Author Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein

The law of an Esrog that contains a colored spot [i.e. white; black; green; etc]:[1] An Esrog must look beautiful, otherwise known as Hadar. This is not just a subjective form of beauty, but a beauty that carries Halachic definition and invalidations. Due to the obligation of Hadar, an Esrog […]

[Sick, Yoledes, Children]: Blessings, Kiddush and Birchas Hamazon for one who eats on Yom Kippur: Kiddush and Lechem Mishneh:[1] One who is [lethally] ill [or contains a medical condition, of a caliber that he is] required to eat on Yom Kippur [such as a woman after birth[2]], does not need […]

May one use Maaser money to purchase Kaparos? Background: It is disputed in Poskim[1] as to whether one may use Maaser money for the sake of a Mitzvah, or if it must be given as charity to paupers. Practically, it is permitted to use Maaser money for the sake of […]

Preparing on the 1st day of Yom Tov on behalf of the 2nd day of Yom Tov – May one remove food from the freezer on the first day of Yom Tov on behalf of the second night meal? The general law:[1] It is forbidden to do anything on the […]

From what age may a boy/Bochur blow Shofar for others on Rosh Hashanah? Background: [Biblically[1]], one can only be Motzi another in a Mitzvah if he is of equal, or greater, level obligation as the person who is being Yotzei with him. Thus, in order for one who is Biblically […]

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com May one eat garlic on Rosh Hashanah? Background: Customarily, just as certain foods are eaten on Rosh Hashanah to serve as a good omen for the coming year[1], so too certain foods are avoided due to them containing a […]

Squeezing and drying hair on Shabbos: Biblically, there is no prohibition against squeezing hair on Shabbos.[1] Nevertheless, it is Rabbinically forbidden to squeeze liquid out from hair on Shabbos [due to the Mifarek prohibition].[2] Thus, every bather needs to beware not to squeeze his hair.[3]   Q&A on squeezing and […]

Children wearing clothing of the opposite gender: It is a Biblical prohibition for a man to wear the clothing of a woman or a woman to wear the clothing of a man.[1] It is disputed as to whether the prohibition of Lo Silbash only applies when one wears the opposite […]

Kavana in Birchas Hamazon:[1] Understanding the meaning of the words: If one does not know the meaning of the words that he is saying in Birchas Hamazon, such as due to his lack of understanding of the language, then he does not fulfill his obligation.[2] Some Poskim[3] rule that this […]

Drying one’s body after Mikveh or a cold shower on Shabbos: One who immerses in a Mikveh on Shabbos, or takes a cold shower in mitigating circumstances [i.e. heat duress; remove sweat or dirt][1], must be careful to avoid transgressing prohibitions involved in the drying process of the water that […]

Cases that Bal Tashchis not apply?[1] It is Biblically forbidden to damage or destroy any item that can serve of benefit to man[2], unless one of the following exceptions apply: Destroying an item for fixing purposes:[3] The above prohibition only applies when one desires to destroy or damage an item […]

Skipping parts of Davening in order to Daven Shemoneh Esrei with Minyan: Letter of law:[1] [From the letter of the law] one who arrives late to Shul for Shacharis is required to skip Pesukei Dezimra in order so he be able to Daven Shemoneh Esrei with the congregation.[2] This, however, […]

The prohibition:[1] The same way that one must be careful with his body not to cause it loss, or harm, or damage, so too one must be careful with one’s possessions to not cause it loss or harm or damage.[2] Anyone who damages an item which is fit for people […]

Must one divorce his wife if he has been married for 10 years without children?[1] From the letter of the law, if a man has been married for ten years[2] and has not yet had children[3], then in certain circumstances[4] the couple must get divorced[5] and are forced to do […]

If one cut an onion [or any other Charif] with a meat knife and then cut the same onion with a dairy knife, what is the status of the onion and dairy knife? Background:[1] Sharp foods, such as onions and garlic[2], have ability to absorb the taste absorbed in a […]

Fees involved in enforcing the court order: If a defendant who was found to be monetarily liable by a Beis Din refuses to pay the plaintiff the money he is owed, then the plaintiff may receive permission from the Beis Din to take him to the civil courts in order […]

Removing the bad/waste together with some of the good/food: The opinion of Admur in the Shulchan Aruch:[1] It is permitted to remove from food which has waste in it, the waste together with some of the food, such as [using a spoon to] remove a fly from a cup together […]

Standing during the blessings of Kerias Hatorah: Some Poskim[1] rule that everyone [even those who sit during the actual reading] is required to stand upon hearing the blessings of the Torah [i.e. Barchu[2], Birchas Hatorah before and after[3]], as is the rule by every Davar Shebekedusha.[4] Other Poskim[5], however, rule […]

Should one stand during Kerias Hatorah?[1]   The congregation is not required to stand during the Torah reading [and so is the widespread custom[2], and so is the ruling according to Kabbala[3]].[4] However, there are some who are stringent[5] to stand [during the actual Torah reading, although even they are […]

Today’s Halacha is dedicated in memory of Reizal Baas R’ Zev Simon whose Yartzite is today This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com Starting a new activity on Mondays and Wednesdays:[1] It is customary not to begin a new activity on Mondays and Wednesdays.[2] [Some[3] rule that […]

May one continue wearing Shabbos clothing on Motzei Shabbos which is Tisha Beav? Are they to be switched after nightfall before Maariv? In general, it is forbidden to wear Shabbos clothing during the nine days [with exception to Shabbos], and certainly on Tisha Beav this prohibition applies.[1] Accordingly, some Poskim[2] […]

When Tisha B’av falls on Sunday, when is considered the week of Tisha B’av?[1] When Tisha B’av falls on Sunday, the week beforehand is not considered the week of Tisha B’av, and there is hence no such concept of “the week of Tisha B’av” for that year.[2] However when Tisha […]

* 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 Purchase on our website WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email Wearing freshly laundered clothing:[1] It is forbidden to wear freshly laundered clothing […]

This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com Buying items other than clothing: Until the nine days: It is permitted to buy all non-clothing items from the 17th of Tammuz until the start of the nine days. Seemingly, this applies even towards expensive items, and items that bring […]

What is one to do if he began drinking a liquid, and then remembered that he did not say a blessing?[1] One who forgot and entered a drink into his mouth without saying a blessing [and then remembered prior to swallowing it] some Poskim[2] rule he is to swallow the […]