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Question: I am not yet certified and want to practice sharpening my knife as well shechita, however, it would only be for Goyim. May I do this Chol Hamoed? Answer: No. Sources: להשחיז סכין מותר רק כשאין לו סכין אחר -…
Question: If someone is Davening in a shul by themselves, should they take out the Sefer Torah for hoshaanos and put it on the Bima, or is it only taken out betzibur? Answer: They shouldn’t take out… Question: If someone is Davening in a shul by themselves, should they take out the Sefer Torah for hoshaanos and put it on the Bima, or is it only taken out betzibur? Answer: They shouldn’t take out the Sefer Torah but should circle the bimah. Sources: בבא״ח ש״א האזינו ט: ההקפות בלולב בכל ימות החג…Show more
Q. Can I swap the box of matzah I used for eruv chatzeiros from expensive to cheaper? A. No. But you can make a new one after you eat the old one or discard it. ע"פ שו"ע אדה"ז שסו,… Q. Can I swap the box of matzah I used for eruv chatzeiros from expensive to cheaper? A. No. But you can make a new one after you eat the old one or discard it. ע"פ שו"ע אדה"ז שסו, ד. #8999 Q. My backyard opens into an alley and I want to make an eiruv with my Jewish neighbors so that we can carry into the alley and to each others backyards/houses. Do I need to rent from the non-Jewish neighbors? In Shulchan Aruch Siman 389 - חלון פתוח למבוי - it seems that it is not required…Show more
שאלה: בתמונה נראה מסגרת של סוכה העומדת כל השנה. ויש בה בה צורת הפתח שנוצר מהעמודים. ומשמש גם בכפתח בסוכות. והשאלה היא חייבת היא במזוזה שהרי אולי יש לדמותו ל"פצימין" ש"להעמיד התקרה הם עשויים" (רפו, ו) או אולי מפני… שאלה: בתמונה נראה מסגרת של סוכה העומדת כל השנה. ויש בה בה צורת הפתח שנוצר מהעמודים. ומשמש גם בכפתח בסוכות. והשאלה היא חייבת היא במזוזה שהרי אולי יש לדמותו ל"פצימין" ש"להעמיד התקרה הם עשויים" (רפו, ו) או אולי מפני שמשמש כפתח בחג הסוכות אי"ז לנדו"ד. או יש לפטרו מטעם אחר מפני שעלול להתקלקל מחמת השלג והגשמים והרוח, שהרי היא עומדת תחת כיפת השמים . וא"כ אולי יש לדמותו ל"מזוזה בשערי רחובות" שאין קובעים שם מחמת שיגרמו "בזיון לכתבי הקדש" (ש"ך רפו סק"ז). ואולי יש לצרף גם שיטת הרמב"ם שבלא דלת אין חייבים. וגם אולי יש לדונו כבית בלא תקרה…Show more
Question: If I left my bamboo poles on my Sukkah since last Sukkos and there's enough of it to make the Sukkah kosher, but I am putting new evergreen branches on top of them, do I need to lift… Question: If I left my bamboo poles on my Sukkah since last Sukkos and there's enough of it to make the Sukkah kosher, but I am putting new evergreen branches on top of them, do I need to lift up the bamboo poles, or is it enough to just put new Schach on top of them? Answer: You should first lift up schach in an area which is a tefach by a tefach, and then put it back leshem sukkos. Alternatively, you can do the same with even a smaller amount, a mashehu, as long…Show more
One shouldn't go out with pins on Shabbos. No need to be מוחה to those that do. Sources: ה”ה דומה למש”כ בשוע”ר סי’ שא ס”ט: לא יצא…
No need, especially if it’s usually on throughout the week. Regardless, food may remain cooking over Yom Kippur if it will be used on Yom Kippur itself, such as for children, unhealthy people, etc., or for a weak person… No need, especially if it’s usually on throughout the week. Regardless, food may remain cooking over Yom Kippur if it will be used on Yom Kippur itself, such as for children, unhealthy people, etc., or for a weak person who needs it right after Yom Kippur, or when being prepared for a Shul. In all these cases, one should follow all relevant Halachos like on Shabbos. Sources: במים שבמיחם לית לן בה, שלהטעם שהוא משום הכנה…Show more
Candies should certainly not be thrown as they are extremely dangerous. The original custom was to throw soft treats, such as roasted wheat and nuts, raisins, popcorn, etc. This too was practiced only for a Chosson. I know of… Candies should certainly not be thrown as they are extremely dangerous. The original custom was to throw soft treats, such as roasted wheat and nuts, raisins, popcorn, etc. This too was practiced only for a Chosson. I know of no source which indicates such a custom for a Bar Bitzvah boy, at least in Ashkenazi communities. Sources: ראה הקטן והלכותיו ג פג הע׳ קד - ע׳…Show more
Question: I have something I need to toivel but the label sticker won't come off all the way. is it still a chatzitzah or can it be toiveled any way? Answer: Ideally, one should remove all the stickers… Question: I have something I need to toivel but the label sticker won't come off all the way. is it still a chatzitzah or can it be toiveled any way? Answer: Ideally, one should remove all the stickers or labels from the dishes before the tevila. However, in a case where the stickers are covering only the minority of the dish and it is in such a manner that most people don’t mind its presence, one may toivel the dishes with the stickers on, if removing them would be a big hassle. If on occasion one minds its…Show more
