(a) If one is praying in a Minyan of exactly 10 men and he has not completely finished his Shmonai Esrai (i.e, has not removed his feet), does the Shaliach Tzibur have the right to start Hazarat HaShat”z? (b) Is a Cohen allowed to ascend to Duchan well after Reitzei has started? Answer: a) The […]
Author Archives: Rabbi Akiva Dershowitz
Milk in Meaty China Cup
I accidentally poured cold milk into hot coffee in a new china fleishig cup. Can the cup be reclaimed? Answer: If the cup was never used for hot fleishig, the milk would at worst make the cup possibly milchig. It may be used for pareve [tea and the like] even with a fleishig meal or […]
Chametz After Pesach
Question: In Israel, can one buy chametz at a Jewish owned kiosk/gas station two months after Pesach with the assumption that enough time has elapsed for there to be a turnover. Answer: You may purchase chametz at the store. Food stores generally have a turnover much quicker than 2 months. Also, many stores and/or distributors […]
Mincha During Maariv Prayers
shalom-what is the halacha if one arrives at a minyan busy davening the shemonah esrah and one is unsure if they are davening mincha or maariv ,can one daven mincha in the same shul as the minyan ?this is the scenario for yomei chol ,please quote reference,if possible,toda rabah Answer: You may daven Mincha even […]
Oral Torah
When did the Jews get the Oral Torah and from who. Answer: The Oral Torah was received at Mount SInai with the giving of the Written Torah. It was given from G-d to Moses and the Jewish people as was the Written Law. In fact Jewish belief is that the Written Law is for the […]
Proper Time for Maariv
If someone is traveling and has a choice between davening maariv with a minyan but it is only after plag hamincha or davening maariv bizmano by himself, which one is better? Thank You Answer: He should daven with the minyan and then repeat Shema after nightfall. Sources: Shulchan Aruch O:C 235:1, MIshna Brura 236:12.
Shema While Driving
Shalom, Must someone pullover to recite shema while driving? Thank you Answer: Yes, one must pull over in order to recite the Shema. Sources: See Shulchan Aruch O:C 63:3 and the Pri Megadim sk’ 3 משבצות זהב who writes explicitly that one riding a wagon must stop the driving in order concentrate properly for the […]
Jewish Law for Noahides
Peace my friend and blessings on Israel, I hope you can answer this question from a humble swedish Christian, seeking truth and wisdom. In my bible it says that when we meet in the churches the women should keep silence as the law also says and if they have any questions they should ask their […]
Newspaper Handout
When I walk through Binyanei Hauma in the morning, there is a gentleman who gets paid to hand out newspapers. I see how happy he is when someone takes one, so I always take one. But I do not want to read it, and throw it away when he can’t see me. Questions: is […]
Dairy on Shabbos
Is there a halachic obligation to eat meat on Shabbos? Most people that I know wouldn’t even think of eating dairy on shabbos but is that Halachic based? Thank You Answer: While this is certainly the prevalent custom and generally the best way to honor Shabbos, in fact there is no obligation to eat meat […]
Mezuza in Garage
Why would a garage not need a mezuzah? Don’t storage rooms need a mezuza? Thank You Answer: Storage rooms are obligated in a mezuza, as is brought in Shulchan Aruch Y:D 266:1,2. However there are various opinions with regards to what characteristics are required of this storage room. Some Rishonim hold this is only a […]
Lost Bedika Cloth
Dear Rabbonim, We are 4/5 weeks afterbirth of a new daughter and had started to count the 7 clean days. Having had children in very quick succession I have not gained, or have forgotten the colours which break the counting. On Day 3 the cloth showed a light brown colour but had some concentrated darker […]
Dairy Spatula
I cooked eggs in a cleaned out fleshing pot (I cooked chicken and rice with oil 3 days before). I used a clean milchig plastic spatula to cook the eggs in it. The spatula hadn’t been used since probably 2 weeks before. Is anything treif, the pan or the spatula or the eggs? Answer: Being […]
Mezuza for RV
If a person lives in an RV for a month does it require a mezuzah? Thank you Answer: An RV is not considered a permanent home, rather a temporary dwelling which is exempt from mezuza. Some Poskim hold that one who lives in an RV for an extended time in one place should put a […]
Kashrut of Tefillin
Question: I bought a pair of tefillin over 15 years ago when I first became observant from a seforim store in New York for about $300. A few months later at college, I had the tefillin checked by a visiting sofer through the Chabad House. I didn’t have […]
Maaser for Stroller
I have a carriage that I would like to sell and replace for a newer version. I am planning to sell it for $600.00. Am I allowed to donate this carriage to someone that just had a baby and cannot afford a carriage and deduct the cost of the carriage from my Maaser account and […]
Answering Kaddish During Pesukei Dzimra
Dear Rabbi, I was just wondering f there any restrictions to answering Kaddish during Pesukeh De’zimra? I have seen something cited in the name of the Ben Ish Hai that one should only answer Amen to the first five responses of Kaddish, through to “Da’amiran Be’alma.”. What do you suggest? Answer: Most Halachic Authorities allow […]
Tevila for Ceramic
Should one tovel a ceramic knife or scissor ? With a bracha ? Answer: The mitzva of Tevilas Keilim applies only to metals and glass. Ceramics then would be exempt. However because ceramic vessels usually have a glass like coating many Poskim require tevila l’chumra. This would be done without a bracha.
