Is the blessing of Shehechiyanu optional or obligatory?[1] The saying of the blessing of Shehechiyanu [over new fruits and joyous tidings[2]] is not obligatory and was instituted by the Sages as an optional blessing that one is allowed to say if he so feels, in those instances permitted by the […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Saying Tachanun when Davening by a Minyan who does not say it
Question: [Thursday 19th Iyar 5780] I tend to daven sometimes in a Chassidishe Shteibel for Mincha where I believe their minhag is not to say tachanun by Mincha even on reg days, my question is if I should say tachanun quietly even though they don’t or should I follow the […]
From the Rav’s Desk: May one cut his nails when Rosh Chodesh falls on Erev Shabbos?
May one cut his nails when Rosh Chodesh falls on Erev Shabbos?[1] Normally, one may[2] not cut their nails[3] on Rosh Chodesh.[4] However, when Rosh Chodesh falls on Erev Shabbos, some Poskim[5] rule it is permitted to cut the nails on Erev Shabbos Rosh Chodesh, and so is the implied […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Earning money from short-term Shabbos rentals
Question: I know that are not allowed to make money or do business on Shabbos. What do I do about my air B&B when I rent it out to Jewish families over Shabbos am I not allowed to charge them for their stay on Shabbos? Answer: There is no […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Does a woman become a Nida upon having an IUD inserted?
Question: With the Heter of a Rav I am having an IUD inserted, and the only available date for me to do it is smack in the middle of my Shiva Nekiyim? I am not nursing but am within two years after birth. I would like to know if the […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Source for the idea that if you speak Lashon Hara about someone, you get all of his sins and he gets all of your Mitzvos?
Question: Is there any source for the idea that if you speak Lashon Hara about someone then you get all of his sins and he gets all of your Mitzvos? Answer: Yes. This idea is first recorded in the Chovos Halevavos of Rabbeinu Bechayeh, and from there it is […]
Smoking cigarettes-Part 1-The Halachic debate of its permissibility
Smoking cigarettes-Is it permitted according to Halacha:[1] A. The law: There is no innate Halachic prohibition against smoking tobacco. The act of smoking tobacco is mentioned in numerous Poskim in regard to various Halachic matters[2], and was done by Gedolei Yisrael[3] of many generations as well as the average folk. […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Is Coca-Cola kosher everywhere in the world even without a Hechsher?
Question: We were flying on a class trip from Europe to the USA and were offered by the flight attendants what seemed to be a European or perhaps Turkish brand of Coca-Cola which does not have the OU symbol or any other Kosher symbol on it. So my friend said […]
May a parent serve a child and may a child ask a parent to do a chore for them
May a parent serve a child:[1] If a father desires to serve his son, it is permitted for the son to accept the service.[2] [Thus, if a father or mother desires to serve a meal to their son, they may do so, and the son does not have to protest […]
From the Rav’s Desk: The Keria of the Rebbe Rayatz when he visited Jerusalem and the Western wall?
Question: We were a group of yeshiva Bochurim who came to visit the Kosel and Mount of olives and when I mentioned the need to perform Keria, a number of my friends from amongst the Bochurim told me that when the Rebbe Rayatz visited Jerusalem and the Western wall he […]
