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 […]
Greeting the Opposite Gender
May one extend greetings to a woman, such as saying Shalom, good morning, good evening, or how are you?[1] One may not ask a woman at all as to her wellbeing.[2] This applies even if one does so indirectly, through a messenger. It is forbidden to send greetings even through […]
Ask the Rav: 1) Forgot Mashiv Haruach and remembered right away; 2) No spit by Aleinu; 3) During prayer thought time of Shema had passed
Question: [Monday, 15th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] If one forgot to say Mashiv Haruach Umorid Hageshem, and remembered at the end of the blessing prior to saying Hashem’s name. Should he go back and say it, should he say it then, or she just continue? Answer: According to the rulings […]
Hafrashas Challah-Saying “Harei Zu Challah”
Saying “Harei Zu Challah”:[1] After one separates a Kezayis of dough she is to say “Hareiy Zu Challah” or “This is Challah”. Bedieved if was not said:[2] If one did not say “Hareiy Zu Challah” but had in mind for it to become Challah, it is nevertheless valid. [If, however, […]
