Rabbonim of the Beis Hora'a, Author at Ask The Rabbi - Dinonline

bogdan

Question: What’s the analogue of Ukrainian name Bohdan in LASHON A KODESH or Hebrew? Answer: Try Netanel. Gmar Chasima Tova

Atonement after the Chorban and Yom Kippur

Question: Hello. What do rishonim and even Chazal say about the halachic matter of kapara without the activity of the Kohen Gadol in the Beis Hamikdash on Yom Kippur? I am aware of the general concept of prayers replacing sacrifices, but specifically, what is the effect of not having the kapara through the avoda of […]

Almond Milk during Aseres Ymei Tshuva

Question: Does almond milk fall under the same minhag of not having nuts during aseres ymei tshuva? Answer: According to numerous poskim almonds are not included in the minhag of not eating nuts, because they are not called egoz in the torah, rather shaked. Therefore it is fine to drink almond milk. Gmar chasima tova.

Drink vs. food in Halacha

Question: My understanding is that On Yom Kippur, the pachos mi’keshiur amounts of food and drink are independent of each and that one can simultaneously eat and drink a pachos mi’keshiur of both. My question is, what constitutes food? Is jello a food?Slush? I am trying to get the most liquid value for a choleh […]

Grandmother during sheloshim at grandchild’s vort

Question: Can a women in Avelus still in the shloshim for her father go to a granddaughters vort and if yes can she have a manicure and get her face done for the vort? Answer: Hamakom yinachem eschem btoch shar aveilei Tzion v’Yerushalayim. A person in aveilus, even a grandparent has to minimize the amount […]

Maaser for work

Question: I have ma’aser that I owe but I don’t have extra cash now to give. I’m doing volunteer work for a Kollel. Can I calculate the money I would normally earn for this work using my standard rate per hour that I usually charge and use that to deduct from my ma’aser debt? The […]

Broken hand due to negligence

Question: An individual feel and broke his hand in a kosher supermarket whilst shopping due to wet floor. There was no sign to warn customers about the wet floor. Is the customer permitted to seek damages (potential medical expenses- although his treatment would be covered by his private insurance/public insurance, time off work) from the […]

Using scotch tape on shabbos and yom tov

Question: May one tape a plastic tablecloth on shabbos/yom tov to a table with scotch tape already prepared/stuck to the table before Shabbos. So that one end of the piece of tape is stuck to the table and one would stick the other end on the tablecloth to hold it down/then unstick it after clearing […]

Using a Vacuum cleaner stick attachment on Shabbos

Question: May one use the stick attachment of a vacuum cleaner as a way to lock a door on Shabbos? Is it considered muktza even if one is using it for a permitted purpose? Answer: The stick attachment of a vacuum cleaner essentially is not used for anything else but vacuuming the floor. Therefore since […]

Rav MOshe Vaye, regarding bugs in Schach

Question: https://dinonline.org/Bedikat/succah-schach-succah-mats/ in the last 2 YEARS, I have seen the flourishing in sales (in Israel) of the NEW, BUG FREE, Slat-style Scach (Top Kashruth, Eidah I think) that is SOLID wood slats, treated and guaranteed to stay bug free. I realize without a CAVITY for the critters to enter, this is a game changer. […]

Gas stove on Yom Tov

Question: Is one allowed to turn on a gas stove on yom tov by turning the gas knob and then using an existing candle to light the flame. My stove does have a button that lights the flame using electricity by I would use a candle instead on yom tov. Is this allowed? Answer: Yes […]

Pets in the sukkah

Question: Is there any halachic problem with my dog coming into the sukka? Answer: There is no clear halachic problem with this, except that you should make sure that the animal doesn’t relieve itself inside the sukkah. There are however Poskim who hold that it is preferable that it shouldn’t come into the sukkah, as it […]

issue of crosses

Question: Is it assur for a diamond jewelry company to sell diamond crosses to goyim Answer: Please see the following post where a similar question was discussed. https://dinonline.org/2018/12/16/selling-christian-jewelry/ Have a gmar chasima tova, and H-shem shold send you an abundance of parnossa.

Beis Din for Hataras Nedarim comprised of non observant Jew

Question: Is hataras nedarim performed with a Beis Din in which one of the judges is not Shomer Shabbos valid? Does it matter how many judges are non Shomer Shabbos? Answer: A Jew who is not Shomer Shabbos can not be matir neder. This is because he doesn’t understand the concepts of nedarim, pesash and […]

accidental lashon hara?

