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Question: I teach in a Chabad high school. Students complain that I don't allow eating and chewing gum in class, and other teachers do. They claim it helps them focus. I don't think it is necessary and certainly not… Question: I teach in a Chabad high school. Students complain that I don't allow eating and chewing gum in class, and other teachers do. They claim it helps them focus. I don't think it is necessary and certainly not appropriate. Also, I recall that al pi halacha, it is not respectful to eat with an open Chumash. Is that correct? Answer: You are justified. Though halachically permitted, it is inappropriate. Sources: כ״ה ב״סדר הנהגה לתלמידים״ - שהוגה מאת פני הקודש…Show more
Question: There is a "well-known" thing people say that one may not diet on Shabbos. Whatever weight-loss method one is using must be suspended on Shabbos, and they should eat as if they weren't dieting. Is there basis for… Question: There is a "well-known" thing people say that one may not diet on Shabbos. Whatever weight-loss method one is using must be suspended on Shabbos, and they should eat as if they weren't dieting. Is there basis for this? Answer: Certainly, if one is dieting for health reasons they may do so on Shabbos. Even if there are no obesity concerns, and the diet is purely being done for beauty reasons, it is permissible on Shabbos, provided one ensures to make (or hear) Kiddush, followed by makom seudah, and/or eating at least a kebeitzah of lechem…Show more
The position of the Badatz is to follow medical experts in this matter. See here: Badatz letter from 28 Elul 5781 - Free translation Timely Inspirational Messages about the Coronavirus #51: COVID-19 Vaccination: What Does Torah Say? Click… The position of the Badatz is to follow medical experts in this matter. See here: Badatz letter from 28 Elul 5781 - Free translation Timely Inspirational Messages about the Coronavirus #51: COVID-19 Vaccination: What Does Torah Say? Click here to read a transcript [Click here for all Timely Messages] Badatz letter about Measles - 5779 https://asktherav.com/12302-halacha-regarding-the-covid-19-vaccine/ #17282Show more
Ideally, two other people should stand by the bimah, one to his right and one to his left. The baal koreh should hold both atzei chaim. Sources: שיעמדו ג׳ אנשים - ראה ירושלמי מגילה ד, א.…
Question: I'm baking a gluten-free challah recipe for a guest. I'm not sure how to know if the recipe would be hamotzie or not. The ingredients include: brown rice flour, oat flour, arrowroot, and the liquid is almond milk.… Question: I'm baking a gluten-free challah recipe for a guest. I'm not sure how to know if the recipe would be hamotzie or not. The ingredients include: brown rice flour, oat flour, arrowroot, and the liquid is almond milk. What are the options for eating this in place of traditional challah? Is it ok to wash on? Or should they wash on a bite of regular challah and then eat a lot of this gluten-free bread to make up a halachic amount? How should they bentch? Answer: Since the liquid is almond milk the challah is mezonos up…Show more
Although some have this custom, there is no known source for this and it's not mentioned by our Rabbeim and the Rebbe, even where visiting the kever is mentioned. The Rebbe personally didn’t practice this custom. Sources: לע״ע לא מצאתי מקור קדום לאמירת קדיש על הקבר…
