Question: Thank you for your website, for helping so many of us follow Halacha k’das u’ k’din. I have 3 vegetable peelers, plastic with metal blade. I can’t remember if I used one of them. It was toiveled but is in the drawer with chametz utensils but of course never used for chometz. I want […]
Author Archives: Rabbi Akiva Dershowitz
Q- Tip on Shabbos
Question: I’d like to know if it is permissible to use a Q-tip on Shabbos to wipe away eye makeup from under the eye? Answer: Yes, this is permissible. The Q tip may not be wet before being used.
Genizah for Child’s Sefer Torah
Question: Does a printed sefer torah for children to carry on Simchas Torah require genizah? My thought it that since it is not even meant to learn from, rather just to “look like a sefer torah” it would not. thank you. Answer: Yes, it would require genizah. The pesukim and names of Hashem require genizah […]
Velcro Rollers on Shabbos
Question: Can I put velcro rollers in my wig on shabbos if that’s what I do every time I place it on its head it’s to give it shape, not curls? Answer: If it is to maintain the shape it already has, this would be permitted. Even if it slightly improves it each time this […]
Erev Chatzeros with Neighbour’s Wife
Question: My neighbor sharing a driveway is ill. Can I do Erev Chatzeros with his wife? Thank you! Answer: Yes. In fact if you use your own matza [generally used for Eruv Chatzeros] you can do it without their direct involvement by allowing another to acquire a portion of the matza for them and then […]
Older Children and Bedikas Chametz
Question: If one is “somech on shulchan aviv” – financially dependent on his father, and lives in his fathers house but occasionally buys his own chametz must he do a bedikah in his fathers house. Answer: If in fact he owns his own chmaetz he would be obligated in bedikas chametz. Sources: Shulchan Aruch […]
Chametz Spoon in Passover Soup
Question: Putting a chametz spoon in a pot of cooking Passover soup. What happens to the soup and pot? Answer: If the soup was 60 times the volume of the head of the spoon which you inserted into the soup, which is usually the case for a full pot of soup, the soup and pot […]
Hot Water Urn for Pesach
Question: Can you use year around kettle and hot water urn on Pesach? Answer: If the urn was used with chametz or in proximity to chametz [on the counter] throughout the year it would need to be kashered. If it has plastic parts, many are stringent not to kasher plastic for Pesach. While this is […]
Poland Water Cooler for Pesach
Question: Is Poland spring water cooler kosher for Pesach? Answer: Yes, the water itself is kosher for Pesach. However if the hot water spout was used for chametz, such as pouring hot water directly onto oatmeal etc. the spout would need to be kashered by running hot water through while pouring boiling water over the […]
Does Meat Need to Be Kosher for Pesach?
Question: I bought expensive meat for pesach and afterwards I noticed that it doesn’t say kosher lepesach. It is totally unprocessed. Does it need a hechsher for pesach? Is there a reason to be stringent? Answer: Kosher butchers generally prepare their stores before Pesach to assure the meats remain out of contact with any chametz […]
Pensions Funds and Ribbis
Question: What do I need to do to avoid any ribbis problems in my Israeli pension. Must I sign for the “kosher” option? Answer: This would depend on the details of the pension, how it is structured etc. There are definitely potential ribbis issues with such an arrangement with a Jewish company. There are a […]
Leaving Home for Pesach
Question: If I’m leaving town for all of Pesach on Thursday before bedikat chametz, when do l check and burn my chametz. I’m going to a time zone further ahead that my usual place of residence as well and I’m pretty sure of the halacha for selling it; make sure the sale goes thru in […]
Maaser on a Tax Refund
Question: Do I have to give Maaser on my tax refund like regular income? Answer: In the event that Maaser has not been taken yet from this money, Maaser should be taken. If one already gave Maaser from his income [before taxes] and is being refunded part of the taxes he paid, maaser would not […]
Being a Vegetarian According to Halacha
Question: Is it ok to be a vegetarian if I just don’t like the fact the animal I’m eating was slaughtered and that idea disgusts me? Answer: Being a vegetarian is halchically acceptable. There is no time when there is a strict obligation to eat meat [in our times]. The Torah view on shechita – […]
Photographing Jewelry with a Cross
Question: Hi, I am a product photographer, One of my clients gave me between other several pieces of jewelry a necklace with a Cross [Tzeilem], Am I allowed to photograph it for my client? Answer: A cross itself is not actual Avoda Zara, and there is no prohibition to photograph it, if you are hired […]
Maaser Money for Wedding Gifts
Question: 1) Can you use Maaser money for a wedding gift (simchas chosson vekaloh)? 2) If yes, could you pay for a flight to visit a very good friend’s wedding with maaser money? Answer: If you would have given the gift even without Maaser or you are expected to give a gift, maaser should not […]
Placing Hot Pot on Counter Top
Question: Hi, Due to our small kitchen counter space we had not designated areas on the counter to be meat or milk. We have always been careful not to put something down when there is residue from the opposite min (basar or chalav). However, I realize now after some time that this could have led […]
