Is there an actual halachic category of L’Shem Chinuch? – meaning that one must train children in performing mitzvot? There is the idea of 11 and 12 year olds fasting… Read more »
Category: Uncategorized
The Sixtieth Year: Complete Years?
Based on the Gemorah in Moed Katan Daf 28, which states that the years for the kareis punishment to be effected are 50-60: Do the years end at 60 or… Read more »
Transgressions for Kevod Ha-Brios
That which one is allowed to be ovar an issur because of Kavod HaBrios is it even b’kum v’aseh or only by a case of shav v’al t’aseh? Answer: In… Read more »
Women for Keriyah at Kosel
Are woman required to tear kriah when going to the Kosel (in cases where one would normally be chayav to do so)? In Piskei Teshuvos Siman 561 (sif 4) he… Read more »
Fast Pushed Off to Sunday
This year 17th of Tamuz starts on the 6th of July and this is the start of the Sabbath. Does this mean that 17th of Tamuz official fast gets postponed… Read more »
Continuing Meal at Tisch
Chassidim that go to a tisch Friday Night (when they are still in the middle of a seudah) will not make a second bracha on yain (although being a maklokes… Read more »
Child Born by Ectopic Pregnancy
Two shailos in regards to a woman that conceives outside of the rechem: An isha that conceived a baby however it began to form outside of the rechem and was… Read more »
Giving Snacks to Neighbors’ Kids
Shalom. 1. Clients sign a contract stating they will be charged for a session that they fail to show up to if they did not cancel 24 hours in advance…. Read more »
“New Testament” in Hotel Room
In practically all hotels (and many hostels) outside the Land of Israel, it’s customary for there to be a ‘New’ Testament in a bedside drawer. I remember reading before that… Read more »
Neutering a Pet Dog
Hi, thank you so much for this service! My question is: I have been told that I cannot neuter my dog based on Leviticus 22:24, but I read there that… Read more »
Shower for Marital Relations
Dear Rabbonim, There is a case of a couple where the wife will not have relations with her husband if he doesn’t wash his whole body during the 9 days,… Read more »
“Tziskascha Tzeddek” on Tisha Be’Av
I realize that these types of tefilah are really minhag and not halacha, but maybe some halachic aspect can be found by you. This year, is “Zidkascha Zedek” said on… Read more »
Being Mafkei One’s Dog
At our Shabbos table the following question came up: Is one allowed to mafkir a dog they own? (The thinking why it might be assur: Tzaar ba’alei chaim … you’re… Read more »
Berachah in Mikva
In our men’s mikvah, the brocha of tevila is on a wall above the mikvah. One who goes into the mikvah will inevitably expose himself (his erva) to the Shaim… Read more »
Giving a Get in Bein Ha-Shmashos
Is it permitted to divorce a woman (give a get) during bein ha-shmoshos? Answer: A get may not be given during bein ha-shmashos, for two reasons: 1) The Rema rules… Read more »
Asei Docheh Lo Ta’asei
When are the times when we don’t say “oseh docheh lo s’aseh”? Answer: There are many instances where a mitzvas asei does not defer a mitzvas lo ta’asei. One instance… Read more »
Leaving Maid at Home with Non-Kosher Food
in your response to leaving a maid at home (bishul akum), where does the heter of “telling her she cannot cook in your pots and thereby creating it a safek… Read more »
Born after Shkiyah (Birthday)
Dear Dayanim, If working out the hebrew date on which one was born am I correct that any time before Tzes Ha’cohavim would be considered the previous day I.e we… Read more »
Appointing Shaliach in his Absence
Someone wants to be m’amid a shliach to perform a certain task. The shliach knows the person wants him to do the task however the person didn’t actually tell him… Read more »
A Minyan of Ten (Men)
Rabbi, can you help me with this? I was told that this weeks parasha is the source that 10 men make a minyan. Can you explain why? And if so… Read more »
Wearing Women’s Tights
On what was written in the answer to Men’s Pajama Pants for Women, does the same apply to men – namely that wearing women’s garments underneath clothing would be ok,… Read more »
Kohanim and Impurity – Part I
Kohanim, Impurity and Us Many people have a hidden desire to be a kohein. What could be better than getting an aliyah a couple of times a month? Or having… Read more »
Partition in Bathroom Area
My friend has a toilet with a basin in the same room. I noticed that he had 2 vertical wooden beams on opposite sides of the wall. Across the top… Read more »
Two Cups for Sheva Berachos
By a Sheva Brachos they had 2 cups to use for Bircas HaMazon and the Sheva Brachos. One was made of a silver and the other a simple glass cup…. Read more »
Genizah for Torah Sheets
What determines whether a document needs to go to genizah (shemos). Does it have to have Shem Hashem? Or does it apply to other documents as well? What about sedrah… Read more »
Shavers in Halachah
