Question: [Thursday, 16th Teves 5781] Is it permitted on Shabbos to give a standing ovation? Meaning to clap hands after someone’s speech and the like? I believe that I was taught that while you are allowed to clap hands for music and singing, you may not clap hands to applaud […]
Bringing food to the table before Kiddush
May one bring food to the table prior to Kiddush? Some[1] learn that one is to refrain from bringing any of the foods to the table prior to Kiddush, unless they are covered just like the Challahs.[2] However from Admur it is clear that it is only necessary to cover […]
From the Rav’s Desk: 1) What to learn, Likkutei Torah or Likkutei Sichos; 2) Riding on shoulders
Question: [Tuesday, 14th Teves 5781] I only have a certain amount of time in my schedule for learning Chassidus and wanted to know what has priority, learning Likkutei Sichos of the Rebbe, or learning Torah of the Alter Rebbe? Also, on Shabbos between Mincha and Maariv and prior to Shacharis, […]
Liability for damages caused by one’s items that were negligently left in a public area
Liability for damages caused by one’s items that were negligently left in a public area: Not to place a potentially damaging object in a public area: It is an act of piety for a person to hide his sharp objects [nails/glass], and any other damaging item, in an area […]
What is the law if the Kesuba became lost?
What is the law if the Kesuba became lost:[1] It is forbidden for a couple to remain even one hour without a Kesuba.[2] Therefore, if a couple lost the Kesuba [or an invalidation was found in it[3] then] they must have a new Kesuba written immediately, as soon as they […]
From the Rav’s Desk: 1) Placed dairy cover on meat pot; 2) Koshering wood; 3) Baked cheese pastry in meat oven
Question: [Monday, 13th Teves 5781] We were cooking pasta in a meat pot that had been used for cooking meat in the past 24 hours and accidentally placed on it a dairy cover that has not been used for dairy for many months. What is the law of my pasta […]
Attending a meal and joyous event during the year of Aveilus, past Shloshim
Attending a meal and joyous event during the year of Aveilus, past Shloshim [1] *From our Sefer “The laws of Mourning” Volume 2 Chapter 23. See there for the full details of this subject! The laws of attending a meal during the year of Aveilus is similar to the laws […]
From the Rav’s Desk: 1) Blessing on olives during meal; 2) Approximating Gartel to Sefer Torah; 3) Using Yad of Sefer Torah to read along in Chumash
Question: [Motzei Shabbos, 12th Teves 5781] Should one make a blessing of Haietz when eating olives during a meal with bread? Is it similar to all fruits that we say a Haeitz during the meal or is it different being that it is not sweet? Answer: One who eats olives […]
Removing one’s shoes with one’s hands
Removing one’s shoes with one’s hands:[1] One who removes [or even touches[2]] his shoes with his hands[3] is required to wash his hands one time [immediately] afterwards. This applies even if the shoes are clean.[4] [This applies even if one only touched his shoes with his pinky.[5] If the shoes […]
From the Rav’s Desk: 1) making use of a pot plant on Shabbos 2) resting a siddur on a tree trunk on Shabbos 3) what to do if a hat flew onto a tree on Shabbos
Question: [Motzei Shabbos, 12th Teves 5781] Does the prohibition against making use of a tree also apply against a pot plant? Answer: Yes, it follows the same exact law as a growth from the ground, and thus if the plant contains a hard stem which if bended will break, and […]
