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 […]
The Half Shekel-Laws and Customs
Machatzis Hashekel-The Half Shekel:[1] Some[2] opinions rule that before Purim one must give half of his country’s coin currency [to charity, and so is the custom of all Jewry[3]]. It is given as a remembrance for the half shekel that was donated for purchasing sacrifices during the times of […]
From the Rav’s Desk: 1) Haircuts and cutting nails this Erev Shabbos. 2) Aneinu for one who is not fasting
Question: [Thursday, 13th Adar, 5781] This year that Purim falls on Friday, is it permitted for me to cut my nails and get a haircut on Friday, in honor of Shabbos, or is it forbidden to do so due to the prohibition of doing Melacha on Purim. Answer: Nails: When […]
From the Rav’s desk: Must one have separate oil bottles for meat and milk?
Question: [Wednesday, 12th Adar, 5781] Is there any reason for me to be careful to have separate oil bottles for both meat and milk or is it okay for me to use the same oil bottle to pour into meat and milk products? Answer: Indeed, there is a very strong […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Must the Mezuzah be actually touching the doorpost or is it valid even if there is some space in between?
Question: [Tuesday, 11th Adar, 5781] Hi Rabbi, I have the following question: Must the mezuzah actually touch the doorpost? When putting on a mezuzah to the doorpost is there a problem if there is some space between the doorpost and the mezuzah? Meaning, for example, if I tape the mezuzah […]
Hearing Megillah with a hearing aid
If one can only hear with a hearing aid is he able to fulfill his obligation through listening to the Megillah reading?[1] Non-electric hearing aid: If he is able to hear with the help of a non-electric hearing aid then he is obligated in the Mitzvah.[2] He may thus hear […]
