Rav Y Wiener, Author at Ask The Rabbi - Dinonline

Changing Jewish Name

Question: Hi is it possible to change your Jewish name? And if yes how would you do it? Answer: As I wrote to you in a previously person has ownership over his name so therefore if he decides to drop a name and adopt another name he is entitled to do so. For a new […]

Hezek Reiyah vs. Pikuach Nefesh

Question: In the case of the FBI and Apple. Would Halakhah allow the invasion of privacy (unlocking the phone) if (there was a possibility of saving people from a terrorist attack (Pikuach Nefesh)? Answer: Pikuach Nefesh over rides all the prohibitions in the Torah except three, murder, idol worship and immorality. Sources: Y:d 157:1

laundering on shabbos

Question: When washing hands on Shabbos, does one have to be careful that no water should get on his clothing/sleeves, due to the prohibition of laundering? Answer: Not a problem because he has no intention to wash his clothing and it is not inevitable (psik reshe) that every time he washes his hands his clothing […]

Grey market

Question: I’m not sure my question on grey market was fully understood. Here is what I meant by grey market: A grey market (sometimes called a parallel market,[1] but this can also mean other things;[2] not to be confused with a black market or a grey economy) is the trade of a commodity through distribution […]

Jewish Name

Question: Hi I was given one name by my bris, and when it came time for my bar mitzvah the Rov thought it was to modern of a name (the name was Tom) and suggested to switch it. Now I go by Daniel, and only by Daniel that’s how I get an aliyah etc. For […]

Plag hamincha

Question: Is it permissible to daven Maariv/ make Kiddush on Friday after the Plag of the Alter Rebbe/ Baal HaTanya, even though it is before the plag of the Magen Avraham? Answer: No problem to daven after the plag of the Alter Rebbe. Firstly many poskim also held like him e.g. The Vilner Gaon, Aruch […]

Grey market

Question: What is the halacha on buying and selling grey market goods? Answer: There are two problems with the grey market. a) If the lender is Jewish is a problem of paying interest b) many lenders are disreputable and if a person does not pay on time he could be endangering his or his families lives. […]

Lashon hara q

Question: Hello to what extent can I say on websites how I disliked a school run by Jews without being over lashon hara thanks Answer: It is not loshon horo if there is a positive benefit or gain to others by writing what you think about the school. But you have to be careful how […]

Avinu Malkenu on voluntary fasts

Question: In Ashkenazic tradition, if one takes upon himself a ta’anit yakhid, may he recite Avinu Malkenu as part of its observance?—or is it strictly a prayer for ta’aniyot tsibur? Answer: One can recite the Avinu Malkenu prayer even though he prays by himself. Sources: Eliyohu Rabah 584:5, Mateh Efrayim ibid 14. Teshuvas Rivevos Efrayim 2:165

Tznius

Question: Is there an issur for a woman not to be fully clothed in front of a non-jewish man? (I’m asking strict halacha, not hashkafically) I saw the rivevos efraim but he only speaks about kol isha. Are there any other sources that are more explicit? Thank you Answer: I always thought there is no […]

Blessing – Is the outcome of a Bracha that what Kabbala calls the Shefa?

Question: “The Rishonim explain that the word brocho comes from breycha – a spring. A spring flows constantly and its waters increase. When we bless Hashem we are proclaiming our hope for an increase of His Presence in the world’s affairs..” Was one answer I got from here.. then I went on studying on this […]

What is the halacha of pizza

Question: What is the exact bracha on pizza is it mezonos or is it hamotzei or 1 slice mezonos 2 slice hamotzei? What exactly is the story with pizza? Can u give a shiur on it. Answer: We all know that the bracha on regular bread is Hamotzei. Never the less there are certain dough […]

Cup with dairy filled with hot water and spilled down fleishig sink

Question: Hello, I had a cup with about an ounce of whey protein and water. I filled it up with hot water ( from the tap, but possibly yad soledes, it was uncomfortable to leave my hand under it) and poured it down the fleishig sink/drain. Do I have to kasher the sink? Thank you! […]

Chazal’s knowledge of Science

Question: I’m stuck on Gemoro Pesachim 94. See what the Ramchal has to say about it: רמח”ל ספר אדיר במרום אך האמת הוא אעפ״י שהגלגלים והכוכבים הם דברים גשמיים, הנה בתוכם מתלבשין פנימיות מהשרשים…. וכל הדברים שתמצא שאומרים רדל בענין השמש ושאר הכוכבים, שאינן עומדים לפי הנראה לעינינו, מדבר הכל בזה הפנימיות שלהם…. והחכמה אשד […]

