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Question: When teaching children how to properly pronounce Shem HaShem, may I write out Hashem's name with lines in between each syllable (see attachment), or do I need to replace the letters ה with a ק? Answer: These… Question: When teaching children how to properly pronounce Shem HaShem, may I write out Hashem's name with lines in between each syllable (see attachment), or do I need to replace the letters ה with a ק? Answer: These should not be printed as a handout to the students. If the intention is to print it in a workbook, the lines between the letters would suffice. Sources: חשש בזיון כנראה בחוש, ראה ברמ"א יו"ד רעו, יג…Show more
לא. ע"פ הלכה הבחורים נחשבים כאורחים בבנין ולא כשוכרים רגילים, היות וההנהלה יכולה להחליף בחור מחדר לחדר מבלי הסכמתו. וכן יש לה תפיסת יד בכל החדרים ויכולה לקחת מזרונים ארונות וכו' ולהחליפם מחדר לחדר. עיין שוע"ר סימן ש"ע… לא. ע"פ הלכה הבחורים נחשבים כאורחים בבנין ולא כשוכרים רגילים, היות וההנהלה יכולה להחליף בחור מחדר לחדר מבלי הסכמתו. וכן יש לה תפיסת יד בכל החדרים ויכולה לקחת מזרונים ארונות וכו' ולהחליפם מחדר לחדר. עיין שוע"ר סימן ש"ע סעיף ב וט. #5445Show more
Question: We rent a floor of a house owned by a frum Jewish family. It came with an air conditioner already functionally installed into the wall of the house. It currently does not cool the house to a safe… Question: We rent a floor of a house owned by a frum Jewish family. It came with an air conditioner already functionally installed into the wall of the house. It currently does not cool the house to a safe level and we have small children. We already pay a very high rent and barely have enough for food. I am aware that NY state law says AC is an amenity and not a necessity. Does halacha view this differently if the heat becomes dangerously high? It was built into the house many years prior to our renting from them.…Show more
Question: We have a home alarm system and when a window or door is opened (if the alarm is active) it sets off an alarm. If the alarm is off there is a low chime sound when a door… Question: We have a home alarm system and when a window or door is opened (if the alarm is active) it sets off an alarm. If the alarm is off there is a low chime sound when a door is opened or closed. For Shabbas and Yom Tov there is a switch on every door that can take that door out of the alarm circuit, so when the switch is flipped nothing happens when the door opens or shuts. This week for the first time we forgot to turn off the chime. We realized when the door was open.…Show more
The Gemarah in various places teaches us that it is not proper to step/jump over another Jew in order to get to one’s place, as it is considered treating him or her in a disrespectful manner. This applies even… The Gemarah in various places teaches us that it is not proper to step/jump over another Jew in order to get to one’s place, as it is considered treating him or her in a disrespectful manner. This applies even to a simple Jew, because all Jewish people are descendants of Avraham Yitzchak and Yaakov. Even a leader or Dayan etc. should not do so unless his services are needed by the people 'blocking' his way. Additionally, there is an ancient custom not to step or jump over young kids, and if one did do so he would reverse and…Show more
There is no reason to have 5 coins (though some are strict to have 120 grams). אף שכך המנהג אצל כמה, והביא המנהג באוצר פדה״ב יג הערה טז - אין לזה שום מקור. וראה שו״ת משנ״ה ה, קצט.… There is no reason to have 5 coins (though some are strict to have 120 grams). אף שכך המנהג אצל כמה, והביא המנהג באוצר פדה״ב יג הערה טז - אין לזה שום מקור. וראה שו״ת משנ״ה ה, קצט. ובארוכה קובץ גנת ורדים יח ע׳ קמב בשלילת המנהג. #19571Show more
It is fine. בימינו ה״ז דרך מלבוש רגיל. ועיין בשו״ת אג״מ או״ח א, קט שכל שלובש בדרך מלבוש מהני גם כשאין לו שום תועלת מזה. ואכן, בצעיף נהוג להתיר אף שאינו מכסה ראשו ורובו, ראה אדה״ז לז. וה״ז… It is fine. בימינו ה״ז דרך מלבוש רגיל. ועיין בשו״ת אג״מ או״ח א, קט שכל שלובש בדרך מלבוש מהני גם כשאין לו שום תועלת מזה. ואכן, בצעיף נהוג להתיר אף שאינו מכסה ראשו ורובו, ראה אדה״ז לז. וה״ז דרך מלבוש. ובחורף טעם נוסף להקל. #5586Show more
Q. In a minyan of just kohanim, does the second aliyah go for the same kohen that received rishon ("bimkom levi") or we can give it to two different kohanim? A. Must be given to the same Kohen. Sources: משום פגמו של כהן - כן מוכח בגיטין נט,…
