The Rebbe’s position on smoking cigarettes:[1] Not to proclaim that it is prohibited to smoke: The Rebbe refused to personally come out with a proclamation or decree that smoking is forbidden according to Jewish law, and nor did he endorse such a proclamation by other rabbis. The Rebbe expressed several […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Retracting from purchase of fridge if did not yet pay
Question: Someone in our neighborhood [a fellow Jew] publicized that they are selling their fridge. We contacted them and agreed upon the sale price although I explained to the seller that I don’t yet have the money to pay him and I will pay him the next month. He agreed […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Eating dinner with one’s wife
Question: I have a very demanding work schedule which often requires me to stay late at work and miss dinner at home. My wife is understanding but does not like the fact that on such nights I buy and eat dinner by my workplace and come home and not eat […]
Fleishig eggs-Part 2-Eggs found in a chicken after slaughtering
Fleishig born eggs-Eggs found in a chicken after slaughtering:[1] While a chicken is alive, it is only permitted to eat eggs that are naturally laid by the chicken after the gestation period is complete. If, however, the egg was removed or knocked out of the live chicken, and was not […]
From the Rav’s Desk: May a child immerse his thermos vessel in a Mikveh?
Question: My 10-year-old daughter won a raffle in her class for a very good quality metal thermos. There is a Keilim Mikveh right next door to her school building and she would like to know if she can Toivel it herself, or if she must give it to an adult […]
Fleishig eggs? Part 1
Fleishig eggs: A. Hardboiled eggs cooked with meat:[1] If an egg was cooked together with meat or poultry [i.e. Fleishig stew or Chulent] then the egg becomes Fleishig and it is forbidden to eat the egg with dairy. Furthermore, one must wait 6 hours after eating the egg prior to […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Wishing one to return to peace instead of with peace
Question: I am aware of the law and custom that when wishing someone farewell one should avoid using the term “Leich Beshalom” go with peace and should rather say “Leich Leshalom” go to peace. My question is regarding if one should also be careful in this when wishing their return […]
Accidentally ate a new fruit without saying Shehechiyanu-May Shehechiyanu still be said?
Accidentally ate a new fruit without saying Shehechiyanu-May Shehechiyanu still be said?[1] If one ate a new fruit without saying Shehechiyanu, then some Poskim[2] rule that Shehechiyanu may be said the next time he eats the fruit. Other Poskim[3], however, rule that Shehechiyanu may no longer be said and he […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Must one also cut his toenails on Erev Shabbos?
Question: Do I have to be careful to also cut my toenails on every Erev Shabbos, just as I cut my hand nails, and if so when do I have to cut them as I know we don’t cut both the hand and toenails on the same day? Answer: […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Wishing Kesiva Vechasima Tova to a gentile?
Question: I have gentile friends and relatives and would like to know if there’s any issue with writing to them in the month of Elul the cordial blessing of Kesiva Vechasima Tova as we wish fellow Jews? Answer: Yes, you may do so, and so was done by the […]
