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A man may not be with even two women as this is yichud. According to many poskim, this applies even to more than two women. This is the accepted practice. However, some poskim maintain that more than… A man may not be with even two women as this is yichud. According to many poskim, this applies even to more than two women. This is the accepted practice. However, some poskim maintain that more than two women is permissible. When desperate, and no other choices are available there might be room to rely on this position. Even according to the lenient position, by night or when traveling, some say that even many women is forbidden. Others say it would need to be four women. This is the accepted position, in desperate situations, as mentioned. If…Show more
This is not completely clear: one approach is not to say it at all. A second approach is to say it after Kadish. A third approach, to say it in the middle of Kaddish. A fourth approach, to say… This is not completely clear: one approach is not to say it at all. A second approach is to say it after Kadish. A third approach, to say it in the middle of Kaddish. A fourth approach, to say it before Kaddish. The sources indicate to follow the third approach and recite it quietly (though some claim that the Rebbe followed the second approach). If for whatever reason the chazan did not start kaddish until the Sefer Torah is already being carried to the Aron Kodesh, it should be said then before Kadish. The chazan should recite it before…Show more
Golden berries (Physalis peruvinana or Cape gooseberry) are Ha’adama. שערי הברכה עמ׳ תשעה ובהע׳ נג, מאיר עוז עמ׳ 118, הברכות כסידורם עמ׳ 52. #17374
Question: I have a question regarding Refuah on Shabbos. I have a rare case of acid reflux which affects my breathing. Every time I eat my stomach creates an overdose of acid which comes up and gives me a… Question: I have a question regarding Refuah on Shabbos. I have a rare case of acid reflux which affects my breathing. Every time I eat my stomach creates an overdose of acid which comes up and gives me a difficult time breathing. I have discovered a good remedy for it. Every morning I drink a cup of water with a spoon of apple cider vinegar in it. As soon as I started taking this my breathing immediately improved. The reason this works is because I am sending a high dosage of acid to my stomach before eating anything else.…Show more
Question: I know we can't do Kabbalos Shabbos on Zoom, as that's when we actually accept upon ourselves Shabbos. My question is: Can I do a Zoom singing session and sing the l'cha dodi stanza outside of davening -… Question: I know we can't do Kabbalos Shabbos on Zoom, as that's when we actually accept upon ourselves Shabbos. My question is: Can I do a Zoom singing session and sing the l'cha dodi stanza outside of davening - and even do it before mincha so that it won't look as if we're doing Kabbalos Shabbos on Zoom, but will still give people a Shabbos-like experience? Thanks so much for your time. Answer: For the very reason that you want to do it - to give people a Shabbos-like experience - it is a problem. If in their…Show more
Question: The doorpost at the entrance of our apartment is around 10 inches wide, with the possibility of having the door installed on either side. We chose to install the doors at the inner end. The question is where… Question: The doorpost at the entrance of our apartment is around 10 inches wide, with the possibility of having the door installed on either side. We chose to install the doors at the inner end. The question is where is best for the mezuzah- the usually preferred most outer point, or it’s better to be next to the door? Answer: It should be placed in the outer tefach. Sources: כן הוא ביו״ד רפה ב ורפט ב, ועיין רש״י…Show more
Question: Hi, I am Chabad, and I have a birthing class, and it came up few times in the class about women eating their placenta after birth. Some eat fresh and some have company encapsulating. So, I would like… Question: Hi, I am Chabad, and I have a birthing class, and it came up few times in the class about women eating their placenta after birth. Some eat fresh and some have company encapsulating. So, I would like to know if there is any Jewish source for this custom? What is the halachic ruling pertaining to this for a healthy delivery vs. some issues with iron levels in the mother to blood loss, etc? Answer: Scientifically: It is highly debatable whether scientifically there is any health advantage to this practice. See for example here. Halachicly: I'll focus…Show more
