Had to Go to a Bomb Shelter Right After I Poured My Wine for Kiddush Question I was about to make Kiddush when sirens suddenly went off. My entire family, myself included, immediately ran to the bomb shelter and remained there for approximately 40 minutes. We had left our phones […]

The Jewish Warrior Queen of the Maghreb: Legend, History, and Sources Question I have recently heard a fascinating claim that there once existed a Jewish queen who was also a military leader, who led Jewish tribes in battle against Arabs and Christians during the Middle Ages, ruling successfully for a […]

I Missed Shema—Can I Make It Up in the next prayer as Tashlumin? Question Last night I came home exhausted and ended up falling asleep before davening Maariv, and I also didn’t say Kriyas Shema al HaMitah. Is there any way for me to do tashlumin in Shacharis to make […]

From Fryer to Fleishig: When French Fries Are No Longer Pareve   The Question I would like to know what the halacha is regarding waiting six hours after eating French fries that were deep-fried in oil previously used to fry schnitzel or other meat products. To be clear, the French […]

What is the proper order of Tashlumin for the Maariv prayer?   Question: If I forgot and did not Daven Maariv the previous night, what is the proper order of Tashlumin for the Maariv prayer? When should the second Shemoneh Esrei be prayed after Shacharis? Answer: The Tashlumin Shemoneh Esrei […]

Allowing a Maid to Wash Your Dishes in the Dishwasher on Shabbos Question We have a live‑in non‑Jewish maid who washes the dishes on Friday night and again on Shabbos afternoon. I would like to know if it is permitted for her to use the dishwasher to do so. We […]

Is Dental Floss Required to Clean One’s Teeth Before Immersion in a Mikvah? Question: I was taught in Kallah class that before immersion in the mikvah one must clean the teeth thoroughly, including using dental floss between the teeth. At the moment, I do not have any dental floss available. […]

Davening Ma’ariv Before or After Megillah Reading Question I will be reading the Megillah for a group of individuals outside of the city on Purim night. Prior to the Megillah reading, I will be unable to daven Ma’ariv with a minyan. My question is as follows: Is it preferable for […]

Guidelines for Megillah Reading in the Event of a Siren Question In light of the current security situation in Israel and recent experiences during Shabbos Zachar, our Shul seeks clear guidance regarding the proper conduct if a siren sounds in the middle of the Megillah reading. Specifically: What should the […]

Missed Parashat Zachor Due to Rocket Sirens — How Can It Be Made Up? Question Rabbi, As everyone knows, Israel was under attack this Shabbat morning, and sirens were sounding throughout the time of Parashat Zachor. Because of the security situation, myself, my wife, and our children were unable to […]

Mishloach Manot and Strained Relationships: Law and Wisdom in Sending Mishloach Manos to an “Enemy” or Adversary Question There is an individual who was once my business partner many years ago. Eventually, we became embroiled in a very painful and bitter dispute, with each of us feeling deeply wronged and […]

Question: May the chassan and kallah drive their parents to the airport if a shomer will not be able to be with them on the way back? Answer: Although ideally someone should join them for the drive in order so they have a Shomer on their way back, nonetheless, in […]

Question I am a therapist and have studied and worked with people diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). It is an extremely challenging disorder to treat, as individuals with NPD rarely seek help voluntarily and often do not believe they need therapy. [This experience is very common among clinicians, who […]

Question: This has happened to me more than once. I don’t know why it happens, but sometimes when I start saying the morning blessings—birchos hashachar—right after waking up and washing my hands, I absent‑mindedly begin reciting birchas HaTorah before Hanosein Lasechvi Bina and the other blessings. Meaning, I finish the […]

Do Aliens Actually Exist? What Is the Torah Perspective? Question: Recently there has been a great deal of discussion in the news regarding the existence of aliens. A former president of the United States stated that aliens do indeed exist. His comments generated a wave of public excitement. When President […]

Is a Mechitza Required at a Sheva Brachos Meal and may one recite Shehasimcha Bimiono if a Mechitza is not present Question: Rabbi, at our upcoming Sheva Brachos, do we really need to set up a Mechitza between men and women, even if it’s just close family and friends? Also […]

Question: I once heard a teaching—perhaps from Halacha, Kabbalah, or the Rebbe—that a person should never have a tooth pulled. I’m not sure of the exact source. Right now, I have a tooth causing extreme pain, and my dentist says the only effective treatment is to extract it. A filling […]