Hair Covering for Divorcee
Is a divorced woman required to cover her hair in shool? Answer: Generally a woman who was once married should continue to cover her hair even after being widowed or divorced [see Shu”t Shvut Yaakov 1:103]. However, when there is a great need to go uncovered, for the purpose of getting remarried, getting a job […]
Shabbos Bris and Chilul Shabbos
I am a Mohel and its too late to call my rov. People had a baby on shabbos. They live in manhattan on the 14th floor of a high rise. If they perform the bris there will be Massive chilul shabbos. Parents would drive from westchester, brothers and sisters all would drive to NY and […]
Length of Tzitzis
Lchotchilla should one’s tzitit strings be 2 times the knots? If its longer, should they be cut? Can one use a ceramic scissor or knife, non metal? Answer: Yes, they should ideally be twice the length, and yes they may be cut with non metal.
Hefsek Tahara After Shekiya
I forgot to make hefsek tahara before shkeyah. I was able to get a clean bedikah on first try before three stars. I’m on birth control so my period was no very light to begin with and had ended two days before I was supposed to do the hefsek tahara. Do I need to make […]
Petzua Daka after Marriage
Shalom, Can the prohibition of פצוע דכא have implications to an already married couple if the husband later accidentally or intentionally became a פצוע דכא? Thank you Answer: Yes, in Even Haezer Siman 5 the laws of פצוע דכא are brought. There it clear that even after marriage, one who becomes a פצוע דכא is […]
Jewish Burial with Tatto
Is it true that a Jew with a tattoo is not allowed to be buried in a Jewish cemetery? If so, what is the rationale and the source? And if true, why is Shabbat desecrator allowed to be buried in a Jewish cemetery? Thank you. Answer: Someone with a tattoo may be buried in a […]
Waving Hands by Candle Lighting
Dear Rabbi. When lighting yom tov candles, are women required to wave their hands three times, like on Shabbos, before covering their eyes and making the bracha? Answer: Waving the hands before covering the eyes is not a requirement but rather a custom. It seems to be based on the original custom of covering the […]
248 Words in Shema
Shalom, Being that there are different opinions about how the ש”ץ should use his recitation of שמע to add up to רמ”ח, what should the people in the minyan do to be covered? Thank you Answer: In order to fulfill the 248 words of Shema, one should listen to the ש”ץ repeat ה’ אלקיכם אמת […]
Wine Poured by Non Jew
My wife had made a Chocolate Mousse for desert for Sedus Purim . She asked me to add some more wine either the same or another .The lady who helps with the children and whos father is Jewish took the same wine my wife used and added some more as i was in another part […]
Alligator Wallet
Can one use a wallet/shoes/ belt made from alligator or crocadile? Is it a sharetz? Answer: While a crocodile and alligator are certainly non kosher for consumption, there is no prohibition using their skins for various uses such as garments and accessories.
The Prohibition of Baal Teshaksu
What falls under the lav of Bal Teshaksu? is it only holding yourself back from relieving yourself? Answer: Baal Tishaksu is not limited to holding back from relieving, but rather includes any form of repulsive behavior. Examples given by Chazal are enumerated in the Tur Y:D at the end of siman 116.They include: eating food […]
Mikvah Erev Shabbos Before Yom Tov
Is there a point in going to mikveh erev shabbos for kovod regel if meshamesh Laila shabbos erev Shavuot Answer: Immersing in the mikvah erev Shabbos certainly has a point as one adds more purity and holiness to himself in preperation for Shabbos. Once one becomes a Baal Keri before Yom Tov the tevila of […]
Photography in Halacha
What is the earliest rabinical commentary referring to photography and what does it say? How has is been revised over the years? What of taking a photo on Shabbos? Is this ever permissible? Answer: About 100 years ago Rabbi Elazar Greenwald in his Tshuvis Keren L’Dovid discusses someone who needed to be photographed on Shabbos […]
Minyan Without Sefer Torah
a group trip is being planned to a place where there is of no orthodox residing community but there will be enough frum men (and then-some) to form a minyan for ourselves, however, (& heres the kicker), with no Sefer Torah. That being said, when Thursday rolls around, being that there is krias HaTorah, would […]
Dairy Spoon in Meaty Pot
I used a dairy spoon that was used for cold dairy in a meat pot with hot water the pot was not used for meat today Answer: As long as there was no actual meat or milk, and the meaty pot and milky spoon have not been used with hot milk or meat that day […]
Hot Water on Yom Tov
Can one use an electric hot water heater on Yom Tov- the heater is a 50 gallon tank Answer: It is not clear what you mean by “using the heater”. If the intent is to remove hot water for use which will indirectly cause more water to enter the tank this would be permitted on […]
Horse Riding for Women
