Question: [Sunday, 14th 5783] My son recently got engaged to a girl whose name is Rachel. Now, my wife, the Chasan’s mother, is also called Rachel. [She has two names but is only called by her first name Rachel.] What should my son, and other children, do regarding saying her […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Chazan saying the daily Tehillim by the Bima instead of by the Amud
Question: [Thursday, 12th Shevat 5783] I am a Chiyuv l”a and Daven every day for the Amud for the passing of my father Hakam. For the recital of the daily Tehillim that we say after Davening, I am accustomed to turn around and say it by the Bima [we have […]
The Geder of Davar Lach versus Davar Yaveish: May one reheat a wet and moist food on Shabbos-How wet is considered wet
The Geder of Davar Lach versus Davar Yaveish: May one reheat a wet and moist food on Shabbos-How wet is considered wet?[1] *Important note: This article does not deal with the subject of reheating congealed gravy, or foods with congealed gravy, on Shabbos. Melting congealed gravy on Shabbos contains both […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Saying the Tehillim of one’s children as a Segula for one’s children to remain Torah observant
Question: [Wednesday, 10th Shevat, 5783] Should one recite one’s children’s Tehillim? What is this a Segula for? Answer: Yes. It is an old tradition, reiterated by the Rebbe Rayatz, for one to read daily the chapter of Tehillim which corresponds to the age of one’s sons and daughters, and […]
Minhagei Yartzite for Yud Shvat
Minhagei Yartzite for Yud Shvat From a letter of the Rebbe printed in Igros Kodesh 4:143 Aliyah: On the Shabbos prior to the Yarzeit, each Chassid should attempt to receive an Aliyah to the Torah.[1] Not enough Aliyos: If there are not enough Aliyos available, the Torah should be read [a number of times] in different rooms. No […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Which direction is one to face by Kiddush Levana?
Question: [Sunday, 7th 5783] Which direction is one to face by Kiddush Levana? I always thought that one is to face the moon and my friend told me last night to face Mizrach. Which is correct? Answer: One is to face Jerusalem [i.e. Mizrach in USA] upon saying Kiddush Levana, […]
Saying Yishtabach immediately after Az Yashir
Saying Yishtabach immediately after Az Yashir:[1] One is to recite Yishtabach immediately after Az Yashir, without making any interval in-between.[2] This applies even on Shabbos and Yom Tov. Thus, in the event that the Chazan is not yet up to Yishtabach, as commonly occurs on Shabbos and Yom Tov in […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Should a man or boy say his own Kiddush rather than be Yotzei with his father?
Question: [Thursday, 4th Shevat 5783] I am a Chabad Bochur, and the custom in my family has always been for my father to make Kiddush and have everyone else fulfill their obligation. I was recently told in my yeshiva that the Chabad custom is for everyone to make their own […]
When on Erev Shabbos is one to begin the preparations for Shabbos?
When on Erev Shabbos is one to begin the preparations for Shabbos?[1] Begin the preparations in the morning:[2] One is to always wake up early on Erev Shabbos in order to begin working and preparing for the needs of Shabbos in the morning of Erev Shabbos.[3] Add in preparations also […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Saying two Pesukim at the end of Shemoneh Esrei if one has two names
Question: [Wednesday, 25th Teves 5783] I have two names, Shalom Dovber [or maybe even three?], and wanted to know how many Pesukim I should say for my name at the end of Shemoneh Esrei, one, only for my first name Shalom, or also a second Pasuk for my name Dov? […]
