From the Ravs Desk: Latest articles and Q&A

Author: Rabbi Yaakov GoldsteinPublished: December 26, 2024

If a pregnant woman craves a non-kosher food, may she eat it? Only if she smells it and craves after it and not giving her to eat the food is deemed a danger either for her or her fetus, and there is no other way of calming her down and

If a pregnant woman craves a non-kosher food, may she eat it?

Only if she smells it and craves after it and not giving her to eat the food is deemed a danger either for her or her fetus, and there is no other way of calming her down and explaining to her that the food is not kosher does not suffice.

A pregnant woman who craves after a food – Shulchanaruchharav.com

May one use scented candles for the Chanukah candles?

Initially no, as one may not benefit from it, and a good scent is considered a benefit.

See Admur 443:3 in parentheses; Michaber Y.D. 108:5; Rama Y.D.  155:3; See Shach Y.D. 108:27; Biur Halacha 443 “Afilu”; Glosses of Maharsham 447:8; Piskeiy Teshuvos 443:2

May one give presents on Chanukah or is this Minhag Hagoyim due to Kratzmacht?

Yes, one may, and so is the Minhag Yisrael to give out Chanukah Gelt on Chanukah. The reason is because Minhag Hagoyim only applies to customs that have no logic. Giving presents on a Holiday has logic and source in Torah, such as by the Shalosh Regalim when the Husband and father must buy gifts for his wife and children so they be happy during the festival.

See here:

May one give presents on Chanukah or is this Minhag Hagoyim due to Kratzmacht? – Shulchanaruchharav.com

Must all the candles be made of the same oil/wax or can one have some candles of oil and some of wax?

Initially, all the candles lit on the Menorah are to be made of the same oil/wax. Thus, one should not have some of the candles contain oil, and others contain wax candles. Likewise, one is to try to have all the candles be of the same oil. However, if necessary, one may have one candle be of olive oil, and others contain other oils.

See here:

May some Chanukah candles be of wax and others of oil, and must they all be the same oil? – Shulchanaruchharav.com

Are girls to also light candles according to Chabad customs? I have heard that some families do so?

Daughters are not to light Chanukah candles in addition to their father, and are rather to fulfill their obligation with their fathers lighting. Nonetheless, if a girl insists on lighting, and doing so will add to their education in a positive way, then they may do so. 

See Here:

Women lighting Chanulah candles – Shulchanaruchharav.com

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