Author Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein

Listen here to audio How to fulfill the Mitzvos of Purim if you are quarantined due to the Coronavirus:[1] Due to the unfortunate epidemic of the coronavirus, millions of people across the world are under a medically mandated quarantine and isolation and the question is asked as to how a […]

Should a father get an Aliyah for a child’s birthday?[1] There is certainly no prohibition in having a father purchase an Aliyah the Shabbos prior to his child’s birthday or the birthday of his wife, and have it dedicated in their merit. However, we also do not find any record […]

When is the Torah scroll to be returned to the ark on Rosh Chodesh? Chassidim and Sephardim: The custom of Chassidim and Sephardim is to return the Sefer Torah to the Aron after Uva Letziyon and Kaddish Tiskabel.[1] This applies likewise on Rosh Chodesh.[2] Thus, on Rosh Chodesh the Sefer […]

Taking three steps back into another person’s Shemoneh Esrei airspace, if he has already concluded Shemoneh Esrei: The general rule: It is forbidden to enter within four Amos [2 meters] space that is in front of a person who is in the midst of praying Shemoneh Esrei.[1] Accordingly, even if […]

Taking a shower after Mikveh:[1] From the letter of the law, it is permitted for a man to shower after immersing in the Mikveh[2], although some are stringent not to do so.[3] However, according to all it is permitted to momentarily go under the shower for a quick rinse which […]

May a child above Bar/Bas Mitzvah recite Kiddush on behalf of an adult?[1] Children above the age of Bar or Bas Mitzvah are invalid to perform [the night[2]] Kiddush on behalf of adults, whether male or female, until one knows for certain that the child has developed the Halachically valid […]

The blessing of Baruch Shepitarani:[1] The father of a Bar Mitzvah boy recites the blessing of Baruch Shepitarani after his son becomes Bar Mitzvah [after the first Aliyah after his Bar Mitzvah, as will be explained below]. The reason for the blessing:[2] The reason behind why this blessing is said […]

Shaking hands: Hand shaking is a means of formal communication between two parties and signifies friendship, endearment, and business relations. Shaking the hands of the opposite gender poses the question of whether doing so transgresses the prohibition against showing affectionate touch towards the opposite gender. The following is the ruling […]

Saying the name of one’s parent:[1] Calling them, or referring to them, by their name:[2] It is forbidden to call one’s parent [father or mother[3]] by their name.[4] This applies whether they are alive, and even after their death. [This applies even not in their presence, and even if they […]

What is the difference between the various styles of script used in Stam today-Kesav Beis Yosef, Arizal:[1] All scripts are Kosher if they maintain the legal form of the letter:[2] Initially, the letters of the script must be written whole and complete, following the form of letters that were taught […]

May one use a door knocker on Shabbos?[1] Background-Making noise with an item on Shabbos: The sages prohibited one from sounding music on Shabbos, due to the crazy one way come to fix musical instruments.[2] Included in this prohibition is sounding any sound with the intent of making it into […]

Birchas Hatorah by Mivtza Tefillin-May one say Shema prior to Birchas Hatorah? Initially, one is to recite Birchas Hatorah prior to the recital of Shema.[1] However, in a time of need, such as if Zman Kerias Shema is passing, one may say it prior to reciting Birchas Hatorah.[2] Accordingly, by […]

Bar Mitzvah boys Leining-Having the Bar Mitzvah boy Lein from the Torah:[1] Introduction: It is an old custom for the Bar Mitzvah boy to receive an Aliyah to the Torah on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah[2], in order to publicize that he has now reached the age of Mitzvos.[3] […]

Which blessing should one precede-Hadama or Haeitz?[1] For example: One plans to eat a snack of a date and potato chips, which are both sitting on the table in front of him. Which blessing should one precede; the Haeitz on the fruit, or the Hadama on the potatoes? If one […]

Are Avocado pits Muktzah on Shabbos?[1] Can they be used to prevent browning? In general, all pits that are inedible, and are not designated to be eaten by local house pets and farm animals, are Muktzah.[2] The question however is asked regarding avocado pits being that they are commonly reused […]

Should I begin learning the Daf Yomi? The Halachic and Chabad perspective Historical background:[1] The cycle of learning a page of Talmud daily in sequence to finish the entire Talmud within 7 years was initiated by Rabbi Meir Shapiro in 1923, the Rosh Hayeshiva of Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin. This cycle […]

Checklist for putting on Tefillin-Removing and Rabbeinu Tam-Part 3 Removing the Tefillin The Chabad custom is not to remove the Tefillin until after the Kaddish which is said after Tehillim. At the very least, it should not be removed until after the Kaddish that is said after Uva Letziyon. One […]

Tefillin Shel Rosh Remove the Tefillin Shel Rosh from the bag and unwrap it from its case. Look at the two Shin’s of the Shel Rosh. [Kabbalah] Kiss the Tefillin. Many also kiss the Daled of the Tefillin. [Custom] Take hold of the Tefillin through holding onto the Bayis and […]

