Question: The gemara Kiddushin 29a says there is a mitzvah for a father to teach his son a profession (um’nis). what is the obligation of a parent nowadays in this regard? pay for college? what if the child doesn’t want to learn a profession? Answer: According to the strict letter of the law a father […]
Author Archives: Rav Y Wiener
eating a kezayis before talking
Question: Why is it improper to talk until after one has eaten a kezayis (of bread)? Does this apply by other foods, as well? Even the smallest crumb of bread requires a bracha rishona; therefore, the bracha of hamotzi takes effect as soon as the smallest crumb of bread has been ingested. Moreover, there are […]
Follow up tp Question 40254
Question: Thank you for your response to question about eating in kosher kitchen in non-observant home. May I ask you a follow-up question: Is there any practical difference between their trustworthiness here and the fact that they would not be “trustworthy” as aidim, say for kiddushin? This question has been posed by someone close to […]
Woman shaking hands
Question: If a male non jew extends his hand to a jewish women, may she accept the handshake? Answer: Although it might be permitted to accept the handshake nevertheless she should try to the best of her ability to avoid getting into such a situation. Perhaps she should explain that she is not permitted to shake hands because […]
Loan on interest
Question: I run a business outfit that gives loan on interest (10% monthly) to people, mostly non-Jews. A Jewish brother who knows that I run that outfit needed a loan, he did not come to me to ask for the loan, instead he went to my manager probably because he had collected money from me […]
Lending Jobs
Question: I’m a sophomore at NYU studying Finance and Economics. I’m quite interested in Real Estate Finance and I was wondering what restrictions I would have with regards to careers as an observant Orthodox Jew. There are 3 main institutions that I am curious about: Mortgage Brokerage, Traditional Bank Real Estate Lending(Large Firms like Valley […]
Wash up in a non kosher sink
Question: Dear Rabbi, Is it permitted for one to wash up in a sink which has been used for non kosher food? Answer: If the sink has been used with hot non kosher food or hot water on non kosher utensils it is still permitted to wash kosher dishes there providing it is thoroughly clean […]
Brachos in front of uncovered feet
Question: Is a man allowed to make a bracha in front of a women whose not wearing socks? (only the feet are exposed not the legs) Answer: One should refrain from making a bracha in front of exposed feet, because now days the custom is to cover one’s feet. Sources: MaHarsho Chidushey Agados end of Makos, […]
eating before davening
Question: If one has a choice b/w davening SE sitting down due to weakness, but not eating before davening, versus eating something and davening standing up, which should he do? Answer: It is preferable to eat before davening and daven normally standing up. Since he is not eating out of haughtiness but because of weakness. […]
Ribis when buying plane ticket
Question: Is there an issue of ribis to buy a plane ticket from an airline like El Al (Jewish owned) where if you pay in advanced they give you a cheaper price for the plane ticket? Answer: Many Poskim permit advancing money for a discount as long as a kinyan was made prohibiting retracting.Therefore you […]
Checking out of a hotel on Shabbos
Question: I will be staying in a hotel for Shabbos, check out on Shabbos day is at 4:00 PM. Are we allowed to check out and not to do anything that has to do with paying but to take our bags and bring them to the lobby to hold and we will wait until after […]
krias shema
Question: A person davened Maariv right after shkia and went to sleep (whether on the couch, or in bed) before repeating krias shema. He awoke a hour or so before dawn. Should he first say the blessings on the Torah and then say krias shema, or can he say krias shema, go back to sleep, […]
teshuva on shabbos/yom tov
Question: Can one do Teshuva on Shabbos/yomtov? Regreting sins and saying ASHOMNU, ect. Or only in ones mind? Answer: There is no problem to repent on Shabbos or Yom Tov. On the contrary it is is commendable to repent daily. It is only forbidden to ask a private request that might cause undue anguish. Sources: […]
voluntary prayers – follow-up
Question: I did not understand the rav’s answer regarding voluntary prayers on Shabbos. If a person has a safek whether he davened or not, on Shabbos, it makes sense that he cannot repeat the prayer because possibly he was already yotzi so it would be a bracha l’vatala. So safek brachos l’hakel. Answer: You wrote […]
Children’s Tzitzis
Question: Do children’s tzitzis need to be put in genizah when no longer being used? Does this also apply to individual strings of the (child’s) tzitzis that rip and are found on the floor? Answer: They should not be treated in disgrace and it is praiseworthy to put them into the genizah, also individual strings found on […]
voluntary prayers
Question: Considering that voluntary prayers are not permitted on Shabbos, if one should have a doubt regarding whether he prayed one of the Shabbos prayers, or if he prayed correctly, should he simply refrain from davening again? Answer: He can daven correctly, only extra private requests are not permitted on Shabbos. Sources: Yerushalmi Shabbos Chap 15 […]
gaal yisroel
