, and the aerobic classes are with a non-Jewish instructor, there is no issue of Hirhur (having immodest thoughts) by a non-Jew (see Rivevos Efraim 5:491). Nonetheless, it is a breach in the conduct of modesty and can lead to other unwanted behavior. Incidentally, a…Show more
If one wishes to attend a dinner or Melaveh Malkah for the benefit of a Mosad (a religious institution), and they would like to pay using Ma’aser money, they must first assess the dollar amount they would ascribe to… If one wishes to attend a dinner or Melaveh Malkah for the benefit of a Mosad (a religious institution), and they would like to pay using Ma’aser money, they must first assess the dollar amount they would ascribe to the pleasure derived from such an event, including the food and the entertainment. (Other factors such as the market value or the Mosad’s actual costs are irrelevant.) That amount must come out of their pocket, and anything beyond that may indeed be taken from Ma’aser money, since it’s purely to support the cause. Sources: הנה בענין מע״כ לשאר מצוות, ראה מה שכתבנו בגליון…Show more
Question: A girl that doesn't know her Jewish name and her parents didn't know it either (they gave one but forgot it). They were planning on giving a new Jewish name until the grandmother said that she remembers that… Question: A girl that doesn't know her Jewish name and her parents didn't know it either (they gave one but forgot it). They were planning on giving a new Jewish name until the grandmother said that she remembers that the name is Malkah. May we choose a new name, or should we use the old name? If the old, do we need to have a new name giving ceremony or just start using it? Answer: While Halachically the original name is a Shem Shenitaka, since it’s a Shem Arisa, it’s the right thing to reinstate that name. There…Show more
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