Question: I like to have some whiskey with my tea on Shabbos. If the tea is a kli rivii, can the whiskey be mixed in hot tea? Kettle (kli rishon) to cup (kli shni) to thermos (kli shlishi) to drinking cup (kli rvii). Then whiskey is mixed in. Answer: It is permitted, even if it […]
Author Archives: Rabbonim of the Beis Hora'a
MATZAH in soup on SHABBOS
Question: Can I break a matzah into a hot soup on Sshabbos? Soup pot to ladle to bowl? Answer: Thank you for your question. It depends on how you are doing it. You should not break the matzoh into the bowl before pouring the hot soup into the bowl, because this would be iruy kli […]
Ohel of lubavitch letters
Question: I’ve seen pictures of thousands of letters bye the grave (ohel) of the Lubavitch Rebbi. Is it acceptable practice to write a letter to someone who isn’t alive (asking for some sort of heavenly help)? Thank you. Answer: Thank you for your question. Yes it is common practice for people to leave letters at […]
Mishanh Shabbes 2:5
Question: In the mishnah of shabbes 2:5 it states: משנה מסכת שבת פרק ב משנה ה המכבה את הנר מפני שהוא מתירא מפני עובדי כוכבים מפני לסטים מפני רוח רעה ואם בשביל (ונ “א מפני) החולה שיישן פטור כחס על הנר כחס על השמן כחס על הפתילה חייב ורבי יוסי פוטר בכולן חוץ מן הפתילה […]
Lighting Chanukah Lights in Chutz La’aretz
Question: Question from Brooklyn, NY: 1) In Eretz Yisroel where they light outdoors, there is a great diligence to light within 20 – 30 minutes after sunset, many light at sunset itself. Does this apply outside of Eretz Yisroel where everyone lights inside? 2) There is a discussion concerning the opinion of the Ritvah, and […]
Praying for my own recovery.
Question: Hello Rabbi, The question is – can I pray for my own recovery from the illness? Answer: Thank you for your question. Yes. You are, in fact, the best person to pray for yourself for your own recovery, the reason being because you will pray with the most devotion and concentration, and in […]
Drinking water before birkas ha-torah
Question: Can you say shehakol and drink water in the morning before saying birkas ha-torah? Answer: Thank you for your question. Yes you may say shehakol on the water before birkas hatorah. Birkas Hatorah is a bracha we have to say before learning any Torah. We are however allowed to say various brachos, and […]
Hachnasat Sefer torah during year of Aveilut for a parent
Question: Should one avoid attending an Hachnasat Sefer Torah being given to my shul. Add on point, is there any change to this when wanting to go to take my young boys (8 & 6) to experience the excitement of their first such event. Answer: Hello, You can take your children there for the […]
Possible temporary male infertility from medicine
Question: Would there be a problem with taking a commonly prescribed medicine such as prozac that possibly has a side effect of temporary male infertility (recovers after ceasing medecine) because of lo sihiya akur? Answer: Thank you for your question. This is not a concern, and a person that needs it should not abstain […]
Can women shower while candles are burning?
Question: Can women shower while candles are burning or is that considered work? Answer: Yes. A woman may shower during the half hour after lighting the candles. The reason for this minhag is because Yehudis, the daughter of Yochanan the Kohen Gadol, fooled the Greek general and seduced him with cheese (and wine) and […]
OCD thoughts while praying and in life
Question: Dear Rabbi, I have OCD and have intrusive thoughts and compulsions during prayer. Should I stop and do prayer later? Also, some of my thoughts are disturbing like racism, antisemitism, and about satan/devil. One can never give soul away, but thoughts still scare me. Are they sinful thoughts and should I repent? Answer: […]
Hagasa (Mixing) on Shabbos
Question: Is one allowed to mix a liquidy fully cooked hot dish on Shabbos such as cholent after it has been taken off the fire? The Mishna Berura in 318:117 seems to hold that one should be machmir if possible but if one looks in the Sha’ar HaTzion in 253:79 he seems imply that it […]
Can mycelium coffins be used?
Question: I recently saw a company that produces coffins made of mushrooms (named the loop cocoon) by mixing mycelium with saw dust . They sprinkle a solution that promotes mushroom growth into the mixture then they set the mixture into a coffin mold. The coffin is said to break down in 45 days. Are these […]
Hanukkah candles
Question: Hello Rabbi, 1. I work until 6:30 many nights and technically the candles can be lit as early as 4:15. Is it okay to wait until after I am done with work to light? There are people awake and even walking by in the street. Also, if I am lighting after work, would it […]
Should a person be mechalel Shabbos to avoid arrest?
