Author Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein

Question: [Thursday, 3rd Kisleiv, 5781] May one put together a folding table on Shabbos by inserting the legs into the table surface? I own a folding table which is made in the following way: The legs and frame on which the table rests are taken apart from the table and […]

Who is obligated in lighting Shabbos candles-Men versus women?[1] Both men and women are obligated to have candles lit in their homes on Shabbos.[2] Nevertheless, women are more obligated in this Mitzvah [than men].[3] [Thus, in a household that contains a man and woman, such as husband and wife, or […]

Question: [Wednesday, 2nd Kisleiv, 5781] How does one Kasher an electric stovetop?   Answer: There are different types of electric stovetop which carry different laws. Kashering elevated coils [i.e. coil cooktops]: The old-fashioned electric stove tops that are made with the electric coils raised above the surface area of the […]

Does life exist on other planets? What is the Torah’s perspective?[1] The approach of the scientists: So, as you may know, there is no answer for this question. Scientists and astronomers have no definitive proof of either the negation of the existence of extraterrestrial beings, otherwise known as aliens, nor […]

Question: [Tuesday, 19th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] May one check his Tzitzis inside the changing area of the mikvah where there are people who are undressed?   Answer: Yes, not only is there no problem in checking one’s Tzitzis in a Mikveh but he must do so prior to wearing them […]

Rosh Chodesh includes all the days of the month:[1] The day of Rosh Chodesh includes all the days of that month, similar to that Rosh Hashanah includes all the days of the year. This means to say that just as on Rosh Hashanah the Divine light which supplies blessing for […]

Question: [Monday, 29th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] Is one permitted to use Sechach for the sake of starting a bonfire?   Answer: Yes. It is only forbidden to use Sechach for belittling purposes. It is clear from the Poskim that using it to start a fire is not considered a belittling […]

1. The Shibsa impurity-The reason behind the restrictions prior to washing hands in the morning:[1] Impurity resides on body: The Sages stated that upon sleeping for sixty breaths[2] at night the G-dly soul of every Jew ascends from the body and a spirit of impurity [which is called Shibsa and […]

Question: [Shabbos, 27th Mar Cheshvan, 5781]  Is it true that when somebody makes kiddush then all the open wine on the table is considered used under that kiddush, and as if kiddush was already made on it, and can no longer be used for kiddush? Basically, what happened was is that while I […]

Question: [Thursday, 25th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] With regard to rain bonnet wearing on Shabbos – is it permissible to wear the rain bonnet around your waste? As for example, when you go to Shul or anywhere else on Shabbos it is not raining but the sky is cloudy and it […]

Helping for Shabbos-A Mitzvah and obligation upon each person:[1] Best to personally perform all the Shabbos preparations: Even if one has many servants he is to endeavor to personally prepare [all[2] or as much as possible of] his Shabbos needs.[3] [This applies even if doing all the Shabbos preparations will […]

Question: [Wednesday, 24th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] Is it permitted for one to pray or learn Torah next to a child’s potty? When we travel, we usually bring it with us and place it behind the backseat in the trunk of our SUV. Is it permitted for us to talk words […]

Question: [Tuesday, 23rd Mar Cheshvan, 5781] Hi, thank you for your informative article regarding the allowance to pray near the door of the bathroom of your home due to being considered a shared wall unlike a mobile bathroom. There were a couple points that weren’t clear to me from this […]

Woman visiting a male doctor/Gynecologist:[1] It is permitted for a woman to see a male doctor, even if the Doctor will need to touch her, such as to check her pulse and the like.[2] This applies even if the woman is married, and even if there are other gentile [or […]

Question: [Friday 19th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] May one put on Tefillin after getting a haircut prior to washing his head or taking a shower?   Answer: No. Strands of cut hair can be considered an invalidating intervening substance, and is hence to be washed off the head and body prior […]

