Drying the inside of a cup on Shabbos:[1] It is forbidden to dry a wet cup with a cloth [or tissue or napkin[2]] on Shabbos.[3] This applies whether the cup is wet due to water, wine or other beverages.[4] This prohibition applies even against using a cloth which one is […]
Rinsing Kiddush cup and Kos Shel Bracha
Rinsing the Kiddush cup and all other Kos Shel Bracha:[1] The cup that is used for Kos Shel Bracha [i.e. Bentching; Kiddush; Havdala; Chupa; Bris Mila] is to have Hadacha and Shetifa performed to it. Hadacha refers to washing the inside of the cup while Shetifa refers to washing the […]
Japan and New Zealand
When does one keep Shabbos in Japan and New Zealand?[1] One keeps Shabbos on the same day as the local community keeps Shabbos, which is on Saturday[2]. Some Poskim[3] however rule that one should in addition to keeping Shabbos on Saturday[4], be stringent to also not do any Melacha on […]
Time Zones
Q&A relating to changes in time zones In areas[1] which the daylight or night lasts for more than 24 hours, how is Shabbos calculated?[2] Shabbos is calculated based on 24 hours and not based on daylight or night. One thus counts six days of 24 hours and sanctifies the seventh […]
One who lost track of the weekdays
One who is lost in the desert or wilderness and has lost track of days, when does he keep Shabbos?[1] One who has become lost in the wilderness or desert and has lost track of the days of the week is to count 7 days starting from the day which […]
Toilet soap
May one use a toilet that contains toilet soap? One is to avoid using all forms of toilet soaps on Shabbos.[1] Thus one is to remove the soap from the toilet before Shabbos. If one did not do so it is permitted to remove the soap on Shabbos. Some are […]
Air freshener
May one spray air freshener in his room or bathroom? Yes[1] [as one is not creating a new smell in any area, as well as that one is doing so in order to repel the bad smells]. [1] Beir Moshe [1/34] [See also Minchas Yitzchak 6/26 which was asked this […]
Removing cobwebs and spiderwebs on Shabbos
May one remove cobwebs on Shabbos?[1] Some Poskim[2] imply that it is permitted to break cobwebs on Shabbos, and doing so does not involve the Muktzah or destroying prohibition, or any other prohibition. Other Poskim[3], however, rule that cobwebs are considered Muktzah, just like earth and twigs and other waste. […]
Reattaching a Mezuzah
If a Mezuzah fell off the doorpost may one reattach it? The Mezuzah fell together with its case: A Mezuzah which fell together with its case may never be replaced on Shabbos to the door being that doing so involves nailing or taping the Mezuzah to the doorpost which contains […]
Emptying a storage room
May one undo a storage room of non-Muktzah items?[1] It is forbidden to undo a storage room on Shabbos, as doing so involves a great amount of energy, [and is thus not befitting to the day of rest]. This applies even if the items in the storage room are not […]
