Question: My beloved mother was niftar on Thursday, Yud Gimmel Iyar, Thursday, May 4, 2023 and the levaya was that day, Thursday. We started sitting Shiva that day. Shavuous came in on Friday, May 26. Which day would the shloshim be? Thank you so much! Answer: Hamakom yinachem eschem btoch shar aveilei Tzion V’Yerushalayim. […]
Author Archives: Rabbonim of the Beis Hora'a
making early yom tov
Question: Can one make shavuos early on the second day shavous? Answer: Although there is some controversty about this, it is permitted. Best wishes
En-Suite Bathroom
Question: I once learnt that it’s not k’duy to have a bedroom with an en-suite bathroom – as the ensuing Tuma might have negative impact on a fetus conceived in such a bedroom… It could be the inyan was more Kabalistic than Halachic – still – I wonder what the Rav’s opinion is. Thanks […]
Supervisor for Kosher products
Question: What type of knowledge and certification do you need to be supervisor of kosher products…? Answer: Hello, This might depend on the agency you are working for, but the basics are having semicha , and taking a kashrus supervisors course. Best wishes
Question about Apartment
Question: Hi. I have a question about a case which is happening now and whether I stand a chance in beis din. We live in an apartment building of avreichim, I am in kollel myself. The building has 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments, and the way it works is that people are on a […]
Bracha Aloe Vera Drink
Question: I started to drink the PurAloe Drink for health reason. Aloe Vera Pulp in chunks that is visible. My question is if the main reason I drink it is because of the Aloe Vera what bracha would I make on it? The same question would maybe apply to everybody even they drink it only […]
Head cover for divorced woman
Question: Hello! can a woman remove the head covering after receiving a get or must she continue to cover her head? Thanks! Answer: Hello, In general, once a woman is married, she has to keep her hair covered even after she is no longer married. This idea is brought by numerous Poskim. There are […]
Mezonos
Question: If someone will make mini bagels with challa dough and bake it and take it out from the oven like 10 minutes before its ready to dip it in sugar water will this make it to a mezonos even it was more less ready baked before? Answer: Dipping them into sugar when they […]
Hinting to a Gentile on Yom tov
Question: Can I hint to a gentile on yom tov to close the gas Answer: Hello, Essentially hinting to a gentile on Yom Tov would be similar to hinting it to him on Shabbos. There are two ways of hinting something to a gentile. Hinting in the form of a command is not permitted. […]
Brucha on buckwheat and bulgur
Question: Brucha on buckwheat Brucha on bulghar Answer: Hello, The bracha on buckwheat or “kasha” is hoadomo. Although it name of it is buck“wheat” it is not from the five grains, rather a legume. Burgul in the other hand are wheat kernels that have been split and cooked. Therefore, the bracha on them is mezonos, […]
Shnayim Mikra Shabbos
Question: Hi Rav, I like to do the shnayim mikra of the next week after minchah on shabbos. My question is whether I have to actually daven minchah first or can I just do shnayim mikra after the zman I could daven minchah? Chag Kasher Vesameach! Answer: Hello, The starting time for shayim mikra […]
Mincha without Tachanun
Question: I daven with a Minyan which never says Tachanun. They daven long before Shkia but claim that is their minhag. Here are my questions: 1. Is there genuinelly such a registered accepted minhag? 2. Should I say Tachanun myself or rather not? Is there lo sisgodedu if I do? 3. Is there a point […]
Maariv time
Question: There is a shul where I’d like to daven, which begins Maariv 13 minutes after shkia. Am I allowed to daven in that minyan? Thanks. Answer: Hello, That is quite early. If you don’t haver ny other minyan you can daven there, but say kriyat shema over again later. Best wishes
Status of Megillas Esther
Question: The Gemara Megillah 7a brings the machlokes as to whether Megillas Esther has the status of “kisvei kodesh”, and focuses on the opinion of Shmuel who holds that it does not. What is the halacha l’ma’aseh? Since the klal is that we paskin like Shmuel in issur v’heter, does that apply here to? And […]
Honoring parent/ embarrassing
Question: B”H Kavod haRav, A parent asked me to accompany them to a garden store so they could stock up on a particular few items. I was waiting with my parent near an item that they were adding to my cart and their cart, when a man and lady came into the same section and […]
Returning books after someone has died
Question: Over a decade ago I borrowed two books from an acquaintance, and she passed away before I could return them. I tried to contact her son a couple of times but he did not respond. Am I obligated to hold on to the books or can I dispose of them? Answer: Hello, Before […]
Eruv Tavshilin
Question: Do we make Eruv Tavshilin this Shavuos? Answer: Hello, Yes, we do make an Eruv Tavshilim, since this year Shavous is on Friday. This applies to both those who live in Eretz Yisroel when it isn’t Yom Tov anymore, and to those keeping two days for Shavuos. Best wishes Sources:
