Question: [Monday 24th Tishreiy, 5781] Is one halachically obligated to vote in a presidential election, mayoral election, etc?   In this specific case, the American elections, are there any instructions of how to vote and for whom?   Thank you   Answer: *Please note: The below is the Rav’s personal […]

Question: [Tuesday, 9th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] Should the plates be broken by a Lechaim even if the parents are not present? Due to covid, we are having a young peoples only engagement celebration and neither mine or her parents will be present. What should we do about breaking the plate? […]

Which side gets to choose the Misader Kiddushin, the side of the Chasan or the side of the Kallah?[1] The job of being Misader Kiddushin is customarily designated to the Rav of the city, and has become mandated in Halacha, with a prohibition against another individual taking the rights for […]

Question: [Monday, 8th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] On Shabbos afternoon we placed a disposable baking pan on top of our Fleishig Shabbos plata [upside down] for the sake of warming Challas on top of it. My daughter then unknowingly used that baking pan for baking a cheese sandwich in the dairy […]

Checklist of separating Terumos Umaasros Verify the status of your produce from which you wish to separate Teruma and Maaser: Is the fruit Arala or Neta Rivaiy? If Arla, it may not be eaten.[1] If Neta Rivaiy, it may be eaten after it is redeemed[2] without needing to separate Terumos […]

Question: [Sunday, 7th MarCheshvan, 5781] If I began Davening Shemoneh Esrei of Shacharis simultaneously with the Chazan starting his repetition of Musaf, may I answer Kedusha when I reach Kedusha together with him?   Answer: This matter is debated amongst the Poskim, and practically we [Ashkenazim] rule that it may […]

From Eretz Yisrael to Diaspora If an Israeli traveled to the diaspora before the 7th of MarCheshvan is he to begin reciting Vesein Tal Umatar on the 7th of MarCheshvan in the diaspora?[1] If an Israeli traveled to the diaspora before the 7th of MarCheshvan it is disputed amongst Poskim […]

May one remove a splinter on Shabbos?[1] It is permitted to remove a splinter on Shabbos [with one’s hands, tweezer, or needle as will be explained].[2] However, one needs to beware upon removing the splinter to do it in a way that it will not inevitably cause blood to come […]

If one borrowed a Tallis/Tefillin/Shofar/Daled Minim and damaged it, must he pay the owner for the damages? Negligence:[1] If one borrowed a Tallis/Tefillin/Shofar/Daled Minim and damaged it due to negligence, then he is obligated to pay the owner for the damages. Process of using/wearing: If one borrowed a Tallis/Tefillin/Shofar/Daled Minim […]

Question: [Monday 24th Tishreiy, 5781] I borrowed a fan from a friend and it suddenly died while I was using it. I tried to fix it unsuccessfully although did manage to get it to partially turn and blow air? My friend is now asking me that I pay her for […]