Listen to audio When may one get a haircut on Erev Shavuos?[1] It is permitted to get a haircut throughout the entire Erev Shabbos, and Erev Yom Tov [with exception to Erev Pesach], even past the time of Mincha. This applies even to a professional haircut that is being done […]

Listen here to audio May one perform Eruv Tavshilin before Erev Yom Tov or on the night before Yom Tov [i.e. Yom Tov is on Thursday night, may one perform it on Wednesday night, or prior]? The initial obligation to perform specifically on Erev Yom Tov:[1] Initially, the Eruv Tavshilin […]

Listen here to audio Shavuos Checklist   The days preceding Shavuos: Valuing time: The Rebbe notes of the Rebbe Rayatz that the period of time during the days preceding Shavuos were utterly precious to him and were hence used wisely. Shabbos Mivarchim Sivan: Av Harachamim is recited on Shabbos Mivarchim […]

Due to Covid-19, many individuals and communities have missed previous Shabbos Torah readings and are now able to make it to Shul for the first time on Shabbos. Different Rabbis are saying different things. Practically, may the Parshiyos be made up? There are different approaches regarding this matter: No makeup: […]

Cutting nails on Thursday:[1] It is a Mitzvah to cut one’s [hand[2]] nails every[3] Erev Shabbos.[4] If one is unable to wait until Friday, then one may cut his nails on previous days of the week.[5] However, some[6]  are particular to not cut the nails on Thursday.[7] [Practically, the widespread […]

Listen here to Audio Shiur Should one recite the blessing of Shehechiyanu upon putting on Tefillin for the first time?[1] Some Poskim[2] rule the blessing of Shehechiyanu is to be recited upon performing a Mitzvah for its first time, and hence a Bar Mitzvah boy is to say the blessing […]

Listen here to audio Shiur Is the Chabad custom to light a Yizkor candle? Many are accustomed to light a Yizkor candle [i.e. Ner Neshama] for the days that Yizkor is recited.[1] However, it is not necessarily the Chabad custom to light a candle for Yizkor.[2] Indeed, the Rebbe and […]

Counting Jews:[1] The prohibition: It is forbidden to count Jews [in numbers such as 1, 2, 3 etc].[2] [This applies whether one is counting an individual group of Jews or is counting the Jewish people as a whole, such as for census taking.[3] Rebbe Elazar says that anyone who counts […]

Making a celebratory meal and party: The old tradition of celebrating a Bar Mitzvah but not a Bas Mitzvah: The Zohar[1] states that the day of a boys Bar Mitzvah is similar to a wedding in terms of joy, and one must similarly rejoice on this day, just as one […]

Listen here to audio Shiur May one dab gel or cream on the skin on Shabbos?[1] May one dab cream on a baby’s red bottom on Shabbos? May one dab Vaseline on dried lips on Shabbos? Introduction: Placing a cream or gel on one’s skin on Shabbos touches upon two […]