Question: [Tuesday, 4th Menachem Av, 5781] I was preparing Challah and after I separated a piece of Challah from the dough and said the blessing for Hafrashas Challah, I put it down on the counter and somehow absentmindedly mixed it back into the batch of dough. What am I supposed […]

The laws of Tisha B’av-Summary-Part 2 Learning Torah on Tisha B’av: It is forbidden to learn Torah on Tisha B’av, with exception to the parts of Torah relating to the mourning period or tragic occurrences for the Jewish people. This prohibition includes Chumash, Navi, Kesuvim, Mishneh, Talmud, Halacha, Agadah [i.e. […]

Question: [Monday, 3rd Menachem Av 5781] I got a stain on my skirt, and I would like to know if I am allowed to clean it during the nine days. I would like to wear the skirt a few more days although I do have other ones available. Answer: One […]

The laws of Tisha B’av-Summary-Part 1 The five tragedies that occurred on Tisha B’av: On Tisha B’av of year 2449 the Meraglim returned and it was decreed that the Jewish people in the desert would not enter Eretz Yisrael. On Tisha B’av of year 3338 [שלח-422 BCE] the first Temple […]

Question: [Sunday 2nd Menachem Av 5781] May I cut my nails during the nine days? What about on erev Shabbos?   Answer: This year that Tisha B’Av falls on Sunday [as opposed to falling on Shabbos and then being deferred to Sunday] it is permitted to cut nails during the […]

Question: [Thursday, 28th Tammuz 5781] Am I allowed to dye my hair during the three weeks?   Answer: Yes. However, some avoid doing so from the start of the 9 days.   Explanation: There is no recorded restriction against dyeing hair throughout the three weeks, nonetheless some avoid doing so […]

Question: [Tuesday, 27th Tammuz, 5781] My son and daughter were walking on gravel that is off the sidewalk in the city and found a $100 bill on the gravel near some rocks. My son is the one who saw it first, but my daughter is the one who actually picked […]

What is a Peruzbal?[1] The Peruzbal is a process instituted by the Sages [for times when Shemitah is only Rabbinical[2]] which allows a loan to stay in effect even after the Shemitah year, and thus allows one to demand the debt to be paid back.[3] [The word Peruzbal means institution […]

Question: [Tuesday, 26th Tammuz, 5781] Is one required a Sheva Brachos meal every single day of Sheva Brachos?   Answer: No, there is no requirement to make a Sheva Brachos meal every single day of Sheva Brachos, although this is the widespread custom of Jewry today. Practically, one should try […]

A summary of the practical laws of Kileiy Zeraim/Hybrid planting of plants-PART 1 Yoreh Deah Chapter 296/רצו סימן *The following laws apply to hybrid planting of grains, vegetables and plants, which are all under the category of Kileiy Zeraim, as opposed to the hybrid planting and grafting of trees, which […]

Question: [Monday, 25th Tammuz 5781] I’ve seen some people avoiding writing the word Shalom in full and rather write שלם or  שלו’. Must one be particular in doing so, and does it apply only in Hebrew or also in English, and does it apply to the name of a person? […]

Keeping a happy mood around an ill person-Not letting him know of the passing of a relative:[1] If one is sick [or old], and there is worry that letting him know of the passing of a relative [or other individual], and breaking his heart, can lead to worsening of his […]

Question: [Shabbos 16th Tammuz 5781] Am I allowed to put my glasses on and turn off my alarm clock prior to washing hands in the morning. I actually had a roommate in school who was very particular about this and would let his alarm go off for minutes until he […]

The custom of wearing a hat and jacket: A. Custom, source, and reason: The custom of wearing a hat over the Yarmulke: It is customary amongst pious Jews to walk with two head coverings, and they thus wear a hat over their Yarmulke.[1] This custom is followed by Chassidim.[2] The […]

Question: [Thursday, 21st Tammuz 5781] Is it permitted for me to recite tehillim on Friday night if I generally am careful not to recite tehillim at night?   Answer: The Poskim explicitly rule that it is permitted to recite tehillim on Friday night even prior to midnight. You may rely […]

The Shabbos Budget-How much money should one spend in order to enhance Shabbos and what should be part of the Shabbos menu? The foods eaten to fulfill the mitzvah of Oneg Shabbos vary in accordance to each country’s definition of a luxurious food. Thus, those foods and beverages which are […]

