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Answer: As per the description quoted below, it is basically amazon.com donating charity in lieu of your purchase and can not be considered Ma'aser. What is AmazonSmile? AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support your favorite… Answer: As per the description quoted below, it is basically amazon.com donating charity in lieu of your purchase and can not be considered Ma'aser. What is AmazonSmile? AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. You can choose from over one million organizations to…Show more
Question: I am working on writing and illustrating a book for my students. The cost of art supplies is very expensive, and I can not currently afford it. Many family members and friends are helping with money. Would I… Question: I am working on writing and illustrating a book for my students. The cost of art supplies is very expensive, and I can not currently afford it. Many family members and friends are helping with money. Would I be able to accept Maaser money? It's a book with Yiddishe and Chassidishe values, aimed to empower the children as the Rebbe's soldiers. However, not all the art supplies will end up being used exclusively for this book, it'll also be used for practicing and there will probably be leftovers. Answer: Chinuch is a legitimate cause for the usage…Show more
Question: If I am eating chicken and peas together on the same plate but not mixed like a salad are they considered mixed and then I will only have to make a bracha on the ikar? and is… Question: If I am eating chicken and peas together on the same plate but not mixed like a salad are they considered mixed and then I will only have to make a bracha on the ikar? and is there a difference if a lot of times you end up eating them together or not? Answer: They are considered mixed if they are normally eaten together. In other words, they both end up usually in the spoon, or in your mouth at the same time. The first bite must include the primary ingredient. Sources: לדעת אדה״ז, אפילו ניכר כל מין בפ״ע, יש דין…Show more
Question: If one doesn't have enough wine to fill up the kiddush cup, can water be added? (Speaking about regular wines which could be are already heavily diluted) or is there another alternative such as chamar medina, challah,… Question: If one doesn't have enough wine to fill up the kiddush cup, can water be added? (Speaking about regular wines which could be are already heavily diluted) or is there another alternative such as chamar medina, challah, etc.? Answer: 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. See here for more conditions: https://asktherav.com/7702-diluting-the-seder-wine-due-to-health-concerns/ And if not, then is it better just to make kiddush without a full cup, You can add something else to the cup,…Show more
Question: I sometimes learn while sitting on my couch which is located near a bathroom. Sometimes the bathroom door is left open. Is it a problem to learn when the door to the bathroom is open? Answer: Strictly… Question: I sometimes learn while sitting on my couch which is located near a bathroom. Sometimes the bathroom door is left open. Is it a problem to learn when the door to the bathroom is open? Answer: Strictly speaking with our bathrooms nowadays it's not a problem, provided that they are clean and that there is no bad smell. However lechatchilah if one is sitting in sight of the bathroom he should close the door to the bathroom. Sources: ראה שוע''ר סי' ע''ט ס''ה. אבל לכתחילה טוב להחמיר…Show more
Question: I work in a yeshiva which not all the students are coming from religious backgrounds. Often students aren’t doing mitzvos because they don’t want to spend the money on it, not because they can’t afford it. If I… Question: I work in a yeshiva which not all the students are coming from religious backgrounds. Often students aren’t doing mitzvos because they don’t want to spend the money on it, not because they can’t afford it. If I pay for it, they will happily do it. For example, paying for their membership to the mikveh. Paying for them to buy woolen Tzitzis. May I use maaser money to pay for these things? Answer: Masser may be used to assist others in doing their mitzvos. However, the cases mentioned are somewhat questionable: Mikvah every day before davening isn’t…Show more