I've seen that there seems to be some dispute regarding this, but what is the halacha l'maase? Answer: You should answer only Amen yehei shmei... and the last Amen. ראה מש"כ בהסכמה לס׳ שמירת התפלה… I've seen that there seems to be some dispute regarding this, but what is the halacha l'maase? Answer: You should answer only Amen yehei shmei... and the last Amen. ראה מש"כ בהסכמה לס׳ שמירת התפלה (ס"ב), ושם בע' 340 ובהנסמן שם בהערה 32. #17276 https://asktherav.com/33148-hebrew-amen-in-pesukei-dezimra/Show more
Question: When lighting Shabbos candles, and the flame on the match goes out before finishing to light all the candles, what is the best way to light the remainder of the candles? Are we permitted to light a match… Question: When lighting Shabbos candles, and the flame on the match goes out before finishing to light all the candles, what is the best way to light the remainder of the candles? Are we permitted to light a match using the flame of the already lit candle or should we strike the match? Answer: You may light the remaining candle(s) directly from another Shabbos candle which was already lit, but not light a match from it. Alternatively, you may strike a new match to light the remaining candle(s). See more here: Halacha2go.com article #621: May I use a…Show more
Question: What is the halachic basis for not saying cities named after a goyish priest who have been sainted such as S-a-nta Monica and the like? Is it a chumrah and inyan or actually a halachic issue? Does the… Question: What is the halachic basis for not saying cities named after a goyish priest who have been sainted such as S-a-nta Monica and the like? Is it a chumrah and inyan or actually a halachic issue? Does the issue apply also in writing or is it only in saying the name of such places? Answer: The name of a “saint” which is also a common name in society may be said, however without the prefix of “saint” (nor any other title of honor). One should also not write it, since it may cause the reader to pronounce…Show more
Question: I’ve seen many people with jewelry made with a coin from the Rebbe. Is there any issue with wearing a coin as a necklace mitzad avodah Zara because there is a face on the coin? Also, is there… Question: I’ve seen many people with jewelry made with a coin from the Rebbe. Is there any issue with wearing a coin as a necklace mitzad avodah Zara because there is a face on the coin? Also, is there any issue of muktzah wearing it on Shabbos and Yom Tov? Answer: No issues. See here: Halacha2go.com article #327: Muktzah with a Holy Coin מ"מ #8908Show more
One should not eat this garlic unless some of the peel or hair, i.e. root are still on. See here: Halacha2go.com Article #77: Mishum Sakana - Foods that are forbidden on the basis of danger. Follow-up: I'm… One should not eat this garlic unless some of the peel or hair, i.e. root are still on. See here: Halacha2go.com Article #77: Mishum Sakana - Foods that are forbidden on the basis of danger. Follow-up: I'm attaching a picture, does this count as the root still on? Answer: Yes, it is sufficient. ראה בארוכה שו״ת שש משזר רווח א יו״ד יח. #8899 #36317Show more
Can I eat the cooked apples with milk? Yes. Lechtachila? This should not be done l’chatchilah (with the intention of eating that food with milchigs) unless there is no other pot available. What if it's already mixed… Can I eat the cooked apples with milk? Yes. Lechtachila? This should not be done l’chatchilah (with the intention of eating that food with milchigs) unless there is no other pot available. What if it's already mixed with milk? May be eaten. For more information see here: Halacha2go.com Article #443: Can I Use Hot Water from a Fleishig Pot for A Milchig Coffee? מ״מ #8927Show more
Although this is permissible, it is not recommended. Sources: ראה בצוואת ריה״ח לג. ושם: בעיר אחד. (וראה אגרא…