Non-Religious Jews Turning on Lights
Question: I will be conducting the seder in the house of a non-religious Jew (both nights). The problem is that they will be turning on the lights during Shabbos, and certainly during Yom Tov. (For example, on Saturday afternoon/evening they will turn on the lights. They are not going to keep the lights on for […]
Machine Matza and Karpas
Question: Does one fulfill the mitzvah of eating matza by eating machine-made shmurah matza? I saw that this was the minhag of the great Gaon Rabbi Isser Zalmen Meltzer. Does the box need to say anything special, or is it enough that it just says “shmurah machine-made matzah for Passover”? Also, may one eat bananas […]
Selling House to Gentile for Pesach
Question: If away all of Pesach do you need to sell your house to a gentile, just sell your chometz at your house or do something else? Answer: All of the chametz is sold to a gentile, one of the methods of transaction is to lease to him a small part of one’s apartment or […]
Pesach Cake
Question: Is one permitted to eat an entire “Pesach cake” (whose bracha is shehakol) right before alos (dawn), prior to davening Shaharis? Does one fulfill the mitzvah of melava malka if he ate a “Pesach cake,” even though it contains no grain? (Although ideally one should wash on bread, I believe that melava malka can […]
Tallis for Mincha in a Shiva House
Question: Dear Rabbi, Is there an obligation for one to wear a tallis for mincha in a shiva house? Answer: No, it would have the same status as in any shul, where some have the custom for the chazzan to wear a Tallis, while most do not.
Pasta in Meat Pot then Dairy Sauce Added
Question: Hi, I accidentally used a meat pot (has not been used in more than 24 hours) to cook plain noodles, then I placed it onto a plate and poured dairy sauce on top. Can I still eat the pasta? Note: I follow sefardi halacha. Answer: Yes, the pasta may be eaten.
Annulling Vows Collectively
Question: If one has more than one neder/vow to nullify, can he nullify them all together? As in: Mention all the nedarim. Say the he regrets all of them, and then have the three men say mutar lach three time; Or does he need to do each one separately, as in mention the first neder […]
Meat in Milky Pot
Question: Hello, I accidentally cooked hot meat in a milchig pot ( that was not Ben Yomo) It was a Teflon pot. What is the status of the pot? Also by the time I realized the mistake, The fleishig mixing utensil used, was put back in there fleishig drawer with all the other ones so I […]
Lefty Holding Tzitzis and Covering Eyes in Shema
Question: If someone is a lefty, which hand does he hold his Tzitzis in during shema? Also which hand should he use to cover his eyes? Thank You Answer: He holds his tzitzis in his left hand and covers his eyes with his right hand as does a righty. Sources: Ben Ish Chai, Od […]
Jewish Lineage from Mother
Question: Why is one’s Jewish status determined by the mother and not the father? Thank you. Answer: This rule is expounded from various Biblical verses, explained in the Talmud, Yevamos 23a. As with all laws of the Torah the rule itself is clear and straightforward, received from Sinai with all the laws of the Torah. […]
What Makes Utensils Chametz
Question: Regarding chametz and utensils, how does a food utensil or any utensil for that matter, acquire a chametz status? For example, if I received a dish with mishloach manos and there were crumbs etc., does the dish become chametz? What if a cup was used for cold beer? Also, is one required to remove […]
Leaning for Karpas
Question: Why isn’t it important to lean while you are eating Karpas? Answer: There is a dispute among the early authorities if leaning is required when eating karpas [between the Shibolei Haleket and Avudraham]. The accepted custom is with the opinion that leaning is not required. This debate seems to center around the nature of […]
Security Cameras on Shabbos
Question: Are you allowed to have security cameras running on Shabbos? Either constantly recording everything, or just recording based on motion detection (when the camera detects motion, it records)? Answer: Generally the cameras are intended to record thieves or other illegal activity. As long as the average person walking by has no intent or interest […]
Fleishig Knife Cut Hot Cheese
Question: I accidentally used a cold fleishig knife to cut a hot grill cheese sandwhich, what is proper thing to do with knife, do i throw it away or can it be used again? Answer: If the knife has not been used for 24 hours with hot meat when this occurred [which is its assumed […]
Selling Chametz on the 13th of NIssan
Question: When is chometz sold on the 13th? Answer: For one who is selling his entire apartment or home as he will not be there for Pesach, or a specific part of his home which will be closed off for Pesach, and he wants to be exempt from doing bedikas chametz in the above locations. […]
Dairy Fell into Meaty Sink
Question: I noticed today that a small piece of bread with cheese or butter fell into the fleishig sink. I don’t think any hot liquid was used in the sink in the past few days. However there were fleishig dishes soaking in the sink…not sure how long the bread has been soaking there. What is […]
