Donate Summary of laws-Megillah reading-Part 4: Refraining from talking during the reading: Once the blessing has been recited, it is forbidden to speak from that point and on until the reading is completed, and the final blessing is recited. This applies for both the reader and the listener. One who […]
From the Rav’s Desk: A father reciting Kaddish for a child who passed away r”l
Question: [Tuesday, 5th Adar 2, 5782] One of our older children unfortunately passed away r”l? Should/May I be saying Kaddish for him, for my child? Answer: If the child did not leave any male offspring, then this matter depends on the status of your parents [i.e. if alive, or […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Removing damaging weeds from a potted plant during Shemita
Question: [Monday 4th Adar 2, 5782] I live in Eretz Yisrael and have a potted plant on my windowsill which is growing a type of wild flower that is very damaging to the plant. May I remove it? Answer: Yes, you may. It is best to kill the weed […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Saying Shalom in the changing room of a Mikveh
Question: [Sunday, 3rd Adar 2, 5782] May I greet my friend with the word Shalom inside of the changing area of the Mikveh? Does it make a difference if there are people there who are undressed or not? I did so this morning and someone told me that its forbidden. […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Does one say a blessing upon tasting salt?
Question: [Thursday, 30th Adar 1, 5782] If I taste or eat salt, am I to say a blessing? Answer: Yes, if you plan to swallow it and you receive some measure of benefit from eating or tasting it, then the blessing of Shehakol is recited. If, however you receive […]
The dilemma of the date of the 30th of Adar 1 and how one can commemorate a birthday/Yartzite
The dilemma of the date of the 30th of Adar 1 and how one can commemorate a birthday/Yartzite: A. What is one to do if he was born on the 30th of Adar I and in the current year there is only one Adar of 29 days?[1] If one was […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Hashavas Aveida if found a $100 bill in front of Shul and the law of Maaser
Question: [Wednesday, 29th Adar 1, 5782] Yesterday, when I was walking into shul I found a folded $100 bill on the floor by the entrance area of the Shul. I of course wanted to return it to whoever lost it and did some investigation and returned it to a member […]
Giving a Hesped-Chabad custom and custom of other communities not to eulogize
Giving a Hesped-Chabad custom and custom of other communities not to eulogize:[1] The Chabad custom is not to give any eulogies[2] and so is the custom of other communities.[3] One is to prevent eulogies from taking place for a deceased who belonged to a community who follows the above custom.[4] […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Must one separate Maaser from charity monies that he receives?
Question: [Tuesday, 28th Adar 1, 5782] I recently had a charity campaign done on my behalf for a specific personal cause. I wanted to know if I am obligated to separate Maaser from the charity money that I received? Answer: If the charity campaign was for a specific cause, […]
Eulogy/Hesped-Should it be done, How and why-Part 1
Eulogy/Hesped-Should it be done, How and why:[1] A. The general law: It is a great Mitzvah to properly eulogize the deceased.[2] Whoever cries upon the death of a Kosher Jew, Hashem counts the tears and places the tears in his supernal treasure chest. Whoever is lax in eulogizing a Kosher […]