Mayim Acharonim
Question: Are women mechuyav in washing mayim acharonim when benching? Answer: In principle, there is no difference in the halachah of mayim acharonim between men and women. However, the common custom is that women do not wash mayim acharonim, whereas many men do. The reason for this could be as follows: According to several rishonim, […]
T’fillin for a non-Jew
Question: Is it required by Torah for a gentile (Believe in the Creator) to wear t’fillin? A yes or no answer is good enough for me. Answer: A non-Jew, even if he believes in H-shem is not obligated in any way to put on tefillin. Best wishes
Family member
Question: We keep cholov yisroel, my cousin however doesn’t keep cholov yisroel and is coming with her daughters for shavuot. Is it ok for a cholov yisroel to buy cholov stam for them before shavuot and they can bring cholov stam in my house for shavuot? Answer: Hello, If you keep Cholov Yisroel, you […]
Feeding animals on Shabbos
Question: Is one allowed to toss pieces of challa out onto the grass for birds on Shabbos (it stays on private property)? Answer: Hello, There are many that do this, however numerous poskim say that it incorrect to do on Shabbos. The reason being that we don’t feed animals or birds that are not […]
Hefsek
Question: Hi, Is it a must to make a Hefsek on the 5th day of bleeding? Answer: Hello, In general a woman should not push off the day she makes a hefsek, as this will push off her going to the mikva. However there are circumstances when she can. If you send us more information […]
Manager or Boss Discretion for overlooking or discounting
Question: Shalom uVrachah thanks for your wonderful website two related similar questions please: 1. The supermarket usually offers a Motzaei Shabbos discount on fresh chicken because the date of expiry means it has now a short shelf life. One Motzaei Shabbos I asked the cashier about the discount and he said that the front desk […]
Halacha of grapeleaves
Question: Dear Rabbi, Could the bracha over grape leaves be more than shechol? I eat a stuffed grapeleaf with rice. Mentioning the vine would not suffice since it is not the fruit of the vine. I am wary to say adama. But if the product is of the earth, am I not at the right […]
Bar Metzra Claim Period
Question: How long after a sale of land can a neighbor claim Bar Metzra? Please give sources. Thank You Answer: Hello, The amount of time that the neighbor has to claim that he is a bar metrza is the amount of time it takes for him to get the money and take the person […]
What’s a more powerful teffilah
Question: What is a more powerful tefilloh? Verbalizing personal teffilos outside shul. Or davening in your heart only…..is one more preferable? Answer: Hello, It is hard to understand what you mean to ask. There is definite preference to davening in Shul as there is kedusha there, the same way there is a preference to davening […]
Yizkor money
Question: Can I give yizkor gelt a few weeks before saying yizkor? Answer: Hello, The idea of giving Yizkor gelt is because the tzedakah is a merit for the departed person’s neshoma. It is a zechus for the neshoma even if the money was given beforehand. Best wishes
self loathe
Question: I am currently struggling with self loathe and self-harm (I am gaining support through mental health professionals I also want to seek help though Jewish faith) (will also note I was raised in abusive household). I feel so terrible for what I have done to my body and what my urges to self. I […]
paying for borrowed item
Question: Hi, thanks a lot for your website I find it very informative and interesting. My wife lent an electric nursing pump to a friend, and her friend lost it. She couldn’t find it so she told my wife to buy a new one. The pump cost us about £80 when we bought it new […]
Last day of aveilus miktzas hayom kekulo
Question: On the 7th day of aveilus why do we daven in the beis avel – if we need miktzas hayom kekulo, why does’t the avel sit on a low chair for 5 minutes to have a miktzas hayom, and then go off to daven shachris in shul? Answer: Hello, In a certain sense […]
Halacha of marriage
Question: Dear Rabbi, My father’s brother is intermarried to a Catholic. He was once married by ceremony to a Jew but says he quickly had it anulled. He can not tell me he got a Gett so I assume halachaically he is still married. Is this a true matter and if he wanted to end […]
Putting aside maaser money for children’s weddings
Question: I saw this was touched upon in previous answers, but I would like to clarify. We have three daughters in shidduchim, and unfortunately nothing in savings, as tuition and regular expenses uses up all of our salaries. Additionally, we don’t even quite make enough monthly to cover everything. Can we set aside 100% of […]
Repairs in a rental
Question: Hi Rabbi, Who is responsible for fixing a broken door handle in a rented apartment – the landlord or the tenant? Does it make a difference if it’s not clear why it broke? Answer: Hello, It depends why it broke. If it is because it was old, then it is on the landlord, […]
After laparoscopic hysterectomy is there need Mikva. Had menopause over 20 yrs.
