Sending regards to a woman:[1] A man may not ask a woman at all as to her wellbeing.[2] This applies even if one does so indirectly, through a messenger. It is forbidden to send greetings even through the woman’s husband.[3] [Thus, a man may not ask someone to send […]
Ask the Rav: Wedding plans before doing Kinyan and engagement party
Question: [Tuesday, 13th Shevat 5781] Dear Rabbi, I just got engaged and would like to know if it is permitted for one to talk about wedding plans prior to doing a Kinyan by the engagement party. One rabbi told us that this is not allowed to be done, and due […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Must one place a Mezuzah to an air B&B two month rental?
Question: [Tuesday, 27th Teves 5781] Rabbi, I am staying in a B&B rental home for about two months. I am wondering what I should do regarding putting a Mezuzah on the doors. I know that hotel rooms don’t require a mezuzah, but my question is regarding a short rental as […]
Names of Hashem
The seven Divine names The following are the Divine names that may never be erased:[1] Yud Kei Vav Kei; Adniy; Keil; Eloka; Elokim; Elokaiy[2]; Shakaiy; Tzeva–os[3]; Eh-yeh[4].] It is forbidden to mention any of the designated names of G-d in a bathroom. This refers to the seven names which may […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Wearing a coat over a Tallis
Question: [Sunday, 11th Shevat 5781] Now that we are praying outside in the freezing cold due to coronavirus is it permitted to wear a coat over one’s Tallis during the Shacharis prayer? Is it better to wear the Tallis over one’s coat, or to wear the coat over one’s Tallis? […]
The after blessing-Ate fruits of seven Minim, and Mezonos, and drank wine
The after blessing-Ate fruits of seven Minim, and Mezonos, and drank wine:[1] One who ate [a Kezayis of] fruits from the seven Minim and ate [a Kezayis of] Mezonos [within Kdei Achilas Peras] and drank [a Revius of] wine is to include all three after blessings in a single blessing […]
Customs of Yartzite that falls on Shabbos-Yud Shevat and Gimel Tamuz
Yahrzeit that falls on Shabbos and Yom Tov?[1] When to perform the Yahrzeit customs: When the Yahrzeit falls on Shabbos [or Yom Tov], the question is raised as to when the Yahrzeit customs are to be kept. Some customs are not feasible, or not permitted, to be performed on Shabbos […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Heating up a tin of Kugel wrapped in tin foil on Shabbos
Question: [Thursday, 8th Shevat 5781] Is it permitted to heat up a Kugel on Shabbos and if so may I do so with the tinfoil on top of it or is this considered insulation? Answer: You may heat up a Kugel on Shabbos on top of another pot so […]
When should one set up the Blech before Shabbos?
When should one set up the Blech before Shabbos?[1] Biblically, there are no restrictions involved in setting up one’s food on a flame before Shabbos, although the Sages enacted a number of restrictions. First off, they obligated that one may only leave food on a flame if either the […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Mold in rental property-whose responsibility and may one breach the contract?
Question: [Wednesday, 7th Shevat 5781] Rabbi, we have rented an apartment and after about four months of living there in the winter in the rain season, we noticed mold growing on a number of walls. The owner does not know of any practical solution to deal with it and we […]
