Author Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein

Question: [Sunday, 28th Tishreiy, 5783] We recently had a Bris for our son and the Mohel left us the Arla in a cup that is filled with earth. What should we do with this cup and with the Arla? Answer: You should bury it somewhere in the ground anywhere of […]

The history of the reading of the weekly Parsha in Shul [i.e. Kerias Hatorah]: The establishment of Krias Hatorah:[1] Moshe Rabbeinu established for the Jewish people that they are to read from the Torah scroll on Shabbos and Holidays. [This reading is of Rabbinical status.[2]] What should be read-who established […]

Hitting the children with the Aravos:[1] The custom of the Chabad Rabbeim [as well as that of Tunisian and Morrocan Jewry[2]] was to gently “whip” their sons with the Hoshanah branches. This included even their adult children. Children above age 18 received three light hits. Those below age 18 received […]

Topic: 1) Repeating Hoshanos of Shabbos on Sunday Question: [Friday, 19th Tishreiy, 5783] This year that Hoshanah Rabbah falls on Sunday, what do we do about the repeating of the Hoshanos that we omitted on Shabbos. Do we not repeat it on Sunday Being that anyways, we’ll be saying all […]

Hoshanah Raba 1. The meaning of Hoshana Raba:[1] During Sukkos we are judged regarding water [i.e. rain].[2] On Hoshana Raba, the judgment of the water is sealed. This is of significant importance to human life as human life is dependent on water. 2. The Aravos for Hoshanos:[3] A. The Mitzvah: […]

Shabbos Chol Hamoed: Cutting nails Erev Shabbos Chol Hamoed: If one cut his nails on Erev Yom Tov then the following is the law:[1] One who cut his nails on Erev Yom Tov [or in close proximity to Erev Yom Tov to the point there was nothing to cut before […]

1. Question: [Tuesday, 16th Tishreiy 5783] I have an urgent question regarding my Sukkah, which an individual who walked inside said that he thinks it may be invalid. Basically, I have sheets as walls, however they are not within three Tefachim from the ground, and are not attached well, as […]

From the Rav’s Desk-Some of our latest Q&A 1) Lavud string which surrounds entire Sukkah  Question: [Sunday, 14th Tishreiy, 5783] I am making my Sukkah walls using Lavud, as the walls are from sheets. I would like to know if I can use a single string to wrap around all […]

Havdala on Motzei Yom Tov:[1] *In those years that Motzei Yom Tov is also Motzei Shabbos then the order of Havdalah follows the same order as Motzei Shabbos. On Motzei Yom Tov, whether it is Motzei Yom Tov to a weekday or Motzei Yom Tov to Chol Hamoed, one is […]

Question: [Sunday, 7th Tishreiy, 5782] May I cook or barbecue in a Sukkah? I have a barbecue that is drilled into my Sukkah patio, may I leave it in the Sukkah and if so, may I use it to barbecue in the Sukkah?   Answer: No. You may not cook […]

The order of building-Setting up the walls before the Sechach?[1] One is not to place the Sechach over the [frame of the] Sukkah prior to building the [Halachically valid] walls.[2] Bedieved, if first placed the Sechach: If one transgressed and first placed the Sechach over the frame and only then […]

1. Question: [Sunday, 7th Tishreiy, 5782] I work in home renovations and have a Jewish employee who asked me if he can continue his work and get paid also on Chol Hamoed. I generally never work on Chol Hamoed, as is the law, but this employee is telling me that he really needs […]

1. Question: [Thursday, 4th Tishreiy, 5782] By Mincha time I remembered that by Shacharis I forgot to recite Hamelech Hakadosh. What should I do? Answer: After Mincha you should Daven an extra Shemoneh Esrei as a Tashlumin for Shacharis.     Sources: See Admur 108:17; M”A 108:16; Elya Raba 116:16; […]

1. Question: [Thursday, 4th Tishreiy, 5782] Why are the Parshiyos of Netzavim/Vayeilech sometimes read together and sometimes read separately, such as this year? Answer: The Parsha of Nitzavim is always read the Shabbos prior to Rosh Hashanah. Thus, when Rosh Hashanah falls on Monday-Tuesday, since there are two Shabbosos between […]

Question: [3rd Tishrei, 5783] How long must each Shever be and what is the law if blower blew a very short first Shever, similar in sounding to a Terua? Practically in our Shul the Baal Tokeia blew almost all the Shevarim blows in the following way: Tu, Tuuu, Tuuu, Tu, […]

Question: [Thursday, 26th Elul, 5782] I did a Peruzbal last year before Rosh Hashanah 5782 as is the Chabad ruling and custom. Should I do so once again this year before Rosh Hashanah 5783? Answer: Yes. Even those who already performed a Peruzbal before Rosh Hashanah of 5782, which was […]

Question: [Tuesday, 24th Elul, 5782] May an Avel who is within his 12th month of mourning [i.e. past 11 months, but before end of 12th month] lead the prayer of Selichos?   Answer: He should not do so unless there is no one else available. Explanation: While it is debated […]

Taking breaths during Shofar blowing: A. Within a single sound:[1] [The minimum required measurement of the Tekiah blow must be done in one breath.[2]] The [minimum required] amount of the Yevavos [i.e. Terumatin] of the Teruos in the sound of Terua, as well as the three Shevarim[3] in the sound […]

Washing hands in a bathroom, or with water that came from a bathroom: A. Washing hands after using the bathroom and after other impurities:[1] One who uses the bathroom [or does other actions which requires him to wash hands afterwards in order to get rid of the evil spirit that […]

