Saying the names of the angels:[1] The Arizal was very careful to not verbalize the names of angels and considered it a prohibition. He abstained from mentioning even those names of angels which are written in Sefarim [and are known to all]. He was particular in this even when he […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Tefilas Shav-Davening during pregnancy for a baby boy
Question: [Tuesday, 17th Teves 5783] We have only girls and my wife is two months pregnant, may we still Daven for it to be a boy? Answer: No. After 40 days from conception you may only Daven for the physical and spiritual health of the child, and not for its […]
May one bake fish in a Fleishig Oven
Baking fish and meat in the same oven-Part 2-One after the other:[1] No residue:[2] It is permitted to bake fish in an oven in which one previously baked meat, and it is permitted to bake meat in an oven in which one previously baked fish, so long as the oven […]
From the Rav’s Desk: May I pray to G-d to punish someone who wronged me?
Question: [Monday, 16th Teves, 5783] Our upstairs neighbors are a group of dorm students who are causing us to lose our sleep and our sanity. They blast music, stomp the floor, scream, at all hours of the night. We have tried in every way possible to speak with them and […]
Baking fish and meat in the same oven Part 1
Baking fish and meat in the same oven:[1] A. Simultaneously:[2] It is forbidden to bake fish and meat in the same oven, simultaneously.[3] Covered fish/meat: If the fish and meat are both hermetically covered in a way that vapor is not released during the baking, then everything remains permitted.[4] Furthermore, […]
From the Rav’s Desk: How can we be by the threshold of Yemos Hamoshiach if so much suffering still exists?
Question: [Sunday, 15th Teves, 5783] The Rebbe and other Gedolei Yisrael have stated that we are found in the times of Ikvasa Demishicha and by the threshold of Yemos Hamoshiach. How is it possible to believe such a thing when so much suffering and tragedies still occur? Doesn’t this prove […]
Acting with respect to one who is wearing Tefillin
Respecting the Tefillin-Part 1-Showing respect to one who is wearing Tefillin: One is required to act in a respectful way while wearing Tefillin, and in the presence of Tefillin even when they are not being worn. There exists several laws relating to this matter, including whether one may talk while […]
Making an overhand knot and opening such knots on Shabbos
Making an overhand knot and opening such knots on Shabbos:[1] A. Background: Two of the 39 prohibited Shabbos Melachos is Kosher and Matir, which is a prohibition against tying and untying knots on Shabbos.[2] In certain cases, they tying or untying of a knot is under Biblical prohibition, while in […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Using laundry clips on Shabbos
Question: [Thursday, 5th Teves 5783] I was learning from a Sefer on Shabbos and needed a clip to help hold down the pages of my book so it does not flip shut. My wife suggested that I take a laundry clip from the laundry line to use for this purpose. […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Making a safety fence around one’s pool
Question: [Wednesday, 11th Teves 5783] Must a pool have a fence surrounding it? We own an outdoor pool in our summer home which we also use to rent out as an air B&B and it does not have a fence surrounding it. While we specifically inform all of our guests […]