Question: Hello, Thanks so much for your help. I was recently at a restaurant and the person I was with began speaking with a family near us. He was speaking to them regarding their geographic origins and the (from what it seemed) implication of the wife’s orthodox conversion. The person I was with gestured to […]

Diabetes Yom Kippur

Question: One of my student’s doctor informed him that due to his diabetes and susceptibility to dehydration, as well as medications he is (and needs to be) on, the doctor is concerned about him going without drinking water for 24 hours. The doctor said he is at significant risk ( I spoke to the doctor […]

options trading

Question: I have positions in options that I have a non jewish partner, those positions can not be closed only during market hours they were not closed, they are risky of loosing their value if not traded on Monday or Tuesday which is Rosh Hashana. Can this non-Jew do the trading if the profit or […]

Annual Expenses Included in 200 zuz (tzedakah recepients)

Question: What expenses are included in the calculation to determine if a person has sufficient funds or ability to generate funds, to cover expenses for the year? Is it minimum needed to live? Rent/mortgage? What if, theoretically, they could fine less expensive living arrangements? Children’s daycare and/or tuition? Repairs? Etc. Etc. Answer: Whatever is considered […]

The correct way to ask Choshen Mishpat question

Question: Thank you for this great website! I noticed that in a lot of Choshen Mishpat questions Rabbi Fleischman writes that his answer is not binding as he didn’t hear the other side. What is the proper way to ask a Choshen Mishpat question? Could one tell the rov or beis din the nature of […]

cashing found check

Question: I found a NY State treasury refund check made out to a non-Jew what is the din may I cash it send back to NY state with letter that as a religious Jew I am returning it or just throw it out? What is the din and what is the best thing to do? […]

people seeking love before marriage

Question: dear rabbi, the hohen feiertage are nearing and maybe an opportunity for meeting the bashert – אויב דער אויבערשטער וויל. in any case shammai was straight. women nowadays seem to look for love. that is not the base for a marriage. isn’t it totally wrong to long for love in the other gender before […]

Using honeycomb honey on Rosh Hashana

Question: Would honey packaged with the bee’s wax (honey comb) be kosher? A religious friend suggested that there may be bee particles in the honey, therefore, rendering it unkosher. I have never heard of this situation and we have been buying honey for several years. Shana Tova, Answer: The idea your friend brought up is […]

Opening a coconut on sabbath

Question: Dear Rabbi, Would it be permitted to open a coconut on sabbath? It is a very hard shell and requires a tool or just a strike against a surface. I will likely prepare mine in advance but I wondered if it was a halachaic error. I strike it on a cement front step. Thanks. […]

Baby bris exceptions to delay or change

Question: If a woman gives birth to a baby boy by Cesarean section, and the date of the bris lands on a Rosh Hashana or yom kippur or shabbat? Can the date of the bris be changed to a different day? By the way, other than the delivery by the C-section, baby is well The […]

G-d’s name in Nechemiah 13

Question: Please see Nechemiah 13:1. This verse quotes Devorim 23:4. Why change Hashem to Ha-Elokim? Similarly, why does Verse 2 substitute elokeinu for Hashem elokecha. Answer: Two interesting point, but unfortunately I don’t have an answer for you. I looked around but I haven’t seen anyone who talks about these points. Kesiva Vchasima Tova

Employing two halachos L’Moshe M’Sinai at same time

Question: I remember learning that there may be an issue of using two halachos L’Moshe M’Sinai at the same time (Rabbi Akiva Eiger maybe?). Halacha l’maaseh can one make a sukkah employing lavud and gud asik which is very commonly used by many? Attached: Attached file 1 Answer: R’ Akiva Eiger (Shut) 1-12 says it […]

Am I allowed to reinvest interest/dividend income?

Question: Hi. I understand that in giving tzdaka in the form of ma’aser any profits I have from investments held are subject to ma’aser. I have investments in funds that pay dividends. Since they are funds that are meant to be held over the long term (40 years), my bank has given me the option […]

Lashon Hara Bal Teshuva

Question: Hello, Thank you for your help. My question is: Is it lashon hara for a bal teshuva to say in social settings that they are a bal teshuva, or does this transgress any laws of not speaking lashon hara because to say that one is bal teshuva indicates that the family of origin is […]

Lashon Hara on a Non Jew

Question: Is it permitted to speak Lashon Hara about a Non-Jew, i.e. “The President of blank country is a very mean person” ? Answer: Lashon Hora does not apply to gentiles, as it says in the posuk, “lo telech rochil bamecha”, “ don’t spread slander in your nation” and he is not from our nation […]

Chol Hamoed Work

Question: We purchased a new house and had lots of leaking from the roof – mould etc. The Contractor has been a nightmare. The kablan has agreed to bring a roofer to repair the roof and has asked to do so during Chol Hamoed before the rainy season. Is this considered a Dvar Avad as […]

Tachanun During Selichos when at a Bris

Question: Do we say Tachanun at the end of Selichos when there is a Bris at the end of davening? Answer: If the selichos is before also hashachar, everyone agrees that tachanun is said. Even after daybreak it is controversial, and according to a number of poskim we still say tachnun. This is because the […]

Maaser for money given to buy a specific thing and maaser to one’s children

Question: I was given money by someone to buy a specific thing for my child, do I need to give maaser from this money? I’ve given maaser for years from my income but this year things are very tight. My husband says I really should be using the maaser to buy our children what they […]

