Author Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein

Parshas Vaeira No Jew will be left behind-is this really true? (Likkutei Sichos Vol. 11 Sicha 1) Parshas Vaeira begins in the middle of the confrontation between Moshe and G-d regarding the redemption of the Jewish people. In the previous Parsha of Shemos G-d instructs Moshe to tell the Jewish […]

Question: [Thursday, 26th Teves 5781] Last Shabbos I was talking to someone while washing hands and was told by an individual that it’s forbidden to talk while washing. I was kind of surprised, as while I always knew you can’t talk after washing until the blessing of Hamotzi is recited, […]

What should one eat for Shalosh Seudos-The menu requirements for the third meal: A. Introduction: Every person, whether man or woman[1], is [rabbinically[2]] obligated to eat three meals on Shabbos.[3] The source behind the Shabbos meals:[4] [Although the eating of the Shabbos meals is Rabbinical in origin], it is hinted […]

Question: [Wednesday, 25th Teves, 5782] As like every other Frum Jew most likely feels, I am in total shock over the tragic news involving the famous author and educator Chaim Walder, both from the actions that he was accused of doing as well as from his suicide. There’s so much […]

May one comfort a mourner after Shiva if one did not do so beforehand?[1] Comforting an Avel for the passing of a parent: One who is in mourning for a parent may be comforted by others for the first 12 months. After 12 months, he is not to directly comforted […]

Question: [Tuesday, 24th Teves 5782] I was at someone Shabbos table and they were very particular to only bring the dessert to the table after everybody Bentched. I asked them about it and they said that that’s the tradition that they follow and that’s what they saw their parents do. […]

Supporting Torah learners-Yissachar and Zevulun deal:[1] Although every single Jew is obligated to study Torah, one who is unable to study Torah, either due to lack of knowledge, or due to lack of time, is to support other people who study.[2] One who supports a Torah learner is considered as […]

Does one answer Amen after hearing someone recite the blessing of “Al Divrei Torah” by Birchas Hatorah?[1] A. The Background & Dispute-Is Viharev Nah considered a separate blessing? There is a dispute recorded in the Poskim regarding if the second blessing of Viharev Na is considered a continuation of the […]

Become a Member & Commit your support on this special Day Dear viewer of shulchanaruchharav.com, We hope that we find you all healthy and well. On the eve of the 24th of Teves, the day of the passing of the Alter Rebbe, we stretch our hand to you to partner […]

Question: [Monday 23rd Teves 5782] Is one required to immerse a glass microwave plate inside of a Mikveh?   Answer: If you never plan on putting any food directly on the microwave plate, and rather plan on placing the food on a plate and then place the plate on the […]

Question: [Sunday, 22nd Teves, 5782] I know that the widespread Chabad custom is to avoid saying blessings aloud when there are other people around due to that it can accidentally cause others to fulfill their obligation of the blessing. I was wondering if this likewise applies to the morning blessing […]

1. Reciting Parshas HaAkeida daily:[1] It is proper[2] to say every day the paragraph in the Torah which discusses the sacrificing of Yitzchak [i.e. Akeidas Yitzchak]. The reason for its recital:[3] It is said in order to remind [G-d[4]] of the merits of our Forefathers, [and also to motivate oneself […]

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer    Buy now on Amazon.com Parshas Shemos Pesukim:124  [Siman:ויקח ] Haftorah:[1] Yeshayahu 27:6-28:13; 29:22-23  Number of Mitzvos: There are no Positive or Negative commands mentioned in Parshas Shemos. Rishon The family of Yaakov who arrived in Egypt: These are the names of […]

Parshas Shemos Bitachon-Trust versus wishful thinking-Understanding its true Avoda and what it can accomplish (Likkutei Sichos Vol. 36 Sicha 1) In this week’s Parsha, Parshas Shemos, we learn of Moshe Rabbeinu and his efforts to help the Jewish people. Scripture tells us that one day Moshe went out to the […]

Question: [Thursday, 19th Teves 5781] I have heard many times that whistling is a Gentile custom and therefore one should not whistle. Recently someone also told me that according to the Zohar whistling draws down many evil spirits and therefore is forbidden to be done. Can you please clarify the […]

Question: [Wednesday, 18th Teves, 5782] I am a convert and was recently told by someone that I should not be celebrating my birthday and birthday customs on my actual birthday but rather on the day that I converted. Is this correct?   Answer: Indeed, the Rebbe was addressed this very […]

Walking or standing between two dogs, two palm trees, two pigs, and two snakes, or two people walking or standing with them in between:[1] [The Talmud[2] lists a number of “in between” walking or standing restrictions, in which one may not allow a certain item to be between two people […]

Question: [Tuesday, 17th Teves 5782] Does the custom of not learning Torah on the night of Nittel apply also this year when the night of the 25th of December falls on Friday night? If it does, then what do we do by the Shabbos table and may a Devar Torah […]

Using the same Knife sharpener for meat and dairy knifes:[1] It is permitted to use the same knife sharpener for sharpening both dairy, meat and Pareve knives.[2] This applies whether the sharpener is made of metal, stone, and applies to both a hand and electric sharpener. Prior to sharpening the […]

Question: [Monday 16th Teves 5782] I had a very strange dream on Friday night, by Shabbos Hanukkah. In my dream I dreamt about the three Sifrei Torah being brought out, and that I was given the second Sefer Torah to hold. The third one was given to another individual and […]