Question: A person said the entire bracha of emes v’yatziv but forgot to say the last sentence (Baruch ata Hashem… Yisroel) and went straight into SE. What should he do? Finish SE and repeat the whole bracha afterwards? Answer: He should finish the Shmoneh Esrey and say the bracha afterwards. Sources: O:CH 60:3 Mishnah Berurah […]
Eating in Non Observant Home with kosher kitchen
Question: My mechutanim – the parents of my son-in-law, a baal teshuvah and ben Torah (in Semicha program) are not shomer Shabbos. They recently had their kitchen kashered by Chabad, bought all new sets of dishes, utensils, appliances; my son-in -aw did tevillah. My son-in law and daughter now eat there, and my mechutanim claim […]
Why are there 4 lines of תובות and רשי that seperates from the gemara
Question: Why are there 4 lines seperating the gemara and rashi Answer: You are correct that most gemoras have 4 lines separating the gemara and Rash (and Tosefos) because that is the way the Vilna Shas was printed. Some want to say that it comes to hint that we should revise what we learnt at least […]
tzitzis on Shabbos
Question: If a person does not wear tzitzis on Shabbos (this was the opinion and custom of the Brisker Rav zt”l and his talmidim), and he announced to other people that he follows this opinion, is it necessary to do hataras nedarim if he wishes to start wearing them again (such as if a rav […]
Besamim
Question: Can you please tell me what some of the most lechatchila options there are for besamim by havdala? We enjoy the aroma of esrog as well as mint leaves, but since both are different berachos than minei besamim it seems like the mishna berura would say it’s best to use cloves or something else(?) […]
wine covers all beverages
Question: If one makes a hagofen on wine, that covers all other beverages (that are in front of him or, at least, he had them in mind when he made hagofen). 1. How much wine must one drink for this to work? 2. Does it also work by grape juice, or re-constituted grape juice (which […]
Fasting on shabbos
Question: One sees that the Mussaf prayer on Shabbos will be delayed and one will only get home/ have the opportunity to make Kiddush when it will be after chatzos (if one davens with the minyan), and one has not had anything to drink that day yet. Should one leave the shul, make Kiddush and […]
Food in hands of non-Jew -follow-up
Question: Thank you for giving me a heter, as I was concerned that I had done an aveira by eating the pizza. However, please see here http://www.shemayisrael.com/parsha/halacha/Issue6.pdf that according to Rav Belsky zatzal, it would seem preferable for the pizza to be sealed. With all due respect, to say that the professor is concerned that […]
One sink
Question: We have one sink and very shortly after washing dairy dishes (although i dont THINK there was any water that was yad soledes bo used for washing) the rack at bottom of the sink were switched to fleishigs without cleaning the sink first and then boiling hot fleishig equiptment spagetti was poured into strainer […]
Would G-d destroy the righteous
Question: 18:23 Here and in 20:4,5 G-d is asked about causing the righteous to suffer. Here G-d acknowledges Avraham and finds further proof. On 20;4,5 G-d seems to back down completely. Are Avraham’s and Avimelech’s questions the same? What do we learn from G-d’s responses? Why did Avraham think G-d would destroy the righteous with […]
Personal Struggle
Question: Hello there! Shalom aleichem. I have been studying about Judaism for two years now and have learned a little bit. I have also been listening to some rabbi’s like rabbi Yosef mizrachi and some others. This learning has really helped me to be closer to god and to gain more knowledge about him and […]
Studying in an ‘unclean place’
Question: Is it permissible to study a Sefer in a coffee shop or in a community centre or in a public library ? Answer: If you look down into the sefer you can study in a coffee shop or in a community center or in a public library. Sources: O:CH 75:1 Mishnah Berurah 1 Biur Halacha […]
Baby wipes
Question: Can one use baby wipes on shabbos? Answer: Huge differences of opinion between the Rabonim! If you don’t use them it is praiseworthy and commendable and if you do use them you have whom to rely upon. Sources: Teshvas Minchas Yitschok 10:25, Kovetz Meor Chaim 10, and more
HaSatan
Question: There are 27 instances of the word satan; in five distinct inflections, occuring in 23 verses of the Tenach. There is also the word sitnah which occurs as a noun in Bereshit 26:21 (as the name of a place) and in Ezra 4:6 and as a verb found six times in four inflections. Well […]
Food in the hands of a goy (maybe he switched it)
Question: A goyishe professor bought two slices of kosher pizza for me and treif pies for the rest of my law school class. When the goy hands me the kosher box of pizza, am I allowed to believe him that it is kosher? The name of the pizzera is on the box, which I know […]
Ramban to Bereishis 18:15
Question: Ramban says that laughter of the heart is never associated with simcha (only laughter of the mouth). What about Mishle 31:25 (Vatischak leyom acharon)? Answer: Maybe she will laugh out aloud out of simcha. Sources:
Parve pot washed milchig
Question: I have a bunt pan that I only used for parve however in the fleishig oven. I mistakenly washed it in milchig sink with a sponge reserved for milchig. What is its status? Thanks Answer: The pan can still be used for parve because you probably also used soap which blemishes any traces of […]
Can G-D delete? Can people be deleted so they don’t exist?