Bracha for Pretzilla brand Soft Pretzel Bread Bites

Question: What is the bracha for Pretzilla brand Soft Pretzel Bread Bites. They are bite-size soft pretzel made for a snack, but the same as any soft pretzel. Answer: Since it is made and looks like it is made for a snack, the bracha will be mezonos, unless you are going to eat a real […]

asara mispallelim and maariv

Question: I came 5 minutes late to Maariv at shul X where there are more than asara mispallelim. Should I try to quickly catch up and then daven SE (doable, though I will need to rush), OR go to shul Y where they did not start davening yet but they do not (and will not, […]

Brochas and Korbanos before selichos

Question: Can I recite the morning brochas and korbanos before selichos? Thank You! Answer: Not only can you, but you should say some of them before selichos. You should say al netilas yodayim, asher yotzar, and Birkas Hatorah before saying selichos. Best Wishes

bread from non jews

Question: thank you for everything yo uare doing.. the question…. some weeks ago bibi prime minister of IL went with official visit to ukraine and was welcomed with bread and salt. ( in ukraine tradition they welcome guests with bread and salt and you supposed to try the bread…. my question is how to react […]

kashrut of supplements

Question: My doctor has recommended that a take a sublingual spray supplement to boost my energy and immunity. One of the ingredients in it is bovine colostrum. Am I allowed to take it? Answer: In consultation with a kashrus professional, taking the supplement is problematic. This is because even if we assume that the colostrum […]

Follow on question – Two Brothers marrying two sisters

Question: Just following on the question that I found the site https://dinonline.org/2016/01/18/2-sisters-marrying-2-brothers/ I once heard, that if they do, the brothers cannot live in the same city, is this true? Answer: Before answering your question, it should be noted that such topics should be discussed in person with one’s personal Rov. See Nitei Gavriel […]

gud achis under a deck/balcony

Question: Kvod HaRav, on Shabbos with no eruv, can one carry from the house ground floor out a door to the area under a deck/balcony? The deck has walls taller than 10 tefachim, so do we say gud achis and view those walls as if they “extend” to the ground? I assume pi tikra does […]

Kesubos 110 – Living in a city

Question: On Kesubos 110b Rabbi Yose ben Chanina uses Nechemiah 11:2 to show that living in a city is difficult. Given the circumstances of Yerushalayim in the days of Nechemiah, how can Rabbi Yose extrapolate from here to all cities? Answer: You are asking an interesting question. The sefer Zechor Lavrohom (brought in Yalkut Biurim […]

asara rishonim

Question: There is a mitzvah to be from the asara rishonim, and this mitzvah applies to all three tefillos. If one came to shul for Maariv (first person there) but he is a katan, and at tzeis he became a gadol, does he fulfill the mitzvah – when he came in, he didn’t count for […]

mikva while under the weather

Question: Is it better to push off going to the mikva or go and not be together? Answer: It is better to go, regarding being together, that will depends on what the two of you feel. Even if you aren’t together, there are still advantages. Best Wishes

Handling wet netilas yadayim cup

Question: After using a cup for netilas yadayim for bread, and then eating some of the bread, is it a problem to then touch or handle the wet netilas yadayim cup? Answer: If you are going to wash each hand with a revii’s of water, or you are going to pour the water over each […]

Relieving oneself near Jewish graves

Question: please help me and clarify this question. a friend of mine. who is good jew, we went together to kever tsaddikim to visit in Ukraine. and he wanted to urinate so badly after we visited grave actually it was in the field but in the grave lines there were so many graves. so he […]

Honey on Rosh Hashana

Question: Which honey to use on rosh hashan? Bee or date? Answer: The point of eating the honey is that it is sweet, and it is a siman that we should have a sweet year, common practice is to use bee honey, but I don’t know if that is specific or just because we don’t […]

At what point may we cook wine to avoid yayin nesech and stam yainum

Question: I would like to make my own wine. However I will not be able to watch over it the entire time to assure it has not been touched by a nuchri. May I cook the grapes in hot water PRIOR to adding in yeast and any extra sugar I want to put in, and […]

minyan

Question: I am getting paid to daven in a minyan where there are 6 or 7 mispallelim (others are just sitting). I am also getting paid to learn beforehand. However, I am makpid to daven with a minyan of ten mispalellim. There is a beautiful minyan available to me where there are many dozens of […]

Hafkaas halvah

Question: In the classic case of hafkaas halvaah the borrower tells the children of the malveh who passed away that the chov was paid up when actually it wasn’t. Isn’t there an issue of midvar sheker? Answer: If the child of the lender asks for the money back because he knows that the money was […]

Relations with Bnai Noach

Question: Is a Jew allowed to have a non-Jewish wife who is not a shifcha knaanis but is a BAS NOACH. In other words, even according to the elusive gemara in the name of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai that says it is prohibited (derabannan) to marry an OVED KOCHAVIM, if a non-Jew is NOT one […]

Mirrors to be mitztaref for bentching

Question: If 2 chaburos are eating in same house and they only see eachother through a mirror can they be mitztaref for a zimun? Answer: The two chaburos are not mitztaref to a zimun. Although they can technically see each other, but they are not actually seeing each other, but only a picture of the […]