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Question: Are you not supposed to eat before a Bris and Pidyon Haben, like we don't eat before doing any mitzvah like Tekios or Megilah? Answer: Some write that the father may not eat before the Bris, just… Question: Are you not supposed to eat before a Bris and Pidyon Haben, like we don't eat before doing any mitzvah like Tekios or Megilah? Answer: Some write that the father may not eat before the Bris, just like one may not eat before any Mitzva that has a time limit, like Mincha, Maariv, and Bedikas Chometz. However, there is reason to be lenient when the father appointed the Mohel to fulfill the Mitzvah for him. Regardless, he may snack on non-mezonos foods and eat mezonos food up to a Kebeitza. There is still a reason not to…Show more
Question: Is it ok for a yeshiva to split up the aliyos between different balei kriya in order to allow different bochrim to have a chance (and who may not actually lein a whole Parsha) even though there… Question: Is it ok for a yeshiva to split up the aliyos between different balei kriya in order to allow different bochrim to have a chance (and who may not actually lein a whole Parsha) even though there may be some bochurim who can just lein the whole Parsha at once? Answer: It is okay to do so, although there is room for one who wishes to be mehader where possible to have one Baal korei, provided there are no other overriding factors. Sources: בשע״א ג, ו שלכתחילה אין לקרוא קורא אחר קורא. והובא גם…Show more
Yes. Sources: ראה רמ״א יו״ד קכ, ז בריחים של פלפלים מעץ…
The part that touches the food is rubber, but the rest is steel. Answer: Yes, without a bracha. Sources: כשהידית ממין החייב בטבילה וגוף הכלי ממין הפטור -…
Question: L'chvod HaRov Shlit"A I am the rabbi of a shul and in my capacity I am asked to perform several chassunahs and levayas throughout the year. Following the chassunah or levaya, I am almost always given a… Question: L'chvod HaRov Shlit"A I am the rabbi of a shul and in my capacity I am asked to perform several chassunahs and levayas throughout the year. Following the chassunah or levaya, I am almost always given a monetary gift as a token of gratitude. I am very uncomfortable accepting the money. I want my participation to be fully l'shmah and I don't ever want to have an ulterior motive when performing a chassunah or levaya. I feel that as opposed to giving me money after a chassunah, the family should give the money to the chosson and…Show more
לא. מקורות: באוצה"ג כתובות תשובות, נג: הכי אמר רב שר שלום…
Question: I have the habit of putting raw cholent in the crock pot 5-10 minutes before licht bentching and then run to mikveh and daven mincha. If this a problem since 23-28 minutes later when shkia arrives... the… Question: I have the habit of putting raw cholent in the crock pot 5-10 minutes before licht bentching and then run to mikveh and daven mincha. If this a problem since 23-28 minutes later when shkia arrives... the food is cooked somewhat but probably less than 1/3.. (michal ben drosai)? Or to rephrase my question: 0% cooked Erev Shabbos is mutar to cook 33% cooked Erev Shabbos is mutar to cook At what percent do we say ossur? 1% 5% 15%... etc.? The cholent definitely cooks somewhat in those 23-28 min. Answer: This is…Show more
Question: I work for a moisad helping them get reimbursements/payments from the government for help they provide for eligible children. I made a mistake and did not submit the claim for the full amount. Now it is too late… Question: I work for a moisad helping them get reimbursements/payments from the government for help they provide for eligible children. I made a mistake and did not submit the claim for the full amount. Now it is too late to ask for that money. Am I responsible to inform the moisad about the mistake and pay for the missing money they could have gotten if not for my mistake? Answer: There is a Machlokes whether you are responsible or not, therefore there is no way we can tell you that you have to pay. Either way, you would…Show more
What if I get something for free, like an Esrog or oil for Chanukah, can I not use it? Am I not allowed to listen to a Shiur unless I pay for it? Answer: Yes there is such… What if I get something for free, like an Esrog or oil for Chanukah, can I not use it? Am I not allowed to listen to a Shiur unless I pay for it? Answer: Yes there is such a thing. You should pay the full amount you’re asked for a mitzvah. If you get a mitzvah article for free as a gift you should make an effort to give some money to Tzedakah. This only applies to Mitzvos and not to Torah, unless it is Torah learning about relevant halacha. Sources: מצו״ב נקודות ור״פ משיעור שנמסר בענין זה לאחרונה ביום…Show more
