Author Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein

The custom of giving Tzedaka during Davening when saying the words “Veata Moshel Bakol”:[1] Background: The Poskim[2] rule, based on the Talmud[3], that it is proper to give charity prior to Davening [i.e. Shemoneh Esrei[4]].[5] Doing so helps to remove foreign thoughts from entering one’s mind during prayer.[6] Likewise, doing […]

Should one say Hagomel after recovering from being sick?[1] There are four occurrences which render one obligated to recite the blessing of Hagomel and one of them is a person who was sick and then fully[2] recovered.[3] The type of illness: Some Poskim[4] rule that the blessing of Hagomel is […]

Question: [Monday, 14th Sivan, 5782] Which Bracha should I recite on frozen wine or Kedem grape juice ice pops [100% wine and grape juice]? Answer: It is questionable whether the blessing of frozen wine is Shehakol or Hagafen or Haeitz, and therefore you should either make all three blessings on […]

The accustomed dates for visiting the grave of a deceased relative-Part 2:[1] C. End of 12th month:[2] Some[3] are accustomed to go to the cemetery and visit the grave of the deceased on the last day of mourning, which is the last day of the 12th month.[4] [By a non-leap […]

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This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer, “The laws and customs of mourning” volume 2 chapter 31, available for purchase on Amazon.com  The accustomed dates for visiting the grave of a deceased relative:[1] It is customary to visit the grave of the deceased on certain dates throughout the first […]

Question: [Thursday, 10th Sivan, 5782] Is it permitted on Shabbos for one to cut a tablecloth from a tablecloth role, or paper from a paper towel rule, or to cut a piece of toilet paper off from the non-dotted line, if one cuts a larger piece than necessary? I have […]

Cutting items on Shabbos, such as a tablecloth, garbage bag, paper towel, piece of tinfoil, and toilet paper?[1] It is Biblically forbidden to perform an action on Shabbos which prepares an item for a use. The principal Melacha of this prohibition is called “Makeh Bepatish,” while its offshoot is known […]

Mentioning Hashem’s name while reading or quoting a Pasuk Reading Hashem’s name in a verse in Talmud or other learning text: When reading the Talmud [or other Torah Sefer] one may read Hashem’s name in the verses that are found in the text.[1] [This applies even if the verses are […]

Question: [Tuesday, 8th Sivan, 5782] This past Shabbos, which was Erev Shavuos, a heated discussion erupted in our shul regarding whether one should or may immerse in the mikvah on Shabbos afternoon for the sake of the accustomed Erev Yom Tov immersion. Some stated that there is no need to […]

Isru Chag of Shavuos:[1] A. The name:[2] The day after each of the three Holidays is called Isru Chag.[3] The name Isru Chag derives from the verse “Isru Chag Baavosim Ad Karnei Hamizbeiach”. This means to say that this day is to be attached [i.e. Isru] to the Holiday itself, […]

Laws relevant when Shavuos falls on Motzei Shabbos 1. Erev Shabbos: Haircuts:[1] When Erev Shavuos coincides with Shabbos, one may get a haircut on Erev Shabbos which is the 48th day of the Omer.[2] This applies even according to the Kabbalistic ruling and Chabad custom. [One may begin to take […]

Question: [Wednesday, 2nd Sivan, 5782] Do we know today where Mount Sinai is located? Answer: The Torah was famously given on the mountain called Har Sinai or Har Choreiv. The tradition of its location became lost with the generations, and its last recorded whereabouts is recorded in Sefer Melachim regarding […]

Omitting Tachanun during the month of Sivan:[1] In The month of Sivan, Tachanun is omitted from the first day of Sivan until the 12th of Sivan, including on the 12th of Sivan. The following are the details of this custom.   A. Omitting Tachanun from Rosh Chodesh Sivan until after […]

The ancient custom of learning ones Tehillim with Rashi’s commentary on Rosh Chodesh:[1] It is an ancient custom on every Rosh Chodesh for one to study one verse from the chapter of Tehillim that corresponds to his age[2], together with the commentary of Rashi, [in a way that he completes […]

Question: [Sunday, 28th Iyar, 5782] This year that Shavuos falls on Motzei Shabbos, may one get a haircut on Thursday night? Answer: Initially, one should not take a haircut on Thursday night, and should wait until Friday morning, after Shacharis. This applies every week of the year, and especially applies […]

This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com May one get a haircut during Shloshes Yimei Hagbala, and when Erev Shavuos coincides with Shabbos? A. Background: On the one hand, it is a Mitzvah to get a haircut on Erev Shavuos in honor of Yom Tov, in order […]

Question: [Sunday, 28th Iyar, 5782] May I send out a Whatsapp message as to which night of Sefira we are holding in, prior to me counting? I have been doing this now for some time, sending two people on my WhatsApp group as to that nights day of Sefira, and […]

May a wife and children still perform Melacha after the father of the home accepts Shabbos early?[1] A. Background on accepting Shabbos early:[2] Accepting Shabbos early: Although Shabbos officially begins at the time of sunset[3], nonetheless it is possible, and a Biblical Mitzvah[4], for one to accept Shabbos prior to […]

