Author Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein

Question: [Sunday, 28th Shevat, 5782] We recently went on a camping trip and had to sleep in tents. We used our backpacks as a pillow to rest our heads on while sleeping in our sleeping bags on the ground, and I wanted to know if there’s an issue with doing […]

Avel/Mourner receiving an Aliyah during Shiva:[1]  During the weekdays: It is forbidden for an Avel to receive an Aliyah throughout Shiva.[2] This applies even if the Avel is a Kohen and there is no other Kohen available in the Minyan. [Rather a Yisrael is to be called up in his […]

Question: [Thursday, 25th Shevat 5782] On Shabbos, towards the end of the blessing of Yishtabach, I realized that I forgot to say Nishmas [I went straight to Yishtabach after finishing Az Yashir]. May I make it up now and read between Yishtabach and the blessing of Yotzer Or?   Answer: […]

Question: [Wednesday, 24th Shevat, 5782] I work as a website technician and do some website volunteer work for a charity organization. May I deduct the amount of income that I could charge for such work from my Maaser obligations. For example, if I put in 10 hours a month for […]

How many people are needed to answer for Chazaras Hashatz-Part 2 If a person begins Shemoneh Esrei together with the Chazan by Chazaras Hashatz, can he be considered as one of the nine answers, and therefore only eight answers are required? Some Poskim[1] rule that a person who begins Shemoneh […]

Question: [Tuesday, 23rd Shevat 5782] Unfortunately, I am in an abusive relationship with my husband. While the abuse does not happen every day, it is not uncommon, and I do live in fear of him getting angry and losing his temper when things are not done according to his will […]

How many people are needed to answer for Chazaras Hashatz?[1] A. Introduction: A Davar Shebekedusha, which includes the saying of Kaddish, Kedusha, Barchu, requires a Minyan of ten adult men in the room for it to be allowed to be said.[2] In addition to the requirement of having a minyan, […]

Question: [Monday 22nd Shevat 5782] I made a pledge in my mind to give a certain amount of charity to a certain cause. I have since rethought of whether I should give this pledge. Must I do so, or since I did not verbalize the pledge, it is not considered […]

Giving presents to a gentile: A. May one give a present to a gentile?[1] It is forbidden to give a free present to a gentile who one is not acquainted with.[2] This applies even if the gentile is not an idolater, such as a Muslim.[3] If, however, one is acquainted […]

Question: [Sunday, 21st Shevat, 5782] I woke up at about 3 o’clock in the morning and recited all the morning blessings. I then realized that it was still before Alos, and I should not have said the blessing of Hanosein Lasechvi Bina being that I did not hear a rooster […]

Not to talk in a bathroom:[1] One may not speak in a bathroom [while using it for urinating or a bowel movement[2]] as doing so is immodest.[3] If it is not possible to [lock or] close the door of the bathroom, then if someone approaches him, he should grunt to […]

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer    Buy now on Amazon.com Parshas Yisro Pesukim: 72 [Siman:יונדב] Haftorah: Yeshayahu 6:1-13[1]  Number of Mitzvos: There are a total of Seventeen Mitzvos in Parshas Yisro. Three positive commands and Fourteen negative commands.   A. Positive commands: 1. Mitzvah 25/Positive 12: To […]

Parshas Yisro The pleasure in submission-The novelty of Matan Torah & our complete surrender to G-d (Likkutei Sichos Vol. 36 Sicha 2[1]) In Parshas Yisro, the most important and momentous event in world history in general, and Jewish history in particular, is retold. In this Parsha we are told of […]

Question: [Thursday, 18th Shevat 5782] Is it permitted for one to pound, punch, and roll a whole lemon for the sake of creating more juice for the sake of then squeezing/placing it into a salad? Answer: It is permitted for you to do so, however, it is best to only […]

Laws relating to breastfeeding and breast milk on Shabbos-Part 2-Q&A Summary of Part 1: Is forbidden for a woman to squeeze breast milk into a vessel due to the Biblical detaching prohibition. However, it is permitted for a woman to squeeze out some milk and have it trickle down her […]

Question: [Wednesday, 17th Shevat, 5782] I am a real estate agent and I’m working for a certain individual who owns a rental property to help sell his home. I found a buyer who is willing to pay the price that the owner is asking for and we began negotiations. However, […]

