Ask the Rav #12: Q&A’s on Daled Minim and more

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Ask the Rav: Your Questions - Our Answers

A global inbox meets timeless wisdom. Ask the Rav is a series built entirely on authentic questions sent from Jews around the world — from Brooklyn to Be’er Sheva, Melbourne to Manchester. Each question is a real-life dilemma, curiosity, or challenge answered with thoughtful and grounded halachic guidance.

*To clarify the distinction between the From the Rav’s Desk series and the Ask the Rav series. While both feature real questions submitted by readers, From the Rav’s Desk is far more informative and educational. It begins with a concise answer followed by an in-depth analysis, exploring all nuances and background details, and concluding with comprehensive, source-based discussion—almost like a formal responsum – Shaalos Veteshuvos. In contrast, Ask the Rav is designed to deliver a simple response to the question, without much elaboration. the answers are brief, straightforward with minimal explanation and only short, essential sources.

Q&A

Answer:
Yes, it is permitted. After the conclusion of Sukkot, all four species become permissible for benefit. Planting them and deriving benefit—whether for mundane purposes or for future years—is no different from any other permitted use.

 

Sources:

See Michaber 665:1; Rebbe Yochanon in Sukkah 46b; See Admur 649:20

Question:
I used a dairy cutting board to cut an onion with a meat knife. What is the status of the onion, the cutting board, and the knife?

 

Answer:
While this matter is subject to some debate among the poskim, the practical ruling is that everything remains kosher. All that is required is to wash the knife and cutting board thoroughly with soap and water.

 

Sources:

See Chochmas Adam 56:2; Tuv Taam Vadaas 3:215; Daas Torah 96; Sefer Yehoshua Pesakim Ukesavim 122, brought in Daas Torah 96 [p. 260]; See Sefer Hakashrus 10:110; Sefer Davar Charif 1:13 footnote 57; See our corresponding Sefer The Practical Laws of Meat & Milk Chapter 5 Halacha 3!

Question:
I cooked a can of beans and discovered two worms inside. Am I required to discard the entire can, and must I continue checking for more worms?

 

Answer:
According to the letter of the law, the can is not considered infested unless three worms are found. Therefore, you are not obligated to discard the entire can or continue searching. However, for aesthetic and practical reasons, it is advisable to inspect further before consuming.

 

Sources:

What is the law if one found insects in food, may he still eat it after their removal? – shulchanaruchharav.com

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.