Author Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein

Using the flame of the Shabbos candles to light another candle? It is forbidden to light a mundane candle/match from a Shabbos candle [even if one did not yet accept Shabbos with this lighting[1]].[2] [Thus, one may not use it to light the gas, or a cigarette and the like.] […]

Using the flame of the Chanukah candles to light another candle:[1] Lighting a mundane candle-the Shamash: It is forbidden to light any mundane candle from an already lit Chanukah candle. This prohibition applies even against lighting a candle that will be used to light the other Chanukah candles.[2] [Hence, one […]

The status of Pareve foods cooked in a meat pot or vice versa: If a Pareve food was cooked in a meat or dairy pot [or was cut with a meat or dairy knife while the Pareve food was hot[1]] then the law regarding whether the food remains Pareve, and […]

May one use Maaser money to purchase a seat in a Shul, or to pay for membership? Background: Under certain conditions, it is permitted to use Maaser money for the sake of fulfilling a Mitzvah.[1] These conditions are as follows: a) The Mitzvah is not an obligation for one to […]

Minyan troubles-What is one to do if there is no Minyan by Kaddish before Hodu and got Minyan later on: Before Baruch Sheamar:[1] If one did not have a Minyan available at the time that Kaddish Derabanon is recited before Hodu, and a Minyan later became available before Baruch Sheamar, […]