Question: [Wednesday, 22nd MarCheshvan 5783] I’m writing a kosher Jewish will, and would like to know if my firstborn son is eligible to receive a double portion as the Torah dictates if he was born through C-section and not natural birth? Answer: A firstborn son who was born through C-section […]
Using a pot that has not been used for 30 days
Using a pot that has not been used for 30 days:[1] One should not eat food that was cooked in a pot that had not been used for cooking for 30 days.[2] However, the world is not careful in this matter.[3] [Practically, the danger is only applicable if one did […]
Yayin Nesech-The status of wine that a gentile or non-Frum Jew looked at?
Yayin Nesech-The status of wine that a gentile or non-Frum Jew looked at?[1] A. Halacha-Letter of the law:[2] From the letter of the law, wine can only become potentially forbidden due to contact with a Gentile [i.e. Yayin Nesech or Stam Yayin] if the Gentile comes into physical contact with […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Celebrating the day of one’s Bris
Question: [Monday, 20th MarCheshvan, 5783] Someone invited me to his home to celebrate his Bris. At first I laughed at him and thought he was joking as he had a Bris decades ago, but he said that he was serious and that he has a family custom to celebrate each […]
Halachic rulings and customs of the Rebbe Rashab
Halachic rulings and customs of the Rebbe Rashab: The Rebbe Rashab was greatly G-d-fearing, and had many stringencies and Hiddurim which he kept in Jewish law, many of which have become classic Chabad custom and practice. The following is a partial list: A. Learning Halacha:[1] The Rebbe Rashab writes that […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Blessing over bread croutons for soup and salad
Question: [Sunday, 19th Marcheshvan, 5783] Which blessing should be recited over bread croutons Mezonos or Hamotzi? Is there any difference whether I will be eating it in a salad or soup? Answer: All store bought bread croutons are Mezonos due to one of several reasons [1) either due to […]
Answering Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo-Background and details
Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo:[1] A. The Mitzvah:[2] Any time one hears [G-d’s name mentioned in] any blessing the custom is to recite Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo.[3] This is a [mere] custom and was not instituted by the Sages.[4] [The saying of Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo has sublime mystical meaning.[5]] […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Maaseh Shabbos of Katan-Child turned on fan on Shabbos
Question: [Thursday, 9th Marcheshvan, 5783] My two year old child loves playing with the fan on Shabbos, turning it off and back on. There is no stopping her and she simply won’t listen to our protests. Is there any issue with us benefiting from the fan if she turned it […]
Leaving your website store open on Shabbos
May one leave a website store open over Shabbos? Some Poskim[1] rule one is not to allow his website business to remain open on Shabbos.[2] Others[3] rule it is permitted to leave one’s website open over Shabbos even if it performs sales of merchandise on Shabbos.[4] Nevertheless, if it is […]
From the Rav’s Desk: The Blessing on Seitan
Question: [Wednesday, 15th MarCheshvan 5783] What bracha should be recited over the vegetarian meat substance known as Seitan, Sheakol or Mezonos? [Seitan is a mildly flavored, high-protein meat substitute made of wheat gluten.] Answer: Shehakol. Explanation: Gluten is the protein of the wheat and does not provide sustenance as does […]
