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Question: A friend of mine, who is a yid that rachamana litzlan doesn't keep Shabbos gave me a monetary gift, and I'm wondering if I'm allowed to benefit from it, being that parts of it were most likely made… Question: A friend of mine, who is a yid that rachamana litzlan doesn't keep Shabbos gave me a monetary gift, and I'm wondering if I'm allowed to benefit from it, being that parts of it were most likely made on Shabbos? Answer: Halachically you may benefit from the money. If you feel that by refusing it you may encourage him to keep Shabbos, then that would be proper. Some tzadikim were particular not to benefit from the money of people who don’t keep Shabbos. But this is for great tzadikim and not halachically required. Sources: ע"פ שו"ע או"ח ריש סימן שיח. ועיין שם במשנ״ב…Show more
Question: There were recently accusations regarding a specific author of children’s books that he acted inappropriately. I saw different statements going around about how to treat his books. I want to know what the right thing to do is… Question: There were recently accusations regarding a specific author of children’s books that he acted inappropriately. I saw different statements going around about how to treat his books. I want to know what the right thing to do is in the eyes of the Beis Din. Answer: There is no halachic objection to reading books of an author who was accused of misbehavior (provided that such conduct is not conveyed in their works, of course). This is purely an educational decision. Since no one can be presumed guilty till proven, you might wish to wait with your decision…Show more
Question: Is it necessary to wear a gartel at a chupah if I am...: Reading the kesubah, Reading the Rebbe's letter, One of the eidei kiddushin, Saying one of the Brachos? Answer: Most of these matters depend on… Question: Is it necessary to wear a gartel at a chupah if I am...: Reading the kesubah, Reading the Rebbe's letter, One of the eidei kiddushin, Saying one of the Brachos? Answer: Most of these matters depend on hergesh. See below specifically for each matter. Kesubah: Not necessary. But should be noted that reading the kesubah is similar to reading the Torah and to Matan Torah. Rebbe's Letter: Yes. This is minhag chassidim. Witness: Not needed. Eidim are encouraged to do Teshuvah first. Perhaps, a gartel assists. Sheva Brachos: One should follow the practice they do whenever…Show more
Question: I have a son who went on shlichus recently to a place where he does not have yet a minyan. He is very lonely on Shabbos and he's asking me to come for Shabbos. I would love to… Question: I have a son who went on shlichus recently to a place where he does not have yet a minyan. He is very lonely on Shabbos and he's asking me to come for Shabbos. I would love to go to him but are reluctant to go to a place without a minyan. What is the right thing for me to do? Also, he tries to go away for Shabbos as much as he can, but it's very hard for him logistically to shlep with family to go often, what is the right thing for him to do? …Show more
You would have to say tachnun. Sources: ראה שו״ת ישכיל עבדי ז בהשמטות סימן ג. שבה״ל…
Question: If I am in Yerushalayim and will be Bentching Licht 40 minutes before Shkiah as per the Minhag here and walking to the Kosel and eating out (by the time I get home the tea lights will be… Question: If I am in Yerushalayim and will be Bentching Licht 40 minutes before Shkiah as per the Minhag here and walking to the Kosel and eating out (by the time I get home the tea lights will be out). Is that fine if I light where I sleep although I won’t see the candles after Shkiah, or do I need to come home and see them for a minute before my meal? It’s a ten-minute walk out of the way each way to my apartment from the place I’m eating so 20 minutes walk total to see the…Show more
Question: If I make a Bracha mezonos on something that contains mostly food of another Bracha such as a slice of cheesecake or a Tofutti cutie, what Bracha Achronah do I make? Answer: If there is a ratio… Question: If I make a Bracha mezonos on something that contains mostly food of another Bracha such as a slice of cheesecake or a Tofutti cutie, what Bracha Achronah do I make? Answer: If there is a ratio of (at least) 1/6 of mezonos to the other ingredients (which I think is the case for Toffuti ice-cream sandwich), the Brocha Achrona would be al hamichya. If the ratio is less than 1/6, you should eat another kezayis of mezonos (from a cake or a cookie) in order to say al hamichya, and another kezayis upon…Show more
מענה: יש להטבילו בלא ברכה. טעמים ומקורות: שו"ע יו"ד ק"כ ס"א ובנו"כ שם, שאם חלק מהכלי עשוי מחומר החייב טבילה וחלק מחומר שפטור מטבילה, ואין אחד מהם עיקרי לגבי השני - יש להטביל בלא ברכה. גם לדעת רוב… מענה: יש להטבילו בלא ברכה. טעמים ומקורות: שו"ע יו"ד ק"כ ס"א ובנו"כ שם, שאם חלק מהכלי עשוי מחומר החייב טבילה וחלק מחומר שפטור מטבילה, ואין אחד מהם עיקרי לגבי השני - יש להטביל בלא ברכה. גם לדעת רוב האחרונים שחומר הפלסטיק פטור מטבילה מעיקר הדין, הרי החלק העשוי מברזל חייב טבילה. וקשה לומר שהוא טפל לפלסטיק כי הרי הוא מחמם את המים. ובפרט שגם לדעתם המחמיר להטביל כלי פלסטיק תע"ב. ולכן יש להטבילו בלא ברכה. וראה שו״ת בצה״ח ה, ה. מבית לוי יו״ד ע׳ קמו. חוט שני טבילת כלים ע׳ מד. קובץ מנשים באהל ע׳ רכ. …Show more
