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  The bar mitzvah boy. If the girl did do it, it is certainly kosher after the fact. Nonetheless, if the dough doesn’t belong to her, some opinions maintain it wouldn’t be kosher after the fact either, as a minor…  The bar mitzvah boy. If the girl did do it, it is certainly kosher after the fact. Nonetheless, if the dough doesn’t belong to her, some opinions maintain it wouldn’t be kosher after the fact either, as a minor cannot become a Shaliach. If however the owner gives her the dough as gift, she is considered the owner and it would certainly be valid. However, she wouldn’t then be able to ask someone else to do it on her behalf according to all opinions.   Sources: שו״ע יו״ד שלא, לג. ומשמע שהוא רק בדיעבד. וכ״כ…Show more

Spending Money to Daven with a Minyan

  Question: I travel almost every week on flights. Once in a while, there are is a long delay and I'm forced to wait in the airport. I'm sometimes in a situation where it is mincha or maariv time and…  Question: I travel almost every week on flights. Once in a while, there are is a long delay and I'm forced to wait in the airport. I'm sometimes in a situation where it is mincha or maariv time and I have a minyan every half hour I can attend near the airport. If I don't go now, there won't be a minyan for this tefila when I land. The minyan is less than 18 minutes away and it costs about $25-$30 each way to take a car service there. Am I obligated to spend the money and daven with…Show more
  מותר לעטוף החלה ברדיד כסף ולהניחו בתנור חם מערב שבת. אבל יש אומרים שאסור להטמין החלה בכמה שכבות של רדיד כסף ולהניחו בתנור חם.   מקורות: ראה שוע"ר סי' רנז שאינו בגדר דבר המוסיף הבל…
  Question: If I washed Shabbos afternoon, then continued farbrenging until chatzos, and stopped and said krias shema shel arvis to ensure I said it before chatzos, may I continue eating without havdalah or is it considered as…  Question: If I washed Shabbos afternoon, then continued farbrenging until chatzos, and stopped and said krias shema shel arvis to ensure I said it before chatzos, may I continue eating without havdalah or is it considered as if I already took in motzei Shabbos through saying krias shema and I should stop eating?   Answer: You may not continue eating. You should not say Retzei in Benching.   Sources: בשוע"ר סי' רצט ס"ה כתב שאם התפלל תוך הסעודה…Show more
  Such a segula is mentioned in Seforim. However, there are many conditions mentioned. Among them, the stone must be it's natural size not cut and tempered with, it should be touching the persons body, worn only when the…  Such a segula is mentioned in Seforim. However, there are many conditions mentioned. Among them, the stone must be it's natural size not cut and tempered with, it should be touching the persons body, worn only when the woman is tohor. It has also been suggested that it’s supposed to be removed before birth. It is questionable whether one should actually use this segulah nowadays.   Sources: רבינו בחיי תצוה כח, טו (והובא בלקו״ת פ׳ ויקרא…Show more
  Question: There is a fine young man in our community in the process of converting. He's so frum and aidel. Wakes up early, studies many hours of Torah per day, davens with Minyan 3 times a day, and…  Question: There is a fine young man in our community in the process of converting. He's so frum and aidel. Wakes up early, studies many hours of Torah per day, davens with Minyan 3 times a day, and keeps many halachic chumras. If I see him in shul on yomtov, may I invite him over for a meal? On one hand... We are forbidden to cook for a non-Jew. On the other hand... If he's not invited to learn about the chagim and experience the meals (in a sukkah), how can he properly convert? Would it make…Show more
  Question: I have a question about the kashrus status of a kitchen (stove, oven, counters etc.) and utensils (pots, plates, cutlery). There is someone subletting my apartment as I am abroad now, and I recently found out that she…  Question: I have a question about the kashrus status of a kitchen (stove, oven, counters etc.) and utensils (pots, plates, cutlery). There is someone subletting my apartment as I am abroad now, and I recently found out that she is in the process of converting, so currently, she isn't Jewish. She has told me that she is Shomer Shabbos and kashrus. She has been using the kitchen as normal, I.e. using our stove/oven, and pots, plates etc. Is this OK? Or do we need to kasher everything in order to be able to use it again?   Answer: The…Show more
  Some sources imply - one Siddur.   See here: https://asktherav.com/8043-reading-veyiten-lecha-together-fromone-siddur/     #21194
  עושה מעשה בראשית without Hashem’s name. If you haven’t seen it within 30 days.   כיון שלא נזכר בגמרא ופוסקים. וראה שער העין אריאל ז, ו ובהערה טו.     #24818
  Question: This seltzer machine (see attached pic) works by filling up a bottle of water, then you put the bottle under the metal stick (blue arrow in picture pointing to it) - which then shoots the bubbles into the…  Question: This seltzer machine (see attached pic) works by filling up a bottle of water, then you put the bottle under the metal stick (blue arrow in picture pointing to it) - which then shoots the bubbles into the water. So the water itself does not go through the machine, the only contact between the water and the machine is that you insert the metal piece into the bottle of water (and it touches the water).     Answer: Best to have a yid take it apart. If impossible there is room to exempt from tevilah.     Sources: מקום להקל לפטור מטבילה בצירוף כמה סברות, חדא דחזי…Show more

