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.
Chanukah Q&A
Question:
In the event that I forgot to recite Al Hanissim prior to Veal Kulam but remembered prior to saying Hashems name in the blessing of Hatov Shimcha, what should I do? How should I proceed? Should I say it and then go back to Ve’al Kulam, or should I say it and continue from where I left off?
Answer:
One should always return to the beginning of the paragraph of Ve’al Kulam, however, based on the rulings of Admur, if he already recited the words Hakeil Yeshuaseinu then he is to finish the sentence and say veal Hanissim in the area that he remembers and then continue from Baruch Ata Hashem.
Explanation:
If one remembered before reciting Hashem’s name in the blessing of “Hatov Shimcha” that he did not recite Al Hanissim, then he is to return and recite Al Hanissim. Now, regarding from where one should continue after its conclusion we find two approaches:
- If he remembered prior to reciting the words Hakeil Yeshuaseinu then he is to stop and say Al Hanissim and repeat from Vial Kulam. If, however, he already recited the words Hakeil Yeshuaseinu then he is to [finish the sentence and] say it in the area that he remembers and then continue from Baruch Ata Hashem. One should not return to the beginning of the paragraph of Ve’al Kulam in order not to repeat Hashem’s name unnecessarily.
- One should always return to the beginning of the paragraph of Ve’al Kulam even if he remembered after saying the words Baruch Ata, but prior to saying the name of a Hashem in the concluding blessing. The reason for this is because the concept of saying God’s name in vain does not apply when it is said in a way of prayer and hence there is no issue with repeating God’s name in the words Hakeil Yeshuaseinu.
Sources:
Approach 1: See Mateh Efraim 582:10 [who questions ruling of P”M in approach 2]; Admur 582:6 regarding Zachreinu; Hiskashrus 1025
Approach 2: P”M 114 A”A 8; 582 A”A4; Biur Halacha 114:6; Alef Hamagen on Mateh Efraim ibid; Piskeiy Teshuvos 682:2; Nitei Gavriel 48:1; See M”B 582:16 and other Poskim there, who rule that one may repeat from the original area where Zachreinu is recited, and in this case as well one would always return to the words of Ve’al Hakol.
Situation | Action | Reason |
Remembers before reciting Hakeil Yeshuaseinu | Stop, say Al Hanissim, repeat from Vial Kulam | |
Already recited Hakeil Yeshuaseinu | Finish sentence, say it in the area remembered, continue from Baruch Ata Hashem |
Yes, you have fulfilled your obligation. Even when Al HaNisim is recited in an incorrect location within Shemoneh Esrei, the prayer remains valid. This insertion is regarded as an additional supplication, and therefore its placement in the wrong area does not invalidate the Shemoneh Esrei.
Sources:
Yosef Ometz 8; Ikarei Hadat 35:35; Kaf Hachaim 682:8
Based on the rulings of Admur, one should not return to the beginning of the paragraph of Ve’al Hakol in order not to repeat Hashem’s name unnecessarily, but rather should continue from the sentence where he left off. If one remembers in the middle of the statement of Veal Hakol, they should first finish the verse, then say Al Hanissim, and continue from there, from the words Kakasuv Veachlta. If one remembers in middle of the verse of Veachalta Vesavata, then they should finish the verse, recite Veal Hanissim, and then repeat from Veachalta Vesavata.
Sources:
See Mateh Efraim 582:10 [who questions ruling of P”M in approach 2]; Admur 582:6 regarding Zachreinu; Hiskashrus 1025
Other Opinions: One should always return to the beginning of the paragraph of Ve’al Hakol even if he remembered after saying the words Baruch Ata, but prior to saying the name of a Hashem in the concluding blessing. The reason for this is because the concept of saying God’s name in vain does not apply when it is said in a way of prayer and hence there is no issue with repeating God’s name in the words Hakeil Yeshuaseinu. [P”M 114 A”A 8; 582 A”A4; Biur Halacha 114:6; Alef Hamagen on Mateh Efraim ibid; Piskeiy Teshuvos 682:2; Nitei Gavriel 48:1; See M”B 582:16 and other Poskim there, who rule that one may repeat from the original area where Zachreinu is recited, and in this case as well one would always return to the words of Ve’al Hakol.]
