Author Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein

Must/May a blessing be recited when borrowing the Tallis of a Shul for Duchaning, Aliyah, Chazan, and the like? A. Background: Is a blessing recited over a borrowed Tallis:[1] When borrowing a Tallis from another person for the sake of the Mitzvah it is proper for the borrower to ask […]

Question: [Thursday, 9th Sivan 5781] May one do a raffle on Shabbos or Yom Tov for a children’s gathering? Some places are accustomed to do so for all types of children gatherings on Shabbos and Yom Tov for the sake of garnering their interest in attending and behaving during the […]

Moving a Muktzah item with a shinuiy-Part 2-Examples of unusual manners of moving Muktzah: As explained in part one of this Halacha, all Muktzah objects are permitted to be moved in an unusual manner (shinui), which is defined as moving it with any body part other than one’s hands. The […]

Question: [Tuesday, 8th Sivan, 5781] May one perform Kiddush Levana on Motzei Shavuos, or should he wait until after Shabbos? Answer: In the Diaspora, when seven days have passed from the Molad [either seven complete days, or into the seventh day, depending on one’s accustomed way of ruling], then one […]

Does one wash hands and recite the morning blessing of Al Netilas Yadayim if he did not sleep[1] at night?[2] A. The debate: Background: There is a dispute amongst Poskim[3] as to the reason behind the morning washing, and consequently there is also a debate as to whether one who […]

To how short may the hair in the Halachic area of the Peiyos be cut?[1] Razer versus scissor: It is forbidden to cut the hairs in the Halachic area of the Peiyos with a razor.[2] [It is however, permitted to cut it with a scissor, or haircutting machine, even if […]

Question: [Thursday, 2nd Sivan 5781] If my hands are wet and I don’t have a towel, may I wipe my hands on my shirt on Shabbos? Answer: In general, it is best to use a towel for wiping one’s hands on Shabbos. [This is in addition to the general adherence […]

Are flowers in a vase Muktzah on Shabbos?[1] Background: All items that do not contain a use are considered Muktzah Machams Gufo on Shabbos and may not be moved for any purpose in a regular fashion, neither for space, use or to save from damage.[2] Thus, ground products such as […]

Question: [Tuesday, 1st Sivan, 5781] Is it permitted for a woman to iron clothing on Rosh Chodesh? Answer: The custom is to avoid all clothing related work, including ironing, unless you have a specific custom in your family to permit doing so. Nonetheless, the above is only regarding ironing clothing […]

May one cut the branch of a fruit tree to use as a decoration for Shavuos? Background of the custom to place plants and trees in one’s home on Shavuos:[1] It is customary to spread plants and trees in Shul and home in honor of Shavuos. Plants are spread in […]

Question: [Tuesday, 29th Iyar, 5781] Rabbi, if we are unable to get six people to Daven Shemoneh Esrei at the same time, what is the order of having someone say Shemoneh Esrei aloud for the sake of Kedusha, and may we also still say the Kadeishim afterwards. Answer: In such […]

Having gentile guests Yom Tov:[1] It is forbidden to invite gentile guests for a Yom Tov meal.[2] This applies even if all one’s food is already cooked.[3] If, however, the gentile arrived on his own, one may give him food to eat[4], although it is forbidden to invite and press […]

Purchasing Jewelry and clothing for one’s wife and daughters before Yom Tov:[1] It is a Biblical positive command and obligation for one to rejoice and be of happy spirit on Yom Tov.[2] This applies throughout all the seven days of Pesach, the eight days of Sukkos [i.e. including Chol Hamoed], […]

Question: [Monday, 28th Iyar 5781] Dear Rabbi, I would like to know if it is permitted for one to leave his mikvah towel in shul. I personally find it very disrespectful to leave a towel that was used to dry all parts of the body in middle of the sanctuary […]

Question: [Sunday, 27th Iyar, 5781] Is it permitted this year for one to take a haircut on this upcoming erev Shabbos being that Shavuos falls on Sunday night? Answer: Those who are accustomed not to take a haircut until erev Shavuos due to reasons of Kabbalah or due to their […]

Moving a Muktzah item with a shinuiy [i.e. unusual manner]:[1]  All Muktzah objects [under all categories, Muktzah Machmas Gufo, Chisron Kis, and Keli Shemilachto Lei’issur] are only forbidden to be moved in in the regular way that they are moved during the week, which is through using one’s hands.[2] However, […]