Question: [Thursday 18th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] May I eat a bowl of cereal or pasta prior to Davening Maariv if I do not have a set minyan that I Daven with?   Answer: One may eat up until 55 grams of Mezonos foods prior to Davening Maariv even if he […]

Question: [Thursday 11th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] I fell asleep on Erev Shabbos right before candlelight and woke up when it was already time for the meal. My question is whether I have to Daven Maariv first or can eat the meal first and do so after.   Answer: While initially […]

Question: [Tuesday, 17th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] You have written in the past on numerous occasions that time that a mikvah is not available it is permitted for a man who is a Baal Keri to take a shower for several minutes. I want to inform you that in truth a […]

Gambling:[1] A. The prohibition: Some Poskim[2] rule it is forbidden to gamble [with a Jew] due to a Rabbinical stealing prohibition.[3] Other Poskim[4] rule there is no stealing prohibition involved in gambling even with a Jew, just as is the law by a gentile [as explained next]. (Nevertheless, even according […]

Question: [Monday, 8th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] What number jaundice is considered too high for a Bris to be able to be done on a baby?   Answer: While it is clear from the Shulchan Aruch that yellowness, known as jaundice, is considered a type of illness for which we abstain […]

Question: [Monday, 15th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] If one forgot to say Mashiv Haruach Umorid Hageshem, and remembered at the end of the blessing prior to saying Hashem’s name. Should he go back and say it, should he say it then, or she just continue?   Answer: According to the rulings […]

Question: [Sunday, 14th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] What is the Torah source for wearing masks? Meaning, aside for the general obligation to guard one’s health is prescribed by doctors is there any specific source in Torah that discusses the wearing of masks during an epidemic of which I am sure there […]

Saying Modeh Ani:[1] Immediately upon awakening, even prior to washing ones hands[2], it is proper[3] to [accustom oneself[4] to] say Modeh Ani.[5] The reason for reciting Modeh Ani: This is done in order to remember that Hashem is standing over him and motivate him to get up with alacrity.[6] Alternatively, […]

Question: [Thursday 11th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] We have a table outside with an open summer umbrella and was wondering if it is permitted for me to move it on Shabbos, such as if the table is in one area of our yard where there is currently no sun and would […]

Davening Mincha after candle lighting on Erev Shabbos:[1] A woman who lights Shabbos candles, and thus accepts Shabbos with her lighting, is to Daven Mincha beforehand.[2] [If she did not do so, and has already lit her candles, then she may not daven Mincha afterwards, and is to rather Daven […]

Question: [Monday 24th Tishreiy, 5781] Is one halachically obligated to vote in a presidential election, mayoral election, etc?   In this specific case, the American elections, are there any instructions of how to vote and for whom?   Thank you   Answer: *Please note: The below is the Rav’s personal […]

Question: [Tuesday, 9th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] Should the plates be broken by a Lechaim even if the parents are not present? Due to covid, we are having a young peoples only engagement celebration and neither mine or her parents will be present. What should we do about breaking the plate? […]

Which side gets to choose the Misader Kiddushin, the side of the Chasan or the side of the Kallah?[1] The job of being Misader Kiddushin is customarily designated to the Rav of the city, and has become mandated in Halacha, with a prohibition against another individual taking the rights for […]

Question: [Monday, 8th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] On Shabbos afternoon we placed a disposable baking pan on top of our Fleishig Shabbos plata [upside down] for the sake of warming Challas on top of it. My daughter then unknowingly used that baking pan for baking a cheese sandwich in the dairy […]

Checklist of separating Terumos Umaasros Verify the status of your produce from which you wish to separate Teruma and Maaser: Is the fruit Arala or Neta Rivaiy? If Arla, it may not be eaten.[1] If Neta Rivaiy, it may be eaten after it is redeemed[2] without needing to separate Terumos […]