Question: Should a person be mechalel shabbos to avoid arrest? For example, there was a recent news story in Israel of a group that was offered the choice of getting arrested or boarding a plane. Another story was that someone was offered the choice of being arrested in Los angeles or signing a ticket. What […]
Sufganiyot
Question: BS”D Shalom dear Rabbi, can buy from a goyim the Sufganiyot to give to in Channukah? Chag Chanukkah Sameach Answer: Thank you for your question. It is hard for me to understand what you mean to ask. Essentially if the gufganiot have a reliable hechsher (kosher supervision), they can be purchased from a […]
Neder in dream
Question: Hi, does a kabalh in a dream have any halachic significance ? And if yes, is the mesiros mo’dah made on erev rosh hashana m’vatel the kabalh/neder? Thank you Answer: Thank you for your question. A neder or shvuah that a person made while dreaming is controversial is it is binding or not. Essentially, […]
Revenge on Nazis
Question: Will HaShem punish the nazis forever in the world to come or even now in heaven/hell ? Answer: My assumption is that they will be punished both times. They are Hashem’s enemies, and tried to obliviate Hashem’s name and nations from the world.
Menorah
Question: I like to like big oil cups, so that my candles burn for a long time, I know I don’t need to , but it’s something I like to do. The problem is, since I use big cups, I cant find a menorah big enough for them, so I light without a menorah. Is […]
Won’t be home for tonight’s lighting, what do I do?
Question: I am going to Israel tonight and won’t be able to light because I will be in airport what should I do? Answer: Thank you for your question. When you are traveling you can not light while you don’t have a “home” therefore lighting in the airport is not an option. Here are […]
Can salt/pepper in a shaker become treif
Question: Can salt or black pepper become treif from steam of food if used to season not kosher food? Answer: Essentially we are careful about this, however in retrospect, the salt in the shaker is not treif, because even if a little bit of the salt did come in contract with the steam of […]
Can a person cry on shabbos?
Question: Can a person cry on Shabbos from happiness? Is there any basis for leniency to cry on Shabbos from sadness? Answer: The prohibition not to cry on Shabbos is not to be sad and pained on Shabbos. If the tears are from happiness, or from devotion wile one is davening, that it permitted. […]
Happy Thanksgiving!!! Were there Jews on Ship Margaret and in Plymouth?nd?
Question: Dear Din Online: Happy Thanksgiving!!! And on board of ship Margaret in 1619, were there any Jews? And in Massachusetts, in Plymouth in 1621, amongst the pilgrims were there, probably, any Jews?.. Thank You very much for reading this letter of mine… and… Happy Thanksgiving!!! Ba kavod rav meod, Answer: I have no idea […]
Kosher money
Question: B”H Kavod haRav, Thank you for your help. 1.Is it “kosher money” to accept support from a relative who may have not tithed the money given, if the money is tithed once it reaches me? 2. Is it kosher money to accept if the relative is not yet fully Shomer Torah and mitzvahs but […]
Making havdalah before maariv on Motzei Shabbos?
Question: Is there any issue with making havdalah before maariv on motzei shabbos? Answer: Thank you for your question. If there is an issue with making havdalah before davening maariv depends on when you are making havdalah. It is incorrect to make havdalah while it is still Shabbos. Although technically it can be done, […]
Classic music: Wagner
Question: B”H Shalom uvrocho from Austria! I got some LPs of classic music and among them, I got a LP of Wagner! Wagner was Antisemitic, and we all know the connection between Wagner’s music and the Nazis. May I listen it with a clear conscience? Should I throw it away? I got theses plates for […]
Shabbos questions
Question: HOT!!! Shabbos?s: 1. wife had loose bowel movement on the ring of the toilet, she used prior squeezed baby wipe to remove remaining bm on the toilet seat. Is this allowed? 2. I wanted a knit hat under a rain hat, I selected the rain hat, then the knitted cap but I wore the […]
Meat knife
Question: A meat knife (which was not used for meat) was placed in a milchig coffee cup with hot water. Status of coffee cup? Answer: Thank you for your question. Under the assumption that he meat knife as not used for hot meat within the last 24 hours, the coffee cup is still milchig. […]
Light sensitive nightlight outlet covers
Question: Is it ok to install outlet covers that the LED light is meant to go on when it’s dark if sometimes the light also will wind up going on when you pass it and block the light in the room during the day momentarily? Answer: It is problematic because it is inside your […]
Can I buy non kosher food for coworkers
Question: I work in an area where there are no kosher restaurants and would like from time to time to purchase non kosher pizza for my non Jewish coworkers who are hard working and good people. Is this allowed if it’s delivered? Answer: If you are buying it only for non-Jewish workers, and the […]
Replacing Mezuzas when moving home
Question: A gutten. I am moving home beH a week after the current tenant moves out. He would like to take his Mezuzas when he leaves, but I only become obligated to put up mine when I move in a week later. I am happy to work things out with him but unsure what to […]
Calculating shloshim date – time sensitive
Question: Shalom, My father-in-law was niftar 20 Marcheshvan, and brought to kevura in EY and the kevura was at night of the 22nd, while it was still 21st back in the States. My brother-in-law flew with the niftar to EY for the kevura while everyone else stayed behind in the States. Then he went back […]
Makeup Question
Question: Dear rabbi, Is it permitted for me do a makeup look based on Ariel from the Disney film “The Little Mermaid” movie? Or is she an avodah zarah character? I know we are not supposed to copy the dress style of avodah zarah. Answer: Hello, It is allowed, as a Disney character is […]
Blood on tissue
Question: on the sixth day of sheva nekiim i saw a red streak on a white tissue, the bedkiot and underwear were all clean, im not sure if the amount of blood was less than a dime or not but since they were streaks probably not do i need to worry about it? start counting […]
אי הבנה בין הצדדים
Question: שלום וברכה א’ שעושה שעוזר לאנשים לארגן מסמכים כדי לקבל תקציב מהמדינה וא’ עשה אצלו ושילם לו ועשה לו רק שהלוקח טעון שהוא הסביר את עצמו טוב ולכן לא היה צריך לקרות טעות והנותן שירות טעון שהוא הבין אחרת ולכן עשה ככה והנותן השירות אומר שמוכן לתקן את הטעות אבל בשביל זה צריכים לחכות […]
Conversion to Judaism
Question: I have been studying Judaism alone for the past two years and I really want to convert to Orthodox Judaism. How can I find a rav to mentor me and a Beit din in order for the conversion to be achieved and how long will it take if I have a great knowledge of […]
Can I E-Sign a Heter Iska?
