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Article: A Brachah on Rivers The brachah of Oseh ma’aseh bereishis (thanking Hashem for the wonders of creation) should be recited when we see a large river that has been around since sheishes yemei breishis (the beginning of creation).… Article: A Brachah on Rivers The brachah of Oseh ma’aseh bereishis (thanking Hashem for the wonders of creation) should be recited when we see a large river that has been around since sheishes yemei breishis (the beginning of creation). However, if the river has changed course, even if it happened biyedei shamayaim (due to a natural act from Above), we don’t say the brachah. When encountering a river, we needn’t be concerned that its course may have changed over time, but if it’s unknown whether the river dates back to sheishes yemei breishis, no brachah should be…Show more
There is no problem. Sources: מקורות: אפי׳ בבבואה של הקשת נסתפקו, ויש שהחמירו -…
מצד דין לא ילבש מותר כשנעשה לרפואה או כשמציק לו מחמת גירויים וכדומה. גם בימי הספירה יש להתיר במקרה כזה - ראה בארוכה כאן: https://asktherav.com/11116-where-and-when-can-a-man-shave/ #4060
Question Continued: If not - why? Can you tell others about it later on, when it’s not there anymore? Answer: There are different opinions and customs about this. According to those who forbid, it shouldn't be mentioned later… Question Continued: If not - why? Can you tell others about it later on, when it’s not there anymore? Answer: There are different opinions and customs about this. According to those who forbid, it shouldn't be mentioned later too and on the contrary - afterwards there is less reason to mention it. Sources: מקור הענין בחיי"א בשם סג, ד בשם "מצאתי בספר…Show more
Article #500: Staring at a Wicked Person According to halachah, there are a number of things that one is assur l’histakel (forbidden to gaze at): Assur l’histakel bifnei rasha (it’s forbidden to gaze at the face of wicked person)—yet… Article #500: Staring at a Wicked Person According to halachah, there are a number of things that one is assur l’histakel (forbidden to gaze at): Assur l’histakel bifnei rasha (it’s forbidden to gaze at the face of wicked person)—yet many gedolei Yisroel (Jewish sages) met the political leaders of their time, whether kings, czars or ministers who were reshaim, and exchanged greetings; they must surely have been looking at them. Assur l’histakel bifnei keshes (it’s forbidden to gaze at a rainbow)—yet there’s a special brachah that we make upon seeing a rainbow, which necessitates looking at it. One…Show more
Question: We have a non-Jewish neighbor who has a motion light sensor next to his door. If we want to go to shul we must pass it and the light automatically goes on. What should we do? Answer:… Question: We have a non-Jewish neighbor who has a motion light sensor next to his door. If we want to go to shul we must pass it and the light automatically goes on. What should we do? Answer: There are many differing views among the Poskim on this issue. It is best to try to convince the neighbor if he can change the settings of the light for Friday night so it will not be activated when you walk back from shul. Alternatively, you should wait for a non-Jew to walk by and activate the light. If this…Show more
מותר לומר פסוקי תהלים בעל פה. ראה הלכה יומית אות תלד ובמראי מקומות לשם. ואעתיק החלק השייך לכאן: בנוגע לתהלים - כ״כ בשו״ת חו״י סקע״ה. אלא שמ׳ שם שטעמו משום דחזי לאצטרופי שהוא שגור בפי כל, הא לא״ה… מותר לומר פסוקי תהלים בעל פה. ראה הלכה יומית אות תלד ובמראי מקומות לשם. ואעתיק החלק השייך לכאן: בנוגע לתהלים - כ״כ בשו״ת חו״י סקע״ה. אלא שמ׳ שם שטעמו משום דחזי לאצטרופי שהוא שגור בפי כל, הא לא״ה לא. אולם ממה שהעתיקוהו האחרונים (באה״ט ושע״ת ומשנ״ב על אתר. וכ״ה בקצוה״ש סוסי״ד) בפשי׳, ולא העירו שבימינו שאינו שגור ליתא (ראה עד״ז בלחם הפנים לקיצושו״ע סוסי׳ א) - מ׳ דס״ל שבכל גוונא התיר. וראה בשו״ת חת״ס יו״ד סקצ״א שכ׳ להתיר מטעם אחר. ולהעיר גם מלוח היום יום: ז טבת, יא טבת, ד ניסן, [ה שבט]. אג"ק יח ע' לב. וראה…Show more
please note that some of these links are from last year, and will soon be updated iyh Mechiras Chometz - Sale Form The Hows and Whys of Selling Chometz Pesach Guides Chumros on Pesach (Q&As with Rabbi Braun):… please note that some of these links are from last year, and will soon be updated iyh Mechiras Chometz - Sale Form The Hows and Whys of Selling Chometz Pesach Guides Chumros on Pesach (Q&As with Rabbi Braun): Part I | Part II Mistakes in Davening Tevilas Keilim + Chart Kashering Made Simple מכירת חמץ: טופס מכירה | כיצד למה ומדוע לוח יומי לחודש ניסן חומרות והידורים בפסח קיצור דיני טעות ושכחה טבילת כלים הכשרת כלים Show more
