A bais din was involved in the breakup of a business between two partners. One of the partners, was stealing from the company. He presented partial documentation of his thefts and said he destroyed the rest, many years worth. In New York this is a serious crime for both the thefts and the destruction of […]
Author Archives: Rabbi Akiva Dershowitz
Brushing Doll Hair on Shabbos
Can one brush a doll’s hair on Shabbbos? Answer: This may be done gently in a way that will not [certainly] tear out hairs. Sources: See Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchisa Chapter 14, footnote 123
Cancelling Food Order
If you call a restaurant, and order food for delivery, Should you be able to cancel your order even if they started making the food? If you could, would you be paying for making them throw out food you ordered but then cancelled? Answer and sources please Answer: If the food can be sold to […]
Credit Union Loan
Am I allowed to take a loan from a credit union. The requirements to take a loan 1. you must become a member. 2. Have a checking and saving account with them that pays interest. They definitely have some Jewish members. https://www.dcu.org/about-dcu/what-is-a-credit-union.html https://filene.org/assets/pdf-reports/244_Hoel_Power_Governance.pdf A credit union is non-profit organization for their members. Each member has […]
Kavana for Yiras Hashem
Does one need to have in mind he is before one furfills a mitzvah in thought. If one does how and how often should one have this in mind for a mitzvah that is constant like Yiras Hashem. Answer: The mitzvah of Yiras Hashem along with the other “mitzvos temidios” do not require specific kavana […]
Avel on Purim
An aveil in the year for a mother: 1. Does SHE (my spouse) send SHOLEACH MANOS/ 3. Can she purchase ready made meshaloach manos from a tzedaka to send? OTHER TOPIC SAME AVEIL Can SHE go to the Bar Mitzvah seudah fo her (our) grandson where there will most likely be music? (possibility of her […]
Antibacterial Gel on Shabbos
Kvod HaRav, Is it permitted on Shabbos to wash hands with antibacterial gel – the type that dries quickly? Thank you, Answer: This product is generally very liquid, similar to liquid soap. It is pourable and has no form, hence the prohibition of Memareach does not apply. Sources: See Maamar Mordechai (303:10) and Shut […]
Conservative Services
What is the halacha regarding attending a bar mitzva of a relative(actual services, shachris laining etc..)at a conservative shul? What are the sources? Thank you Answer: The halachic angle of this shaila, is that one can not join in their tefilla and does not fulfill any tefilla betzibbur or krias haTorah in such a service. […]
Shared Headboard for Niddah
My wife is a nidda and we are at a hotel for a shabbos that has one headboard for our two beds. The head board is not attached to either of the beds. Can We both still sleep in those beds or should one of us sleep on the couch. Answer: You may both sleep […]
Digital Photo of Moon
Shalom Can I make foto of the moon by digital camera and post it in internet? Is there isur mideoraisoh or miderabonan? If it possible – please show a source Thank you Answer: One who is lenient in this regard has what to rely on. A picture is two dimensional, not protruding or sunken in. […]
Meaty Onions in Dairy Pan
My kids were doing some late night cooking and by mistake they cut up an onion with a meaty knife, fried the onion in a milky frying pan and cooked it with noodles and eggs. (only parev food) They ate the food and realised their mistake after. Both the knife and the frying pan had […]
Dairy Onion in Meaty Slow Cooker
Hello, if I used a dairy knife that has been unused for 24 hours to cut an onion on a dairy cutting board and then transferred the onion to a traditional ceramic slow cooker (marked for meat), have I rendered the slow cooker non-kosher? Answer: The maximum amount of dairy in the onion would be […]
Kavana for Mitzvos
Does one need kavanah before doing any mitzvah like tzedakeh and chesed or learning torah or any of the six constant mitzvos. It is difficult to have kavanah constantly. Answer: One should certainly have kavanah when he does a mitzvah that he is doing a mitzvah of Hashem, this is generally automatic when doing a […]
Kohen in Our Times
There are many halachot that we don’t keep today because we don’t have a bais hamikdash. Why then do the halachot of a Cohen still remain? E.g., not being able to be in contact with tumas meis, not marrying a divorcee? Why was chazal metaken that these halachos still apply if the Cohen can’t do […]
Removing Fire Detector on Shabbos
If a fire detector goes off because a battery is low in power, and it makes a very uncomfortable piercing/deafening noise. Can the fire detector be removed to the garage or put in a draw on Shabbos /yomtov? The noise can damage a persons hearing.Very piercing. Answer: The fire detector may be moved to another […]
Wig Pins on Shabbos
B”H Are sheitel pins muktzeh to move or to use thank you Answer: Shaitel pins may be used to pin a shaitel into a shaitel head on Shabbos and hence are not muktzeh.
