Question: We purchased new Shaitels for my daughter before she got married, she preferred buying synthetic hair, but only if it would be reasonably manageable, have a sensible quality and look good. The shaitel macher highly recommended a certain brand and said she would have to come in with it to wash and style max […]
Author Archives: Rabbonim of the Beis Hora'a
Using a funnel for liquids on Shabbos?
Question: Can a person pour wine from one container to another container using a funnel for liquids on Shabbos? Answer: It is permitted. Sources: The only issue that might potentially be is making an ohel, however with a regular bottle the mouth of the bottle is not very wide and would not an issue. […]
Paraphrasing G-d
Question: Please see Melachim 1 8:16. Why doesn’t Shlomo quote what G-d said to David accurately (Shmuel 2 chapter 7). Is one allowed to paraphrase G-d in this way? Answer: It isn’t clear to me what quote you are referring to, but please see Rashi and Ralbag Melachim 8-15, that the meaning of the verse […]
Is silk and wool shatnes?
Question: Is silk and wool shatnes? Answer: No it is not shatnes. The Mishna (Klayim9-2) says that silk and wool are not klayim (shatnes) however they should not be woven into each other because silk looks like wool and flex. Therefore it is maris ayin, because people will think that they are seeing a mixture […]
heating foods that have some liquid
Question: how much moisture or liquids may be on a food when heating up [permissibly] on shabbos must it be totally dry/ a little moisture/ some oil and dressing / a little ketchup or sauce on chicken etc? thanks! Answer: Moisture on food is considered as part of the solid and not like a liquid. […]
Do these things require a kosher certification?
Question: Good morning, I’ve started a new diet plan that requires very specific ingredients to be consumed. I’ve looked for these products but apparently none come with a hechsher. I wanted to know if a plant based sweetener called trehalose requires certification? As well as tea seed oil and fruit derived herbal tea? Answer: Trehalose […]
A single wearing a Tallit
Question: Can an older Ashkanazi single male wear a tallit to shul, and can he cover his head with the tallit during Shomana Esrei and other times when married men cover their heads? Answer: It is permitted. Although there are different minhagim, there is no inherent issur for an Ashkenazim to wear a tallis, and […]
Divulging confidential information when it could bring about a solution to the problem at hand
Question: A and B are brothers. their parents are C and D. A lives out of town and is currently struggling with parnasah. he is hesitant to move back to his hometown where his parents C and D and his brother B reside because in the past his parents have been overbearing. A tells B […]
I bought clothing for a child before the nine days. Can he wear it during the nine days?
Question: I bought clothing for a child before the nine days. but did not give it to him. can i give it to him during the nine days?Answer: It will depend on the circumstances. Essentially we are not allowed to launder, purchase, or wear new clothing during the nine days, and this applies even for children. […]
Massage during Nine Days
Question: Is it permissible to receive a professional massage during the Nine Days? The purpose of the massage is to relieve muscle tension, improve circulation, and release stress/relaxation. Although it is done for health reasons, it is somewhat of a treat, as I do not do it regularly, only when I am ready to spend […]
Aveilus for community activist
Question: I am a community activist I am in the shloshim for my father a’h can I go to political events with food? Can I eat there and is after the shloshim different? Thanks Answer: My apologies that it took a few days to get back to you. You can go and be present at […]
eyebrow waxing in 9 days
Question: Is it permissible to get an eyebrow waxing in the 9 days? Answer: It is controversial if a woman may have her eyebrows waxed. Some poskim say that it is permitted because it may be unsightly to her husband and will cause distaste, while others say that it will not really make a difference. […]
Picking up previously purchased stockings in the Nine Days.
Question: My wife payed for a pair of stockings before the Nine Days. Store will only deliver a few days later, during the Nine Days. Is it permissible for my wife to receive and wear them during the Nine Days? Thanks in advance! Answer: You are allowed to receive the stockings during the nine days, […]
I forgot to remove the sticker on a pan. Do I need to re toivel with a bracha or without?
Question: I forgot to remove the sticker on a pan. Do I need to re toivel with a bracha or without? Answer: Before deciding if the poan needs a bracha for the second tevila, we have to determine that the pan indeed has to be toveled again. It will depend on what kind of sticker […]
Isn’t it a chutzpah to ask Hashem for forgiveness?
Question: Isn’t it a chutzpah to ask Hashem for forgiveness? I understand the importance of Viduy and expressing remorse and commitment for the future, but isn’t it an outright chutzpah to ask for forgiveness? Shouldn’t we accept responsibility and accept the consequences and continue to feel shame and remorse? Why should we expect forgiveness? Answer: […]
9 days eating meat chicken
Question: If s/o is highly allergic to fish, dairy, wheat, soy, almonds and nuts,eggs….sesame. Are they permitted to eat chicken etc during 9 days? Answer: Please see the following post, where a similar question is discussed. https://dinonline.org/2018/07/13/if-im-allergic-to-dairy-and-fish-can-i-eat-meat-during-the-9-days/ Best Wishes
My wife accidentially washed my pants. Is it okay to wear, bedieved?