Question: [Tuesday, 20th Tammuz, 5781] We have two children one named Dovber and the other name Batsheva. I would like to know how their names are to be written and if it is a single name [דובער בתשבע], or two names such as Dov Ber and Bat Sheva [דוב בער […]

Question: [Tuesday, 19th Tammuz, 5781] I was barbecuing hamburgers and hotdogs in my Fleishig oven, and when I took out one of the Hotdogs to see if it was ready, it slipped from my fork and fell onto the floor. My question is whether it is Treif due to that […]

Question: [Monday, 18th Tamuz 5781] May one get a manicure during the three weeks? Answer: It is permitted to do so up until the week of Tishe Beav, although some are stringent starting from the nine days.   Explanation: There is no listed restriction against getting a manicure or pedicure […]

Question: [Sunday 17th Tamuz 5781] I recently found out that I am pregnant. I am 30 days along. Do I have to fast? To note that I am also two years within giving birth.   Answer: A pregnant woman who is in pain is exempt from fasting starting from the […]

Question: [Thursday, 7th Tammuz 5781] During the week, I am accustomed to use a breast milk collector cup in order to both save as much milk as possible, as well as prevent my clothing from getting wet. Is it permitted for me to use this on Shabbos?   Answer: There […]

Question: [Tuesday, 13th Sivan, 5781] There is a well-known individual in my community who owes me a large sum of money already for several years, and everything that I have tried to do to get him to pay has been futile, with him giving one excuse after another, and practically […]

Paying rent on time: Rent of object:[1] It is an obligation to pay rent for an animal or item on time, and if one delays doing so he transgresses a negative command.[2] Rent of land/house:[3] Some Poskim[4] rule one who does not pay land related rent on time does not […]

Question: [Tuesday, 12th Tammuz, 5781] I’m getting married in a few weeks IYH, and would like to know if it is permitted for me to cut my hair and use it to make myself a Sheitel. I have very long hair which I will anyways have to cut, and know […]

Must a married [or once married] woman cover every strand of hair of her head?[1] It is [Biblically[2], and at the very least Rabbinically[3]] forbidden for a married woman to reveal even a single hair of her head to the public, and hence all of the hair, must be covered.[4] […]

Question: [Monday, 11th Tamuz 5781] I had someone Toivel my Keilim on my behalf and noticed afterwards that the stickers were left on the vessels and not removed prior to immersion. What am I supposed to do? Answer: If the stickers are not meant to stay on, such as if […]

Nidrei Mitzvah-When does a Chumra or custom require Hataras Nedarim?[1] If one performed a Chumra one time with intent to continue doing so forever it has the status of a vow. If he performed the Chumra or custom three[2] times it is considered a vow even if he did not […]

Question: [Sunday, 10th Tamuz, 5781] Am I allowed to learn my daily learning Shiurim before Davening Shacharis, such as Chitas [except Tehillim which I do after Davening], Rambam, and Daf Yomi? I find that this is when my head is clearest to learn, and I have the time to do […]

The two holes of the Tallis Katan:[1] Some Poskim[2] rule that the Tzitzis is not to be tied in its classic method, in which only one hole is made by the corner, and the Tzitzis is looped through that hole. Rather the Tallis is to have two adjacent holes made […]

Question: [Thursday, 7th Tammuz 5781] Is it permitted to play with a Rubik cube on Shabbos or does it involve borer or another prohibition?   Answer: It is permitted to play with a Rubik’s cube on Shabbos to set up the various sides with a single solid color, and doing […]

Filtering tap water on Shabbos [through a Brita filter and the like]:[1] A. Background: The Borer/Miraked prohibition:[2] Filtering liquids on Shabbos falls under a question of whether it transgresses the Biblical Borer or Miraked prohibition. It is explained in Halacha that in certain scenarios filtering liquids is considered a Biblical […]

Question: [Tuesday, 6th Sivan, 5781] I have started to work as a Shadchan and have received conflicting information regarding who a Kohen is allowed to marry. It’s very confusing because obviously I only want to set up couples who are halachically allowed to marry each other. I know that a […]