A Gut Chodesh from AsktheRav.com!

  The dedicated team of Rabbonim at AskTheRav would like to wish you a Gut Chodesh! "Every Rosh Chodesh the spark of Moshiach, also known as the 'Yechida', which is in every Jew's soul (which is a spark of the  The dedicated team of Rabbonim at AskTheRav would like to wish you a Gut Chodesh! "Every Rosh Chodesh the spark of Moshiach, also known as the 'Yechida', which is in every Jew's soul (which is a spark of the general Yechida - the soul of Moshiach) is revealed. The revelation of this spark resonates and causes a rejuvenation in the entire being of every Jew, so that everything he does in permeated with the level of his Yechida, And, most importantly, through this the revelation and arrival of Moshiach is caused in the most literal sense - a kingShow more
  Question: Hi, I'm in on the second day of Shiva for my brother. I am a eighth grade teacher, and the class will probably not end up with a proper substitute. Is there a heter to start teaching after…  Question: Hi, I'm in on the second day of Shiva for my brother. I am a eighth grade teacher, and the class will probably not end up with a proper substitute. Is there a heter to start teaching after 3 days if there is no one else? I saw something along those lines in the kitzur shulchan aruch...   Answer: The common custom is not to do so, but rather use a substitute.   Sources: פשטות ההלכה ברמ״א יו״ד שפד, א לאיסור באומר הלכה…Show more
  Question: Is one allowed (and therefore required) to make a zimun in a car? And what about on a plane? And what about a boat with an indoor eating area? ואפרש שיחתי: כתב אדה"ז (קסז, טז) דבספינה מצטרפים אפילו…  Question: Is one allowed (and therefore required) to make a zimun in a car? And what about on a plane? And what about a boat with an indoor eating area? ואפרש שיחתי: כתב אדה"ז (קסז, טז) דבספינה מצטרפים אפילו לא היו בשלחן אחת, וע"ד הדין בשדה. משא"כ בבית דבעי שלחן. אח"כ מסתפק אדה"ז ע"פ מג"א בעגלה אי הוי כספינה היות והוא מקום אחד או דלא כספינה הואיל וספינה אינה חשובה מהלכת והעגלה הרי היא מהלכת. ולכן יש לשאול: האם אוטו שלנו נחשב כעגלה דידהו או אולי בגלל שאין סוס ה"ה נחשבת כנחה שהרי אין בה מעצמה כח ההליכה, ואוירון…Show more