Permitted. אסור להתפלל וללמוד תורה כל זמן שגופו משוקץ וצריך לנקביו וה"ה שאסור לברך. שוע"ר סי' צב ס"א ובסי' ו ס"א וראה הגהות רעק"א סי' ו ס"ק א. אבל מודה אני אין צריך גוף נקי, ובמכ"ש מזה שא"צ… Permitted. אסור להתפלל וללמוד תורה כל זמן שגופו משוקץ וצריך לנקביו וה"ה שאסור לברך. שוע"ר סי' צב ס"א ובסי' ו ס"א וראה הגהות רעק"א סי' ו ס"ק א. אבל מודה אני אין צריך גוף נקי, ובמכ"ש מזה שא"צ ידיים נקיות, מפני שאין קדושה בתיבות נוסח זה כיון שאין בו שום שם, ראה שוע"ר סי' א מהדו"ב ס"ו ומהדו"ק ס"ה. #17242Show more
Question: Can one take a box, turn it to its side, and put his plate in while eating in Sukkah while raining? since "floor", "roof" and "walls" of אוהל were all attached before Shabbos, but not in the position… Question: Can one take a box, turn it to its side, and put his plate in while eating in Sukkah while raining? since "floor", "roof" and "walls" of אוהל were all attached before Shabbos, but not in the position of being a roof. Answer: May be done. Sources: ראה קצה"ש סימן ק"כ סקי"ב בד״ה במ"ש שוב ראיתי,…Show more
היינו למשל ליום הולדתי או ליום הנישואין שלנו, ויכתבו בתחילת הווידאו שזהו לזכות וכו׳. תשובה: אפשרי. אבל עיקר המטרה של הקדשות כאלה - לקבל זכות מסוימת, ושהצדקה תעמוד לזכותו של זה שתרמו בעבורו. אם משלמים בכספי מעשר אין… היינו למשל ליום הולדתי או ליום הנישואין שלנו, ויכתבו בתחילת הווידאו שזהו לזכות וכו׳. תשובה: אפשרי. אבל עיקר המטרה של הקדשות כאלה - לקבל זכות מסוימת, ושהצדקה תעמוד לזכותו של זה שתרמו בעבורו. אם משלמים בכספי מעשר אין את הזכות הזאת. לכן, מומלץ להשתמש בחלק מהכסף לפחות בכסף אישי. מקורות: מותר לקבל טובת הנאה מכספי מעשר - ראה ט״ז יו״ד…Show more
Question: We are planning to make a brunch for the mechutamin on the 7th day after the chasuna. They will have had a sheva brachos the night before. Should we ideally try making this meal a sheva brachos as… Question: We are planning to make a brunch for the mechutamin on the 7th day after the chasuna. They will have had a sheva brachos the night before. Should we ideally try making this meal a sheva brachos as well (may be difficult to get a minyan this time of day, but we can try). If we do make this into a small sheva brachos, do we need to separate men and women? Do we need to have a mechitza? How many of the minyan will need to wash and bentch? Answer: Sheva Brachos every day is not…Show more
Question: Our minyan often begins with only 8-9 people and the Chazan sometimes must wait at Borchu for a tenth. Can I say tehillim during this pause (between Yishtabach and Kaddish) or learn Rambam? Can I do so out… Question: Our minyan often begins with only 8-9 people and the Chazan sometimes must wait at Borchu for a tenth. Can I say tehillim during this pause (between Yishtabach and Kaddish) or learn Rambam? Can I do so out loud? Answer: You may look in a sefer and learn without verbally saying the words. שו"ת מעט מים סי' מב. וראה בארוכה בשו"ת יביע אומר ח"ב או"ח סי' ד. P.S.: Accordingly, it is not possible to learn Chitas or Rambam then. See here: https://asktherav.com/3190-is-it-important-to-say-the-words-of-chitas-and-sefer-hamitzvos-or-just-learning-it-not-verbally-suffices/ See also: https://asktherav.com/32051-say-tehillim-during-davening/ #17257Show more
Question: Is there a source for us saying עול הגוים instead of עול גלות in bentching? Is it something everyone should do? If yes, is there a reason that it doesn't say it like that in the siddur? … Question: Is there a source for us saying עול הגוים instead of עול גלות in bentching? Is it something everyone should do? If yes, is there a reason that it doesn't say it like that in the siddur? Answer: There is a letter of the Rebbe stating that the correct wording is "Ol Hagoyim". And indeed that is what should be said. Nonetheless, in the Alter Rebbe's Siddur, in most prints, it said "Ol Galus" and the nusach in our siddurim follow the same nusach and it was not changed. Sources: ראה מענה אור לכ׳ מרחשון תשמ״ח להרב ברוך ע״ה…Show more
