Woman visiting a male doctor/Gynecologist:[1] It is permitted for a woman to see a male doctor, even if the Doctor will need to touch her, such as to check her pulse and the like.[2] This applies even if the woman is married, and even if there are other gentile [or […]
Ask the Rav: 1) Tefillin after haircut 2) Too many questions in class; 3) Hafrashas Challah if forgot and baked one batch
Question: [Friday 19th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] May one put on Tefillin after getting a haircut prior to washing his head or taking a shower? Answer: No. Strands of cut hair can be considered an invalidating intervening substance, and is hence to be washed off the head and body prior […]
Does Fish oil need an Hashgacha?
Does fish oil require a Hashgacha:[1] The oil of a non-Kosher fish is likewise Biblically non-Kosher.[2] Accordingly, all fish oil products require a Hashgacha to verify that the oil is derived from a Kosher fish. Fish oil is added in many foods such as Vitamins, medicines. The following will discuss […]
Ask the Rav:1) Eating Mezonos before Maariv 2) cutting hand and toenails on Friday and on Thursday night-Friday
Question: [Thursday 18th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] May I eat a bowl of cereal or pasta prior to Davening Maariv if I do not have a set minyan that I Daven with? Answer: One may eat up until 55 grams of Mezonos foods prior to Davening Maariv even if he […]
May one Pray and learn Torah near a bathroom?
Praying and learning Torah near a bathroom:[1] It is Biblically forbidden to learn Torah or pray within the sight or within a four cubit radius [i.e. two meters] of the walls of a bathroom, just as it is prohibited to learn or pray within the sight or within four cubits […]
Ask the Rav: May I eat the Friday night meal before Davening Maariv?
Question: [Thursday 11th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] I fell asleep on Erev Shabbos right before candlelight and woke up when it was already time for the meal. My question is whether I have to Daven Maariv first or can eat the meal first and do so after. Answer: While initially […]
May one wear a plastic rain cover on a hat or Sheitel on Shabbos?
May one place a plastic rain cover on a hat or Sheitel on Shabbos? It is permitted to put on a rain cover onto one’s hat on Shabbos and doing so does not pose an Ohel prohibition.[1] This applies whether the cover is special manufactured hat rain cover or one […]
Ask the Rav: Is a shower really valid as a mikvah alternative
Question: [Tuesday, 17th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] You have written in the past on numerous occasions that time that a mikvah is not available it is permitted for a man who is a Baal Keri to take a shower for several minutes. I want to inform you that in truth a […]
Gambling: The definition and moral and Halachic perspective
Gambling:[1] A. The prohibition: Some Poskim[2] rule it is forbidden to gamble [with a Jew] due to a Rabbinical stealing prohibition.[3] Other Poskim[4] rule there is no stealing prohibition involved in gambling even with a Jew, just as is the law by a gentile [as explained next]. (Nevertheless, even according […]
Ask the Rav: The number level of jaundice/bilirubin for which a Bris must be delayed
Question: [Monday, 8th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] What number jaundice is considered too high for a Bris to be able to be done on a baby? Answer: While it is clear from the Shulchan Aruch that yellowness, known as jaundice, is considered a type of illness for which we abstain […]