שאלה: קראנו לבת שלנו בשם "יכט" על שם סבתא שלי. והנני מסתפק מהו האופן הנכון לכתוב השם, דבכמה ספרי שמות נכתב השם יכט ובפרט שיש תשובה ארוכה מהדברי חיים (ח"ב אבהע"ז קכט) שמסביר למה צריכים לכתוב השם דוקא באופן… שאלה: קראנו לבת שלנו בשם "יכט" על שם סבתא שלי. והנני מסתפק מהו האופן הנכון לכתוב השם, דבכמה ספרי שמות נכתב השם יכט ובפרט שיש תשובה ארוכה מהדברי חיים (ח"ב אבהע"ז קכט) שמסביר למה צריכים לכתוב השם דוקא באופן כזה, ומאידך הסבתא עצמה כתבה שמה עם אל"ף ויו"ד כזה "יאכיט". ואע"פ שלכאורה זה רק נוגע בכתובה וכיו"ב, מ"מ רצוני לכתוב באופן הנכון. תשובה: יכט. טעמים ומקורות: כמ״ש בשו״ת דברי חיים אה״ע קכט. ואף שטעמו מחמת שיטעו לקרוא בקמ״ץ ששכיח שם כזה בסביבותינו, וד״ז ל״ש בימינו שאין ידוע לנו שם כזה, וגם כתב הצ״צ בשו״ת (אה״ע קצז, ושם…Show more
My questions are: 1) Once I finished the meal, do I still need to bentch since I didn’t eat a כזית of bread? 2) Would I need to eat a כביצה of bread because I had said the Bracha… My questions are: 1) Once I finished the meal, do I still need to bentch since I didn’t eat a כזית of bread? 2) Would I need to eat a כביצה of bread because I had said the Bracha על נטילת ידים (originally I said the Bracha because I had thought I would eat a כביצה but then changed my mind)? Answers: 1. You shouldn’t bentch unless you ate a kezayis of bread. No. Nonetheless, some say to try and eat a כביצה if possible. Sources: ריטב״א חולין קו, ב. והובא לדינא במח״ב קנח, א…Show more
Question: After the 11 months in the shnas aveilus, I stop reciting kaddish, but is it customary to continue doing all the customs for the neshama of the niftar, like aliya l'Torah, zimun, kriyas hatorah… Question: After the 11 months in the shnas aveilus, I stop reciting kaddish, but is it customary to continue doing all the customs for the neshama of the niftar, like aliya l'Torah, zimun, kriyas hatorah and the like? If so, when do I stop? At 12 months or at the yahrtzeit (being that this year is shana meuberes and yahrtzeit is after the 12 months)? Answer: Aliya l'Torah and kriah apply only for eleven months. Generally, it’s not our custom to be particular about zimmun during shnas aveilus (unless in cases where kaddish can’t…Show more
Answer: He can say it after kaddish or after the haftorah. Sources: ברוח חיים פלאגי קמד, ג כתב לומר אחר ברכה״ת…
לא. ראה סה״ש תרצ״ב (כ״ז מ״ח. ריגא) ע׳ 6. בקודש פנימה ע׳ 14. אבל להעיר מלשמע אוזן מדור אדמו״ר מוהרש״ב סו. #19408
Question: Hi, All my life I grew up thinking I was a Bechor of my family, but recently I found out I'm not. As I studied halacha a lot more I found out that Bechorim who weren't born naturally… Question: Hi, All my life I grew up thinking I was a Bechor of my family, but recently I found out I'm not. As I studied halacha a lot more I found out that Bechorim who weren't born naturally are not technically Bechorim. This destroyed me. I'm a huge learner with regards to the Mikdash and it was always my dream to serve in it. After learning from the sages that Bechorim will serve in the third Mikdash with Kohanim and Levi'im I was very excited. Then I heard that a Bechor that was born through the means of…Show more
Since today the Challah is not given to the Cohen, any size portion is adequate. it is customary to separate at least a "kezayis". עיין רמ"א יו"ד שכב ס"ד. #9250
Lechatchila you should designate a bowl that would be used for Negel Vaser only. If it happened and you used a bowl that is used for food for Negel Vaser, it should be washed out well. Some say to… Lechatchila you should designate a bowl that would be used for Negel Vaser only. If it happened and you used a bowl that is used for food for Negel Vaser, it should be washed out well. Some say to wash it out seven times. Sources: כן משמע לכאורה ממש״כ הפוסקים שהכלי התחתון יהי׳ מאוס…Show more
If it was used for either meat or milk, but didn't get used for both at the same time, it can be kashered either via libun kal which involves cleaning the pan well, not using them for 24 hours,… If it was used for either meat or milk, but didn't get used for both at the same time, it can be kashered either via libun kal which involves cleaning the pan well, not using them for 24 hours, and then putting them on an open flame until both the inside and outside of the pan are heated up to the temperature of , or Hagola which involves cleaning the pan well, not using them for 24 hours and then submerging it into boiling water. After Kashering it should be rinsed in cold water. שוע"ר תנא, יג בהגהה.…Show more