Question: [Tuesday, 5th Tammuz, 5781] When we were in Israel a few years back, we bought from a souvenir shop a quite expensive pottery made Neigal Vaaser cup with hand designed paintings. After a few years of use, the pottery has begun to crack by its inside, although the outside […]

The history of washing for bread:[1] The obligation of washing hands prior to eating food is not rooted in the Torah, and is thus not of Biblical status, but rather is Rabbinical. The Rabbinical institution to wash hands developed gradually from generation to generation. Until the time of King Shlomo, […]

Question: [Monday, 27th Iyar 5781] Is it permitted for one to bentch on a couch if it is in the same room as the meal or must one return to his actual seat to bentch. This often happens on Shabbos that we go to the couch prior to the end […]

Introduction: The day of the passing of the Niftar is customarily commemorated annually by the relatives, family and friends of the deceased.[1] It is called a Yartzite in Yiddish, which literally means “the set time of the year.[2]” In Halachic tradition, we find various customs that are followed by the […]

Question: [Thursday, 30th Sivan 5781] I have a basket of laundry that I forgot to hang before Rosh Chodesh, may I hang it to dry on Rosh Chodesh?   Answer: Women and girls should not hang laundry on Rosh Chodesh unless you have a specific custom in your family to […]

Question: [Tuesday, 29th Sivan, 5781] I am generally careful to eat only Lubavitch Shechita. I would like to know what I’m to do when I eat at people’s homes as a guest who may not be careful in eating only meat and poultry of Lubavitch Shechita. I used to ask […]

The prohibition to create and continue a Machlokes/dispute:[1] It is forbidden to hold onto and continue[2] [or lend support[3] to] a dispute, and one who does so transgresses a negative command, as the verse[4] states “Do not be like Korach and his people.”[5]  This applies even if in truth one’s […]

Question: [Tuesday, 28th Sivan, 5781] My daughter’s class in elementary school was just taught by their teacher how to Daven Shemoneh Esrei and take the three steps back and forth in the beginning of Shemoneh Esrei. There was a controversy amongst the class as to how the three steps back […]

Reciting the six Zechiros:[1] The Mitzvah:[2] It is a positive command in the Torah to remember [daily] the following actions: Matan Torah and Mamad Har Sinai:[3] It is a positive command of Torah to remember [daily] the the event of the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Maaseh Amaleik:[4] […]

Question: [Monday, 27th Iyar 5781] I have seen some people, especially women, bounce their feet up three times [like we do by Kedusha] after they finish Davening Shemoneh Esrei, after they finish going forward the three steps. Is there any source for doing so and should I do so? Answer: […]

Severity of vows, swears, and promises: One is not to be accustomed in making vows. One who makes a vow, even if he fulfills it, is called a Rasha and a sinner.[1] One who makes a vow is considered like one who built a Bama at a time that building […]

Question: [Sunday, 26th Sivan, 5781] Is one to recite the Yehi Ratzon after each book of Tehillim on Shabbos Mevarchim if he is saying it without a Minyan? Answer: In such a case, there is no need to say it after each book of Tehillim, although if one desires to, […]

The Mitzvah of Techeiles-Back then & in today’s times:[1] As stated in the verse, the Biblical Mitzvah of Tzitzis requires that the Tzitzis strings contain both a set of white strings and a set of Techeiles strings. These two colors of string are all included within the same single Mitzvah […]

Mentioning Eliyahu Hanavi on Motzei Shabbos:[1] It is accustomed to mention [the name of] Eliyahu Hanavi on Motzei Shabbos after Havdala[2] as a prayer that he should come and proclaim the redemption.[3]   Eliyahu Hanavi writes the merits of the Jewish people:[4] During the time of Motzei Shabbos, Eliyahu Hanavi […]

Question: [Thursday, 23rd Sivan 5781] I was reciting Shnayim Mikra in Shul and heard Kaddish from the early Mincha Gedola minyan. May/Must I answer Amen and if I do then do I have to restart the Shnayim Mikra? Answer: Yes, you may choose to answer Amen to Kaddish or to […]

Question: [Tuesday, 22nd Sivan, 5781] I printed about 100 pages of a certain Torah file for the sake of distributing during a lecture and I have about 20 extra pages which were not distributed and not used or read from. Must I put it into Geniza, or can I simply […]