Question: [Thursday, 19th Elul, 5782] One of the rooms in our home has a very interesting doorway, in which its lintel does not hover over the doorposts but rather is to the side of the doorposts with the doorposts reaching all the way to the ceiling. Meaning, that the lintel […]

Question: [Tuesday, 17th Elul, 5782] I am looking to purchase a new shofar for my Shul to use this Rosh Hashanah and would like to know if I can purchase the Yemenite Kudu shofar which is most beautiful in both appearance and sound and I would really like to use […]

Question: [Monday, 16th Elul 5781] Our neighbor owns a goat which often enters into our yard and for the past few months has begun eating from our garden. We have spent much time and money investing in our garden which boasts beautiful plants, flowers, and vegetation. The goat is causing […]

Is there any issue with having a Gold Kiddush cup? Halachically-No, and on the contrary, it is the most beautiful for the Mitzvah. Kabbalistically and traditionally-Yes, as gold is Gevuros, and a cup is the Gematria of Elokim which is Gevuros, and hence it is best for the cup to […]

Handing a gentile, or non-religious Jew, an item on Shabbos which they will carry through an area without an Eiruv:[1] A. Non-religious Jew:[2] It is forbidden for one to provide an item to a Jew if one knows that the Jew will carry it in an area without an Eiruv.[3] […]

Question: [Monday, 9th Elul 5781] When taking a flight, when is the prayer of Tefilas Haderech to be recited? Should it be said on the airplane or on the way to the airport? If it should be said on the airplane, then should it be said after takeoff or before […]

Q&A on which roofs require a fence If a non-commonly used roof is now decided to be commonly used, does it now become obligated in a fence?[1] Yes.   Indoor Balcony [i.e. Hallway of upper floor]:[2] The balcony of an upper floor which oversees the lower floor is Biblically obligated […]

Which roofs are obligated in having a fence?[1] Beis Dirah-A roof of a home which is commonly used:[2] A guardrail is only obligated to be established to a roof of a home which is used for living purposes [i.e. Beis Dirah][3], and which its roof space is commonly used [for […]

Question: [Sunday, 8th Elul 5782] In the Hayom Yom for the 4th of Elul we read that when receiving an Aliyah to the Torah and reciting the blessings, the person saying the blessing is to look towards his right. Why is this done, and why do I see many other […]

Making a fence around one’s roof:[1]  כִּי תִבְנֶה בַּיִת חָדָשׁ וְעָשִֹיתָ מַעֲקֶה לְגַגֶּךָ וְלֹא תָשִֹים דָּמִים בְּבֵיתֶךָ כִּי יִפֹּל הַנֹּפֵל מִמֶּנּו” “When you build a new home and make a fence for your roof, and you shall not spill blood in your home when the faller falls from it” [Devarim […]

Mezonos bread on Shabbos-Using Mezonos bread for Lechem Mishneh and to fulfill one’s Shabbos Seuda:[1] * Important note: The law below applies equally to all Mezonos baked products, whether what is known as Mezonos bread, or cookies, cake, and the like which can potentiolly become Hamotzi if one sets a […]

Is one required to wash his hands after touching insects and non-Kosher animals? Background: Certain actions that are performed cause a spirit of impurity to reside onto the hands and hence requires one to [immediately[1]] wash his hands afterwards with water in order to get rid of the impurity.[2] Amongst […]

Question: [Tuesday, 3rd Elul, 5782] I wanted to verify if the following occurrence in which I was saved from a potentially deadly car accident requires me to recite Hagomel? It was minutes after candle lighting on Erev Shabbos when I was driving with my kids in the backseat on a […]

The custom of pulling at the ear after sneezing-Myth, superstition, or authentic Jewish custom:[1] Some individuals, and God-fearing Jews, have the custom of pulling the [left[2]] lobe of their ear after sneezing.[3] Some pull at the full length of both ears, and not just at the earlobe.[4] Others pull at […]

The obligation to answer Amen to a Mi Shebeirach and to a blessing of a Jew:[1] Whenever one hears someone blessing a Jew [or praying for a certain matter[2]], it is a Mitzvah[3] for the listeners to answer Amen to his blessing [or prayer[4]]. [This applies to all people who […]

Question: [Sunday, 1st Elul, 5782] I was walking on Shabbos day with a friend of mine and his shabbos hat flew off his head. It was very hot and sunny outside. This entered us into the discussion regarding whether or not it is permitted for him to rewear the hat, […]

Shabbos Rosh Chodesh[1] 1. Shabbos Mevarchim Hachodesh:[2] When Rosh Chodesh falls on Shabbos the blessing of Mevarchim Hachodesh takes place the previous Shabbos. The Nussach:[3] When Rosh Chodesh falls on Shabbos-Sunday the Nussach recited by the dates of the new month is “Hashabbos Kodesh Ulimacharaso Beyom Harishon”. One however does […]

Sweat-Its toxicity and danger of consumption:[1] One must beware from [eating] human sweat, as all human sweat is poisonous with exception to the sweat of the face.[2] This is hinted to in the verse[3] “With the sweat of your brow you shall eat bread.”[4] As well, eating sweat is included […]

Cutting the toenails: A. Mitzvah of cutting Lekavod Shabbos: Although it is a Mitzvah to cut one’s hand nails every Erev Shabbos[1], nevertheless, some Poskim[2] conclude that there is no Mitzvah or obligation to cut the toenails on before Shabbos in honor of Shabbos. Nevertheless, if the toenails appear long, […]