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 […]
The greatness and obligation of answering Amen
The greatness and obligation of answering Amen:[1] It is an obligation to answer Amen towards the blessing said by a Jew.[2] This applies even if the person who hears the blessing is not obligated in this blessing at all. The meaning:[3] The word Amen is an acronym for the words […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Source in Halacha for eating pizza Motzei Shabbos
Question: [Tuesday, 7th MarCheshvan, 5783] We often go out for pizza on Motzei Shabbos, as is the custom of many good Jews. Recently, while shmuzing with the pizza store owner about how Frum Jews are obsessed with pizza eating on Motzei Shabbos, he told us that this is a real […]
Mayim Emtzaim-Washing the hands between eating fish and meat/chicken
Mayim Emtzaim-Washing the hands between eating fish and meat/chicken:[1] *This Halacha does not delve into the obligation of rinsing the mouth between eating fish and meat, which will be discussed in a further Halacha. A. Background of prohibition to eat fish with meat:[2] One must beware from eating meat and […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Can women make a Zimun if they are ten?
Question: [Monday, 13th MarCheshvan, 5783] If we are having an only lady’s meal on Shabbos, can we make as Zimun with 3/10 women? Answer: While from the letter of the law women may make a Zimun without Eloikeinu if they are ten or three women who ate together, practically, the […]
Age 40 in Halacha and Divrei Chazal
Age 40 in Halacha and Divrei Chazal: The age of 40 contains unique significance in both Halachic literature and Chazal, as we will list below. Ben Arbaim Lebina-Age of Binah-Understanding: At the age of 40 one reaches the age of understanding.[1] This means that he is now able to understand […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Husband wrote Get to wife out of anger
Question: [Sunday, 12th Marcheshvan, 5783] Years ago when we were newly married, my husband and I got into a major fight and out of sheer anger my husband wrote to me a Get in his personal handwriting on a piece of paper and gave it to me. It was not […]
Reading the Haftorah to oneself versus hearing it from the reader
Reading the Haftorah to oneself versus hearing it from the reader:[1] It is an obligation upon everyone to listen and pay attention to the Haftorah, just as they must listen to the reading of the Parsha by Kerias Hatorah.[2] Accordingly, two people may not read the Haftorah together, out loud, […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Locking oneself in his/her room to prevent Yichud
Question: [Thursday, 9th Marcheshvan, 5783] My parents are going away, and are leaving me and my male cousin who lives by us to stay in the home. I know there is an issue of Yichud and would like to know if there is any way to make this work. We […]
