Men removing white hairs:[1] It is [Biblically[2]] forbidden for a man to remove even a single white hair from amongst black hairs [so he does not appear old[3]] due to the prohibition of “Lo Yilbash Gever Simlas Isha.”[4] [One who does so is liable for lashes.[5] This applies to the […]

The greatness and severity of the Mitzvah of Tefillin:[1] The reward for the Mitzvah of Tefillin is very great. The following statements are recorded by Admur and Chazal regarding the greatness and importance of this Mitzvah: A. Karkafta-Poshei Yisrael Begufan:[2] One who does not put on Tefillin [for even one […]

Question: [Motzei Shabbos, 26th Teves 5781] What is the law if in the middle of Kerias Hatorah one realizes that he has lost the Minyan? We had exactly 10 for our minyan and evidently somebody got up and left.   Answer: In such a case, you simply continue Kerias Hatorah […]

Question: [Wednesday, 29th Teves 5781] Can one retract from a compromise agreement? If I had a dispute with my friend over a certain monetary matter and we agreed to a certain compromise, may one of us later back out of the compromise? Basically, I rented an item to a friend […]

Question: [Tuesday, 28th Teves 5781] Dear Rabbi, our Chuppah is already scheduled to begin and I cannot seem to find the wedding ring that I bought for the Kiddushin to give my Kallah under the Chuppah. We checked all our pockets as well as the clothing in my apartment and […]

May a renter remove his Mezuzah upon moving out of the home-Part 2-Circumventing the prohibition: It is possible to circumvent the prohibition, and retrieve one’s Mezuzos, in the following ways: The new renter or owner comes to the home and removes the Mezuzos of the previous renter and replaces it […]

May a renter remove his Mezuzah upon moving out of the home-Part 1:[1] Upon moving out of a rental home, the renter may not remove his Mezuzahs from the doors.[2] [This applies even if one plans to place the Mezuzos on the doors of his new home.[3] Furthermore, this applies […]

Question: [Monday, 27th Teves 5781] Dear Rabbi, I am a convert, but my father was Jewish and would like to know whether I should keep the Yartzeit of my father as well as whether I receive precedence to lead the prayer for the Amud over somebody who is within the […]

Davening Maariv with a Minyan during Pelag Hamincha versus Davening in private after nightfall?[1] One who normally Davens Maariv after nightfall who is present by a Minyan that Davens Maariv after Pelag Hamincha, is to Daven with them [if a Minyan will not be available later on[2]], and then repeat […]

Question: [Motzei Shabbos, 26th Teves 5781] According to Chabad custom is it proper to pray out loud? I am not referring to the prayer of Shemoneh Esrei which I understand is forbidden to be said out loud, but rather to the rest of the prayer, such as Pesukei Dezimra, Birchos […]

How to distribute the Kiddush wine to the listeners and how to “fix” it prior to the distribution:[1] A. Introduction: While there is no obligation for the listeners to drink from the Kiddush wine in order to fulfill their obligation of Kiddush[2], nonetheless, it is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar for […]

Question: [Thursday, 23rd Teves 5781] Is it permitted to sweep leaves that have fallen onto my patio on Shabbos and does it make a difference if they fell before Shabbos or on Shabbos?   Answer: It is permitted to sweep leaves from a tiled floor on Shabbos, such as the […]

Question: [Wednesday, 22nd Teves 5781] What is the proper blessing to say over French toast. I’ve heard some people say that it’s Mezonos and I wanted to know if this is true.   Answer: Slices of French toast that are a Kezayis or more in size receive the blessing of […]

Lending money to a person who has no means of paying back:[1] If the lender knows that the borrower does not have the means to pay back the loan, and does not plan to invest the money in a business which will bring profit, but rather wants to use it […]

Question: [Tuesday, 21st Teves 5781] Rabbi, I learn in Yeshiva and receive a monthly stipend from my parents to use as spending money. My question is whether I’m obligated to take off 10% for Maaser from this money or perhaps I’m even not allowed to do so as my parents […]

