Eating the Matzah before Chatzos By what time does the Afikoman have to be eaten by?[1] One must beware to eat the Afikoman prior to midnight.[2] [The Chabad custom is to be particular in this matter only on the first night of Seder, while on the second night one […]

  Kashering a Microwave for meat/dairy/Pesach:[1] Does it need to be Kashered? Some Rabbanim[2] say that a microwave does not need to be Kashered at all prior to use for meat/milk/Pesach, and simply needs to be wiped clean.[3] Accordingly, it may be used intermittently for meat and then dairy and […]

  Must inedible products [i.e. Shampoo, soap, perfume etc.] be Kosher for Pesach? Owning: All Chametz that has become inedible even for dogs before the 6th hour of Erev Pesach is permitted for one to own and benefit from on Pesach, although it is Rabbinically forbidden to eat it intentionally.[1] […]

Kitniyos:[1] The Halacha: The letter of the law:[2] Only the five grains; which are 1) wheat, 2) barley; 3) rye, 4) spelt, 5) oats, can leaven and become Chametz. All other grains/flours, such as flour made from rice or millet and all other legumes [and starches], cannot ever leaven and […]

  Does one have to do Bedikas Chametz to areas of Chametz that will be sold to the gentile?[1] Some Poskim[2] rule one is required to perform a Bedika to all areas on the night of the 14th, even if one plans to sell that area to the gentile on […]

  Matzah Shruyah/Gebrochts:[1] What is it? Matzah that has come to contact with water either by cooking with water or dipping in water. The Law: The Chassidic custom is not to eat any Matzah dipped in water due to a suspicion that part of the flour may not have been […]

  Garlic:[1] Garlic is not Chametz, or Kitniyus, and is thus permitted to be eaten over Pesach.[2] Nevertheless, there are those who are accustomed not to eat garlic on Pesach.[3] Those families who are accustomed to follow this custom are not to swerve from it.[4] However, those families who did […]

  Birchas Ilanos/Blessing over the blossoming of fruit:[1] [One who walks around outside] in the month of Nissan, and sees trees which are sprouting forth blossom, needs to say the blessing of “Shelo Chiser Beolamo Klum[2] Uvara Bo Brios Tovos Veilanos Tovos Leihanos Bahem Binei Adam.” This blessing is only […]

  A. Understanding the liquids that turn flour into Chametz: Water and water derivatives:[1] The Biblical definition of Chameitz refers only to dough that has been kneaded with water or with water derivatives. Only water or water derivatives can leaven the grain or flour. Fruit juice-Does fruit juice turn flour […]

  Unreachable Chametz-Chametz that is in cracks and crevices of tiles and furniture: Letter of law:[1] If one cannot remove the Chametz with his hands due to it being stuck under cracks and crevices and the like then it suffices for him to nullify the Chametz before the 6th hour […]

Thirty day before Pesach Reminders Avoiding sticky Chametz starting from thirty days before Pesach:[1] From thirty days before Pesach it is proper to be careful to avoid getting Chametz stuck onto surfaces, in a way that the Chametz will not be easily removable when Erev Pesach arrives. Giving children play […]

  Taanis Esther-A Yom Segula: The Kav Hayashar[1] writes that on Taanis Esther the gates of mercy are open, and it is hence an auspicious time for Hashem to accept one’s prayers. On this day one should recite psalm 22, which was recited in reference to Esther[2], and then supplicate […]

  Mishloach Manos-What is one to send-Must one send two different blessings?[1] One needs to send at least two[2] gifts of meat or other foods to one person. [Today the custom is to send sweets as Mishloach Manos.[3] There is no requirement that the gifts be of two different blessings. […]

  How much must one give for Matanos Laevyonim? Some Poskim[1] rule that the minimum amount for Matanos Laevyonim is a Peruta. Thus, if one gives the equivalent of a peruta worth to each pauper he has fulfilled his obligation. [This is a very minimal amount, being worth today, Adar […]

  The Molad of this past month of Adar was on Sunday, the 30th of Shevat at 6:20 AM. Accordingly, this past Motzei Shabbos was not yet seven complete days past the Molad and the question is asked regarding if one may have recited Kiddush Levana last night. Must one […]

  Summary of the laws of reading Megillah: Who is obligated in the Megillah reading? Every Jew is obligated in the Megillah reading. This obligation includes women. Children [boys and girls, who have reached the age of Chinuch], are educated to hear the Megillah once by night and once by […]

  One who missed a word or part of the reading?[1] The reader must read every word of the Megillah.[2] If he skipped a verse[3], or even one word[4], or even one letter[5], he and the congregation do not fulfill their obligation. The same applies for the listener; if he […]

