Question: [Sunday, 26th Marcheshvan, 5783] What is the source and reason for dipping one’s bread into salt three times after one says Hamotzi, prior to eating from it after the blessing, and does this apply only on Shabbos or even during the week? Answer: According to Kabbalah, as recorded […]
Leaving bread on the table until after Birchas Hamazon & cleaning the crumbs before Bentching
Leaving bread on the table until after Birchas Hamazon & cleaning the crumbs before Bentching:[1] Not to finish all the bread during the meal:[2] Whoever does not leave some bread on his table [throughout the meal[3]] will never see a sign of blessing [and doing so can cause poverty[4]].[5] [Accordingly […]
From the Rav’s Desk: First son inheriting double portion if born after girl; Carlebach music and the view of the Rebbe and Halacha
1. Question: [Thursday, 23rd MarCheshvan 5783] I would like to know if my and my 2nd wife’s son who is our firstborn is eligible to receive a double portion as the Torah dictates if he was born after I had a daughter from a previous marriage? Answer: He is not […]
Picking fruits from under a tree on Shabbos
Picking fruits from under a tree on Shabbos:[1] All fruits which have fallen off a tree on Shabbos are forbidden to be eaten until after Shabbos[2] and are therefore Muktzah.[3] Furthermore, even if there is doubt as to if the fruits fell on Shabbos or beforehand it is forbidden.[4] [Accordingly, […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Firstborn inheriting double portion if born through C-section
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 […]