Shemira before wedding:[1] The Chasan and Kallah are not to go out alone for several days[2] prior to the wedding.[3] [Practically, many are accustomed to follow this practice one week before the wedding. Others begin to follow it the Shabbos before the wedding, and others from when they arrive in […]

Question: [Sunday, 19th Teves 5781] In a previous question and answer you wondered about the custom of approximating the Gartel to the Sefer Torah prior to the half Kaddish. I wanted to inform you that indeed this was seen done by the Rebbe himself and hence this is itself the […]

Burying in Eretz Yisrael:[1] It is a great Mitzvah and merit to be buried in Eretz Yisrael.[2] It is even permitted to unbury the remains of a person in the Diaspora for the sake of reburying him in Eretz Yisrael[3], and certainly one may initially bring the deceased from the […]

Does Four cornered bedding [i.e. sheets; blankets; pillows] require Tzitzis, or to have one of its corners rounded?[1] The Torah obligates a Jewish male to tie fringes onto four corner garments, and prohibits four corner garments from being worn by Jewish males until either the fringes are tied to their […]

Question: [Motzei Shabbos, 19th Teves 5781] I suffer from dull tooth pain. May I bite on a clove on Shabbos for the sake of relieving it? Answer: You should only do so in the process of eating such as to add cloves to a salad or other food and eat […]

Question: [Thursday, 16th Teves 5781] Is it permitted on Shabbos to give a standing ovation? Meaning to clap hands after someone’s speech and the like? I believe that I was taught that while you are allowed to clap hands for music and singing, you may not clap hands to applaud […]

Question: [Tuesday, 14th Teves 5781] I only have a certain amount of time in my schedule for learning Chassidus and wanted to know what has priority, learning Likkutei Sichos of the Rebbe, or learning Torah of the Alter Rebbe? Also, on Shabbos between Mincha and Maariv and prior to Shacharis, […]

  Liability for damages caused by one’s items that were negligently left in a public area: Not to place a potentially damaging object in a public area: It is an act of piety for a person to hide his sharp objects [nails/glass], and any other damaging item, in an area […]

What is the law if the Kesuba became lost:[1] It is forbidden for a couple to remain even one hour without a Kesuba.[2] Therefore, if a couple lost the Kesuba [or an invalidation was found in it[3] then] they must have a new Kesuba written immediately, as soon as they […]

Question: [Monday, 13th Teves 5781] We were cooking pasta in a meat pot that had been used for cooking meat in the past 24 hours and accidentally placed on it a dairy cover that has not been used for dairy for many months. What is the law of my pasta […]

Attending a meal and joyous event during the year of Aveilus, past Shloshim [1] *From our Sefer “The laws of Mourning” Volume 2 Chapter 23. See there for the full details of this subject! The laws of attending a meal during the year of Aveilus is similar to the laws […]

Question: [Motzei Shabbos, 12th Teves 5781] Should one make a blessing of Haietz when eating olives during a meal with bread? Is it similar to all fruits that we say a Haeitz during the meal or is it different being that it is not sweet? Answer: One who eats olives […]

Removing one’s shoes with one’s hands:[1] One who removes [or even touches[2]] his shoes with his hands[3] is required to wash his hands one time [immediately] afterwards. This applies even if the shoes are clean.[4] [This applies even if one only touched his shoes with his pinky.[5] If the shoes […]

Question: [Motzei Shabbos, 12th Teves 5781] Does the prohibition against making use of a tree also apply against a pot plant? Answer: Yes, it follows the same exact law as a growth from the ground, and thus if the plant contains a hard stem which if bended will break, and […]

Question: [Thursday, 9th Teves 5781] With all due respect what you are saying about not learning Torah on the night of December 25th is not true. The Rabanim poskined to not learn Torah for one reason. They were afraid of pogroms being carried out against Jews learning Torah together, during […]

Question: [Monday, 6th Teves 5781] How does one separate Teruma and Maasros from a lemon tree? My main question is regarding its years of Maasros and how to calculate when it belongs to the year of Maaser Sheiyni and when it belongs to the year of Maaser Ani. Do we […]

