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

Can we carry on Rosh Hashana

Question: Can we carry on Rosh Hashana Answer: Rosh Hashana is considered a Yom Tov, and therefore you may carry whatever is permitted to carry on any Yom Tov, i.e. things needed for the day of Yom Tov. Best Wishes

Divorce

Question: I was intimate with my future wife, a virgin, before we became frum. End of chapter 22 devorim seems to say i may never divorce her. True? Answer: No it is not true. What you are referring to is talking about a man that forced the woman to be intimate against her will. It […]

orlah

Question: hello, if one was not careful in laws of orlah may he still eat the fruits of that tree after the fourth year? thank you Answer: The actual fruits that grew during the first three years may never be eaten, even years later, however the fruits that grew on the tree after the fourth […]

Non-Jew doing work on Yontif

Question: Sorry – I asked this before, but the reply said I wasn’t clear. Let me try again: Let’s say a Shul has Kids Minyanim in the basement on Rosh Hashana, that Parents pre-register their Kids for. For security purposes, the shul has 2 non-Jewish employees to check the kids into the minyanim on RH. […]

Unveiling Ceremony for Temporary Headstone

Question: My family is trying to arrange an unveiling ceremony for our mother, a”h. Unfortunately, the company the cemetery uses to make the headstones does sloppy work, and we’ve had to return the headstone twice because it was unacceptable (the name was correct but the letters weren’t sized properly, etc.). My question is this: Are […]

Donation for Publication

Question: A friend of mine was collecting money to publish a sefer lzecher nishmas someone. I said I’ll gave $50 or $100 (I don’t remember which) for the cause. However he went ahead and published the sefer without asking me for the money. I think perhaps he may have wanted larger donations and mine was […]

Kosher for Passover

Question: Dear Rabbi, Is Indian Guar Bean (mainly used for prebiotic fibers) considered kosher for Passover? Shana Tova Answer: I imagine that they treat it as kitniyos, but there is room to be lenient. Best Wishes and a Shana Tova

Yichud for divorced couple

Question: A divorced couple would like to eat the Fri. Night meal together with their teenage children, so there is no yichud. They feel this will be good for the children. He of course will sleep somewhere else. Is this muttar? Answer: A divorced couple are divorced and they are not supposed to have contact […]

How can I find out where is the upper limit for placing the tefillin shel rosh?

Question: How can I find out where makom shemocho shel tinok rofeis is with regard to the upper limit of the tefillin shel rosh? Answer: The Tur writes that makom shemocho shel tinok rofeis is the whole top of the head, (obviously it still has to be in the center of the head, between the […]

Mesiros Modah

Question: If one will not have 3 people with him, can he say the moser modah privately to himself? Answer: Yes he can say it privately, although it is better to say it in front of 2 or 3 people. It is also preferred that it be said and not just whispered. Sources: Ran Nedarin […]

Online bank payment on Shabbos or yom tov

Question: When I receive my credit card statement I immediately schedule the payment that the credit card should take the money out of my account on the due date. I don’t check to see what the Jewish date is. Is there a problem as all parts of the payment process are done by computer. ? […]

Milk and meat

Question: Can I drink either a hot or cold beverage using a milchig mug after eating meat? Answer: If the mug is clean and doesn’t have any milk in it, yes you can. However it is a good idea to clean your mouth so that you don’t get grease etc. on the milchig mug. This […]

Davening neitz

Question: What is significance/ chashivus of saving at neitz? Answer: The preferred time to daven is exactly when the sun begins to rise over the horizon, as the Posuk says “Yiraucha im shimesh” (Tehillim 75-5). Davening netz or otherwise known as vasikin, (for those who can do it) is an important preference to davening. It […]

Confessing on Rosh Hashanah

Question: Is it true that we’re not supposed to confess on Rosh Hashanah itself? If so, what a person do when they feel pain over their aveiros on Rosh Hashanah and they feel a strong urge to confess to Hashem and express their deep remorse? Should they hold it inside and focus on Hashem’s kingship, […]

almonds

Question: Why do packaged almonds look “nibbled” on? Answer: The marks or small blemishes in the brown peel of almonds very often comes from the shelling machine. Sometimes it end up scraping the almond itself. You should however check the bag to make sure that it doesn’t have webbing or powder on the bottom of […]

Considered theft

Question: If one is to print a personal email or document by printing one or more pages to a printer belonging to work, is that considered theft? Answer: It depends if the boss would mind or not. My assumption is that most bosses won’t mind if one page is printed, exactly how many? That depends […]

Visiting a parents grave during Elul.

