Harav Zeev Litka, Author at Ask The Rabbi

Spending L’Kavod Shabbos

Question: I’ve always had this question and it’s always seemed so vague. How much can one spend l’kavod shabbos, in concrete terms? Is it possible to define? How do I know if i’m spending too little and lacking emunah? Or spending too much and using shabbos as an “excuse” to buy myself nice things? As […]

Chol Hamoed laundry for studio rental

Question: Dear Rabonim, I understand laundering sheets, towels and linens for personal use is usually forbidden. I saw that some permit hotels to do so as they have multiple guests and would need to buy surplus if were not allowed. We have a studio rental and have multiple guest bookings during Pesach this year. Can […]

Receiving a chameitz package on Pesach

Question: I may be receiving a vitamin order on pesach which contains chametz. How do I handle this? Answer: Hello, If the vitamins are tablets, and therefore not suitable for even a dog to eat (which is the halachic criteria for chametz), than you may accept the chametz. However, it is preferable not to swallow […]

Questions on Hefsek Tahara and Moch Dachuk

Question: 1) When is the ideal time for a Hefsek Tahara Lechatchilo? Can one do it earlier than this in order to leave time for an additional bedika if it turns out not good. 2) Does a Hefsek Tahara done at night help (Bdieved) for the following day? 3) Can a woman do a Hefsek […]

Chametz pet food on Pesach

Question: Shalom Rabbi, could you please say what is the source in halacha that states that it is forbidden to feed our animals chametz on Pesach? Answer: Hello, One is not allowed to own chametz that can be eaten by an animal, i.e. a dog. Dog food is included, as by definition it can […]

Can one daven out loud while alone

Question: If I’m praying alone, can I say Shmoneh Esrei out loud if no one is there to hear? It brings about more kavanah for me to pray out loud. Answer: Hello, The halacha is that if by not saying the words out loud you will not have adequate kavana, you may say the […]

Going to aquarium during pregnancy

Question: Hi, I have heard about a custom of not going to a zoo during pregnancy, does this apply to Aquariums as well? Does it apply to everything, for example just seeing them, or only getting real close to them? Thanks Answer Hello, Although there is no clear source that states that a woman should […]

Warming up pareve food in dairy/meat microwave

Question: If I warm up pareve food in a dairy or meat microwave, what is the status of the warmed up food? Can it be eaten together with meat or dairy? Answer: Hello, If the microwave was used in the past 24 hours to heat up meat or dairy, the pareve food should not be […]

Question after tevila

Question: This is me being OCD but yesterday I did my most of my chafifa at home saving any last minute things to do at the mikvah. Before i left to the mikvah i cleaned up a little and picked up my child’s glue stick which felt a tiny bit sticky. I didn’t think much […]

Beis Din claim under spam law

Question: This is probably only a theoretical question but at times it comes close to seeming relevant. I’m curious whether a Beis Din would entertain a claim for payment based on civil law. (I’m asking here to hear what Nesivos Chaim would say) Specifically: the Israeli anti-spam law essentially makes businesses financially liable to individuals […]

Cooked fish in a meat pan

Question: I cooked fish in a meat pan then put leftovers in a dairy plastic container and then put different dairy silverware in the the pot to soak. (This was all accidentally) Question 1: What’s the status of the dairy plastic container 2: what to do with the dairy silverware and meat pot to use […]

Right glove on left hand

Question: Any halachic concern with wearing right glove on left hand. I took two rights by mistake from the pile. And is a mismatched set ok? Answer: Hello, There is no problem. All the best Sources:

Status of the washing cup

Question: What status, if any, does a washing cup retain? May i use the same cup that i use for netilas yadayim or negel vasser in the morning to drink from? Or may i use it to pour water from the sink into a percolator? Answer: Thank you for your question. Yes, you may. However, […]

Borer with Hands

Question: Shalom Rabbi, If I wash blueberries in my hands and let the water accumulate in them and then run off through my fingers leaving just the blueberries, is that considered borer? Kol tuv, Answer: Hello, It is considered borer. All the best Sources: Eiyal Hameshulash 7:16 in the name of Rav Elyashiv- “סינון […]

Using protektzia

Question: Is there anything wrong with using protektzia or connections to get something otherwise difficult or impossible to get? Would it make a difference if it would help you “cut the line” and get something earlier or get a limited-amount spot? Answer: Hello, If it does not come at the expense of anyone else, it […]

Finger with blood inadvertently inserted in mouth while sleeping

Question: Hello, I have some cracked skin on my hands and a few of my fingers are bleeding. I may have accidentally put one of these fingers while asleep (not sure). I know blood (even human) is forbidden to swallow) *If* that did happen, is that something for which I would need to do anything […]

Shehiya in oven

Question: Hi, I am learning shehiya now and have a question about our ovens. If someone wants to follow the Biur Halacha’s opinion is there any heterim to leave food that is mitzamak ve’yafe lo like cholent or overnight potato kugel in our ovens? Answer: Hello, There is a machlokes whether removing the knobs is considered […]

