Question: Is it a problem if a fleishig soup spills over on to the stove top, and before it’s cleaned a milchig food is cooked on that stove top, on the same fire? Answer: If there is actual meaty food on the stovetop, it should be cleaned off before using for milky food. After the […]
Author Archives: Rabbi Akiva Dershowitz
The mitzvah to remember the Exodus
Question: If one realizes that he did not have in mind in Shema to fulfill the commandment of leaving mitzrayim and/or didn’t pay attention to the words regarding the exodus, what should be done? Answer: He should have in mind to fulfill this mitzvah when saying the bracha of Emes Vyatziv or Emes Vemunah. […]
Chicken fried in dairy frying pan
Question: Not a Ben yomo I accidentally fried chicken in the same oil, I used that pot for cheese Can it be kashered? Answer: If the chicken was fried when the pan was clean of dairy and aino ben yomo, it may be kashered with hagalah. Sources: When meat is cooked in an eino ben […]
Bracha on Raw Beets
Question: I like to eat raw beets (uncooked). What is the bracha? Answer: The bracha would be haadama. Sources: Fruits and vegetables that are normally only eaten cooked, receive a shehakol when eaten raw. However as long as they are commonly eaten raw they would be haadama. Raw beets have become a commonly consumed […]
Using a non-Jew on Shabbos
Question: A lawyer has a hearing in court scheduled for Shabbos. Can he appoint a goy to go in his place since no melacha has to be done? The goy would just be negotiating, etc. Answer: While one may ask a non Jew to do something that does not entail a Shabbos prohibition, one may […]
Uncut Paper Towels on Shabbos
Question: On Shabbos, is one permitted to wipe his hands on paper towels still attached to the roll, without tearing them off, or are they muktza? Answer: They may be used to wipe hands. Even if they have muktzeh status it would be that of “kli shemelachto leissur” a utensil whose usage generally involves Shabbos […]
Time for Hafrashat Challah
Question: Must Hafrashat challah be done only on Thursday? And must it be done after sunset? Answer: No, hafrashat challah, removing “challah” from dough for baked goods, may be done at all times during the week, night and day. Sources: The Rama in O:C 242 brings that there is a custom to bake challot on […]
A-Capella Music During the Omer
Question: Hi, is it permitted to listen to a capella music during the omer, even though it sounds like normal music? Answer: Yes, music without instruments is permissible during the Sefira. Sources: See here for an extensive discussion and sources.
Lighting Extra Shabbos Candles
Question: On a couple of occasions in the last couple of years my wife has missed the zman for lighting Shabbos candles and as a result has added two more candles, one for each time she missed. She has always used wax candles. When I looked this up recently in the “39 Melachos” sefer (vol. […]
Mixed Meat and Dairy Dishes
Question: I had my cleaning lady wash my meat and dairy dishes, when i come home i noticed that one of the dairy dishes is in with the meat dishes, what is the din of the keilim? And if possible to give a source. Answer: The dish remains kosher after the fact. Sources: […]
Brocha on Smelling Coffee
Question: Hello. Does one need to make a brocha when smelling coffee which wasn’t brewed/cooked? What about after it was already brewed/cooked? If yes, in what lashon? Also, we know there’s an idea that one can’t make a brocha on a stolen item. Assuming that one must make a brocha when smelling coffee, can one […]
Schedule of Fast Days
Question: I know that Tamuz 18 is a fast day ( Tzom Shiva Assar) as is Av 9 ( Tisha B’Av) ; Are there other fast days in between ? Answer: No, there are no fast days in between these two fast days.
