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Author Archives: Rabbonim of the Beis Hora'a

Urge to use bathroom before benching and shmoneh esrei

Question: Is it true that one cannot have ANY urge to use the bathroom while benching and davening shmoneh esrei? Also, is it true that if one goes to the bathroom (or tries) before either of those tefillos, one doesn’t have to be concerned about the urge? If so, does it have to be immediately […]

Chatzitzah for hand washing after the bathroom

Question: Hi, I was wondering if you could help clarify something for me. I know that rings must be removed when washing Netillat Yadayim to avoid a chatzizah – does the same rule apply after washing hands after the bathroom and/or before davening (For cleanliness purposes, therefore washing without a bracha)? Thanks Answer:   When […]

Conversations with husband – Toeles?

Question: My mother in law is coming to town. I dont like how she intereacts with our kids sometimes. I want to know if I can halachically discuss my discomforts with my husband, before the fact and after the fact. (We used to talk openely about family until we learned more about hilchos loshon hora) […]

Words of Torah while changing child’s diaper or in bath

Question: My toddler like to talk about Parsha and sing songs of Torah and pesukim. I assume that I cannot sings/talk to him about these things while changing his diaper if its dirty. Is that correct? What about saying things that are not directly Torah like: “The month is Tamuz” or “Yes, on Pesach we […]

2 year old saying “Elo-” and “Ado-“

Question: My 2 year old is verbally advanced and has learned brachos by hearing adults say them. He knows the correct brachos but, being 2, he has developed a game of making of his own brachos when he is playing. Sometimes in this pretend mode he say “Baruch ata … [shem hashem]..” and then “bla […]

Large Samech in Bemidbar 13:30

Question: The mesorah records that the samekh in 13:30 is large (see marginal note in Artscroll and elsewhere). Yet none of the printed editions which I have consulted actually conform to this tradition. Have you come across any info on this? Answer: Interesting point, but I don’t have any information on this. I looked around […]

Checking for bugs

Question: Shalom How do i make cabbage ,lettuce ,spinach,broccoli ,cauliflower ,strawberries and rapsberry’s kosher at my home Can you please help me Kind regards Answer: The only issue with the vegetables that you mentioned is basically insect infestation, (unless it is produce that came from Israel). Please see the following link which has a guide […]

Do metal cookie cutters require tevilat keilim?

Question: Is there מקום להחמיר לכחילה? Thanks alot! Answer: Yes they should preferably be toveled, since they come in contact with the food. However it should be without a bracha since the cookie dough is not yet edible. Best Wishes Sources: Taz Y:D 120-7, the Kosher Kitchen pg. 465.

Hot chicken placed in a dairy Tupperware container

Question: This is in followup to question 52170 in which I was asked a followup question by email to clarify my case. I sent the reply by email but it’s a “no-reply” address so I’m not sure if you will see that response. You asked me: “To get your question clear, you baked it in […]

Do I say yiskor in first year of avel or not

Question: Do I say yiskor in first year of avel or not Answer: Hamakom yinachem eschem b’toch shar aveilei tzion v’yerushalayim. There are different minhagim and many people have the minhag not to say yizkor during the first year year. Among the reasons is that the avel should not remember their departed relative and come […]

Regarding benching and ברכה אחרונה

Question: I know a person isn’t supposed to bench with a medal knife on the the table. Does this apply to על המחיה and בורא נפשות? What if I’m at the table and I want to bench but others are still eating. so their knives are still on the table can I bench anyway with […]

Korach’s Mishkan

Question: Please see Bemidbar 16:27. Why is Korach’s dwelling called a Mishkan rather than an ohel or bayis? Answer: You are bringing up an interesting point. A possible answer may be the following. The Chizkuni (Shemos 38-21) on the words “Eyleh pikudei Hamishkan, Mishkan Haedus” asks, why does it say “Mishkan- Mishkan Haedus”? In order […]

Grind coffee on Shabbat

Question: I own a manual coffee grinder which involves placing coffee beans in the top and then grinding it into powder. The mechanism is that the beans are pulverized by coming into contact with a burr blade inside the cylinder. I know that grinding is generally forbidden on Shabbat but that there are also some […]

Is using whip cream an shabbos an issue because of molid?

Question: Is using whip cream an shabbos an issue because of molid? Answer: Whipped topping that is discharged from a can should not be used on Shabbos according to most poskim. The reason for this is, that when the topping is inside the can it is a liquid. Upon contact with air, the liquid is transformed […]

Pressuring recipient of a Gmach

Question: If someone runs a Gmach that has money that belongs to other people (all the money has to be returned eventually). What principles could there be with regard to someone’s check bouncing? What kinda of limitations are there with regard to contacting him about making the payment? Answer: Essentially the prohibition of “Lo t’hiyei […]

Paying with shekel a credit card fee charged in dollars

Question: A friend used my credit card to pay for several flights over three months time. The card was charged in dollars but she is paying me in Israeli shekel. The first time she paid was before she traveled and she gave me an extra 100 shekel towards the return trip. Then she came back […]

Can you rent an apartment in Chutz Laretz to someone who will bring in idols.

Question: Can you rent an apartment in Chutz Laretz to someone who will bring in idols. Answer: It is permitted to rent him an apartment, even if he will bring his idols inside it, (as long as it isn’t being rented in order to store his idols there). However when he leaves make sure that […]

Is a table considered a michichtzah while walking in front of someone davening shmoneh esrei

Question: If one finishes shemonah esrei and people behind him are still davening shemonah esrei may he take his 3 steps back if there is a table where they’re davening if not what should he do Answer: A table is not enough to permit walking or crossing in front of a person davening shemona esrei […]