Author Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein

Blessing over heart of palm:[1] The heart of palm, known in Hebrew as Kura, is the center of a palm tree’s main stem.[2] The blessing that is to be recited on the heart of the palm is Shehakol.[3] [However, this only applies towards the heart of a wild palm tree, […]

Question: [Sunday, 29th Nissan, 5781] If I don’t change my Tzitzis in the morning am I still obligated to check them daily? I currently have only one pair which I don’t change or take off and sleep with at night, and therefore my question. Answer: One is obligated to check […]

Covering the head with the Tallis Gadol during Davening: The letter of the law:[1] It is disputed whether one must also cover his head and perform the Yishmaeili wrap with the Tallis, in addition to covering the body. Some Poskim[2] rule that the Tallis must be large enough for one […]

Question: [Thursday, 19th Nissan, 5781] May I make a mark on the page of a book on Shabbos in order to remember the page for editorial or other type of purposes? Is this considered like writing? Is this considered like preparing for after Shabbos? Answer: It is forbidden to make […]

Shlissel Challah-Kneading a key into Challah the first Shabbos after Pesach: A. The custom: Many are accustomed to braid the Challah in the shape of a key[1] on the first Shabbos after Pesach.[2] Others knead a key within the Challah dough on the first Shabbos after Pesach. Some[3] record that […]

Is the Mitzvah of Sefiras Haomer Biblical or Rabbinical?[1] Temple times: It is a positive command of the Torah for every single Jew[2] to count seven weeks’ worth of days beginning from when the Omer was offered. In the Diaspora:[3] The Mitzvah of counting the Omer Biblically applies in both […]

Question: [Wednesday, 25th Nissan, 5781] I often smell essential oils, such as Levona, and would like to know if a blessing of Minei Besamim should be said prior to smelling them? Answer: Yes. Natural 100% essential oils that have a good scent are to be blessed upon prior to being […]

Drinking Mashkeh of non-frum people after Pesach: Example: After Pesach, one was offered a beer by a non-religious friend or relative. May one drink it?   A. Introduction: Chametz that was owned by a Jew during Pesach:[1] Complete[2] Chametz that was owned by a Jew[3] over Pesach, or that a […]

Question: [Monday, 23rd Nissan, 5781] Before Pesach, I threw out an entire box of sealed Osem cakes into a public area and noticed that the box is still there, went untouched throughout the entire duration of Pesach, and I would like to know if I can take it back and […]

Question: [Friday, 20th Nissan, 5781] On Chol Hamoed Pesach, must the second Sefer Torah be placed by the Bima before Hagbah of the first Sefer Torah? I always thought that we always need to place the second Torah scroll on the bimah before removing the first one, however today in […]

Shehechiyanu by Candle lighting and Kiddush:[1] We do not recite Shehechiyanu during Kiddush [or candle lighting] of Shevi’i or Acharon Shel Pesach.[2] Order of Davening when Pesach falls on Friday evening:[3] Mincha:[4] Prior to Mincha, Hodu is omitted although Patach Eliyahu is recited. Maariv: When Yom Tov falls on Friday […]

Question: [Thursday, 19th Nissan, 5781] May I use nail polish remover that contains wheat derivatives within its ingredients? I don’t have any other alternative nail polish remover available right now, and my nail polish has begun to peel off my nails in a very visible way and forms a Chatzitza […]

The importance of guarding the Moed: The Sages stated that one who belittles the Moed does not have a portion in the world to come and it is considered as if he has served idols. Hence, one must be very careful in the laws of the Moed, even though they […]

Chol Hamoed checklist: Drink Revius of wine Eat meal with bread by both night and day 6 Zechiros Eat and drink delicacies and do other forms of Simcha. Many are accustomed to gather and vist Jerusalem like Aliyah Leregel by the Holidays. Chapter 1: Melacha on Chol Hamoed 1. The […]

Question: [Tuesday, 17th Nissan, 5781] Is there any issue with purchasing typical animal food that is set up to feed the birds and other animals at the petting zoo during Pesach? Answer: Absolutely! The animal/bird feed which is given to visitors by petting zoos is often made of Chametz ingredients, […]

