May one recite Pesukei Dezimra out loud? Although it states in the Talmud and Poskim that one is not allowed to pray out loud, this refers specifically to the prayer of Shemoneh Esrei, while by the other sections of prayer, not only may one pray them out loud, but furthermore […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Shaalos and Teshuvos on Misc. subjects
When passing someone a food, may one take from the food before he takes? When passing someone a food, may one take from the food before he takes? It is common belief that table etiquette requires an individual to first pass the food that he is asked to pass down […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Shaalos and Teshuvos on going to the Ohel
May one visit the Ohel at night? While some avoid visiting a cemetery at night, the widespread custom is to visit graves even at night. This applies especially to the gravesite of Tzadikim. Explanation: There is no source for prohibiting visiting a cemetery at nighttime. Nonetheless, some avoid doing so and […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Shaalos and Teshuvos on Rav Yehuda Hachassid and others
Is there a source for what I heard that one should not be the first person to live a newly built home due to danger? Yes. So is written in the teachings of Rva Yehuda Hachassid, as discussed below in legnth. See: https://shulchanaruchharav.com/halacha/building-a-house-on-new-ground-warning-of-rav-yehuda-hachassid/ May women or girls walk around without […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Shaalos and Teshuvos on Tanach and other subjects
Was Yael, the wife of Chever the Kini who killed Sisra, Jewish? Was Yael, the wife of Chever the Kini who killed Sisra, Jewish? Some write that Yael was not Jewish, and her husband Chever Hakini was a Ger Toshav.[1] Others write that she was Jewish.[2] Some write that she […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Shaalos & Teshuvos on Burial & More
Does a Menorah require Geniza? Can I thrown an old Menora straight to the garbage bin? A Menorah does not require Geniza, and be discarded even directly into a garbage. See https://shulchanaruchharav.com/halacha/does-a-menorah-require-geniza/ Is there any source for an individual shoveling earth into a grave seven times by a burial? Yes. Some […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Shaalos & Teshuvos on Melicha
Do Sephardim soak the meat before salting as do Ashkenazim? Yes. Explanation: According to the Michaber, there is no obligation to soak the meat for any specific amount of time, but it rather suffices to simply rinse it well. This is because the Michaber does not suspect for the opinion […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Shaalos & Teshuvos on Parshas Shelach and others
Were the Meraglim really Reshaim? The Mefarshim[1] explain that, unlike the superficial understanding of the story in which one concludes the Meraglim were great Reshaim, in truth they were great Tzadikim and had good and holy intentions in their actions. In the wording of the Alter Rebbe[2] “They were on […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Shaalos & Teshuvos on Torah study
I heard that the Rebbe was opposed to authors writing summaries and learning from summaries. Is this accurate? Answer This is only partially accurate and depends on the type of summary that we are referring to. The Rebbe, in line with the directives of the previous Rabbeim [Rebbe Rayatz and […]
From the Ravs Desk: Shaalos & Teshuvos on Wedding Dates
Should one avoid getting married past the 15th day of the month in today’s times? Should one avoid getting married past the 15th day of the month in today’s times?[1] Although it is recorded in the Poskim[2], and so was the original custom[3], to avoid getting married past the 15th […]
