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

Fasting vs services and shofar

Question: Hello Rabbi, I become very weak after fasting. If I cannot make it to services, is it more important to fast than to be in services or hear the shofar? Thank you Answer: Hello, I am assuming that you mean the services and the bolowing of the shofar after the Yom Kippur services. […]

Erev Rosh Hashanah

Question: Hello Rabbi, I did the fast of Gedaliah but did not know about the fast erev Rosh Hashanah (even just to midday) and feel terribly. Is it still commonly practiced? An obligation for women? Several people I asked about it did not seem to know of it. Answer: Hello, There is a prefferance […]

Meal after Shabbat

Question: Hello Rabbi, Is it permitted to have a nutrition drink with cake after Shabbat or should all “medicine” be separate from melaveh malkah? It actually tastes great. Answer: Hello, You may have the nutrition drink with cake for melava malka, and there is no need to separate them. As a side point it […]

Can you tovel dishes in saltwater pool

Question: Can you tovel dishes in saltwater pool? Answer: Hello, If I understand your question correctly, a saltwater pool is the same as a regular pool, but the water is cleaned with salt rather than with chlorine. Utensils have to be toveled in a real mikva, and pools don’t meet the requirements needed in […]

Eating on Yom Kippur

Question: What is the proper manner of eating if someone needs to eat on Yom Kippur for medical reasons? Answer: Hello, In order to answer you correctly I would need to know the specific situation, and what the doctor says, how much the person has to eat over Yom Kippur. Gmar chasima tova Sources: […]

Mizmor l’toda on rosh hashana and other days

Question: On Rosh Hashana, we don’t say mizmor l’toda during psukei d’zimra. However, if later in the day a person wanted to say all of sefer tehillim, would she be able to say mizmor l’toda? Answer: Hello, It is permitted to say the whole tehillim, even with Mizmor l’toda. The reason is because you […]

Seaweed

Question: Shalom, regarding Nori/seaweed with a hechsher. Is it recommended or needed to check nori before consumption? If yes, do you know where we can find a reliable guide to check nori? Thank you Answer: Hello, If the nori has a reliable hechsher, you don’t have to check it, as this is included in […]

Yichud during Psychotherapy

Question: Hi, First, thank you for taking the time to answer my question. I am a psychotherapist and I recently began a new job in which I will see women (not jewish) in person for Individual psychotherapy. During a session, we sit together in a room for about 45 minutes. Is this a halachic problem […]

Baby Buckwheat cereal

Question: What is the brocho for the instant baby buckwheat cereal (no additional ingredients)? Is it shehakol rather than haodoma since the original form is no longer visible? Answer: Hello, You are correct. The bracha on it would be shehakol, since it is ground up well, and it no longer resembles the original buck […]

Which blessing do you make on sourdough crackers?

Question: Which blessing do you make on sourdough crackers? Answer: Hello, If the crackers are relatively small, then they are meant to be eaten as a snack, and the bracha would be mezonos. This is especially true if they are seasoned. If however you are planning on eating a meal’s worth of them, then […]

Broken glass and small children

Question: If glass breaks in a living space on shabbos am I permitted to vacuum the shards if I am concerned the children could otherwise step on the glass and be hurt and that a broom may not be as effective? Answer: Hello, You should not vacuum the shards, rather sweep them up as […]

Nishmas

Question: Hi, First, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions! Can you help me understand the source for saying Nishmas for 40 days? I heard it is a zechus but I am not sure what it is a zechus for. Also, when saying Nishmas for 40 days, would I say it 2x […]

Patek Phillipe watch logo

Question: Shalom aleichem. The logo for luxury watch brand “Patek Phillipe” is a cross, not your typical xtian cross but if you research it it seems to be some type of Swiss seal, modeled after the Pope’s seal. Is there a halachic issue with wearing such a watch, being that we’re not allowed to give […]

Microwave

Question: Gmar Chasima Tova. Parve soup heated in fleishig (ben yomo) pot. Next day heated soup (covered) in milchig microwave. Should microwave be kashered to be used for milchig? Thanks! Answer: Hello, There is no need to kasher the microwave, since the soup was not really fleishig, rather only nat bar nat of fleishig. […]

Shloshim calculation

Question: Hi- my cousin was buried on 24 Elul in the early morning. When does the shloshim period end? When can the family gather to mark it? Thank you! Answer: Hello, Thre is a rule regarding aveilus that a Yov Tov will break the shiva or shloshim, thereby shortening the mourning period. Being that they […]

Fasting

Question: I am bat mitzvah, I have an eating disorder (Anorexia) but Im not underweight. I want to know if its ok for me to fast on Tzom Gedaliah. Answer: Hello, This is something that you would have to ask your doctor, because it is possible that not eating for a day will set […]

Giving daily while also separating ma’aser/chomesh

Question: Shalom HaRav If I would like to give on a daily basis, but only receive income periodically, is there a way I can still separate ma’aser or chomesh in the best way? Thank you in advance Answer: Hello, It is permitted to owe money to maaser or for maaser to owe you money, […]