Question: [Tuesday 7th Teves, 5781] There is a strange smell of spoiled food in our Beis Midrash and we have tried to discover its source unsuccessfully. My question is whether it is permitted for us to continue learning and Davening in the area? The smell is very pungent.   Answer: […]

Question: [Monday, 6th Teves 5781] Dear Rabbi,   What is your opinion on all the various doomsday speakers that the Jewish world has merited to have? There are so many Frum speakers today available on the Internet that you can listen to, and some of the speakers tend to include […]

Question: [Thursday, 2nd Teves 5781] Dear Rabbi, I was wondering what the perspective of Judaism is regarding if there is a spiritual connection between the members of a family aside of course for the biological connection of them being relatives. Meaning, is there a subconscious and telepathic connection between family […]

The Dreidel in Halacha and Agadah:[1]  A. Background of the custom: It is customary to play Dreidel during Chanukah.[2] As tradition has it, this game was historically played in the times of the Greeks when it was prohibited for Jews to study Torah. They would study Torah in secret and […]

Question: [Tuesday, 29th Kisleiv 5781] My father lives in an assisted living complex and has tremendous difficulty moving around, including movement of his arms. I have tried to be with him for each night of Hanukkah to light the candles with him although tonight I will not be able to […]

Question: [Tuesday, 29th Kisleiv 5781] Our family is going to relatives overnight and returning the next evening. We will be arriving past midnight back home and was wondering where we should light the candles, by our relatives before we travel or at home after we arrive? Answer: This matter is […]

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here When to light the Chanukah candles:[1] The end of sunset:[2] The candles are to initially[3] be lit at the end of sunset.[4] It is not to be lit prior to sunset, nor after the conclusion of sunset.[5] Some Poskim[6] […]

Must one stand upon lighting the Chanukah candles? One is required to stand when saying blessings which involve commands, such as when saying the blessing over Tzitzis, and Tefillin.[1] Accordingly, one is required to stand upon saying the blessings over the Menorah lighting. However, technically, this only applies to the […]

Question: [Monday, 28th Kisleiv 5781] On Shabbos in our outdoor Minyan area we found droppings of what I believe was a cat on the floor. There were also bird droppings all over the place and my question is whether it is permitted for one to Daven in such an area? […]

Question: [Thursday, 24th Kisleiv 5781] Our house entrance is made in the way that after you open the door and walk in, there are a few steps going down into the home, into the living room area where the couch is and where we would like to light the Hanukkah […]

Question: [Thursday, 24th Kisleiv 5781] Is it permitted on Shabbos to play Dreidel? Also, may I play using beans that we designated for this purpose or are they considered Muktzah? Answer: This is a complex question, as the playing of Dreidel on Shabbos can involve a “gambling” prohibition, and when […]

Question: [Wednesday, 23rd Kisleiv 5781] I am in the year of mourning for my mother r”l and regularly pray for the Amud. I would like to know if I should be the one to light the Hanukkah candles in shul after Mincha or not. Is there any issue for mourners to […]

If one’s wife or/and daughters will not be coming home until after nightfall, is one to delay the lighting until they arrive? It is proper even in today’s times [that the custom is to light indoors], to initially light the candles at its proper time [i.e. immediately after sunset/nightfall, each […]

  Must household members [daughter; wife; Sepharadi boys] who are fulfilling the Mitzvah with the father of the house be present at the time of the blessing? It is preferable for all the household members to be present at the time of the lighting and blessings.[1] If a household member […]

Question: [Sunday, 20th Kisleiv 5781] I had a little bit of wine to drink while I was eating grapes. I did not have enough individually of the grapes or wine to be able to say an after blessing but if I were to join them together then it would be […]

Should one do “Iskafya[1]” on Shabbos and refrain from delving into lavish delicacies?[2] It is clear that both on the Halachic[3] and esoteric[4] aspects of the Torah it is a Mitzvah to embellish in Oneg Shabbos, by eating delicacies and drinking fine beverages, and the concept of sanctifying oneself with […]

