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 […]
Author Archives: Rabbonim of the Beis Hora'a
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 […]
Swimming for exercise during 9 days
Question: Is one allowed to swim in cold water chlorinated pool during 9 days for exercise purposes? Answer: Hello, We don’t go swimmig during the nine days, even if it is for exercise purposes. Best wishes
Water Spilled on a Meat Oven
Question: Some water from washing a dairy dish spilled on the front of my meat oven. Are there any kashrut concerns? Answer: Hello, Was the outside of the oven door hot at the time? If it was, then the oven should be heated up, in order to kasher it. However, if it wasn’t hot […]
Buy toys for kids in the 9 days?
Question: Is it permitted to buy toys for kids in the 9 days? Answer: Hello, Cheap toys are permitted, but not expensive ones, which will bring them real joy. Best wishes
Questionable reading material in frum family
Question: Dear Friends, this is concerning kashrus but not food: I live in a thriving Jewish community in NMB, Florida near my married son. They hold by a kollel rav here. My son went to a frum yeshiva through high school here in NMB, Florida and then on to beis medrash for a few years […]
Dry Cleaning during the 9 days
Question: Hi, I own a dry cleaners that outside the Frum area and primarily services non-Jews. This year I’ve had some Frum customers request a pickup for dry cleaning and laundry services. I am not familiar with their situation and am unsure of whether or not this is permitted. The work is done by employees […]
Caterer eating meat during nine days
Question: If a caterer is catering a meat pidyon haben during the nine days, may he eat meat with the baalei Simcha or must he refrain as he is not an invited guest. What about the waiters in that case? Answer: Hello, The waiters are allowed to eat, because they are not formally invited […]
Hichon on Tisha B’Av
Question: Is there an inyan of hichon on Tisha B’Av, or is it not relevant because of the nature of the day? Therefore, would it be permitted to wear wrinkled, or stained, or torn, or dirty, etc, clothing on Tisha B’Av? Answer: Hello, The idea of hichon, is that we should prepare[1] ourselves, and […]
Decal ironing during the nine days
Question: It is permissible to iron decals on a sweatshirt during the nine days? This is something that is necessary for the girls in camp. Answer: Hello, It is permitted as it isn’t considered making the sweatshirt better. Best wishes Sources:
Vegan restaurant
Question: If a vegan restaurant is supposedly certified kosher, although the certification is not from one of the well-known ones and I looked into it and the Rabbi gives more leniency about the necessity for a full time mashgiach, etc are you allowed to go there and also, they are open on Shabbos. Please include […]
Talking about others
Question: May one say that a person one knows is a great baker or is an adventurous person if the person being talked about is not present? Answer: Hello, If it is said in a positive manner then it is permitted. Pone should just be careful not to say such things in front of […]
Boy swimming with girls
Question: May a 4 year old boy go swimming when several girls (mostly under 12 years old) are in the pool? Thank you Answer: Hello, Please see the following post https://dinonline.org/2010/07/12/mixed-swimming-for-children/ which talks about this issue. Best wishes
Showering during the nine days after relations
Question: Is it permitted for men to shower during the nine days after relations instead of mikvah? Answer: Hello, A man that is always makpid to go to the mikva after relations may do so after relations during the nine days. If he isn’t makpid on this all the time, then he can’t, similar to […]