Question: On shabbos, if one has a box of tissues that is mixed together with other objects to the extent that it is considered a ta’aroves, what should one do if one wants to take the box of tissues with him from the room they are in to the bathroom to clean himself after relieving […]
Author Archives: Rabbonim of the Beis Hora'a
Food in yeshiva cafeteria
Question: I’m in a yeshiva in which the first boys who show up to breakfast sometimes take disproportionately large portions of food for themselves. If there is no explicit rule about how much food one can take at meal time, is this forbidden? Other students may end up getting less, but is there a concept […]
Uncertainty in payment
Question: To use a laundry machine in my yeshiva dormitory costs 14 NIS. I always pay for using it, sometimes before I use it and sometimes after (the money is put in a small bag; the machine is not coin-activated). For some reason, after using it recently, I simply couldn’t remember whether I payed or […]
Host has questionable kashrut practices
Question: If I see my host that I am staying at, warm up uncovered dairy in an oven and an hour later heat up covered meat in the same oven. This is the one thing I saw but In general I don’t know if this host is that knowledgeable in kashrut. May I eat there […]
Torn Tzitzit- taaseh v’lo min ha’asui
Question: I have tzitzit strings on one corner only that have torn. Can I simply replace that corner and tie on new strings, or must I undo all the strings? In other words, is there a taaseh v’lo min ha’asui in this situation? Answer: If I understand your question correctly, the strings of one of the […]
Wisdom teeth surgery on chol hamoed
Question: Is it permissible to schedule surgery to remove a teenager’s wisdom teeth on chol hamoed? The reasons are due to the non-Jewish doctor’s availability, and so the teenager won’t miss any time from yeshiva studies. Answer: It is not permitted to schedule the appointment for Chol Hamoed. This is since scheduling an appointment is […]
Dreams
Question: My husband had a dream that I wanted to kill him. I can vouch for the fact that this is not true. We have a good relationship as far as I believe does this dream have any meaning? Answer: Most probably not, there are a number of conditions in order for a dream to […]
Milky spoon in meaty pot
Question: I accidentally removed 1 chestnut while boiling about a dozen chestnuts with a milchig spoon from a fleishig pot. What happens to the pot spoon & contents of pot?. Answer: Assuming that both the spoon and pot were not used within the last 24 hours, both of them are still kosher. The reason being […]
Grapes and apple, What After Blessing?
Question: If someone eats grapes and an apple, or Grapes and pistachios, does one make an BOREH NEFORSHES for the apples or pistachios as well as al HAETZ for the grapes, or does the AL HAETZ COVER THE APPLE /pistachios? Answer: When a person makes Al Haetz it includes the bracha achrona for all fruits, […]
Eating End Pieces of Bread
Question: Shalom, I’ve been refraining from eating end pieces of bread as קשה לשכחה. What ends up happening in the family is that they gets thrown out (is that בל תשחית). I subsequently saw that the Alter of Slobadka would eat end pieces, and say this is good. But mabye in his time there was […]
Goyim Using tefilin
Question: BS”D Can goyim wear Tefilin? Answer: Technically they can however it is only under certain conditions, and in general it shouldn’t be done. Sources: Rambam Hilchos Melachim 10-10 and Radvaz ibid.
woman divorced – what time has to pass before a new marriage
Question: Sholem. If a woman is divorced, three jewish months have to pass before she can remarry. is that right? a gut shabbes when it arrives, Answer: It is slightly more than three months. She has to wait 90 days besides the day the get was written and the day of the marriage. Best wishes […]
Shaimos: sukkah decorations, oil glasses from neiros
Question: Hello, Do sukkah decorations need to be discarded in a specific way? What about used glasses that held oil for shabbos candles? the wicks? Thank you! Answer: Articles that were used, but are no longer being used for the mitzva, such as old worn out tzitzis, are called tashmishei mitzvah. The general rule […]
Avoda zarah
Question: Hello, this is another question regarding avoda zarah listed within a separate email. The question arises in regard to the rule that one may not derive benefit from that which is created using a forbidden item of idol worship. As an example, if one were to travel to Japan as a vacation one would […]
Do I owe my boss money?
Question: I work in an American company where the post is unreliable. A client sent some goods back by post (which we don’t usually use). I accepted the parcel but only afterwards did I realise that the box had a hole. I could have still run after the postman but I thought that I’ll anyway […]
Little black specks in Vitarroz Pasta De Guayaba from Brazil
Question: In Vitarroz brand Pasta De Guayaba (a jelly-like guava paste) from Brazil with kashrut of B.K.A. (Harav Ilovitch) I regularly find little black specks in various shapes and sizes. Could this possibly be body parts of insects, or is it definitely part of the fruit like crushed seeds (or perhaps burnt sugar from production […]
nivul peh
Question: follow up to https://dinonline.org/2020/02/02/nivul-peh/ my question is like this, using the word br—t or va—a in public would def be considered vulgar but between spouses I am pretty sure is ok. Now, is slang inherently low or is it just like using the technical term Answer: Using those words is only considered vulgar depending […]
Can an organization accept tzedaka from a married woman?