Question: [Thursday, 12th Nissan, 5781] Rabbi, I did not realize that today Thursday is the fast of the firstborn and accidentally ate prior to having heard a Siyum. What am I supposed to do now? Do I still have to fast and/or hear a Siyum? Do I have to make […]

May one split his meal in two, and eat bread or Matzah only by the first part of the meal and only afterwards eat the main course after the bread is removed?[1] Example #1: On Erev Pesach that falls on Shabbos, may one split his meal to two, eating Chametz […]

Question: [Tuesday, 10th Nissan, 5781] Must pet food be Kosher for Pesach? Answer: Yes. One must be careful to purchase pet food that is rabbinically authorized or certified for Pesach use, having been cleared of any Chametz ingredients. One should not simply rely on the ingredients stated on the can […]

Question: [Monday, 9th Nissan, 5781] Rabbi, I own a non-Kasherable sink [as do most people who don’t own a stainless-steel sink], and would like to know if I’m allowed to use the sink with hot water during Pesach. I will obviously be using a sink insert for all of my […]

The law regarding owning and benefiting [i.e. use as lighting oil] from Kitniyos:[1] Benefit: Even [the Ashkenazim] were only stringent to prohibit the eating of Kitniyos, however, it is permitted to benefit from it on Pesach [i.e. sell].[2] [Thus, an Ashkenazi store owner may sell Kitniyus products on Pesach, if […]

Question: [Sunday, 8th Nissan, 5781] I noticed that my computer keyboard contains a lot of Chametz in it, as like most people I eat lunch and snack while working? My question is if I can use it during Pesach or if I should simply buy a new one or try […]

Parshas Vayikra Knowing ones hidden evil   Compiled from the following sources: Likkutei Sichos Vol. 3 p. 201 Parshas Vayikra is the first of a long set of Parshiyos which discuss the bringing of the sacrifices to the altar. There are various types of sacrifices that can be offered, such […]

Question: [Thursday, 5th Nissan, 5781] In our family we are accustomed eat matza with avocado during Pesach. In school my daughter was taught by her teacher that it is forbidden to do so, and it is against the Chabad custom, and it caused a very big ruckus in the classroom […]

Question: [Wednesday, 4th Nissan, 5781] I have read and heard that it is permitted for one to use his regular yearly hot water water urn [i.e. Kumkum, electric Shabbos urn, etc] for Pesach without needing to Kosher it beforehand. Is this correct as I’ve always been careful to have a […]

Question: [Monday, 2nd Nissan, 5781] As I’m sure you know Matzos are extremely expensive. My question is whether I can use my Maaser money to pay for the Matzos? Answer: This depends on your income and how short of money you are. If indeed you do not have enough money […]

Question: [Sunday, 1st Nissan, 5781] This past Friday I got very busy and before I knew it there was no time before Shabbos to recite Shnayim Mikra. As you know this past Shabbos had two Parshiyos for a total of 214 verses, which was impossible for me to do during […]

Question: [Sunday, 1st Nissan, 5781] If one is a Baal Keri, should he delay Birchas Hatorah until after immersing in a mikvah or should he say it before in order not to nullify Torah learning until then? Answer: If the mikvah is very nearby to one’s home, and only takes […]

Question: [Thursday, 27th Adar, 5781] We accidentally left the light on in our fridge and only discovered this after Shabbos began and opened up the fridge and lo and behold noticed the light was on. I let go of the door and it automatically close. I know we are allowed […]

Question: [Wednesday, 26th Adar, 5781] Dear Rabbi, I work with gold and just received a shipment of gold Chamsot that contain God’s name of Yud Kei Vav Kei engraved on them [with a Hei and not a Kei, and with no dash] just as is written in the Sefer Torah. […]

Question: [Sunday, 23rd Adar, 5781] Are women allowed to wear pajamas with pants? Or only dresses? Answer: It is permitted and even encouraged, for women and girls to wear women’s pajama pants under a nightgown while they are in the privacy of their bedroom. It should not be worn without […]

Chametz which is found in areas that are not reachable by hand: *For full details and sources-see our corresponding Sefer and/or website! Chametz that is in cracks and crevices of tiles and furniture: If one cannot remove the Chametz with his hands due to it being stuck under cracks and […]

