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Author Archives: Rabbi Akiva Dershowitz

Cooking dairy food on dirty meaty stove top

Question: Is it a problem if a fleishig soup spills over on to the stove top, and before it’s cleaned a milchig food is cooked on that stove top, on the same fire? Answer: If there is actual meaty food on the stovetop, it should be cleaned off before using for milky food. After the […]

The mitzvah to remember the Exodus

Question: If one realizes that he did not have in mind in Shema to fulfill the commandment of leaving mitzrayim and/or didn’t pay attention to the words regarding the exodus, what should be done? Answer: He should have in mind to fulfill this mitzvah when saying the bracha of Emes Vyatziv or Emes Vemunah.   […]

Uncut Paper Towels on Shabbos

Question: On Shabbos, is one permitted to wipe his hands on paper towels still attached to the roll, without tearing them off, or are they muktza? Answer: They may be used to wipe hands. Even if they have muktzeh status it would be that of “kli shemelachto leissur” a utensil whose usage generally involves Shabbos […]

Time for Hafrashat Challah

Question: Must Hafrashat challah be done only on Thursday? And must it be done after sunset? Answer: No, hafrashat challah, removing “challah” from dough for baked goods, may be done at all times during the week, night and day. Sources: The Rama in O:C 242 brings that there is a custom to bake challot on […]

Lighting Extra Shabbos Candles

Question: On a couple of occasions in the last couple of years my wife has missed the zman for lighting Shabbos candles and as a result has added two more candles, one for each time she missed. She has always used wax candles. When I looked this up recently in the “39 Melachos” sefer (vol. […]

Brocha on Smelling Coffee

Question: Hello. Does one need to make a brocha when smelling coffee which wasn’t brewed/cooked? What about after it was already brewed/cooked? If yes, in what lashon? Also, we know there’s an idea that one can’t make a brocha on a stolen item. Assuming that one must make a brocha when smelling coffee, can one […]

Milk in hot oatmeal cooked in fleishig bowl

Question: You poured milk in to your hot oatmeal, then you were told that the oatmeal was cooked in the same pot that was used for last night’s dinner (spaghetti and meat balls), what is the din of the cereal? Answer: If the oatmeal was transferred into a different bowl than the meaty one [i.e. […]

Davening in English

Question: For one who davens in English, is it OK to say the name of Hashem as “L-rd” or ” G-d”? (Some, including Rav Moshe Sternbuch, say that “L-rd” is problematic or even completely unacceptable, but it says in the Artscroll siddur that it’s OK.) Answer: Yes, both are acceptable. L-rd is a translation of […]

Mistaken Shehecheyanu in Kiddush

Question: On the night of shvii shel Pesach, or Aharon shel Pesach, a person accidentally recited, or began reciting, the bracha of Shehecheyanu. Is this a hefsek that would require him to repeat borei pri hagofen prior to drinking the Kiddush wine or grape juice, since this bracha does not belong in Kiddush? When should […]

Travelling from Israel to Chutz La’aretz, missing Parsha

Question: I’ll be going to Chutz La’aretz for approx 2 weeks during July. This means that I’ll hear Chukat twice, and Pinchas not at all (if I’ve worked it out right). 1) Is this a problem with not hearing kriyat hatorah of Pinchas? 2) How do I handle shanyim mikra with 2 weeks of Chukat […]

Inserting Collar Stays on Shabbos

Question: Can one insert collar stays into a collar on shabbos (if it’s not the same ones that were in the shirt originally)? Answer: Yes, this does not pose difficulty and the shirt is actually wearable without it. In addition collar stays are taken out and changed from time to time. Based on these rationale […]

Doubtful if said V’sein Bracha

Question: Regarding a person who is in doubt whether he said “vesein bracha” or “vesein tal umatar,” there is a chazakah that for the first 30 days, he said it wrong (and he must daven again). My question is: Would it depend on the person? For example, if he is 95% certain that he said […]

Kol Isha – Women Humming

Question: Is hearing a woman humming considered kol isha? Can you site the source please? Thanks. Answer: There are various indications that humming a slight tune is not included in the prohibition of Kol Isha, hearing a woman sing. However, a person must distance himself from anything which may cause him improper thoughts.   Sources: […]

Returning Library Books on Chol Hamoed

Question: Is one permitted to return library books during Chol Hamoed, even though he could also return them after yom tov? It would seem to me that it should be OK, since there is no tircha involved and carrying is permitted on Chol Hamoed, even for no reason, according to most poskim. Since one is […]

Putting Away Utensils on Chol Hamoed

Question: On Chol Hamoed Pesach can one put away utensils which are no longer needed? Answer: No preparatory activity should be done which is for the purpose of after the Chag. If the dishes need to be put away to make space or some other need it may be done as a Yom Tov need. […]

Making Saltwater for the Pesach Seder on Shabbos

Question: Is one allowed to make a bowl of saltwater on Shabbos for the Pesach seder when it falls out on Friday night? After the fact, if one forgot to make the saltwater before shabbos can they still make it on shabbos? If not, what’s the alternative? Answer: The saltwater should be made with a […]

Flying a Kite on shabbat

Question: Hello, I’d like to know if there’s any prohibition on flying a kite in shabbat, barring any problems with erub. Thanks. Moadim le-simcha! Answer: The actual flying of a kite itself does not involve a Shabbos prohibition [when there is an eruv]. However, this is not a recommended activity on Shabbos. Very often a […]

Shaving after Chatzos on Erev Pesach

Question: If one forgot to shave (assuming a kosher electric shaver) and/or clip nails before midday on erev Pesach, can one shave oneself and clip nails after midday? What about other holidays like Succot and Shavout? Or does it apply only to Pesach? Answer: Yes, after the fact one may shave and cut nails after […]

Latent Jewish Soul, Never Converts

Question: If a Gentile has a latent Jewish soul, but circumstances or something prevents that person from ever officially converting to Judaism, would that person’s soul be as equal to any born-Jew’s share in the World To Come? Answer: No, a Jew and non Jew have different forms of eternal reward in the World to […]

Going to Mikvah Before 7 Days are Counted

Question: My wife has been a nida for several weeks after she had some issues post breastfeeding. She is traveling during chol hamoed for work where there won’t be a mikvah anywhere near her. The next time she will be able to go will be once the second days of pesach start and it will […]

E-Cigarettes for Pesach

Question: I have aquired the list of ingreadiants from my Ecig. The ingredients used in our liquid is Propylene Glycol (PG), Vegetable Glycerol (VG), Water, Nicotine and carefully selected flavourings formulated specifically for the Vype devices to offer a satisfying vapour experience. Are they kosher for pesach? Answer: see here

Job Interview on Chol Hamoed

Question: Is it permissible to go for a job interview on chol hamoed? It would be convenient for the employer but would probably not be detrimental to the chances of getting the job, especially since the potential employer is observant. Answer: If possible without loss, it could be pushed off until after Pesach.

Opening Door for “Shfoch Chamascha”

Question: When “opening the door” on seder night, does one open only the door of his apartment, or all doors leading to the public? Is there any difference when it comes to opening the door between Shabbos versus a regular yom tov? Answer: This custom is to symbolize that this night is “leil shimurim” – […]