Question: What should be said or read from a Siddur or a Hamadrich when going to the grave of a parent? Answer: There isn’t anything specific that has to be said, and you can say anything that you feel is appropriate. Many people have certain Psalms that they say. They are 33,16,17,72,91,104,130, then the spelling […]

Kesuva for mental illness

Question: Is it considered a mekach taos if in the marriage ones wife is diagnosed with a mental illness/personality disorder and which seemingly existed prior? Is there an obligation to pay kesuva if one divorces? What if she is not willing to go for an official diagnosis and that just many therapists say that there […]

Marrying someone who is physically incapable of having children

Question: Is it permissible for one to marry someone who, due to some medical treatment to save their life, is physically incapable of having children? Answer: It is very good that you are asking and trying to find out what you are supposed to do. This is a serious question, and the answer can only […]

Can a contractor charge me for work without telling me the price

Question: I hired a contractor to finish my basement. Along the way I added to the job. the contractor did not advise me that I would be charged more for the work I added along the way. Am I required to pay the total bill submitted which includes an additional charge for the added work? […]

Overnight onions

Question: Hello, I cut up some beets, and then some onions, and put them on top of the beets. I closed the container and planned to finish dressing the salad later. It ended up staying in the fridge overnight, without any dressing and the onions were not actually mixed with beets. Would those be considered […]

What is the issur for a lady to go mixed swimming if she is fully dressed?

Question: Is it assur for an older lady fully dressed with SHVIM KLEIDER to go swimming with older non jewish and irreligious jewish men? Answer: It is incorrect (and according to some poskim assur) for her to go to a mixed swimming pool even when she is fully dressed. The poskim say that it is […]

“Birthday”

Question: Good day, So far the question was not found by me in the archive. Traditionally Birthday wasn’t celebrated. Nowadays… Isn’t partying birthday only hedonistic? sincerely Answer: You are right. Some of the practices done at birthday parties are hedonistic see https://dinonline.org/2017/10/01/blowing-out-candles-on-a-birthday-cake/ . However celebrating a person’s birthday, is a matter of controversy. There were gedolim who […]

Is it a problem for me to take out a loan and my father cosigns it?

Question: Is it a problem for me to take out a loan and my father cosigns it? Answer: If the loan is from a gentile there is no problem with doing that. You are liable for the interest, as it was your loan, and your father is like any cosigner, which is permitted if there […]

Conversion without sincerity

Question: In many traditional but secular Jewish communities, although shabbas and kashrus are not kept, marrying a Jew is of utmost importance. Many Jewish singles I know are dating non Jews. Many of these non Jews are in the conversion process currently via an orthodox Beis Din so they can marry their secular Jewish fiancé. […]

ribit

Question: if i use someones credit card and pay him cash for what I bought while he pays the bill is that okay? thank you very much Answer: If you pay the bill on time and there is no interest accrued, it is alright, but not if you will be paying interest.

onaah

Question: if i would sell a camera on the internet, must i make sure that I am not overcharging? how do i know what is the price ? is it amazon price? walmart? Answer: It doesn’t go by anyone’s specific price but by the range of prices.

are there any ribit issues if i use my mothers credit card.

Question: Are there any ribit issues if I use my mothers credit card. the credit card company may charge interest and if I use it then my mom pays the bill with interest on my behalf. is that a problem? Answer: If you are paying the interest of your mothers credit card bill, yes that would […]

Can a Jew lend the money of a non-Jewish?

Question: If a lender is Jewish but his investor is a non-jew, can a Jew borrow money with interest from him since hundred percent of the money is from a non-jew? Answer: My apologies that it took some time to get back to you. Regarding your question, even though the investor is a non-Jew the […]

Changing teapots between: Dairy, Parve, and Meat?

Question: Is one simple teapot – Allowed to be used for all three settings. For instance, for breakfast (dairy), Parve (keep’n an isolation from dairy and meat) Dinner (meat). May one teapot be of use for all three settings or a person must obtain three different kinds of teapots? Alternatively, cups must be changed but […]

Are “machlif tzvaim” or “flip sequins” a problem on Shabbos/Yom Tov.

Question: We were wondering if this new craze of flip sequins is a problem on Shabbos/Yom Tov. We have a pillow that you can really draw/write things in because of the way the flip sequins work. Is this considered writing from a halachic point of view? Thanks Answer: Yes it would be halachically considered writing. […]

white grape juice kiddush

Question: Can someone use grape juice labeled as white but is actually a brown color for kiddush lichahillah on friday night? Answer: It seems to be controversial, because it isn’t white but on the other hand it is still not as good as red. See sources. As a side point if you are looking to […]

Annul Vow Emergency Important

Question: How can a Noahide have a vow annulled? I do not want to sin by breaking them. In a moment if weakness, I vowed or promised I would not dye my hair, eat coconut, penauts, and tree nuts. How can I have those vows annulled? I’m not Jewish so will a Rabbi be able […]

mortgage

Question: is it ok for my dad to take a loan from the bank on behalf of my sister who wants to go to grad school? thank you Answer: Please explain your question a little better. Thank you

Can I use my mothers credit card?