Question: Can a gabbai tzedaka or tzedaka organization accept a large contribution from a married woman without confirming that she has her husband’s permission to make the donation? If a husband does want to get the money back must he request to have it returned within a specific time frame? Answer: A gabbai should not […]
Re: Question 54845
Question: Hi I just received an answer to my question 54845 about the arnona bill my parents paid. I thank you for your answer. The parents did not know of any possibility that there would be a discount, as I just realized it just before I paid the bill. I’m more interested in what is […]
Redeeming, avoda h zarah
Question: Hi, I figured I’d ask another question separately but in of a similar sort. Within the avodah zarah. It mentions that one can not benefit from something made using a part of an idol. However it seems one is able to redeem such an item created in this way. How would such a thing […]
Annuling of idols within the avodah zarah
Question: I read that unlike idols owned by non-Jews which can be annulled, ones owned by Jews cannot be annulled as such. Why is this? I have read a good deal of it from the Avodah zarah but I’m not exactly sure if this was simply the opinion of some or the final agreed upon […]
money for tora
Question: There is a person who is willing to pay me $50 a week for learning with him. Is this permitted, as one may not take money for Torah, as the Gemara in Nedarim 37 says? (This is at a time when I would otherwise be sleeping, early in the morning) Answer: The minhag nowadays […]
Meguilah 13a, Goyim who do not worship other gods are then Jews?
Question: In the treaty of meguilah 13a says that all who leave idolatry are yehudin, And also in the comment: Daf Shevui to Megillah This midrash is connected to a verse from Daniel where a minister refers to Jews as those who do not worship the Babylonian king’s god or bow down to his idols. […]
Received discount for bill after it was paid by father
Question: Hi I am currently learning and supported by my parents. I had to pay arnona (property tax in Israel) so my parents said they would just add it onto the monthly “salary” (this is how they describe the money they give me which includes money for rent, food, etc.) Right before I paid the […]
misplaced. טלית
Question: Someone by mistake took my Talis and left over his Talis a few weeks ago and it has no סימן the question is can I use it and can I make a ברכה on it? Thank you Answer: This is a very common (and unfortunate occurrence), that things get swapped in shul etc. The Shulchan […]
Negel vaser water
Question: 1) What is the status of clothes that negel vaser water splashed on? Does it make a difference if its in middle of the process (while washing) or if after? 2) what happens if someone took a bath with negel vaser water that was spilled out in a tub? 3) does it make a […]
Shatness in womens gloves
Question: Should women wear gloves that are labeled as follows: 100% Dyed Shearling Shearling Fur Origin Spain Made in China Answer: I am not familiar with this topic. You can call the Monsey Shatnez lab at +1 845-262-8502 . It is open from 7-9:45 pm Best wishes
5 year old boy watch girls swimming
Question: Can a five year old watch a girls only swimming class (if I am unable to make other arrangements for him) together with his mother as they sit and watch the duration of the lesson while his sister has a swimming lesson. If assur, can the rav please give reference in MB. Many thanks […]
Delay in borer
Question: In regards to borer on shabbos, may one prepare food that involves separation and then immediately walk to another person’s house to bring the food to them to eat? Similarly, may one separate a sefer from a mixture of seforim (assuming they are mixed in a way that would be defined as a halachic […]
Shnayim mikra
Question: Do I have to speak out the targum if I’m using English translation? Answer: It is controversial if one can be yotza targum by reading an English translation. The Bais Yosef writes that reading Targum is unique in the sense that it is the correct translation and considered given at Sinai. Therefore, one should […]
tenant s responsibility
Question: Hi, General Question: Who is liable, the landlord or the tenants, when something in the apartment breaks NOT due to the negligence of the tennants? Specific Question: last night there was quite a strong wind in jerusalem. we had chairs outside( that belong to the landlord). When we came to the appartment these chairs […]
Bnei noach Relationship
Question: BS”D If the man (bnei noach) is married, can he have sexual intercourse with unmarried woman? Answer: It is forbidden if the woman is married, but if the man is married it isn’t a correct thing to do, to say the least, however from a halachic standpoint is isn’t considered as if he broke […]
Pidyon Haben
Question: How do you do a Pidyon HaBen for a Bechorim, an adult BT..? Thank you very much ! Answer: Essentially the father of the child does the redeeming, however there are a number of situation such as when a person is a baal teshuva etc. that his father didn’t do the pidyon, so he […]
Shabbes Candles for children that departed
Question: BS”D A mother who had three children in whom two died is only one alive, when it is erev shabbes she has to ascend candle to her living son only? Or for all the children including those who died? Answer: This is very sad. Regarding the candles that she lit for her children, essentially […]
Gnivah but I don’t know who to return it to
Question: What to do if I committed theft and am unable to find the person(s) to pay them back? Do I have to repay in full or sevenfold? Answer: First of all don’t worry, there is no such thing in Jewish law as having to pay back sevenfold. There are times when a person has […]
What possible reasons would a burial and matzeva be moved elsewhere?
