My question s for informative purposes. I am going t work up the courage to ask my own rav also. I have a lot of OCD about the cleanliness of my body when I clean myself while I am on the toilet. Can you please give me some guidelines so I can stop spending so […]
Author Archives: Rabbi Akiva Dershowitz
Yichud with Babysitter
I am a female babysitter. Is there an issue of yichud while babysitting overnight?: 14 yr old girl 10 yr old boy 6 yr old girl Answer: The yichud issue is between you and the boy. The 2 girls provide sufficient shemira to permit this situation.
Ribbis for Club Lending
There is an investment where I give money to a certain club. This club lends money to people, Jew or non jew for interest.I’m not doing the lending. I receive 5-10% return on my money. I can choose the amount of risk. Is there any way I can do this Hachically? Can I get a […]
Correcting a Mistaken Transaction
If you get too much change or some one does a business transaction wrong should you tell them? If you do keep the extra money form the transaction is this considered stealing if it was the other person’s fault? Answer: With a Jewish counterpart you would be obligated to point out the error and keeping […]
Shiur for Bracha Achrona
Is a single packet of crisps enough to make a brocha achrona? I understand they vary in size, but a standard small size packet (e.g. I just had a 28g packet of crisps). How does one know in general how much is a kezayis since a lot of different packets have food that vary in […]
Soul from Conception
Do we have a soul when we are in our mother’s womb? Answer: Yes, the soul is put in the body from the time of conception. Sources: Talmud Bavli, Tractate Sanhedrin, 91b
Business Before Holiday of Non Jews
Dear Rabbi I always want to do the right thing and I want to ask a shaila about having my hair done in honor of Shabbat on Friday. I was doing this until I learned of Halacha regarding doing business with non Jews within three days of their holiday. I know some kind of one […]
Sealing Tzitzis
Shalom. Is it permissible to add a little clear nail polish to the end of Tzitzit to prevent them from fraying and to the end of the knots to prevent them from untying? Answer: Yes, this would be permitted.
Edible Gold
Can you please tell me if “edible gold”, extremely fine real gold which is used in some expensive dishes, is kosher? Are there general guidelines in kashrus regarding eating non-life materials like plants and minerals straight from the ground? Answer: Minerals and non edible items may be consumed and pose no kashrus concern.
Tasting Grapes in Store
If you are at the grocery store and would like to buy grapes but do not know if the grapes are good or not, are you able to try them to make sure that they are good? If so how many grapes are you allowed to take without it being stealing? Answer: Even one grape […]
Partially Fallen Sefer Tora
someone did Hagbah on a sefer torah and it fell down but not on the floor only on the bench of the bimah which is used for the Magbiah to sit on. The sefer torah did not leave his hands he held the Atzei Chaim the entire time -Does he and everyone in the shul […]
Heter Iska on Bank Loans
I assist borrowers in obtaining HELOC loans from Citizens Bank. I don’t work for the bank I’m a independent contractor and get paid from the borrowers directly. recently someone told me they heard that someone getting a loan from Citizens Bank needs a heter iska – he told me it was an email he received […]
Ribbis for Returned Deposit
Hello, I arranged to sell my house to a third party. Documents were signed and a deposit was placed in escrow. My health [and the buyer’s too] deteriorated to the point where it didn’t make sense to complete the transaction. We mutually agreed to dissolve the agreement and the deposit was returned. I do not […]
Playing Cards on Shabbos
Shalom, Is it permissible for adults to play with playing cards on Shabbos? Thank you Answer: While this is not the type of activity Shabbos is intended for, and not in the spirit of the day, no actual Shabbos prohibition is violated with playing cards.