Laws relating to breastfeeding and breast milk on Shabbos:[1] It is permitted without restriction for a woman to breast-feed a child on Shabbos, even if the child does not need to breast-feed such as if he is already satiated, or has formula or other foods available. Thus, a woman may […]

Question: [Tuesday, 16th Shevat 5782] I have a relative originally from Israel who years ago married his stepdaughter, and had children with her. To be clear, he first married a Jewish woman who had a daughter from a previous union, he then divorced his wife and later ended up marrying […]

Check out our Amazon Sefarim Shop WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Sponsor an Article Miscellaneous Q&A relating to Tu Beshvat Fruits What blessing is one to say on Esrog jelly?[1] Borei Peri Haeitz.[2]   Is the blessing of Shehechiyanu to be recited upon eating Esrog jelly?[3] No.[4]   Is the blessing […]

Question: [Sunday, 14th Shevat, 5782] I am accustomed whenever I write a formal letter or email to begin with the words Shalom Ubracha as did the Rebbe. My question is regarding if there is any issue in writing this when the letter is intended to a woman. [I am a […]

Question: [Thursday, 11th Shevat 5782] In the winter, when I come back from Shul on Friday night my hands are freezing. May I warm them by placing them near the Shabbos candles?   Answer: Yes. There is no halachic issue to warm dry hands near the Shabbos candles on Shabbos. […]

Question: [Wednesday, 10th Shevat, 5782] One of the questions I’ve always had on Chasidim [and I guess today also against some in the Litvish world who have today adapted to this position regarding their own rabbis and leaders], is what seems to be obsessive feelings and emotions that they have […]

Question: [Tuesday, 9th Shevat 5782] Is there any issue with resting Tefillin on top of a Sefer? Is there any difference between the actual Tefillin themselves, versus the tefillin while they are in the bag, and versus the tefillin cases?   Answer: It is best not to rest Tefillin on […]

Question: [Monday 8th Shevat 5782] I baked potatoes in my oven together at the same time that I was baking chicken. Both were uncovered when they were baking. May I eat these potatoes together with fish?   Answer: No, the potatoes are considered meaty and are not to be eaten […]

Having a cup of wine [i.e. Kos Shel Bracha] while Bentching:[1] A. The dispute: See Yesterdays daily halacha. B. The final ruling: There is no final Halachic arbitration regarding whether we rule like the opinion which holds that it is an obligation to Bentch over a cup of wine or […]

Having a cup of wine [i.e. Kos Shel Bracha] while Bentching:[1] There is a dispute recorded regarding the obligation of having a cup of wine, otherwise known as a Kos Shel Bracha, present while reciting Birchas Hamazon, and then having a blessing of Hagafen recited over it at the conclusion […]

Question: [Sunday, 7th Shevat, 5782] I had recently sent my tefillin to be checked and when they returned with a kosher verification from the Sofer I noticed that one of the corner sinews which tie the Bayis was loose and came out of its groove and is now resting on […]

Question: [Thursday, 4th Shevat 5781] I am accustomed when I make Kiddush to pour out some of the wine into another cup prior to drinking from it, as brought down in the Alter Rebbe in order to avoid the issue of Pagum for the listeners who will be drinking from my […]

Disowning the Shemita produce of one’s land-Part 2:[1] Summary: Every person who grows produce which is defined as a Kedushas Shevi’is in his field must disown the product and give entrance for all people to be able to come and partake from the food. How to be Mafkir the produce:[2] […]

Question: [Wednesday, 3rd Shevat, 5782] We are a family of converts, and have a Gentile relative who recently passed away and asked in his will to be cremated. We are his closest available relatives to arrange for the cremation to take place, and my question is from a Halachic perspective […]

Disowning the Shemita produce of one’s land-Part 1:[1] A. The mitzvah:[2] It is a positive command of the Torah for one [whether a man or woman[3]] to disown all the produce[4] that grows on his land during the seventh year. [Accordingly, one must give all Jews[5] access to collect the […]

Question: [Tuesday, 2nd Shevat 5782] Is there any issue with pouring non-Mevushal wine into the cup of a nonreligious Jew or Gentile and does it affect the rest of the one in the bottle?   Answer: It is permitted for one to pour Kosher non-Mevushal wine into the cup of […]

Question: [Monday 1st Shevat 5782] Is there any Torah or Halachic obligation for a husband to spend time with his wife? Obviously, couples must spend time with each other in order so the relationship grow and stay healthy. However, how often is the suggested practice? Every once in a while, […]