Removing Mezuza
May one take down mezuzos from a house undergoing fixing and the people moved out for a few months to affix it on a new home they will be temporarily staying in? After the few months they will re-affix it, (provided that no Jews will move into the second home.) Answer: If the apartment is […]
Bracha on Onions
What bracha should one make on raw and fried onions? Answer: Although onions are commonly eaten raw, they are generally only eaten this way as an accompaniment to other foods, e.g. in a salad. In that case, the onions are tafel and require no b’racha. If one eats a raw onion alone, the b’racha is […]
Tight Clothes for Men
Is it a lack of Tznuis if a man wears a clothing item (ex: Sweat pants, long underwear etc)where his private area might be slightly outlined in the clothes Answer: In a public setting this would certainly violate accepted norms of tznius, as although one is covered it would be drawing attention to private parts […]
Overnight Onions
I diced up several onions in my food processor. I cooked some but would like to save some RAW to prepare salads tomorrow for Shabbat. What can I do so it won’t be a problem leaving them overnight? Thank you. Tizku l mitzvot Answer: Add in to the onions [even] a small amount of something […]
Mixed Seating Party
Can an observant Jew go to dinner party in a public place where there are men and women mixed, i.e. no mechitzah? Answer: This would depend on the nature of the party. If the women are modestly dressed and it does not include immodest behavior – drinking, dancing, women singing etc., rather it is a […]
Kosher Concepts
I am doing an investigative study for a World Religion class and I was wondering if you could answer some of my questions about the Jewish Dietary laws and keeping Kosher. The question I am researching is: What is the significance of the different times spent in between eating meat and dairy in Judaism? I’d […]
Forced Repayment 2
When someone lends you money and you do not pay back, the person can come and steal your money or force you to sell something from your membership, to pay the money back? Answer: A debt from a loan may not be collected forcibly, only through the means of Bais Din. If one completely refuses […]
Tefillin for Gentile
I hope it’s not an offensive question but can a gentile use Tefillin for prayer? Answer: Not offensive at all. While the gain in wearing them is questionable, there is no prohibition for a gentile to wear tefillin. Sources: See Maimonidies, Yad Hachazaka, Laws of Kings, Chapter 10, Law 9-10
Gift to Wife During Aveilus
Am I allowed to give a gift to my wife while she’s an aval ? After the shloishem? Answer: Yes, after shloshim. The gift should be something not so significant and therefore does not cause excessive happiness. Sources: The prohibition of giving gifts in aveilus is on account of the issue of she’elas shalom (the prohibition […]
The Mitzvah of Shabbos
It says that Avraham Avinu and the Avos kept kol HaTorah kulah. I assume that includes Shabbos. Why then were klal Yisrael given Shabbos by Hashem when they left Mitzrayim? Didnt they have a mesorah from the Avos to keep Shabbos? Answer: While Avraham Avinu kept Shabbos and the rest of the Torah, he was […]
Replacing Lens on Shabbos
If an eyeglass lens falls out of the frames on Shabbos. Can the lens be put back into the frame? Can the lens and/or frame be put away in a safe place so that it does not get damaged or lost? Answer: The lens may not be replaced as this would violate creating/fixing a ‘kli’ […]
Canceling Food Order
If you call a restaurant, and order food for delivery, Should you be able to cancel your order even if they started making the food? Can I have a answer and sources please. Answer: If the food can be sold to another person, you would be exempt from paying. If the food will go to […]
Sleeping unclothed
Is it a lack of Tznuis to sleep naked? Answer: No, as long as one gets undressed, and remains, covered under blankets. Although now uncommon, this was a common practice in Talmudic times. Sources: See Shulchan Aruch O:C 2, Mishna Brura 2.
