Question: Hi! I usually don’t listen to live music during the first half of the Omer. I bought tickets months ago to a concert and it’s in a week. I checked to see it wasn’t in the 3 weeks but overlooked the Omer. Is there a way I can keep the second half of the […]
Author Archives: Rabbi Akiva Dershowitz
Haircut During Sefira
Question: I am a balding man. I generally cut my hair extremely short. I buzz my whole head very short about every 2 weeks, as the balding is less pronounced when the hair is very short. After 2 weeks, the hair starts to lengthen and when that happens, the balding is more pronounced. I am […]
Hair Removal for Women During Sefira
Question: Hello, I hope I’m not asking a question that has been already answered. Is a single girl of marriagable age allowed to shave during sefirah? Specifically legs. Thank you very much. Answer: The custom to not cut hair during sefira, seems to include body hair, as with other places where haircuts are forbidden [such […]
Boating During Sefira
Question: Please advise whether you are allowed to go paddle boating during the Sefira. Thank you! Answer: Yes, this is permitted. Sources: The customs of mourning in the Sefira period are limited to not having weddings, music and dancing, and haircuts and shaving. See Tzitz Eliezer Vol. 11:78, Shu”t DIvrei Malkiel Vol. 3:5, Orchos […]
Kashering Formica counter top
Question: Hi we are looking into buying a house from a non Jew, putting in a brand new kitchen would cost us a shinny penny now, is there any way we can kasher Formica? Answer: The counter top can be kashered by pouring boiling water over it’s surface: Kashering counters: Granite, marble, CaesarStone, wood […]
Donating Sperm to an Infertile Couple for IVF
Question: Can a man donate his sperm to a infertile couple that are married for a procedure that does not involve any marital relations,or is the child a mamzer anyway ? Answer: A child from an IVF procedure is not a mamzer [illegitimate child born of certain relations forbidden by Torah law] as there was […]
Throwing Sefarim
Question: In order to return books at the public library, one has to throw/ drop them into the bin of returned materials. (There is no way to put them in gently….) Is this a problem when returning sefarim, which, according to halacha, must be handled gently and not thrown? Plus, other people will drop non-religious […]
Information about the Jewish rite of Passage – Brit Milah
Question: For a Year 11 Religion Assignment at school about Jewish rites of passage, I was wondering if you could answer a few questions about the Jewish ‘Brit Milah’ I understand you are busy answering other people’s questions, but if you are able to answer my questions, providing a primary source to my research it […]
Mikva with Husband Overseas
Question: When does one start counting 7 clean days when she knows her husband won’t be back from overseas the night of her mikvah? Answer: She may count and complete the seven days even in the absence of her husband. She should go to the mikvah the night before he arrives home so that she […]
Chatzitza – INVISALIGN Braces
Question: Hi Rabbi, my wife has INVISALIGN Braces which can be taken off & she does take them off whenever she eats etc…but there is also cement applied to her teeth which does not come off. Does this cement present a problem of chatzitza? Answer: If the cement attachments are permanent, i.e. they stay on […]
Performing Tahara on Uncle
Question: Can, is advisable, for a nephew do, to participate, to Rechitsa of his uncle, brother of his Mother? Or in the presence of other people is preferable to discourage? I’m talking about rechitsa for Tahara process on a deceased uncle. Shavua a tov Moshe Answer: There are a number of relatives mentioned with which […]
Treif for pikuach nefsh
