Question: [Thursday, 17th yar 5781] We bought a pack of six individual plastic cups of pudding which are attached to each other by the sides and forgot to separate them from each other and open them before Shabbos. Am I allowed to separate them and open them on Shabbos in […]
From the Rav’s Desk: From when on Lag Baomer may one begin listening to music, sunset or nightfall?
Question: [Wednesday, 16th Iyar 5781] Is it permitted for one to listen to music starting from sunset of Lag Bomer, or must wait until nighttime [i..e Tzeis Hakochavim]? Answer: One is to wait and not listen to music until after nightfall. Explanation: In general, there is a debate […]
What is the law if prior to counting one said that “Today is Lag Baomer”, may he count that night with a blessing?
What is the law if prior to counting one said that “Today is Lag Baomer”, may he count that night with a blessing? If he said the words “Today is Lag Baomer”, he does not fulfill his obligation and may count that night with a blessing.[1] However, some[2] conclude one […]
From the Rav’s Desk: The dairy or meaty status of a sous vide cooker and its container
Question: [Tuesday, 15th Iyar, 5781] I would like to know if it is permitted for one to use a sous vide cooker stick and container for both meat and dairy. Just to explain a little bit of how sous vide cookers work: One fills up a container with water and […]
Organ donation/transplant-May one sign on an organ donor card
Organ donation/transplant:[1] The question of organ donation is highly debated amongst Rabbanim and religious circles. Its question touches upon several Halachic prohibitions, which vary based on the state of the patient whose organ is being used. We have divided the ruling to four distinct cases: 1) If the person is […]
From the Rav’s Desk: 1) The order of Tashlumin for Maariv in Shacharis; 2) Eating food and drink that entered a cemetery
Question: [Monday, 14th Iyar 5781] If I forgot and did not Daven Maariv the previous night, what is the proper order of Tashlumin for the Maariv prayer? When should the second Shemoneh Esrei be prayed after Shacharis? Answer: The Tashlumin Shemoneh Esrei for Maariv which is prayed after Shacharis Shemoneh […]
Davening Mincha by Mincha Gedola versus Mincha Ketana
The start time of Mincha-Davening Mincha Gedola:[1] One who Davens Mincha from 6 ½ Zmaniyos hours into the day [i.e. half an hour after the Halachic midday], and onwards, fulfills his obligation. [This time period is commonly referred to as Mincha Gedola.[2]] [However] the main time to Daven Mincha is […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Read the wrong Haftorah
Question: [Sunday, 13th Iyar, 5781] This past Shabbos we got confused and accidentally read the wrong Haftorah. We read the Haftorah of Kedoshim [i.e. Yechezkal] instead of the Haftorah of Parshas Achrei Mos [Bnei Kushim]. Did we fulfill our obligation, and what should we have done if we remembered in […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Leaving the Haftorah open until the after blessings are completed
Question: [Thursday, 10th yar 5781] When I am called up to read the Haftorah, may/should I close the Haftorah book after concluding its reading prior to saying the after blessings, or should I leave it open until after the blessings are recited? Answer: The person who reads the Haftorah for […]
Drinking after Kiddush before Hamotzi
Drinking liquids after Kiddush prior to the meal: It is permitted for one who is thirsty to drink after Kiddush, prior to the meal.[1] Saying a blessing prior to drinking:[2] One who drinks prior to the meal is not to say a blessing over the liquid if [he drank from […]