Announcing the Molad prior to Birchas Hachodesh: A. The law:[1] It is proper for one to know the Molad[2] prior to reciting the blessing over the new month, [and so is the Chabad custom, as writes Admur in the Siddur]. [One is to know the exact time of the Molad, […]
From the Rav’s Desk: The minimum age for drinking alcohol according to Halacha
Question: [Thursday, 21st Menachem Av 5782] Is there any minimum drinking age according to Jewish law? In most of the world the minimum drinking age is age 18, while in the United States its age 21. I was just wondering if there is any Halachic or Torah-based consideration to these […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Does the altar become invalid if metal merely touches it?
Question: [Wednesday, 20th Menachem Av 5782] I heard something very novel and interesting in a speech by a rabbi the other day that if metal even touches the altar, then the altar becomes invalid. Thus, if one of the priests accidentally touches the altar with a metal knife or with […]
When to begin Davening for a sick person-How sick must they be?
When to begin Davening for a sick person-How sick must they be?[1] When someone has become ill, one is not to spread the word to the public until several days pass. The reason for this is because when one spreads the word that an individual is sick, and people view […]
Sleeping alone-The restriction against sleeping alone in a room or home
Sleeping alone-The restriction against sleeping alone in a room or home:[1] A. The prohibition: The Talmud[2] states that it is forbidden to sleep alone in a home and whoever sleeps alone in a home is grasped by Lilith, and so is recorded in the Poskim[3], that it is forbidden to […]
What is one to do if he switched Talleisim with another person
What is one to do if he switched Talleisim with another person? A. Background: The general law by a switched item:[1] One who [accidently] took the wrong item may not use the item [that he accidently took] and doing so is considered stealing. The same applies if one’s item was […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Davening and Torah learning when one’s child in undressed
Question: [Thursday, 14th Menachem Av 5782] My two-year-old daughter is in the midst of potty training and keeps on taking off her underwear and will not wear a diaper, which means that she randomly walks around the house undressed. What are we supposed to do regarding Davening and learning in […]
Walking four Amos prior to washing hands in the morning
Walking four Amos prior to washing hands in the morning:[1] The ruling according to the Talmud:[2] According to the Talmud and Codifiers it is permitted for one to walk prior to washing hands in the morning upon awaking. The only restriction according to the Talmud is not to touch food […]
Zecher Lachurban-Commemorating the Destruction
Zecher Lachurban-Commemorating the Destruction-Summary version Painting and decorating one’s walls: When the Temple was destroyed, the Sages of that generation instituted that it is forbidden for one to ever build a home which is painted and decorated like the building of a king. Thus, it is forbidden to paint the […]
Tisha B’av that falls on Shabbos
Tisha B’av that falls on Sunday This chapter will mention all the Halachic changes that apply when Tisha B’av falls on Sunday, in contrast to other days of the week. It retains the same laws as a regular Tisha B’av in respect to all other matters that are not mentioned […]