Reciting Birchas Hatorah after Davening if one forgot to say it beforehand:[1] A. Background-Does Ahavas Olam take the place of Birchas Hatorah: The connection between Ahavas Olam and Birchas Hatorah:[2] The blessing of Ahava Raba, or Ahavas Olam [depending on one’s Nussach] contains similar statements to those recited in Birchas […]

Question: [Sunday, 15th Teves, 5782] I have heard that there is a problem to sleep with your shoes under your bed, is this correct?   Answer: There is no issue with sleeping with shoes under one’s bed, and on the contrary, so was traditionally done as evident from Shulchan Aruch […]

May the morning blessings be said after Shacharis if one forgot to say them beforehand? A. The general rule:[1] If one davened Shacharis prior to reciting the morning blessings he is to recite all[2] the morning blessings after davening [with exception to the blessings to be discussed below which are […]

Parshas Vayechi Which overrides, personal spiritual growth or public activism? (Likkutei Sichos Vol. 15 Sicha 3) In this week’s Parsha, Parshas Vayechi, we learn of the passing of our forefather Yaakov. Prior to his passing, Yaakov blessed each one of his children with blessings that represented their personal future as […]

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer    Buy now on Amazon.com Parshas Vayechi Pesukim: 85 [Siman: פה אל פה] Haftorah: Melachim 1 2:1-12 Number of Mitzvos: There are no Positive or Negative commands mentioned in Parshas Vayechi. Rishon Yaakov summons Yosef and requests to be buried in Eretz […]

Question: [Thursday, 12th Teves 5781] Is it permitted for me to make an order from Amazon if the arrival date is Shabbos? Also, on Amazon prime we are guaranteed the product within a certain time [i.e. two days,48 hours]. Am I allowed to order an Amazon prime product within 48 […]

Cleaning spills on Shabbos Introduction: Cleaning a spill on Shabbos involves two actions which touch upon a number of possible prohibitions. These two actions are: 1) Wetting the cloth with the spill and 2) Moving around the soaked cloth. Wetting a cloth on Shabbos touches upon a possible laundering and […]

Question: [Wednesday, 11th Teves, 5782] I guess I was never made aware of this, but a Shabbos guest of mine told me that it is forbidden to bake fish and meat simultaneously in the same oven. What do I now do with the fish and meat that was baked together […]

Walking into the Shul wearing Tallis and Tefillin:[1] According to the Zohar[2], one is to leave his house[3] and walk to the Shul wearing his Tallis [Katan and Gadol[4]] and Tefillin.[5] If this is not possible, then one should put on the Tallis and Tefillin in the courtyard of the […]

Question: [Tuesday, 10th Teves 5782] We are having a Bris today. Does the father of the child have to fast?   Answer: The Baal Bris [father of the child, Mohel and Sandak] are all required to fast the entire day of a fast day even though the Bris is taking […]

Bathing, anointing, wearing leather shoes, on a fast day:[1] It is permitted to bathe, anoint, wear leather shoes, and have marital relations on a fast day other than Tisha B’av.[2] Nevertheless, a Baal Nefesh is to be stringent not to bathe [in hot water[3], if it does not involve a […]

Question: [Monday 2nd Teves 5782] How many times is one required to immerse a vessel in the Mikveh Keilim? I have heard that one time suffices but have been told that the custom is to immerse them three times. Answer: From the letter of the law, a single immersion suffices […]

Question: [Sunday, 8th Teves, 5782] I, and many people I know, have been taught, perhaps erroneously, that the Ashkenazi custom is to always say the blessing of Minei Besamim by all spices whether they come from a tree or from the ground. Recently, someone else told me that this is […]

Parshas Vayigash An investigation into the marriage of Shimon and Dina (Likkutei Sichos Vol. 5) In this week’s Parsha, Parshas Vayigash, Yaakov and his children discover Joseph’s whereabouts and that he is the Viceroy of the country and journey to the country to remain by Joseph side. Yaakov and his […]

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer    Buy now on Amazon.com Parshas Vayigash Pesukim: 106  [Siman: יהללאל] Haftorah: Yechezkal 37:15-28 Number of Mitzvos: There are no Positive or Negative commands mentioned in Parshas Vayigash. Rishon Yehuda contends with Yosef to release Binyamin: Yehuda confronted Yosef and asked to […]

Question: [Sunday, 5th Teves 5781] Should Chabad Chassidim recite Tachanun on Hei Teves?   Answer: In general, it is customary not to say Tachanun on a day on which one celebrates a miracle that took place. However, there is no universally accepted practice of omitting Tachanun on the fifth of […]

Summary: Drinking non-wine beverages: It is permitted on temporary occasion to drink any non-wine beverage from a vessel of a Gentile even if the vessel was designated for drinking or storing wine, so long as the vessel is properly rinsed from any leftover wine prior to usage. If one desires […]

Question: [Wednesday, 4th Teves, 5782] I have heard that many people save the oil and wicks of the Chanukah Menorah for the burning of chametz by erev Pesach. Is this allowed to be done or must one burn it right away?   Answer: Although some are accustomed to save the […]

Wine glasses of a gentile-Using glass vessels of a gentile that were used to drink or store Yayin Nesech: No need to Kasher with hot water: It is permitted to drink from clean wine glasses, and other clean wine glass vessels, of a gentile without Kashering them in between [using […]