Question: We have enough bathrooms in our home, and I would like to turn one of our large bathrooms into an extra guestroom. My concern is: how can we revoke its impurity so that people who stay there can learn Torah, daven, say blessings, and so it can have a […]

Why Shidduchim Feel So Hard: A Higher Perspective Question: I feel like the shidduch world is rigged. I go to shadchanim and walk away feeling misunderstood. Some seem to push ideas that don’t fit me, some feel motivated by money or their own agendas, and sometimes I feel like the […]

Question: I have a somewhat strange question, but it has been bothering me. I see people using AI chatboxes, speaking to them through voice or text. Sometimes people get annoyed when the AI gives incorrect answers or misunderstands something, and they respond angrily or disrespectfully. Of course, the AI is […]

The Shabbos That Vanished: Halacha on the High Seas When Crossing The Dateline Question: Rabbi, I’m on a cruise ship traveling from Hawaii toward Australia, and late Friday afternoon the ship crossed the International Date Line. According to the ship’s clocks, we skipped completely over Saturday daytime and jumped straight […]

Is It Really Forbidden According To Halacha to Draw the Sun, Moon, and Stars?   Question: I was in the middle of drawing a picture of the world—sun, moon, stars, grass, trees, animals—like I always enjoy doing during class. My teacher stopped me and said that not only is drawing […]

Question: I have a question regarding a Mamar Chazal that has always bothered me. Chazal [sukkah 52a] teach that “the greater a person is, the greater their yetzer hara is.” At first glance this seems strange. If so, does it mean that simple Jews would have small temptations like robbing […]

Issur Ribis when returning stolen money Question: Years ago, during a moment of desperation, I stole $500 cash from my roommates’ unattended drawer. They realized it was missing, but never knew that I stole it. Now, with my life steady I want to return the money and include an additional […]

May a Kohen Who Publicly Violates Shabbos Perform Birkat Kohanim – Duchaning?   Question: There is an individual in our community who is a Kohen but who drives to synagogue on Shabbos and Yom Tov. Is it permissible for such a person to perform Birkat Kohanim (Duchaning)? I was under […]

Question: I accidentally used a clean fleishig (meat) knife to slice a tomato for my cheese sandwich and only realized afterward. I put the tomato into my cheese sandwich, and the sandwich went into the toaster/sandwich maker. Am I allowed to eat it? Answer: As long as your knife was […]

Maaser and Rental Properties: The Follow‑Up Explanation Question: You previously stated that someone who owns a rental property should separate maaser from the full rental income, even if they have significant expenses such as mortgage payments, maintenance, repairs, taxes, and other costs. This seems difficult to understand. Everyone agrees that […]

Question: I have acquired an investment property and am currently making mortgage payments while receiving rental income from tenants. Am I required to contribute maaser (tithe) from the rental proceeds? What if I myself need to rent or mortgage a different home to live in? Answer: Rental income is generally […]

Question: [Monday, 6th Teves 5781] How does one separate Teruma and Maasros from a lemon tree? My main question is regarding its years of Maasros and how to calculate when it belongs to the year of Maaser Sheiyni and when it belongs to the year of Maaser Ani. Do we […]

Question: [Monday 26th MarCheshvan 5782] I recently received a coin of the Rebbe in honor of my Bas Mitzvah and would like to know if I can turn it into a necklace and wear it when I enter the bathroom?   Answer: In my opinion, it is highly improper to […]

Rebbe and Chassidim Reciting Tachanun On Yud Shevat Igros Kodesh Volume 7 page 311 “Certainly you know that also on Yud Shevat we say Tachanun” Question: Is one supposed to not say Tachanun on Yud Shevat? I don’t remember Tachanun ever being skipped in the past, but recently I’ve noticed […]

Can I Rent to Unmarried or Non‑Religious Jewish Couples? A Question of Lifnei Iver Question: I own several investment properties, which are managed and rented out through a real estate company that acts as my agent. Ultimately, I make the final decision regarding which applicants I approve as tenants. From […]

Transporting a Sefer Torah Between Synagogues – Halachic Guidelines for the Shabbos before Yud Shevat and Gimmel Tammuz  Question Is it permitted on the Shabbos before Yud Shevat or Gimmel Tammuz for a shul to bring a Sefer Torah from another shul in order to have more than one reading, […]