Milk in hot oatmeal cooked in fleishig bowl
Question: You poured milk in to your hot oatmeal, then you were told that the oatmeal was cooked in the same pot that was used for last night’s dinner (spaghetti and meat balls), what is the din of the cereal? Answer: If the oatmeal was transferred into a different bowl than the meaty one [i.e. […]
Davening in English
Question: For one who davens in English, is it OK to say the name of Hashem as “L-rd” or ” G-d”? (Some, including Rav Moshe Sternbuch, say that “L-rd” is problematic or even completely unacceptable, but it says in the Artscroll siddur that it’s OK.) Answer: Yes, both are acceptable. L-rd is a translation of […]
Dairy in Meat Oven
Question: If pizza was heated up in a meat oven that had not been used in the past 24 hours, are there any issues? Thank you very much. Answer: If it was placed on a clean rack or a piece of tin foil etc. the pizza is not affected. If it was placed on a […]
Mistaken Shehecheyanu in Kiddush
Question: On the night of shvii shel Pesach, or Aharon shel Pesach, a person accidentally recited, or began reciting, the bracha of Shehecheyanu. Is this a hefsek that would require him to repeat borei pri hagofen prior to drinking the Kiddush wine or grape juice, since this bracha does not belong in Kiddush? When should […]
Travelling from Israel to Chutz La’aretz, missing Parsha
Question: I’ll be going to Chutz La’aretz for approx 2 weeks during July. This means that I’ll hear Chukat twice, and Pinchas not at all (if I’ve worked it out right). 1) Is this a problem with not hearing kriyat hatorah of Pinchas? 2) How do I handle shanyim mikra with 2 weeks of Chukat […]
Uninspired Prayer
Question: I’m 33 years old learnt in all the top yeshivas, life has been very tough. Today I Davin because that’s what I was taught to do I feel like a robot and there are times where I don’t daven at all. my Question is when I go to shul I feel hatred towards Hashem […]
Inserting Collar Stays on Shabbos
Question: Can one insert collar stays into a collar on shabbos (if it’s not the same ones that were in the shirt originally)? Answer: Yes, this does not pose difficulty and the shirt is actually wearable without it. In addition collar stays are taken out and changed from time to time. Based on these rationale […]
Doubtful if said V’sein Bracha
Question: Regarding a person who is in doubt whether he said “vesein bracha” or “vesein tal umatar,” there is a chazakah that for the first 30 days, he said it wrong (and he must daven again). My question is: Would it depend on the person? For example, if he is 95% certain that he said […]
Teruma and maaser on Shabbos or yom tov
Question: What does one do when he finds out on Shabbos/Yom tov that he used a bag of carrots that were a product of Israel and has no hashgacha on it? Is there any way to designate teruma and maaser to take effect after Shabbos and then be mutar to eat the food? Also, is […]
Kol Isha – Women Humming
Question: Is hearing a woman humming considered kol isha? Can you site the source please? Thanks. Answer: There are various indications that humming a slight tune is not included in the prohibition of Kol Isha, hearing a woman sing. However, a person must distance himself from anything which may cause him improper thoughts. Sources: […]
Drinking Wine by a Bread Meal
Question: If one drinks wine during a bread meal in order to help the bread (or matza) go down more easily, is he exempt from making a hagofen? (Really, if one drinks wine or grape juice during a meal, he is required to make a hagofen, but it could be that in this case the […]
Returning Library Books on Chol Hamoed
Question: Is one permitted to return library books during Chol Hamoed, even though he could also return them after yom tov? It would seem to me that it should be OK, since there is no tircha involved and carrying is permitted on Chol Hamoed, even for no reason, according to most poskim. Since one is […]
Movies During the Omer
Question: Rabbi , Is it permissible to go to a movie teather during Omer? The movies has background music. Answer: Without getting into the question of attending movies in general, it would seem that the Omer does not add any additional prohibition to seeing a movie. Sources: There are different opinions about non live […]
Shaving During Sefiras Haomer
Question: Ok I got the answer on shaving and hair cut on chol hamoed so when can a person take a shave and hair cut up to what day do I have to wait what’s the earliest I could shave. Answer: According to Ashkenazi custom one may shave on Lag Baomer, the 33rd day of […]
Drinking Wine on Chol Hamoed
Question: On Chol Hamoed, is one required to drink a revi’is of wine in such a way that a bracha achrona will be required (to drink it in one or two gulps), or can one sip it at length, even though he will be unable to make the bracha achrona? Answer: Being that the purpose […]
Putting Away Utensils on Chol Hamoed
Question: On Chol Hamoed Pesach can one put away utensils which are no longer needed? Answer: No preparatory activity should be done which is for the purpose of after the Chag. If the dishes need to be put away to make space or some other need it may be done as a Yom Tov need. […]
Can one check chometz cabinets for missing keys
Question: I think I may have left my keys with a bag of chometz things I stored away, taped up and sold. Can I briefly open the cabinet and see if the keys are there, and re-seal it again, on chol hamoed? Answer: Yes, the sale of the chametz done by the Rabbi generally stipulates […]
Preemptive Maaser Payments
Question: I recently made a donation to a tzedaka organization using their online website. I accidentally clicked submit more than once and was charged on my credit card more times than I had wanted to be. I don’t want to ask the organization for a refund, but am I able to count the extra tzedaka […]
Making Saltwater for the Pesach Seder on Shabbos
Question: Is one allowed to make a bowl of saltwater on Shabbos for the Pesach seder when it falls out on Friday night? After the fact, if one forgot to make the saltwater before shabbos can they still make it on shabbos? If not, what’s the alternative? Answer: The saltwater should be made with a […]
Eating at Bris Milah Meal
