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

Storing things in the Sukkah

Question: Can I designate a space in the Sukkah for storing kids’ stuff like bikes and toys and drinks and stuff Answer: Hello, Items that are disrespectful to the sanctity of the succah should not be in the succah. As far as I know designating a place for them doesn’t help. What you can […]

Mezuzah on Furnace Room and Cellar

Question: Does the door of a furnace room and cellar need a mezuzah? Answer: Hello, Storage rooms need a mezuza, therefore a cellar, would need a mezuza. A furnace room, according to a number of poskim is obligated in mezuza, if people go enter it. See sources. Best wishes Sources: שולחן ערוך יורה דעה […]

Hating God

Question: Hi Rabbi, I’m writing to ask what to do for my sister…. We grew up in an orthodox environment, but in the last 10 years she lost all connection to the religion (around the time she married a secular (but good) man). It’s interesting because she believes in god, she just hates him. She […]

Wedding on Kristalnacht?

Question: I just realized that the wedding date we picked for my daughter has the same Hebrew date(a) as Kristallnacht. Should we rather pick a different date or it is known rather by the English date of Nov 9 so that it’s not a problem? I’m sure there is no Halacha about it but if […]

Bishul on Shabbos When Making Baby Bottle

Question: Kovod Harav When I make my baby a bottle on Shabbos the procedure is as follows: 1) I first wash out the bottle with hot water as it has been sterilized with ‘Milton tablets. 2) I then put previously boiled cold water in the bottle and add hot water from the Shabbos urn. I […]

mistakes

Question: Dear Rabbi, Our adult daughter struggles with OCD. She has become increasingly observant over the past several years, trying to fulfill more mitzvahs. Because of her OCD and perfectionism, she gets very angry with herself when she “messes” up halacha. She lives with us. We are not observant and do not allow her to […]

Bracha on bread which is made out of rice flour and water.

Question: kvod harav I have gluten allergies and my pitta is made out of rice flour, water, potato starch, maïs starch and tapioca starch. What bracha is made on this pitta? Thank you. Answer: Hello, It depends on how much rice flour there is in the ingredients. If the rice flour is the majority […]

Toivel a Fruit Bowl?

Question: Hi Rabbi, Do I have to toivel a fruit bowl? It’s a ceramic/earthenware decorative bowl that will stay on the counter and hold bananas/avocados, etc. Does this need to be toiveled? thanks! Answer: hello, If the bowl has a thin glass coating it should be toveled without a bracha. Otherwise, earthenware does not […]

Rosh chodesh

Question: Hello Rabbi, I know Rosh Chodesh is two days this month but I get confused about when the customs apply. For those who refrain from laundry on Rosh Chodesh, is it still permitted Wednesday during the day? Answer: Hello, the custom applies to both days of Rosh Chodesh, however this month Rosh Chodesh […]

follow the majority

Question: Since Judaism takes the principle of following the majority from Shmot 23:2, isn’t that an error of interpretation? The literal meaning seems to be don’t follow the evil claims of the majority Answer: Hello, The end of the verse says this clearly. Best wishes

How to repent for Lashon Hara if the person you sinned against is dead?

Question: Rabbi, I am trying to repent for the damage I caused due to lashon hora. The person I sinned against died long ago. I can no longer talk to the person and ask for their forgiveness. How do I go about this? Also are there any Ketuvim that address this? Toda Answer: Hello, While […]

Shalom Aleichem

Question: When eating the Friday night meal before Ma’ariv (when) should Shalom Aleichem be recited, because it says the malachim escort a person from shul? thank you Answer: Hello, It should be said at its regular time, and not after davening maariv. The idea here is that the person was mekabel Shabbos, not specifically […]

Covering hair during davening

Question: Does a married woman have to cover her hair while she davens alone at home? Answer: Hello, Yes, she should cover her hair when she davens even at home. When a woman davens Shemona Esrei she is standing in front of Hashem, and she is even talking directly to Hashem and saying boruch […]

Dispute on quoted amt. to paint the Basement

Question: We agreed with the painter on 800 to plaster a little and paint the basement. We prepared the money and when he came back to complete job, he said $900. What to do? Nothing in writing is a mistake. Answer: Hello, What does he say in regard to the fact that you agreed to […]

Jew affirmation

Question: Hello, I am writing to ask if it would be possible to obtain affirmation of my Jewish status and what should I do. I grew up in Kraków, in Poland where I had my bar mitzvah. My grandpa was from Jewish family settled in Jelenia Góra but unfortunately there are no any documents that […]

Inappropriate thoughts

Question: Often, I’m embarrassed to say that I have extremely inappropriate thoughts. Thoughts either that are immoral or otherwise atrocious from the fact that I think bad things/wish on other members of Klal Yisroel/heretical thoughts. But in reality, I wouldn’t want to think such things and wouldn’t want ever for such calamities to befall them. […]

Shabbos Clothes to Weekday Clothes

Question: Is it ok to turn, what was a certain piece of clothing or Kipa or Tzitzis that was designated as for Shabbos only, it into a weekday garment. Is there any difference if the garment became not-Shabbosdik (torn, stained, old) or if you simply want to update your weekday wardrobe? Answer: Hello, It […]

