From the Rav’s Desk: Where to Insert Personal Requests in Shema Koleinu (Monday, 9th Teves)

Question Where exactly within the blessing of Shema Koleinu should one insert personal requests? I have heard many different opinions: one teacher advised doing so at the conclusion of the blessing, just before the words Baruch Atah Hashem Shomea Tefillah. Another suggested placing them in the middle of the blessing, […]

From the Rav’s Desk: The Absence of Explicit Kingship (“Malchut”) in the Blessings of Shemoneh Esrei: Explanations and Halachic Perspectives (Tuesday 3rd Teves)

Question: I learned that a blessing (berachah) is not considered a valid blessing unless it contains both the Name of Hashem and malchut (kingship), such as the phrase “Hashem, King of the universe.” However, I noticed that in Shemoneh Esrei, none of the blessings explicitly include malchut. Each blessing begins […]

From the Rav’s Desk: Should Chanukah Candles Be Lit Inside The Home Today, Even Though There Is No Longer Any Danger Associated With Lighting Them Outdoors? (Sunday, 24th Kisleiv)

Question In modern times, given that the safety concerns which once necessitated lighting Chanukah candles indoors are no longer present in many communities, should we, therefore, actively return to the original practice established by the Sages and prioritize lighting the Chanukah Menorah outdoors? Would reinstating this public display more fully […]

From the Rav’s Desk Tuesday 12th Kisleiv: Chassidishe Gneiva Versus Self Centeredness: Taking the only Nagle vassar cup available to set up next to your bed

 Chassidishe Gneiva Versus Self Centeredness: Taking the only Nagle vassar cup available to set up next to your bed Question During our stay at an Airbnb, our group—including both immediate and extended family and friends—had access to only one Neigle Vassar cup for ritual washing after waking up in the […]

From the Rav’s Desk Monday 11th Kisleiv: Are Gerim Permitted to Hug, Kiss, and have Yichud with Their Gentile Parents of the Opposite Gender?

Are Converts Permitted to Hug, Kiss, and Be Alone with Their Gentile Parents of the Opposite Gender?   Question: I recently converted to Judaism, and I have a question about my relationship with my parents who are not Jewish. Am I allowed to hug and kiss my mother or father […]

From the Rav’s Desk Sunday 10th Kisleiv: Neck Hair removal: Halachic Guidelines for Men for Hair Removal from the Neckline and Throat [i.e. Cervical-Throat Region; Anterior Neck]

Neck Hair removal: Halachic Guidelines for Men for Hair Removal from the Neckline and Throat [i.e. Cervical-Throat Region; Anterior Neck]   Question: I have hair growing by my throat, on the front of my neck, above the collarbone. It gets sweaty, uncomfortable, and even bothers my wife. For hygiene and […]

From the Rav’s Desk: What Bracha should be said on Dragon Fruit & Why I had to revoke “Semicha” from AI chat boxes [ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, xAI Grok]

Proper Bracha on Dragon fruit (i.e. Pataya) Question: What Bracha should be said on Dragon Fruit? I heard different things mentioned in your name with some saying that you said that the blessing is Ha’adama and others saying that you said the blessing is Haeitz. I even asked my AI […]

From the Ravs Desk Sunday 18th Marcheshvan: Are Listerine PocketPaks Kosher, and Do You Need to Say a Blessing?

Are Listerine PocketPaks Kosher, and Do You Need to Say a Blessing? Question Are Listerine PocketPaks (the candy-like mouth freshener strips) kosher, and if they are, do you need to recite a blessing before consuming them? Answer Listerine PocketPaks require kosher certification for permissible use. To the best of my […]

From the Rav’s Desk Tuesday 13th MarCheshvan: Must one Pay Attorney Fees When a Real Estate Transaction Is Not Completed?

Question: I have a finance question regarding a real estate transaction. I was planning to purchase a property in a coastal city in Israel. The seller disclosed that there had previously been water and mold issues, but claimed these had been resolved. I was close to signing the contract when […]

From the Rav’s Desk Monday 12th MarCheshvan: May one purchase olive oil without kosher certification (hashgacha)?

May one purchase olive oil without kosher certification (hashgacha)?   Question I am interested in buying olive oil for home use, and I’ve noticed that many bottles in the supermarket do not have kosher certification (hashgacha). I’ve heard that extra virgin olive oil is sometimes considered less problematic, but I […]

From the Rav’s Desk – Avoiding Nuts on Rosh Hashanah: Background, details, which nuts, and foods with nut ingredients

Avoiding Nuts on Rosh Hashanah:[1] The Minhag:[2] The Rishonim[3] and Poskim[4] record that some are particular to avoid eating Egozim and Luzim [and all forms of nuts and peanuts, as will be explained below in D] on Rosh Hashanah. [However, there are Poskim[5] who record that they did not avoid […]

From the Rav’s Desk: The Halachic Validity of Extra-Long Mezuzahs: Must the Klaf and Text Remain Within the Upper Third of the Doorframe?

The Halachic Validity of Extra-Long Mezuzahs: Must the Klaf and Text Remain Within the Upper Third of the Doorframe? Question: I have observed that many wealthy individuals and mosdos (institutions) display very large Mezuzahs, sometimes so large that the actual klaf extends below the upper third of the doorway, and […]

From the Ravs Desk: Tzav Menia and Tzav Ikkul: Going to a secular court for a Preventive injunction and restraining order

Tzav Menia and Tzav Ikkul: Preventive injunctions and restraining orders in Halacha Question: I co-owned a shop in New York with my former business partner. After our relationship soured, he started withdrawing money from our joint account without my approval and even threatened to sell off inventory behind my back. […]