Question: [Thursday, 2nd Marcheshvan 5783] I am accustomed to light candles every Erev Shabbos even though I am not yet married and still live at home, as is the Chabad custom. I forgot to light candles one Erev Shabbos [running late and lost track of time until it was after […]
Handing a gentile, or non-religious Jew, an item on Shabbos which they will carry through an area without an Eiruv-PART 2
Handing a gentile, or non-religious Jew, an item on Shabbos which they will carry through an area without an Eiruv:[1] A. Gentile: Placing the item in the hand of the gentile:[2] It is Rabbinically forbidden for one to place a food or item into the hand of a gentile on […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Hallel in house of Avel; Davening with a travelers waist pouch
1. Question: [Tuesday, 1st MarCheshvan 5783] We are Davening in a Shiva home today on Rosh Chodesh and would like to know what we should do about saying Hallel. There are lots of opinions amongst the Daveners and there is much confusion as to what we are to do. Skip […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Bishul Akum for Sephardim; Sewing torn garment to wear on Rosh Chodesh
Question: [Tuesday, 30th Tishreiy 5783] I am a non-Moroccan Sephardi and am touring Morocco with a group. We went to the local Shul in Marakesh [which has a kitchen] to pick up some Kosher food and they offered our group deep fried dough, known as spingim [i.e. Sufganiyot]. The dough, […]
Blessing on thunder and lightning-Criteria, Kdei Dibbur, how often
The Blessing over thunder and lightning: A. The blessing:[1] Upon seeing lightning and hearing thunder, one is required to say the blessing of “Baruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Melech Haolam Oseh Maaseh Bereishis.” [Alternatively,] if he wants, he may [instead] say [the blessing of] “Baruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Melech Haolam Shekocho […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Using a Neigal Vaaser cup which lost one of its handles
Question: [Sunday, 28th Tishreiy, 5783] One of the handles of our Neigal Vaaser cup broke off, and I would like to know if it is still valid to be used or not? Answer: So long as the cup itself remains whole without leaks, it remains valid for washing hands in […]
From the Rav’s Desk: What is one to do with the foreskin/arla after a Bris?
Question: [Sunday, 28th Tishreiy, 5783] We recently had a Bris for our son and the Mohel left us the Arla in a cup that is filled with earth. What should we do with this cup and with the Arla? Answer: You should bury it somewhere in the ground anywhere of […]
The history of the reading of the weekly Parsha in Shul [i.e. Kerias Hatorah]
The history of the reading of the weekly Parsha in Shul [i.e. Kerias Hatorah]: The establishment of Krias Hatorah:[1] Moshe Rabbeinu established for the Jewish people that they are to read from the Torah scroll on Shabbos and Holidays. [This reading is of Rabbinical status.[2]] What should be read-who established […]
The custom of hitting ones chidlren with Aravos on Hoshana Raba
Hitting the children with the Aravos:[1] The custom of the Chabad Rabbeim [as well as that of Tunisian and Morrocan Jewry[2]] was to gently “whip” their sons with the Hoshanah branches. This included even their adult children. Children above age 18 received three light hits. Those below age 18 received […]
From the Rav’s desk: 1) Making up Hoshanos for Shabbos on hoshana raba; 2) Flatulating in sukkah 3) Hole in pitom
Topic: 1) Repeating Hoshanos of Shabbos on Sunday Question: [Friday, 19th Tishreiy, 5783] This year that Hoshanah Rabbah falls on Sunday, what do we do about the repeating of the Hoshanos that we omitted on Shabbos. Do we not repeat it on Sunday Being that anyways, we’ll be saying all […]
