Author Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein

Killing and/or trapping stinging insects such as mosquitoes, bees, wasps, hornets and the like, on Shabbos: *Skip to B and summary for the quick answer! A. Background:[1] Under normal conditions, it is forbidden to kill or trap any living creature on Shabbos.[2] In certain circumstances doing so contains a Biblical […]

Parents, Grandparents hugging and kissing adult children and grandchildren of the opposite gender:[1] Kissing and hugging is permitted between parents and children even if they are of the opposite gender [and even if the children are now adults[2]]. Thus, a mother may hug and kiss her son [of any age] […]

Parents, Grandparents hugging and kissing adult children and grandchildren of the opposite gender:[1] Kissing and hugging is permitted between parents and children even if they are of the opposite gender [and even if the children are now adults[2]]. Thus, a mother may hug and kiss her son [of any age] […]

Is the Mitzvah of Kedoshim Tihyu considered one of the 613 Mitzvos? Some Rishonim[1] list this Mitzvah as one of the 613. However the vast majority of Rishonim omit it.[2]   Must one sanctify himself with the permitted? Talmudic ruling: Rava states in the Talmud[3] that one is to sanctify […]

This article is an excerpt from our Rosh Chodesh Sefer Buy here or on Amazon.com Hefsek-Making an interval to talk, answer Amen, Kedusha, and the like:[1] Talking: It is forbidden to make an interval and talk during Hallel just as we rule regarding any other part of Davening. This applies whether […]

Hugging and kissing relatives:[1] It is forbidden to hug or kiss any of one’s relatives, including one’s adult sister or aunt[2] [and uncle, niece, nephew, cousins[3]] and the like, with exception to a father/mother and daughter/son, as will be explained. This prohibition applies even though there is naturally no physical […]

This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com Making Gebrochts for Achron Shel Pesach/Shabbos after Pesach May one cook Gebrochts on Friday Shevi’i Shel Pesach for the sake of eating it on Shabbos? Some Poskim[1] rule it is permitted to do so, and so is the custom of […]

May children or adults draw pictures and make paintings on Chol Hamoed? Background: It is forbidden to write [or draw pictures or designs[1]] on Chol Hamoed.[2] Some Poskim[3] rule that it is only forbidden to write in a professional script, known as Maaseh Uman, which is the scribal lettering used […]

May one go fishing on Chol Hamoed?[1] Commercial fishing and fishing for food purposes: It is permitted to go fishing during Chol Hamoed if one’s intent in doing so is to eat the fish during the Moed.[2] There is no limit as to how many fish one may catch, and […]

14. Erev Pesach: Taanis Bechoros-Fast of First Born: When: The fast of the first born sons takes place on Erev Pesach. Who? If one is a firstborn male for either the mother or the father he has to fast. This applies likewise to Levim and Kohanim. If one’s mother had […]

Sof Zman Achilas Chametz-When does it become prohibited to eat Chametz? The Biblical Sof Zman:[1] It is Biblically forbidden to eat Chametz[2] starting from midday [the start of the 7th hour of the day] of the 14th and onwards, throughout the seven days of Pesach, and one who does so […]

What is one to do if he accidentally said a blessing of Al Netilas Yadayim by Urchatz? Background: The reason for washing without a blessing prior to eating the Karpas dipped in salt water [i.e. Urchatz], is due to the general obligation to wash without a blessing prior to eating […]

This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com Owning and benefiting from Kitniyos?[1] Background regarding eating: The letter of the law:[2] Only the five grains which are 1) wheat, 2) barley; 3) rye, 4) spelt, 5) oats, can become leavened and become Chametz. All other grains/flours, such as […]

This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com Pesach Barbecue-Does Charcoal require a Hashgacha for Pesach? Charcoal briquettes: Charcoal briquettes [square shaped manufactured charcoal, typically used for barbecues] are compressed together using a starch binder, most notably corn or wheat starch.[1] Accordingly, it is proper for one to […]