Question: Motzei Shabbat, my wife did a load of laundry without realizing that the 9 days entails not Laundering clothing. Because this laundering was not intentional, are there sources which permit my wearing the pants? (I have a pair of shabbos pants that I can wear in the meantime, however it is normally what I […]
Reviewing the laws of Bar Metzra
Question: learning in Chosem Mispt, new Kollel in Clev Hts,OH 175:5 would like to review topic info on Bar-Metzrah’ ie brothers or partners where 1 sells a portion to a purchaser= maybe I am not spelling the English correctly in applying the search inquiry thnak you Yitzchok Kletter Answer: It would seems that you don’t […]
Swimming lessons during the 9 days.
Question: I’m 21 years old and started taking swimming lessons this week for the first time. I’m going to Israel right after the 9th of Av and would like to finish learning how to swim before I leave. The swimming lesson is a 1 on 1. The lifeguard is there just for me. He’s always […]
Can I watch a siyum on skype or listen to it over the phone?
Question: Can I watch a siyum on skype or listen to it over the phone in order to eat fleishig during the nine days? Answer: Hi, Hearing a siyum or watching it online is not going to permit eating meat during the nine days. The reason why one may at meat when at a siyum, […]
Can we say tehillim during the Nine Days?
Question: Can we say tehillim during the Nine Days? Thank you, Rabbi. Answer: Saying tehillim is permitted during the nine days, infact it is a time to daven extra for the rebuilding of the bais hamikdash.
Accepting extra pay for babysitting- Ribbis?
Question: Hello, I wanted to know if accepting extra money for a babysitting job is allowed, and if not, must it be returned? A price per hour was agreed upon. I was paid a few dollars more, most probably because it was more convenient for them to not have to worry about small change or […]
Number of Shabbat Candles for Divorced Man with Children
Question: How many Shabbat candles should a divorced man living with his children light each Shabbat? Answer: The same amount as a married man. The reason is because the two candles are for “zachor” and “shamor”, the two main parts of shabbos, (not for the husband and wife). Therefore the amount remains the same Sources: […]
If I’m allergic to dairy and fish can I eat meat during the 9 days?
Question: If I’m allergic to dairy and fish Can I eat meat? Answer: A person that is allergic to milk essentially is allowed eat chicken until the 7th of Av, but not meat during the nine day. There are however poskim that say that this should not be taken as a blanket heter, but only […]
9 days, before a simcha
Question: I would like to know if the following can be done in the 9 days, in preparation for a simcha the day after. Teeth whitening eye brow waxing setting a wig Thank you. Answer: Essentially preparing for a simcha is only a permitting factor with regard buying items for a mitzvah, such buying […]
When does the morning officially start for vestas
Question: My wife amid I would like to sleep in the same bed on the night which we are ”noheg” ohr zarua. At what part of the morning do we have to switch beds alois hashachar or neitz or misheyakir? Answer: It the ona of the day goes from netz (sunrise) until shliyas hachama (sunset), […]
spaying
Question: Hello, We have a 3 mo old female puppy. We have her because we have kids with anxiety, and animals can greatly help with the healing process for that. When the dog is older, we want to avoid having more puppies. I am reading online that it can be very frustrating to the animal […]
Donating money that one didn’t earn
Question: Our parents (may they live in good health to 120) are living basically off their savings, my mother’s pension and the little teaching that she does. My father often – when he experiences medical relief – phones us to ask us to give charity for him, and when we go and see him then […]
Spouses previous earnings
Question: When she has previous earnings from her own work from before marriage, does this also belong to the the husband now that they’re married? Answer: Without knowing the situation, and what you are referring to, the general halacha would be that the money that she earned before she got married would be called “nichsei […]
Answering Amen to Berichu in Kadish for ashkenaz in nusach sefard shul
Question: Hi, If I am davening in a nusach sefard or nusach Ari shul and they answer in Kadish to berichu amen, am I allowed to answer amen in an area of davening that I would be able to interrupt for amen but not for berichu, such as, in pesukei dezimra when it is during […]
Does Lo Yilbash apply to gentiles?
Question: Do the prohibitions on opposite-gender clothing apply to gentiles under the Noahide laws? Answer: This prohibition does not apply to gentiles as it is not included in the seven Noahide laws. Sources: Rambam Hilchos Melachim 9 (5-8).
Berchas and Bdikas Mezuzah
Question: I’m in an apartment for rent do I need to make a brocha by putting on the Mezuzahs? also how often one should be bodek his Mezuzahs? Answer: If the apartment has a mezuza already and you are not putting it up, then you don’t have to make a bracha. However if you put […]
Music in the 3 weeks for a choile
Question: Hi. I was wondering is playing music allowed to cheer up a sick person on chemotherapy? Answer: If a person on chemotherapy needs cheering up we may play music for them even during the nine days. the reason is because it isnot being done for simcha, but in order to cure the person from […]
Wearing Shabbos clothing on a date during the 9 days
Question: Is one allowed to wear Shabbos Clothing on a date during the 9 days? Answer: Yes one may wear shabbos clothes on a date during the nine days. The reason is that a date is considered a tzorech mitzva, and if the boy doesn’t look presentable it can have a negative effect on the […]
Using a glass measuring cup on Shabbos?