Question: A father refuses to eat something treif, although the doctors have ordered him to. His son tries to trick him and says that it is not treif. The father says: “So you eat it first yourself!” Should the son do so? Answer: In the Sefer Shabbos Shabbason [Rav Zilberstein] pg. 138 he brings that […]
Bathroom hygiene on Shabbos
Question: B’shas hadchak, may one use, on Shabbos, tissues that are connected to each other and pull them out of the box with his mouth? Also, if one notices that cleaning oneself on Shabbos leads to bleeding and to pulling out hairs, is this OK, due to kavod habriyos and not having intent/ desire to […]
Ethics in school
Question: If a teacher gives a test to one set of students in the first session. Then the same/very similar test to the second set of students an hour later, may a student from the second session receive information about the test from the students who already took the test? I’m not sure if this […]
When is a slaughtered animal considered dead
Question: When is a slaughtered animal considered dead, right after slaughtering, when it stops moving afterwards,can a person cut off a leg off an animal right after he slaughters? When is it considered dead and fit for consumption? Answer: As soon as an animal is ritually slaughtered properly it becomes fit for consumption according to […]
Monies from sale of Sefer Torah
Question: May money from the sale of a sefer Torah be used to make another sefer Torah kosher (being that them money is not paying for Torah directly, but for service)? In an extremely poor community lacking a mikvah with none remotely nearby, could Torah be sold to pay for mikvah? Answer: A kosher Sefer […]
Maaser from Earmarked Money
Question: I was given a sum of money to help subsidize the purchase of a car. Am I obligated to give maaser on that sum? As an aside, what are the criterion for maaser? Thank you very much. Answer: No, money which is given for a specific use should be used fully for what it […]
Eating out of sukkah on a plane
Question: Can a man eat on plane when traveling on chol hamoed Sukkos? Answer: Yes, one who is travelling and due to his travels has no access to a Sukkah is exempt from this obligation and may eat out of the Sukka. Igros Moshe rules that one should refrain from going on a trip for […]
Theatres and Stadiums
Question: Dear Rabbi, I noticed in this week’s parsha (Acharei Mot) that when the Torah says we should not follow the Chukim of the Goyim, Rashi over there says this is referring to going to their Theatres and Stadiums. So according to Rashi there seems to be an issur from the Torah to go to […]
Kiddush on Shabbos morning
Question: If someone is making kiddush on a cup of grape juice on shabbos morning but does not want to drink most of it, and would rather be yotzei the kiddush with a kizayis of mezonos, can the grape juice be poured back in the bottle and reused later? Is the person making kiddush allowed […]
Lost Place in Shmone Esrei
Question: If one is davening SE and has a safek whether he already said the chasima (conclusion) of a certain bracha, or did not say it, what should he do? On the one hand, one cannot make a blessing in vain (by repeating what he might have already said); on the other hand, if he […]
Continuing Seuda Shlishis After Sunset
Question: If one desires to fulfill shalosh seudos by eating cake, fruit, or fish, is it necessary to stop eating them by shkia, or may one continue to eat them for as long as one desires? Sources would be much appreciated. Answer: For fruit or fish one must stop, for mezonos one may be lenient […]
Carrying on Shabbos in Dangerous Places – No Eruv
Question: Hello, Am I allowed to carry a handgun or mace/pepper spray in an area/community that does not have an Eruv, yet is clearly dangerous for yidden to be walking around in, and out of fear of being attacked G-d forbid by groups of people that have started up and attacked Jews? Thank You. Answer: […]
Is a compass Muktza?