Time between Bris and tevillah for a ger

Question: Shalom Aleichem, I was wondering if there is a specific time period between a ger getting his bris and the mikveh ceremony of tevilla. Is there a halachic time limit within which the tevillah must take place after the bris in order for it to be a valid conversion, or is it a case […]

warming up frozen challah

Question: I know one is allowed to warm up frozen challah on the cover of a pot on the blech. But is one allowed to cover the challah partially while it is on the pot with a towel to speed up the warming. Answer: If the challah is well exposed and not covered on all […]

Gifts during sheloshim

Question: Is one allowed to give or receive gifts during the sheloshim for a parent. What is considered a gift? Can an avel send a cake to a neighbor to express one’s appreciation for a favor? Answer: An ovel is not supposed to receive gifts as it is like greeting and saying “shalom”. If an […]

Shema Israel Prayer

Question: Can a woman recite shema israyel prayer Answer: Even though women are exempt from saying the Shemah prayer it is correct that they should say it so that they accept upon themselves the Yoke of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is common practice that women pray every morning and say the Shema. Sources: O:CH 70:1

Maser & saving for down payment on coop

Question: I’m 60 years old, live alone, and never have owed my own home. I’m trying to save money to buy a modest one bedroom coop because rents are raising in Brooklyn and I’m getting older. Would this situation be considered needy enough to use some of my own maaser money for a down payment? […]

Monotheism

Question: Hello! I was given the homework to find out what the Jewish explanation is for these verses in regards to monotheism. Do they contradict monotheism? Thank you for your time. Exodus 12:12 Exodus 20:3 Psalms 82:1 Deuteronomy 10:17 Exodus 15:11 Exodus 20:3 Psalms 82:1 Deuteronomy 10:17 Answer: When the Torah mentions other gods or […]

Bet din and noghea badavar

Question: May a bet Din is considered noghea badavar? I’m chazan and masghiach, I have a problem, economic problem whit my keillà, I no want go under a foreign tribunal, but my bet din I can not be sure that will be above of the parts. The Av bet Din is my general manager, the […]

Mixing up covers of fish and hot chicken soup

Question: After I cooked fish I mistakenly put the cover from the fish pot on a pot of hot soup for a few seconds Answer: Common practise is that people cook fish in a meaty pot, even though they are meticulous regarding cooking meat and fish together. There is even more room to be lenient if […]

Rental Car

Question: I found a pen in the car that I rented? Whose is it? Answer: You can keep the pen. We can assume that the owner gave up hope (מתייאש) and if you are living in the diaspasra we can also assume that the owner of the pen was not Jewish. It does not belong […]

Closing up a doorway

Question: The halacha is that it is forbidden to sleep on one’s back or stomach. Is one permitted to simply lie down on his back or stomach without going to sleep? Is one permitted to do exercises that require lying on the back, such as sit-ups or flutter kicks? If one knows that lying on […]

lying on back

Can a travel agent sell airline tickets to a Jew to fly on Shabbos?

Question: This is about a travel agent sells air tickets to anyone, in the United States. 10% to 15% of his clients are Jews, and not always is the travel agent certain whether a client is a Jew. Is he allowed to sell to any of his clients tickets to fly on Shabbos, even if […]

Playing ball on shabbos

Question: Is it ossur (forbidden) for children to play ball on Shabbos? Answer: Children can play with a ball on Shabbos. Sources: O:CH 308:45 Ramoh Mishnah Berurah 158.

Mixed swimming

Question: is it permissible for a 6-7 year boy to swim with 6-7 year old girls? Answer: Since 6-7 is already the age of chinuch (education) one should try to dissuade the boy from swimming with the girls. Especially as they jump on top of each other. Sources:

Yerusha of intagibles (דבר שאין בו ממש)

Question: Thank you very much for the response (The question and answer are copied below). However, I am wondering whether דבר שלא בא לעולם and intangible are the same. A דבר שלא בא לעולם is a tangible item that does not yet exist. I am asking about something that will never be tangible. For example, […]

Yichud with children

Question: Would a man be permitted to babysit for his own 4 year old and 3 of her five year old friends if no one else is home? Answer: There is a dispute at to what is the minimum age a girl can act as a shomer (guardian) and what age they have to be to allow seclusion […]

Translation of Ki

Question: Rashi in Vayeira says ki has 4 meanings. When the word is used, should we try to interpret it using every meaning. For example see Bemidbar 14:30. The normal translation here is “except”. However what would have happened if Yehoshua and Kaleiv had not tried to encourage the people to trust G-d. The people […]

Teffilot Havinanu

Question: There are times when a person can not pray with proper kavana. Can he pray the HAVINANU pray with the first 3 blessings, and last 3 blessings? Are there any restrictions? How is it done? Can it be done in the winter as well? This is only when can’t pray properly. Answer: Even the […]

Shabbat

Question: I have a digestive condition whereby I am not allowed to eat within 4 hours of going to bed. If I don’t adhere to this now, I will end up on dangerous drugs and may require surgery. If I do so I can cause further health damage in the night which then impacts my […]