From a strict halachic perspective, there is room to permit all shampoos and soaps on Pesach. But many are strict regarding Pesach and only use soaps that are certified kosher for Pesach (or on a kosher list) on Pesach.… From a strict halachic perspective, there is room to permit all shampoos and soaps on Pesach. But many are strict regarding Pesach and only use soaps that are certified kosher for Pesach (or on a kosher list) on Pesach. Read more here: Pesach-Q&A's Sources: ראה באור הלכה שכו, י בשאר חלב (מטעם סיכה…Show more
Paper cups (hot or cold) and plates present a problem on Pesach, as in the manufacturing process the paperboard is starched. Therefore, plastic cups and plates should be used instead, for food or food-related items, unless the paper product… Paper cups (hot or cold) and plates present a problem on Pesach, as in the manufacturing process the paperboard is starched. Therefore, plastic cups and plates should be used instead, for food or food-related items, unless the paper product is certified kosher for Pesach. Sources: ראה שוע"ר תמב, כו. וכ"ש בנדו"ד שבודאי יפרך לתוך…Show more
Mouthwash and toothpaste are not only a concern regarding Pesach but also the entire year as some may contain animal-derived (not kosher) ingredients. See here: Halacha2go.com article #589: Does toothpaste have to be Kosher? מ”מ Therefore, especially regarding Pesach… Mouthwash and toothpaste are not only a concern regarding Pesach but also the entire year as some may contain animal-derived (not kosher) ingredients. See here: Halacha2go.com article #589: Does toothpaste have to be Kosher? מ”מ Therefore, especially regarding Pesach when a person should be extra careful about what he puts in his mouth (or in some cases where he ends up consuming the item, even though it’s probably unintentional), only mouthwash and toothpaste with a reliable hechsher (or on a kosher list) should be used. #3119aShow more
You may say it until the next morning by Alos. After that time, you can say it but without the Yehi Ratzon. Sources: בפשטות, כל הקורא פסוק בזמנו מביא טובה לעולם שנאמר…
Women and geirim may both say it too. Same wording. ולהעיר מסה״ש תש״נ ח״ב ע׳ 393 הע׳ 7. #20224
שאלה: כאשר הזמן דחוק ואין אפשרות לאכול האפיקומן לפני חצות אלא א"כ ימהר בסעודתו ולא יוכל לאכול כיאה לשמחת יו"ט (או אפי' יצטרך להזדרז באמירת ההגדה וכו') האם יש להקל ולאכול כזית בתור אפיקומן לפני חצות ואחר כך לאכול… שאלה: כאשר הזמן דחוק ואין אפשרות לאכול האפיקומן לפני חצות אלא א"כ ימהר בסעודתו ולא יוכל לאכול כיאה לשמחת יו"ט (או אפי' יצטרך להזדרז באמירת ההגדה וכו') האם יש להקל ולאכול כזית בתור אפיקומן לפני חצות ואחר כך לאכול עו"פ אפיקומן לאחר חצות לקיים "אין מפטירין אחר הפסח" נמצא שגם אכל לפני חצות וגם לא הפטיר אחר האפיקומן? מענה: לא. אף שיש המציעים לעשות כן ולהתנות שאם הלכה כר׳ עקיבא הכזית הראשון אינו בגדר אפיקומן - למעשה הרבה אחרונים חולקים על זה, ומכמה טעמים. וגם מחמת שגם לר׳ עקיבא (עכ״פ לכתחילה) צ״ל אפיקומן לפני חצות (מדרבנן). וגם הוכיחו…Show more
One may only add water to the extent that the wine - or grape juice - can still be drunk as wine and served to guests that way. Regardless, the water may never be 85.7% or more in the… One may only add water to the extent that the wine - or grape juice - can still be drunk as wine and served to guests that way. Regardless, the water may never be 85.7% or more in the mixture (assuming no water was added by the company). One should ideally machmir that the water should always be less than 75%. Regarding adding other drinks, they may not be more than 50%. Sources - See here: https://asktherav.com/7702-diluting-the-seder-wine-due-to-health-concerns/ #13539Show more
Yes (provided it was kept away from Chometz, of course). It should also be checked for potential infestation. Sources: אג״ק כרך יא ע׳ כ״ג (אגרת ג'ת): אם אפשר…
Do they give me the Eiruv to pick up? Answer: Yes, that works. When making their Eruv they give it usually to someone else to pick on behalf of the entire city. In this case, you should pick… Do they give me the Eiruv to pick up? Answer: Yes, that works. When making their Eruv they give it usually to someone else to pick on behalf of the entire city. In this case, you should pick it up and have in mind the entire city and specifically yourself. ראה בארוכה קונטרס באתרא דרב חו׳ ב. #8904Show more
