Must a married [or once married] woman cover every strand of hair of her head?[1] It is [Biblically[2], and at the very least Rabbinically[3]] forbidden for a married woman to reveal even a single hair of her head to the public, and hence all of the hair, must be covered.[4] […]
From the Rav’s Desk: 1) Toiveled vessel with a sticker; 2) Toiveling a rented vessel
Question: [Monday, 11th Tamuz 5781] I had someone Toivel my Keilim on my behalf and noticed afterwards that the stickers were left on the vessels and not removed prior to immersion. What am I supposed to do? Answer: If the stickers are not meant to stay on, such as if […]
Nidrei Mitzvah-When does a Chumra or custom require Hataras Nedarim
Nidrei Mitzvah-When does a Chumra or custom require Hataras Nedarim?[1] If one performed a Chumra one time with intent to continue doing so forever it has the status of a vow. If he performed the Chumra or custom three[2] times it is considered a vow even if he did not […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Learning Chitas, Rambam, Daf Yomi before Davening
Question: [Sunday, 10th Tamuz, 5781] Am I allowed to learn my daily learning Shiurim before Davening Shacharis, such as Chitas [except Tehillim which I do after Davening], Rambam, and Daf Yomi? I find that this is when my head is clearest to learn, and I have the time to do […]
The two holes by a Tallis Katan-Background and opinions
The two holes of the Tallis Katan:[1] Some Poskim[2] rule that the Tzitzis is not to be tied in its classic method, in which only one hole is made by the corner, and the Tzitzis is looped through that hole. Rather the Tallis is to have two adjacent holes made […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Playing with Rubik cube on Shabbos
Question: [Thursday, 7th Tammuz 5781] Is it permitted to play with a Rubik cube on Shabbos or does it involve borer or another prohibition? Answer: It is permitted to play with a Rubik’s cube on Shabbos to set up the various sides with a single solid color, and doing […]
Filtering tap water on Shabbos [through a Brita filter and the like]
Filtering tap water on Shabbos [through a Brita filter and the like]:[1] A. Background: The Borer/Miraked prohibition:[2] Filtering liquids on Shabbos falls under a question of whether it transgresses the Biblical Borer or Miraked prohibition. It is explained in Halacha that in certain scenarios filtering liquids is considered a Biblical […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Kohen marrying the daughter of converts or the daughter of a gentile father
Question: [Tuesday, 6th Sivan, 5781] I have started to work as a Shadchan and have received conflicting information regarding who a Kohen is allowed to marry. It’s very confusing because obviously I only want to set up couples who are halachically allowed to marry each other. I know that a […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Using an internally cracked Neigal Vaaser cup
Question: [Tuesday, 5th Tammuz, 5781] When we were in Israel a few years back, we bought from a souvenir shop a quite expensive pottery made Neigal Vaaser cup with hand designed paintings. After a few years of use, the pottery has begun to crack by its inside, although the outside […]
The history and reasons behind washing hands for bread
The history of washing for bread:[1] The obligation of washing hands prior to eating food is not rooted in the Torah, and is thus not of Biblical status, but rather is Rabbinical. The Rabbinical institution to wash hands developed gradually from generation to generation. Until the time of King Shlomo, […]
