Kaparos-Laws and Q&A

​To browse our database on the laws and customs of Kaparos see here. ​ Kaparos:[1] A. The custom:[2] It is customary in these provinces [of Ashkenazi Jewry] to take and slaughter a chicken, which is called a Gever[3], for atonement on Erev Yom Kippur.[4] One takes a male chicken for each […]

Pirkei Avos

Reciting Pirkei Avos:[1] It is customary to recite Pirkei Avos on every Shabbos between Pesach and Shavuos.[2] Some are accustomed to continue reciting it after Shavuos, throughout the summer months, until Rosh Hashanah.[3] [Practically, the Chabad custom is to say Pirkei Avos until Rosh Hashanah.[4] On the Shabbosim which are […]

Snow in Halacha

Snow in Halacha: A. Netilas Yadayim with snow:[1] If there is no water available for one to wash his hands in the morning, or for the sake of eating bread, then if one crushes and melts the snow, then one may wash with it from a vessel, or even dip […]

Purchasing Life insurance

Purchasing Life insurance: Many Poskim[1] rule that it is permitted [and one is to be encouraged[2]] to purchase life insurance and doing so is not a sign of lack of Bitachon and the like. Others[3] however take a colder stance towards its purchase.[4] There is no clear directive of the […]

Yichud in Taxis

Yichud in a taxi:[1] When a woman takes a taxi with a male taxi driver, or a man takes a taxi with a female taxi driver, the possibility of a Yichud prohibition arises.[2] This is dependent on several factors as will be explained: People/cars outside: If the windows of the […]

Sheitel heads and Idol Worship

https://vimeo.com/134816041 Sculptures, drawings and engravings: [1] The Torah[2] prohibits making a sculpture and engraving certain items which resemble the spiritual legions of Hashem. Some of these items are even forbidden to be drawn. In Halacha A the law of drawing forms in the Madurei Elyon [Celestial legions] will be discussed. […]

Wearing a cotton Tallis Katan

This Halacha is an excerpt from our SeferBuy me on Amazon.com May one wear a cotton Tallis Katan? A. The issues of concern: Wearing a cotton Tallis Katan touches upon two Halachic issues 1) Is the material Biblically obligated in Tzitzis, and hence is one Biblically fulfilling the Mitzvah upon wearing it? […]

Teaching your children to swim

Teaching your children to swim: The Talmud[1] records an opinion that states a father is obligated to teach his son how to swim. The reason recorded in the Talmud[2] for this is because on this matter “his life is dependent”. This means that since it is possible that if one […]

Tikkun Chatzos

Tikkun Chatzos:[1] In the first chapter in Shulchan Aruch Admur discusses the detailed laws of Tikkun Chatzos. It is no longer accustomed amongst most Jewry to perform Tikkun Chatzos[2]  and hence the detailed laws written by Admur have been omitted from this chapter. Nevertheless parts of this Halacha have been […]

Drinking during a meal

Drinking during a meal of bread:[1] Some Poskim[2] rule one is not Biblically obligated to recite Birchas Hamazon after eating [a satiating meal of bread[3]] unless he drank [a liquid[4]] during the meal.[5] This however only applies if one was thirsty during the meal [and nevertheless did not drink; if […]

Rebbe’s opinion on Yom Haatzmaut

The Rebbe’s perspective on the Israeli day of Independence-Yom Hatzmaut: In a letter addressed to an educator of a school in Kfar Chabad in the year 1955, the Rebbe answered a query regarding how the educational institution should relate to the day known as Yom Hatzmaut. The Rebbe replied as […]

Answering Amen thru live hookup

May one answer Amen, Kaddish, Kedusha through a Telephone, radio, live video/audio internet hookup?[1] Some Poskim[2] rule one is not to answer Amen or Kedusha in such circumstances.[3] Other Poskim[4] rule one is to answer Amen and for Kaddish/Kedusha.[5] Practically, one may be lenient in this matter.[6] [If however there […]

Reviewing Laws of Pesach

This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com 1. Learning the laws prior to the festival:[1] It is a Mitzvah[2] upon every Jew to study[3] the laws of Pesach prior to the festival until he is an expert in them, and knows what is to be done. One […]

Shushan Purim

  Shushan Purim: Increasing in festivities in un-walled cities:[1] One is obligated to slightly[2] increase in joy and festivities on Shushan Purim [during the day[3]], and so is the custom.[4] [However, on the night of the 15th, there is no need, for those who celebrated Purim on the 14th, to […]

Kadima Bebrachos

The Laws of Precedence/Kadima by blessings[1]   Introduction: Amongst the laws of blessings on foods are included laws regarding precedence. The laws of precedence apply when one has two different foods in front of him and he plans to eat from both foods. These laws dictate which food should be […]

Using secular dates

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me on Amazon.com May one use the secular dates verbally or in writing?[1] The years: Some Poskim[2] rule it is Biblically forbidden to write secular dates.[3] Other Poskim[4] however rule it is permitted.[5] Practically, the custom is to be lenient as did […]

Eating on Erev Shabbos

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy Here Eating on Erev Shabbos: Arranging a large feast:[1] It is forbidden for one to establish[2] a large feast on Erev Shabbos, which one is not accustomed to eating during the week if the feast involves drinking alcoholic beverages.[3] It is […]

Birthday Customs

The customs of a Birthday     Introduction It is customary amongst many people to celebrate their birthday. It is a happy day in which people yearn and desire to be cherished and allow themselves extravagances and luxuries that they would usually not partake in. In the secular world, many […]

Forgiving a loan

This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy Now May one forgive a loan without telling the borrower? A. Introduction: If one loaned someone money and has yet to be paid back, often the lender who sympathizes with the borrower’s predicament, desires to simply forgive him the loan. The […]

Havdalah on Motzei Shabbos

This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com 1. Havdala Motzei Shabbos Tishe Beav:[1] Havdala over wine is not recited on Motzei Shabbos, it is rather recited on Sunday night. [See below for the relevant laws of Havdala on Sunday night].   Meorei Haeish: One is to recite […]

Counted wrong day

This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com Saying or having in mind the wrong day: A. Said the wrong date and did not remember until the next night: If one counted the wrong date and only discovered the next night, then it is considered that he did […]

Hearing both sides of an argument

 This Halacha is published in our Sefer “Topics in Practical Halacha” Volume 2 Hearing the claims of each side in the presence of the other side:[1] A. Introduction: Monetary claims are a basic aspect of day to day business dealings and interaction with others. These claims must be brought before […]

Birchas Ilanos-Must one say the blessing the first opportunity he sees the blossoming fruit tree?

  Birchas Ilanos/Blessing over the blossoming of fruit:[1] [One who walks around outside] in the month of Nissan, and sees trees which are sprouting forth blossom, needs to say the blessing of “Shelo Chiser Beolamo Klum[2] Uvara Bo Brios Tovos Veilanos Tovos Leihanos Bahem Binei Adam.” This blessing is only […]

Egg Matzah-Matzah Ashira

  A. Understanding the liquids that turn flour into Chametz: Water and water derivatives:[1] The Biblical definition of Chameitz refers only to dough that has been kneaded with water or with water derivatives. Only water or water derivatives can leaven the grain or flour. Fruit juice-Does fruit juice turn flour […]