Washing ones mouth in the morning:[1] Some have the custom to rinse their mouth in the morning to remove the ririm that is found in the mouth, in order to bless the Almighty G-d with holiness and purity. [The Chabad custom is to rinse the mouth prior to reciting the […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Jewish maid working on Shabbos
Question: [Thursday, 13th Menachem Av, 5781] I have a Jewish maid who works for me several days a week helping with housework. I would like her to start coming also on Shabbos to help me out in the home [of course only doing those things that are permitted to be […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Is there an issue with lace front sheitels?
Question: [Wednesday, 12th Menachem Av, 5781] For some time now, there has been a lot of commotion regarding the wearing of lace front Sheitels, which is a Sheitel that contains a very thin lining into which the hair is sewn. The issue with the Sheitel is that it makes it […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Doing Hafrashas Challah in a classroom with a blessing
Question: [Monday, 11th Menachem Av, 5781] We are making challah with my daughters’ class in school, and would like to know regarding the blessing of Hafrashas Challah, if it can be said or not and if yes, then can all the girls say it? We are not baking it in […]
From the Rav’s Desk: 1) Each family member saying Hamotzi; 2) May one ask a gentile to plug a fridge into a timer on Shabbos?
Question: [Thursday, 6th Menachem Av, 5781] I have seen many people accustomed to reciting the blessing of Hamotzi on Shabbos on their own after receiving their piece of bread and they do not fulfill their obligation with the person who said Hamotzi aloud. Is this a proper custom to be […]
The prayers of Tisha B’av-Part 2
Mincha: Paroches: The Paroches is returned to the Aron prior to Mincha. Charity: Prior to Mincha one is to give Igara Ditaanisa to charity. Tallis and Tefillin: By Mincha, one wears Tallis and Tefillin with a blessing. [One recites all three Parshiyos of Shema while wearing the Tefillin. Those who […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Outbidding a potential tenant on a rental property
Question: [Wednesday, 5th Menachem Av, 5781] I’m looking to rent out a condo that I own in ???? and was in correspondence with a certain potential tenant who was seriously looking into closing the deal, and while we were pretty much ready to sign the lease agreement we have yet […]
The prayers of Tisha B’av-Part 1
The prayers of Tisha B’av-Part 1 Maariv: Removing the Paroches: [Prior to Maariv] one is to remove the Paroches from the Aron. [In some communities, the Paroches is not removed, but rather moved to the side, hence revealing the doors of the Aron. The Chabad custom is to also remove […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Dough of Hafrashas Challah became mixed back into the batch of dough
Question: [Tuesday, 4th Menachem Av, 5781] I was preparing Challah and after I separated a piece of Challah from the dough and said the blessing for Hafrashas Challah, I put it down on the counter and somehow absentmindedly mixed it back into the batch of dough. What am I supposed […]
The laws of Tisha B’av-Summary-Part 2
The laws of Tisha B’av-Summary-Part 2 Learning Torah on Tisha B’av: It is forbidden to learn Torah on Tisha B’av, with exception to the parts of Torah relating to the mourning period or tragic occurrences for the Jewish people. This prohibition includes Chumash, Navi, Kesuvim, Mishneh, Talmud, Halacha, Agadah [i.e. […]
