Question: [Monday, 30th Nissan, 5781] May a man trim his mustache on Rosh Chodesh? Answer: One is not to do so. Explanation: Rav Yehuda Hachassid adds the word “Zakan” in his warning against cutting hair on Rosh Chodesh, which seemingly comes to include that one may likewise not trim the […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Blessing on Gluten products
Question: [Monday, 30th Nissan, 5781] What blessing should be recited in non-grain products that contain gluten within their ingredients? Answer: The gluten has the status of a Shehakol food. Practically, it is nullified to the main ingredient of the product and one should recite whatever blessing the main ingredient deserves. […]
From the Rav’s Desk: 1) Blessing on Gluten products; 2) trimming the mustache on Rosh Chodesh
Question: [Monday, 30th Nissan, 5781] What blessing should be recited in non-grain products that contain gluten within their ingredients? Answer: The gluten has the status of a Shehakol food. Practically, it is nullified to the main ingredient of the product and one should recite whatever blessing the main ingredient deserves. […]
What blessing is to be recited over heart of palm
Blessing over heart of palm:[1] The heart of palm, known in Hebrew as Kura, is the center of a palm tree’s main stem.[2] The blessing that is to be recited on the heart of the palm is Shehakol.[3] [However, this only applies towards the heart of a wild palm tree, […]
From the Rav’s Desk: 1) Checking Tzitzis strings in morning if did not change 2) The annual Shlissel Challah controversy
Question: [Sunday, 29th Nissan, 5781] If I don’t change my Tzitzis in the morning am I still obligated to check them daily? I currently have only one pair which I don’t change or take off and sleep with at night, and therefore my question. Answer: One is obligated to check […]
Covering the head with the Tallis Gadol during Davening
Covering the head with the Tallis Gadol during Davening: The letter of the law:[1] It is disputed whether one must also cover his head and perform the Yishmaeili wrap with the Tallis, in addition to covering the body. Some Poskim[2] rule that the Tallis must be large enough for one […]
Covering the head with the Tallis Gadol during Davening
Covering the head with the Tallis Gadol during Davening: The letter of the law:[1] It is disputed whether one must also cover his head and perform the Yishmaeili wrap with the Tallis, in addition to covering the body. Some Poskim[2] rule that the Tallis must be large enough for one […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Folding a page of a Sefer on Shabbos
Question: [Thursday, 19th Nissan, 5781] May I make a mark on the page of a book on Shabbos in order to remember the page for editorial or other type of purposes? Is this considered like writing? Is this considered like preparing for after Shabbos? Answer: It is forbidden to make […]
Shlissel Challah/Pirkei Avos
Shlissel Challah-Kneading a key into Challah the first Shabbos after Pesach: A. The custom: Many are accustomed to braid the Challah in the shape of a key[1] on the first Shabbos after Pesach.[2] Others knead a key within the Challah dough on the first Shabbos after Pesach. Some[3] record that […]
Is the Mitzvah of Sefiras Haomer Biblical or Rabbinical?
Is the Mitzvah of Sefiras Haomer Biblical or Rabbinical?[1] Temple times: It is a positive command of the Torah for every single Jew[2] to count seven weeks’ worth of days beginning from when the Omer was offered. In the Diaspora:[3] The Mitzvah of counting the Omer Biblically applies in both […]