Question: [Thursday, 24th Iyar 5781] My daughter has a sty pimple by the side of her eye which is very much irritating her. May she place a bag of tea on her eyes for the sake of healing it on Shabbos. The pimple is causing her eyelid to close up […]

Question: [Wednesday, 23rd Iyar 5781] We have a number of extra tiles on our porch which are stacked by the edge of the gate which surrounds our porch. It’s been there for months without moving. Last night, one of the tiles somehow fell with the wind and smashed the windshield […]

One who accidently switched an item with another person:[1] If one attended an event, or participated in a Minyan or Shiur, and at the end of the event he accidently took the wrong coat, hat, umbrella, Tallis/Tefillin, or any other item, may he use that item until he finds the […]

Performing miracles using practical Kabala: *As stated below, it is forbidden for regular people to engage in practical Kabbalah and therefore the below information is for background knowledge purposes only! [From the letter of the law] it is permitted to perform magical illusions [i.e. Achizas Eiynayim] through Sefer Yetizra.[1] Furthermore, […]

Question: [Tuesday, 22nd Iyar, 5781] I work in the city as an electrician and was recently offered a job of being in charge of the maintenance of the air-conditioning units in a group of churches. I will often need to enter the church sanctuary in order to perform the maintenance. […]

Question: [Monday, 21st Iyar 5781] Must one avoid doing things of possible danger during Sefira just as avoided during the three weeks, such as to avoid going swimming especially in the ocean and avoid traveling in a plane and the like? Answer: From the letter of the law, there is […]

  Counting with a blessing after overhearing the Sefira/blessing from another:[1] If one casually overheard the counting of another person, whether from a private individual or congregation, without any particular intent of being Yotzei or not being Yotzei, then it is disputed as to whether he fulfilled his obligation.[2] This […]

If one used the bathroom prior to saying an after blessing for food which blessing is to be recited first?[1] If one ate an item that requires an after blessing [such as Borei Nefashos[2] or even Birchas Hamazon[3]] and forgot to say the blessing and urinated [or defecated] and then […]

Question: [Sunday, 20th Iyar, 5781] Is it permitted for one to say a blessing if he feels the urge to use the bathroom? Answer: No. One who feels the urge to use the bathroom is prohibited from saying a blessing. Explanation: Although the main discussion in the Poskim is regarding […]

Question: [Thursday, 17th yar 5781] We bought a pack of six individual plastic cups of pudding which are attached to each other by the sides and forgot to separate them from each other and open them before Shabbos. Am I allowed to separate them and open them on Shabbos in […]

Question: [Wednesday, 16th Iyar 5781] Is it permitted for one to listen to music starting from sunset of Lag Bomer, or must wait until nighttime [i..e Tzeis Hakochavim]?   Answer: One is to wait and not listen to music until after nightfall.   Explanation: In general, there is a debate […]

What is the law if prior to counting one said that “Today is Lag Baomer”, may he count that night with a blessing? If he said the words “Today is Lag Baomer”, he does not fulfill his obligation and may count that night with a blessing.[1] However, some[2] conclude one […]

Question: [Tuesday, 15th Iyar, 5781] I would like to know if it is permitted for one to use a sous vide cooker stick and container for both meat and dairy. Just to explain a little bit of how sous vide cookers work: One fills up a container with water and […]

Organ donation/transplant:[1] The question of organ donation is highly debated amongst Rabbanim and religious circles. Its question touches upon several Halachic prohibitions, which vary based on the state of the patient whose organ is being used. We have divided the ruling to four distinct cases: 1) If the person is […]

Question: [Monday, 14th Iyar 5781] If I forgot and did not Daven Maariv the previous night, what is the proper order of Tashlumin for the Maariv prayer? When should the second Shemoneh Esrei be prayed after Shacharis? Answer: The Tashlumin Shemoneh Esrei for Maariv which is prayed after Shacharis Shemoneh […]

The start time of Mincha-Davening Mincha Gedola:[1] One who Davens Mincha from 6 ½ Zmaniyos hours into the day [i.e. half an hour after the Halachic midday], and onwards, fulfills his obligation. [This time period is commonly referred to as Mincha Gedola.[2]] [However] the main time to Daven Mincha is […]

Question: [Sunday, 13th Iyar, 5781] This past Shabbos we got confused and accidentally read the wrong Haftorah. We read the Haftorah of Kedoshim [i.e. Yechezkal] instead of the Haftorah of Parshas Achrei Mos [Bnei Kushim]. Did we fulfill our obligation, and what should we have done if we remembered in […]

