Summary of the laws of Matzah-Part 1: * For the full details and sources, please visit our website or see our Sefer “The laws and customs of Pesach” in the corresponding chapter! A. The Mitzvah of eating Matzah: On the first night of Pesach: It is a positive command in […]
From the Rav’s Desk: May one use Maaser money to purchase Matzos?
Question: [Monday, 2nd Nissan, 5781] As I’m sure you know Matzos are extremely expensive. My question is whether I can use my Maaser money to pay for the Matzos? Answer: This depends on your income and how short of money you are. If indeed you do not have enough money […]
Erev Pesach falls on Shabbos-Guideline and Summary-Part 3-Shabbos day and Motzei Shabbos-Seder night
Shabbos Day: Early Shacharis: Shacharis on Shabbos must be Davened early, with enough time for people to come home and eat their Shabbos day meal before the 5th hour of the day, before Sof Zman Achilas Chametz. The chazan must be warned not to lengthen the davening. The time of […]
From the Rav’s Desk: How to do Shanyim Mikra when you are short on time
Question: [Sunday, 1st Nissan, 5781] This past Friday I got very busy and before I knew it there was no time before Shabbos to recite Shnayim Mikra. As you know this past Shabbos had two Parshiyos for a total of 214 verses, which was impossible for me to do during […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Should a Baal Keri say Birchas Hatorah before Mikveh?
Question: [Sunday, 1st Nissan, 5781] If one is a Baal Keri, should he delay Birchas Hatorah until after immersing in a mikvah or should he say it before in order not to nullify Torah learning until then? Answer: If the mikvah is very nearby to one’s home, and only takes […]
Erev Pesach falls on Shabbos-Guideline and Summary-Part 2- The Shabbos Chametz meals
The Shabbos Chametz meals when Erev Pesach falls on Shabbos: Cooking Chametz on Erev Shabbos for Shabbos: One may not cook Chametz foods for Shabbos being that one is unable to wash the pots on Shabbos from the Chametz that is stuck to them. [This applies even if one performs […]
From the Rav’s Desk: May I lift up my child to turn on or off the light on Shabbos, or to open a fridge whose light was left on?
Question: [Thursday, 27th Adar, 5781] We accidentally left the light on in our fridge and only discovered this after Shabbos began and opened up the fridge and lo and behold noticed the light was on. I let go of the door and it automatically close. I know we are allowed […]
From the Rav’s Desk: May I melt a gold Chamsa with Hashem’s name engraved on it?
Question: [Wednesday, 26th Adar, 5781] Dear Rabbi, I work with gold and just received a shipment of gold Chamsot that contain God’s name of Yud Kei Vav Kei engraved on them [with a Hei and not a Kei, and with no dash] just as is written in the Sefer Torah. […]
Erev Pesach falls on Shabbos-Guideline and Summary-Part 1-Thursday-Friday
The order when Erev Pesach falls on Shabbos: When Erev Pesach falls on Shabbos, several questions arise regarding which actions that are normally done on Erev Pesach may be performed on Shabbos and which are to be preceded to before Shabbos, and how one is to eat his Shabbos meals. […]
From the Rav’s Desk: May women wear pajama pants?
Question: [Sunday, 23rd Adar, 5781] Are women allowed to wear pajamas with pants? Or only dresses? Answer: It is permitted and even encouraged, for women and girls to wear women’s pajama pants under a nightgown while they are in the privacy of their bedroom. It should not be worn without […]