Question: Yesterday, I attended a bris milah. Immediately afterwards, I left, without eating anything, in order to go to another bris milah, where I stayed for the whole seuda. Did I transgress by not eating at the first bris (one who does not stay for the meal is excommunicated by heaven, according to one opinion)? […]
Matza from Last Year
Question: Saving matza from the afikomen is a shmira [protection] for the home. Is the matza saved from last year chametz the following year? If yes, if the matza from last year was discovered on pesach what should be done with it? Answer: As long as the Matza was kept in a sealed bag, away […]
Flying a Kite on shabbat
Question: Hello, I’d like to know if there’s any prohibition on flying a kite in shabbat, barring any problems with erub. Thanks. Moadim le-simcha! Answer: The actual flying of a kite itself does not involve a Shabbos prohibition [when there is an eruv]. However, this is not a recommended activity on Shabbos. Very often a […]
Glass Dishes for Dairy and Meat
Question: Are glass dishes usable for both dairy and meat meals? Answer: Glass dishes which hold actual dairy and meat foods should not be used for dairy and meat. Sefardim are generally lenient in this regard. For glass which does not hold actual dairy or meat, such as glasses for drinking, there is more room for […]
Shaving on Chol Hamoed
Question: I was told from someone that you’re allowed to shave on Chol Hamoed and on Sefira, not a haircut but shaving only. Is that true, if not when are you allowed to shave please let me know. Thanks. Answer: This is incorrect. Shaving is included in the prohibition of getting a haircut during these […]
Glass Used During Pesach
Question: Our son mistakenly took a glass from a closed cupboard that should not have been opened during Pesach and used it to make lemonade. The glass was clean, but not kashered for Pesach (we are Ashkenazi). Is the lemonade he made kosher for Pesach? What else do we need to know about what to […]
Work By Gentile on Yom Tov
Question: Can I hire a gentile to clean my home on Yom Tov with broom and/or mop? What work cannot be done? I know gentiles work in the kitchen and clean dishes on Shabbat. Answer: A gentile can be hired to do work that may be essentially be done by a Jew. If the gentile could […]
Bleeding After Ultrasound
Question: I am about 8 weeks pregnant with twins and I had a vaginal sonogram. That same evening I saw blood when I went to the bathroom. It lasted until the next day, after which I was clean? Do I have to go to the Mikva because of this? Answer: Generally it would be treated […]
Tefillin Colored with Marker
Question: Hi, a few years ago, I dropped my Tefillin on a chair, and a slight bit of the paint chipped off. I then, as I was a young boy and did not know the halachot, simply colored in the small part with sharpie. I recently just remembered that I did this. Are my Tefillin […]
Shir Ha’malos During Nissan
Question: We say shir ha’malos before birchas hamazon on days then we don’t say tachanun. Does that mean we say shir ha’malos during all of Nissan? Answer: Yes, the proper chapter of tehillim to say before Birchas Hamazon during the month if Nissan would be Shir Hamaalos.
Shaving after Chatzos on Erev Pesach
Question: If one forgot to shave (assuming a kosher electric shaver) and/or clip nails before midday on erev Pesach, can one shave oneself and clip nails after midday? What about other holidays like Succot and Shavout? Or does it apply only to Pesach? Answer: Yes, after the fact one may shave and cut nails after […]
Corkscrew on Shabbos/Yomtov
Question: Can one open a bottle of wine with a corkscrew (like a screwdriver that one turns into the cork and then pulls the cork out) to remove a cork on Shabbos/Yomtov? if so, is any particular way best? Wine taste better when opened right away not the day before. Answer: It is permissible to […]
Latent Jewish Soul, Never Converts
Question: If a Gentile has a latent Jewish soul, but circumstances or something prevents that person from ever officially converting to Judaism, would that person’s soul be as equal to any born-Jew’s share in the World To Come? Answer: No, a Jew and non Jew have different forms of eternal reward in the World to […]
Going to Mikvah Before 7 Days are Counted
Question: My wife has been a nida for several weeks after she had some issues post breastfeeding. She is traveling during chol hamoed for work where there won’t be a mikvah anywhere near her. The next time she will be able to go will be once the second days of pesach start and it will […]
Kashering a Toaster Oven
Question: I have a toaster oven that I use for dairy (to make grilled cheese for example). Recently my nanny used it to warm up chicken by accident. Is there any way to kasher the toaster oven at this point? Thank you. Answer: If it was in it’s own pan/tray and the chicken itself did […]
E-Cigarettes for Pesach
Question: I have aquired the list of ingreadiants from my Ecig. The ingredients used in our liquid is Propylene Glycol (PG), Vegetable Glycerol (VG), Water, Nicotine and carefully selected flavourings formulated specifically for the Vype devices to offer a satisfying vapour experience. Are they kosher for pesach? Answer: see here
Job Interview on Chol Hamoed
Question: Is it permissible to go for a job interview on chol hamoed? It would be convenient for the employer but would probably not be detrimental to the chances of getting the job, especially since the potential employer is observant. Answer: If possible without loss, it could be pushed off until after Pesach.
Stole Food from Office Kitchen
Question: My office has a kitchen where the company puts food that everyone can take. People also order lunch, which is delivered to the kitchen. One of the companies that people order lunch from delivers everything in one big bag without individual labels, and people take what they ordered. When I was new to the […]
Opening Door for “Shfoch Chamascha”
Question: When “opening the door” on seder night, does one open only the door of his apartment, or all doors leading to the public? Is there any difference when it comes to opening the door between Shabbos versus a regular yom tov? Answer: This custom is to symbolize that this night is “leil shimurim” – […]