Tefillin wearing checklist [Chabad custom]  *See our upcoming corresponding Sefer for sources, soon to be published on our website  General Preparation Immerse in a mikvah. This especially applies if one is a Baal Keri. [Hiddur] Some are accustomed to wash the skin and hair of the head and bicep before […]

Todays Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy Here New! Source file included in end of article https://vimeo.com/168598032 The law of food that was placed under a bed:[1] One may not place cooked foods [or other foods[2], even raw[3]] and liquids under a bed.[4] [A number of limitations to […]

Tefillin fell on floor-Atonement of fasting and charity if one’s Tefillin fell on the floor:[1] Tefillin fell without casing: It is the custom of the world to fast when Tefillin falls from one’s hands[2] onto the ground without their cover. [This applies whether to the Tefillin Shel Rosh or Shel […]

This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy here Spitting by Aleinu:[1] No doubt, one of the more peculiar customs, attributed to Chabad Chassidim, is the act of spitting that we perform during Aleinu. Many are not aware that this spitting is actually not an original Chabad custom, and […]

The Fast day of the 9th of Teves:[1] The Shulchan Aruch lists a number of days in which it is customary to fast due to tragedies that occurred on that day. Amongst the list of days in which tragedies occurred, and is hence proper to fast on, is the 9th […]

May one eat, drink, and say Lechaim, while wearing Tefillin?[1] A meal: One who enters [while wearing Tefillin] to eat a set meal [i.e. bread] is required to remove his Tefillin.[2] He is to leave them on the table so they are available to him after the meal is complete, […]

Placing Sefarim on top of each other:[1] It is permitted to place a Chumash on top of Nevim or Kesuvim. However one may not place a Nevim or Kesuvim on top of a Chumash, and one may not place a Chumash on top of a Sefer Torah.[2] One may place […]

Does a Menorah require Geniza?[1] A Menorah [whether used with oil or wax candles] does not require Geniza, and may hence be discarded in the garbage. Do the glass bowls which hold the oil require Geniza?[2] The glass bowls that hold the oil may likewise be discarded, although it is […]

When is Hallel to be recited?[1] From when during the day, and until when in the day: Hallel may be recited throughout the entire day, from dawn [Alos Hashachar] until nightfall [Tzeis Hakochavim]. Thus, if one did not recite Hallel immediately after Davening [Shemoneh Esrei of] Shacharis, he may recite […]

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here Lighting on Erev Shabbos:[1] When are the Chanukah candles lit? On Erev Shabbos, the Chanukah candles are lit prior to the Shabbos candles.[2] The candles are lit with a blessing even though they are being lit while still day.[3] […]

Where is one to light the Chanukah candles on Erev and Motzei Shabbos if he will be traveling for Shabbos, or eating out for the Friday night meal? If one is traveling for Shabbos, where is he to light the candles on Erev Shabbos?[1] If one is traveling on Erev […]

Should one use new wicks each night?[1] It is permitted to reuse the same wicks of the previous night for the next nights lighting.[2] [Some Poskim[3], however, write that the custom is to use new wicks each night.[4] There is no final arbitration in this matter, and each is to […]

Sufganiyot in Halacha:  *Typically, Sufganiyot are deep fried in oil, similar to French fries, hence lending it its name, which means a sponge like dough that has absorbed oil. A typical bakery purchased Sufganiya can be assumed to be deep fried unless stated otherwise. The laws below refer specifically to […]

Are children who are below the age of Bar/Bas Mitzvah to light their own Chanukah candles? *The Halacha below only applies to those of Ashkenazi Jewry. Sephardim are not accustomed to have any additional family member light the candles, other than the father or leader of the home.     […]

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here When may one extinguish the Chanukah candles?   Leaving home shortly after candle lighting? Afraid that the unsupervised candles can lead G-d forbid to a fire? Many ask due to these reasons if they may extinguish the Chanukah candles […]

Must one immerse disposable vessels? Plans to discard after initial use: All disposable vessels that one plans to discard after its initial use do not need to be immersed in a Mikveh prior to that initial use, and so is the widespread custom.[1] This applies even if the vessel is […]

Al Peiroseha/Gafnah/Michyasa-The Nussach of Meiyn Shalosh when eating seven species fruits/Mezonos/wine from Eretz Yisrael or within Eretz Yisrael:[1] In the Diaspora, one who eats fruits of the seven Minim [i.e. dates, figs, pomegranates, olives, grapes] concludes the blessing with the words “Al Ha’aretz Veal Hapeiros.” However, in Eretz Yisrael, one […]

May one rub oil onto his body on Shabbos? It used to be widely practiced in previous times for people to smear oil on their body for purposes of enjoyment and pleasure. While today this is not as common, people occasionally wish to rub oil on their body for medicinal […]

The custom of spilling liquid from one’s cup prior to drinking:[1] There are many matters which the sages prohibited due to them containing danger of life, and whoever transgresses them and says I will endanger myself and it’s none of anyone else’s business, or says that I [do not worry […]