Question: I am a melamed in 6th grade. I would like to teach the class how to tie tzitzis, and have every talmid tie tzitzis for themselves. My question is, The boys are 12 years old, some will… Question: I am a melamed in 6th grade. I would like to teach the class how to tie tzitzis, and have every talmid tie tzitzis for themselves. My question is, The boys are 12 years old, some will be Bar Mitzvah over the next few months and then they will be wearing tzitzis that they tied as a koton. Is this an issue? Answer: Once a child reaches the age of Chinuch for the mitzvah of tzitzis he can tie his own tzitzis. However, if they want to wear it after they are Bar Mitzvah…Show more
מענה: ניסוח השאלה לא מדוייק. כל אחד חייב בכל מקרה שיהיה לו תאורה - לפחות חשמלי - במקום שהוא נמצא, שזהו מעיקרי מצות נר שבת, שלא יכשל בעץ ואבן. אלא שבנוסף לכך יש גם חובת הגוף להדליק על כל… מענה: ניסוח השאלה לא מדוייק. כל אחד חייב בכל מקרה שיהיה לו תאורה - לפחות חשמלי - במקום שהוא נמצא, שזהו מעיקרי מצות נר שבת, שלא יכשל בעץ ואבן. אלא שבנוסף לכך יש גם חובת הגוף להדליק על כל אחד. אפשר לצאת ידי חובת הגוף על ידי כמה אופנים, ותלוי בכמה פרטים: הדלקה לבד, הדלקת האשה בבית שלו מממונו, השתתפות בפרוטה במקום שאתה נמצא, או לצאת מהדלקת המארחת. ואין כאן המקום. וכעת לשאלה - האם אפשר לצאת ידי חובת הגוף בהדלקת האשה במקום אחר שיש הפרשי שעות. התשובה היא שאתה לא יוצא בזה ידי חובה. [אם אתה מתארח אצל…Show more
Question: We want to bake challahs in a meat oven - but to keep them pareve. So I know the oven has to be cleaned and preheated and that the Challah should not be placed directly on the… Question: We want to bake challahs in a meat oven - but to keep them pareve. So I know the oven has to be cleaned and preheated and that the Challah should not be placed directly on the metal trays. My question is: what does it mean to clean the oven? Do All racks and corners and walls of the oven have to be spotless with no residue or liquid? If it’s not used for 24 hours is this not an issue if it’s not totally cleaned? Answer: The tray should be clean. Anywhere on the…Show more
I was lent $10 in the US and now I want to pay the guy back 10 euro (out of convenience) in France. Is that Ribbis? Loans and Currency keeping within the guidelines of the Laws of Ribis… I was lent $10 in the US and now I want to pay the guy back 10 euro (out of convenience) in France. Is that Ribbis? Loans and Currency keeping within the guidelines of the Laws of Ribis A general guide - Compiled by Rabbi Shabsi Tayar #6842Show more
Question: Can you go into an art gallery and see statues of naked people or is that against Halakha? What if you are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and you pass a statue of a naked person and… Question: Can you go into an art gallery and see statues of naked people or is that against Halakha? What if you are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and you pass a statue of a naked person and you look have you done something wrong? Answer: A man shouldn't look at a non-tznius female. This applies even if it's a picture or even just a sculpture. There is an opinion that maintains that it is forbidden for a woman to recite Shema and daven in the presence of another naked woman. However, most other Poskim maintain…Show more
Q. How does one do Teshuva for sins committed against man? A. Teshuva is returning to the way Hashem has set out for us in His Torah. When an individual decides that he regrets his wrongdoings of the past… Q. How does one do Teshuva for sins committed against man? A. Teshuva is returning to the way Hashem has set out for us in His Torah. When an individual decides that he regrets his wrongdoings of the past and will never return to those ways in the future. In addition, regarding sins done to another man, one must ask them for forgiveness in order to be forgiven by Hashem. Q. When doing teshuva or asking forgiveness from an individual for having wronged or sinned against him/her, is it necessary to confess our wrongdoing to that person directly?…Show more
Permissible. Some are strict. I know of no Chabad minhag. Sources: ראה בשעהמ״צ להרח״ו פ׳ וילך, חומרות יתירות למי שרוצה…
Question: If I buy frozen dough from a goyishe store, which is the shiur of hafrashas challah. Do I need to take challah even though I didn’t make the dough or knead it, I just bought it from a… Question: If I buy frozen dough from a goyishe store, which is the shiur of hafrashas challah. Do I need to take challah even though I didn’t make the dough or knead it, I just bought it from a goy? Answer: Dough that was kneaded by a Goy does not require chalah to be taken from it. Sources: שו"ע יו"ד של, א. ומה שכתב הש"ך בשם הדרישה…Show more
Question: My daughter works as a designer. She was recently hired by a local mosad to provide her service for one of their events. They requested a very large discount, and in the end, she agreed to offer her… Question: My daughter works as a designer. She was recently hired by a local mosad to provide her service for one of their events. They requested a very large discount, and in the end, she agreed to offer her services for half the usual fee ($400 instead of the usual $800). My question is if she can deduct the discount she gave them ($400) from her Ma'aser funds. Answer: Once she agreed to provide a discount, she cannot let it go and decide to collect the shortfall from Maaser. Furthermore, even if she originally intended (when agreeing to…Show more