Question: My wife was nifter over two years ago. Directly behind her plot I recognized the name of a person I worked with back in the mid-1960s. My last recent visit witnessed that the matzeva of this friend was not there with no marker. The custodian would not say why after 46 years the grave […]
Returning item that’s not mine
Question: Good morning! A few years ago ,our family went with our extended family for a “Shabbas away from home “ to a camp E/ family stayed in df bungalow ,some kids combined … Our family stayed in the camp nurses bungalow colony… By mistake when we packed to go home,I took along 1 boys […]
Rabbi caring for a goyim community
Question: BS”D Is there a ban on a rabbi caring for, and guiding a goyim-formed community that wants to make guyur in Israel in the future? Being that the only Jew is the rabbi himself Answer: There are communities where there is a ban on accepting geirim, but aside for that, the Rabbi must know […]
Shalom. I wonder if bnei noach can have relations before marriage.
Question: Shalom. I wonder if bnei noach can have sex before marriage. Thanks Answer: If she is not married to anyone and not a relative it is permitted for a ben noach. Sources: Rambam Hilchos Milachim 9 7,8.
nivul peh
Question: During relations, am I allowed to refer to my wife’s body parts using slang? Answer: If the slang would be considered nivul pe, it should not be used even when you are alone. A person’s mouth is the place where he davens and speaks words of the holy Torah, and even during relations, one […]
Parsha Bo english halacha discussion of dogs – quote cannot be correct
Question: In the article it says: Yet, the Magen Avraham (Orach Chaim 167:18) cites the statement of the Gemara as normative halacha, noting elsewhere (271:12) in the name of Rav Yaakov Emden that this is actually a biblical prohibition. Magen Avraham died before Reb Yaakov Emden was born so it is highly doubtful he quoted […]
Is it better to avoid touching while exchanging cash?
Question: 1) Is it better to avoid touching hands at a store while exchanging cash from cashier to customer or vice versa (opposite gender)? 2) if the cashier is handing cash to a customer of the opposite gender, what would be the best way for the customer to respond? Thank you!! Answer: Halachically since there […]
Ribis through Pawning
Question: I have a store and i sell electronics. A woman who bought a computer half a year ago called and expressed her interest to sell it back because she needs the cash. After i told her that she can probably get more from selling it to someone else she asked if she can sell […]
Do I have to Ma’aser if I have loans outstanding
Question: I borrowed money from my parents some time ago. Recently I received wages, and I sent them right away to my parents to help pay down the loan they gave me. Do I need to ma’aser my wages prior to sending my parents the money, or do I send the full amount of my […]
Answering to kedusha – before finishing praying
Question: Hi. It takes me quite a while to pray. When I’m still in the middle of my silent amida and the chazzan is starting the repetition, should I stop? Should I answer the chazzan? Should I do all the standing up on my toes, etc? Also, does the halacha change if I have finished…but […]
Can girls visit the kever
Question: Can girls visit the kever of zaddik ribnits at nightime with other ladies present in ohel? And with the men in their section? Answer: Without getting into the issue if girls should be visiting a kever of not, my understanding of your question is if there is a yichud issue. If there are more than […]
Water cooler
Question: Hi, My job moved into a new office building. Inside there is a water cooler. Are we allowed to use the hot water part of the if we are not sure if anyone not Jewish used it before us? Answer: You my use the cooler even for hot water, because even if it was […]
Mixed up tzedaka money
Question: For more than three years weve been puting small change into a container and several pushkas for tzedaka, some of it was given al daas that it would go to my old yeshiva because since I never paid full tuition I figured it was the least I could do, also some was earmarked(again all […]
Using marijuana for recreational purpose in Canada
Question: Hello Is it אסור for an individual to ingest/smoke/inhale marijuana for recreational purposes in a country where it is legal to do so? The massive body of evidence has shown that alcohol is far more damaging to the body and that marijuana is not as addictive as sugar or alcohol. Of course there would […]
Tefilla
Question: In the town I live in, during the week there is usually a minyan after neitz. However, It happens every so often that there is only one shacharis minyan in town which davens before neitz. When that happens, is it better to daven beyichidus after neitz or daven with the minyan before neitz? Answer: […]