It is prohibited to derive any benefit from the Chanukah candles, including warming one’s hands by their light or heat. This restriction is part of the general prohibition against using the Chanukah lights for personal purposes. However, it is permitted to do so from the shamash (the auxiliary candle), which is designated for incidental use if it is not to close together with the other candles and is individually recognizable from them.
Source:
See our corresponding Sefer “The Laws of Chanukah” Chapter 3 Halacha 21B & C!
Kerias Hatorah Q&A
Question:
On a day of three Sifrei Torah where only two are available and the first Torah scroll taken from the ark was also used as the third scroll for Maftir, which scroll should be returned to the ark first? Should the second scroll be returned first, being that it was removed last, or should the Maftir scroll be returned first, even though it was removed first?
Answer:
In such a case, it is preferable to return the Maftir scroll first, even though it was originally the first scroll removed from the ark.
Explanation:
The custom of returning the second scroll first when two Sifrei Torah are removed from the Ark is first mentioned in Sha’arei Ephraim, though no explicit reason is provided. Two interpretations exist:
- Order-Based Approach (First Out, Last In): The first scroll removed should be the last returned, maintaining the original order inside the ark. This interpretation understands the custom as maintaining the original order of the scrolls inside the ark. According to this view, the first scroll removed should be the last one returned, so that the arrangement inside the ark remains consistent.
Implication: If the first scroll was also used for Maftir, then the second scroll should be returned first, leaving the first scroll to be returned last.
- Usage-Based Approach (Last Used, First Returned): The scroll most recently used and closest to the reader should be returned first. This interpretation sees the custom as prioritizing the scroll most recently used. Since the Maftir reading concludes the Torah reading, the scroll used for Maftir should be returned first, regardless of when it was originally removed from the ark.
Implication: If the first scroll was also used for Maftir, then it should be returned first.
The second interpretation appears more plausible. Therefore, when the first scroll was also used for Maftir, it should be returned first.
Source:
See our corresponding Sefer “The Laws of Kerias Hatorah” Chapter 11 Halacha 7D!; Shaareiy Efraim 10:41; Piskeiy Teshuvos 149:4; Koveitz Avkas Rochel 8:183-191
Other Articles
From The Rav’s Desk: What to Do If a Kosher Knife Was Used on Non-Kosher Cold Food (Wednesday, 3rd Shevat)
Post Views: 21 What to Do If a Kosher Knife Was Used on Non-Kosher Cold Food Question I was staying with family members (who are not all religious) in an Airbnb when I accidentally used my kosher knife (which I brought with me) to cut a cold food item from
From the Rav’s Desk: A Yachid who Davened Mincha and Maariv within Plag Hamincha (Tuesday, 2nd Shevat)
Post Views: 19 Question: If I davened Mincha on Erev Shabbos about an hour before shkiah and then immediately davened Maariv afterwards—both within the time frame of plag hamincha—in order to begin my Friday night meal early, and I did so without a minyan. Am I required to repeat Maariv
From the Rav’s Desk: Halachic Responsibility for a Boarder’s Conduct in Your Home (Sunday, 29th Teves)
Post Views: 41 Question I have a teenage boarder living in my home who attends the local Frum high school and participates in activities such as listening to non-Jewish music and watching movies that their parents—and I personally—would not approve of and do not approve of for my own children.
From the Rav’s Desk: My Mezuzah fell off the door, should I replace it with a Bracha? (Monday, 23rd Teves)
Post Views: 57 My Mezuzah fell off the door, should I replace it with a Bracha? Question: My Mezuzah fell off the door, should I replace it with a Bracha? Answer: This matter is under debate in the Poskim. Practically, if the Mezuzah fell off the doorpost the blessing
From the Rav’s Desk: What to do if the Kesuba tore (Sunday, 22nd Teves)
Post Views: 40 What to do if the Kesuba tore Question: I was going through a number of old important files and came across my kesuba, which I intended to keep together with them. As I was sorting through my important documents—organizing bills, contracts, and certificates at my desk—I placed
From the Rav’s Desk: Maaser and Yard Sales: Do You Need to Separate Maaser When Selling Used Items?
Post Views: 57 Question: If I’m having a yard sale and selling many products, do I have to give maaser (tithe) from the income I make from the sales? Answer: You only need to separate maaser from sold items if you made a profit. This means that if the items
