Question: [Thursday 15th Marcheshvan 5782] I have always used the measurement of 1.666 kilo of flour to perform Hafrashas Challah with a blessing, and would do this for all types of flour that I would use, whether whole-wheat oat or rye. Recently someone told me that by whole-wheat you actually […]
Squeezing fruits into foods on Shabbos
Squeezing fruits into foods on Shabbos:[1] A. Into a solid food [as opposed to a liquid]:[2] All fruits, even grapes and olives, are permitted to be squeezed directly into solid foods for seasoning purposes.[3] Squeezing into an empty vessel for the sake of seasoning food:[4] It is Rabbinically[5] forbidden to […]
From the Rav’s Desk: May one still say Havdalah on Tuesday night?
Question: [Wednesday, 14th Marcheshvan, 5782] I forgot to say or hear Havdalah on Saturday night and just remembered to do so now on Tuesday night? May I still say it? Answer: No. It may only be said up until the start of Tuesday evening, until sunset of Tuesday, and not […]
Shemita stores-Understanding the status of produce sold in stores in Israel during the Shemita year
Shemita stores-Understanding the status of produce sold in stores in Israel during the Shemita year & the various Hashgacha’s: Vegetables and grains which grow during the shemita year are forbidden to be eaten due to the rabbinical Sefichin decree as explained in Halacha 3. Likewise, even fruits and other products […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Distances between graves in a cemetery
Question: [Tuesday, 13th Marcheshvan 5782] How much space must there be between graves in a cemetery and what is one to do if there is not enough space in the cemetery to have the proper distance between the graves? Answer: Ideally there is to be a minimum of six […]
Walking like a Jew-To walk in a humble manner
Walking like a Jew-To walk in a humble manner:[1] A. Koma Zekufa-One’s Posture while walking: One should get up[2] and walk in a manner that his head[3] is [slightly[4]] bent downwards, and not with a straight posture, [and outstretched neck[5]]. It is forbidden to walk with a straight posture for […]
From the Rav’s Desk: The status of a sharp dip that was used with a dairy spoon
Question: [Monday 12th MarCheshvan 5782] I used a dairy spoon to mix Sechug-Charif [a jalapeno dip] may I eat this dip together with meat or during a meat meal? Answer: If the spoon was clean, then the dip remains Pareve, although some are stringent in such a case to […]
Washing hands after cutting ones nails
Washing hands after cutting one’s nails:[1] One who cuts his nails is to wash his hands one[2] time [immediately] afterwards.[3] [This applies whether one cut his hand or toenails[4], and applies whether one cut his nails with a nail cutter or with his teeth.[5] It applies even if he only […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Digging a pit in the ground during Shemita in Israel
Question: [Sunday, 11th Marcheshvan, 5782] I live in Israel and need to make a pit in my yard/garden for the sake of plumbing. May I do so during Shemita? Answer: Yes. All digging for non-agricultural purposes is permitted during Shemita. Sources: See Rambam Shemita Veyovel 1:4; 2:14; Maaseh Rokeiach; Derech […]
The law of Chatzitza by male immersions
The law of Chatzitza by male immersions: Baal Keri: Men are not required to remove a Chatzitza from the body prior to immersion for the purpose of purification from Baal Keri, and so is the custom.[1] [Nevertheless some Poskim[2] are stringent.] However, this only applies if it is found on […]
