Bathing, anointing, wearing leather shoes, on a fast day:[1] It is permitted to bathe, anoint, wear leather shoes, and have marital relations on a fast day other than Tisha B’av.[2] Nevertheless, a Baal Nefesh is to be stringent not to bathe [in hot water[3], if it does not involve a […]
From the Rav’s Desk: How many times must one immerse an item in the Mikveh Keilim?
Question: [Monday 2nd Teves 5782] How many times is one required to immerse a vessel in the Mikveh Keilim? I have heard that one time suffices but have been told that the custom is to immerse them three times. Answer: From the letter of the law, a single immersion suffices […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Is our custom to say the blessing of Minei Besamim by all spices?
Question: [Sunday, 8th Teves, 5782] I, and many people I know, have been taught, perhaps erroneously, that the Ashkenazi custom is to always say the blessing of Minei Besamim by all spices whether they come from a tree or from the ground. Recently, someone else told me that this is […]
Likkutei Sichos-Parshas Vayigash: An investigation into the marriage of Shimon and Dina
Parshas Vayigash An investigation into the marriage of Shimon and Dina (Likkutei Sichos Vol. 5) In this week’s Parsha, Parshas Vayigash, Yaakov and his children discover Joseph’s whereabouts and that he is the Viceroy of the country and journey to the country to remain by Joseph side. Yaakov and his […]
Parshas Vayigash-Summary of the Parsha
This article is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy now on Amazon.com Parshas Vayigash Pesukim: 106 [Siman: יהללאל] Haftorah: Yechezkal 37:15-28 Number of Mitzvos: There are no Positive or Negative commands mentioned in Parshas Vayigash. Rishon Yehuda contends with Yosef to release Binyamin: Yehuda confronted Yosef and asked to […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Should Chabad Chassidim recite Tachanun on Hei Teves?
Question: [Sunday, 5th Teves 5781] Should Chabad Chassidim recite Tachanun on Hei Teves? Answer: In general, it is customary not to say Tachanun on a day on which one celebrates a miracle that took place. However, there is no universally accepted practice of omitting Tachanun on the fifth of […]
Wine glasses of a gentile-Using glass vessels of a gentile that were used to drink or store Yayin Nesech-PART 2
Summary: Drinking non-wine beverages: It is permitted on temporary occasion to drink any non-wine beverage from a vessel of a Gentile even if the vessel was designated for drinking or storing wine, so long as the vessel is properly rinsed from any leftover wine prior to usage. If one desires […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Saving the leftover wicks and oil of the Menorah for the burning of Chametz on Erev Pesach
Question: [Wednesday, 4th Teves, 5782] I have heard that many people save the oil and wicks of the Chanukah Menorah for the burning of chametz by erev Pesach. Is this allowed to be done or must one burn it right away? Answer: Although some are accustomed to save the […]
Wine glasses of a gentile-Using glass vessels of a gentile that were used to drink or store Yayin Nesech-PART 1
Wine glasses of a gentile-Using glass vessels of a gentile that were used to drink or store Yayin Nesech: No need to Kasher with hot water: It is permitted to drink from clean wine glasses, and other clean wine glass vessels, of a gentile without Kashering them in between [using […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Buying a white gold ring for the Chuppah
Question: [Tuesday, 3rd Teves 5782] I’m getting married in the near future and buying a wedding ring for my Kallah. I know the wedding ring should be made of gold but I would like to know if it should be made out of yellow gold or can also be made […]