Hefsek in shemoneh esrei for kavanna

Question: Is it permitted to stop in the middle of a brocha in shemoneh esrei to think one’s requests and reflect on the meaning of the words etc. in order to arouse kavanna? Is this considered a hefsek? If it is allowed, are there any constraints on what one is allowed to think or how […]

Meat spoon used in milk frying pan

Question: Hi, I used a fleishig spoon to fry an egg in a dairy frying pan by mistake. The pan was not used for milk in the last 24 hours, and rarely used for milk at all. I am not sure if the spoon was used for fleishig in the last 24 hours – out […]

Same name for mother n law and daughter n law

Question: Hello My daughter was suggested a shidduh and mother of the young man has the same first name. My daughter has a second name that she is not using. Should we go ahead with shidduh? Thank you Answer: Hello, This is a very delicate question that should be discussed with a Rav who is […]

Online Bank Services on Chol Hamoed

Question: Hi, Shulchan Aruch states in 539 seif 14 that regular activities which we would nowadays probably refer to “banking” are assur MB sk 47 explains as this is prakmatia. Any of these forbidden activities (so not in cases of davar ha`aved, perhaps examples would include making payments, transfers, etc.) what would their din be […]

Changing the name of someone who is ill

Question: In Shul the rabbi changed the name of someone who was ill to somehow avert an evil decree. This seems to be a Kabbalistic custom. On a simple level, is it not trying to fool G-d? How does it tie in with Devarim 18 tomim tihyeh… Answer: Hello, In Judaism, a name is not […]

Lashon Hara about a yeshiva

Question: If my brother knows that I work in a certain mainstream Yeshiva and I tell him there was a boy that was caught doing drugs in Yeshiva today and do not mention the kids name. Is that Lashon hara even though I don’t say his name as I am casting the Yeshiva in a […]

HaMotzi standing

Question: BS”D Shalom, is there any halakha forbidding to do hamotzi standing? Answer: Hello, Halachicaly one is allowed to say hamotzi while standing. However, since the meal should be eaten while sitting (Gittin 70a ), the beracha should also preferably be made in the same manner, i.e. while sitting. All the best Sources: Pri […]

2 Brothers with a sister live together

Question: Can 2 brothers live with one sister? Or 3 brothers live with one sister in the same home? Answer: Hello, 2 brothers are allowed to live with one sister in the same house. All the best Sources: See Chut Hashani (Yichud 2:3).

Why are tzitzis all the same in the 21st Century?

Question: In Germany in the 19th Century, there is the example of light blue silk tzitzis with gold embroidery (attached). This is one of the only surviving examples of the variations in tzitzis throughout history. How did we end up with the white with the black stripe tzitzis as the standard? Is it due to […]

Sleeping arrangement after menopause

Question: What is the Halacich/Chasidic attitude to One or Two beds after the Menopause, After the natural Two week cycles have stopped? Is there something else to take the place of this cycle? Can you please give me some sources Thank you and Best wishes Answer: Hello, According to halacha, one bed is allowed, as […]

repayment credit card loan

Question: hi I understand if one borrows a credit card from a fellow it is consider a double loan. I’m assuming being a authorized user on a credit card is considered the same as borrowing in the context of halacha. and what about paying back the loan? wouldn’t their be an issue with paying back […]

Shelving in Shver’s Garage

Question: My shver rented his garage to a frum couple for many years. They are no longer married. They were informed sometime in August, or early September that he wanted his garage back. After some pressure they, finally, agreed to remove their possessions from his garage. The ex-wife recently informed my wife & I that […]

Thinning Seedlings that Will Likely Never Bear Fruit

Question: Trees & other types of plants are called seedlings while they are still relatively small (usually not more than a few inches tall). Thinning seedlings is a common procedure whereby recently sprouted seeds that are deemed less likely to survive long term are removed from the bunch to avoid overcrowding those seedlings more likely […]

using meat thermometer in dough

Question: Could I use a meat thermometer to measure the heat of a challa dough while baking? Will it render the challa ‘meaty’? Answer: Hello, Ideally one should not use the meat thermometer to measure the heat of the challa dough when the meat thermometer is within 24 hours of being used with hot meat (“ben yomo”) […]

Dishwasher utensil holder in wrong machine

Question: Hello. I mistakenly used the plastic cutlery holder from the milky dishwasher in my meaty dishwasher and it contained meaty cutlery. The holder had not been used since the previous night. What is the status of the plastic holder, the cutlery and the dishes. Thank you. Answer: Hello, Assuming that there was meaty food […]

should new clothes always be worn for the first time on Shabbos

Question: Is it acceptable to wear new clothes (e.g., new sweater; skirt) on Sundays,Mondays, etc. or must new clothes always be saved for Shabbat? Answer: Hello, It is perfectly acceptable. There is, however, an advantage to wearing them for the first time on Shabbos as then you are wearing new and nicer clothes on Shabbos […]