Studying Exodus-Deuteronomy

Question: Can you point me in the direction of a resource that has the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy integrated…in other words, instead of reading Exodus then Leviticus then Numbers straight through to Deuteronomy, I am wanting to read Exodus and then when we get to the Sinai part read the portions from […]

Interest charged on rent owing

Question: My landlord is Jewish as am I. My rent is unfortunately in arrears. I am being charged interest on the amount owing. The statement clearly states “ArrInt ” (Arrears interest) and the percentage of interest being charged. Please comment. Thank you very much. Answer: Hello, without knowing what the landlord has to say, […]

Private home chef

Question: Hi, I’m a professional private chef. For several summers I worked in a lake house of a Jewish family whose members keep varying degrees of kosher. Within the house, they all seem respectful, eating only meat and pareve at those meals, only dairy and pareve at those meals, only pareve at those meals. The […]

Setting spray on Shabbos

Question: BH Is it permissible to use setting spray on Shabbos? [Setting spray is a liquid mist, with water and alcohol typically as its main ingredients, that can be used to increase the lifespan of your makeup look, preventing fading and smudging.] Thank you Answer: hello, It depends on what kind of makeup it […]

Crunching leaves on Shabbos

Question: BH A student of mine likes to step on leaves as she walks, because she likes the sound of the crunch. She wants to know if this is permissible on Shabbos? Thank you Answer: Hello, Yes, it is permitted to do with your foot, but not with your hands, (as they are muktza). […]

Visiting graves

Question: Is it allowed for a woman to visit cemetery when she’s nida? If not, please explain why Answer: Hello, In general, a woman should not visit the cemetery when she is a nida. It is for kabalistic reasons. According to some poskim after her flow has stopped it is permitted, and depending on […]

Opening fridge w/ light on shabbos

Question: Hi. I was away for shabbos with my family and we weren’t sure if we had to activate a shabbos mode for the fridge. My husband tested out the fridge a few times before shabbos and saw that the light didn’t go on when he opened the door. I was still nervous about it […]

Money is working for me on Shabbos

Question: Can I invest in a stock fund on Thursday night when the trading would go into shabbos Answer: Hello, Yes, you may invest in a stock fund, even though the value of the stock will go up on Shabbos. The stock that you own doesn’t do any “work” for you, even though this […]

Av Harachamim

Question: I don’t like saying Av Harachmim on Shabbos because it was established as a result to horrible things against the Jews and Shabbos is a special time for the spreading of love; I do prefer to say this prayer spontaneously on regular weekdays on behalf of everyone requiring mercy; I want a hetter […]

Eating Friday Night before Kabbolas Shabbos

Question: Can I eat food the shul gives out between Mincha and Kabbolas Shabbos? What is the source yes or no. Answer: Hello, Technically if it still before sunset, and the person has not yet been mekabel shabbos he can eat, however to do so in such a setting is incorrect. The reason is because […]

Bracha on geyser

Question: Does one make a bracha of “oseh ma’aseh breishis” on seeing a geyser ? Answer: Hello, You are asking an interesting question. I asked R Stitzberg (author of Sharei Habracha) your question, and he said that we would not make “oseh maaseh breishis”. The reason is that the Shulchan Aruch says regarding seeing […]

Carrying tallis to shul on Shabbos

Question: Can I carry my Tallis in a clear shoulder bag on Shabbat or should I just carry it by hand in its small velvet bag? Answer: Hello, If there is a kosher eruv, you may carry your tallis, whichever way you prefer. However, if there isn’t an eruv, you have to wear it […]

Is it permitted to get drunk on a regular day?

Question: In a situation where there would not be any bittul Torah or minyanim missed as a result of drunkedness, nor would there be any damage caused in any way, would it be permitted for a person to get drunk on a regular day for fun? Assuming he has no sort of addiction and rarely […]

Shabbos Candles for grandchildren

Question: I read that Rebbetzin Weinberg a”h of Aish HaTorah lit 80 Shabbos candles to include all her grandchildren. Is there a source for a minhag of lighting extra Shabbos candles for one’s grandchildren and may I adopt such a practice as a way of thanking Hashem for my grandchildren as well as to daven […]

Techum Shabbos

Question: I want to go from here to here on shabbos is it within the techum, with some breathing room. https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Equinox+Golf+Resort+%26+Spa,+Main+Street,+Manchester,+VT/Chabad+of+Bennington+County,+171+Sargent+Ln,+Manchester,+VT+05254/@43.1553538,-73.0801944,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e05fced641ea75:0x3c38ede3f3b38cea!2m2!1d-73.072564!2d43.1621955!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e05e44680995bd:0x95e853235c8c9b72!2m2!1d-73.0701758!2d43.1485244!3e2?entry=ttu Answer: Hello, The techum shabbos would be about .6 of a mile, which is roughly a kilometer, which is a lot less than the distance between the two places. It is possible however […]