Question: [Thursday, 17th Kisleiv 5781] Is it permitted on Shabbos for me to rest my Siddur on a pot plant? I have many pot plants in my yard sitting on the gate and they are a perfect height for me to rest my Siddur on when I Daven there on […]

Question: [Wednesday, 16th Kisleiv 5781] I have a monetary dispute with a friend, and we decided to take her to a Zabla Beis Din. After I chose my judge I had a change of heart and would like to choose someone else instead. May I do so? Answer: It depends […]

Question: [Tuesday, 15th Kisleiv 5781] It often happens that I reach Shemoneh Esrei a minute or two after the congregation has already begun to Daven Shemoneh Esrei together. I’m not sure what I should be doing in this situation and if I should just start Davening right away and take […]

Question: [Monday, 14th Kisleiv 5781] Dear Rabbi,   I was unfortunately shocked to discover that I accidentally ate a food that was not kosher. I honestly thought that it had a Hashgacha, as there is a similar product under the same brand with a Hashgacha, and only after I ate […]

Question: [Sunday, 13th Kisleiv 5781] Is it permitted for one to give a speech in a shul with his back facing the Aron kodesh? Answer: Yes, it is permitted to do so. Although we do not sit with our backs facing the Aron [unless the Bima is between the Aron […]

Question: [Thursday, 10th Kisleiv 5781] Is one allowed to crush Doritos or other types of chips into his salad on Shabbos. Basically, I love eating my salad together with crushed Doritos and would like to know if it is permitted for me to do on Shabbos as well? Answer: It […]

How to “fix” the Kiddush wine prior to distribution to the listeners-Part 1:[1] A. Introduction-Understanding the issues: While there is no obligation for the listeners to drink from the Kiddush wine in order to fulfill their obligation of Kiddush[2], nonetheless, it is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar for them to drink […]

Question: [Wednesday, 9th Kisleiv 5781] What is to be given to the Kohen by the Pidyon Haben if the Kohen does not own the silver coins used for the Pidyon Haben? May I give him a check or credit card cash, and if so how much? Answer: The father of […]

May a man send a present to a woman? A man is to avoid sending gifts to a widow or any single woman.[1] Likewise, some Poskim[2] rule one is to avoid sending gifts to even to a married woman due to Sheilas Shalom.[3] However, when doing so without any intent […]

Question: [Tuesday, 8th Kisleiv, 5781] If by Nesias Kapayim there is only one Kohan who went up to Duchan what is the Chazzan to read when he reaches the section of Kohanim? Should he say the entire paragraph of Elokeinu out loud as usual, or should he say it quietly, […]

The reasons for the prohibition of eating milk and meat: The Mefarshim and Poskim mention several reasons behind why G-d prohibited the mixture of meat and milk: Chok: Some[1] explain that the true reason behind this prohibition is beyond the understanding of a human, and it is hence deemed as […]

Question: [Monday, 7th Kisleiv, 5781] I found a liquid vitamin supplement product called xxxxxxx that is made from non-Kosher gelatin under the Rabbinical supervision of an Orthodox rabbi in xxxxxx, named xxxxx. I wanted to know if this is reliable? Answer: It should not be consumed by anyone who eats […]

Question: [Motzei Shabbos, 6th Kisleiv, 5781] May one get a haircut on Motzei Shabbos? My son is not home from yeshiva that often and because of the short Friday we have not had time to give him a haircut on Erev Shabbos. May I give him a haircut on Motzei […]

Not touch the washing water:[1] One must be [very[2]] careful[3] not to touch the water in the vessel before washing[4] as one who does so contaminates the water with his hands [and is considered as if it was already used and is hence invalid for washing[5]]. Thus, one must be […]

Question: [Thursday, 3rd Kisleiv, 5781] May one put together a folding table on Shabbos by inserting the legs into the table surface? I own a folding table which is made in the following way: The legs and frame on which the table rests are taken apart from the table and […]

Who is obligated in lighting Shabbos candles-Men versus women?[1] Both men and women are obligated to have candles lit in their homes on Shabbos.[2] Nevertheless, women are more obligated in this Mitzvah [than men].[3] [Thus, in a household that contains a man and woman, such as husband and wife, or […]