Loshon Hara in Article on Products
Question: I was asked to write a short article comparing two brands of a food item, both brands are Jewish companies. Is it loshon hara to promote one brand over the other- specifically because one item is healthier than the other. I wouldn’t say “don’t buy ‘x’,” I would say “‘y’ is better because…” Answer: […]
Waiting 5 Days Before Hefsek Tahara
Question: Is it possible to be lenient and only keep 4 days when mikveh will fall on seder night and my wife will not go to as we are by her parents. can one rely on the psak of the shulchan oruch in case of need. Answer: If the situation makes it impossible for her […]
Minhag for Tying Tefillin Straps
Question: Hi, the way I tie my tefillin as taught to me by my father is to do 7 straps towards me and then the three on my finger and then NOT to form a shin on my hand. I.e I do Ashkenazy 7 straps and then Spehard hand tying, since I am Ashkenazi can […]
Tzizit in Extreme Heat
Question: Is one allowed to take off his tzizit if he is in a particularly hot place, does “Minhag Yisrael Torah” make a difference? Answer: In fact this is beyond a minhag as the Gemara tells us that when one is punished for other sins, he will be punished for not wearing tzitzit [a four […]
Gift for an Aveil
Question: It is my roommate’s birthday and she is in the year of aveilus for a family member. Would it be permissible to buy a gift (a Shabbos lamp, that I know she really wants) and designate for the room she shares with another roommate? After the year of aveilus, I would then tell her […]
Kinetic and Solar Watches on Shabbos
Question: There is an automatic clock that works with energy that is produced through the body movement, may I carry it on Shabbos? Wouldn´t there be an issue of mavier or hotzaa, or any other melocho? There is also a clock that works with solar energy? may I carry it on Shabbos? Wouldn´t there be […]
Kashering a Hot Water KumKum for Pesach
Question: Can I Kasher a hot water KumKum for Pesach? If so, how? Answer: In the course of the use of a kumkum [small instant boil hot water urn] it often comes into contact with chametz. Either from pouring into chametz foods such as oatmeal, or from other contact from nearby chametz. The standard kumkum […]
Bracha on Trees in Nisan
Question: What is the minhag of saying a bracha on a tree after rosh chodesh nissan? What is the correct way to do it? Answer: The Gemara (Brachos 43a) states that one who sees blossoming fruit trees during Nissan recites, “Boruch Atta Hashem, Elokeinu Melech ha’olam, shelo chisar ba’olamo davar, u’vara vo briyos tovos v’ilanos […]
Bracha on Food on the Go
Question: Do I make a bracha rishona on food I am eating as I am driving? Do I make a bracha acharona too? Is it preferable not to make brachos on food and eat while driving or being driven somewhere? Answer: A bracha rishona and achrona is required for food eaten while driving. It is […]
Buying Mezuzos with Maaser Money
Question: I’m moving into an apartment and need to buy a bunch of mezuzas I was wondering if I can buy them using maaser money. Answer: No, a mitzva you are obligated to do you may not use Maaser funds to perform.
Kashering for Pesach and Year Round
Question: I have several quick shailot. 1. How does one kasher a spatula, or a pair of tongs for year round use or pesach use (if there is a difference). 2. can an ashkenazi kasher glass for year round use? 3. If i did hagala on a eino ben yomo meat pot into another (not […]
Annulling Unfulfilled Vow
Question: Hi, I have a question regarding nedarim. Back when I was a young bochur, I was very intense, and one time i made a neder to lean maseches peah with the bartenura and kehati, plus learn it baal peh, before i go to sleep. Basically I said, I am making a neder not to […]
Replace Window with Piece of Glass
Question: We are in the process of renovating our house. There are a couple of windows in our front entry way that we never use, can we replace the windows with a clear piece of glass? Answer: Yes, you can replace them with glass. Sources: The concern here is due to the Will of […]
Selling House for Pesach
Question: Can one sell his entire house for pesach even if he will be staying in it the whole pesach and he is unaware where some chametz maybe. Then he need not worry since even if he sees chametz it doesn”t belong to him. Answer: For Chametz one may not find in his bedikas chametz, […]
Post-it Notes on Shabbos
Question: Can I use Post-it’s As book markers on Shabbat? Answer: Yes, this is permissible. There are those who are stringent unless it will be removed from it’s place within a day, and is removed from the pad of notes before Shabbos. Sources: See Shu”T Minchas Asher Vol. 2:39, Nishmas Shabbos Vol. 7, pg. […]
Melting Ice, Crock Pot, Washing After Sunset
Question: A couple questions please.. 1. I know it is permitted to put ice into a drink to cool it off. But, is it permitted to put the ice in the cup first and then pour the drink on top of it? 2. can a sephardi use a crock pot on shabbat (crock pot which […]
Gift to Irreligious Jew
Question: A worker in my office collects money from colleagues before Pesach and Rosh Hashanah to buy a gift for the irreligious cleaner. The cleaner is presented with a voucher but not told which individuals contributed, so there is no issue of enmity. Is there any halachic issue with giving a gift to an irreligious […]