Question: [Wednesday, 17th Tishreiy, 5781] Should a mourner who does not perform the Hakafos of Hoshanos hold the Sefer Torah, or should not participate at all? Answer: This matter requires further analysis, as on the one hand we usually hand the Torah scroll to an individual who is not encircling […]
Shabbos Chol Hamoed; Cutting nails Erev Shabbos Chol Hamoed
Shabbos Chol Hamoed: Read Haftorah of Shabbos Chol Hamoed on Erev Shabbos:[1] On Shabbos Chol Hamoed Sukkos and Pesach one is to read to himself both the Haftorah of the Parsha of the coming week and the Haftorah which is read that Shabbos. Hodu before Mincha of Erev Shabbos:[2] Hodu […]
From the Rav’s Desk: 1) Washing stockings on Chol Hamoed 2) Noticed a tiny Hole in Esrog; 3) Did not leave a Tefach of spine of Lulav above Hadasim
Question: [Wednesday, 17th Tishrei, 5781] May I wash my Yom Tov/Shabbos stockings during Chol Hamoed if I only own a few pairs and I change them daily? Answer: Yes. Explanation: It is permitted to launder on Chol Hamoed those clothing that are changed on a daily basis such as […]
Laws & Customs of Chol Hamoed-Summary-Part 3
Chapter 1: Melacha on Chol Hamoed The purpose of Chol Hamoed: Torah learning: The entire purpose of Chol Hamoed is for the sake of the Jewish people dedicating themselves towards Torah learning. Throughout the year we are involved in mundane work in efforts to sustain our family and contribute to […]
From the Rav’s Desk: ) Using sliding door as wall of Sukkah 2) Replacing Sechach blown by wind
Question: [Monday, 14th Tishreiy 5781] May a sliding door count as one of the three Halachically required walls of the Sukkah? Answer: Yes, a sliding door may be used as one of the three minimum required walls of a Sukkah so long as the other side of the sliding door […]
From the Rav’s Desk: 1) How to tie down Sechach from wind 2) From what stores in Israel may one buy fruits and vegetables now during Shemita
Q&A relating to Sukkos Question: [Sunday 13th Tishrei 5781] What is the best way to prevent my Sechach from flying in the wind? May I place wood boards on top of it to prevent it from flying away, and may tire down using plastic zip ties? Answer: It is […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Women building Sukkah and buying Lulav set
Question: [Tuesday, 8th Tishrei 5781] My husband and all the boys will be away for Sukkos and so there will only be girls at home. Do I have any obligation to build a Sukkah and must I purchase a set of Daled Minim. Answer: Daled Minim: Even women are […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Having a portable Sukkah
Question: [Monday, 7th Tishrei 5781] We plan on going on trips during Sukkos and want to know if it’s possible to make a portable Sukkah from a children’s play tent that we can take with us? The tent material is made of plastic and contains a metal frame, that is […]
From the Rav’s Desk: 1) Lighting Yizkor candle for Yom Kippur; 2) Harvesting grapes
Q&A relating to Yom Kippur Question: [Sunday 6th Tishrei 5781] I am not normally accustomed to light a Yizkor candle before holidays, and I believe that this was also the custom of the Rebbe. What about Yom Kippur, should Yizkor candle be lit or not according to our custom? […]
From the Rav’s Desk: When to take the three steps back up in Chazaras Hashatz of RH Davening
Question: [Thursday, 3rd Tishrei, 5782] Normally, we always take the three steps back up after Shemoneh Esrei when the Chazan reaches Kedusha? When should we take the three steps back up on Rosh Hashanah Shacharis and Musaf where Kedusha is not recited until almost an hour later? Answer: Although […]