Question: After laparoscopic hysterectomy must I go Mikva? Was 10 yrs menopause Answer: Hello, It is hard for me to give an answer on this as it might depend on how the surgery was done. In the worst event, the woman would go to the mikva, without saying a bracha, and without a need […]
Can Shnieim b’mikrah v’echad targum be done in English
Question: Ha Rav, can you do this positive commandment by reading the Parsha in English only. Each passuk twice? With the English commentary in the Chumash? Will a person have fulfilled your obligation? Answer: Hello, It is a great idea to learn the parsha with the English translation, this way you will understand the […]
Uber eats/food delivery
Question: Hi Rabbi, is it allowed for a jew to work as a food delivery person? Thanks Answer: Please see the following link which discusses a similar question. https://dinonline.org/2019/07/15/coming-in-contact-and-delivering-with-not-kosher-food/ Here is a copy of the post. Best wishes Question: I’ve been wanting to deliver for a food delivery app for a while (to make […]
Bishul on Shabbos when making coffee
Question: Ha Rav, am I doing bishul on Shabbos by making coffee this way: Pouring boiling hot water from the urn into a third cup then put a spoon full of honey into the water then pour the instant coffee in the cup. Is there a problem using honey instead of sugar? Answer: Hello, […]
Surrogate birth
Question: Hi Rabbi, My friend is expecting a baby through surrogacy. She and her husband are Jewish but the surrogate is not. I understand that there are some halachic questions with surrogacy. Is it ok to say mazal tov and give a gift when the baby is born? Will this baby be non Jewish? Thank […]
Frozen garlic
Question: I remember learning that garlic (onions and eggs as well) should not be eaten if left peeled and raw overnight. I’m wondering if that is correct and if so, does that include the frozen minced garlic cubes? Should they be avoided as well? Thank you. Answer: Hello, Technically it is problematic. My understanidng […]
Carrying on Shabbos
Question: Is it ok to bring a ball to the park? The person bringing the ball carries in the eiruv but the people in the park don’t carry can they play with the ball? Answer: Hello, A person that doesn’t carry in the eiruv, it is because he doesn’t rely on the eiruv or he […]
Nutritional Supplement kashrus
Question: I was recommended a specific over the counter dietary supplement to take, but it does not have a hechsher. The complete list of ingredients is: sodium (as Sodium bicarbonate), vitamin C (Ascorbic acid), magnesium (magnesium hydroxide), bioflavonoid complex, rice flour and vegetable cellulose. It says it is vegetarian capsules. Does something like this need […]
Holding hands in simcha pictures
Question: I see that the photographers at simchos are telling husband and wives to pose either holding hands or putting hands on spouse’s upper torso. Is this ossur if not a nida? What are the ramifications? Should I allow this to be done at my simcha if I am against it? What should I tell […]
Married woman’s money today
Question: There are many sources that say that a married woman’s money belongs to her husband (e.g. she cannot make tzedakah pledges without his permission). From a modern perspective this seems oppressive to today’s women, who have good jobs and do not need to rely on their husbands to pay for their food or clothing. […]
Bitachon and re suffering etc.
Question: Hi, I was severely bullied in high school when I was only around 14. (And also went through quite rough time in primary). I heard that suffering is in order to cleanse us from our aveiros, but at that age, how bad could I have been? I know I really didn’t do so much […]
Missed Tehillim?
Question: B”H Kavod haRav, If someone joined a Tehillim group and was responsible to say several chapters of Tehillim each week, and may have missed saying one chapter Tehillim one week, are they required per halacha to ask mechila from the other members of the Tehillim group? (I said I would say the Tehillim bli […]
Benching with a zimun
Question: Hi Rabbi, if there were ten who ate and lets say one bentched alone early, and realized, would he be allowed to wash hands and eat bread to bench with a minyan, or would he not be yotzei because it is a seperate meal? Thanks Rabbi! Answer: Hello, You do not have to wash […]
Hot milk spilled onto microwave
Question: I am wondering how we pasken when only part of a kli was hit with issur, for example, I had hot milk boiling in a milk frother that was sitting on top of a fleishig microwave (in retrospect probably not the best place for it). [The microwave was ben yomo.] the milk overflowed and […]
Aliyot for a Cohen and his son
Question: בכבוד הרבנים It is well known that when there is a Cohen and no Levi present in schul the Cohen gets two aliyos in order to not cast doubt on his lineage (OH 135:8). My question concerns a case when a Cohen is present along with his son. In such a case, wouldn’t it […]
Getting married during aveilus
Question: If I am in aveilus for my father, can I get married Answer: Hamakom yinachem eschem b’toch shar aveilei Tzion v’Yerushalayim. It is permitted for a person in aveilus for a parent to get married after the shloshim is over. Sources: Yora Deah 392-1
Who is called Ish Tam
Question: Why were Yaakov and Noach referred to as an “Ish Tam”? Answer: Hello, Yackov and Noach are not the only ones referred to as “Tam”, as Iyov is also referred to as Ish Tam. There must be many reasons, but one reason given in the Midrash (Avos D’rabi Nosson and Tanchuma) is that all […]