Author S Goldstein

Question: With the Heter of a Rav I am having an IUD inserted, and the only available date for me to do it is smack in the middle of my Shiva Nekiyim? I am not nursing but am within two years after birth. I would like to know if the […]

Question: Is there any source for the idea that if you speak Lashon Hara about someone then you get all of his sins and he gets all of your Mitzvos?   Answer:               Yes. This idea is first recorded in the Chovos Halevavos of Rabbeinu Bechayeh, and from there it is […]

Smoking cigarettes-Is it permitted according to Halacha:[1] A. The law: There is no innate Halachic prohibition against smoking tobacco. The act of smoking tobacco is mentioned in numerous Poskim in regard to various Halachic matters[2], and was done by Gedolei Yisrael[3] of many generations as well as the average folk. […]

Question: We were flying on a class trip from Europe to the USA and were offered by the flight attendants what seemed to be a European or perhaps Turkish brand of Coca-Cola which does not have the OU symbol or any other Kosher symbol on it. So my friend said […]

May a parent serve a child:[1] If a father desires to serve his son, it is permitted for the son to accept the service.[2] [Thus, if a father or mother desires to serve a meal to their son, they may do so, and the son does not have to protest […]

Question: We were a group of yeshiva Bochurim who came to visit the Kosel and Mount of olives and when I mentioned the need to perform Keria, a number of my friends from amongst the Bochurim told me that when the Rebbe Rayatz visited Jerusalem and the Western wall he […]

Al Mitzvas Tzitzis-The Nussach of the blessing said over a Tallis Katan:[1] The dispute in Rishonim and Poskim: Some Poskim[2] [i.e. Michaber] rule that that one is to say the blessing of “Lehisatef Betzitzis” upon wearing a Tallis Katan just as is said upon wearing a Tallis Gadol. This applies […]

Purchase “From Rav’s Desk” Q&A’s 3 Volumes* *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Reddit Email Join Daily Halacha distribution list Sponsor an Episode Donate Question: We have a Chasan in Shul who just got married for his second time with a woman who […]

The status of a vessel that has not been used for 12 months: Some Poskim[1] rule that after 12 months, the taste absorbed in the walls of a vessel becomes nullified. Other Poskim[2], however, rule a vessel remains forbidden forever due to its absorbed taste, even after 12 months. Practically, […]

Question:   When making more than one Siyum Misechta when is the Kaddish to take place, between each Siyum or after all of them?    Answer:   It is to take place after all of Siyumim, unless there will be a long break between each one in which case it is […]

Question: How important is it to bathe in hot water on Erev Shabbos? I know someone who goes to a cold outdoor spring as a Mikveh on Erev Shabbos and does not bathe in hot water saying that it is not necessary and is a mere stringency and even showed […]

Question: I am being Misader Kiddushin for a couple in which the Chasan and Kallah are both Geirim. My question is regarding what to write in place of their father’s name?   Answer:               You are to write Ben Avraham Avinu by the Chasan, and Bas Avraham Avinu by the Kallah. […]

Question: Does a woman become a Niddah if her mucus plug came out?   Answer:               If the mucus plug came out as a thick substance, then she is impure. If, however, it is a mere liquid she remains pure if there was no blood in the liquid. Explanation: The consensus […]

Question: I would like to give charity in order to redeem the number of fasts that I am to undertake for the sake of penitence, as brought in Tanya Igeres Hateshuvah I will like to know the practical amount that I’m to give per fast day?   Answer:               The amount […]

Walking alone at night:[1] [Talmud/ Shulchan  Aruch/Shulchan  Aruch Harav/Achronim] One may not walk alone at night [on any night of the week[2]].[3] [In Talmudic times, this especially applied to Tuesday night and Friday night.[4] This especially applies when traveling.[5] This especially applies when walking in an unsettled area, outside of […]

Question: After Havdalah do I have to say a blessing of Shehakol on water that I am drinking right afterwards?   Answer:               You must recite a Shehakol over the drinks you have after Havdalah if you did not have any wine to drink after Havdalah, such as you heard Havdalah […]

1) Saying Tehillim on Tishe Beav   Question: May one say Tehillim on Tishe Beav?   Answer:               Erev Tishe Beav: Yes, even past midday. Tishe Beav night from sunset: No. Tishe Beav day until Chatzos: No. Tishe Beav after Chatzos: Yes. One may say Tehillim by Mincha time and so […]

Must one wash on bread by the Erev Tishe Beav meal or/and Seudas Hamafsekes? The large meal: There is no requirement to wash on bread for the large meal that is customarily eaten prior to Mincha and each person is to eat whatever he sees fit so he be satiated […]

1. Learning Torah on Erev Tisha B’av:[1] Learning past midday:[2] The custom[3] is to limit one’s Torah learning, beginning from midday of Erev Tisha B’av, to only those subjects that are permitted to be learned on Tisha B’av itself.[4] [Many authorities agree with this custom.[5] Other Poskim[6] however argue against […]

Question: I have a tear in one of my pants and a button fell off of one of my kids blouses. May I sew it during the nine days?   Answer:               Yes. Explanation: The Rishonim and Poskim rule that it is forbidden to fix [i.e. make] new clothing during the […]

Making hairdo during nine days?   Question: May one style their hair during the three weeks and nine days, such as with a curling iron or hair straightener and the like?   Answer:               Yes. Explanation: We do not find any recorded prohibition or restriction against doing so. Sources: See Nitei […]

Question: May one wash rags or hand towels during the nine days?   Answer:               If one has run out of clean rags or towels, then he may wash them up until the week of Tishe Beav. They may not be washed during the week of Tishe Beav. However, some are […]

Question: May children go swimming in a kiddie pool during the nine days?   Answer:               Ashkenazi Children of any age should not go swimming during the nine days, or play in water, including in a bathtub or kiddie pool. Nonetheless, those who do so do not need to be protested […]

Is it better to purchase a new article of clothing during the nine days than to wash it if one ran out of that article clothing? Some Poskim[1] rule that it is better for one to purchase a new article of clothing during the nine days, if he has run […]