Rabbonim of the Beis Hora'a, Author at Ask The Rabbi - Dinonline

Shabbat Rosh Hashanah prayers

Question: B”H Kavod haRav, Regarding the proper way to pray on a Rosh Hashanah that falls on Shabbat: 1. When, if at all, may a person ask for personal needs? 2. Regarding crowning Hashem King on both days, can we have gratitude and say thank you for things that happened in the previous year, or […]

Hayom Haras Olam In Quiet Mussaf – Nusach Sefard in an Ashkenaz Minyan

Question: Hi. I daven Nusach Sefard, and my minhag is to have Shofar in middle of quiet Mussaf. After Shofar the minhag is to say Hayom Haras Olam before continuing. Even on Shabbos when we don’t blow we still say Hayom Haras Olam. When I am davening in nusach Ashkenazi minyan where the minhag is […]

Regrown Aravos

Question: The top of the branches of our aravos bush were eaten by deer but now seem to be growing new leaves at the top of the cut branches. Will those aravos be kosher lechatchila, are they posul b’dieved, or is it not preferable because of הַקְרִיבֵהוּ נָא לְפֶחָתֶךָ? Answer: Hello, If th leaves […]

Giving tzedaka online

Question: If one donates tzedaka online for a yeshiva or kollel, are we fulfilling the mitvah of tzedaka? The question arises since in all probability none of that money will actually reach the hands of those who are really sitting and learning, (who only receive a relatively small fixed amount each month anyway, which is […]

Torah learning – father to son

Question: What is the reason that the Torah formulates the obligation to study Torah by means of stating the obligation to teach one’s son Torah? (Devarim 6:7 ושננתם לביכנך and ibid. 11:19 ולמדתם אתם לביכם). Even though chazal do learn from here the obligation for one to learn Torah himself, the simple reading is speaking […]

Staff of Moshe

Question: We find in the Torah many times that Moshe Rabbeinu is holding “the staff” when performing miricles and acting on behalf of Hashem as an emmisary to Paroh. [see Shemos 4:17, 17:5, ibid. 9]. We know that no detail in the Torah is arbitrary, especially when something is repeated numerous times. Can you please […]

Ribbis by cheaper subscription price

Question: I am a personal trainer. I charge a lower rate (per month) if you pay for the year (subscription) and a higher price if you pay per month. Can I do that? What can I do if not? It is a way.to get more business by subscription than by the month. Answer: Hi, […]

Praying in a room that one got dressed in

Question: Am I allowed to pray in a room where I get dressed in? Answer: If the room you are getting dressed in, is a bathroom or shower room we may not pray there. However if the room we go dressed in is a regular bedroom, it is permitted. The mere fact that one got […]

Making up missing shnayim mikrah parshiyos

Question: In regards to the mitzvah of shnayim mikrah vi’echad targum, I have been up to date with the parshiyos for the last few months. However, over the course of the year, I ended up failing to do shnayim mikrah for about 10 parshas. I know that the latest time to make up the parshiyos […]

over-apologizing/ apologizing unnecessarily

Question: B”H Kavod haRav, I have been working on not over apologizing and B”H with Siyata Dishmaya, it’s getting better. For some reason, I have a strong yetzer hara to apologize, even when it doesn’t really fit the scenario and my perception of what does and does not need an apology is not always clear. […]

Gender restriction

Question: Hi Rabbi It is written that one should not be Messaper Im Isha Bashuk, gaze at immodest sights, be secluded with or even make hand or feet gestures at women, or even hear their singing or watch them dance even if those are made in the absence of lustful thoughts. It feels like these […]

Washing spinach

Question: Dear Rabbi, I started eating a lot of spinach. I know I must wash the leafy vegetable. If the package says ‘triple washed’ is that sufficient to let up on rigorous washing? I have never seen a bug. Answer: Hi, I asked the crc about your question and this was tier answer. “We […]

Mechila

Question: With Yomim Noraim coming up, how is it possible to ask Mechila from everyone that may have been hurt by a person’s actions/inactions or speech? It seems so overwhelming. And even if a person is forgiven by everyone and HaShem, how can a person forgive him/herself for all the harm done? It’s such a […]

Praying during Pregnancy

Question: I remember learning the Gemara in Brachos that says until 40 days from conception one can pray for the child to be a specific gender. Does this mean one can pray until 40 days from mikva night if one knows that they are pregnant (as that night the conception may have happened)? Would one […]

Beis Din before going to Insurance Company

Question: If someone wants to claim damages to his home against a contractor, does the halacha say somewhere that he should go to the insurance company of the contractor to file a claim before he takes the contractor to Beis Din? Or, if he does file a claim for damages and the insurance company says […]

Blessing over grapes and raisins

Question: Dear Rabbi, I was surprised to see that the correct bracha is HaEtz. So, unless the grape is made into juice or wine, it is not HaGafen? Answer: Hello, Correct. The bracha on fruits that grow on trees is Haetz, such as grapes, olives, or oranges. There is a specialness to wine, since it […]

How do these 2 Chazal’s go together?

