Question: I switched areas during my meal taking my food with me, with prior intent to do so by Hamotzi, and forgot to eat a piece of bread while I was in my second area and only remembered after I already said Al Naharos Bavel and performed Mayim Achronim? What […]
Mourning after midday & Learning the laws of Beis Habechira/The Temple
This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com Mourning after midday during the three-week period:[1] Some have the custom to mourn and cry over the destruction of the Temple for a half hour or more each day, after midday, throughout the days of the 17th of Tammuz and […]
From the Rav’s Desk: The scriptural punishment for oppressing an orphan
Question: Is it true that someone who oppresses an orphan is cursed by Scripture to also become an orphan? My kid came home saying that kids in his class were picking on a certain boy who does not have a mother, and one of his classmates said that they have […]
Avoiding dangerous activity during the three weeks
This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com Avoiding dangerous activity during the three weeks: From the laws which warn against hitting a child[1], or walking during certain times of the day[2], we learn that there is an element of danger involved during the period of the three […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Is fasting today optional or obligatory?
Question: [Thursday, 17th Tamuz, 5783] I heard someone quote that in today’s times fasting is no longer obligatory and is only a custom? Is there any truth to this? Answer: While this may be theoretically accurate, it is practically false, and all Torah observant Jews are obligated to fast by […]
If one is flying on a fast day when is he to break his fast?
If one is flying on a fast day and is extending or hastening the sunset, when is he to break his fast? He is to break his fast as soon as Tzeis Hakochavim arrives in the area that he is currently in. Thus, if he flew from the U.S. to […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Meaning of Es Vaheiv Basufa
Question: [Wednesday, 16th Tamuz, 5783] I have heard many times the words from Scripture of Es Vaheiv Basufa be used to describe peaceful relations between two people who were in a fight or between two scholars who argue with each other. Can you clarify how this verse hints to this […]
From the Rav’s Desk: When do the three week regulations begin, the night of the 17th or the next day?
Question: [Tuesday, 15th Tamuz 5783] There is a concert scheduled to take place this Wednesday night which is the 17th of Tamuz. May I go to the concert? My basic question is do the three-week restrictions begin to apply already on the night of the 17th of Tamuz or do […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Can one who already bentched join a Zimun?
Question: [Monday, 9th Sivan 5783] We were a group of 10 during a meal, three of which did not wash but did eat other foods which require an after blessing. The other seven washed on bread, however the problem is that one of them already Bentched. So basically, my question […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Was Balaam and Lavan the same person?
Question: [Sunday, 13th Tamuz, 5783] I have heard various conflicting things of the relationship between Balaam and Lavan with some saying that they were the same person and others saying that they were relatives and others saying that there is no connection. Can you clarify this matter? Answer: Indeed, in […]