Question: I sometimes use a compass to help with finding directions for DAVENING. Can I use a compass on Shabbos/Yomtov for this purpose? Is a compass muktza? Answer: No, a compass is a utensil with a permissible Shabbos use, known as a “kli shemelachto leheter”, and does not have muktzeh status. Sources: Shulchan Aruch […]
Using Pinkies For Havdala
Question: Why is it that when people dip their fingers into the wine after havdalah, they use their pinkies? Why not their pointer? Thank You Answer: While this seems to be the common custom, in fact some have the custom to use other fingers, see Siddur Beis Aharon pg. 3 who writes to use the […]
Maaser for Promised Tzedakah
Question: I had promised in my mind to give a certain amount of money to tzedakah while in an unpleasant situation. May I now use maaser money to pay this or no? Answer: No, once you have pledged the money, you have an obligation to give it to charity. Maaser may not be used to […]
Is Darwinism Kefirah
Question: Sholom, I am unsure this is the right forum for this question but lets try: I would like to know if the evolution theory developed by Darwin (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darwinism) – is it by definition against the Toirah? I understand that its not a simple question to answer, but in principle, natural selection may not […]
Attending Sporting Events
Question: Is it muttar to attend professional baseball, basketball etc…games? Answer: Rav Moshe Feinstein in a famous responsa prohibited this practice based on Bittul Torah and Moshav Leitzim, basically wasting one’s time and engaging in frivolity. Some Poskim hold that when there is no problem of Bitul Torah as the person needs some recreation in […]
Exporting Tzedaka & Adopt-a-Kollel
Question: I have heard criticism about the Adopt-a-Kollel program that shuls in Chutz Laaretz should be focusing their tzedaka money on the needs of their own local poor as per “aniyei ircha kodmin” Is this criticism valid? What are the mekoros? Thank you Answer: No, the poor of Eretz Yisrael have the status of the […]
Which Patriarch never saw a Seminal Emission
Question: Which Patriarch never saw a seminal emission and where is it written in the Torah ? Answer: The Talmud in Yevamos 76a attributes this to Yaakov Avinu, and derives it from the verse in Genesis 49:3 where he refers to Reuven as his “first strength”, indicating his first seed was used to create Reuven.
Immodesty in front of non Jew
Question: Is it permissible for a lady to be in bikini next to a non Jew. For example, next to the lifesaver, o two or three other goyim. She’s not trying to call their attention, she’s not parading. Thanks. Answer: While the same restrictions of tznius do not apply when only non Jewish men are […]
Halachaic methods of writing G-d
Question: Dear rabbis, I rememvber when I was younger that the reform prayerbook would use a two yad letter denotion for G-d. Since becoming a Ba’al Teshuvah, I have never seen this denotion used. I am not fond of reform in any sense and am curious if this was a reform methodology or a true […]
Loshon hara about a book
Question: Someone on a frum online writers forum posted an enthusiastic recommendation for a book. The author is a frum yeshiva man. I happened to have read part of the book and I know it contains some blatant immodesty. Am I allowed to post a warning on the site telling people about this or is […]
Tattooing eyebrows
Question: Are married women allowed to use method of tattooing eyebrows for someone who lost all hair in eyebrows. I do not know if it is permanent but might last awhile? Answer: If it is not fully permanent, and will fade after some time, there is room for leniency to cover a deformation or restore […]
Bishul Mefafea
Question: Do we say בישול מפעפע בכל הכלי (that when you cook in only part of the pot the cooking makes the food be absorbed throughout the whole pot) or not? Answer: This is the question of “חם מקצתו חם כולו” do the blios spread throughout all of the pot or utensil. There are 2 […]
Onions in a a frying pan cut with milchig knife
Question: You are frying onions in a frying pan used for meat, when you remember you used a dairy knife to cut the onion, what is the din of the onions? And what is the din of the frying pan? What would be the din in a case that the onions were cut with a […]
Diet in Halacha
Question: B’rshus, I am a 18 year old yeshiva bachur who is, Baruch Hashem, healthy in all aspects and pretty fit (even though I gained a few pounds over Pesach). However, like many, I am a foody and I have a tendency to overeat by meals, especially by Shabbos, Yom Tov, guest by anothers house, […]
How long is עוֹלָם?
