Author Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein

  Human blood:[1] Human blood is not Biblically forbidden in consumption due to the blood prohibition.[2] Nevertheless, it is [Rabbinically] forbidden to drink visible human blood which has separated from a human body due to Maaras Ayin. Blood on food after biting:[3] Due to the above, if one bit a […]

Question: [Wednesday 6th Elul, 5780] Rabbi Goldstein   Should someone avoid davening for something petty (like their son winning a ball game), so as not to “diminish zechusim”?   Answer: B”H There is a Mitzvah Min Hatorah to Daven to Hashem for things that you want. This itself can serve […]

Does one fulfill the custom of hearing Shofar in Elul through hearing a live blowing taking place via Zoom and the like? Background: One is obligated to hear the original Shofar sound in order to fulfill his Mitzvah on Rosh Hashanah, and it does not suffice to hear an echoed […]

May one wear a mask on Shabbos and adjust the metal strip around one’s nose? Background: It is forbidden to fix things on Shabbos due to the prohibition of Tikkun Keli.[1] Thus, it is forbidden to even simply bend a needle back in shape due to the prohibition of Tikkun […]

Does the prohibition of Tzaar Baalei Chaim apply also against causing pain to humans, or being complicit to it? If one causes pain to another human does he transgress Tzaar Baalei Chaim? Introduction: It is Biblically forbidden to cause pain to any[1] living creature [without a Halachically justifiable reason].[2] The […]

Delaying Melacha until after Maariv:[1] In addition to waiting until three small consecutive stars are visible[2] and saying Havdalah in prayer or saying Baruch Hamavdil[3], every meticulous[4] person is to delay doing any [Biblical[5]] Melacha until the congregation has recited the Seder Kedusha [i.e. the entire paragraph of Veata Kadosh[6]] […]

Passing between two people of the opposite gender:[1] A [lone[2]] man may not pass in between two women, and a [lone] woman [may not pass] between two men, due to that the evil spirit resides [on the person when he/she does so]. [This especially applies if the woman is a […]

Smelling coffee-Is a blessing of Besamim to be recited?[1] General law of smelling spices and bread: Some Poskim[2] rule that one may not say a blessing on ground pepper and ginger even if he enjoys their smell.[3] Likewise, some Poskim[4] rule that one is not to make a blessing upon […]

The liturgy of Shalom Aleichem: The Background of the custom: The Piyut of Shalom Aleichem was established by the Kabbalists, the students of the Arizal and is recorded in the Poskim to be said on Friday night upon arrival home from Shul.[1] It is recited in light of the Talmudic[2] […]

Ishto Bair-Permitting Yichud on the grounds that one’s wife is in the city:[1] Some Poskim[2] rule that having one’s wife in the same city never permits a state of Yichud irrelevant of circumstance, and only when one’s wife is in the room does it permit Yichud with another woman. Other […]

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer The definition of Shiur Gearah-When may an Avel for the passing of a parent get a haircut?[1] One who is in mourning for a relative other than his parent may cut his hair after the conclusion of Shloshim. However, one who is […]

Marei Mekomos-Source sheet for members only Which blessing should be recited over chocolate covered fruits and nuts?[1] The general law of Ikkur and Tafel: Whenever one eats two foods together then one recites a blessing on the main food [i.e. Ikkur] and with it he exempts the secondary food [i. […]

  Laughing and frivolity:[1] Laughing and frivol behavior is forbidden on Tisha B’av. Doing so can lead to physical danger.[2]   Throwing Beralach/acorns: The Poskim[3] severely warn against the custom[4] of throwing acorns around in Shul on Tisha B’av and doing so is a great sin. Doing so is a […]

Marei Mekomos Source sheet-For members only May one do housework on Tisha B’av?[1] The general law of Melacha: From the letter of the law, the performance of Melacha on Tishe Beav is dependent on community custom, with exception to Torah scholars who in all places would not do Melacha on […]

