The order of building-Setting up the walls before the Sechach?[1] One is not to place the Sechach over the [frame of the] Sukkah prior to building the [Halachically valid] walls.[2] Bedieved, if first placed the Sechach: If one transgressed and first placed the Sechach over the frame and only then […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Working on Chol Hamoed; Tehillim at night during Aseres Yimei Teshuvah; How many Yartzite candles
1. Question: [Sunday, 7th Tishreiy, 5782] I work in home renovations and have a Jewish employee who asked me if he can continue his work and get paid also on Chol Hamoed. I generally never work on Chol Hamoed, as is the law, but this employee is telling me that he really needs […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Forgot Hamelech Hakadosh and only remembered by Mincha
1. Question: [Thursday, 4th Tishreiy, 5782] By Mincha time I remembered that by Shacharis I forgot to recite Hamelech Hakadosh. What should I do? Answer: After Mincha you should Daven an extra Shemoneh Esrei as a Tashlumin for Shacharis. Sources: See Admur 108:17; M”A 108:16; Elya Raba 116:16; […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Why are the Parshiyos of Netzavim/Vayeilech separate this year?
1. Question: [Thursday, 4th Tishreiy, 5782] Why are the Parshiyos of Netzavim/Vayeilech sometimes read together and sometimes read separately, such as this year? Answer: The Parsha of Nitzavim is always read the Shabbos prior to Rosh Hashanah. Thus, when Rosh Hashanah falls on Monday-Tuesday, since there are two Shabbosos between […]
After Rosh Hashanah Questions & Answers
Question: [3rd Tishrei, 5783] How long must each Shever be and what is the law if blower blew a very short first Shever, similar in sounding to a Terua? Practically in our Shul the Baal Tokeia blew almost all the Shevarim blows in the following way: Tu, Tuuu, Tuuu, Tu, […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Doing a Peruzbal again at the end of the Shemita year
Question: [Thursday, 26th Elul, 5782] I did a Peruzbal last year before Rosh Hashanah 5782 as is the Chabad ruling and custom. Should I do so once again this year before Rosh Hashanah 5783? Answer: Yes. Even those who already performed a Peruzbal before Rosh Hashanah of 5782, which was […]
From the Rav’s Desk: May an Avel in the 12th month lead Selichos?
Question: [Tuesday, 24th Elul, 5782] May an Avel who is within his 12th month of mourning [i.e. past 11 months, but before end of 12th month] lead the prayer of Selichos? Answer: He should not do so unless there is no one else available. Explanation: While it is debated […]
The order of breaths between the Shofar blows-Part 1
Taking breaths during Shofar blowing: A. Within a single sound:[1] [The minimum required measurement of the Tekiah blow must be done in one breath.[2]] The [minimum required] amount of the Yevavos [i.e. Terumatin] of the Teruos in the sound of Terua, as well as the three Shevarim[3] in the sound […]
Washing hands in a bathroom, or with water that came from a bathroom
Washing hands in a bathroom, or with water that came from a bathroom: A. Washing hands after using the bathroom and after other impurities:[1] One who uses the bathroom [or does other actions which requires him to wash hands afterwards in order to get rid of the evil spirit that […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Is a doorway with a misaligned Mashkof obligated in a Mezuzah
Question: [Thursday, 19th Elul, 5782] One of the rooms in our home has a very interesting doorway, in which its lintel does not hover over the doorposts but rather is to the side of the doorposts with the doorposts reaching all the way to the ceiling. Meaning, that the lintel […]