Question: If I ordered a taxi for 5:00 in the morning and The driver came and waited. But I did not wake up, do I have to pay for the taxi? Answer: A customer who orders a taxi,… Question: If I ordered a taxi for 5:00 in the morning and The driver came and waited. But I did not wake up, do I have to pay for the taxi? Answer: A customer who orders a taxi, and then cancels in advance with legitimate cause, is not required to pay. On the other hand, if the driver lost another potential job because of the reservation, the customer is liable. The same applies if the driver already began traveling to the pick-up location and was unable to recoup his fare by engaging another customer. The sum required of…Show more
Correct. (This applies even if the knee area itself is covered; if it becomes exposed, it’s a breach of Tznius regardless). The following is a quote from the Minchas Yitzchok: We are alarmed to hear of a new… Correct. (This applies even if the knee area itself is covered; if it becomes exposed, it’s a breach of Tznius regardless). The following is a quote from the Minchas Yitzchok: We are alarmed to hear of a new dreadful breach in the wall of tzniut in relation to female dress. The fire has already caught hold of the periphery of the camp of shomrei Torah umitzvos. This is to wear dresses that have slits either at their sides or in the center, which is a manner of dress that represents pritzus and rebellion. A Bas Yisroel who wears…Show more
Shehechiyanu isn't recited on dried fruit. Sources: ע״פ מג״א רכה, יא, וסדר ברה״נ יא, טו, שצ״ל…
Question: I am looking to buy a Mayim Acharonim set for convenience. What is the minhag and the nekuda in regards to not using a silver Mayim Acharonim? Is it silver mamosh? Or is the nekuda also in… Question: I am looking to buy a Mayim Acharonim set for convenience. What is the minhag and the nekuda in regards to not using a silver Mayim Acharonim? Is it silver mamosh? Or is the nekuda also in regards to something silver shining but not real silver? Or even not to have a set? Answer: It’s our custom not to use silver. The reason not to use silver is because it’s the portion set aside for the “sitra achara”. It’s OK to have a set for convenience but it shouldn’t be something fancy such as silver. Sources: ע״פ סה״ש תש״ב ע׳ 93. חלקו הועתק בהגש״פ עם…Show more
Question: What is a Kohen allowed to do with the money he receives from the father by a pidyon haben, And is there a source for the Kohen giving the money back to the father as a present? … Question: What is a Kohen allowed to do with the money he receives from the father by a pidyon haben, And is there a source for the Kohen giving the money back to the father as a present? Answer: Although strictly speaking it may be returned afterwards, after some time passes, a Kohen shouldn’t make a habit of doing so, unless the father is poor. Furthermore, it’s mentioned in Seforim that if the Kohen doesn’t give it back one can be sure that the child will live and grow up to be a man. Sources: ע״פ שו״ע יו״ד שה, ח. וראה שו״ת נחלה לישראל…Show more
Question: I listened to a story told by R. Sheis Taub about Bob Dylan who "converted" to another religion and was told to do a tevilas baal teshuva. Only after that did the Rebbe communicate with Dylan. If… Question: I listened to a story told by R. Sheis Taub about Bob Dylan who "converted" to another religion and was told to do a tevilas baal teshuva. Only after that did the Rebbe communicate with Dylan. If I took communion and went into a Buddhist temple before I became religious, do I need to do a tvilas Baal Teshuva? If so, how do I do that? Answer: You should approach 3 learned men and formally accept on yourself all the Mitzvos (Torah & Rabanan), and toivel in a kosher mikva in front of them. As…Show more
Questions: If I cooked vegetables that weren't checked from bugs (like celery or Broccoli or cabbage) can I eat from: the soup? the actual vegetable? if the vegetable was blended? Answers: It depends on what type of vegetable… Questions: If I cooked vegetables that weren't checked from bugs (like celery or Broccoli or cabbage) can I eat from: the soup? the actual vegetable? if the vegetable was blended? Answers: It depends on what type of vegetable it is (see below). Regardless, If it's possible to strain it in a way that even small bugs won't go through and it's not a thick soup, then yes. If you are dealing with vegetables that are assumed automatically to contain bugs, the vegetable shouldn't be eaten. Checking wouldn't help then (if it softens through cooking). With regular vegetables that…Show more
