Question: [Tuesday, 4th Kisleiv 5782] I have heard a number of times that you can be more lenient with Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin, to put them on past sunset or even past nightfall prior to the time of Rabbeinu Tam? Is this correct? Answer: This is incorrect. Initially one must […]
May a child before Bar Mitzvah eat before Davening?
May a child below Bar Mitzvah eat before Davening Shacharis [i.e. Hamotzi breakfast]: A. Background-The general prohibition of eating before prayer:[1] The sages prohibited one from eating or drinking starting from the time of Alos Hashachar until after one Davens Shemoneh Esrei [of Shacharis].[2] This is in addition to the […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Hatavas Chalom-How can a wife perform a Hatavas Chalom for a bad dream?
Question: [Monday 4th Kisleiv 5782] I would like to perform a Hatavas Chalom for bad dreams that I have been suffering from. My question is if I need to personally do it before three men, or if I can send my husband to do so for me? Answer: Seemingly, […]
Can a person sit Shiva for a missing relative-Mourning if there is no identified body of the deceased
Can a person sit Shiva for a missing relative-Mourning if there is no identified body of the deceased:[1] Deceased was a married male: In all cases that the body is missing or unidentifiable, and death cannot be determined to the point that the wife of the deceased can remarry [as […]
When to correct a Baal Korei for making mistakes in the reading
When to correct a Baal Korei for making mistakes in the reading:[1] *This Halacha only discusses mispronunciations and mistakes in the Taamim. For missed words or letters-See Halacha 2! Mistake in vowelization or tune; Mistakes that change the meaning of the word:[2] If the Baal Korei mispronounced a letter or […]
From the Rav’s Desk: What to do if an Avel during shiva was accidentally called for an Aliyah on Shabbos
Question: [Sunday, 3rd Kisleiv, 5782] I am the Gabaiy of my Shul and called an individual to the Torah unknowingly that he was on his last day of Shiva. [He gets up from Shiva that Shabbos.] Should he nonetheless take the Aliyah? Answer: Yes, on Shabbos once a person is […]
Parshas Toldos-Summary of the Parsha
This article is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy now on Amazon.com Parshas Toldos Pesukim: 106 [Siman:עלו ] Haftorah: Malachi 1 1:1-2:7 Number of Mitzvos: There are no Positive or Negative commands mentioned in Parshas Toldos. Rishon The birth of Yaakov and Eisav: Avraham fathered Yitzchak. Yitzchak was 40 […]
Likkutei Sichos-How could Eisav the Rasha come from Yitzchak Avinu-Dealing with a troubled child
Parshas Toldos Dealing with wayward children and the heretic Jew (Likkutei Sichos Vol. 15 1st Sicha) In this week’s Parsha, Parshas Toldos, the birth of Yaakov and Esav is discussed. While most people who read Scripture side with the righteous Yaakov as opposed to his evil brother Esav, most ironically, […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Having someone light Shabbos candles for you, and having you say the blessing later on
Question: [Thursday 29th Marcheshvan 5782] I work as a nurse in Shaareiy Tzedek hospital, and my Friday shift ends after sunset in the winter. Can I tell my daughters to light candles for me at home and then when I come home, I will say the blessing over them? […]
Melting a frozen bottle of water or juice on Shabbos
Melting a frozen, or partially frozen, bottle of water or juice on Shabbos: A. Background:[1] While there is no intrinsic biblical prohibition involved in melting ice on Shabbos, so long as one does not heat it to the point of Yad Soledes and transgress the cooking prohibition, nonetheless, the sages […]
