Question: [Wednesday 6th Elul, 5780] Rabbi Goldstein Should someone avoid davening for something petty (like their son winning a ball game), so as not to “diminish zechusim”? Answer: B”H There is a Mitzvah Min Hatorah to Daven to Hashem for things that you want. This itself can serve […]
Hearing a Zoom Shofar blowing
Does one fulfill the custom of hearing Shofar in Elul through hearing a live blowing taking place via Zoom and the like? Background: One is obligated to hear the original Shofar sound in order to fulfill his Mitzvah on Rosh Hashanah, and it does not suffice to hear an echoed […]
May one wear a mask on Shabbos and adjust the metal strip around one’s nose?
May one wear a mask on Shabbos and adjust the metal strip around one’s nose? Background: It is forbidden to fix things on Shabbos due to the prohibition of Tikkun Keli.[1] Thus, it is forbidden to even simply bend a needle back in shape due to the prohibition of Tikkun […]
Does the prohibition of Tzaar Baalei Chaim apply also against causing pain to humans, or being complicit to it?
Does the prohibition of Tzaar Baalei Chaim apply also against causing pain to humans, or being complicit to it? If one causes pain to another human does he transgress Tzaar Baalei Chaim? Introduction: It is Biblically forbidden to cause pain to any[1] living creature [without a Halachically justifiable reason].[2] The […]
May one do Melacha on Motzei Shabbos before Maariv?
Delaying Melacha until after Maariv:[1] In addition to waiting until three small consecutive stars are visible[2] and saying Havdalah in prayer or saying Baruch Hamavdil[3], every meticulous[4] person is to delay doing any [Biblical[5]] Melacha until the congregation has recited the Seder Kedusha [i.e. the entire paragraph of Veata Kadosh[6]] […]
How many children must one have to fulfill the Mitzvah of having children?
How many children must one have to fulfill the Mitzvah of having children?[1] Biblically: When a man fathers a boy and a girl, he fulfills the Mitzvah of Peru Urevu [as soon as the child is born[2]]. [If he only fathered one gender, either male or female, then he does […]
Sheitel heads and Idol Worship
https://vimeo.com/134816041 Sculptures, drawings and engravings: [1] The Torah[2] prohibits making a sculpture and engraving certain items which resemble the spiritual legions of Hashem. Some of these items are even forbidden to be drawn. In Halacha A the law of drawing forms in the Madurei Elyon [Celestial legions] will be discussed. […]
Wearing a cotton Tallis Katan
This Halacha is an excerpt from our SeferBuy me on Amazon.com May one wear a cotton Tallis Katan? A. The issues of concern: Wearing a cotton Tallis Katan touches upon two Halachic issues 1) Is the material Biblically obligated in Tzitzis, and hence is one Biblically fulfilling the Mitzvah upon wearing it? […]
May one use a peeler on Shabbos?
May one use a peeler to peel fruits and vegetables on Shabbos?[1] Inedible peels:[2] Those fruits and vegetable which majority of people do not eat together with the peel, and it is rather removed and discarded prior to eating, according to all opinions, it is [Biblically[3]] forbidden to use a […]
Passing between two men/women
Passing between two people of the opposite gender:[1] A [lone[2]] man may not pass in between two women, and a [lone] woman [may not pass] between two men, due to that the evil spirit resides [on the person when he/she does so]. [This especially applies if the woman is a […]