Shower negiah

Question: Hi, In college the other day, a girl(nonJew)asked me a question and I gave her the answer. She began to put her arms around me in an attempt to hug me. What is the proper thing for me to do in that situation?(not sure if it matters but there I have no physical attraction […]

All ha’geffen

Question: If a person makes kiddush and drinks a mlo lugmav of grape juice/wine and then eats a kevayis of mezonos, does he add al ha geffen in his al ha michya? Answer: If a person ate a kezayis of cake and drank more than a kezayis of wine but less than a reviis (i.e […]

Saving while giving maaser

Question: Dear Rabbi, BH I’ve been giving maaser for a few years now and I normally only deduct my transport expenses to work. However, I am finding it impossible to save any money and I would really like to start putting some savings aside now that BH I’m pregnant. Sadly, my husband’s income is quite […]

Oven drip tray/pan

Question: I have 2 identical drip trays/pan- that came with the oven (I’m note sure what type of material it is – picture attached), we have a meat and pareve oven , the trays got mixed up . Is it ok to just clean them with hot water , or does it need to be […]

Touching foggy window on shabbos

Question: It is known that we are forbidden to write (with our finger) on a window on Shabbos, etc. May, however, one touch the window, etc. or put his hand on it even though this will cause a mark to be left? Answer: If the person does not have any intention to write on the […]

Meat sponge on Dairy dishes

Question: I washed my dairy dishes with a meat sponge. The water was hot, maybe even yad soledes. I’m not sure if there were pieces of meat on it. Can I still use the dishes. Answer: Since there was detergent on the sponge and you are doubtful if there were pieces of meat on the […]

Aaron

Question: Your Excellency I hope you are fine, I am so much interested in the character of Aaron, sibling of Moses. In some literature I found that Aaron children named Shabbar, Shabbir, and Mobashar. I know that those mentioned names are less famous than the biblical names. Did you hear about those previously mentioned names […]

Battery operated hearing aid on Shabbat

Question: I am hard of hearing in one ear, Can I wear a battery operated hearing aid on Shabbat and Yom Tov? Answer: Once upon a time there were certain hearing aids which were preferred for use on Shabbos and Yom Tov, but now days there are all digital and therefore you can use what […]

Marriage to convert

Question: Imagine the following scenario: a young man grows up as an unaffiliated Jew (non-Cohen Levite). He engages in sexual intercourse with a goy whom he gets engaged to. During the engagement, the young man discovers his Jewish roots and becomes a Baal teshuva. He separates from his ex fiancé and spends time in yeshiva. […]

Carrying in mail on Shabbos

Question: i live in a place with no eruv, can i carry in mail and other things to and from the elevated stoop in front of my doorstep outside my front door? it is covered by an awning / roof protruding from the house? Answer: There are two problems involved in moving the mail that […]

Nezirus

Question: I have an odd question that is unfortunately l’maase. For reasons that I cannot explain, I impulsively decided to make a neder for nezirus shimshon with the intention of retracting it toch kdei dibur. I said “hareini n’zir shimshon -No I’m not” 3 or 4 times one after the other. As far as I […]

Copyright MS Office issue

Question: I had MS Office installed on my old PC. I bought a new PC but I lost the license # for the MS office CD so I cant install it on my new PC. Can I have my IT guy install it for me with his copy so that I don’t have to pay […]

Are Diaspora Jews commanded to be loyal to the countries in which they live?

Question: Are diaspora Jews required to be loyal to the countries in which we? I ask because a Jewish friend is encouraging anarchy. Will you please share halachic support please? Answer: We all know the well known phrase “dine demalchuse dine” (the law of the land is law). Over the generations that Jews we always […]

Shabbos

Question: Should one daven for his child not to be born on shabbos(to avoid chillul shabbos)? Please provide sources Thank you Answer: I think that one should leave things up to Hashem he knows what is the best for us. Especially as the Key of Birth is held by Hashem himself. Besuros Toivos. Sources: Gemorah […]

Non kosher sink, very hot water poured on dairy utensils

Question: Hi. There was some milky dishes in a non kosher sink, It is very doubtful for any traces of meat in the sink as I’m pretty sure it had been cleaned since washing meat dishes, used a few days ago. Some boiling water from the kettle was poured into the sink, over some cutlery […]

sterializing a dog

Question: Shalom, I understand it is forbidden to sterilize a dog oneself or through a non Jew. However if one is buying a dog can he tell the non Jew that he will only buy a/the dog if it has been sterilized, knowing that the non Jew will sterilize the dog in question. It seems […]

Kavah in Birkas Modim

Question: It takes me a long time to say birkas avos with kavanah, must I also say birkas modim bekavanah. Answer: It is sufficient in birkas modim just to imagine you are standing in front of a king (shechinah). Sources: Rambam Tefillah 4:15 & 10:1, Chidushey Reb Chaim Halevy Soloveitchick