Question: [Thursday, 5th Adar 5781] Rabbi, due to COVID-19 I am in quarantine and possibly sick with the virus. What should I do about Parshas Zachar? Answer: Unfortunately, despite the great value and importance of hearing Parshas Zachar which is biblical, you cannot participate in a minyan in Shul due […]
Borer-Separating big pieces from small pieces in a salad on Shabbos
Borer-Separating big pieces from small pieces in a salad on Shabbos: Example: Mommy asked two of her daughters to cut up vegetables for the salad for the Shabbos meal. Each daughter cut the vegetables in a different size with one set being much larger than the other, and entered them […]
Feeding street animals
Feeding street animals: One is not obligated to feed his friends pets or street animals from his own food.[1] [This applies even if the animal is endangered and may die.[2] However, in such a case, one would be obligated to place bodily effort to save the animal, if possible, such […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Is my Tzitzis still Kosher-I noticed a cut Tzitzis string coming out from within the top double knot
Question: [Tuesday, 4th Adar 5781] I noticed that a single string of my Tzitzis tore from the area of the knots. The torn string is coming out between the first and second top set of knots and I assume that it originally tore above the double knot and somehow unraveled […]
From the Rav’s Desk: By what time should one Daven Musaf on Shabbos, Yom Tov and Rosh Chodesh
Question: [Tuesday, 4th Adar 5781] When is the ideal time for me to Daven Musaf on Shabbos or Rosh Chodesh? Sometimes when I am Davening at home, I like to take a break between the prayers and end up Davening Musaf in the afternoon as opposed to the morning. Is […]
From the Rav’s Desk: What is it the three day Purim Meshulash this year and how do we celebrate it?
Question: [Monday, 3rd Adar 5781] I keep hearing that this year is a Purim Meshulash, a three-day Purim because it falls on Friday? Can you please explain the context of what this means and how my Purim will be three days? Answer: The concept of a three-day Purim, otherwise known […]
Purim Meshulash in Jerusalem-Is the Megillah to be read with its blessings even without Minyan?
Is the Megillah read with its blessings in Jerusalem on Friday the 14th of Purim Meshulash, if a Minyan is not present?[1] A. The general rule: One must always strive to hear the Megillah reading in the presence of a Minyan, which consists of at least ten adult men.[2] If […]
The laws of Purim-Summary & Checklist
Purim Checklist: Wear Shabbos clothes Recite Al Hanissim No eating before Megillah at night and by morning Have small festive meal after Megillah at night Omit Tachanun in Kerias Shema Al Hamita Wake up early Have in mind by Shehechiyanu of Megillah the Mitzvos of the day Do not […]
From the Rav’s Desk: When to have the Purim meal this year that it falls on Erev Shabbos
Question: [Sunday, 2nd Adar 5781] Rabbi, this year that Purim falls on Erev Shabbos what is the ideal time for the Purim meal to take place? Must it be breakfast? Can I push it off to lunch, or even late in the day before sunset as is usually done by […]
Women serving men food and drinks-Being served by a waitress
Women serving men food and drinks-Being served by a waitress:[1] A woman may not serve a man an alcoholic beverage [i.e. Mezigas Hakos, although she may serve him other foods and beverages].[2] Some Poskim[3] rule that even other foods may not be served, just like is the law by one […]