Turning off a grill on Yom Tov

Question: Is one allowed to turn off a gas grill on Yom Tov. It’s outside, so it wouldn’t be to stop a room from getting too hot. The food will be done, so it won’t be for the benefit of the food. Safety might be a small concern. I’ve heard that R’ Moshe allowed it, […]

Accept Rosh Hashana early on a Friday

Question: When the first night of Rosh Hashana falls on a Friday night, what is the earliest one can accept it? Answer: On Rosh Hashana we may accept the Shabbos from plag hamincha, like all Shabbosim. On Pesach and Succos while we may accept YomTov early, we will not et the meal until it […]

Walnuts and dates for Rosh hashana

Question: I have just been told we don’t have nuts on Rosh hashana I want to serve dates with a walnut inside for one of the Simanim Would this be acceptable Thank you Answer: Hello, the reason we have the custom not to eat walnuts on Rosh Hashana is because the Hebrew word for […]

Shabbat Rosh Hashanah prayers

Question: B”H Kavod haRav, Regarding the proper way to pray on a Rosh Hashanah that falls on Shabbat: 1. When, if at all, may a person ask for personal needs? 2. Regarding crowning Hashem King on both days, can we have gratitude and say thank you for things that happened in the previous year, or […]

Hayom Haras Olam In Quiet Mussaf – Nusach Sefard in an Ashkenaz Minyan

Question: Hi. I daven Nusach Sefard, and my minhag is to have Shofar in middle of quiet Mussaf. After Shofar the minhag is to say Hayom Haras Olam before continuing. Even on Shabbos when we don’t blow we still say Hayom Haras Olam. When I am davening in nusach Ashkenazi minyan where the minhag is […]

Regrown Aravos

Question: The top of the branches of our aravos bush were eaten by deer but now seem to be growing new leaves at the top of the cut branches. Will those aravos be kosher lechatchila, are they posul b’dieved, or is it not preferable because of הַקְרִיבֵהוּ נָא לְפֶחָתֶךָ? Answer: Hello, If th leaves […]

Giving tzedaka online

Question: If one donates tzedaka online for a yeshiva or kollel, are we fulfilling the mitvah of tzedaka? The question arises since in all probability none of that money will actually reach the hands of those who are really sitting and learning, (who only receive a relatively small fixed amount each month anyway, which is […]

Torah learning – father to son

Question: What is the reason that the Torah formulates the obligation to study Torah by means of stating the obligation to teach one’s son Torah? (Devarim 6:7 ושננתם לביכנך and ibid. 11:19 ולמדתם אתם לביכם). Even though chazal do learn from here the obligation for one to learn Torah himself, the simple reading is speaking […]

Staff of Moshe

Question: We find in the Torah many times that Moshe Rabbeinu is holding “the staff” when performing miricles and acting on behalf of Hashem as an emmisary to Paroh. [see Shemos 4:17, 17:5, ibid. 9]. We know that no detail in the Torah is arbitrary, especially when something is repeated numerous times. Can you please […]

Ribbis by cheaper subscription price

Question: I am a personal trainer. I charge a lower rate (per month) if you pay for the year (subscription) and a higher price if you pay per month. Can I do that? What can I do if not? It is a way.to get more business by subscription than by the month. Answer: Hi, […]

Praying in a room that one got dressed in

Question: Am I allowed to pray in a room where I get dressed in? Answer: If the room you are getting dressed in, is a bathroom or shower room we may not pray there. However if the room we go dressed in is a regular bedroom, it is permitted. The mere fact that one got […]

Making up missing shnayim mikrah parshiyos

Question: In regards to the mitzvah of shnayim mikrah vi’echad targum, I have been up to date with the parshiyos for the last few months. However, over the course of the year, I ended up failing to do shnayim mikrah for about 10 parshas. I know that the latest time to make up the parshiyos […]

over-apologizing/ apologizing unnecessarily

Question: B”H Kavod haRav, I have been working on not over apologizing and B”H with Siyata Dishmaya, it’s getting better. For some reason, I have a strong yetzer hara to apologize, even when it doesn’t really fit the scenario and my perception of what does and does not need an apology is not always clear. […]

Gender restriction

Question: Hi Rabbi It is written that one should not be Messaper Im Isha Bashuk, gaze at immodest sights, be secluded with or even make hand or feet gestures at women, or even hear their singing or watch them dance even if those are made in the absence of lustful thoughts. It feels like these […]

Washing spinach

Question: Dear Rabbi, I started eating a lot of spinach. I know I must wash the leafy vegetable. If the package says ‘triple washed’ is that sufficient to let up on rigorous washing? I have never seen a bug. Answer: Hi, I asked the crc about your question and this was tier answer. “We […]