Question: 7וַהֲקִמֹתִ֨י אֶת־בְּרִיתִ֜י בֵּינִ֣י וּבֵינֶ֗ךָ וּבֵ֨ין זַרְעֲךָ֧ אַחֲרֶ֛יךָ לְדֹרֹתָ֖ם לִבְרִ֣ית עֹולָ֑ם לִהְיֹ֤ות לְךָ֙ לֵֽאלֹהִ֔ים וּֽלְזַרְעֲךָ֖ אַחֲרֶֽיךָ׃ 1. In the Torah, עוֹלָם is used to denote past time (כָּל־יְמֵ֥י עֹולָֽם, Isaiah 63:9), even ancient history. עוֹלָם is also used to describe a long duration of time, an undetermined duration of time that may have limits. עוֹלָם […]
Answering Questions in Shidduchim
Question: Hello I was recently called foe shidduch information about a guy that I know from yeshiva. The caller asked if I would consider him a considerate person. I wouldn’t describe this guy as considerate and I feel he is sometimes a little inconsiderate. How should I go about answering these types of questions when […]
Washing for wet fruits and vegetables; Giving bread to an irreligious person who will not wash
Question: I ate some baby carrots and out of laziness decided that they were not really wet and started to eat them without going to wash. Then I realized that I was not being honest with myself and they were indeed moist and decided to go wash. 1) I assume that I didn’t need to […]
Jewish contractor paying gentile workers for the Jewish customer
Question: 1. I wish to contract a gentile moving company whom a frum, Jewish contractor found for me 2. If I pay the moving company directly after they finish, they cost $ x 3. I asked the contractor if they can wait to get paid a week later after I close on my house and […]
Haircut during omer for medical need
Question: Hello Rabbi, I would like to know if I may trim my hair during the omer , I am applying antibiotic to the scalp and it is difficult to apply with long hair. I’ve been trimming every week/two weeks. It’s not to look better , is a really close buzz cut. Thank you very […]
Maasar Money for an Orphan
Question: There is an orphan in my community who I’ve grown close to. She’s a young girl who lost her mother and I got to know her while volunteering to do homework with her for an hour each night. She wanted to make a chart for homework and get a prize if she gets enough […]
Mitsvah to demand a debt from a non Jew
Question: Hello, there is the Mitsvah not to set a non Jew as a king over Jews. Torah in D’varim 17:15 uses the word “Ish-Nokhri”. Rambam explains that “Ish-Nokhri” is a Ger-Tsedeq. There is one more Mitsvah in D’varim 23:21 using the same word “Nokhri”, Torah orders to demand to pay a debt from that […]
Orlah – Plant with root-ball
Question: I would like to purchase a fruit tree, so that I can eat the fruits immediately. The growers sell trees with the “root-ball” intact (the tree’s roots, together with the dirt it grew in) in burlap sack. 1) If I plant this, do I still have to wait three years? 2) If I do […]
Shilu’ach Haken with Cardinal
Question: Is a cardinal considered a kosher bird that one can perform shilu’ach hakan with one of its nests? Answer: This bird is not considered kosher for eating purposes, as we do not have a clear tradition that it was eaten as a kosher bird. However, for SHiluach Haken it is sufficient that it has […]
Acne on Shabbos: pimples and blackheads
Question: Is it mutar to squeeze out blackheads on Shabbos and Yom tov? I understand pimples are more problematic since blood may come out but this is not the case with blackheads. So are blackheads mutar to squeeze on Shabbos and Yom Tov or is there still a prohibition of making an opening (פתח) on […]
Negative Web Reviews and Lashon Hara
Question: Dear Rabbi, BH I got married last summer. Despite a really beautiful wedding we have been having terrible problems with the photographer we used ever since. Besides not fulfilling many of the duties on the contract, he lost a great part of the video footage, has been rude to us, keeps asking for more […]
Bracha on Talis Katan before Tallis Gadol
Question: Can a person make a bracha on a Talis kattan even if later (10-15 or longer minutes) he will make a separate Bracha on a Talis gadol? Is it a Bracha (SHANO TZRICHA) not necessary? Answer: The widespread custom for one who plans to put on a Tallis Gadol, is not to make a […]
Classical Music During Sefiras Ha’Omer
Question: Your interesting answer to listening to Classical Music During Sefiras Ha’Omer is at https://dinonline.org/2014/05/07/classical-music-during-sefiras-haomer/. Your answer then goes on to say this: “Please see our article of last year, here, for more details and sources.” The word “here” is the link, but when I try to use it, it says this: “404 – Page […]