  Marbim Besimcha:[1] One is to increase in joy throughout the month of Adar.[2] [Hence one is to rejoice himself, his wife and children during this month, similar to the Mitzvah of rejoicing them on Yom Tov.[3] Included in this Mitzvah is increasing in all matters that give one joy.[4] However […]

Using a set Keli Sheiyni-Must one dry his cup/plate prior to pouring into it from a Keli Rishon?[1] Example: One takes a washed clean glass cup from the dish wrack to make himself a coffee on Shabbos. Must one dry his cup prior to pouring into it? What about if […]

May one sit next to the opposite gender on a bus?[1] From the letter of the law, there is no prohibition involved in sitting near a person of the opposite gender. This applies whether on a bus, train or airplane, in which a man may be seated next to a […]

  May one use Maaser money for the sake of a Mitzva? Some Poskim[1] rule it is forbidden to use Maaser money for the sake of a Mitzvah, and rather it must be given as charity to paupers.[2] Other Poskim[3] however rule that under certain conditions it is permitted to […]

  May one repeat words in Davening? A. General law: Certain words and sentences of reference to Hashem are forbidden to be repeated in close proximity if it can be viewed that the repetition is for the sake of a second deity, or if it can appear as if he […]

  Approximating the knot of the Yud to the Bayis:[1] One is to beware that the Yud of the knot[2] [of the Tefillin Shel Yad] does not move from the Bayis [of the Shel Yad].[3]  [It is thus to be constantly touching the Bayis of the Shel Yad. It is […]

The Laws and Customs of Tu Beshvat  Introduction: The day of Tu Beshvat is a Halachic date that affects the laws of Kashrus of fruits. Due to this, it has become known as Rosh Hashanah Leilanos.[1] Throughout the generations other customs have become attributed to this day, such as the […]

  Crossdressing out of jest and fun/Purim/Chasana:[1] It is accustomed on Purim [and by Chasunas[2]] to allow males to wear the clothing of females and vice versa.[3] [However many Poskim[4] challenge this custom[5] and thus practically one is not to do so. Some write it is to be avoided even […]

  How to attach to the Talmid Chacham/Rebbe/Sage/:[1] The Sages[2] commanded and said that one is to attach to the dust of their feet and drink their words with thirst. [Women are also commanded to listen to the words of the Sages in order so they learn knowledge of G-d.[3]] […]

  Entering food into a bathroom May one eat in a bathroom?[1] One may not eat in a bathroom. May one enter food into a bathroom?[2] It is customary to avoid entering food into a bathroom.[3]  However in a time of need one may do so if the bathroom is […]

  May one invite a non-religious guest for Shabbos if he will desecrate Shabbos in order to come to you?[1] Some Poskim[2] rule it is forbidden to invite guests to one’s home for the Shabbos meal if this will cause him to desecrate Shabbos, such as to drive, in order […]

  Children’s inheritance of communal positions held by father: No custom or contract:[1] A son inherits his father’s position regarding all public matters that the father was empowered with. This however only applies if the son is capable of fulfilling the position. If the son is capable in fulfilling the […]

  Burying in a Jewish cemetery Burying near a Tzaddik, and near a Rasha and near a non-Frum Jew:[1] One may not bury a Rasha near a Tzaddik [and certainly may not bury a Tzaddik near a Rasha]. Furthermore, one may not even bury a small Rasha near a great […]

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  May one wash hands for bread with a Band-Aid/bandage?[1] One who has an injury on his hand and a bandage that is covering it, may wash his hands [with a blessing] without removing the bandage[2] if he is unable to remove it due to the pain of the injury.[3] […]

  Using someone’s item without permission:[1] It is forbidden for one to use an item that belongs to one’s friend without his permission.[2] This applies even if one only plans to use it on a mere occasion.[3] It is thus forbidden for one to visit his friend’s house in order […]

Beged Isha/Ish when no intent to cross-dress You’re out for a walk with your spose or daughter and she is cold. You are wearing a men’s jacket and don’t mind giving it to her to wear. Is it permitted to do so, or does it involve the prohibition of Beged […]

What is defined as Tznius Stockings-skin color and Denier #? Women wearing socks: According to majority of Poskim, and the ruling of Admur, women and girls are required to cover their legs and feet with socks/stockings when out in public or in the presence of other men. Even those who […]

Bayis Malei Sefarim-Purchasing Torah literature:[1] It is a Mitzvah [and obligation[2]] to publish [and purchase[3]] Chumashim, Mishnah, Gemara and their commentaries.[4] Some Poskim[5] rule that today this Mitzvah is a positive Biblical command, and is in place of the Mitzvah of writing a Sefer Torah.[6] [The purpose of this Mitzvah […]