Is a woman allowed to ride a horse? Answer: The Gemara in Pessachim 3a and Rashi there indicate that a woman sitting on a horse puts her into a position which displays immodesty. Nevertheless there is no codified prohibition against a woman riding an animal and various sources in Tanach and Chazal indicate woman did […]
Watering Plants on Shviis
For the past twenty years I have cared for the small garden areas in my street. These areas are planted with trees, shrubs and small plants. I have watered the gardens outside my house by hand minimally since the start of Shmitta. Some plants are now dead because of insufficient water. It is now somewhat […]
Backing Out of Job
i’m an emt and a lifeguard i sign a contract with a camp for the summer, i have got now a much better offer which is with 6 thousand dollars more, am i allowed to cancel out of the first contract ? Answer: As long as he has sufficient time to find a replacement, as […]
Dividing Inheritance
What does halacha dictate regarding dividing material possessions (valuables like coins, gold silver jewelery, etc) among siblings after the death of the parent? I want to do this in a way that is peaceful and not destructive to sibling relationships. Thank you. Answer: When a father dies the laws of inheritance dictated by the Torah […]
Plucking Facial Hair
Can one pluck hairs from ones face, or sideburns? Does it matter if its ingrown? Answer: Plucking facial hair in a way commonly done by men as well as women is permitted. It is forbidden for a man to pluck out white hair from a colored beard [Y:D 182:6]. Plucking hair from the sideburns should […]
Between Netila and Eating
Shalom, Although one must minimize the time between washing for bread and eating, are there any things that may not be touched other than covered party’s of the body or filth? Thank you Answer: While the hands are still wet, one must be careful not to touch someone else’s hands, as well as not to […]
Lying for Kibud Av Vaim
are you allowed to lie if your parents tell you to do so? for example i am 13 years old, bu when i go to an amusemnet park they tell me to say im 12 to get the discount. Is that permisssible? Answer: Generally in such scenarios the parent will be the one lying about […]
Mourner on Pleasure Outing
Can someone in mourning attend a sports event as an observer? Would the rule be different between the 11th and 12th months? Thank you! Answer: Going on pleasure outings with large crowds in a public setting is forbidden for an avel the entire 12 months of his mourning. See Tur Y:D 391, Shulchan Aruch Harav […]
Mourner at Child’s Wedding
I’m in my 12th month of Aveilus and my daughter is IYH getting married and she wants me to sing ‘Boruch Haboh’ at her Chuppah. Is it permissible? Thank you Answer: A parent in the year of a aveilus may participate normally in the wedding of their child. This would include singing at the chuppa […]
Refunding Shadchanus Money
My son was engaged to a girl who we found out during the engagement period has serious psychological issues (depression, anxiety, panic attacks and most probably an eating disorder)and is being medicated. After consulting with a frum psychologist and rabbanim he broke the shidduch (wedding was planned for lag bomer he broke the engagement after […]
Overpayed Scholarship Money
Shalom Rebbi, I have the following sheyla. I am starting a course in computer science which is quite expensive. I applied for 2 scholarships and baroch Hashem I was successful. One place gave me 70% and one place gave me about 60% of the total fee. This means in the end I have more money […]
Sharing Wholesale Priveleges
Lichvod HaRabbonim, Sara, as a professional make-up artist, has a 40% discount on all makeup products at a store. Is it permissible for Sara to purchase items with her discount lechatchila in order to then “re-sell it” to her sister Rivka at the same price (i.e. 20% off) or is this considered gezel? Is there […]
Hashavas Aveidah for Jacket Left in Shul
K’vod haRav, can one pick up a lost item to see if it has a siman (e.g. a name or phone number) without becoming responsible (shomer) for it? And if it has no siman, can one just leave it where it is, hoping that the owner will return for it? For example, a coat which […]
Pidyon Haben for Safek Cohen
Shalom, In regards to the typical Cohen or Levi, to what extent is that yichus questionable? If it’s a legitimate safek, should their bechors be required to have a pidyon? Are there other similar halachic repurcussions? Thank you Answer: A typical Cohen or Levi who has chazaka in their family that they are kohanim / […]
Alternative Medicine
Hello, is irodolgy permitted in judaism? what about reflexolgy and acupuncture? (or are these derived from a”z practices?) thanks! Answer: The alternative healing methods you mentioned are permissible. They are based on a system of understanding the bodies inner workings and energies, and the connection between body and mind. Although the value in engaging in […]
Answering Kaddish During Tefilla
Dear Rabbi Is it permitted to answer to kaddish if one is saying brachos of shema? Answer: This would depend at what point you are holding. In between Brachos, and in between the paragraphs of Shema is known as “bein haprakim”. At these points one may answer Amen to any bracha he hears. when in […]