Question: If I am given a seat on an airplane between two women, is it absolutely forbidden for me to sit there, or are there ways to permit it? (I am extremely uncomfortable asking people to start switching for… Question: If I am given a seat on an airplane between two women, is it absolutely forbidden for me to sit there, or are there ways to permit it? (I am extremely uncomfortable asking people to start switching for no apparent reason - which they can understand -, as well worried it may make a Chillul Hashem if I start making a whole fuss.) Answer: In this case, there is room to be lenient due to several factors. Nonetheless, it’s best if you place something in between to separate or hold something in your hand. Also, you should…Show more
Question: A mekureves of mine is invited to two different parties at non-Kosher restaurants, both of very close friends of hers. Can she attend as long as she doesn't eat anything or only eats kosher food if they can… Question: A mekureves of mine is invited to two different parties at non-Kosher restaurants, both of very close friends of hers. Can she attend as long as she doesn't eat anything or only eats kosher food if they can order something kosher for her? Answer: If her close friend is Jewish, she should not attend. If the friend is not Jewish, and not attending might cause animosity, she may attend if it will be obvious to all onlookers that she is not eating the non-kosher food. This usually is accomplished better when bringing their own food which stands…Show more
It is usually OK Lchatchillah. Some suggest having the walls reach the schach as not everyone is expert in these matters. Sources: ראה ערוה״ש תרל, כא: וגם יזהר שיהיו המחיצות סמוכות…
Question Continued: (I.e. do we hold of the כלבו referenced in אג"ק ח"ח ע' רסו, that one should only reveal his age through a lengthy mathematical calculation?) Answer: There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s just a question of… Question Continued: (I.e. do we hold of the כלבו referenced in אג"ק ח"ח ע' רסו, that one should only reveal his age through a lengthy mathematical calculation?) Answer: There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s just a question of mannerisms. Usually, it’s not appropriate to ask an older person for their age. Sources: בכלבו לא נז׳ שאין לענות להדיא. וכן גם באג״ק…Show more
It is permissible if you don’t intend for the water to cause it to grow, under either of the following conditions: The water Isn’t spilled directly on the plants or grass. It pours first on concrete etc. and then… It is permissible if you don’t intend for the water to cause it to grow, under either of the following conditions: The water Isn’t spilled directly on the plants or grass. It pours first on concrete etc. and then on the plants. If the plants or grass were fully watered before and any extra water will only ruin things. Sources: האופן הראשון - משום גרמא. וגרמא לא מהני בפס״ר…Show more
When one passes away without children, someone else should observe the yartzeit. Usually, the father observes the yartzeit, though some are particular not to say kaddish for a child and ask someone else. Other relatives or associates… When one passes away without children, someone else should observe the yartzeit. Usually, the father observes the yartzeit, though some are particular not to say kaddish for a child and ask someone else. Other relatives or associates need not observe the yartzeit, where there is someone doing so. Nonetheless, it’s a chesed for the neshama if they choose to do so. Customs normally associated with observing a yartzeit include: extra mitzvos and massim tovim, giving tzedeaka in memory of the neshama, learning Mishnayos and Torah in general, fasting or making a siyum, lighting…Show more
Question: If I'm on Mivtzoim and I ask someone to shake Lulav and he doesn't want to, it's he yotzei if I tell him to "hold my Lulav for me while I tie my shoe", or do we say… Question: If I'm on Mivtzoim and I ask someone to shake Lulav and he doesn't want to, it's he yotzei if I tell him to "hold my Lulav for me while I tie my shoe", or do we say that מצוות צריכות כוונה? Answer: On the first day of Yom Tov it is a mitzvah m'doraysa and therefore needs proper kavanah to fulfill the mitzvah. Nonetheless, he should still be asked to do the mitzvah but a Bracha shouldn’t be made. However, on the other days of Yom Tov/chol hamoed intent is not needed. https://asktherav.com/31036-mivtza-daled-minim-question/ Sources: שוע"ר סי' ס סעי' ה ושם סי' תרמט סעי'…Show more