Join Our Virtual Community – Receive Daily Learning PDF Writing a Mobile Sefer Torah for Remote Minyanim in Israel Question I would like to commission the writing of a Sefer Torah for the following purpose. I run an organization that sends individuals to various non-religious Jewish villages across Israel to […]

Join Our Virtual Torah Study Community & Receive Daily Learning Content Question I was the chazan in shul and I have no idea how this happened, but I somehow absent-mindedly slipped and recited “HaMelech HaKadosh” instead of Hakeil Hakadosh by the third blessing, in the middle of my repetition. It […]

What to Do If a Kosher Knife Was Used on Non-Kosher Cold Food Question I was staying with family members (who are not all religious) in an Airbnb when I accidentally used my kosher knife (which I brought with me) to cut a cold food item from the fridge that […]

Question: If I davened Mincha on Erev Shabbos about an hour before shkiah and then immediately davened Maariv afterwards—both within the time frame of plag hamincha—in order to begin my Friday night meal early, and I did so without a minyan. Am I required to repeat Maariv since I prayed […]

Question I have a teenage boarder living in my home who attends the local Frum high school and participates in activities such as listening to non-Jewish music and watching movies that their parents—and I personally—would not approve of and do not approve of for my own children. From a halachic […]

My Mezuzah fell off the door, should I replace it with a Bracha? Question: My Mezuzah fell off the door, should I replace it with a Bracha?   Answer: This matter is under debate in the Poskim. Practically, if the Mezuzah fell off the doorpost the blessing is to be […]

What to do if the Kesuba tore Question: I was going through a number of old important files and came across my kesuba, which I intended to keep together with them. As I was sorting through my important documents—organizing bills, contracts, and certificates at my desk—I placed my kesuba together […]

Question: If I’m having a yard sale and selling many products, do I have to give maaser (tithe) from the income I make from the sales? Answer: You only need to separate maaser from sold items if you made a profit. This means that if the items originally cost you […]

Uttering Names of Deities and other Sheimos of Avoda Zara Question: I read your article discussing the prohibition against uttering the names of idols (“shem elilim”) and the allowances to do so when: the idol is no longer worshipped, or the name does not denote a deity (i.e., it is […]

Purchase “From Rav’s Desk” Q&A’s 3 Volumes* Check out our Amazon Sefarim Shop *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Reddit Email Sponsor an Article Question: Did the Rebbe ever give a directive for girls out of high school to go to one year […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

May a Havdalah Candle Be Used for the Shamash? Question: I have a very beautiful, pure beeswax Havdalah candle available, and I would like to know if it’s permitted for it to be used as the shamash by the menorah? Answer: In my opinion, it is permitted to do so. […]

A borrowed item that was stolen – Who Gets What After Restitution? Question: I borrowed a $300 laptop from a friend. While under my care, it was stolen by someone working in my home. To make things right, I bought my friend a brand-new $300 laptop. [Fortunately, both he and […]

# Op-Ed  The Definition of a Chassid – May the Real Chassid Please Stand Up!  By Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein  The Rebbe Rayatz teaches that the Alef-Beis of Chassidus is the service of prayer and the refinement of one’s character. This statement is profoundly illuminating. It implies that knowledge of the […]

Should one Add Water to the Oil Candles of the Chanukah Menorah? Question: I grew up with the tradition of placing water in the oil candles of the Chanukah Menorah before lighting them. Is this something I am required to do? Is it proper to place water in oil candles? […]

Visiting the Kever of a loved one During Chanukah Question: May I visit the kever of my father during Chanukah if the Yahrzeit falls then? Answer: Generally, one should not visit a cemetery during Chanukah, even for a Yahrzeit, Shiva, or Shloshim. Instead, the visit should be made before Chanukah. […]

Adding Perfume or Cologne to One’s Clothing on Shabbos Question: I know that one is not allowed to apply perfume or cologne to the skin or clothing on Shabbos. However, I was taught that it is permitted to refresh the same scent on one’s skin if it was applied before […]

May One Who Is Not Circumcised Receive an Aliyah? Question: Rabbi, I was raised in a secular home in Russia and have not yet undergone a Bris Milah for personal reasons—not because I oppose the mitzvah, but due to circumstances beyond my control. I deeply respect the Torah and would […]

 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Answering Amen while wrapping the Tallis   Question: If I’m wrapping my Tallis and the chazzan starts Kaddish, may I answer “Amen”? For example, this morning I walked into shul a few minutes late. As I begin wrapping your Tallis, the chazzan starts Kaddish. Should I answer “Amen” and “Yehei […]