Bracha for Peanut Butter
What is the bracha for someone that likes to eat peanut butter, cashew butter and sesame butter out of the jar without bread or a cracker? Answer: The beracha would be shehakol. Sources: See Shulchan Aruch O”C 202:7, that since most of this food is not eaten crushed, it’s bracha is shehakol. See Mishna Brurah […]
White and Brown Eggs
In kosherut are there some differences between white eggs and brown/yellows eggs of chicken? I mean on the external colour of shell… Answer: No, all colored eggs have the same status. Depending on the chicken farm and how they are raised, the incidence of blood spots may be more common in brown eggs, although this […]
Yortzeit for Adar Sheni
When should a yarhzeit be observed for someone who died on 25 Adar Sheni? Answer: For one who was niftar in Adar Sheni, the yortzeit is observed in Adar Sheni. For one who was niftar in a non leap year, there is a difference of opinion. The Shulchan Aruch rules that one should keep yortzeit […]
Used Hi-Chair Tray
Hi I have purchased a used high chair online for my baby, the tray is made of plastic, may I put food directly on the tray what is the Halacha? (This product shipped from Brooklyn and I know a lot of local jewish stores sell it(the pictures look like it was taken in a jewish […]
Forced Repayment
When someone lends you money and you do not pay back, the person can come and steal your money or force you to sell something from your membership, to pay the money back? Answer: A debt from a loan may not be collected forcibly, only through the means of Bais Din. If one completely refuses […]
Maaser Questions
I have some Ma’aser questions. Do I calculate ma’aser on my pre-tax or post-tax income, do any of the $ that my taxes pay for social services count as my tzedakah, are there any expenses I incur that halachah considers toward my ma’aser (e.g., school tuition, shul membership, etc.).? Answer: 1 One may deduct […]
Maaser Money for Aliya
Shalom, May one use maiser money to move to Eretz Yisroel? Thank you Answer: If the money was not ear marked for the poor, and one would not otherwise perform this mitzvah, he may use Maaser funds for a mitzvah. Sources: The most basic purpose of maaser money is for the poor. Thus, the Maharil rules […]
OCD an Bathroom Hygiene
Dear Rabbi Is there a halacha that says that when cleaning your body after using the toilet, that the most important area to clean is the precise location where the feces comes out? I am asking because sometimes I worry about if the feces traveled to neighboring areas during the course of wiping. If I […]
Robin Hood and Judaism
What is the jewish opinion on Robin Hood. Stealing from the rich to give to the poor. Thank you Answer: Stealing is a Torah prohibition and a person’s altruistic motives do not justify violating this sin. As with all Torah laws, unless an exception is explicitly indicated by the Torah, we are obligated to follow […]
Wrapped Potatoes in Meaty Oven
Dear Rabbi, Are foil single wrapped baked potatoes baked in a meat oven at the same time as a partially covered meat dish treated as meat or can they be treated as pareve (eaten with dairy)? Answer: If they were fully covered and placed on a clean surface [grates or in a pan], they may […]
Neutering a Dog
Can you have a male dog neutered Answer: No, this is prohibited to do by yourself or to have a non Jew do it for you. Sources: See Shulchan Aruch, Even Ha’ezer 5:11 (some maintain that sterilization of a female is only a rabbnic prohibition); Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, Iggros Moshe, Even Ha’ezer IV, 34; For […]
Bracha on Fire
Why don’t we make a birchas hanehenin on fire? Answer: The bracha we make on fire at havdala is generally understood to be a birchas hashevach. Birchas hanehenin is made only on pleasure which enters the body in some way. Sources: Magen Avraham O:C 216:1, Ritva Brachos 53b
Illegal Employment
What is the Jewish perspective on employing a person who needs a job, who is not supposed to be working in a country? Answer: A Jew must be very wary of breaking the law. This includes concerns of Dina Dmalchusa, Chilul Hashem, and Sheker. So while there are instances where the “custom” is to turn […]
Complaint on Landlord
Am I allowed to file a complaint on my landlord to the local authority? (My rental agreement with landlord is subject to NYC rent stabilization laws. I have several issues with my landlord such as not always providing minimum heat mandated by local guidelines. Filing a complaint may allow me to obtain a rent reduction […]
Class Conversation
If you have not completed the assigned reading for a class, is it Gineivas Das to still participate in class conversation about the reading? (For example, you are still able to make valuable comments despite not having read it.) (Participation contributes to your final grade in the class.) Answer: Presumably, people understand it is possible […]
Flavored Mouth Gaurd
בס’ד I am going to begin taking krav maga lessons at school, and a mouth-guard is required for this. After searching, I came upon a flavored mouth-guard, would this be allowed according to the laws of kashrus? I probably won’t get this, but I wanted to know. Thank you, P.S. The company says: “Natural Flavors, […]
Ceramic Titanium Pan
A ceramic-titanium pan with a stainless steel handle need tevilas kelim? With a bracha or not? Answer: If the coating [what the food touches] is ceramic tevilah would be without a bracha. If the coating is titanium or a mixture of titanium, it would require tevila with a bracha as with all metal vessels, where […]
Wraps, Tacos and Tortillas
Wraps, otherwise known as tacos or tortillas, what bracha is made on it? what if I’m kovea seudah on it? Answer: Tacos and Tortillas can be made from a number of sources. If they are made of corn flour, the bracha is shehakol and borei nefashos, and kvius seudah will not effect that. Wraps are […]
Korban Pesach in Our Times
Question: I came across an article written by Harav Avraham Rosenthal on the issue of Korban Pesach. https://dinonline.org/2012/03/26/the-korban-pesach/ The only issue that I had with this article is that the Rav failed to mention that we must bring the Korban in our times, B’Tuma and without the Mikdash standing. The Halacha is very clear on […]
Tachnun on 7 Adar
What is the basis/source for the minhag not to say tachanun on 7 Adar? Is there any difference between Adar I and II? Thank you! Answer: Most communities recite Tachanun on 7 Adar. There are some kehillos that don’t say. This includes Belz Chassidim. As with many questions of Tachanun, there is no explicit source […]
Restraining Order
is it permitted to ask the police for a restraining order against someone who is bothering you in USA? Answer: If all normal methods of communication have not worked to stop the harassment, such as requesting directly, or through family members or Rabbinic figure etc.. or this is not an option, you may request a […]