If it doesn't bother you it is nullified to the garment and can be worn as is. ראה שש"כ פרק יח אות לג. #17042
Question: I have reached an age where I am required to withdraw money from pension plans (RMD). The monies were invested in various funds over many decades and the investments were bought and sold numerous times, and the pension… Question: I have reached an age where I am required to withdraw money from pension plans (RMD). The monies were invested in various funds over many decades and the investments were bought and sold numerous times, and the pension plans changed as well over time. Since the transactions go back 30-40 years and the records are not kept for such a long time, my investment firm claims that it is not possible for them to calculate the profit. I cannot take ma'aser from the total withdrawal since I contributed my own funds all along to these retirement plans, and…Show more
Generally, she may only do that which is permitted for you. There are certain exceptions. See here: https://asktherav.com/non-jewish-help-on-shabbos-and-yom-tov/ Therefore, she may only fold laundry under the conditions mentioned here: https://asktherav.com/9292-can-i-fold-laundry-on-shabbos/ #17010
You may if your intention is for space or comfortable weather. Sources: לא מצינו בפוסקים שיזהירו מזה. וגם במט״א תרכה באלף…
Question: My Kittel has a belt attached to it that can't be removed. Would it be a problem to wear my gartel directly on top of the belt when going outside? Or would I need to wrap my gartel… Question: My Kittel has a belt attached to it that can't be removed. Would it be a problem to wear my gartel directly on top of the belt when going outside? Or would I need to wrap my gartel on my kapata and under the kittel? Answer: One should not wear 2 belts one on top of each other, (שוע"ר סי' שא סמ"ב). There are 3 options: You can wear the gartel under the Kittel. You can wear the gartel on top of your tallis. You can also not tie the belt of your Kittel and put the…Show more
Many shuls sell seats for Yamim Noraim. There is a discussion among contemporary poskim whether ma'aser (one-tenth of one’s earnings that is earmarked for tzedakah) may be used to purchase a seat. According to many poskim, maaser money may… Many shuls sell seats for Yamim Noraim. There is a discussion among contemporary poskim whether ma'aser (one-tenth of one’s earnings that is earmarked for tzedakah) may be used to purchase a seat. According to many poskim, maaser money may be used not only for tzedekah but also towards fulfilling certain non-obligatory mitzvos. However, buying a seat in shul does not fall under that category. Davening in shul is a mitzvah, but having a seat simply facilitates the mitzvah by adding to the person’s comfort; albeit they will be davening with more kavanah, which is considered a mitzvah, it doesn’t…Show more
One may not charge the borrower fees that accrued due to securing the loan, however, wiring costs, and legal fees for drafting the loan document, can be transferred. Sources: Bris Yehuda 9:2, C.M. 39:17; 106:1; Pischei Choshen, Halva’ah…
Question: Is there room to answer a question untruthfully if you are embarrassed to share the truth? In a case of casual conversation where no one is being affected by what you say. Answer: Yes, it could be… Question: Is there room to answer a question untruthfully if you are embarrassed to share the truth? In a case of casual conversation where no one is being affected by what you say. Answer: Yes, it could be allowed, as long as no one is being affected, including yourself (an example of hurting yourself or causing undeserved “gain” could be when being untruthful about yourself to your employer, teacher, or parents), and even then it's better to be ambiguous. Still, a person should always distance himself from saying anything untruthful. Certainly, this shouldn’t become a habit. If someone…Show more
Question: I want to write a Jewish magazine a letter in response to one of their articles. However, I want my identity to be thoroughly concealed. May I make up details/change details (for example, write that I'm a certain… Question: I want to write a Jewish magazine a letter in response to one of their articles. However, I want my identity to be thoroughly concealed. May I make up details/change details (for example, write that I'm a certain age when in fact I am not) for the sake of protecting my anonymity? Answer: You may write under a pseudonym. You may also alter other details if you feel there is a need. However, if the changes will determine whether or not the article will be published, then it is problematic. Sources: אף שאיסור שקר הוא גם בכתב - ראה גם…Show more
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