Writing the family name of the Chasan/Kallah/Witnesses in the Kesuba: One is not to write the family name in a Get and so is the custom.[1] Nevertheless, some Poskim[2] rule that by a Kesuba, in addition to writing the names and the father’s names of the Chasan and Kallah, one […]

Question: [Tuesday, 21st Sivan, 5781] If I have an itch on my foot during Davening, am I allowed to itch myself through my sock [i.e. On top of my sock] or would this make me be required to wash my hands afterwards?   Answer: Yes, it is permitted for you […]

How is one to answer Amen to Kaddish if more than one person is saying Kaddish and they are not saying it simultaneously?[1] If they do not conclude the stanzas in Kaddish simultaneously, and there is an interval of Kdei Dibbur between the two conclusions of the blessing, then one […]

Hashkafa: Should one follow after the permitted non-conventional treatments that work based on Segula? Despite the Halachic permission granted under fulfillment of the above conditions to perform treatments that do not work in accordance to medical science but rather Segula, the Poskim have denigrated its use in certain instances. The […]

Question: [Sunday, 19th Sivan, 5781] Is it permitted for me to place an ice cube in my hot bowl of soup or hot cup of tea on Shabbos in order to cool it down enough so I can drink it? Answer: It is permitted to enter an ice cube on […]

May one change diapers, or get a baby dressed after a shower, in front of Sefarim? A. Background: May Tefillin be near excrement?[1]  From the letter of the law, there is no prohibition to have Tefillin [or Sefarim] be within four Amos of actual feces even if the Tefillin [or […]

Question: [Thursday, 16th Sivan 5781] Dear Rabbi, we have a makeshift curtain that we constructed over our sliding door to shade from the sun in the afternoons and for privacy purposes and the way it works is that one side is nailed into the wall on one end of the […]

May one play building games such as Lego on Shabbos? A. Introduction to the building prohibition relevant to assembling parts of a vessel together: One who inserts the wood into the ax to serve as a handle is liable for the Biblical building prohibition. Similarly, anyone who inserts a vessel […]

Question: [Tuesday, 15th Sivan, 5781] I recently cracked a hard-boiled store-bought egg and saw a reddish blackish dot on the egg and wanted to know if I have to treat it as blood and throw out the egg? Answer: Yes. However, the rest of the eggs in the pot remain […]

 Using and practicing Non-conventional medicine-Part 2-The prohibition of Darkei Emori and Sorcery and Avoda Zara A. The prohibition of Darkei Emori:[1] What is Darkei Emori: Darkei Emori is literally defined as the ways of the Emorites. The Torah prohibits a Jew to follow the paths of the Emorites, which refers […]

Question: [Tuesday, 14th Sivan, 5781] I have read that it is forbidden to do bloodletting on Monday or Thursday due to some kind of danger being involved. My question is regarding getting a blood test or giving a blood donation and as to whether this too should be avoided on […]

Using and practicing Non-conventional medicine-Part 1-Introduction & Talmudic examples: Introduction: There are various forms of non-conventional medicine or treatments available today.[1] Some people come to the use of alternative medicine out of despair of lack of solutions from medical science for their ailments, or due to a disregard of medical […]

Question: [Monday, 13th Iyar 5781] I accidentally baked dairy cheese Borakes [thinking they were Pareve potato filled] in my meat oven at the same time that I baked meat. What is the law of my food and oven? Answer: If the meat and dairy products which cooked in the oven […]

Using the same stove top for cooking meat and milk:[1] It is highly recommended to have two separate stoves for meat and dairy in order to avoid possible Kashrus complications that can arise when sharing the same stove for cooking both meat and milk.[2] If one is unable to purchase […]

Question: [Sunday, 12th Sivan, 5781] I read in the Shulchan Aruch of Admur chapter 600:1 that in times that the new moon was sanctified based on testimony, that messengers were sent in the month of Nissan, Sivan, and Tishreiy to inform the populace as to when the moon was sanctified […]

Must/May a blessing be recited when borrowing the Tallis of a Shul for Duchaning, Aliyah, Chazan, and the like? A. Background: Is a blessing recited over a borrowed Tallis:[1] When borrowing a Tallis from another person for the sake of the Mitzvah it is proper for the borrower to ask […]