Question: Can I E-Sign a Heter Iska? Answer: A heter iska is not merely a way to “get around ribbis” it is a contract between the two parties that is going to obligate one side to give the profits of thier business to another person. In order for a heter iska to be valid, it […]
Can I have a goy turn my ac lower to make it even cooler in my house?
Question: If my house is not so cool. Can I have a goy come turn the air lower to make my house cooler on Shabbat? Answer: The goy should not come to lower your a/c for you on Shabbos. the reason is because essentially we may not ask a goy to do melacha for […]
Uses for Chomesh money
Question: Hi, I separate chomesh from my income. But I don’t know which types of things I can give the second 10% of my income. Thanks in advance! Answer: Thank you for your question. How fortunate you are that you can separate chomesh! The Vilna Gaon says (Keser Rosh) that a person who gives […]
Elderly standing for elderly
Question: Does someone over 70 need to stand for someone else over 70? Answer: All things being equal, a person over 70 does not have to stand up for a person over 70, however he should make a gesture “hidur” by standing up a little bit. Sources: Y:D 244-8. Sources: Y:D 244-8.
Why do Jews have beards?
Question: Shalom Rabbi, Is there a reason why we should wear a beard? A spiritual reason for this? Answer: Thank you for your question. Traditionally, Jewish men had beards, this was for a number of reasons. One reason is (especially in western society) because it gives the person a Jewish look, and in a […]
Clarification on Embarrassing
Question: B”H Kavod haRav, Thank you for your help. Regarding the concept of not embarrassing someone: I was in a store, and there were two ladies helping me. As I was leaving, I noticed something one of the ladies was wearing and I complimented it. I then wondered if maybe I unintentionally made the other […]
Which Apartment?
Question: Hi, We recently moved to a new city. The apartment we wanted to rent needed repairs and we were not given a time when it would be ready. Therefore, we tried to rent something as a temporary. The manager of the apartment (Jewish) told us he would give us a good deal on condition […]
Passport appointments
Question: I was having trouble getting a passport appointment for my son. I was told that this is because certain people have a computer program which gets them the availble appointments and they then go and sell them to other people for 500-1000 shekels. I reached out to one of these people and requested an […]
Yehudim not religious
Question: Shalom Rabbi, a Jew who is not religious and transgresses Shabbat among other Hilchos, can be called to Alyah Torah or to a minyan ? Answer: Thank you for your question. This is a very sensitive question, and it might depend on the level of how irreligious he is. If he wouldn’t be […]
Added name for a choleh remaining if he was niftar
Question: My relative was sadly niftar after being in the hospital for a little more than 5 weeks. He went into sudden cardiac arrest after his blood pressure dropped and a rabbi and his sons added a name, seemingly without a minyan. My relative was more or less unresponsive with the exception of moving his […]
Messiah
Question: How can I belive that the messiah will for sure come? Maybe we have sinned so much that g-d decided that we are no longer worthy and that we lost any chance for it just like g-d removed our crowns after we sinned with the golden calf?! This question has been bothering me for […]
Dairy on china plates?
Question: Is it allowed to eat dairy products from china plates? “Bone china” is a strong ceramic made with bone ash, minerals, and a kind of clay. But bone ash is still from an animal, so does that put china in “meat” category? Therefore, dairy should not be eaten on china plates? Answer: Thank […]
halacha of purchasing
Question: B”H Kavod haRav, Thank you sincerely for your help, I really appreciate it. What is the halacha of shopping at a store that has a company policy that supports a non-Torah hashkafa? For example, let’s say a large company makes a marketing statement that they, as a company, support a cause that goes against […]
loshon hora
Question: If something bad is written about a person in a major newspaper is it loshon hora to repeat it over? Answer: It is controversial if it permitted or not. R’ Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz zt”l (one of the gedolim in Bnei Brak) once said something on like this, that even if it is ideed permitted […]