Question: [Thursday, 20th Adar, 5781] My husband enjoys to Farbreng until late on Shabbos in Shul, and often remains until we are already done our meal at home, and at times he remains there until Mincha. It is not feasible for us to wait so long to start our meal […]
Bathing on Erev Shabbos
Bathing on Erev Shabbos:[1] It is a Mitzvah[2] [upon both men and women[3]] to initially bathe one’s entire body[4] in hot water[5] on Erev Shabbos [and Erev Yom Tov[6]] in honor of Shabbos [and Yom Tov]. If one is unable to do so then he is at the very least […]
From the Rav’s Desk: 1) May one use shampoo and towels in a Mikveh without permission of owner. 2) Order of drying self after shower
Question: [Wednesday, 19th Adar, 5781] Rabbi, I go to a Mikveh in which many people leave their shampoo and conditioner in the shower area openly available. If I forgot to bring my shampoo and conditioner am I allowed to use it without finding out who the owner is and asking […]
The severity of hitting another Jew
Hitting a fellow Jew: A. The prohibition, severity and penalty:[1] It is [Biblically] forbidden for one to hit another Jew and if one hits him he transgresses a negative command.[2] This prohibition applies even to a light hit.[3] Lifting hand to hit:[4] Furthermore, anyone who lifts a threatening hand […]
From the Rav’s Desk: 1) May one put tefillin on while sitting or lying down if he is unable to stand. 2) Must one stand prior to repositioning his head tefillin?
Question: [Tuesday, 18th Adar, 5781] May one put tefillin on while sitting or lying down if he is unable to stand, such as if he is sick, or bound to a wheelchair? Answer: Yes, one who is unable to stand is nonetheless required to put on tefillin in a sitting […]
Parents of Chasan and Kallah share the same names
Parents of Chasan and Kallah share the same names: If the parents of the Chasan and Kallah have the same exact name they should not have their children marry each other.[1] This applies for the names of both the mother and the father.[2] [However, some Poskim[3] rule this only applies […]
From the Rav’s Desk: 1) milk splashed on pareve water urn; 2) stuck tip of frozen meat into hot water of Pareve pot
Question: [Monday, 17th Adar, 5781] Rabbi, my daughter poured hot water from our Pareve electric water urn straight into her milk and in the process a drop of milk splashed onto the side of the urn. If I stand correct, I believe that my Pareve water urn has now become […]
Waiting 6 hours between meat and milk-Halachic Background and Practical Q&A
Waiting six hours between eating meat and milk: It is a Rabbinical obligation to separate one’s meat and dairy meals from each other.[1] It is disputed amongst Poskim as to how the two meals are to be separated. Some Poskim[2] rule one is Rabbinically required to wait six hours between […]
From the Rav’s Desk: May one store his Tallis on top of Sefarim?
Question: [Sunday, 16th Adar, 5781] I often see people in shul who store their Tallis on top of Sefarim on the bookshelf. This often happens when there is a Kiddush in shul after Davening on Shabbos and people to roll up their Tallis and put it by the bookshelf on […]
The Mitzvah to recite the morning Shema prior to sunrise if you are already awake
Saying Shema prior to sunrise:[1] When Davening in a Vaasikin/Neitz Minyan:[2] The initial time for Davening Shemoneh Esrei is by sunrise. It is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar to read the Shema slightly prior to sunrise, intending to complete the Shema and its last blessing of Goal Yisrael with sunrise. Immediately […]