Question: [Wednesday, 24th Iyar, 5782] Is it permitted for one to listen to Niggunim [with musical instruments] during the period of Sefiras Haomer or Bein Hametzarim? I have heard numerous times from people that it is permitted to do so being that Niggunim is not music, and that many Rabbanim […]

Question: [Tuesday, 23rd Iyar, 5782] I once heard mentioned that the Rebbe stated that the terrible terrorist attack and ensuing horrific murder of the 22 Safed religious school students in the town of Maalot [known as Chaf Beit Yaldei Maalot] came as a result of the Mezuzos of the school […]

The Mitzvah’s fulfilled upon visiting Eretz Yisrael: The following are a list of Mitzvos fulfilled, or which can be potentially fulfilled, upon visiting Eretz Yisrael. There is a Mitzvah to walk four Amos in Eretz Yisrael, as whoever walks four Amos in Eretz Yisrael receives a portion in the world […]

Question: [Sunday, 30th Nisan, 5782] If I counted Sefira by Bein Hashmashos, am I Yotzei? Answer: It depends on which Bein Hashmashos you are referring to, if you’re referring to the Bein Hashmashos which precedes that nights count or to the Bein Hashmashos at the end of that days count. […]

The law if the Olah was shown the wrong text by his Aliyah and it was only discovered after he said the blessing:[1]  The debate: If the Olah was shown the wrong text of the reading in the Sefer Torah and he already recited the blessing, then it is debated […]

Question: [Sunday, 21st Iyar, 5782] I know that by Oseh Shalom in Shemoneh Esrei we are to take the first step back using our left foot. Does the same apply also when taking three steps back when saying Oseh Shalom within Kaddish? Answer: Although I have not found anything explicit […]

The Rebbes opinion regarding moving to, and visiting, Eretz Yisrael:[1] In a public talk in the year 1955[2], the Rebbe discouraged the campaign of encouraging every Jew from leaving the Diaspora for the sake of fulfilling the Mitzvah of dwelling in Eretz Yisrael due to several factors. One of the […]

Question: [Thursday, 18th Iyar, 5782] This year, due to all the various government limitations, I am unable to make it to the gravesite of Rebbe Shimon in Meron as I do annually. My question is, is there any value in me traveling to the north to an area from which […]

Shehechiyanu during Sefira part 2: C. May one eat a Shehechiyanu fruit during Sefira? Those who are accustomed to avoiding saying Shehechiyanu during the period of Sefira, are to avoid eating new fruits during the weekdays of Sefira. One may, however, eat new fruits on Shabbos and Lag Baomer, as […]

Question: [Wednesday, 17th Iyar, 5782] Is there any issue with performing Tevilas Keilim [i.e. immersing new vessels] at night? I have heard many times that we don’t do so at night. Is this true? Answer: It is permitted even initially to immerse vessels at night. Nonetheless, one should only do […]

Reciting Shehechiyanu during Sefira-Part 1: A. The letter of the law & custom:[1] Letter of law:[2] From the letter of the law, it is permitted to recite the blessing of Shehechiyanu during Sefira.[3] The custom:[4] Nevertheless, despite the letter of the law, many are accustomed to abstaining from saying the […]

Is there a Mitzvah and Halachic obligation to visit Eretz Yisrael-Part 1?[1] A. The law: Obligation: It is debated amongst the Poskim[2] as to whether there is a positive Biblical command and obligation to dwell in Eretz Yisrael even during times of exile. According to all opinions, however, there is […]

Question: [Sunday, 14th Iyar, 5782] An individual called me at night and asked me if today is the 25th night of counting and I answered him that it was, but told him that I was unsure if he can now say a blessing being that he already said the correct […]

Marrying a Kohenes:[1] An Am Haaretz/Ignoramus is not to marry a Kohenes. If he does so, their marriage will not be successful, as either she or he will quickly die or they will be in constant fight with each other [or they will be poor[2]].[3] However, a Sage who marries […]

Is pasteurized wine considered cooked?[1] In order for wine to become “protected” from becoming Yayin Nesech due to touch of a gentile, it must be Mevushal/cooked.[2] The definition of cooked is that the wine has been heated over a fire[3] to the point that it diminished its quantity [i.e. evaporated] […]

Does a walk in closet need a Mezuzah?[1] This follows the same ruling as any other room and is determined by its size. If the closet is less than 4×4 but is spacious enough to walk inside of, then it is subject to the dispute regarding if and where a […]

May one swim or visit the beach during Sefira? Yes.[1] However, some Poskim[2] rule one must avoid doing so due to danger.   May one travel during Sefira? Yes.[3] However, some Poskim[4] rule one must avoid doing so due to danger. Question: [Monday, 21st Iyar 5781] Must one avoid doing […]

Question: [Sunday, 30th Nisan, 5782] If one has just reached Hallel after his private Shemoneh Esrei and the congregation has reached Musaf, what is he to do? Should he first recite Hallel and miss Davening Musaf with the Minyan in order not to mess up the order of the prayers, […]

This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com Shlissel Challah-Kneading a key into Challah the first Shabbos after Pesach: The custom: Many are accustomed to braid the Challah in the shape of a key[1] on the first Shabbos after Pesach.[2] Others knead a key within the Challah dough […]