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 […]

Question I heard that in the Tzefas community women were accustomed not to attend funerals, or at least that used to be the custom. Practically, what should be done today? Answer You are correct that it is documented that the original custom in the Tzefas community, going back over 150 […]

Maariv After Chatzos Question I’m wondering—can you still daven Maariv after chatzos? Does chatzos only matter for Shacharis, or also for Maariv? Answer Yes, it is permitted to daven Maariv after chatzos as the entire restriction of Chatzos which is the cutoff time for prayer only applies to the Shacharis […]

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 […]

Question: If a woman starts staining a day or two before her period, does she need to mark those stains on the calendar? And what if she later finds blood on a bedika after becoming impure from a Kesem? Answer: If a woman begins staining before her actual period, she […]

Praying in a mixture of Hebrew and English: What Should I Do If I Struggle With Hebrew? Question May one who has difficulty reading Hebrew pray most of the prayer in English and some of it in Hebrew? I struggle to read Hebrew fluently. The words feel distant, and I […]

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 […]

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 […]

Is It Permitted for Goyim to Recite Brachos with Hashem’s name Prior to Eating and drinking?   Question:  My name is Michael, and I live in Austin, Texas. As someone who was raised in a secular Christian family but has come to deeply value the teachings of the Seven Noahide […]

Preparing Techina (Tahini) on Shabbos Question Is it permissible to prepare Techina (tahini paste mixed with water, lemon, garlic, etc.) on Shabbos, and if so, under what conditions? I have heard conflicting opinions regarding the preparation of Techina on Shabbos. Some people say it is completely forbidden due to concerns […]

May I Counter-Sue in Secular Court if a Fellow Jew Sued Me There First?   Question: If a fellow Jew has brought a claim against me in a secular court, am I allowed to bring a counter-lawsuit against him in the same secular court, or must I first go to […]

From When Is Shloshim Counted—Death or Burial?   Question: Is the thirty-day mourning period of Shloshim calculated from the time of death or from the time of burial? Answer: Shloshim, the thirty-day mourning period, is counted from the time of burial, not from the time of death. This is because […]

Does a Woman Repeating Maariv Three Times Create a Lifelong Obligation?   Question: If a woman has davened (prayed) the Maariv service three times, does that create a halachic obligation or vow to continue praying Maariv for the rest of her life? Someone told me this might be the case—can […]

Women saying Havdalah – Obligation, Allowance, and Order Question: I am a mother of young children, and my husband—who travels a lot for business—is not always home for Shabbos. In such situations, I would like to understand what the proper hanhaga is: Personally saying Havdalah: Am I allowed to make […]

Question: Should one do “Iskafya” on Shabbos and refrain from delving into lavish delicacies? [Iskafya is a Chassidic term used to describe self-control from indulging in pleasures.] Answer It is clear that both from the Halachic and esoteric aspects of the Torah, there is a Mitzvah to enhance the joy […]

May I Ask My Neighbor to Quiet Their Crying Baby or Move Them to Another Room? Question: My downstairs neighbors have a baby who cries loudly, especially at night. It’s been affecting my sleep and peace at home. Can I ask them to move the baby to a different room, […]

When and how often should one separate Maaser from his income? Question: Dear Rabbi, I try to give maaser from my income, but I’m unsure how often I need to calculate it. For example, if I have a particularly profitable month and then experience a loss the following month, should […]

Question: I accidentally placed a hot buttered cheese sandwich, straight from the frying pan, onto a clean non-Ben Yomo meat plate. The sandwich was fried in butter and was still very hot at the time. Is the meat porcelain plate now considered treif? Answer: Yes, the meat plate is considered […]

Does a Silent Vow Count – Making a Neder in ones thoughts Question: I became upset at my local shul due to a personal disagreement and, in a moment of frustration, I thought to myself that I would never step foot in that shul again. I dont recall saying anything […]

Staying at a Hotel Where the Lights Turn On When You Enter the Lobby Question: Hi, my name is Menachem. I’m staying at a hotel in downtown Geneva for a business conference over Shabbos. It’s a beautiful place—sleek, modern, and conveniently located near the convention center and Shul. But as […]