How to wear a Tallis Katan on Tishe Beav: Tallis Katan-Blessing and how to wear:[1] On Tishe Beav, the Tallis Katan is worn under one’s clothing without a blessing.[2] [Other Poskim[3] however rule a blessing is to be recited if one did not wear the Tallis Katan at night and […]

Marei Mekomos Source sheet for members only Should Vayechulu which is recited after Shemoneh Esrei of Friday night, be recited by two people together, when Davening without a Minyan, or when saying it after the Minyan? Background:[1] The start of the custom and its purpose and reason:[2] The saying of […]

This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com Marei Mekomos Source Sheet-For Members Only Children eating meat and chicken: A child who is below the age of Chinuch may eat meat, poultry and wine during the nine days.[1] A child who is above the age of Chinuch may […]

The mourning customs of the nine days *Important Note: This section will only list the mourning customs that become applicable during the nine days. All customs that apply throughout the entire three-week period were listed in the previous chapter. See there for further reference! Diminishing in rejoicing: At the entrance […]

Saying Vayechulu after Shemon eh Esrei on Friday nights-How & Why: The start of the custom and its purpose and reason:[1] The saying of Vayechulu after Shemoneh Esrei of Friday night was accustomed due to the Yom Tov Friday night Davening in which Vayechulu is omitted from the Yom Tov […]

May one Kosher a meat vessel to use for dairy or vice versa?[1] Through Libun:[2] It is permitted to Kosher a vessel through Libun, and interchange its use between meat and dairy. Thus, one may Kosher a meat oven to use for dairy and vice versa.[3] [All vessels made of […]

 Must the Shel Rosh straps that dangle in front of one’s chest have their black side face up?[1] The Poskim rule that the straps are not to be turned over [onto their white side], neither by the Tefillin Shel Yad nor by the Tefillin Shel Rosh [and are hence to […]

This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com Music therapy-May one listen to music during the three weeks for emotional and mental health purposes? In general, one may not play or listen[1] to music during the three weeks.[2] [It is forbidden to listen to music, whether live or […]

Eating restrictions for one who is exempt from fasting: Eating in accordance to “Shiurim” as required on Yom Kippur: Some Poskim[1] rule that even one who is exempt from the fast is required to follow the same eating and drinking measurements “Shiurim” prescribed on Yom Kippur. Other Poskim[2], however, rule […]

This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com Summary   Chapter 1-The 17th of Tamuz: The 17th of Tamuz is a public fast day. One is required to fast on this day due to the tragedies that occurred during this time. It is also the beginning of the […]

Covid-19 Fasting laws-Should one fast this year on 17th of Tamuz? Law for one who is sick:[1] One who is sick is exempt from fasting, [and is even prohibited to be stringent upon himself to fast[2]].[3] This applies even if there is no danger involved in his illness.[4] He is […]

This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Original Hebrew Source sheet [for Members Only] Is one to repeat the blessing after re-wearing the Tefillin after using the bathroom: Background on saying a blessing when re-wearing Tefillin: One who removed his Tefillin and now desires to place it back on, […]

See original Hebrew source sheets [for members only] Co-sleeping-May boys/men sleep together on the same bed?[1] It is forbidden for two men/boys to sleep together in the same bed.[2] This applies even if the men are married, and certainly if they are both single.[3] This applies even if they are […]

Wishing good Shabbos after the time of Mincha:[1] There is a known custom not to wish good Shabbos or say Shalom Aleichem between Mincha and Maariv on Shabbos, during Bein Hashmashos.[2] _____________________________________________________________ [1] Piskeiy Teshuvos 292/8 in name of Sefer Matamim and Otzer Minhagei Yeshurun; Mentioned in Makor Chaim 270 […]

View original Hebrew sources-For members Only This article is an excerpt from our Sefer Should a married m an say a blessing on a Tallis Katan? Is one to say a blessing over a Tallis Katan worn prior to Davening if he will be wearing a Tallis Gadol for Shacharis? […]