Question: I gave $125 to someone to purchase a fridge, the price that the seller was asking. The individual negotiated the sale for $100. To whom does the $25 belong? The discount was given because the individual I sent… Question: I gave $125 to someone to purchase a fridge, the price that the seller was asking. The individual negotiated the sale for $100. To whom does the $25 belong? The discount was given because the individual I sent to pick it up decided - totally on their own - to negotiate the price downward, it had nothing to do with me. I had given the shliach the higher amount in cash to pay. I argued that the shliach was acting on my behalf, even though I hadn't asked the shliach to negotiate, and therefore the $25 is mine,…Show more
Question: I was asked by a 16-year-old mekurav how to get a kosher haircut. Besides beard and peyos, what do I need to tell him? He doesn't keep Shabbos and Kashrus fully but if I give him guidelines… Question: I was asked by a 16-year-old mekurav how to get a kosher haircut. Besides beard and peyos, what do I need to tell him? He doesn't keep Shabbos and Kashrus fully but if I give him guidelines I think he will do his best to keep to it. What guidelines can I give him for chukas hagoyim and bloris? There are so many styles out there, and unfortunately, many frume yidden have those styles while we would definitely say it is inappropriate. For instance, if I say any chup is assur I'm not sure he would…Show more
Question: If one buys a fresh fruit salad which includes grapes in a non-Jewish supermarket need one be concerned regarding stam yeinom because of the grape juice squeezed from the fruit in the mixture? Answer: It's fine. Sources: בד"כ לא חותכים את הענבים. ואף כשחותחים - מותר…
Question: I have an electrician in my community that is slowly Chozer Bitshuvah. He got a job to do electricity in a Church and asked if he can take the job? Answer: There are 2 problems that pertain… Question: I have an electrician in my community that is slowly Chozer Bitshuvah. He got a job to do electricity in a Church and asked if he can take the job? Answer: There are 2 problems that pertain to this: Entering a church. Doing work for a church. 1. Entering a church. The Rambam writes (in his commentary on Avoda Zara chapter 1) that one may not reside in a city where there is idol worship. Obviously, in the present state of golus we don't have another option, but we definitely may not enter or even look…Show more
Question: If I'm saying Karbnos while driving and I pass a church, do I have to stop davening for a minute when that happens? Does it make a difference if I'm moving or stopped at a light? If the… Question: If I'm saying Karbnos while driving and I pass a church, do I have to stop davening for a minute when that happens? Does it make a difference if I'm moving or stopped at a light? If the window is open or closed? Answer: Although it would be best to avoid and at least turn away from it so it's not in your view, strictly speaking, there is no problem to continue davening or learning when passing a church. Sources: יש להעיר מברכות נז, ב, שו"ע רכד, א. ושם…Show more
Although it would be best to avoid and at least turn away from it so it's not in your view, strictly speaking, there is no problem to continue davening or learning when passing a church. Bending down should be… Although it would be best to avoid and at least turn away from it so it's not in your view, strictly speaking, there is no problem to continue davening or learning when passing a church. Bending down should be done while turned away, or alternatively, you may sit down. Source: ראה שאלה #9443: https://asktherav.com/9443-can-i-daven-or-learn-when-passing-a-church/ ולשאלה השני' - ראה יו"ד סימן ק"נ סעיף ב. #13149Show more
Question: Is there a problem to walk by a church? Is it best to cross the street? What if crossing the street is out of your way? Also, there is an inyan to avoid looking at a church, correct?… Question: Is there a problem to walk by a church? Is it best to cross the street? What if crossing the street is out of your way? Also, there is an inyan to avoid looking at a church, correct? Answer: The custom by Jews was to take detours to avoid passing in front of a church, and Jewish mothers taught their children to not even look at a cross. (Parenthetically, the Rebbe mentioned this in regards to having a TV, and said that by having a TV one is bringing the church, priest and cross into the house…Show more
Although one may use Maaser money to support a Torah institution, one may not use Maaser money to pay for the admission for a production. The production is made for the students involvement etc., and the one viewing it… Although one may use Maaser money to support a Torah institution, one may not use Maaser money to pay for the admission for a production. The production is made for the students involvement etc., and the one viewing it is paying for his/her entertainment. See also here: Halacha2go.com #474: Paying for a Shul Dinner from Maaser מ״מ Sources: כך הוא לענ"ד, ויתירה מזו כתב באג"מ חו"מ ח"ב…Show more
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