Bracha in Presence of Excrement
The common practice in my home is before i make a Bracha i usually look around to confirm that there are no dirty diapers in the room or clothes that were dirty due to dirty diapers. After Havdalah Motzei Shabbos to my dismay, i found clothes which were dirty with Graf shel R’ei in the […]
Mezuza on Support Beams
I am moving into a house that has a line of support pillars in the basement holding up a long support beam, effectively resulting in multiple tzuros hapesach (no doors). Does each pillar require a mezuza? Answer: No mezuza would be required on such tzuros hapesach [entrance ways]. Sources: SHulchan Aruch Y:D 286:6, Shoel Umaishiv […]
Bar Mitzvah on Yortzeit
Can a grandfather attend his grandsons bar mitsva on shabos bo bayom if that day is his mothers yahrzeit Answer: Yes, this would be permitted. Sources: See Bach Y:D 395, Dagul Mervava Y:D 391:3, Pischei Tshuva Y:D 391:8, Pri Megadim O:C 444 m”z 9
Meaty Eggs and Potatoes
kavod Harav, On Shabbat, there is a pot with meaty chamin (beef or lamb). Beneath the lid, is a metal insert with several small holes to allow in steam. The rack does not have contact with the chamin. On top of this rack, are whole eggs and potatoes. If I eat the egg or potato, […]
Yichud with Stepfather
What would be the halachic guidelines for me (a 19 year old girl) being alone with my stepfather in the house? Is it ever permissible? During the day, at night etc. Answer: There is a prohibition of Yichud with a step father, both by day and night. As with all Yichud, there are a number […]
Learning to Benefit Another
A fiend of mine who’s working told me to “have him in mind” (i.e. learn as a zchus for him) when I learn and he’ll give me money i.e. pay me a small stipend or allowance per week. I know that according to R Moshe, , Yissachar needs to be relying on this money in […]
Morrano Converts
BS´D Good afternoon. This is my question: A ger, whose lastnames maybe descend (not sure) from those jews who were forced to convert to catholicism during inquisition in spain, is he allowed to adopt ashkenazic minhagim, specially if his rabonim who are guiding him are ashkenazim? thanks sincerely yours Answer: Yes, he may adopt Ashkenazi […]
Eruv Chatzerot in Apartment Building
Do we, who live in an apt. building, require eruv chazeirot/shituf mevo’ot? Answer: If you live in an area that has a community wide eruv, this would mean that whoever made the eruv, i.e. the tzuras hapesachs around the community, also arranged for a communal shituf mavo’os. Without this, the tzuros hapesach would not help […]
Writing an Oath
hi i was wandering if i make i shvua , but didnt say it out loud, only wrote it and then signed it. is it binding, or do i need to SAY it in order for it to be binding all the best Answer: A shavua [oath] is only binding when actually spoken. However, one […]
Borei Meorei Haeish
How important is it to fulfill the Beracha of בורא מאורי האש during Havdala? Is it a Chiyuv? The language of the Poskim: אם נזדמנה לו sounds like one is not obligated to seek out a Ner & fulfills Havdala even without a Ner. Is it enough that one person was reciting Havdala for the […]
Various Questions
A few questions for the Rav. Are you allowed to build a puzzle on shabbos? If you are in your house with your maid, and you don’t know when your mother is coming home, is that still a problem of yichud? If it is a problem, does unlocking the door help? What are the halachos […]
Hamotzi for Dessert
Just like the suggested halachah is to have in mind when making hamotzi to exempt any cake. Can one also and is it suggested to have in mind when making Hamotzi to cover sweets and candies forsure not coverd by Hamotzi. Answer: No, this only works for mezonos which may not be covered automatically by […]
Metamucil
I need to take a powder called metamucil it’s a fiber supplement wich you mix in a drink of your choice I need to take it for constipation problems but it has no kosher certification is it permissible to take this since I’m using it for a refuah Answer: From what I understand this product […]
Avel on Rosh Chodesh
Am I allowed to go out with friends for a Rosh Chodesh dinner? I suspect I am not; but just wanted to make sure ….. Answer: I assume you mean that you are in aveilus, in which case you are correct that going out to dinner would not be permitted.
Bar Mitzvah on Lag Baomer
Can we celebrate a Bar Mitzvah With a party on the eve of Lag BaOmer? Answer: Yes, Lag Baomer celebrations are only customary and not from the Talmud or Shulchan Aruch, some in fact do not celebrate this day in any special way. A Bar Mitzvah may be held normally.
Allergies and Harchakos
If a woman is allergic to the food her husband is eating, is there any need for a heker between them when she is a niddah? Answer: see here: https://dinonline.org/2015/11/17/can-allergies-replace-harchakos
Short Cycles
Hi Rabbi – I have 24 day cycles and I ovulate around day 10 and I bleed for 7 days so I don’t know what to do about mikveh? Please help. Thanks so much Answer: This is a common issue and usually very easily treatable, you should see your OB/GYN who could prescribe medication that […]
Distilled Water
Does “Distilled water” need a Hechsher? or pose a problem of bishul akum? (my understanding of distilled water is that it’s purity comes from it’s being cooked to a steam then afterward collected) Answer: While it is customary to purchase all products with a hechsher when possible, pure water, including distilled does not require a […]
Ribbis with Compensation Gift
I ordered something from a shop and when it arrived, part of the order was missing. I complained and they offered to send it with the next order, along with a free gift. Is the extra gift ribbis for the delayed part? Answer: No, this gift is not for allowing them to hold on to […]
Bracha Achrona on Fruit
I just ate part of a kezayis of pomegranate & some starfruit and nuts. Do I make an al hamichya or borei nefashos since it wasn’t a full kezayis of rimon? Answer: A borei nefashos would be made. Sources: Kaf Hachaim 210:3 sorry for the delayed response.