Question: [Thursday, 9th Sivan 5781] May one do a raffle on Shabbos or Yom Tov for a children’s gathering? Some places are accustomed to do so for all types of children gatherings on Shabbos and Yom Tov for the sake of garnering their interest in attending and behaving during the […]

Moving a Muktzah item with a shinuiy-Part 2-Examples of unusual manners of moving Muktzah: As explained in part one of this Halacha, all Muktzah objects are permitted to be moved in an unusual manner (shinui), which is defined as moving it with any body part other than one’s hands. The […]

Question: [Tuesday, 8th Sivan, 5781] May one perform Kiddush Levana on Motzei Shavuos, or should he wait until after Shabbos? Answer: In the Diaspora, when seven days have passed from the Molad [either seven complete days, or into the seventh day, depending on one’s accustomed way of ruling], then one […]

Does one wash hands and recite the morning blessing of Al Netilas Yadayim if he did not sleep[1] at night?[2] A. The debate: Background: There is a dispute amongst Poskim[3] as to the reason behind the morning washing, and consequently there is also a debate as to whether one who […]

To how short may the hair in the Halachic area of the Peiyos be cut?[1] Razer versus scissor: It is forbidden to cut the hairs in the Halachic area of the Peiyos with a razor.[2] [It is however, permitted to cut it with a scissor, or haircutting machine, even if […]

Question: [Thursday, 2nd Sivan 5781] If my hands are wet and I don’t have a towel, may I wipe my hands on my shirt on Shabbos? Answer: In general, it is best to use a towel for wiping one’s hands on Shabbos. [This is in addition to the general adherence […]

Are flowers in a vase Muktzah on Shabbos?[1] Background: All items that do not contain a use are considered Muktzah Machams Gufo on Shabbos and may not be moved for any purpose in a regular fashion, neither for space, use or to save from damage.[2] Thus, ground products such as […]

Question: [Tuesday, 1st Sivan, 5781] Is it permitted for a woman to iron clothing on Rosh Chodesh? Answer: The custom is to avoid all clothing related work, including ironing, unless you have a specific custom in your family to permit doing so. Nonetheless, the above is only regarding ironing clothing […]

May one cut the branch of a fruit tree to use as a decoration for Shavuos? Background of the custom to place plants and trees in one’s home on Shavuos:[1] It is customary to spread plants and trees in Shul and home in honor of Shavuos. Plants are spread in […]

Question: [Tuesday, 29th Iyar, 5781] Rabbi, if we are unable to get six people to Daven Shemoneh Esrei at the same time, what is the order of having someone say Shemoneh Esrei aloud for the sake of Kedusha, and may we also still say the Kadeishim afterwards. Answer: In such […]

Having gentile guests Yom Tov:[1] It is forbidden to invite gentile guests for a Yom Tov meal.[2] This applies even if all one’s food is already cooked.[3] If, however, the gentile arrived on his own, one may give him food to eat[4], although it is forbidden to invite and press […]

Purchasing Jewelry and clothing for one’s wife and daughters before Yom Tov:[1] It is a Biblical positive command and obligation for one to rejoice and be of happy spirit on Yom Tov.[2] This applies throughout all the seven days of Pesach, the eight days of Sukkos [i.e. including Chol Hamoed], […]

Question: [Monday, 28th Iyar 5781] Dear Rabbi, I would like to know if it is permitted for one to leave his mikvah towel in shul. I personally find it very disrespectful to leave a towel that was used to dry all parts of the body in middle of the sanctuary […]

Question: [Sunday, 27th Iyar, 5781] Is it permitted this year for one to take a haircut on this upcoming erev Shabbos being that Shavuos falls on Sunday night? Answer: Those who are accustomed not to take a haircut until erev Shavuos due to reasons of Kabbalah or due to their […]

Moving a Muktzah item with a shinuiy [i.e. unusual manner]:[1]  All Muktzah objects [under all categories, Muktzah Machmas Gufo, Chisron Kis, and Keli Shemilachto Lei’issur] are only forbidden to be moved in in the regular way that they are moved during the week, which is through using one’s hands.[2] However, […]

Question: [Thursday, 24th Iyar 5781] My daughter has a sty pimple by the side of her eye which is very much irritating her. May she place a bag of tea on her eyes for the sake of healing it on Shabbos. The pimple is causing her eyelid to close up […]