Question: [Sunday, 23rd Adar, 5781] This year that Pesach falls on Motzei Shabbos must one make the saltwater already on erev Shabbos or can one make it after Pesach enters before the Seder? Answer: According to the rulings of Admur it seems that it is permitted to make saltwater on […]

Pesach Review Crash Course-Cleaning for Pesach-Summary of laws: *For full details and sources-see our corresponding Sefer and/or website! Introduction-Din versus Minhag: Cleaning the home for Chametz is known to be one of the more strenuous jobs that falls upon the household in preparation for Pesach. Many are unaware that there […]

Question: [Sunday, 23rd Adar, 5781] Rabbi, I am aware of the Halacha that states that one who reaches Shemoneh Esreiy only after the congregation has begun Shemoneh Esreiy must wait until after the Kaddish after Shemoneh Esreiy to begin his prayers in order so he does not miss the opportunity […]

Question: [Thursday, 20th Adar, 5781] My husband enjoys to Farbreng until late on Shabbos in Shul, and often remains until we are already done our meal at home, and at times he remains there until Mincha. It is not feasible for us to wait so long to start our meal […]

Question: [Wednesday, 19th Adar, 5781] Rabbi, I go to a Mikveh in which many people leave their shampoo and conditioner in the shower area openly available. If I forgot to bring my shampoo and conditioner am I allowed to use it without finding out who the owner is and asking […]

Question: [Tuesday, 18th Adar, 5781] May one put tefillin on while sitting or lying down if he is unable to stand, such as if he is sick, or bound to a wheelchair? Answer: Yes, one who is unable to stand is nonetheless required to put on tefillin in a sitting […]

Parents of Chasan and Kallah share the same names: If the parents of the Chasan and Kallah have the same exact name they should not have their children marry each other.[1] This applies for the names of both the mother and the father.[2] [However, some Poskim[3] rule this only applies […]

Question: [Monday, 17th Adar, 5781] Rabbi, my daughter poured hot water from our Pareve electric water urn straight into her milk and in the process a drop of milk splashed onto the side of the urn. If I stand correct, I believe that my Pareve water urn has now become […]

Question: [Sunday, 16th Adar, 5781] I often see people in shul who store their Tallis on top of Sefarim on the bookshelf. This often happens when there is a Kiddush in shul after Davening on Shabbos and people to roll up their Tallis and put it by the bookshelf on […]

Saying Shema prior to sunrise:[1] When Davening in a Vaasikin/Neitz Minyan:[2] The initial time for Davening Shemoneh Esrei is by sunrise. It is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar to read the Shema slightly prior to sunrise, intending to complete the Shema and its last blessing of Goal Yisrael with sunrise. Immediately […]

Machatzis Hashekel-The Half Shekel:[1]   Some[2] opinions rule that before Purim one must give half of his country’s coin currency [to charity, and so is the custom of all Jewry[3]]. It is given as a remembrance for the half shekel that was donated for purchasing sacrifices during the times of […]

Question: [Thursday, 13th Adar, 5781] This year that Purim falls on Friday, is it permitted for me to cut my nails and get a haircut on Friday, in honor of Shabbos, or is it forbidden to do so due to the prohibition of doing Melacha on Purim. Answer: Nails: When […]

Question: [Wednesday, 12th Adar, 5781] Is there any reason for me to be careful to have separate oil bottles for both meat and milk or is it okay for me to use the same oil bottle to pour into meat and milk products? Answer: Indeed, there is a very strong […]

Question: [Tuesday, 11th Adar, 5781] Hi Rabbi, I have the following question: Must the mezuzah actually touch the doorpost? When putting on a mezuzah to the doorpost is there a problem if there is some space between the doorpost and the mezuzah? Meaning, for example, if I tape the mezuzah […]

If one can only hear with a hearing aid is he able to fulfill his obligation through listening to the Megillah reading?[1] Non-electric hearing aid: If he is able to hear with the help of a non-electric hearing aid then he is obligated in the Mitzvah.[2] He may thus hear […]