Is Lox and Smoked Salmon Kosher if made by a Non-Jew and does it need a Hashgacha?   Question: While preparing for a family brunch, I came across a package of lox and smoked salmon at my local grocery store. Upon realizing that the salmon was prepared and smoked by […]

Status of Esrog if the Pitum Falls Off Question Is an Esrog still kosher for use if its Pitum (the protruding tip) or Shoshanta (the flower-like structure atop the Pitum) falls off? Answer If the Pitum of an Esrog falls off and exposes any part of the top of the […]

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buy in Paperback or Kindle [4 Volumes] Buy on Apple Books Purchase on our website Join Daily Halacha distribution list Sponsor an Episode Donate Recent Shaalos Answered by Rav Goldstein How much money should I give for Pidyon Kaparos if I’m […]

How to facilitate the swallowing of a pill on Yom Kippur Question: What is the proper method for administering a Halachically mandated pill on Yom Kippur? Specifically, is it permissible to ingest medication using a minimal quantity of water, and if so, what constitutes an acceptable limit? In cases where […]

Am I Yotzei?  Shevarim-Teruah was Blown in Mixed Breaths During Tekios Meyushav Question: This past Rosh Hashanah, we had a situation where, during the Tekios of Meyushav where everyone comes to be Yotzei and many leave shul afterwards. The Baal Tokeia was not the most well versed in halacha and […]

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 […]

This article is an excerpt from the above Sefer *As an Amazon Associate I earn from  qualifying purchases. Donate Buy in Paperback or Kindle Buy on Apple Books Purchase on our website WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Sponsor an Article Must someone with a hearing aid hear the Shofar, and can […]

* This article is an excerpt from the above book *The article below is an excerpt from the above Sefer *As an Amazon Associate I earn from  qualifying purchases. Donate Buy in Paperback or Kindle Buy on Apple Books Purchase on our website Awaking like a Jew Learning Course + […]

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 […]

Putting on Tefillin in the Middle of Shema Question: I was feeling sick and absentmindedly began to pray without Tefillin and only remembered in the middle of Shema. What should I now do? May I wear them, and is a blessing recited? Answer: You are to stop Davening and put […]

Question: [Thursday, 4th Tishreiy, 5782] Why are the Parshiyos of Nitzavim/Vayelech sometimes read together and sometimes read separately, such as this year? Answer: The Parsha of Nitzavim is always read the Shabbos prior to Rosh Hashanah. Thus, when Rosh Hashanah falls on Monday-Tuesday, since there are two Shabbosos between Rosh Hashanah and […]

Used dairy potato masher for potatoes that were cooked in meat pot Question: I accidentally used the dairy potato masher to mash potatoes that were cooked in a meat pot, while they were still inside the meat pot after draining the water. What is the status of the potatoes and […]

Placing Mezuzah by a hallway corridor Am I required to place a Mezuzah by the entrance to my hallway which does not have a door? The hallway leads to two-bedrooms and is narrow and does not serve any other purpose other than to lead to the bedrooms. Answer: If the […]

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. […]

How to calculate Tachanun omission by a Chasan – Chasan and Kehal omitting Tachanun on the 8th day after the Chuppah Question: This morning is the eighth day since my wedding. I got married on a Sunday before sunset and now it is Sunday morning the following week and I […]

Question: I live in an apartment building in Crown Heights and we are the ones who performed the Eiruv Chatzeiros for the residents of the building. The matzah used for the Eiruv is kept in my apartment. My question is: when I go away for Shabbos, does the Eiruv still […]

Must a Kohen stand for Nesias Kapayim Question: A member of our congregation who is a Kohen is wheelchair-bound. Is it permitted for him to perform Nesias Kapayim from his wheelchair while in a sitting position?   Answer: A Kohen may not perform Nesias Kapayim in a sitting position, and […]

Why do many people avoid Mezonos bread? Question: Recently I entered a conversation with someone at the bakery who claimed that Mezonos bread is really a farce and that all the serious Poskim hold that there is no such thing as Mezonos bread today. I insisted that the leading authorities […]

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buy in Paperback or Kindle [4 Volumes] Buy on Apple Books Purchase on our website Join Daily Halacha distribution list Sponsor an Episode Donate Recent Q&A Why we say Ledavid Hashem Uri in Elul Why we say Ledavid Hashem Uri in […]

Girls studying Torah during summer break   Question: As you know, our children are out on summer break and I find it very difficult that my daughters who are in high school are going through such a long period of time without any Torah study and Torah interaction. They go […]