  שאלה: אם הציצית נפסקו משזירתן כשיעור הפוסל, ואז, חוזר ושוזרן בעצמו, האם הוי בעי' משום תעשה ולא מן העשוי? והרי רואים שלפעמים מקילין שא"צ שזירה (סימן יב ס"ז), וא"כ אפשר שאין בעי' משום תעשה ולא מן העשוי.   מענה:  שאלה: אם הציצית נפסקו משזירתן כשיעור הפוסל, ואז, חוזר ושוזרן בעצמו, האם הוי בעי' משום תעשה ולא מן העשוי? והרי רואים שלפעמים מקילין שא"צ שזירה (סימן יב ס"ז), וא"כ אפשר שאין בעי' משום תעשה ולא מן העשוי.   מענה: בחוטים שלנו המורכבים משמונה חוטים, אם נשארו שני חוטים שבחוט המורכב מח׳ חוטים, שזורים זה בזה, כשר. (אלא שיש לחתוך המיותר או לכוון שאינו רוצה בו למצוה). וממילא גם אינו בכלל תעשה ולא מן העשוי אם חזר ושזרם. אבל אם לא נשארו שני חוטים שזורים זה בזה, יש להוריד הציצית תחילה, לחזור ולשזור, ואחר כך להטילם שוב לבגד.    מקורות: חוטים השזורים משמונה חוטים וכדומה - פמ״ג יא בא״א…Show more
  If yes, how dry does it need to be? (this past week even after learning for an hour my beard was still wet).   Answer: The common custom is to dry the hair first externally and then there is…  If yes, how dry does it need to be? (this past week even after learning for an hour my beard was still wet).   Answer: The common custom is to dry the hair first externally and then there is no need to wait until your hair is totally dry.   Sources: כבר כתב באהל מועד לר״ש ירונדי שער השבת דרך…Show more
  שאלה: האם יש איסור לישב ולשתות קפה, או לעבוד, או להיפגש עם מישהו בבית קפה (כדוגמת Starbucks) מצד גזירת ועד הארצות שלא לישב בבתי משתאות של גויים? או שאין זה דומה לתקנה דאז.   מענה: מן הדין, לרוב הפוסקים,…  שאלה: האם יש איסור לישב ולשתות קפה, או לעבוד, או להיפגש עם מישהו בבית קפה (כדוגמת Starbucks) מצד גזירת ועד הארצות שלא לישב בבתי משתאות של גויים? או שאין זה דומה לתקנה דאז.   מענה: מן הדין, לרוב הפוסקים, אין איסור משום בישולי עכו"ם (משא"כ חלב עכו"ם) בשתיית קפה בבית מכירתו. אך כתבו הפוסקים ששומר נפשו ירחק מזה והוא עפ"י תקנות גדולי ישראל במשך הדורות, ומקצת דבריהם שייכים גם בזמן הזה, בשותה בדרך קבע.   מקורות: ראה כאן ובקובץ הערות צמח צדק המצורף שם: https://asktherav.com/6470-is-it-permitted-to-drink-plain-coffee-or-tea-with-a-hechsher-at-a-starbucks-and-the-like/…Show more
  Question: In our Hebrew school curriculum, there is an activity to make grape juice from scratch. If I boil the grapes first, and then then kids juice them, is it a problem of yayin nesach? We have non-Jewish…  Question: In our Hebrew school curriculum, there is an activity to make grape juice from scratch. If I boil the grapes first, and then then kids juice them, is it a problem of yayin nesach? We have non-Jewish children in the class.   Answer: There is a dispute about this. According to those who permit, it’s not a problem, even if non Jews boil the grapes. P.S. This answer does not deal with the issue that you have non-Jewish kids in a Jewish school.   Sources: ראה ס׳ הפרדס לרש״י סוף הל׳ יי״נ, רסז: שכר…Show more

