Author Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein

  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 […]

View Source sheet-For Members Only [Contact us if you need the code]! May one buy items for a child before he is born? It is permitted to purchase items for the future child prior to birth.[1] Nevertheless, some have the custom to abstain from doing so due to Ayin Hara.[2] One […]

Shemini Atzeres * Note for those in Eretz Yisrael: Those who keep only one day of Yom Tov [i.e. residents of Eretz Yisrael] fulfil the customs of Simchas Torah on Shemini Atzeres. See the next Chapter for the full details of the laws and customs of Simchas Torah. 1. Is […]

Question: [19th Tishreiy, 5781] I own two plants that are growing beautifully but need to be watered daily. May I do so on Chol Hamoed?   Answer: Yes, you may do so to prevent damage of the plant. You may not add more water than necessary Sources: Michaber 537:1; Tur […]

Question: [Sunday, 16th Tishreiy 5780] My child was playing with plastic straps used for tying Sukkos, also known as plastic handcuffs, and closed it over her wrist. It is loose enough to not be of danger but I cant slide it off. May I cut it on Shabbos?   Answer: […]

  Question: [Friday, 14th Tishreiy 5780] I am unable to tie my Lulav using Lulav leaves. May I use other material such as a rubber band.   Answer: Yes.   Sources: See Admur 651:2-4   Question: [Sunday, 16th Tishreiy 5780] My child was playing with plastic straps used for tying […]

Question: [Thursday, 13th Tishreiy 5780] I ordered a Lulav and its leaves were split, including the middle leaf. Is it valid?   Answer: If the middle leaf is split then the Lulav is Pasul. However, this only applies on the first day [two days in Dispora] of Sukkos, and therefore […]

Noiy Sukkah-Sukkah decorations: The Custom:[1] It is a widespread and old age custom amongst Jewry to decorate the Sukkah with different fruits, ornaments, and valuables.[2] It is a Mitzvah to do so.[3] This is done to express beautification of the Mitzvah, and it is thus fit to be done and […]

The Lulav The identity of the Lulav: The canary palm: Use of the canary palm Lulav is under debate in the Poskim as to its validity and it is thus not to be used. How to identify a canary: 1. The spine of the canary palm bends when held. 2. […]

The Laws & Customs of Sukkos Summary Edition Checklist The laws of a Kosher Sukkah: Begin building on Motzei Yom Kippur. Complete the entire Sukkah the day after Yom Kippur after Shul Verify the area you desire to build the Sukkah does not contain any obstructions which will hover over […]

 Yom Kippur 5781 Covid—19 Directives   1. Kaparos: Those who cannot do Kaparos over a chicken are to do so over a fish, or money. It is to be done on Erev Yom Kippur. One may not break the rules of quarantine or lockdown for the sake of doing […]

Question: [Tuesday, 4th Tishreiy, 5780] Is there an Inyan to give charity prior to saying Tehillim for the sick, or even of the daily Chitas.   Answer: Yes. Indeed, the Rebbe requested and encouraged for charity to be given when reciting Tehillim [either before, after or during], whether it be […]

Children fasting on Yom Kippur:[1] Below age 9-10-No fasting:[2] Children who are less than nine years old [for a healthy child, and less than ten years old for a weak child] are not to be oppressed on Yom Kippur, being this can lead to danger. [They are to be fed […]

Question: [Tuesday, 4th Tishreiy 5780] How should we do Kaparos this year if we can’t do over chickens as normally done due to the Covid 19 restrictions?   Answer: There are a few options available, listed here in order of precedence: Appoint a Shliach to do Kaparos on your behalf […]

Question: [Friday, 29th Elul, 5780] What is the Chabad custom vis a vis eating sharp foods on Rosh Hashanah, such as jalapeno peppers, Sechug, Charif, etc?   Answer: There is no record in Chabad literature of the custom of avoiding sharp foods on Rosh Hashanah. Likewise, Rav Eli Landa Shlita, […]

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com    May one eat or drink prior to Shacharis or hearing Shofar, on Rosh Hashanah?[1] It is forbidden to eat a meal prior to hearing Shofar.[2] [Thus, since Shofar is blown after Shacharis, therefore even […]

  Mivtza Shofar Laws & Guidelines for blowing Shofar on Mivtzaim with emphasis on Covid-19 related laws   The following Chapter is a compilation of the relevant laws that have been written throughout our sefer and website article which are especially applicable to Mivtzaim. For the full details on […]

Reciting a confessing [Viduiy] during Shofar blowing: Introduction:[1] We do not say the confession prayer on Rosh Hashanah. Furthermore, some[2] have the custom to omit the stanza of “Avinu Malkeinu Chatanu Lefanecha” from the Avinu Malkeinu prayer. This is done in order to avoid reciting confessions on Rosh Hashanah in […]

Question: [Sunday 24th Elul, 5780] May I recite Selichos over a Zoom Minyan?   Answer: Yes, assuming what you mean by a Zoom Minyan. If there is a Kosher Minyan of ten Jews together in one physical area, then in such a case you may recite the Yud Gimel Midos […]

Making Kiddush as soon as one arrives home:[1] It is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar[2] to recite Kiddush as close to the entrance of Shabbos as possible.[3] [This especially applies if one has hungry guests or family members waiting to start the meal.[4] It goes without saying that one should not […]

The law of blowing Shofar when Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbos:[1] One does not blow Shofar on Rosh Hashanah that falls on Shabbos.[2] Is the Shofar Muktzah on this Shabbos?[3] The law regarding moving the Shofar on this Shabbos [on which Rosh Hashanah coincides with] is similar to the law […]

This is an embedded Microsoft Office document, powered by Office. Covid-19 Davening alone instruction Directives for one who is without a Minyan for Rosh Hashanah 1. Elul A. Blowing the Shofar: Some Poskim[1] rule that the institution to blow Shofar in the month of Elul was only established in the […]

Dining Etiquette -Licking the fingers: Introduction: Amongst the laws associated with eating, and the proper blessing that should be said before and afterwards, are also laws relating to eating etiquette or table manners. The Torah directs us that our eating is to be done in a polite and respectful format, […]

Does G-d regret creating punishment and the exile? [Based on Likkutei Sichos Parshas Ki Savo Vol. 24 Sicha 2]   In this week’s Parsha, Parshas Ki Savo, we read in Shishi of 98 evil curses that Moshe writes will befall the Jewish people as a result of sinful behavior. These […]

Question: [Monday 11th Elul, 5780] Lichvod HaRav, What is the halacha for opening bottles on shabbos? Im talking about soda bottles, grape juice bottles – they have usually a white plastic cap, that once opened leave a plastic ring on the neck of the bottle. thanks Answer: You may be […]

May one go walking on Shabbos for weight loss and exercise purposes?[1] Background: Going for an exercise walk on Shabbos touches upon two possible prohibitions; 1) Perhaps it transgresses the Rabbinical command that requires for one to change his walking habits on Shabbos. 2) Perhaps it transgresses the Rabbinical prohibition […]

Question: [Wednesday 13th Elul, 5780] What is a Zabla? I hear this term used all the time   Answer: A Zabla stands for the words “Zeh Borer Lo Echad/Each one chooses one.” A Zabla is an alternative to a set Beis Din, if for whatever reason the sides are unable […]

  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]] […]