Question: Can I use my mothers credit card? Answer: If she allows you to use it you may, if she doesn’t you may not. If you are not sure you have to ask her.

How can I annul a vow

Question: I made vows that I feel might have been due to OCD, but I want to keep them so as not to sin. I would like them annulled though. Do I just find three men (Jewish men) and state that I do not want to keep my vows any longer. And if I knew […]

Holding the Arba Minim during davening?

Question: With the exception of the Amidah and Chazarat HaShatz, is it inappropriate to continue holding on to the Arbaa Minim during the other parts of Tefilla? During Keriat HaTorah/Haftorah? Alenu L’Shabeach? Thank you. Answer: Technically we are allowed to hold the Arba Minim during the whole davening, even during Shemona Esrei. Even though usually […]

Any Halacha for salt and black pepper built in shakers?

Question: This product is a salt and black pepper shaker/crusher (inserted already by the manufacturer company). On this particular item, there doesn’t exist any sorts of kosher symbol (on the package). But, since it’s not a food rather spices – Maybe an exception here can be applied of use anyway? I’m confused of how to […]

Craisins from Israel

Question: I am in Israel. Badatz packaging on Kedma apple juice sweetened craisins says to check before use. Your page says craisins are clean of infestation. I bought packaged, not from bulk, direct from Kedma. Do I have to check them? If so, how? Attached: Attached file 1 Answer: it is not a problem at […]

Tightness of First Tzitzis Knot

Question: I recently strung a tallis using some rather low-quality threads. After I was done, I noticed that for two of the double knots closest to the beged (which we consider deoraysah) were loose, although they can’t fall apart because of the rest of the knots and windings. Is this a problem? I could not […]

Does an etrog need ‘ma’aser’ before use in ‘arbah minim’?

Question: Does an etrog need ‘ma’aser’ before use in ‘arbah minim’ Answer: Yes, an esrog that grew in E. Yisroel needs have terumos u’maasros taken from it before it can be used. The reason is because the esrog has to be permitted to eat in order for it to be kosher to use for the […]

nedarim

Question: Shalom thank you for answering my questions so quickly. Do I need to say bli neder after I say I am going to do something or I will? If I say what time is it and its not exact is that lying. Should I say “I think” after I answer every question. Thank you […]

Vows/Promises to Hashem

Question: I have OCD/Anxiety Disorder and Hypochondria. A few years back, I got my hair dyed. I had read a story about a woman who suffered a severe allergic reaction to hair dye. I panicked in the salon after the stylist dyed my hair. Later that night, I cut my hair off to my chin […]

Do I have to worry that my employers scales are not correct?

Question: Okay so I am in a workplace that is a restaurant and I use scales to measure how much meat there is. Is it my responsibility to check the scales? This is a certified orthodox restaurant that the owner is G-d fearing. I’m trying to say is there anything I need to do not […]

Checking tefillin if they were left in the heat

Question: I am super paranoid of tefillin checking. I checked my tefillin after I just got it and they said the writings inside were of lower quality than what I paid for so he changed it. There was no basis to which to check but ended needing checking. I want to know almost exactly what conditions […]

Donation instead of a raise

Question: Similar to the question found here: https://dinonline.org/2018/06/18/asking-for-a-raise-in-order-to-give-it-to-maaser/ I’m wondering what if an employer was more inclined to give a donation on my behalf to an institution than giving me money/raise directly, can I count that as Ma’aser? Answer: If this is indeed what the employer wants, and he is giving the money to tzedakah […]

Taking medication on Shabbos

Question: Shalom, I am told by the doctor to take medication for bipolar. If I don’t take it the next day or so I became very agitated and sometimes feel like hurting myself. I suppose that I should take it on shabbat as well. Answer: You are very right, you must take your medication even […]

Left the lights on in the shul

Question: Hello, if I usually learn in a shul and the one in charge of the lights asked me to turn off the lights when I leave and I agreed. I ended up forgetting about the lights and came back four hours later. Is that stealing do I need to tell the head rabbi or […]

The blessing beneath a new house

Question: Good day Rabbi, Does exist the Jewish tradition or requirement to bury a bottled text beneath a new house for good auspice? Does “Heaven Pina or Even Pina” ring your bell? If affirmative, what is its correct name and procedure? Thanks allot, Answer: When a person starts building a new house or building some people […]

Repenting for taking interest on a loan

Question: Dear Rabbi. My husband some years ago (maybe 18 years ago) took ribit on a loan for around 3 years without a heter eska from another Jew. We were very prosperous and had everything we wanted, we are now at a point where we have no money as all our property sales in London […]