Mechila

Question: With Yomim Noraim coming up, how is it possible to ask Mechila from everyone that may have been hurt by a person’s actions/inactions or speech? It seems so overwhelming. And even if a person is forgiven by everyone and HaShem, how can a person forgive him/herself for all the harm done? It’s such a […]

Praying during Pregnancy

Question: I remember learning the Gemara in Brachos that says until 40 days from conception one can pray for the child to be a specific gender. Does this mean one can pray until 40 days from mikva night if one knows that they are pregnant (as that night the conception may have happened)? Would one […]

Beis Din before going to Insurance Company

Question: If someone wants to claim damages to his home against a contractor, does the halacha say somewhere that he should go to the insurance company of the contractor to file a claim before he takes the contractor to Beis Din? Or, if he does file a claim for damages and the insurance company says […]

Blessing over grapes and raisins

Question: Dear Rabbi, I was surprised to see that the correct bracha is HaEtz. So, unless the grape is made into juice or wine, it is not HaGafen? Answer: Hello, Correct. The bracha on fruits that grow on trees is Haetz, such as grapes, olives, or oranges. There is a specialness to wine, since it […]

How do these 2 Chazal’s go together?

Question: On one hand, Chazal say that a person would rather have his own supply of produce more than 9 times of someone else’s produce. On the other hand, Chazal say that stolen goods are enjoyed more than goods that are permissible. How do these 2 statements go together? For if one wants the work […]

Is veal permissible

Question: We have always been able to buy various cuts of veal at the Kosher butcher. We have recently noticed that veal is no longer being sold. And we have been told that in Canada rabbis have banned selling veal. Why would this be suddenly unacceptable? There seems to be no logical explanation given on […]

Waking up without an alarm on Shabbos

Question: I usually have an alarm wake me up in the morning for davening. As such, even if I wake up before my alarm goes off, I believe its halachically permissible for me to go back to sleep, since the alarm is like a shomer. However, I don’t use an alarm on Shabbos. So what […]

Mi Shebeirach

Question: Am I allowed to say a Mi Shebeirach for my non-Jewish pregnant daughter in law? If she does not have a relationship with her father is it ok to not include his name? Answer: Hello, This sounds very unfortunate. Without judging your son, unfortunately, his marriage to her is a sin, as we […]

Claiming tax deduction

Question: Hi, I’m an Australian lawyer who lives in Israel. I’m set up as a sole business (אצמי) in Israel and I invoice my firm in Australia every month for the work that I do. Every year I have to pay the renewal fee for my practicing certificate and my annual premium for professional inmenity […]

Lower price for pre order

Question: Is it ok to offer a lower price on a set of arba-minim if it is pre reserved and paid for? I.e. On the sign it says pre order by transferring money by a certain date and pick it up at the sale and receive it cheaper and guarantee there will be one there […]

Washed Dishes

Question: Are there any kashrut concerns if I forgot to wash my hands after taking out the recycling and green bins and then washed some dishes? Do I need to rewash them? Answer: Hello, There are no kashrus reasons that you should have to wash your hands. Best wishes

Holidays and foods

Question: Hello Rabbi, Could you please help me understand what is permitted and not permitted on Rosh Hashanah and between Rosh Hashanah and Yom KIppur? And do these start on the days or a few days before Rosh Hashanah? 1. Could one have nuts/nut butter the night before erev RH? (so this year Thursday night?) […]

bugs

Question: Hello Rabbi, I was eating a peice of cake and feared that a bug flew into it (this actually happens a lot in the summer with bugs flying around or even into/onto food). I kept going because I have OCD and often get rid of food in fear of bugs so I decided to […]

Krias shma al hamita

Question: Is krias shma Al hamita for women a mitzvah from the Torah? Saying krias shma al hamita is a big challenge for me and many times I fall asleep before saying shma. I wld really like to do teshuva. Any suggestions to make it easier? Answer: Hello, Kriyas shema al hamitta is a […]

Nails – Pregnancy and Shabbos

Question: If one has has a fingernail which is mostly off on Shabbos and one’s wife is pregnant, can one pull it off similar to the heter of one who the nail is causing him pain? Also, if it fell off, would it be permitted for him to pick it up and put it in […]

Do these two situations require a chatas?

Question: Ha Rav, 1. I was putting on my socks when I heard an inside sock thread tear. Am I responsible for a chatas. 2. A plastic spoon I was using to scoop out peanut butter broke. Am I responsible for a Chatas? Answer: Hello, Both instances that happened to you are not a […]

Beef before Mikvah

Question: I mistakenly ate beef right before going to the Mikvah what is the din? Answer: Hello, You can still go, just make sure to clean well in between your teeth. Kol Tuv Sources:

Take photos of myself without tzniut

Question: Hello Rabbi! I wanted to know if I could take photos of myself without tzniut just for me. I keep them for me because I like seeing them. Is there a problem? I would like to hear about the halachic and hashkafic perspective about this. Thank you! Answer: Hello, I respect your courage […]