Source sheet for members only Mourning laws applicable on the day of a Yahrzeit: A. First Yahrzeit:[1] On the first Yahrzeit [if the year of mourning was not a leap year] the custom is to practice the laws of the year of Aveilus up until after the day of the […]

Listen here to audio Melacha/work on Rosh Chodesh:[1] A. The law and custom: It is permitted to do work on Rosh Chodesh.[2] Nevertheless, those women that are accustomed to refrain from working are doing a proper custom.[3] [Practically, the widespread custom today amongst women is to refrain from work on […]

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Listen here to audio Pas Palter-Must commercially baked bread be Pas Yisrael:[1] When the Sages initially enacted the decree against eating the bread of a gentile, the decree applied towards all bread baked by a gentile, whether it is bread baked within the private home of a gentile, or bread […]

Is one required to stand when making Kiddush? Night Kiddush:[1] It is proper to stand while reciting Vayechulu in Kiddush.[2] However, when one says the blessing of Kiddush [i.e. Hagafen and onwards], it is better to sit.[3] [From the letter of the law, however, he may stand if he chooses.[4]]  […]

Kinyan Sudar/Chalifin:[1] A. What can be acquired through the Kinyan?[2] All items, whether moveable objects [i.e. Mitaltilin] or land [i.e. Karka] may be acquired through a Kinyan Suddar [otherwise known as Kinyan Chalifin]. This applies whether to a sale or to the giving of a present. B. How it is […]

Women wearing socks/stockings:[1] It is forbidden for men to learn Torah or Daven opposite a woman’s legs [literally, Shoka] as the legs are considered an area of privacy by a woman, and is therefore an Erva to be revealed. [It is therefore necessary for women and girls to cover their […]

Listen to Audio Shiur Magicians-Performing magic tricks, hiring a performer, and watching a performance:[1] It is forbidden to perform an action that makes it appear to the onlooker as if he is performing a supernatural act.[2] One who does so transgresses the Biblical command of “Lo Sionein” and is liable […]

Listen here to Shiur Saying Barchu at the end of Davening? Letter of the law:[1] One may recite Barchu at the end of Davening for the sake of people who did not yet hear Barchu that day.[2] Certainly, if one did not yet hear Barchu he may say Barchu on […]

Pressuring an employer to pay one’s salary, and pressuring a renter to pay rent: Some Poskim[1] rule that the above prohibition against pressuring a person who owes one money, at a time that he does not have the ability to pay, only applies if the person borrowed the money. However, […]

Listen here to audio May a man Daven or learn Torah while hearing his daughter, sister, or mother singing, or Davening out loud in a song? It is customary for people to sing various parts of Davening. May a man Daven while hearing his mother, daughter, or sister singing parts […]

Chapter 119 in Tehillim Listen here to Audio Background: Chapter 119 in Tehillim is a very unique chapter, having been compiled by David Hamelech according to the Hebrew alphabet. It is the longest chapter in Tehillim, and indeed in the entire Tanach, containing 176 verses. Each letter of the Hebrew […]

Listen here to audio May one squeeze fruits on Yom Tov?[1] In all cases that squeezing is permitted on Shabbos it is likewise permitted on Yom Tov. [See our Sefer “The Laws of Shabbos Volume 2-The Laws of Squeezing fruits” for the full details of the laws of squeezing on […]

Listen to audio When may one get a haircut on Erev Shavuos?[1] It is permitted to get a haircut throughout the entire Erev Shabbos, and Erev Yom Tov [with exception to Erev Pesach], even past the time of Mincha. This applies even to a professional haircut that is being done […]

Listen here to audio May one perform Eruv Tavshilin before Erev Yom Tov or on the night before Yom Tov [i.e. Yom Tov is on Thursday night, may one perform it on Wednesday night, or prior]? The initial obligation to perform specifically on Erev Yom Tov:[1] Initially, the Eruv Tavshilin […]