Question: [Wednesday, 23rd Iyar 5781] We have a number of extra tiles on our porch which are stacked by the edge of the gate which surrounds our porch. It’s been there for months without moving. Last night, one of the tiles somehow fell with the wind and smashed the windshield […]

One who accidently switched an item with another person:[1] If one attended an event, or participated in a Minyan or Shiur, and at the end of the event he accidently took the wrong coat, hat, umbrella, Tallis/Tefillin, or any other item, may he use that item until he finds the […]

Performing miracles using practical Kabala: *As stated below, it is forbidden for regular people to engage in practical Kabbalah and therefore the below information is for background knowledge purposes only! [From the letter of the law] it is permitted to perform magical illusions [i.e. Achizas Eiynayim] through Sefer Yetizra.[1] Furthermore, […]

Question: [Tuesday, 22nd Iyar, 5781] I work in the city as an electrician and was recently offered a job of being in charge of the maintenance of the air-conditioning units in a group of churches. I will often need to enter the church sanctuary in order to perform the maintenance. […]

Question: [Monday, 21st Iyar 5781] Must one avoid doing things of possible danger during Sefira just as avoided during the three weeks, such as to avoid going swimming especially in the ocean and avoid traveling in a plane and the like? Answer: From the letter of the law, there is […]

  Counting with a blessing after overhearing the Sefira/blessing from another:[1] If one casually overheard the counting of another person, whether from a private individual or congregation, without any particular intent of being Yotzei or not being Yotzei, then it is disputed as to whether he fulfilled his obligation.[2] This […]

If one used the bathroom prior to saying an after blessing for food which blessing is to be recited first?[1] If one ate an item that requires an after blessing [such as Borei Nefashos[2] or even Birchas Hamazon[3]] and forgot to say the blessing and urinated [or defecated] and then […]

Question: [Sunday, 20th Iyar, 5781] Is it permitted for one to say a blessing if he feels the urge to use the bathroom? Answer: No. One who feels the urge to use the bathroom is prohibited from saying a blessing. Explanation: Although the main discussion in the Poskim is regarding […]

Question: [Thursday, 17th yar 5781] We bought a pack of six individual plastic cups of pudding which are attached to each other by the sides and forgot to separate them from each other and open them before Shabbos. Am I allowed to separate them and open them on Shabbos in […]

Question: [Wednesday, 16th Iyar 5781] Is it permitted for one to listen to music starting from sunset of Lag Bomer, or must wait until nighttime [i..e Tzeis Hakochavim]?   Answer: One is to wait and not listen to music until after nightfall.   Explanation: In general, there is a debate […]

What is the law if prior to counting one said that “Today is Lag Baomer”, may he count that night with a blessing? If he said the words “Today is Lag Baomer”, he does not fulfill his obligation and may count that night with a blessing.[1] However, some[2] conclude one […]

Question: [Tuesday, 15th Iyar, 5781] I would like to know if it is permitted for one to use a sous vide cooker stick and container for both meat and dairy. Just to explain a little bit of how sous vide cookers work: One fills up a container with water and […]

Organ donation/transplant:[1] The question of organ donation is highly debated amongst Rabbanim and religious circles. Its question touches upon several Halachic prohibitions, which vary based on the state of the patient whose organ is being used. We have divided the ruling to four distinct cases: 1) If the person is […]

Question: [Monday, 14th Iyar 5781] If I forgot and did not Daven Maariv the previous night, what is the proper order of Tashlumin for the Maariv prayer? When should the second Shemoneh Esrei be prayed after Shacharis? Answer: The Tashlumin Shemoneh Esrei for Maariv which is prayed after Shacharis Shemoneh […]

The start time of Mincha-Davening Mincha Gedola:[1] One who Davens Mincha from 6 ½ Zmaniyos hours into the day [i.e. half an hour after the Halachic midday], and onwards, fulfills his obligation. [This time period is commonly referred to as Mincha Gedola.[2]] [However] the main time to Daven Mincha is […]

Question: [Sunday, 13th Iyar, 5781] This past Shabbos we got confused and accidentally read the wrong Haftorah. We read the Haftorah of Kedoshim [i.e. Yechezkal] instead of the Haftorah of Parshas Achrei Mos [Bnei Kushim]. Did we fulfill our obligation, and what should we have done if we remembered in […]