Ask the Rav #1: Q&A on Chanukah, Davening, Kerias Hatorah, Kibud Eim & More

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Chanukah Q&A

May one’s wife light the menorah in addition to her husband?

It is best for a wife to not light candles in addition to her husband. This restriction applies only to lighting in addition to the husband’s lighting at home. However, if the husband is out of town, the wife should light her own Chanukah candles. Likewise, if the wife is away from home, she should light his own candles.

Source:

See our corresponding Sefer “The Laws of Chanukah” Chapter 3 Halacha 2D in Q&A!

https://back.shulchanaruchharav.com/halacha/from-the-ravs-desk-may-a-wife-light-chanukah-candles-in-addition-to-her-husband/;

Who should light the candles at home if the father is out of town—the mother, son, or daughter?

Answer:
If there is a son at home who is above the age of mitzvah (bar mitzvah), he may light the candles on behalf of everyone, including the mother. However, if the mother wishes, she may also light candles in addition to her son.

Source:

See our corresponding Sefer “The Laws of Chanukah” Chapter 3 Halacha 2D in Q&A!

May I eat mezonos, fruits, vegetables, or drink wine at a Chanukah party prior to lighting candles upon my return home?

One may eat a light snack but should not consume more than approximately 55 grams of mezonos or wine (or other alcoholic beverages) unless a shomer (someone to remind you) is appointed to ensure the candles are lit later.

Source:

See our corresponding Sefer “The Laws of Chanukah” Chapter 3 Halacha 6 in Q&A!

I am a single girl who will be staying as a guest at a family throughout Chanukah. What should I do regarding my Chanukah candle-lighting obligation? Do I fulfill my obligation with my parents at home, or with my host?

My recommendation is for you to light your own Chanukah candles. Purchase a menorah and olive oil and light with a blessing. If, for any reason, you do not choose to light on your own, you can fulfill your obligation through your host by purchasing some of their oil and wicks for a small sum [i.e. 5 cents], lifting the jar of oil, and having them place extra oil on your behalf when they light. You must be present for their blessings in order to be yotzei. You do not fulfill your obligation with your family’s lighting at home.

Source:

See our corresponding Sefer “The Laws of Chanukah” Chapter 3 Halacha 3A in Q&A and Halacha 3E!

I have a yahrzeit on Chanukah. Am I allowed to lead the prayers, including Hallel?

Yes, you may lead the prayers on Chanukah even if you have a yahrzeit. This includes leading Hallel, as there is no restriction against doing so in this situation. The main restriction applies specifically to a mourner (avel) during the first year of mourning, when they are in a state of greater severity and sadness. This is similar to the distinction between a yahrzeit and an avel on Shabbos: if a yahrzeit falls on Shabbos, one may lead the prayers, whereas an avel does not lead the prayers on Shabbos.

Source:

See our corresponding Sefer “The Laws of Chanukah” Chapter 3 Halacha 2 and in Q&A!

Must I wash my hands prior to eating sufganiyot that are wet from the frying oil?

No, you are not required to do so, because they are not wet from olive oil. Only olive oil is among the seven liquids that require washing before eating.

Source:

See our corresponding Sefer “The Laws of Chanukah” Chapter 1 Halacha 8C!

I am making a large batch of sufganiyot that has the shiur (required amount) for challah. Must I separate challah from it?

Yes, in order to satisfy all opinions, you should separate challah from it, but do so without a blessing.

Source:

See our corresponding Sefer “The Laws of Chanukah” Chapter 1 Halacha 8E!

Davening Q&A

If by Shacharis one mistakenly recited the blessing of Emes Vaemuna from Maariv instead of Emes Veyatziv of Shacharit and even already said Goal Yisrael and began saying the paragraph of Hashkiveinu, what should be done? Should the blessing of Emet Veyatziv be repeated, or should one begin Shemoneh Esrei?

One should immediately begin Shemoneh Esrei and should not repeat the blessing of Emet Veyatziv nor continue reciting any further words of Hashkiveinu.

 

Source:

Chayeh Adam; Mishneh Berura 66; Ketzos Hashulchan 27:5 and footnote 19; Piskeiy Teshuvos 66:13

If the Torah reader accidentally pronounced a word differently from the word written in the Torah, and this was only noticed after the concluding blessing of the aliyah was recited, should the aliyah be repeated?

If that Aliyah contained at least three valid verses that were read correctly and one read ten valid verses in total between all three Aliyas, there is no need to repeat it. This ruling applies during the week. However, on Shabbos, if even one word was mispronounced in a way that invalidates the word, the verse must be repeated. In such a case, a new aliyah should be called up.

 

Source:

See our corresponding Sefer “The Laws of Kerias Hatorah” Chapter 10 Halacha 2!

MIsc Q&A

Is it permitted for me to travel to the airport to pick up my mother, even though she told me not to trouble myself and said I shouldn’t do it? May I go against her wishes for the sake of honoring her?

In this situation, it is advisable to communicate to your mother that the act of honoring her is considered a mitzvah associated with long life, which benefits both parties. She should, therefore, be encouraged to permit and support your visit. If she remains opposed, although there are sources suggesting it is permissible to maintain a high standard of parental respect even when parents waive their honor or express opposition, in practice, one should avoid actions that may cause distress to the parent. However, if it is reasonably anticipated that the parent will ultimately appreciate the gesture, proceeding to greet her may be appropriate.

 

Source:

See our corresponding Sefer “The Laws of Kibud Av Vaeim” Chapter 1 Halacha 1c, Halacha 6, Chapter 6 Halacha 1!

Is it permitted to open the hood of a stroller on Shabbos?

According to the Alter Rebbe, it is forbidden to do so unless the hood was already open at least 8 centimeters before Shabbos.

Source:

See https://back.shulchanaruchharav.com/opening-hood-of-stroller-on-shabbos/

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