Question: I am livid over the news that has come out of Israel during Simchas Torah. I feel I need to do something to help and assist our brethren in Israel who are fighting for their very existence. As much as I want to do this to help for the […]

After Sukkos: A. Isru Chag: The name Isru Chag derives from the verse “Isru Chag Baavosim Ad Karnei Hamizbeiach.” This means to say that this day is to be attached [i.e. Isru] to the Holiday itself, and by doing so the verse considers him to have built an Altar and […]

Should one eat Mezonos and say the blessing of Leisheiv Basukkah after shaking Lulav?[1] Some Chassidim are particular, based on an acclaimed oral[2] statement of the Rebbe to a certain individual Chassid during the Yom Tov meals, to eat a Kibeitza of Mezonos and say Leisheiv Basukkah after shaking the […]

Question: I have a job working in a grocery shop during the year and was asked to come in during Chol Hamoed, which is a regular workday. May I do so?   Answer:               Yes. It is permitted for you to continue to work as normal in a grocery shop over […]

Chapter 1: Melacha on Chol Hamoed 1. The importance of guarding the Moed: The Sages stated that one who belittles the Moed does not have a portion in the world to come and it is considered as if he has served idols. Hence, one must be very careful in the […]

The purpose of Chol Hamoed: Torah learning: The entire purpose of Chol Hamoed is for the sake of the Jewish people dedicating themselves towards Torah learning. Throughout the year we are involved in mundane work in efforts to sustain our family and contribute to society. The week of Chol Hamoed […]

Question: [Wednesday, 18th Nissan, 5781] Is it permitted for one to iron clothing during Chol Hamoed? Answer: Yes. Many Poskim rule that it is permitted for one to iron clothing on Chol Hamoed [for the sake of Chol Hamoed or Yom Tov]. However, some Poskim rule that the custom is […]

Question: When Yom Tov falls on Shabbos and Erev Sukkos is Erev Shabbos, when is one to bind the Lulav together, on Erev Yom Tov, Erev Shabbos, or keep them in the fridge and bind them Motzei Shabbos or Sunday morning?   Answer:               According to Chabad custom, it is to […]

Question: In the past I heard that if a person is careful to fulfill the mitzvah of dwelling in the Sukkah then this is a Segula for Shalom Bayis. Is this accurate?   Answer:               Yes, there is a source for this statement in the Yifei Laleiv who writes as follows: […]

The Mitzvah of dwelling in a Sukkah: A. The Mitzvah: The Torah commands us to dwell in a Sukkah for seven days from the 15th of Tishrei through the 21st of Tishrei. This Mitzvah is a positive Biblical command and is fulfilled every moment that one dwells in the Sukkah. […]