בורר בבגדים

  שאלה: האם מותר לכתחילה לסלק לצדדים בגדים המונחים על גבי בגד שרוצה ללבוש עכשיו כדי להגיע לו, או שיש בזה איסור בורר? ומה הדין באותו מקרה כשאינו רק מסלקם לצד, אלא גם נוטלם?   מענה: להזיז בגד בתוך התערובת,…  שאלה: האם מותר לכתחילה לסלק לצדדים בגדים המונחים על גבי בגד שרוצה ללבוש עכשיו כדי להגיע לו, או שיש בזה איסור בורר? ומה הדין באותו מקרה כשאינו רק מסלקם לצד, אלא גם נוטלם?   מענה: להזיז בגד בתוך התערובת, מותר. לסלק לגמרי - יש מתירים. ונכון שלא לסמוך על זה.     מקורות: ראה משנ״ב שיט, ג בבה״ל ד״ה לאכול מיד. ובמשנ״ב…Show more
  Question: Is it our Minhag to say the Passuk v’ani beroiv chasdecha before walking into shul? If so, do we only say it before davening shacharis, or also before mincha and maariv? What if I’m walking into…  Question: Is it our Minhag to say the Passuk v’ani beroiv chasdecha before walking into shul? If so, do we only say it before davening shacharis, or also before mincha and maariv? What if I’m walking into shul to learn and not to daven- should I say it then also?   Answer: It only applies to davening, specifically Shacharis. According to the Zohar, this passuk should be said after donning Tallis and Tefillin at the doorway of the shule, before entering the shule. Nowadays that people often put on their Tallis and Tefillin in shule for various…Show more
  The Rebbe used the left foot first. However, when going forward, one should place the right foot first.   Sources: כשפוסע לאחוריו - לכאורה צ״ל ברגלו הימנית תחילה כבכל…
  Question: We made 8 batches of challah. Our non-frum helper who usually does hafroshas challah asked a non halachik Jew to do it on one of them. Now they are all baked and we don’t know which are…  Question: We made 8 batches of challah. Our non-frum helper who usually does hafroshas challah asked a non halachik Jew to do it on one of them. Now they are all baked and we don’t know which are from that one. Question is what to do now? And is it ok in general to rely on the non-frum Jew to do hafroshas challah not in front of us?   Answer: In general, you should not use a non-frum Yid to take Challa. In this case, you should bake one new challah, put all the Challos together, cover…Show more
  Question: It's common to use rooting hormone when growing new trees from cuttings. Now the question is, since some hormones are made naturally by grinding up arovos (Willow) - is it considered kilayim. If say I dipped a…  Question: It's common to use rooting hormone when growing new trees from cuttings. Now the question is, since some hormones are made naturally by grinding up arovos (Willow) - is it considered kilayim. If say I dipped a cutting (a cut of stick branch, which will become a new tree) into that ground of arovos solution. Is it considered kilayim?   Answer: You should refrain from doing so even if you are planting a non-fruit-bearing tree unless the willows have rotted or decomposed to the point that they cannot grow any longer.   Sources: רמ"א יו"ד סי' רצה ס"ו. תשובת חת"ס שם סוס"י…Show more

Can Viagra be used on Friday night?

  Yes, but preferable to mix with food or drink before Shabbos.   Sources: צדדי ההיתר: משום סכנת אבר (כדעת האחרונים דלאו דוקא…
  You should not give him one, even without commentary, unless there is a concern of Eiva, animosity.   Sources: הנה י״א שבכלל איסור מסירת ד״ת לגוי (חגיגה יג,…

How can I leave a long & boring meal?

  Question: Sometimes I eat at people's homes and they take hours before they bentch and I'm not interested in staying anymore. If I washed, what is the proper thing to do? What do I do if there are exactly…  Question: Sometimes I eat at people's homes and they take hours before they bentch and I'm not interested in staying anymore. If I washed, what is the proper thing to do? What do I do if there are exactly 10 people and I'm in the only one who wants to bentch and the other 9 wish to stay and confine the meal? Do I make a rabosai with Elkeinu? Or without Elkeinu? Or do I not make any rabosai and just bentch? Or am I required to stay? What if there are 11 or more? What…Show more

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