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, […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Benching on the couch as opposed to by one’s seat by the table
Question: [Monday, 27th Iyar 5781] Is it permitted for one to bentch on a couch if it is in the same room as the meal or must one return to his actual seat to bentch. This often happens on Shabbos that we go to the couch prior to the end […]
How to hold on to the bread when saying Hamotzi
Holding on to the bread when saying Hamotzi:[1] A. The Law: One is not to say the blessing of Hamotzi over bread until the bread is in one’s hands.[2] If said the blessing prior to the bread being in his hand:[3] If one said the blessing of Hamotzi and only […]
Minhagei Yartzite for a parent, and Minhagei Yartzite for Tzadikim, applicable for Yud Shvat and Gimmel Tammuz
Introduction: The day of the passing of the Niftar is customarily commemorated annually by the relatives, family and friends of the deceased.[1] It is called a Yartzite in Yiddish, which literally means “the set time of the year.[2]” In Halachic tradition, we find various customs that are followed by the […]
From the Rav’s Desk: 1) May one hang laundry on Rosh Chodesh? 2) Accidentally removed Tallis before Musaf; 3) Accidentally started saying Kaddish before Hallel
Question: [Thursday, 30th Sivan 5781] I have a basket of laundry that I forgot to hang before Rosh Chodesh, may I hang it to dry on Rosh Chodesh? Answer: Women and girls should not hang laundry on Rosh Chodesh unless you have a specific custom in your family to […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Eating by host who does not serve Lubavitch Shechita
Question: [Tuesday, 29th Sivan, 5781] I am generally careful to eat only Lubavitch Shechita. I would like to know what I’m to do when I eat at people’s homes as a guest who may not be careful in eating only meat and poultry of Lubavitch Shechita. I used to ask […]
Machlokes – The Prohibition against strife & discord
The prohibition to create and continue a Machlokes/dispute:[1] It is forbidden to hold onto and continue[2] [or lend support[3] to] a dispute, and one who does so transgresses a negative command, as the verse[4] states “Do not be like Korach and his people.”[5] This applies even if in truth one’s […]
From the Rav’s Desk: 1) How to take three steps back before Shemoneh Esrei 2) Update regarding the three jumps discussed yesterday
Question: [Tuesday, 28th Sivan, 5781] My daughter’s class in elementary school was just taught by their teacher how to Daven Shemoneh Esrei and take the three steps back and forth in the beginning of Shemoneh Esrei. There was a controversy amongst the class as to how the three steps back […]
Reciting the six Zechiros-Background, laws and details
Reciting the six Zechiros:[1] The Mitzvah:[2] It is a positive command in the Torah to remember [daily] the following actions: Matan Torah and Mamad Har Sinai:[3] It is a positive command of Torah to remember [daily] the the event of the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Maaseh Amaleik:[4] […]