This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com Must one Kosher his water urn to use on Pesach:[1] Water urns are to be Kashered for Pesach. In the following cases, this may be required from the letter of the law:[2] a) The urn was placed down while hot […]

This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com Paper & plastic-ware, tablecloths, napkins, disposable gloves- Must they be Kosher for Pesach Background on Starch:[1] Many paper products are made and coated with starch to act as a binder and add to their smoothness and softness. Starches come from […]

*The article below is an excerpt from the above Sefer *As an Amazon Associate I earn from  qualifying purchases. Buy in Paperback or Kindle Buy on Apple Books Buy on Website Enroll in Pesach Seder Course + Semicha How much is a Revius? The original Halachic measurement in dimensions of […]

The blessing over onions:[1] Raw:[2] The blessing over raw onions is Hadama.[3] This applies even if one is eating it plain [without a dip].[4] This applies even in areas that people abstain from eating raw onions plain, and only eat it together with other foods, such as bread or in […]

Making Kiddush on white wine:[1] A. Kiddush of Shabbos and Yom Tov, and Havdalah [excluding four cups by Seder]:[2] It is permitted to recite Kiddush [or Havdalah[3]] over white wine [even by the night Kiddush of Shabbos and Yom Tov, and certainly during the day]. [This applies even if the […]

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy Now May one learn Torah or recite blessings in face of the morning washing water? According to the Zohar, it is forbidden to learn Torah prior to washing hands in the morning upon awakening due to the impure spirit that resides […]

May one hear the Megillah through speakers; microphone or a broadcast system, such as the telephone, radio, or live internet hookup? Initially, although there were some Poskim[1] who understood that one may fulfill a Mitzvah through hearing it on a radio, telephone, microphone or broadcast system[2], practically after further research […]

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me on Amazon.com May a woman read the Megillah on Purim on behalf of herself or others?[1] The subject of whether a woman is valid to read the Megillah is subject to the following debate: On the one hand she is obligated in […]

May a woman write a Megillah?[1] Some Poskim[2] rule a woman is valid to write a Megillah, and one may thus even initially read and fulfill the Mitzvah from a Megillah written by a woman.[3] Other Poskim[4], however, rule a woman is invalid to write a Megillah, and thus one […]

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me on Amazon.com Must women hear the reading of Parshas Zachor? It is a Biblical obligation to hear Parshas Zachor.[1] Some Poskim[2], however, rule that women are not obligated to hear Parshas Zachor.[3] Other Poskim[4], however, rule that women are obligated just like […]

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me on Amazon.com Is Parshas Zachar a Biblical or Rabbinical obligation?[1] Some Poskim[2] rule that there is a Biblical obligation to hear Parshas Zachor[3], and so is the final ruling.[4] Nonetheless, the Poskim debate as to the exact definition of this Biblical obligation. […]

Do the laws of Yichud apply towards children? May a male and female child who are not siblings be alone together?[1] Example: May a mother go shopping if two cousins of the opposite gender are left alone at home, and both are below the age of Mitzvos? From the letter […]

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me on Amazon.com Must the two foods of Mishloach Manos be of two different blessing? It is disputed amongst Poskim[1] whether the two gifts given for Mishloach Manos should be made up of two different foods. Seemingly, this debate has led to the […]

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer     Buy now on Amazon.com Tzitzis covering the chest:[1] Based on Kabala[2], the Tallis Katan is to cover the entire chest area [up until the neck]. Hence if one has a V neck Tallis Katan he is to sew or button the […]

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy on Amazon.com Cutting nails on Rosh Chodesh that falls on Erev Shabbos: Normally, one may[1] not cut their nails[2] on Rosh Chodesh.[3] This applies to both men and women. However, when Rosh Chodesh falls on Erev Shabbos some Poskim[4] rule it is […]

May one look into his neighbor’s property?[1] It is forbidden to look into another person’s property to see his actions and dealings, without his permission and knowledge.[2] This law applies even to a backyard and porch and goes without saying that it applies to a house. This applies even the […]