Question: Can you pour wine out of a glass measuring cup on Shabbos, if your purpose was not to measure how much wine there was in the measuring cup. Is a glass measuring cup mukza on Shabbos in all situations? Answer: A glass measuring cup is considered a kli shemilachto l’issur, since it is primarily […]
Benefiting from a picture that a gentile took on Shabbos
Question: If a picture was taken of you on Shabbat by a non-jew and he sent it to you afterwards are you allowed to benefit from this picture (e.g. print it, view it, etc.) or are you required to delete it if: – You assisted him in taking the picture (e.g. posed or waved) – […]
Rental 9 days
Question: Shalom. 1. Is it ok to move into a rental house during 9 days. 2. Would it help if one started the move before the 9 days ? Answer: Although we should not move into a house that we purchased during the nine days, (or the 3 weeks) since it is something that one […]
May two professionals split all profits?
Question: Mr. A & Mr. B are two independent professionals, Mr. A works on Sundays and Wednesdays and Mr. B works on Mondays and Tuesdays. May they make an agreement that each splits his income each day with the other? When Mr. A gives half of his Sunday income to Mr. B. he is giving […]
Collecting owed money
Question: I have a reticent ba’al chov who is shlepping me along and there is iska attached to this loan. I want to prepare myself with adequate documentation in the event of a din Torah. Would it be acceptable to present the beis din with a document signed by the borrower stating the amount owed, […]
Relations on yahrtzeit
Question: Are relations permitted on the night when one spouse has yartzeit for a parent? The spouse w/o yartzeit is returning from a long trip that day. Answer: Yes they are permitted. The only aveilus restrictions would be not to go to a chasuna, but otherwise there is no aveilus on the yahrtzeit.
Buying clothes for after the nine days
Question: My son is going away in two weeks, the day after Tisha B’av and will need some items. Can I shop for him during the 9 days if he won’t wear or use any of it until after the 9 days? Also, can I bring something to the tailor to be fixed before […]
Onus in tefila
Question: hello, my job , a night shift , starts at 2 pm i am permitted to take time for only one of 2 tefilot, either micha or maariv , should i prefer mincha since arvit is “reshut” ? Answer: Yes, you should take time off for mincha before taking off for maariv, because it […]
Abraham’s Journey
Question: We know that Abraham crossed the Euphrates but did he cross the Jordan to get to Shechem? Many thanks Irene Bawden Answer: From what I have seen, Abraham entered Israel from the north, from the Lebanon Syria area, in a southern direction. It is possible that he did cross the Jordan at some point, […]
Heating up cold dry food on Shabbat
Question: Can Sephardim warm up cold pasta with sauce on Shabbat over a blech (metal sheet used to cover stovetop burners) if it was fully cooked on Erev Shabbat? Answer: It is controversial among the Sefardi poskim what the halacha is. According to R’ B. Z. Abba Saul zt”l (Ohr L’tzion chap. 30-13 ftnt. 13), […]
Co-workers follow up
Question: Rabbi, what if while in a group of the co-workers they start to gossip, and I smile or make a comment that would appear like I agree with the gossip? Because I was nervous and spoke without thinking. Is that participating? Answer: Essentially you should not react positively to their lashon hora, and show […]
Torah perspectives on mental illness
Question: What does the Torah say about mental illness, like bipolar disorder? What does the Torah say about manic spirituality? Many, many people experience spiritual euphoria when they have symptoms of mental illness. Why? I believe it is real and it is a tremendous gift, but I also believe that sometimes it is warped and […]
Advice for co-workers
Question: Rabbi, Please help me with this situation. I was in a group spending time with co-workers and all of a sudden they started gossiping about other people working in the same company. I felt awkward, but couldn’t leave the conversation without looking weird. This also occurred when I was spending one-on-one time with a […]
Eating before alos of a fast day
Question: If one forgot to make an explicit tnai that he is not accepting the fast when going to sleep, but he asked his family to prepare food for him for melava malka and then inadvertently fell asleep for 2 hours in his clothes on his bed before eating, was he allowed to eat when […]
Using mikvah for tevilas keilim
Question: My local hardware store has a free mikvah for items purchased at their store. If I buy something there that I need to toivel, can I also toivel something else that I bought at a different store (that doesn’t have a mikva) along with the item I purchased there or would I need to […]
Ribbis if higher price for installments?
Question: I am signing up for an online (video-based course) there is one price if paid in full and another is paid in installments. Is there a ribis issue here? Thank you very much Answer: There is a potential ribbis issue here, because you are paying extra due to the fact that the payment is […]