Question: [Tuesday, 21st Teves 5781] Rabbi, I learn in Yeshiva and receive a monthly stipend from my parents to use as spending money. My question is whether I’m obligated to take off 10% for Maaser from this money or perhaps I’m even not allowed to do so as my parents […]
Shemira for the chasan and Kallah before the wedding
Shemira before wedding:[1] The Chasan and Kallah are not to go out alone for several days[2] prior to the wedding.[3] [Practically, many are accustomed to follow this practice one week before the wedding. Others begin to follow it the Shabbos before the wedding, and others from when they arrive in […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Response: The Rebbe’s custom of approximating the Gartel to the Sefer Torah
Question: [Sunday, 19th Teves 5781] In a previous question and answer you wondered about the custom of approximating the Gartel to the Sefer Torah prior to the half Kaddish. I wanted to inform you that indeed this was seen done by the Rebbe himself and hence this is itself the […]
Being buried in Eretz Yisrael
Burying in Eretz Yisrael:[1] It is a great Mitzvah and merit to be buried in Eretz Yisrael.[2] It is even permitted to unbury the remains of a person in the Diaspora for the sake of reburying him in Eretz Yisrael[3], and certainly one may initially bring the deceased from the […]
Does Four cornered bedding [i.e. sheets; blankets; pillows] require Tzitzis, or to have one of its corners rounded?
Does Four cornered bedding [i.e. sheets; blankets; pillows] require Tzitzis, or to have one of its corners rounded?[1] The Torah obligates a Jewish male to tie fringes onto four corner garments, and prohibits four corner garments from being worn by Jewish males until either the fringes are tied to their […]
From the Rav’s Desk: 1) Chewing cloves for tooth ache; 2) Studying WW2 History for test
Question: [Motzei Shabbos, 19th Teves 5781] I suffer from dull tooth pain. May I bite on a clove on Shabbos for the sake of relieving it? Answer: You should only do so in the process of eating such as to add cloves to a salad or other food and eat […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Clapping on Shabbos for standing ovation
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 […]