Question: A common endeavor of many melamdim and morahs is to immerse their students in a Yiddish-speaking environment, so that, despite not being raised in a Yiddish-speaking home, they will pick up the language in school. My question pertains… Question: A common endeavor of many melamdim and morahs is to immerse their students in a Yiddish-speaking environment, so that, despite not being raised in a Yiddish-speaking home, they will pick up the language in school. My question pertains to Talmud Torah: Many non-yiddish speaking students are completely lost when the subjects are taught in yiddish. Sure, they may parrot back the passuk or chumash, but a simple havana question quickly reveals that there is little to no understanding nor knowledge of the actual content. What is Da'as Torah in this matter? Are we allowed to…Show more
Yes. Sources: וגם את״ל שבברכת הנר דמוצ״ש לא יברכו ואכ״מ -וראה…
Question: I bought potatoes in a store and made kugel out of it, only after making this kugel I realized that the store was selling in the same section both potatoes from Israel and potatoes from Italy. I wasn't… Question: I bought potatoes in a store and made kugel out of it, only after making this kugel I realized that the store was selling in the same section both potatoes from Israel and potatoes from Italy. I wasn't careful to choose especially the one from Italy, now I'm not sure whether this kugel is made out of Israeli potatoes or not, what do I do with the kugel, may I eat it because it's a safek or do I need to let it rot and then throw it out? Answer: If the majority of the potatoes in…Show more
A Hetter Iska should be arranged. Reasons in brief: 1. There is room for leniency only when the Ribbis is not D’Orayso. 2. Even then, this leniency applies only when there is no other readily available option, and the… A Hetter Iska should be arranged. Reasons in brief: 1. There is room for leniency only when the Ribbis is not D’Orayso. 2. Even then, this leniency applies only when there is no other readily available option, and the Mitzvah would otherwise not happen. However, in this case, it seems that a Hetter Iska can be arranged. 3. Even in cases where there is room for leniency, it is not unanimous whether the leniency applies from the perspective of the lender as well. Sources: בשו"ע יו"ד סי' ק"ס סעיף י"ח פסק המחבר דכל…Show more
Question: I have a few similar doorways: By the right doorpost, after like 3.5 feet high (more than 10 tefachim) the doorway widens about 9 inches (less than 3 tefachim) and then continues at that width upward… Question: I have a few similar doorways: By the right doorpost, after like 3.5 feet high (more than 10 tefachim) the doorway widens about 9 inches (less than 3 tefachim) and then continues at that width upward till the lintel, meaning that the doorway splits into two levels - a lower door post 3.5 feet tall, and on top of that a upper door post where the doorway widens. After 3.5 feet high (more than 10 tefachim) the doorway widens like 12 inches (more than 3 tefachim). After like 3 feet (more than 10 tefachim…Show more
Question: I know ma'aser isn't supposed to be used for mandatory mitzvos, of which pru u'rvu is one. Is there leniency for ma'aser to be put towards fertility treatments? (in this case, the couple has no children). … Question: I know ma'aser isn't supposed to be used for mandatory mitzvos, of which pru u'rvu is one. Is there leniency for ma'aser to be put towards fertility treatments? (in this case, the couple has no children). Answer: Yes, one may use Maaser money to pay for fertility treatment for other people. When funding their own treatment, they may make an arrangement with another couple, where each pays for the other’s treatment. Where this not feasible, Maaser money may be used for their own treatment if it can not be funded in any other way. This is…Show more
שאלה: כמה נרות חנוכה ידליק גוסס בלילה הראשון של חנוכה, הרי אין לו אפשרות לקיים את ה'מעלין בקודש'? האם כדאי לו לנהוג כבית שמאי? ככה מצאתי: בחידושי הריטב"א החדשות (שבת כא, ב) כתב: "ואפילו למ"ד שהעושה כדברי ב"ש לא… שאלה: כמה נרות חנוכה ידליק גוסס בלילה הראשון של חנוכה, הרי אין לו אפשרות לקיים את ה'מעלין בקודש'? האם כדאי לו לנהוג כבית שמאי? ככה מצאתי: בחידושי הריטב"א החדשות (שבת כא, ב) כתב: "ואפילו למ"ד שהעושה כדברי ב"ש לא עשה כלום או חייב מיתה כדאיתא בפ"ק דברכות (יא, א), שאני הכא שאין מחלוקתם אלא להידור מצוה בעלמא". ובביאור הלכה (סי' תרעא ד"ה וי"א) כתב ג"כ סברא זו: "עיין בביאור הגר"א שכתב דגם דעת הרי"ף כן הוא מדהביא המימרא דרבה בב"ח אמר ר"י וכו'. ולולי דברי קדשו היה אפשר לומר עוד דדעת הרי"ף דזה לא נכנס בכלל מה דקי"ל בעלמא…Show more