Question: Our son's bris is scheduled for Shabbos. We are planning on doing it shortly (not immediately) after Mussaf. What is the best conduct in regards to kiddush? Should the one who makes the Bracha after the Bris over… Question: Our son's bris is scheduled for Shabbos. We are planning on doing it shortly (not immediately) after Mussaf. What is the best conduct in regards to kiddush? Should the one who makes the Bracha after the Bris over a cup of wine and the people have in mind to be yoitze kiddush with the hagofen of asher kideish? Or is it better to have it separate? Note: There will be Mezonos for Makom Seuda at the place of the bris. Answer: If kiddush was not made before the Bris, the person who is making the Berachos…Show more
Question: Does the one who makes the Bracha after the Bris and names the child need to drink from the wine? Or could it be someone else? And is the krias hashem a hefsek between the Bracha Hagafen and… Question: Does the one who makes the Bracha after the Bris and names the child need to drink from the wine? Or could it be someone else? And is the krias hashem a hefsek between the Bracha Hagafen and drinking the wine? Answer: The common custom is not to be concerned about the Hefsek and that the person making the berachos drinks the wine himself. Sources: הלשון בסידור אדה״ז סדר הברית "נותנין לתינוק לשתות מכוס…Show more
Question: Is it tznius for over Bas Mitzvah girls to daven in a place like Prospect Park (not while on the go, specifically going to park to daven there)? Is that considered in a "public place"? Answer: There… Question: Is it tznius for over Bas Mitzvah girls to daven in a place like Prospect Park (not while on the go, specifically going to park to daven there)? Is that considered in a "public place"? Answer: There are 2 points to consider: 1. One should not daven in an open area (like a field) unless they are traveling (see Alter Rebbe Shulchan Aruch 90:5). 2. While it’s not a lack of tznius for a girl or woman to daven in a public place - see here - it wouldn’t be appropriate to schedule a public event…Show more
It’s not an issue (even if it might be a yid, rachmana litzlan). Sources: שכשנוסע ממשיך במלאכת הבערה בלחיצה על הדוושה, ושכשעוצר יתכן…
To the best of my knowledge there isn’t any Halachic source for dancing specifically then, though in certain circles they have the custom of dancing during Lecha Dodi. Sources: ראה רבינו חננאל ב״ק לב, א: ר״ח הוה מרקיד…
In hot weather, where people often wear it that way - it's allowed as long as one is sure it won't fall off. Sources: שוע"ר שא, ב: אבל אם הוציאם דרך מלבוש שלבשו…
One may generally not take medications on Shabbos. For constipation, it would depend on the severity of it: if it's not too severe, you can try taking it right before Shabbos and right after. Additionally, throughout shabbos you can… One may generally not take medications on Shabbos. For constipation, it would depend on the severity of it: if it's not too severe, you can try taking it right before Shabbos and right after. Additionally, throughout shabbos you can try fiber-rich foods such as prune juice, chickpeas, beans etc., If it is severe to the extent that it's hard to get around, you may take the actual medication. Sources: ראה שו"ע אדה"ז שכח, יט בדין חולה שנחלש ממנו…Show more
Question: In our Chabad House, we have a movable wall made consisting of 10 parts. The 10 small "walls" move on a track in the ceiling. It is entirely mechanical. In order to move the wall to put it… Question: In our Chabad House, we have a movable wall made consisting of 10 parts. The 10 small "walls" move on a track in the ceiling. It is entirely mechanical. In order to move the wall to put it away, there is a special tool to unlock the first section of the wall. Can the tool be used on shabbos? At times we move the wall frequently, at other times it may remain in position for extended periods of time. Attached is a video of the wall. Answer: Generally, If it isn’t usual for the wall to be opened…Show more
There is no problem with such a ceremony even when tachanun is not said, although if done within 30 days before Yom Tov no hesped or sad speeches should be made. Because of this, many people try to push… There is no problem with such a ceremony even when tachanun is not said, although if done within 30 days before Yom Tov no hesped or sad speeches should be made. Because of this, many people try to push off the ceremony to a date where this is no longer an issue. ראה שו"ע או"ח תקמז, ה. משנ"ב סק"ח. שעה"צ סק"ו. ביה"ל ד"ה על המת. שו"ת דבר יהושע ח"ה ליקוטים לג. #8875Show more
I don't see why it would be a problem, especially if people can & do wear digital watches? Answer: In regards to carrying and moving the lamp indoors or in a place which has an Eruv (or on… I don't see why it would be a problem, especially if people can & do wear digital watches? Answer: In regards to carrying and moving the lamp indoors or in a place which has an Eruv (or on Yom Tov), please check out this link: https://asktherav.com/10503-what-is-and-isnt-allowed-when-using-a-shabbos-lamp/ However, outdoors in a place without an Eruv, it will be considered carrying. See in the following link below regarding carrying a watch outdoors on Shabbos. Even according to the minority position regarding wristwatches, a headlamp is certainly not considered a garment. https://asktherav.com/article-574-may-i-wear-my-watch-on-shabbos/ #17221Show more