Question: On one hand, Chazal say that a person would rather have his own supply of produce more than 9 times of someone else’s produce. On the other hand, Chazal say that stolen goods are enjoyed more than goods that are permissible. How do these 2 statements go together? For if one wants the work […]

Is veal permissible

Question: We have always been able to buy various cuts of veal at the Kosher butcher. We have recently noticed that veal is no longer being sold. And we have been told that in Canada rabbis have banned selling veal. Why would this be suddenly unacceptable? There seems to be no logical explanation given on […]

Waking up without an alarm on Shabbos

Question: I usually have an alarm wake me up in the morning for davening. As such, even if I wake up before my alarm goes off, I believe its halachically permissible for me to go back to sleep, since the alarm is like a shomer. However, I don’t use an alarm on Shabbos. So what […]

Mi Shebeirach

Question: Am I allowed to say a Mi Shebeirach for my non-Jewish pregnant daughter in law? If she does not have a relationship with her father is it ok to not include his name? Answer: Hello, This sounds very unfortunate. Without judging your son, unfortunately, his marriage to her is a sin, as we […]

Claiming tax deduction

Question: Hi, I’m an Australian lawyer who lives in Israel. I’m set up as a sole business (אצמי) in Israel and I invoice my firm in Australia every month for the work that I do. Every year I have to pay the renewal fee for my practicing certificate and my annual premium for professional inmenity […]

Lower price for pre order

Question: Is it ok to offer a lower price on a set of arba-minim if it is pre reserved and paid for? I.e. On the sign it says pre order by transferring money by a certain date and pick it up at the sale and receive it cheaper and guarantee there will be one there […]

Washed Dishes

Question: Are there any kashrut concerns if I forgot to wash my hands after taking out the recycling and green bins and then washed some dishes? Do I need to rewash them? Answer: Hello, There are no kashrus reasons that you should have to wash your hands. Best wishes

Holidays and foods

Question: Hello Rabbi, Could you please help me understand what is permitted and not permitted on Rosh Hashanah and between Rosh Hashanah and Yom KIppur? And do these start on the days or a few days before Rosh Hashanah? 1. Could one have nuts/nut butter the night before erev RH? (so this year Thursday night?) […]

bugs

Question: Hello Rabbi, I was eating a peice of cake and feared that a bug flew into it (this actually happens a lot in the summer with bugs flying around or even into/onto food). I kept going because I have OCD and often get rid of food in fear of bugs so I decided to […]

Krias shma al hamita

Question: Is krias shma Al hamita for women a mitzvah from the Torah? Saying krias shma al hamita is a big challenge for me and many times I fall asleep before saying shma. I wld really like to do teshuva. Any suggestions to make it easier? Answer: Hello, Kriyas shema al hamitta is a […]

Nails – Pregnancy and Shabbos

Question: If one has has a fingernail which is mostly off on Shabbos and one’s wife is pregnant, can one pull it off similar to the heter of one who the nail is causing him pain? Also, if it fell off, would it be permitted for him to pick it up and put it in […]

Do these two situations require a chatas?

Question: Ha Rav, 1. I was putting on my socks when I heard an inside sock thread tear. Am I responsible for a chatas. 2. A plastic spoon I was using to scoop out peanut butter broke. Am I responsible for a Chatas? Answer: Hello, Both instances that happened to you are not a […]

Beef before Mikvah

Question: I mistakenly ate beef right before going to the Mikvah what is the din? Answer: Hello, You can still go, just make sure to clean well in between your teeth. Kol Tuv Sources:

Take photos of myself without tzniut

Question: Hello Rabbi! I wanted to know if I could take photos of myself without tzniut just for me. I keep them for me because I like seeing them. Is there a problem? I would like to hear about the halachic and hashkafic perspective about this. Thank you! Answer: Hello, I respect your courage […]

Can a Jew deny being Jewish or pretend to be a gentile?

Question: I remember hearing people say that there is a halachah (or at least an “inyan”) that a Jew is not allowed to deny his Judaism. It had supposedly to do with the story of Mosheh Rabenu a”h, when he was introduced to Yitro. When his daughters called him an ‘Egyptian man’ he remained quit […]

Giving rides

Question: I live 7 hours away from my in laws so we rent a car each time we travel to them. I have a situation that keeps coming up and don’t know how to deal with it. Whenever we go for yom tov to my in laws, my husband’s married sister makes her plans for […]

Unveiling by myself

Question: Good Morning Rabbi, I am mourning the loss of my beloved mama and I have tentatively scheduled the unveiling within the next two weeks. Am I permitted to conduct the unveiling by myself? Thank you very much for your consideration. Answer: Hamakom yinachem eschem b’toch shar aveilei T’zion v’Yrushalayim. The generally accepted minhag […]

Lashon Hara?

