Author Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein

Question: [Wednesday, 23rd Kisleiv 5781] I am in the year of mourning for my mother r”l and regularly pray for the Amud. I would like to know if I should be the one to light the Hanukkah candles in shul after Mincha or not. Is there any issue for mourners to […]

If one’s wife or/and daughters will not be coming home until after nightfall, is one to delay the lighting until they arrive? It is proper even in today’s times [that the custom is to light indoors], to initially light the candles at its proper time [i.e. immediately after sunset/nightfall, each […]

  Must household members [daughter; wife; Sepharadi boys] who are fulfilling the Mitzvah with the father of the house be present at the time of the blessing? It is preferable for all the household members to be present at the time of the lighting and blessings.[1] If a household member […]

Question: [Sunday, 20th Kisleiv 5781] I had a little bit of wine to drink while I was eating grapes. I did not have enough individually of the grapes or wine to be able to say an after blessing but if I were to join them together then it would be […]

Should one do “Iskafya[1]” on Shabbos and refrain from delving into lavish delicacies?[2] It is clear that both on the Halachic[3] and esoteric[4] aspects of the Torah it is a Mitzvah to embellish in Oneg Shabbos, by eating delicacies and drinking fine beverages, and the concept of sanctifying oneself with […]

Question: [Thursday, 17th Kisleiv 5781] Is it permitted on Shabbos for me to rest my Siddur on a pot plant? I have many pot plants in my yard sitting on the gate and they are a perfect height for me to rest my Siddur on when I Daven there on […]

Question: [Wednesday, 16th Kisleiv 5781] I have a monetary dispute with a friend, and we decided to take her to a Zabla Beis Din. After I chose my judge I had a change of heart and would like to choose someone else instead. May I do so? Answer: It depends […]

Question: [Tuesday, 15th Kisleiv 5781] It often happens that I reach Shemoneh Esrei a minute or two after the congregation has already begun to Daven Shemoneh Esrei together. I’m not sure what I should be doing in this situation and if I should just start Davening right away and take […]

Question: [Monday, 14th Kisleiv 5781] Dear Rabbi,   I was unfortunately shocked to discover that I accidentally ate a food that was not kosher. I honestly thought that it had a Hashgacha, as there is a similar product under the same brand with a Hashgacha, and only after I ate […]

Question: [Sunday, 13th Kisleiv 5781] Is it permitted for one to give a speech in a shul with his back facing the Aron kodesh? Answer: Yes, it is permitted to do so. Although we do not sit with our backs facing the Aron [unless the Bima is between the Aron […]

Question: [Thursday, 10th Kisleiv 5781] Is one allowed to crush Doritos or other types of chips into his salad on Shabbos. Basically, I love eating my salad together with crushed Doritos and would like to know if it is permitted for me to do on Shabbos as well? Answer: It […]

How to “fix” the Kiddush wine prior to distribution to the listeners-Part 1:[1] A. Introduction-Understanding the issues: While there is no obligation for the listeners to drink from the Kiddush wine in order to fulfill their obligation of Kiddush[2], nonetheless, it is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar for them to drink […]

Question: [Wednesday, 9th Kisleiv 5781] What is to be given to the Kohen by the Pidyon Haben if the Kohen does not own the silver coins used for the Pidyon Haben? May I give him a check or credit card cash, and if so how much? Answer: The father of […]

May a man send a present to a woman? A man is to avoid sending gifts to a widow or any single woman.[1] Likewise, some Poskim[2] rule one is to avoid sending gifts to even to a married woman due to Sheilas Shalom.[3] However, when doing so without any intent […]

Question: [Tuesday, 8th Kisleiv, 5781] If by Nesias Kapayim there is only one Kohan who went up to Duchan what is the Chazzan to read when he reaches the section of Kohanim? Should he say the entire paragraph of Elokeinu out loud as usual, or should he say it quietly, […]

The reasons for the prohibition of eating milk and meat: The Mefarshim and Poskim mention several reasons behind why G-d prohibited the mixture of meat and milk: Chok: Some[1] explain that the true reason behind this prohibition is beyond the understanding of a human, and it is hence deemed as […]

Question: [Monday, 7th Kisleiv, 5781] I found a liquid vitamin supplement product called xxxxxxx that is made from non-Kosher gelatin under the Rabbinical supervision of an Orthodox rabbi in xxxxxx, named xxxxx. I wanted to know if this is reliable? Answer: It should not be consumed by anyone who eats […]

Question: [Motzei Shabbos, 6th Kisleiv, 5781] May one get a haircut on Motzei Shabbos? My son is not home from yeshiva that often and because of the short Friday we have not had time to give him a haircut on Erev Shabbos. May I give him a haircut on Motzei […]

Not touch the washing water:[1] One must be [very[2]] careful[3] not to touch the water in the vessel before washing[4] as one who does so contaminates the water with his hands [and is considered as if it was already used and is hence invalid for washing[5]]. Thus, one must be […]