Question: [Wednesday, 2nd Kisleiv, 5781] How does one Kasher an electric stovetop?   Answer: There are different types of electric stovetop which carry different laws. Kashering elevated coils [i.e. coil cooktops]: The old-fashioned electric stove tops that are made with the electric coils raised above the surface area of the […]

Does life exist on other planets? What is the Torah’s perspective?[1] The approach of the scientists: So, as you may know, there is no answer for this question. Scientists and astronomers have no definitive proof of either the negation of the existence of extraterrestrial beings, otherwise known as aliens, nor […]

Question: [Tuesday, 19th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] May one check his Tzitzis inside the changing area of the mikvah where there are people who are undressed?   Answer: Yes, not only is there no problem in checking one’s Tzitzis in a Mikveh but he must do so prior to wearing them […]

Rosh Chodesh includes all the days of the month:[1] The day of Rosh Chodesh includes all the days of that month, similar to that Rosh Hashanah includes all the days of the year. This means to say that just as on Rosh Hashanah the Divine light which supplies blessing for […]

Question: [Monday, 29th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] Is one permitted to use Sechach for the sake of starting a bonfire?   Answer: Yes. It is only forbidden to use Sechach for belittling purposes. It is clear from the Poskim that using it to start a fire is not considered a belittling […]

1. The Shibsa impurity-The reason behind the restrictions prior to washing hands in the morning:[1] Impurity resides on body: The Sages stated that upon sleeping for sixty breaths[2] at night the G-dly soul of every Jew ascends from the body and a spirit of impurity [which is called Shibsa and […]

Question: [Shabbos, 27th Mar Cheshvan, 5781]  Is it true that when somebody makes kiddush then all the open wine on the table is considered used under that kiddush, and as if kiddush was already made on it, and can no longer be used for kiddush? Basically, what happened was is that while I […]

Question: [Thursday, 25th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] With regard to rain bonnet wearing on Shabbos – is it permissible to wear the rain bonnet around your waste? As for example, when you go to Shul or anywhere else on Shabbos it is not raining but the sky is cloudy and it […]

Helping for Shabbos-A Mitzvah and obligation upon each person:[1] Best to personally perform all the Shabbos preparations: Even if one has many servants he is to endeavor to personally prepare [all[2] or as much as possible of] his Shabbos needs.[3] [This applies even if doing all the Shabbos preparations will […]

Question: [Wednesday, 24th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] Is it permitted for one to pray or learn Torah next to a child’s potty? When we travel, we usually bring it with us and place it behind the backseat in the trunk of our SUV. Is it permitted for us to talk words […]

Question: [Tuesday, 23rd Mar Cheshvan, 5781] Hi, thank you for your informative article regarding the allowance to pray near the door of the bathroom of your home due to being considered a shared wall unlike a mobile bathroom. There were a couple points that weren’t clear to me from this […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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:[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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Question: [Sunday, 14th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] What is the Torah source for wearing masks? Meaning, aside for the general obligation to guard one’s health is prescribed by doctors is there any specific source in Torah that discusses the wearing of masks during an epidemic of which I am sure there […]

Saying Modeh Ani:[1] Immediately upon awakening, even prior to washing ones hands[2], it is proper[3] to [accustom oneself[4] to] say Modeh Ani.[5] The reason for reciting Modeh Ani: This is done in order to remember that Hashem is standing over him and motivate him to get up with alacrity.[6] Alternatively, […]

Question: [Thursday 11th Mar Cheshvan, 5781] We have a table outside with an open summer umbrella and was wondering if it is permitted for me to move it on Shabbos, such as if the table is in one area of our yard where there is currently no sun and would […]

Davening Mincha after candle lighting on Erev Shabbos:[1] A woman who lights Shabbos candles, and thus accepts Shabbos with her lighting, is to Daven Mincha beforehand.[2] [If she did not do so, and has already lit her candles, then she may not daven Mincha afterwards, and is to rather Daven […]

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 […]