שאלה: מישהו פירסם שהוא מוכר סט ספרים שנמכר בAmazon ב140 דולר במחיר של 80 דולר. קפצתי על המציאה, ולאחר זמן גילתי שבחניות השכונה סט כזה חדש עולה רק 55 דולר, כמובן שאילו ידעתי לא הייתי קונה ממנו את הסט.… שאלה: מישהו פירסם שהוא מוכר סט ספרים שנמכר בAmazon ב140 דולר במחיר של 80 דולר. קפצתי על המציאה, ולאחר זמן גילתי שבחניות השכונה סט כזה חדש עולה רק 55 דולר, כמובן שאילו ידעתי לא הייתי קונה ממנו את הסט. מה ההלכה בכזה מקרה? האם אוכל לדרוש ממנו להחזיר לי את ההבדל במחיר? מענה: דבר ראשון יש לבדוק אונליין מה המחיר הגבוה ביותר וכן בחנויות שבמקום המכירה, ולא רק בשכונה, ולפי זה - להוסיף על זה שישית מהסכום ששילם (דהיינו 13.3 דולר במקרה הזה), ואם המחיר עולה מעל סכום הגבוה שבשוק ביותר משישית - יכול לבטל המקח, ואם זה…Show more
Question: We have a large bikur cholim kitchen. We would like to begin buying pre-cut onions that comes with a national hechsher. Is there any "heter" that commercial kitchens do not need to abide by this… Question: We have a large bikur cholim kitchen. We would like to begin buying pre-cut onions that comes with a national hechsher. Is there any "heter" that commercial kitchens do not need to abide by this halacha? Or is there any heter when purchased in sealed bags from this company and we will cook them the same day that we open the bags? Answer: Some of the hechsheirim rely on the position of Reb Moshe that this prohibition does not apply in a commercial setting. His position is not accepted by mainstream Chareidi Poskim and…Show more
Question: I’ve seen people being careful to cover an open bottle while making Kiddush. From what I understand it’s not an halachic issue of pogum but I heard it was a minhag by the Baal Shem Tov. Is there… Question: I’ve seen people being careful to cover an open bottle while making Kiddush. From what I understand it’s not an halachic issue of pogum but I heard it was a minhag by the Baal Shem Tov. Is there a source for this? Answer: See here: Halacha2go.com #568: Kiddush on Uncovered Wine References in the name of the Baal Shem Tov are presented below in Hebrew. There are also Halachic grounds for the stringency (not because of Pogum, though) - see below as well. Sources: בשם הבעש״ט - ראה תורת אבות מאניסטריטש ערך אבות…Show more
Question: If one thought it was Rosh Chodesh when it really wasn't, and mentioned yaleh vyavo in shmoneh esrei, does he need to repeat shmoneh esrei? Answer: There is a machlokes regarding this. In practice, during the week,… Question: If one thought it was Rosh Chodesh when it really wasn't, and mentioned yaleh vyavo in shmoneh esrei, does he need to repeat shmoneh esrei? Answer: There is a machlokes regarding this. In practice, during the week, one should finish shmoneh esrei and daven a tefillas nedava. However, on Shabbos (or Yom Tov), when a tefillas nedava is not said, if they have not finished the bracha of "hamachazir shchinoso l'tzion", they should go back to the beginning of the bracha and repeat it. Even if they have already said the name of Hashem at…Show more
Question: Many people feel that well-meaning Rabonim who get advice from well-meaning doctors are getting incorrect information with regards to the safety of the Covid vaccines. Is it possible that Rabonim do make mistakes with Siyata Dishmaya? A very… Question: Many people feel that well-meaning Rabonim who get advice from well-meaning doctors are getting incorrect information with regards to the safety of the Covid vaccines. Is it possible that Rabonim do make mistakes with Siyata Dishmaya? A very recent example is the closing of shuls during the beginning days of Covid. Obviously, during those times no one knew the severity of the virus, so surely closing down was the proper decision at the time (at least according to most people and the data that was readily available), but knowing what we know now it is a sure thing…Show more