Are electric shavers kosher? I heard that the son of Rav Moshe Feinstein zal, Rav Reuven Feinstein, said that even though his father permitted them, he would never do so with… Read more »
Mei Chalav
What is “mei chalav” exactly and why is there a de’ah in Shulchan Aruch that it should be ossur to consume? Answer: “Mei chalav” is the “water” residue when cheese…. Read more »
Hechsher on Fizzy Drinks / Living in Settlements
1. Why the Rabbanim put hechsherim on food that is unhealthy such as those containing the carcinogen sun-set yellow. Is it because they assume everyone will have very little of… Read more »
שאלה חדשה מהאתר
When putting on a shoe with buckles, should I close the left buckle first, or is that only with laces? Answer: There is a debate among poskim concerning this matter,… Read more »
Eating Meat on Day of Seeing the Churban
Are people makpid for what it says in M”B Siman 561 Sif-Katan 4 to not eat meat or drink wine on a day they see the churban ha’bayis? What other… Read more »
Strings in a Gartel
What do the number of strings on a gartel represent? Answer: Because I do not wear a gartel, I am not very familiar with the subject. The idea of a… Read more »
Becoming a Nazir Today
Can one become a nazir today? Answer: In principle, one can become a nazir today. This will obligate the person in all the laws of nazirus, i.e. avoiding all wine… Read more »
Tevilah for Mini-Bar
Does a water filter machine (like a small one that fits on a kitchen counter — in Israel like a “tami bar” — or even a large one that stands… Read more »
Hair Length for Men
Are there any halachos pertaining to a mans hair length? how short it must be? are there sources for this? thank you. Answer: There are no formal halachos concerning how… Read more »
Berachah on Vitamins
The Shulchan Aruch in siman 204 says that a food taken as a medicine that tastes good, requires a bracha. Therefore, if one has a sore throat and drinks a… Read more »
Meat Touched Container
If someone placed a hot pot of meat directly on a plastic container containing dry flour, what is the status of the flour? Is it still parev? Answer: Yes, provided… Read more »
Eating Dairy Products on Shavuot
To the honourable Rabbi, I am a bit puzzled about a certain behaviour of the Jewish people this time of year and I am hoping to gain a bit of… Read more »
Berachah for Amen
Can a woman make a bracha in front of a man so that he should answer amen to it? Answer: I don’t see any problem in doing so, and there… Read more »
Sleep with Head Facing Door
Can one sleep with his head facing the door? Answer: It is fine to sleep with one’s head facing the door. Sources: There is a custom not to sleep with… Read more »
Self-Education / Buying New Clothes
1) When buying a new clothes (simple) and staff for household (table covers,duvets,etc) – which bracha to say? 2) If it’s permitted to buy original tea blends from China (not… Read more »
Selling Yarmulke to Women
I sell talleisim online. I certainly don’t encourage women to buy from me, but I no longer refuse, despite the Rema, since the famous tshuva by Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l… Read more »
Yekkishe Customs for Guests
Long story short: I follow Yekkish minhag all around (a DNA test showed I am actually Sephardic, but this is not an issue according to a leading Posek who told… Read more »
Safek Challah on Shabbos
In Hilchos Challah Siman 329 Sif Beis the machaber paskens that if one made a dough to be cooked then it’s patur from challah. The Shach however argues and says… Read more »
Obligation of Knowing the Torah
Thanks for a wonderful resource. In regards to one’s own mitzvah of learning kol haTorah. What is the “Shiur” of the mitzvah. In this link (http://www.dinonline.org/2012/04/23/talmud-torah/) Rabbi Rosenthal mentions that… Read more »
Tikkun Leil Shavuos
Regarding the Tikun of Leil Shavuos – is there a prefered time to say it – before/after Chatzos? Answer: Based on the sources (in Kabbalah), the tikkun can be started… Read more »
Eating Bread for Breakfast
Lichvod Ha Rabbanan, I read that one should eat a meal of bread or mezonot every morning after davening.Is this a halacha or is it just good advice? If it… Read more »
Donating Maaser Money to Kollelim
Harav Yosef Fleischman brings in his article on maaser kesafim that maaser kesafim should only be donated to the poor. Would donating to kollels or yeshivas considered to be donating… Read more »
Washing Hands in Bathroom
What’s halacha l’maseh nowadays concerning washing hands after using the bathroom (in a case perhaps where there is more than just a toliet — a shower as well, or perhaps… Read more »
Talking in the Bathroom
If someone is in the bathroom for a long time, and someone needs to ask them a question how are they able to respond (i.e. can they speak normally?) Answer:… Read more »
Same Names for Choson and Father-in-Law
Who are the poskim that dealt with the shailo l’maseh of a father-in-law and possible chosson having the same name (mamash the same name, for exactly “Shmuel Yehuda” and “Shmuel… Read more »