Question: I live in Ukraine and I recently came across a very influential criminal Ben Noach who is expressing a lot of interest in Judaism and is giving serious financial support to the local mosdos. Due to his… Question: I live in Ukraine and I recently came across a very influential criminal Ben Noach who is expressing a lot of interest in Judaism and is giving serious financial support to the local mosdos. Due to his vast connections and control in the Ukrainian government, as well as his methods of conducting business, there is a credible fear of him retaliating with violence if people do not do what he wants. Is it permitted to provide him with Mezuzos if he wants to have them on his houses, and is it ok to hang the Mezuzos for…Show more
No. Sources: גבעת הלבונה או״ח נח. מהרש״ג ב, קיז. שש״כ כט,…
Question: There is an eruv chatzeiros in my Crown Heights building which is mostly filled with Yidden. Does that Eruv extend to include the building's roof? Nobody lives on the roof, and officially the building disfavors that residents to… Question: There is an eruv chatzeiros in my Crown Heights building which is mostly filled with Yidden. Does that Eruv extend to include the building's roof? Nobody lives on the roof, and officially the building disfavors that residents to go up there, and usually the roof is empty from anyone. However, it is very accessible and has a nice view and occasionally a resident or two will go up. Can one carry on this roof? Answer: 1. An Eruv is required to carry from a privately-owned property to a commonly-owned property or vice-versa. However, one may carry from…Show more
One can rinse fruits in their plastic containers. These containers have holes and therefore there’s no problem with borer at all. If there are no holes it is still permitted to immerse the fruits before eating them since the… One can rinse fruits in their plastic containers. These containers have holes and therefore there’s no problem with borer at all. If there are no holes it is still permitted to immerse the fruits before eating them since the rinsing is just for an extra hygiene but not necessarily to remove any dirt. Sources: עיין או״ח סימן שיט ס״ח ובשוע״ר סעיף יא. וע״ע…Show more
The Halacha is that a dish has to be toiveled by the owner or when it's being given as a gift, the recipient. If that is not possible, either because they are not going to do it themselves or… The Halacha is that a dish has to be toiveled by the owner or when it's being given as a gift, the recipient. If that is not possible, either because they are not going to do it themselves or because they will not be able to do it themselves before Yom tov, you may tovel it on their behalf. The procedure is as follows: The giver first makes a kinyan (halachic transfer of ownership) by handing the gift to another person who acts as a shaliach (representative) of the recipient and lifts it up on their behalf. Once the…Show more
Question: I bought a Gluten-Free Bar that is made with a mixture of non-Gluten-free flour. It has potato, oat, tapioca, and a few other types of flour. Is it Pas Yisrael? Answer: It doesn't need to be Bishul… Question: I bought a Gluten-Free Bar that is made with a mixture of non-Gluten-free flour. It has potato, oat, tapioca, and a few other types of flour. Is it Pas Yisrael? Answer: It doesn't need to be Bishul or Pas Yisroel. Sources: שו"ע יו"ד קיב, א. ש"ך שם, ה. אינה עעש"מ…Show more
Question: My nephew is coming to stay by us for Shabbos. My husband isn't always around. I have a 2 1/2 son and a 9-month-old boy. What should be done? Is there a difference by day or night? … Question: My nephew is coming to stay by us for Shabbos. My husband isn't always around. I have a 2 1/2 son and a 9-month-old boy. What should be done? Is there a difference by day or night? Answer: If your husband is in town and can possibly come, he may stay, provided you don’t have a particularly close relationship. If this is the case, he cannot be home when your husband is away. #5594Show more
Question: If I'm at a meal in Crown Heights on Shabbos and someone brings a bottle of wine to the meal on Shabbos can I drink from that wine, or take part of anything else that was carried on… Question: If I'm at a meal in Crown Heights on Shabbos and someone brings a bottle of wine to the meal on Shabbos can I drink from that wine, or take part of anything else that was carried on Shabbos, such as food and so on? Answer: A Jew may not benefit from a Melacha that was done by another Jew on Shabbos. According to many opinions, this includes carrying. After Shabbos it is permitted right away. Many Poskim hold that if a Melacha was done by a non-observant Jew one must wait after Shabbos to benefit from…Show more
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