kavod harav, 1. If one eats chicken or meat, is he allowed to eat a pareve food cut with a dairy knife afterwards? The pareve food is not a dvar charif. 2. Is one obligated to wear shoes while davening? While saying a bracha? Is there a difference between socks and shoes? 3. Does a […]
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PARSHA PONDERINGS-CHAYEI SARAH
PRESENTS OR PRESENCE? TO BE OR TO FREE- THAT IS THE QUESTION ויתן אברהם את כל אשר לו ליצחק. ולבני הפלגשים אשר לאברהם נתן אברהם מתנות וישלחם מעל יצחק בנו בעודנו חי קדמה אל ארץ קדם And Avraham gave all that he had to Yitzchok. And to the concubine-children which were Avraham’s, Avraham gave presents, […]
Broken Engagement
BS”D The kinyan was done at the engagement. The chussen broke the shidduch in a few weeks as being himself disable to get married. He aslo refused to ask Kallah for the mechillah for all pain and embarrassment by breaking the shidduch as he doesn’t think he did something wrong. What has to be done […]
Parshas Vayeira – Bikur Cholim
Maareh Mekomos: Sotah 14B Rambam Avel 14 B”M 30B
Matching Gowns at Wedding
can a bride demand her female relatives to wear color themed dresses to her wedding, or is it a problem of chukas hagoyim? Answer: While her right to demand may be questionable [requesting might be a better idea], there is certainly no problem of chukas akum. That prohibition is limited to things which have no […]
Thyroid Patch
i have a thyroid problem and i cant take medications due to sensitivity.i was told by a holistic practioner that i can wear a thyroid patch. This patch is charged with certain frequencies which when worn on the body can help to regulate the thyroid. After about a month it gets used up and you […]
Bracha for Melba Toast and Bagel Chips
What bracha do you make on 1. Melba toast and 2. bagel chips (sold in snack bags)? Answer: Commercially produced bagel chips are made directly into hard small cracker like chips and are mezonos. Melba toast is made as bread and then toasted. In factories it is made with intent to immediately turn it into […]
Parshas Vayairah
Rabbi Reisman Rebbi started with 3 questions. The first question is, in last weeks Parshah, we read thatLot was captured, and Avraham Avinu had a war to rescue him. Isn’t it strange that in this weeks Parshah, when Sarah is taken captive, why doesn’t Avraham Avinu take the same army to do battle, to […]
Yortzeit for Petirah Bein Hashmashos
A person passed away Bein Hashmoshos, when is the Yahrtzeit and which date is put on the Matzeivah? Thank you Answer: With regards to kaddish and the amud, if possible both days should be kept. Otherwise, Rav Moshe Feinstein ruled that the later day should be observed, being for the entirety of the first day […]
Taking Hoshanos from Aron Kodesh
Ever since I can remember the “Ha Shainess” branches have been tossed on the top of our Aaron Kodesh. Do the laws of Lulav apply to them? i.e.gift and ownership? We pay or make a donation when we collect our branches from the pile in the shul. The branches were removed from the top of […]
Free Use of Microsoft Programs
This past week, someone in our community asked if anyone could benefit from an older version of Microsoft Word (2007). Since my wife’s laptop computer does not have any of those programs, I agreed to take her old disc. However, I then realized that it might be stealing to take a disc that was once […]
Kaddish for Sibling
How long does one say kadish for a sibling if there is a son to say it for the whole year? Answer: When there is a son saying Kaddish, the siblings generally do not say kaddish at all.
Mezuza for Closet
I have a closet that is 36.667 sq. ft. it seems that this is just shy of the shiur of 4×4 (Sq.) amos…is it still “proper” to put a mezuza on it OR do we say if it’s patur there’s no reason to? As always, any sources you have on the topic are greatly appreciated. […]
Bracha on Tevila After Wedding
Kvod HaRav, In this answer https://dinonline.org/2011/06/23/basic-guidelines-for-the-first-night/ point number 4, you write “Even if no bleeding is discerned, if the husband completes marital relations (complete penetration), his wife is prohibited to him, and she must complete the process of purification, though she doesn’t recite a blessing upon immersing in the mikva.” Can you please source this […]
Kohen Married to a Non Virgin
According to the Sephardi Halacha what happens if a cohen marries someone that is not a Virgin Answer: It is prohibited for a Kohen is to marry a woman who was previously married and divorced or one had relations with a non Jew, even before the marriage. One in such a relationship is required to divorce. […]
Divorce for Adultery
According to the Sephardi Halacha what happens if the wife of a cohen commits adultry. Am I suppose to divorce her Answer: The general halacha is that any woman who commits adultery must be divorced, even not the wife of a kohen. However due to the severity of such a question and many intricate laws […]
Tying Down Schach
Hi there, A couple quick questions: 1) Can one tie down their schach? (eg with rope, yarn, plastic zip ties) 2) Is it a problem to put one’s chair down on grass (e.g. in the sukkah) b/c of choresh (ie the leg of their chair will dig a hole into the ground)? Any sources that […]
Shnayim Mikra During Shiva
I am still sitting shiva . Am I allowed to do shenaim mikra Vehad Targum ? Answer: This is only permitted on the Shabbat during the shiva, but not the rest of the shiva. Sources: Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah Siman 400:1, see Taz ibid and Pischei Tshuva 3.