Question: [Thursday, 10th yar 5781] When I am called up to read the Haftorah, may/should I close the Haftorah book after concluding its reading prior to saying the after blessings, or should I leave it open until after the blessings are recited? Answer: The person who reads the Haftorah for […]

Drinking liquids after Kiddush prior to the meal: It is permitted for one who is thirsty to drink after Kiddush, prior to the meal.[1] Saying a blessing prior to drinking:[2] One who drinks prior to the meal is not to say a blessing over the liquid if [he drank from […]

Question: [Wednesday, 9th Iyar 5781] When I was a teenager and used to babysit for families in the neighborhood, I often used their house phone without asking their permission and at times I would be on for many hours which I’m sure gave them an extra-large bill as this was […]

Stealing as a joke:[1] It is forbidden to steal even if one plans to return it immediately afterwards.[2] It is forbidden to steal even if one has no intent at all to cause pain to the owner and is stealing the item [temporarily] merely out of jest [and plans to […]

Question: [Tuesday, 8th Iyar, 5781] I absentmindedly recited Vesein Tal Umatar [after Pesach in the summer months] and remembered a few moments later. What is the proper order for me to do? Should I go back to Bareich Aleinu and say it properly, or should I simply say Vesein Bracha […]

When to recite Kiddush Levana in months that Motzei Shabbos is past the 10th from the Molad: Background:[1] One is to recite Kiddush Levana only on Motzei Shabbos [or Motzei Yom Tov[2]].[3] [The above time is only with regards to Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar, however from the letter of the law […]

Why do we mourn during Sefira?[1] It is accustomed amongst Jewry to observe certain customs of mourning within the period between Pesach and Shavuos. [This custom is first mentioned in the writings of the Geonim, and dates to the generation of Rebbe Akiva.[2] It is however unclear how widespread the […]

Question: [Monday, 7th Iyar 5781] I [a man] forgot to count Sefira one day and would like to know if I must be careful to still continue counting without a blessing, or if I don’t have to be so careful anymore to count. Likewise, although I know I can no […]

Flatulence-The prohibition to release gas while wearing Tefillin:[1] It is forbidden to flatulate[2] while wearing Tefillin.[3] [Some Poskim[4] rule that this is a Biblical prohibition. It is more severe than having the Tefillin fall on the ground.[5]] One who is gassy:[6] Accordingly, one who is gassy is not to wear […]

Question: [Sunday, 6th Iyar, 5781] This past Shabbos I wished somebody a Shabbat Shalom in the morning prior to prayers and he told me that before Davening we say “good Shabbos” and not “Shabbat shalom.” Is this true and what is the reason? Answer: Indeed, the person is correct that […]

Question: [Thursday, 3rd Iyar 5781] May my wife use a lighter to light the Shabbos candles or is this a problem being that she will end up extinguishing it after the lighting, prior to the blessing? Answer: A lighter should not be used by women to light the Shabbos candles, […]

May magnets be used on Shabbos?[1] Normally, attaching things together on Shabbos is forbidden due to the sewing or building prohibition, if certain conditions are met. Thus, the question is raised whether a magnetic attachment falls under the prohibition of sewing or building and meets the conditions of prohibition and […]

Are male children of Chinuch age obligated to recite Sefiras Haomer: A. Background: Children below the age of Chinuch:[1] A child who is below the age of Chinuch is exempt from all Mitzvos. Above age of Chinuch by Shema and other night Mitzvos: A son who has reached the age […]

Question: [Wednesday, 2nd Iyar 5781] When I order a fruit shake from a juice stand which is run by a Gentile may I have him place grapes in the ingredients and have him blend it all into juice? Answer: One should not do so due to the prohibition of Yayin […]

Are women obligated to Daven Musaf on Shabbos, Yom Tov, or Rosh Chodesh? A. Background:[1] Some Poskim[2] rule women are obligated to Daven Shemoneh Esrei of Shacharis and Mincha.[3] Other Poskim[4] rule women are not obligated to Daven Shemoneh Esrei of any prayer.[5] Practically, the main ruling follows the latter […]

Question: [Tuesday, 1st Iyar, 5781] I did not have an opportunity to recite Birchas Ilanos during the month of Nisan and today plan on being in an area where I will see fruit trees. Can I still say the blessing? Answer: While this matter is under debate and some are […]

Question: [Monday, 30th Nissan, 5781] What blessing should be recited in non-grain products that contain gluten within their ingredients? Answer: The gluten has the status of a Shehakol food. Practically, it is nullified to the main ingredient of the product and one should recite whatever blessing the main ingredient deserves. […]