Start of Aveilus
Usualy a men start his avelut for his father after burial. If one of the son is not present on the site of burial, or if is in another state, he strat after the news. My question if one of sons is on fly trip, started before the burial and will land only in the […]
Loan Honesty
Hi. 1) Is there any justification in somebody over-exaggerating (outright lying) his/her income whilst applying for account/loan/mortgage/credit card? 2) Let say a bochur receives £100 pounds monthly from his parents for his basics, £150 monthly for dira rent, £600 monthly for yeshiva fees, can he say his income is £850? 3) Somebody calls up a […]
Loan Payment
If someone borrows money, and agrees to repay it, can he choose to repay it in a different form, i.e. with objects, or a different currency if he promised to pay money? TIA! Answer: No, money must be paid back. Sources: Shulchan Aruch C:M 101:1.
Insurance Meals
My father in law receives frozen kosher meals from his insurance company every week. He doesnt like how they taste. There is a poor Jew comes to our shul that could really use food every week and for Shabbos. Is it mutar to take the food that my father in law receives and give it […]
Employee/Employer Dispute
I am employed by a mosod. i have 2 parts of my job, 1 i work for one division in the mosod and the 2nd i work for other people in the mosod. for 2 reasons i wanted to give up my 2nd part of the job, firstly, they are difficult people. Secondly, i had […]
Eating Pearl Powder
Can one eat ground pearl (oysters)powder? Answer: Pearls are a tasteless non food item, eaten for certain health benefits, and are permissible for consumption.
Get Validity
Hello, I had a question in regards to the validity of a divorce of a shidduch prospect. I understood that this man was forced to divorce his first wife even though he did not agree in the beginning, on the basis that – details removed- . Is this divorce considered valid according to the most stringent […]
Prenuptial Agreements
Shalom, If I can borrow a few moments of the Rav’s time to ask a Shaila: I’ve recently been learning the halachos, pilpulim, and (unfortunately) controversy regarding the idea of prenuptial agreements as a solution to the Agunah situation nowadays. I’ve discussed the subject at length with my chavrusah for a while now. Of course […]
Family Loan
I would like to receive a family loan to purchase a house. In essence it can either be structured as long term, non-interest baring loan, or as an iska. The lender would like to avoid a gift tax. In order to not be recorded as a gift, according to the IRS, the loan must be […]
Tefillin on Band Aid
Do you put on tefilin when you have a band aid on your arm ? Answer: If the band aid is in the place of the actual tefillin, they may be worn but no bracha may be recited. If it is in the place of the straps, they may be worn and a bracha may […]
Helping Husband when Niddah
At the moment I’m a Nidde and my husband is after an operation. Am I allowed to help him get up and put on socks as there is no one else to help but me. What to do? Thank you. Answer: Yes, and you should do your best to avoid direct contact with him in […]
Washing Kiddush Cup on Shabbos
I have a Hilchos Shabbos Shailoh. Shabbos Morning after Kiddush, my hands and my Becher are wet from Grape Juice that I had just made Kiddush on. I then stand up and walk to my sink with the Becher in my hand. At this time I will rinse off my hands from Grape Juice so […]
Yichud with Brother in Law
Can my brother in law be in the house with me during the day or does the door have to be left open? Additionally at night when my 9 year old son and 8 year old daughter are home what would be the halacha of having him in the house when my husband is out. […]
Reading Onkelos
Regarding Shayim Mikra V’Echad Targum: if I do not understand Aramaic, is it still worthwhile to read Unkelos, or is it preferable for me to read another commentary that I understand? Answer: It is still worthwhile to read Unkelos. In addition, you should supplement as much of Rashi as possible, in addition to Unkelos. Sources: […]
Loan Repayment
You have $150. You have to pay your gas bill ($125), electricity bill ($80), you owe your friend money ($100) , and you owe your parents money ($150). You lost a bet with your friend and you broke your parents camera equipment and they both want their pavements as quickly as possible. Who do you […]
Backed Out of Reservation
I reserved a room in Florida for a week. I didn’t give a deposit because they trusted me. Now because of a simcha in the family we cannot go. What am I responsible for? Minhadin and/or lutzeis yedei shumaim? Answer: You are exempt from payment. Sources: Generally one is obligated to keep to his word, […]