Question: Hello Rabbi, I like to send pictures of funny things (like typos that change the meaning, etc) to friends. If I see some that are from a Jewish store, is it ok to send as long as the person cannot tell where it is from? Or is that still “making fun” of the store? […]

Cutting down trees

Question: Our friends recently cut down two very old but healthy trees at their country house. The reason was because it gave too much shade and created a lot of debris in their back garden and pool. Is there a Judaic law that forbids the cutting of healthy, thriving trees? I personally thought it was […]

Lashon hara and pressure

Question: Hi I work in a office for Nursing homes and another workmate (*1) pointed out that another workmate(*2) was asking people in the facility to get invoice which you are not supposed to do. I told my workmate(*2) that you are not supposed to do that, she agreed with that and said she is […]

Brocho on a nes

Question: Many years ago I was driving a car in the middle of Kansas having been riding in the car all night and at about 5am I fell asleep at the wheel driving 70-80mph, seemingly a serious makom sekana, so Hashem saved me (and the others in the car) by blowing out a tire just […]

Partnership-condo responsibilities

Question: In a bungalow colony where anything outside of personal quarters is shared expenses, including tree trimming, landscaping, lighting etc. Question if Dead trunk of a tree fell on a car and it damaged the car who is responsible to pay? The group and or can the Partnership force the owner to use his own […]

Round luchos

Question: There is a prevalent custom of having the two luchos someplace in the front of a shul. Many times, the luchos are made with round tops. The indication of the Gemara is that the luchos were indeed square (Bava basra – they fit into the square aron). If so, what is the reason and […]

Brocha on ice-dream with ‘cookie-pieces’

Question: What is the correct brocha to make for ice-cream with small pieces of biscuit/cookie added to give crunch or flavour? Do we apply the rule of ‘kol sheyesh bo m’chameshes haminin mevoroch olov borei minei mezonos’? What if this is eaten at the end of a ‘bread meal’? Please give marei mekomos if possible. […]

Amazon Refund Legit?

Question: I ordered a baby toy on Amazon, it was super cheap and came from China. When it arrived, one of the 4 items appeared to be a bit damaged and another item was covered in dust. The box was also broken. It came in a non-acceptable condition. I wrote to the seller that two […]

home

Question: Hi, What does a good home mean and how do I get it? Answer: Hello, There is a lot to say on this topic, but I’ll keep it brief. From a Jewish angle, a good home means a home that is dedicated to the ideals of the Torah, and keeping the mitzvos. Included […]

Birchas Hamazon on an Airplane

Question: Hi, Is there any part of Birchas Hamazon that one does not say when Bentching on an airplane? Does it make any difference if the airline is Jewish or not? Thanks! Answer: Hello, When traveling on a plane one would say “הרחמן הוא ישלח לנו ברכה מרובה בהליכתנו ובישיבתנו עד עולם” , and […]

Wife of a Cohen

Question: One shouldn’t let a cohen work hard and ask him to do things. What about the wife of a cohen? Is she allowed to ask her husband for favors or should she try to refrain to honor his status? Thank you Answer: Hello, This question sounds quite conveineint for cohanim, thier wives are going to […]

Hair uncovered in front of baby

Question: Hi, is a mother allowed to let her baby see her uncovered hair as well as her being in undergarments. Thank you Answer: Hello, In general, we should try to be “tzniusdik” whenever possible, but what you mean to ask is if there is an issur in halacha with this. When using the […]

Non-kosher contact

Question: Unfortunately, my step-daughter’s biological father feeds her non-kosher food when they are together. I am often worried that she might track non-kosher residue into our kosher kitchen. I have her wash her hands when she comes home but recently she was in our kitchen talking close to our pots and I’m worried she might […]

Potential meat contact with dairy dishes

Question: My daughter went into the cupboard with our dairy dishes after she had eaten meat. She would have eaten the meat, and used her hands, a few hours earlier. It is not clear to me if she had meat residue on her hands. She claims to have only retrieved a paper plate from inside, […]

Vacation during avelus

Question: Is it permitted to take a vacation after the shloshim for my mother? Answer: Hamakom yinachem eschem btoch shar aveilei t’Zion v’Y’erushalayim, The answer to your question depends on why you are taking the vacation. In general, if it is needed for emotional or health reasons then it is permitted. O eodes have […]

Refuah on Shabbos

Question: I have a problem with a buildup of mucous every morning in my nose and my throat. It is at times hard to talk and breathe out of my nose properly. My Dr suggested a nasal rinse which is to be used twice a day. The treatment is a squeeze bottle with warm water […]

Non-kosher food

Question: If someone accidentally ate non-kosher food, is it sufficient to simply brush their teeth before using utensils in their home? Answer: Yes. There is an old joke people say about a persn that wanted to know how to kasher his muth for Pesach he told him to fill his mouth with water, and […]