Question: Can G-D delete? Can people be deleted so they don’t exist? If yes, what suggests it (like in creation) Answer: Sorry don’t understand the nature of the question. Sources:
ceramic crock pot insert
Question: Does the ceramic insert (the cooking part) of a crock pot needs to be toveled? It has a glaze on it. With a Bracha or not? Answer: There are many opinions regarding ceramic glazed dishes and pots whether they need tevilah or not. Also according to the opinions that they need tevilah there is […]
Difference in Ovens
Question: While it is obviously a complex Sugya, there are reliable opinions that allow one to use one oven for both Dairy and Meat, even consecutively, even uncovered. Many people rely on these opinions as they only have one oven in their homes. According to those opinions, would it be permissible for Kosher food to […]
Reading Anatomy
Question: When I look at an anatomy book on shabbos, can I see the pictures of the organs with the names of the organs tagged on? Answer: Even though it is preferable not to look at the pictures with the captions nevertheless there are opinions who are lenient if one gets enjoyment from it. Sources: […]
the blessings on the Torah
Question: Is one permitted to be present in a room where a rav is giving a shiur even though one has not yet said the blessings of the Torah? (One is not particularly paying attention to the shiur, but is rather putting on tallis/ tefillin in that room.) Answer: There is a dispute whether one […]
Amein
Question: A person is listening to his friend make Kiddush on Fri night with intent to be yotzi. The friend does not enunciate the words properly, swallows words, says it too quietly, and the listener realizes that he cannot be yotzi with this blessing because he is unable to hear the words. Should he answer […]
Tzitzit on a Toga
Question: Hello, If I am be attending an event where everyone is wearing a toga (not on ritual, just as a joke) do I need tzitzit on it. It would probably be a plain white sheet. Thank you Answer: It does not need tzizit because it is only worn as a joke not for protection […]
Drying hands on tissue on shabbos
Question: Dear Rabbi, On shabbos, when drying hands using a tissue, is it a problem if the tissue rips? Answer: Not a problem because it is not certain that the tissue will tear. Also you have no intention to tear the tissue, on the contrary you do not what the tissue to tear. Sources: O:CH […]
pizza in meat pan/plates
Question: A house guest mistakenly heated up pizza in a meat pan and then put the hot pizza on meat plates. Do I have to throw everything out? The pan had not been used in the last 24 hours, the meat plates probably have. Answer: The meat pan can be kashered. Regarding the meaty plates, according […]
Digital frame on shabbos
Question: Is one allowed to keep on & look at a digital frame on shabbos? Answer: Although one is not actively transgressing Shabbos by looking at a digital frame, nevertheless it definitely taints the Shabbos spirit and might be an act of disrespect. Also others might emulate him and extrapolate and start adjusting the digital […]
Rambam on the Akeidah
Question: Rambam says Avraham was to be an example to the world. How does Rambam deal with the fact that no one was with Avraham and Yitzchak when Avraham bound Yitzchak? Answer: He means that Avrahams behavior will be a positive example to others when he or Yitzchak relate to others what happened or when […]
If pieces of bread touched cold cheese before going into the toaster, does the toaster become milchig?
Question: My wife was making cheese sandwiches for the children’s lunches when I commented that they would like it better if she toasted the bread. She took the American cheese slices off the bread and put it in the toaster (the pop down kind) to toast. When I commented to her that I had been […]
Learning Torah with another male
Question: I have recently discovered that my father is more interested in Yiddishkeit than I realized. Recently I offered to learn the parsha with him and other Torah subjects and he agreed. So far it is enhancing our visits together and I hope it is giving him chizuk. It occurred to me that perhaps I […]
Dual Citi.zenship
Question: My rabbi advised me to contact you for Halachic clarity on matter involving law of dual citizenship and Canadian residency. Thanks. Answer: Some countries allow dual citizenship and others do not. What is the halachic problem? Sources:
Red Lentils
Question: How do you check red lentils? Answer: I suggest you contact the bug expert Rabbi Moshe Viya at 972-2-5325588 Sources:
What happened to Avraham and Yaakov’s converts
Question: Why didn’t any of these converts or their descendants accompany Yaakov to Egypt? It can’t have simply been because he was outside Israel (see Alshich to chapter 12) since Rabbeinu Bachya says that Yaakov also made converts. They also didn’t accompany Yaakov to Egypt. Answer: The Alexander Rebbe (Chanoch Henoch) answered that Avrohom was […]
Jewish Law
Question: Rabbi, are Jews permitted to wear lockets? The locket jewelry. I want to put something dear to my heart inside it, but want to make sure Jews are allowed to wear them. Answer: Generally speaking there is nothing wrong in wearing a locket. If the jewelry is made specifically for women to wear then a […]