Carrying Phone on Shabbos in Times of Danger
There have been a number of stabbings in the vicinity of my home. May I carry a cellphone on shabbat in case if an emergency? Answer: The benefit of carrying a weapon, pepper spray or the like is clear and permissible in the times of danger we find ourselves in. Cellphones are more questionable as […]
Yichud at Work
Hello, I have a question about yichud in a situation where a jewish married man works with a non-jewish female secretary and sometimes another non-jewish female co-worker in a closed office where one has to ring before entering. What are the options if there are any and if his wife works with him part-time, would […]
Laws of Shatnez
Please explain the concepts of “shatnes”, the dissimilar materials used in clothing. What is not allowed?? Answer: The Torah teaches about the prohibition against wearing a mixture of wool and linen in the same piece of clothing, as it is written, “You shall not wear combined fibers, wool and linen together” (Deut. 22:11). Shatnez is […]
Envelope Found in House
1. I am selling my house in NY State. I live in Maryland. 2. My real estate agent says that someone visiting my home found an envelope of money in one of my closets. 3. My real estate agent says that according to the laws of Hashavis Aveidis, I must provide the proper simanim for […]
Baruch Hashem Laolam by Maariv
My whole life I have been saying “Baruch Hashem Leolam” by maariv. I recently found out that my father”s minhag is to not say it. Can I stop saying it, and follow my father”s minhag? Answer: Being that the widespread custom outside of Israel is to say this bracha, and that has been your practice, […]
Non Jewish Mother
I let a shidduch go on way too long. She’s had a kidney transplant and she’s so attached to me she cries and I cave in. She lost her temper once and said ——- to me. Can you break up a shidduch for that bad mida? Plus, her father was Jewish, mother not and wants an […]
Parshas Lech Lecha – Kedushas Hachaim III – Brain and Cardiac Death
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Informing of Forgiven Loan
I lent someone a small sum of money and he forgot about the loan. In my heart I forgave the loan, but do I need to inform him of this? Answer: No, he does not have to be informed. He is not actively sinning and it is not being done with intent. In addition reminding […]
Putting Sick Pet to Sleep
Are you allowed to put a pet to sleep who has serious illness that cannot be cured. The animal is not old but continually walks in circles because of brain related illness. Answer: An animal which is suffering, and causing a burden on it’s owner because of the condition you describe, may be put to […]
Buying Plants After Shmitta
I rented an apartment and was negligent in taking care of a mint plant. Wanted to know if there are any Halachik problems in replacing this plant, which is potted and just outside the window, with a similar plant from somewhere like the Botanical gardens. I do not rely upon the heter machira. Answer: Plants […]
Using Otzar Beis DIn Esrog
Dear Rav, I am in chutz lal’aretz. May I use my otzar beis din Esrog with kedushas shvi’is for the following purposes: 1) Making Jam 2) Making Esrog liquor 3) Studding with cloves to use as besamim Or are any of these procedures considered destroying / using shmitta produce for an unusual use? Furthermore, would […]
Avel Attending Sukkos Party
I AM IN AVELUS FOR MY MOTHER, SHE PASSED AWAY 6 MONTHS AGO….MY HUSBAND FAMILY IS MAKING A SUKKAH PARTY AM I ALLOWED TO GO? Answer: An Avel should not attend a seuda with others outside of their home for the duration of Avelus. In the instance of a mitzva such as a Bris or […]
Lattice Wall for Sukka
Is Lattice type wood Kosher for sukkah walls? Like this one : http://www.homedepot.ca/wcsstore/HomeDepotCanada/images/catalog/17177.RegularLattice_4.jpg Answer: Yes, this is considered a kosher wall for a sukka.