Question: The company that I work for - owned by a religious Lubavitcher - manufactured products in China. We make glass bottles which are made specifically for us - as our brand is branded on the bottle itself. There… Question: The company that I work for - owned by a religious Lubavitcher - manufactured products in China. We make glass bottles which are made specifically for us - as our brand is branded on the bottle itself. There is no actual supervision. Must these bottles be toiveled? Answer: Generally, when the raw materials belong to Jews, but the work is done by non Jews, the vessels require tevila without a bracha. If the workers are paid by the hour, or if they’re made through machines, they don’t require tevila at all. However, if one is…Show more
It is permitted to learn before Shacharis (provided one already said Birchas Hatorah if it’s already after Alos - see here), under either of the following conditions: One regularly goes to shule to daven with the minyan at a… It is permitted to learn before Shacharis (provided one already said Birchas Hatorah if it’s already after Alos - see here), under either of the following conditions: One regularly goes to shule to daven with the minyan at a set time. One is teaching other people. If a minyan will gather in a place where he’s learning. If he asks someone else who’s not learning to remind him to daven. If you started before the break of dawn. Regardless, one should not engage in learning Iyun/Pilpula - subjects which involve intense analysis or investigation etc. - immediately before davening,…Show more
We repeat the words אני ה׳ אלקיכם and conclude with אמת. Sources: אג"ק חט"ז ע' רצד, שכמדומה אנ"ש נוהגים כן ע"פ…
Question: If someone tells you a secret (suppose they’re getting engaged or they’re pregnant…) and asks you not to share with anyone. Is it still ok to tell your spouse? Answer: No, unless you received express permission. Sources: מקרא מלא מיכה ז, ה: אף משוכבת חיקך שמור…
It’s similar to any combo lock where you line up the numbers, but these locks are letters. If permitted, can they be set to spell words or would it have to be 4 random letters? Answer: Yes, even… It’s similar to any combo lock where you line up the numbers, but these locks are letters. If permitted, can they be set to spell words or would it have to be 4 random letters? Answer: Yes, even words. Sources: שו"ע אדה"ז שמ סעיף ד מחוסר רק קריבה, שש"כ…Show more
Question: Is the definition of listening to kriah following along in the words or actually paying attention to their meaning? Answer: Strictly speaking one need only follow along the words, though there is a preference to try to… Question: Is the definition of listening to kriah following along in the words or actually paying attention to their meaning? Answer: Strictly speaking one need only follow along the words, though there is a preference to try to understand too. Sources: פשוט שבתושב״כ יוצא גם באינו מבין. ומה״ט ע״ה מברך…Show more
כשמוליכים הספר תורה מארון הקודש לבימה הולכים בצד ימין אף שהיא דרך ארוכה, וכשחוזרים חוזרים בשמאל, בצד השני. וי״א לילך בדרך הקצרה יותר, וכשחוזרים - בדרך השניה, שבמילא ארוכה יותר. וכמדומה שכן מעשה רב במנחת שבת. לכל הדעות אין… כשמוליכים הספר תורה מארון הקודש לבימה הולכים בצד ימין אף שהיא דרך ארוכה, וכשחוזרים חוזרים בשמאל, בצד השני. וי״א לילך בדרך הקצרה יותר, וכשחוזרים - בדרך השניה, שבמילא ארוכה יותר. וכמדומה שכן מעשה רב במנחת שבת. לכל הדעות אין ליקח ספר תורה מחוץ למסלול הרגיל בכדי שיוכלו לנשק. והוא בזיון ס״ת. מקורות: ראה במג״א קמא, ז. פמ״ג שם. שע״א י, ד.…Show more
Question: When tucking the retzuos of teffilin into the gartel (to keep them off the floor), does it matter if they are tucked straight or looped. In the looped instance, are they considered "shortened" the way the beged of… Question: When tucking the retzuos of teffilin into the gartel (to keep them off the floor), does it matter if they are tucked straight or looped. In the looped instance, are they considered "shortened" the way the beged of a tallis/tallis koton might be when the material is folded? My understanding is that the right one needs to be longer. Answer: Some people are particular not to put it in the gartel. In Chabad the custom is to have longer retzuos and they are not placed in the gartel, as long as they don’t…Show more
Question: Would it be considered pronouncing Hashem's name (Yud-Kay) when pronouncing a yud with the vowel patach or Kamatz being that they have the same pronunciation? Can I read those letters from the siddur and also instruct students when… Question: Would it be considered pronouncing Hashem's name (Yud-Kay) when pronouncing a yud with the vowel patach or Kamatz being that they have the same pronunciation? Can I read those letters from the siddur and also instruct students when teaching them how to pronounce yud with the nikud patach or Kamats even though it will sound like Hashem's name is being said? Answer: It may be pronounced regularly. Sources: ראה כעי״ז בא״א מבוטשאטש או״ח פה, ב לגבי תיבת…Show more
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