No. But you must wash (by a sink etc.) with a Bracha after you get up and are ready to make the Bracha, as usual. See here: https://asktherav.com/article-623-must-i-wash-negel-vasser-after-a-nap/ #9283
תשובה: אין אומרים חזרת הש"ץ, דהיינו כל זמן שאין עשרה כשמתחיל חזרת הש"ץ, אין לומר חזרת הש"ץ (חוץ מתפילת ערבית שאם הי' שם עשרה בשעת התפילה ויצאו אחר שמו"ע אומר קדיש תתקבל). ואם הי' עשרה בשעת תפילת שמו"ע ויצאו,… תשובה: אין אומרים חזרת הש"ץ, דהיינו כל זמן שאין עשרה כשמתחיל חזרת הש"ץ, אין לומר חזרת הש"ץ (חוץ מתפילת ערבית שאם הי' שם עשרה בשעת התפילה ויצאו אחר שמו"ע אומר קדיש תתקבל). ואם הי' עשרה בשעת תפילת שמו"ע ויצאו, אומרים חצי קדיש, כשנשאר רוב המנין. מקורות: ראה שו"ע אדמו"ר הזקן סי' נ"ה סעי' ג-ד. ומשנ"ב שם…Show more
Question: Before Corona when my kids weren't home I would try my best to daven and say Chitas every day. Now with my kids home and less time available, is it better to daven a condensed woman's davening so… Question: Before Corona when my kids weren't home I would try my best to daven and say Chitas every day. Now with my kids home and less time available, is it better to daven a condensed woman's davening so I have time for Chitas or to daven the whole davening even if it means that some days I won't have time for even a minimum amount of Chitas? Answer: Davening the minimum required sections comes first. After a woman davens the basic required davening, the rest is optional. She can choose to either do Chitas or complete the…Show more
Question: If someone's grandparent passes away and there are no sons or sons-in-law to say Kaddish and the family asks the grandson so say Kaddish, May the grandson do so? Is there a chiyuv to do so? Should they… Question: If someone's grandparent passes away and there are no sons or sons-in-law to say Kaddish and the family asks the grandson so say Kaddish, May the grandson do so? Is there a chiyuv to do so? Should they be chazzan? Answer: Yes, the grandson may say Kaddish for the grandparent. If he has a parent that is alive, he should get their permission. Yes, there is a Chiyuv for the grandchild to say Kaddish after the grandparent. (Although not as much as a son for their parent). Yes, if he is able, he should Daven as a…Show more
Yes, and so is the practical custom. See here: Halacha2go.com article #304: Preference for a Levi .עיין רמ"א בסי' קלה ו, ט"ז ו, מג"א י, ובמחה"ש שם, תורת חיים (סופר) יא, ועוד שוע"ר ר"א ג'. אך ראה בקצה"ש… Yes, and so is the practical custom. See here: Halacha2go.com article #304: Preference for a Levi .עיין רמ"א בסי' קלה ו, ט"ז ו, מג"א י, ובמחה"ש שם, תורת חיים (סופר) יא, ועוד שוע"ר ר"א ג'. אך ראה בקצה"ש כה הע' טו והתקשרות תשסא ע' 15 הע' 11. #9335Show more
שאלה: ע"פ פשטות ההלכה נראה שההקפדה לערוך כפרות באשמורת הבוקר הוא דווקא בנוגע להשחיטה (שלכאורה זהו עיקר ענין של כפרות). האם יש ענין ע"פ הלכה גם לעשות את הסדר של כפרות גם אשמורת הבוקר? והאיך זה מתאים עם הנהגת… שאלה: ע"פ פשטות ההלכה נראה שההקפדה לערוך כפרות באשמורת הבוקר הוא דווקא בנוגע להשחיטה (שלכאורה זהו עיקר ענין של כפרות). האם יש ענין ע"פ הלכה גם לעשות את הסדר של כפרות גם אשמורת הבוקר? והאיך זה מתאים עם הנהגת הרבי בכפרות? תשובה: יש ב׳ ענינים בכפרות: הסיבוב והשחיטה. בפוסקים מובא גם בנוגע לסדר כפרות גופא שיהא באשמורת הבוקר. ראה מט״א תרה, ג. ועוד. ועיי״ש שהובאו כב׳ ענינים נפרדים. ויתירה מזו, מפורש באג״ק (מי״ב אלול תש״ז נדפס בשלחן מנחם ג ע׳ קנב) לעשות באשמורת הבוקר גם כשהשחיטה לאחר זמן. ובלא״ה, נכון להסמיך סדר כפרות לשחיטתן - ראה שו״ע אדה״ז…Show more
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