Question: What is the worth of the Kesubah מנה & מאתיים זוז in today’s money? How is it calculated for today’s times? Answer: AskTheRav is primarily focused on providing answers to practical relevant Halachic questions. Due to limited… Question: What is the worth of the Kesubah מנה & מאתיים זוז in today’s money? How is it calculated for today’s times? Answer: AskTheRav is primarily focused on providing answers to practical relevant Halachic questions. Due to limited time and funding, we are currently unable to answer questions which are for research and learning purposes. Due to the fact that a Chasan is supposed to be aware of this by the Chupah, we will answer this question, (though this will usually be explained by the Mesader Kidushin) According to Ashkenazi custom, it would be the worth of 961.5…Show more
שאלה: בחזרת הש"ץ במנחה טעה הש"ץ ואמר ותן טל ומטר לברכה, תיקנו אותו תיכף ואמר ותן ברכה. הערתי להם שלפי מש"כ בשו"ע נראה שצריך לחזור לראש הברכה, טען מישהו, שתוך כדי דיבור תיקן את עצמו. א) כמדומני שתוכ"ד לא… שאלה: בחזרת הש"ץ במנחה טעה הש"ץ ואמר ותן טל ומטר לברכה, תיקנו אותו תיכף ואמר ותן ברכה. הערתי להם שלפי מש"כ בשו"ע נראה שצריך לחזור לראש הברכה, טען מישהו, שתוך כדי דיבור תיקן את עצמו. א) כמדומני שתוכ"ד לא מועיל כאן. ב) האם יש קולא, מצד שזהו אחרי ז' חשון? מענה: א.יש בזה מחלוקת. ורבו האומרים שתוך כדי דיבור לא מהני. ולדעתי, מן הדין, גם אם תיקן עצמו תוך כדי דיבור ואמר ותן ברכה צריך לחזור לראש הברכה. אך כיון שיש חולקים לכן בדיעבד אם המשיך ואמר השם לא יחזור מספק אך יתפלל תפילת נדבה. והארכנו בעיקר…Show more
Question: I flew from NY to California this morning and said Tefilas Haderech with “vesachazireinu leshalom”. Now that I’m heading back on the same day but after Shkiah (my flight is 10:30 pm), do I need to… Question: I flew from NY to California this morning and said Tefilas Haderech with “vesachazireinu leshalom”. Now that I’m heading back on the same day but after Shkiah (my flight is 10:30 pm), do I need to make another Tefilas Haderech, or am I covered from the one I made this morning when I mentioned returning? Answer: You do not say it again. Explanation: The “cutoff” for the requirement to say Tefilas Haderech again (whether one said the words “vesachazireinu leshalom” or not) is morning (– following the same rules as Birchas Hatorah, that it…Show more
Yes, as long as he is one person joining two new people who didn't hear zimun yet (and not two people who did hear zimun who are joining one person who did not hear zimun). This applies only… Yes, as long as he is one person joining two new people who didn't hear zimun yet (and not two people who did hear zimun who are joining one person who did not hear zimun). This applies only if he eats after the last zimun another kazayis of food or drinks a revi's. The best would be if he eats another kazayis of bread. If he is joining a minyan of people in order to say “elokenu” then there is no preference in eating bread. Similarly when it is a group of people eating together…Show more
Question: The bathroom in our shul opens to the shul without a double door, so I'm looking into putting in a screen magnet door in the inside of the bathroom. Basically, this screen closes automatically by magnetic pieces, and… Question: The bathroom in our shul opens to the shul without a double door, so I'm looking into putting in a screen magnet door in the inside of the bathroom. Basically, this screen closes automatically by magnetic pieces, and when you walk through it, it opens. Is such a kind of double door enough for a shul, or is something else needed? Answer: You do not need anything else. Sources: אף שבזמננו אין חשש מלומר דברים שבקדושה נגד מחיצות…Show more
Question: Sometimes on mivtzoim I meet a Jew who wants to put on tefillin, but he has a “chup” or a huge ponytail is there any point of putting on tefillin (shel rosh) with him… Question: Sometimes on mivtzoim I meet a Jew who wants to put on tefillin, but he has a “chup” or a huge ponytail is there any point of putting on tefillin (shel rosh) with him since it’s a chatzitza? Answer: Yes. There is room for leniency even to make a Brocho on the Shel Rosh. Sources: ראה מנחת אהרן כלל ח, ח - לה, ב.…Show more
You may continue saying tehillim for them as you wish. Sources: ראה מהרי"ל בתחילת הלכות שמחות: "ואמר שמה"ר זלמן היה…
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