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: 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 […]

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 […]

 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]] […]

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 […]

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 […]

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:[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 […]

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:[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 […]