Question: [Thursday, 28th Tammuz 5781] Am I allowed to dye my hair during the three weeks? Answer: Yes. However, some avoid doing so from the start of the 9 days. Explanation: There is no recorded restriction against dyeing hair throughout the three weeks, nonetheless some avoid doing so […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Who gets to keep the found money, the finder, or the person who picked it up
Question: [Tuesday, 27th Tammuz, 5781] My son and daughter were walking on gravel that is off the sidewalk in the city and found a $100 bill on the gravel near some rocks. My son is the one who saw it first, but my daughter is the one who actually picked […]
What is a Peruzbal?
What is a Peruzbal?[1] The Peruzbal is a process instituted by the Sages [for times when Shemitah is only Rabbinical[2]] which allows a loan to stay in effect even after the Shemitah year, and thus allows one to demand the debt to be paid back.[3] [The word Peruzbal means institution […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Must one have Sheva Brachos daily?
Question: [Tuesday, 26th Tammuz, 5781] Is one required a Sheva Brachos meal every single day of Sheva Brachos? Answer: No, there is no requirement to make a Sheva Brachos meal every single day of Sheva Brachos, although this is the widespread custom of Jewry today. Practically, one should try […]
A summary of the practical laws of Kileiy Zeraim/Hybrid planting of plants-PART 1
A summary of the practical laws of Kileiy Zeraim/Hybrid planting of plants-PART 1 Yoreh Deah Chapter 296/רצו סימן *The following laws apply to hybrid planting of grains, vegetables and plants, which are all under the category of Kileiy Zeraim, as opposed to the hybrid planting and grafting of trees, which […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Writing the word Shalom incompletely
Question: [Monday, 25th Tammuz 5781] I’ve seen some people avoiding writing the word Shalom in full and rather write שלם or שלו’. Must one be particular in doing so, and does it apply only in Hebrew or also in English, and does it apply to the name of a person? […]
Keeping a happy mood around an ill person
Keeping a happy mood around an ill person-Not letting him know of the passing of a relative:[1] If one is sick [or old], and there is worry that letting him know of the passing of a relative [or other individual], and breaking his heart, can lead to worsening of his […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Turning off alarm clock and putting on glasses before washing hands in morning
Question: [Shabbos 16th Tammuz 5781] Am I allowed to put my glasses on and turn off my alarm clock prior to washing hands in the morning. I actually had a roommate in school who was very particular about this and would let his alarm go off for minutes until he […]
Wearing a hat and jacket-Source, Custom, & Reasons
The custom of wearing a hat and jacket: A. Custom, source, and reason: The custom of wearing a hat over the Yarmulke: It is customary amongst pious Jews to walk with two head coverings, and they thus wear a hat over their Yarmulke.[1] This custom is followed by Chassidim.[2] The […]
From the Rav’s Desk: 1) May one recite Tehillim on Friday night? 2) Should a husband light candles at home if his wife is away for Shabbos?
Question: [Thursday, 21st Tammuz 5781] Is it permitted for me to recite tehillim on Friday night if I generally am careful not to recite tehillim at night? Answer: The Poskim explicitly rule that it is permitted to recite tehillim on Friday night even prior to midnight. You may rely […]