Lashon Hara in Diary
Is it considered lashon hara if you write negative things about a person in a personal diary that no one will read, but is written as a way of catharsis and communicating ones stress and frustration that one feels toward another person. Thank you. Answer: No, lashon hara is conveying negative things to another person. […]
Misused Fleishig Container
i put hot Mac and cheese into a clean plastic fleishig container which hasn’t been used in a long time (maybe even a year) can I eat the macaroni / can the container be used? Thanks Answer: The macaroni may be eaten, the container should be kashered to be used again with fleishig. This means […]
Parshas Noach – Kedushas Hachaim II – Assisted Suicide and Abortions
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Marrying Girl with Same Name as Mother
I am seriously dating someone and I have the following question. My mother’s name is פסחה – Pescha- Female word for Passover, and the girl I’m dating is named פעשא – Pesha. I saw in one source that the name Pesha – פעשא – means Passover – female for Passover. Therefore, if I assume that […]
Growing an Uneven Beard
My beard doesn’t grow in well, should I still let it grow? Answer: Growing a beard is not an obligation, as there are permissible ways to remove facial hair according to halacha. So there is no clear answer to this question, at what expense should you grow a beard if it will cause you discomfort […]
Used Car Break Down Soon After Purchase
6 weeks ago I bought a car from another member of the jewish community, when I purchased the car I asked him how long he thought it would last to which is responded ‘(u never know) but its a good car- just wear and tear requires a service every year like most part’, However just […]
Pareve Mixer for Cheese Cake
I have a mixer that I only use for Parev cold food. Can I use it to make a cheese cake? Answer: The mixer may be used to make cheese cake. After it is cleaned out well, the mixer may still be used to make foods which are to be considered parve.
Maid Doing Laundry on Chol Hamoed
Can my non Jewish cleaning do laundry on chol hamoed? What if she does it without us asking, do I need to stop her if it is a problem? Answer: No, she may not do the laundry on Chol Hamoed. She should be informed before the Chag not to do laundry for the duration of […]
Tumas Kohein for Relatives Missing Body Parts
A Cohen cannot be metamay to a relative that is not “whole” certainly a missing arm or leg would be included but where do we draw the line? What about a missing eye? what about an internal organ like appendix or womb or tonsils? what about missing teeth? Answer: Internal organs are also considered to […]
Marital Relations on Hoshana Raba
Is one allowed to have marital relations on layl hoshana rabah? Answer: The only nights when relations are forbidden, are Yom Kippur and Tisha Bav. The poskim mention some nights when according to the Zohar one should refrain, this includes the first night of Pesach, Shavuos, Rosh Hashana and SHmini Atzeres. The Misna Brura brings […]
Washing Hand Towels on Chol Hamoed
Is it allowed to wash hand towel generally on chol hamoed? In this special case we had a smaller water damage and needed to use most of our towel and now be frightend that they could get ruined. Thanks! Answer: Unless a person has enough to last through the entire Chag, hand towels may be […]
Kohanim Attending Unveiling
A family of kohanim would like to attend the unveiling (hakamat ha’matzeiva) at the cemetery for their mother. Are they allowed to enter the cemetery and travel on the roads in between the plots and stand on the road next to the grave (assuming there are no trees hanging over the roads)? Answer: There is […]
Parshas Bereishis – Kedushas Hachaim I – Vegetarianism
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Shul Membership Fees
I live in Zayit which is one of the areas within Efrat. In Zayit there are four main Ashkenazi Shuls. I pay membership fees to one of them. However, I frequently daven with my son at the early morning Shabbat minyan at another Shul. This is not the main minyan at that Shul and there […]
Chesed of Raising Children
Shalom uvracha! When woman take care of her own children – it’s count for her as making chesed? Thanks Answer: Raising children is one of the greatest acts of chesed a person can perform. The Talmud in Tractate Kesubos 50a relates that one who raises their children [and feeds them] is considered doing an act […]
Opening Oven on Shabbos
If the halacha is, that one can not use a kli shemalchto leissur if one has a an alterantive option. Then, how can one place things and remove things from an oven on shabbos. Answer: One is not obligated to search for alternative option to avoid moving a kli shemelachto leissur when it is for […]
Oaths and Vows
Shalom, If one did not know the halacha that a minhag tova or saying to do a mitzvah is a neder automatically, and if he would have known he would have said “bli neder”. Is that considered a neder btaus that does not even need hatarah? What if a 11 year old girl or 12 […]
Jury Duty
Is there a chiyuv to respond to a jury duty request? Answer: It is common practice to avoid jury duty. Even one who goes in for a call can avoid serving by answering the questions deliberately in a way which will make him undesirable. Hence there is no halachic obligation to respond to a jury […]
Pareve Pie in Dairy Oven
Shalom I baked a Oarve apple pie in my dairy oven by accident since I wanted to serve it to my guest as a dessert after a Fleishig meal, can I still do that or is the pie considered Halavi? Answer: I assume the cake was eaten by now! but in general in such a […]