You should do Hatavas Chalom in the presence of three friends. For details about this process, see here: https://asktherav.com/4557-can-you-please-tell-me-exactly-how-to-do-hatovas-chalom-for-a-bad-dream-and-may-a-woman-do-it-before-3-women/ See here about dreams in general: https://asktherav.com/9542-i-had-a-couple-of-disturbing-dreams-that-i-was-doing-something-against-halacha-is-it-something-i-should-ignore-or-is-there-something-i-should-do-about-it/ Sources: שלא מצינו בשום דוכתא תענית בכגון דא. וכללא כיילו…
You have to make sure your hands are dry when washing them in the morning with a Bracha and when you wash for Hamotzie. All other times you don't need to dry your hands. Sources: ניגוב הידים הוא משום טומאה - ראה בשוע"ר סי'…
Question: Is it acceptable to think words of Torah if you or someone else passed gas and there is an odor? If one is not sure if there is still an odor, is there a general time frame that… Question: Is it acceptable to think words of Torah if you or someone else passed gas and there is an odor? If one is not sure if there is still an odor, is there a general time frame that you can assume the smell has dissipated? Answer: If you passed gas: To think words of Torah is allowed, but not to verbalize Torah. If someone else passed gas: One may even speak Torah, but not Shema and davening. If you don’t sense an odor it’s permitted always. Sources: ראה שו״ע אדה״ז עט, יא. ונראה פשוט שהרהור מותר,…Show more
Question: Is there an inyan to have a modern-day toilet built in a way that the direction of the length of the toilet seat is North to South and not East to West? Obviously, the toilet will be enclosed… Question: Is there an inyan to have a modern-day toilet built in a way that the direction of the length of the toilet seat is North to South and not East to West? Obviously, the toilet will be enclosed by a wall and door. Answer: In the Mahadura Basra of Shulchan Aruch, the Alter Rebbe rules that initially, one should follow the stringent opinion and build a bathroom in such a manner that when using it, the person's back would not face west or east, rather north or south, depending on where one lives in reference to Jerusalem.…Show more
Tevilas Keilim: The lack of Tevilah of the waffle maker is not a concern if the utensil is owned by a non-Jew. Bishul Akum: The fact that waffles may have been made in the past entirely by non-Jewish guests… Tevilas Keilim: The lack of Tevilah of the waffle maker is not a concern if the utensil is owned by a non-Jew. Bishul Akum: The fact that waffles may have been made in the past entirely by non-Jewish guests is also not a concern, for although a utensil becomes forbidden as a result of Bishul Akkum, there is room to be lenient with regards to Pas Akkum, such as waffles. Nevertheless, the waffle maker should not be used due to a strong Kashrus concern. Even if the waffle mix has a Hechsher, as you pointed out, it is…Show more
You may use the cups for cold water and soft beverages, provided that the cups are clean, and you don't leave your liquid in the cups for 24 hours (or as soon as 6 minutes if it is a… You may use the cups for cold water and soft beverages, provided that the cups are clean, and you don't leave your liquid in the cups for 24 hours (or as soon as 6 minutes if it is a strong alcoholic beverage). Sources: שו”ע ופוסקים ריש סי’ צ”א. ודעת אדה”ז בשיטת הש”ך…Show more
אם לא תתבטל תפלת הציבור עי״ז, עדיף להתפלל ביחיד בזמנה מלהתפלל בציבור לפני הנץ החמה. ומכל מקום, נכון לבוא לתפלת הציבור ולשמוע קדיש קדושה וברכו וכו׳. ומה טוב, אם יוכל להתפלל כותיקין, ובתנאי שלא יפריע לכוונת התפלה. מקורות: נחלקו בכיו״ב בנוגע לתפלת ותיקין ביחיד או אחר הנה״ח בציבור איזה…
Question: Is it a minhag/inyan to say my wife's kapitel Tehillim? I have been doing it since we got married, but someone told me there's no source for it. Also, if it's true that it's not an… Question: Is it a minhag/inyan to say my wife's kapitel Tehillim? I have been doing it since we got married, but someone told me there's no source for it. Also, if it's true that it's not an inyan, should I stop? Personally, I don't mind having less Tehillim to say, although it feels weird to say my kapitel, the kids' kapitelach, and not my wife's. Answer: Although not specifically recorded anywhere as a Minhag (as far as I know), it would seem to be an Inyan (in addition to the general merit of reciting Tehillim).…Show more
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