Is Yichud permitted in an elevator?[1] Some Poskim[2] rule the prohibition of Yichud applies in an elevator, and it is therefore forbidden to be alone in an elevator with a woman even for a very short amount of time.[3] Majority of Poskim[4] however rule the prohibition of Yichud does not apply to elevators.[5] […]

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer Audio from 5779 Visiting grave after seven years of absence:[1] Some are accustomed that if one did not visit the grave of a parent within seven years then he may not do so any longer.[2] Others[3] are only careful after ten years […]

With which hand should the Tefillin be removed?[1] [Although in general one is required to use his right hand for all matters of a Mitzvah[2], and the removal of the Tefillin is also viewed as a Mitzvah[3], nevertheless] some Sages[4] were accustomed to remove the head Tefillin with their left […]

Not to blow out candles with one’s mouth:[1] The Sages state that one is not to blow out a candle with his mouth, and one who does so is held liable for self-affliction.[2] [Thus, one is to be careful to not blow out a candle with one’s mouth but rather […]

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy Here The prohibition of Doresh El Hameisim [i.e. Necromancy; Seance] and the allowance to visit graves:[1] The Torah[2] prohibits a Jew from exhuming the spirit of the dead. This prohibition is listed as one of the 365 negative commands, and is […]

Not to be dressed sloppy:[1] One is to dress and look decent in order so he does not appear degrading in the eyes of others. This especially applies to a Torah scholar, or individuals who represents Torah in the eyes of others.[2] [The Rebbe once instructed his Shluchim to Eretz […]

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy here Lifting the eyes during Kedusha:[1] It is customary to lift one’s eyes upwards [towards heaven] upon saying the words Kadosh Kadosh Kadosh[2] [during Kedusha of Chazaras Hashatz].[3] It is proper for the eyes to be closed while they are raised.[4] […]

This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com May a child eat or drink before Kiddush?[1] If a child wants[2] or needs[3] to eat or drink, he may do so even before Kiddush. This applies both to the Kiddush of night and day.[4] It is forbidden to oppress […]

This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com Until what day of the month may Kiddush Levana be said-Part 2-Bedieved & How to calculate Initially one is to be very careful to recite Kiddush Levana prior to 14 days 18 hours and 396.5 chalakim past the Molad.[1] However, […]

This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com Until what day of the month may Kiddush Levana be said?[1] Kiddush Levana may only be recited within the first half of the month. A lunar month consists of 29 days, 12 hours and 793 Chalakim.[2] Thus, it may only […]

Talking during Kerias Hatorah:[1] Once the reader has begun to read the Torah it is forbidden for the congregants to speak.[2] [Furthermore, some Poskim[3] rule that even prior to the start of the reading, once the Sefer Torah is opened, it is forbidden to speak.] Words of Torah:[4] It is […]

May one whistle [or make other musical sounds] with one’s mouth on Shabbos?[1] It is Rabbinically forbidden to play musical instruments, or make music using the movements of one’s body[2], on Shabbos.[3] Nevertheless, the Sages limited this prohibition only to the doing of an action [with a bodily limb, such […]

The requirement to have legal proof of a loan:[1] It is forbidden for a lender to give a loan without having a form of legal testimony of its occurrence.[2] This applies even if the borrower is a Torah scholar ]and is thus a trustworthy person].[3] [Despite the above, the widespread […]

The mystical danger of stepping on egg shells:[1] One who steps on egg shells endangers himself to receive Tzaraas/leprosy. [Although many of the Talmudic, and even codified warnings of mystical dangers are no longer followed today[2], practically, many people are accustomed to abstaining from stepping on egg shells even today. […]

Making an interval [i.e. eating; drinking; talking] after saying Kerias Shema Sheal Hamita/Hamapil:[1] One may not initially make an interval of talking, or eating/drinking, after the recital of Kerias Shema, even if he did not yet say Hamapil, and certainly if Hamapil was already said. Nonetheless, if an interval was […]