Author S Goldstein

Lighting candles on Motzei Shabbos:[1] Some are accustomed to light more candles on Motzei Shabbos than they are accustomed to light during the regular weeknights. This is done in order to escort the Shabbos after its leave just as it is customary for one to escort the King upon him […]

Moving and destroying an oven:[1] A. The restriction: A person should not destroy an oven which he used for baking in order to make use of the space that the oven was in. One who does not adhere to this enters himself into grave danger.[2] [Many are accustomed to being […]

May women wear Tefillin?[1] Exemption:[2] Women are exempt from wearing Tefillin. The reason for this is because Tefillin is a time dependent positive command[3], as Shabbos and Yom Tov is not a time for Tefillin.[4] [Likewise, according to Kabala, the Mitzvah of Tefillin only applies to men, while women are […]

Question: What blessing should be recited upon eating plane date honey known as silan. Haeitz or Shehakol? And why after blessing should be recited, Borei Nefashos or Al Hapeiros?   Answer:               Shehakol and Borei Nefashos. Explanation: It is a clear ruling that the juice from a fruit receives the blessing […]

The custom of not leaving home and going to Shul after birth:[1] A. The original custom: It is an age old Jewish custom for women who are after birth to not leave their home for a period of four weeks from the birth[2], and to then enter a Shul [as […]

Escorting and kissing the Sefer Torah when it is returned back to the Aron:[1] Standing:[2] It is an obligation upon everyone to stand while the Sefer Torah is being returned to the Aron. See Chapter 3 Halacha 5 for the full details of this matter! Escorting-The congregation:[3] It is a […]

A letter of the Rebbe Rayatz on the importance of studying Tanach:[1] To the directorship of the Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim, it is very painful that even the LD students do not have any knowledge in Scripture, and majority of them do not even know Chumash with Rashi. They have no […]

Setting the table for Melaveh Malka:[1] One is to always set up his meal table on Motzei Shabbos.[2] This is done in order to escort the Shabbos in its leave in an honorable manner, just as it was honored in its entrance.[3] How to set the table: It is to […]

Hagomel-Must a woman after birth recite Hagomel:[1] Women are obligated to say the blessing of Hagomel just like men. Accordingly, every woman after birth should say the blessing of Hagomel after she recovers from her birth.[2] [Practically, while this is the custom amongst Sephardim[3], the custom today amongst the vast […]

When did we stop sanctifying the new moon based on testimony?[1] The sanctification of the new moon based on testimony is dependent on the establishment of a set Beis Din [i.e. Sanhedrin] in Eretz Yisrael. It is not dependent at all on the establishment of the Temple, and hence for […]

Are Gentiles obligated to honor their parents?[1] Although Gentiles were not commanded in the laws of honoring and fearing their father and mother as part of the seven Noahide commands[2], nevertheless, they are practically obligated in showing some degree of reverence to their parents.[3] [Thus, it is forbidden for a […]

Is one obligated to wear Tefillin when saying Shema before Davening in order to fulfill the obligation of Shema? If one is reciting Shema prior to sunrise, prior to Davening, he may read Shema even if he is not yet wearing Tefillin.[1] If, however, one is reciting Shema after sunrise, […]

Question: I have an extension piece that I can add to my table when we have a lot of guests. If I’m only having guests during Shabbos day, can I add the extension piece to my table on Shabbos day or must I add it before Shabbos? To note, that […]

Acting restrictions and laws Acting like a cripple:[1] [Talmud] An individual who acts like a cripple or like a blind person will not die until he becomes like such a person. [The Mefarshim, however, explain that this is a metaphor and is really in reference to a person who makes […]

Question: I have a fairly large following in social media I would like to know if it is morally and Halachically permitted for me to share photos and videos of the travesties that occurred in southern Israel on Simchas Torah. While some of these pictures are already available on regular […]

The laws of Kashrus relevant to Human blood & Unintentional consumption:[1] Human blood is not Biblically forbidden in consumption due to the blood prohibition.[2] Nevertheless, it is [Rabbinically] forbidden to drink visible human blood which has separated from a human body due to Maaras Ayin. Blood on food after biting:[3] […]

Hiring a nurse or caretaker for the old or ill-Male versus Female: Opposite gender-Male and female nurses:[1] It is permitted for a man who is sick to have a female caretaker. This applies even if the caretaker will need to perform intimate tasks, such as changing the person and helping […]