Laser Hair Removal on the Tenth of Av

Question: I booked a laser hair removal appointment for tomorrow, Friday July 28th at 10:30AM. (Before chatzos) I know a lot of nine days prohibitions still apply until chatzos. Do I have to cancel my appointment or can I keep it? Answer: Hello, It is permitted. This year, since the tenth of Av is […]

Smoking on Tisheo B’av

Question: Am I allowed to smoke an electronic cigarrette today? Answer: Hello, Most poskim do not permit it, and indeed one should not smoke. However if it is very difficult for you and you need it you can smoke in the afternoon, but do it in private. May Hashem rebuild the Bais Hamikdash soon […]

Tehillim on Tishe bov

Question: Can we say tehillem Tishe bov? Answer: Hello, We may tehillim for a sick person, however if it is because the eperson says a certain amount of daily Tehillim, then it should wait until after Tisha B’av. Sources:

tisha bav

Question: Does a woman have to eat the seudath hamafsekes? Answer: Yes, they do. Their obligation for everything regarding Tisha B’av is just like men. May Hashem bring moshiah soon Sources:

Take dog to groomer for bath and haircut

Question: Can I take my dog to the groomer for his regularly scheduled haircut during the nine days? Answer: Hello, The halachos of the nine days do not apply to your dog. Best wishes

vaping

Question: Is vaping permitted on tisha bav Answer: Hello, Most poskim do not permit it, and indeed one should not smoke. However if it is very difficult for you and you need it you can smoke in the afternoon, but do it in private. May Hashem rebuild the Bais Hamikdash soon

Bracha on eating whole pizza

Question: Dear Rabbi In a situation when one is eating a whole pizza (not pre sliced), what is the best method to make hamozi? I have two ideas below. Would either be acceptable? a) Make a small slice and then say the bracha (while holding the slice in your hand). b) Cut a slice off […]

Young Conversion

Question: Shalom Alechem, Both my wife and I are converts. We converted in different times in our lives before meeting. I converted when I was 19 and she converted with her parents at the age of 13 years old. She went a basis Yaakov. And a year after she graduated we got married. We have […]

Siyum

Question: I recently made a siyum with my Ruv on Yerushalmi Dmai. We did not have a minyan and no Kaddish was said. Am I allowed to make the siyum again on Shabbos Nachamu in Shul with Kaddish and a bigger oilam? Answer: Hello, There is no obligaton to make a siyum with kaddish. If […]

Baking potato in milky oven to eat with chicken

Question: Can potato be lechatchila baked in a clean aino ben yomo milky oven to be eaten with chicken, if the potato doesn’t touch the racks or walls of the oven? Answer: Yes, it can. The potato doesn’t give zeiah, and the walls are clean and not a ben yomo, and they are not […]

Kashering kli that became assur with kavush

Question: If a parve kli had cold chicken soup poured into it, and the chicken soup was sitting there for a week and made the kli fleishig with kavush, and I want to kasher it to be parve, do I need to spill out the soup and then wait 24 hours to kasher, and or […]

Manicure during the nine days

Question: Can a women take a manicure only polish in the 9 days? Answer: Hello, Halachically polishing one’s nails is permitted during the nine days. However you might want to think if it is appropriate to involve yourself with this during the nine days, especially that it is almost 24 hours before Tisha B’av. […]

Smoking on Tisha bav

Question: Hi, I’d like to know if I can vape on tisha bav since I am very addicted (I barely manage on shabbos and usually don’t keep because of it) I don’t usually fast but feel that it might be impossible If I don’t vape. Is it a complete no? And should I rather not […]

Yayin not mevushal by Muslim

Question: Hello, Why can’t an orthodox Jew drink a non-mevushal wine from a closed bottle, with all the seals in order, opened before his eyes by a Muslim and poured by him? Answer: Hello, Without getting into the technicalities of the exact case that you are stating, (for that see the sources), what you want […]

Laundering undergarments during the nine days

Question: Can underwear be laundered for children under bar/batmitzva age? Would it be better to buy them new underwear? Could socks be laundered for an adult who is treating a very bad fungal infection in their toes? (They were told by the doctor that they should change their socks throughout the day?) Would it be […]

Using milchig kli for cold fleishig food

Question: I was stuck erev shabbos and I needed a strainer to strain some cold fleishig food and I only had a milchig strainer in the house. I used the milchig strainer since I’ve heard one can use a treif kli for cold food if its only an arai use, and I figured this was […]

Tisha B’Av for women

Question: Hello Rabbi, I fast on Tisha B’Av but did not know about the beforehand/after requirements–for women. I saw one reference to eating one meal in the afternoon and then a small meal before the fast. Do women have to follow this or could one follow a normal eating schedule and even eat a regular […]

Meat during Shalosh Seudos of the nine days

Question: Do I have to stop eating meat before sunset DURING my shalosh seudos meal? Answer: Hello, On Shabbos chazon, the Shabbos during the nine days, if one is eating shalos seudos, meat may be eaten even after it’s already dark outside, since for him it is still Shabbos, and he is going to say […]