Massar to use to pay someone else’s debt who can’t pay it back

Question: My father declared chapter 7 bankruptcy a couple years ago. There was an unsecured loan he had from a relative that was done with a heter iska (the business that the money was lent for is no longer in business as part of the bankruptcy). The relative feels that the money is still owed […]

Ribbis

Question: Our groceries shop give 10% for customers who have an account (and thus frequently shop there) Although this is common and normal practice I just wanted to double check this is not a question of Ribbis, as at times we pay in advance and at times for past (purchased) goods Kind rgds and thanks […]

Tevilas Keylim- giving to a non-Jew

Question: When I hand the gentile (at the corner heimishe grocery store) my untoiveled keyli & tell him I’m giving it to him on condition he lets me use it forever, and he thinks the whole thing makes no sense, is a kinyan really happening? How different is this from mechiras chometz, where the gentile […]

Maaser Money

Question: Is it better to split my maaser money between many organizations or give it all to one? Answer: It is better to split it, that way you have a part in all of the organizations (just like investments!) All the best Sources:

vein surgery

Question: B”H Thank you for your help. Regarding mitzvahs corresponding to sinews- may a person have surgery to remove varicose veins if removing them has a potential health benefit? (as the condition may get worse over time, it would alleviate some discomfort now, and it would also be done for cosmetic concerns). Is there any […]

Tzedakah

Question: Hi- if one had daas to give a certain amount of tzedakah to a meshulach and then he realized he didn’t have money on him or his credit card wasn’t working in the machine, is he required to give that exact money to that meshulach? Let’s say he’ll never see him again and has […]

Year of mourning for a parent, buying used clothes

Question: My father passed away six months ago. May I buy and wear second hand skirts, they look new to me, and I usually buy clothes in second hand shops. But, I have only two skirts for winter and I am loosing weight and I am between sizes. Answer: Hello, It is allowed as they […]

Shalosh Seudos latest time

Question: What is the latest time before Tseis Hakoichovim that one can wash for Shalosh Seudos? What if one keeps Rabeinu Tam? Till when can one eat if one doesn’t wash (only Mesoinois)? We follow Minhag Ashkenas and live in Vienna, Austria. Thank you! Answer: Hello, Since you keep Rabbeinu Tam, you can start eating […]

Tape used to tape tzitzit on side of garment

Question: Can a person use tape to keep the TZIZIT in its proper place so that it does not slide to the edge of the corner but properly stays in its proper place? IF yes, Can it be worn with the tape in place on SHABBOS assuming no EIRUV? Answer: Yes. One can use tape […]

Pregnancy from First Intercourse

Question: When chazal say that ein isha nisaberes mibiyah rishona, is this meant as a 100% rule? On our marriage it was not clear whether things were really consummated the first night or not. As a chasan I maintained it was not, but really did not have experience to know. The rav we asked regarding […]

Hypnosis – Black magic?

Question: I was watching a hypnosis show, and to me it seemed like black magic “like putting somebody under a spell” Is hypnosis allowed? Does it have any connection to forbidden “black magic” Thanks! Answer: Hello, Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe Y:D 3:44) writes that hypnosis is not considered “magic” rather it works through a […]

Being blamed for something work colleague did – can one reveal the truth?

Question: My boss assumed I was at fault for a certain issue – in fact, it was my fellow worker’s fault. Am I allowed to clear my name by saying who was the person to blame? This is a case where there’s no danger of being fired for the issue, but the boss will likely […]

teviles keilim by kid – video call

Question: Can I send my 10 year old to be toivel keilim if he will video call me to show me that he’s doing the tevilla and doing it properly? Thanks! Answer: Hello, Yes, as long as you see that the tevila is being done correctly (although I’m not sure how he’ll be able to […]

Cheating in Highschool

Question: I’m a student in highschool. I’m new to judaism so i don’t really know that much yet about so i hope you can help me. I cheated in some of my highschool tests. I have also cheated in test not related to my highschool tests. This test is required by the college. If i […]

platonic friends

Question: Hello Rabbi, What is the halachic view of male-female friendships and communication via email and phone (the single female is good friends with both the married male and female). The nice thing to do would be to contact the male regarding the birthday of his deceased relative and also potentially separately about a new […]

Making vest Kavuah Dormant when the yom havest bedikos were not done on time.

Question: If a woman has a vest kavuah lachodesh and didn’t always make the bedikos on the actual day of these vestos, but did make them at the least shortly afterward, and passes the chodesh multiple times without seeing, is she still able to make the kavuah lachodesh dormant? Or must she still keep it […]

Shemonah Esrai when possibly not clean after bathroom

Question: If an individual flatulated before the Amidah and then again after the Amida and when he went to wipe that area noticed that it was brown (on the paper with which he wiped himself). Does he have to repeat the Amida (Shemonah Esrah)? Answer: Hello, You do not have to repeat Shemona Esrai since […]