Covering the eyes upon saying Shema:[1] It is customary to place one’s hand over his face [i.e. both eyes[2]] upon reciting the first verse of Shema [until the words Baruch Sheim Kevod Malchuso Leolam Vaed[3]]. This is done so one does not look at anything else which can disturb his […]

Learning Torah on Shabbos-Importance and effectiveness:[1] The entire purpose of Shabbos: The entire reason for why god gave the Jewish people Shabbos and holidays is in order so they study Torah.[2] Throughout the week every person is busy working and they do not have time to [properly] study Torah Bekevius […]

Hitting or Spanking one’s children-Rules and Regulations-Part 2 * Important Note: Whether spanking a child is a proper or useful tool in discipline of the children and the level that it should be discouraged is a widely debated subject amongst parents and educators. This article is no way coming to […]

Hitting or Spanking one’s children-Part 1-The allowance and age:[1] Small children: It is permitted for one to hit his small children for disciplinary measures. This applies even to [non-biological] children that are part of one’s household, such as an [adopted] orphan [or foster child].[2] Adult children? It is forbidden for […]

Netilas Yadayim Shacharis-Passing the cup from the right hand to the left hand and vice versa: The below law will discuss the order of handing over the cup from one hand to the other when washing hands upon awakening. With which hand should one begin the washing? Should one hand […]

Washing dishes on Shabbos:[1] It is permitted to wash dishes on Shabbos, for the need of Shabbos, such as if there still remains one meal for which one will need to use the utensils for eating, in which case it is permitted to wash them. If however one will not […]

Kemios & amulets in Halacha and Kabbalah: A. Background: Throughout Jewish history and Jewish literature the use of amulets, or Kemios, are discussed as a mystical and spiritual cure or protection against various issues and calamities.[1] The writing and production of such amulets had a fairly large market of consumers, with […]

Question: I would like to know if it is permitted during these times to recite Tehillim at night for the sake of all of the ill injured and captured citizens and soldiers?   Answer: Those who are accustomed to not recite Tehillim during nighttime, and so is the Chabad custom, […]

Autopsy in Jewish law:[1] It is Biblically forbidden for an autopsy to be performed onto a Jewish body.[2] This applies even if the autopsy is desired to be performed for the sake of advancement of medical science, and for possible use in preventing future deaths.[3] One must thus do all […]

Question: I am a Canadian citizen, and have the ability to receive a free flight from Israel for my family in order to escape the war. I would like to know what is the proper approach that I should follow? On the one hand, I and my family definitely would […]

Question: I always wondered if it is permitted for me to have a drink before I say the morning blessings. I’m not necessarily referring to having a coffee but rather to lets say have a drink of water or other beverage to quench my thirst and then say the blessing. […]

Question: I hired a local fix-it man to fix a broken door in my home. I never heard of him before but was desperate to find someone to fix it being that it was basically locked shut with an inability to open, and we needed to have access to the […]

Zugos-Avoiding eating or drinking an even number of foods or beverages:[1] According to the Talmud[2], one is to avoid eating an even number of food or drink but is rather to only eat an odd number of foods. This is due to worry of demons and damaging spirits.[3] Nonetheless, a […]

Question: I and a number of other women whom I know have been asked if we could help tie Tzitzis to Tallis Katans for the sake of sending them to soldiers on the front. They say they are in desperate need of people to tie it, and if we don’t […]

Important laws to remember for Mivtzaim: *Below is a very brief sketch of the background and some of the important reminders necessary during Mivtza Tefillin. For further Halachic information, one is to refer to the previous chapters, each according to its subject. The times:[1] For purposes of Mivtzaim, one may […]

Question: We were in the midst of reading the Torah on Shabbos when a siren went off. We all ran to the bomb shelter. What is the proper procedure from there and onward when we return.   Answer: After the threat has passed, the congregation is to return to the […]

Mivtzah Tefillin[1] 1. The history of the Rebbe’s Mivtza Tefillin campaign and its directives:[2] The Rebbe began his Tefillin campaign in the year 1967, a few days prior to the six-day war. The Rebbe dedicated a talk on that Shabbos Parshas Bamidbar for this Mivtza, and it was spread to […]