Question: [Sunday, 7th MarCheshvan, 5781] If I began Davening Shemoneh Esrei of Shacharis simultaneously with the Chazan starting his repetition of Musaf, may I answer Kedusha when I reach Kedusha together with him?   Answer: This matter is debated amongst the Poskim, and practically we [Ashkenazim] rule that it may […]

From Eretz Yisrael to Diaspora If an Israeli traveled to the diaspora before the 7th of MarCheshvan is he to begin reciting Vesein Tal Umatar on the 7th of MarCheshvan in the diaspora?[1] If an Israeli traveled to the diaspora before the 7th of MarCheshvan it is disputed amongst Poskim […]

May one remove a splinter on Shabbos?[1] It is permitted to remove a splinter on Shabbos [with one’s hands, tweezer, or needle as will be explained].[2] However, one needs to beware upon removing the splinter to do it in a way that it will not inevitably cause blood to come […]

If one borrowed a Tallis/Tefillin/Shofar/Daled Minim and damaged it, must he pay the owner for the damages? Negligence:[1] If one borrowed a Tallis/Tefillin/Shofar/Daled Minim and damaged it due to negligence, then he is obligated to pay the owner for the damages. Process of using/wearing: If one borrowed a Tallis/Tefillin/Shofar/Daled Minim […]

Question: [Monday 24th Tishreiy, 5781] I borrowed a fan from a friend and it suddenly died while I was using it. I tried to fix it unsuccessfully although did manage to get it to partially turn and blow air? My friend is now asking me that I pay her for […]

Question: [Tuesday, 25th Tishreiy, 5781] Is it permitted to play board games, video games, cards, puzzles, etc? Is there a list of criteria for what’s mutar and what’s not?   Answer: The concept of playing games is recorded in both the Talmud and Shulchan Aruch, and is to be viewed […]

  Question: [Monday, 1st Mar Cheshvan 5781] Should one say Baruch Dayan Haemes when hearing of the passing of a gentile? I am asking because a non-Jewish relative of a friend of mine passed away and would like to know if I may say it.   Answer: There is no […]

Question: [Tuesday, 25th Tishreiy, 5781] Where in Shacharis is one to give Tzedaka. By which Pasuk?   Answer: While saying the words Veata Moshel Bakol in Vayivarech David. This, however, is in addition to giving Tzedaka prior to Davening.   Sources: See P”M 92 M”Z 30; Siddur Arizal; Peri Eitz […]

May one’s housekeeper do laundry on Rosh Chodesh? Background: Women are accustomed to abstaining from certain works on Rosh Chodesh[1], including laundry.[2] The question is raised as to whether this custom of avoiding laundry extends even to prohibiting it from being done by another person, or if it only applies […]

Question: [Monday, 25th Tishreiy, 5781] We have a hammock that is directly attached to a tree in our seminary. The ropes which hold up the hammock are directly attached to the trees. May the girls sit on it on Shabbos?   Answer: No. It is Rabbinically forbidden to make use […]

Not to make Kiddush during the seventh hour:[1] A. The Halacha: Some[2] are careful to avoid saying Kiddush during the first hour of the night[3], (which is during the 7th hour past midday).[4] Rather, they recite Kiddush either prior to nightfall, or after an hour into nightfall. It has already […]

Question: [24th Elul, 5780] I borrowed a treadmill for long-term use and find that because it’s on an incline it causes back pain to use (this is a known problem). If I wanted to put something underneath the back of the treadmill to eliminate the incline, must I ask permission […]

View Source sheet-For Members Only [Contact us if you need the code]! Taking one’s father or Rebbe to Beis Din:[1] It is permitted to take one’s father [or mother[2], or Rebbe[3]] to Beis Din to file a monetary claim against them. For example, if one’s father damaged one’s item, one may take […]

Question: [Wednesday, 12th Tishreiy 5781] May one use Maaser money for purchasing school supplies used during secular studies?   Answer: Seemingly yes, as a) it assists the students in their education for purposes of future Parnasa and b) It is mandatory in schools of which lack thereof can force the […]