Yes, you may. I would like to point out that there are several other halachos involved in cooking on wood over yom tov that you should be aware of: One may not use firewood for any other purpose than… Yes, you may. I would like to point out that there are several other halachos involved in cooking on wood over yom tov that you should be aware of: One may not use firewood for any other purpose than burning, as it is muktzeh. On yom tov one cannot make a layered pile of wood to burn unless one holds the upper layer suspended in the air while the lower layer is being placed under it. One cannot take a log that has already (partially) caught fire out of the general fire, and if one wants to change the…Show more
Question: What is a permissible way of calculating the price for renting out our apartment short-term which would include days of Shabbos or Yom Tov? What could we do if we aren't sure in advance exactly how many days… Question: What is a permissible way of calculating the price for renting out our apartment short-term which would include days of Shabbos or Yom Tov? What could we do if we aren't sure in advance exactly how many days it will be so it's hard to make a set price. Is there any way to make multiple prices based on different options of how long the tenants will be staying in the apartment? Answer: Rent should be calculated from 12 am to 12 am. Sources: בעצם הענין - ראה מג״א שו, ז. אדה״ז שם…Show more
Question: Since it's my first time buying tefillin for my son, I have some questions: Is there a preference that the sofer be a married person as opposed to a bochur? Regarding hiddurim in the klaf, battim… Question: Since it's my first time buying tefillin for my son, I have some questions: Is there a preference that the sofer be a married person as opposed to a bochur? Regarding hiddurim in the klaf, battim and retzuos, what can you tell me that I should be on the lookout for and try to make an effort to obtain? Answer: Sofer: No preference per se that the sofer be married. He should be at least 18 years old. The most important thing is that the sofer is a Yirei Shamaim. See here as…Show more
Question: I heard that it was mekubal from Chassidim that the Alter Rebbe said that the shiur of a reviis is the size of a "sotka" - 120 milliliters. Is there any makor for this? Answer:… Question: I heard that it was mekubal from Chassidim that the Alter Rebbe said that the shiur of a reviis is the size of a "sotka" - 120 milliliters. Is there any makor for this? Answer: There is such a tradition. But there are so many versions to this tradition, and it is also debatable whether this opinion was further revised and whether it was exactly that amount. Sources: ראה גולות עליות מג, א. שיעור מקוה ע׳ פג-ד.…Show more
35-6 inches. Sources: שצ״ל שוחקות ולא עצבות - ראה בהשמטות למנ״ח קומץ…
The minhag is not to go, unless visiting the Ohel or kivrei tzadikim. Sources: ראה יסוד יוסף פג. קב הישר פח. שו״ת מלמד…
Question: On second night of Yom Tov this year, candle lighting is after 9 pm. Can we drink wine with our guests at dinner earlier and then do kiddush after 9? I was told that may not eat or… Question: On second night of Yom Tov this year, candle lighting is after 9 pm. Can we drink wine with our guests at dinner earlier and then do kiddush after 9? I was told that may not eat or drink from sunset till kiddush is made. So us much older folk must wait to eat dinner at 9:15? Answer: Although this is not the custom, there is room to be lenient if necessary, such as in this case, and daven Maariv as well as make kiddush earlier, from plag hamincha (check the exact time in local calendars etc.)…Show more
במלוה על פה, פטור מדיני אדם. אבל חייב לצאת ידי שמים. טעמים ומקורות: לצאת ידי שמים - מהרשד״ם חו״מ א, הב״ד בש״ך עה, סה. אבל בש״ך כתב לדחות הראי׳ שצריך לציד״ש. ולש״ך עצמו, הרי קייל״ן שגם בשניהם מסופקים… במלוה על פה, פטור מדיני אדם. אבל חייב לצאת ידי שמים. טעמים ומקורות: לצאת ידי שמים - מהרשד״ם חו״מ א, הב״ד בש״ך עה, סה. אבל בש״ך כתב לדחות הראי׳ שצריך לציד״ש. ולש״ך עצמו, הרי קייל״ן שגם בשניהם מסופקים בסכום ההלואה כסתם שבשו״ע שם יח, שא״צ לציד״ש, ראה ש״ך שם סז. והה״נ בנדו״ד. וכ״כ באורים נו. נתה״מ חידושים מו. וכ״כ שב יעקב שהובא בפת״ש שם כא. אבל בתומים שם יט, הב״ד בפת״ש, שנראה עיקר כרשד״ם. וגם בקצוה״ח עו, א נקט לעיקר כדעה שבשו״ע במוספקים כמה שבספק צריך לציד״ש. וכ״כ בחזו״א חו״מ ז, ג כמהרשד״ם. ויש חולקים. אמנם, בשו״ע אדה״ז…Show more
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