Question: I have an insulin issue and I got a heter to drink tea instead of grape juice for kiddish on Shabbos. I’m wondering how to handle this issue for the Seder. Can I use tea instead of grape juice? Or can I drink a very small amount of grape juice and how much can […]
Author Archives: Rabbonim of the Beis Hora'a
Repurposing an old toaster over before Passover
Question: We have an old toaster oven that hasn’t been used for close to twenty years. When we first bought it, we used it just a few times for dairy them put it into storage. Now, for the days going into Passover when we’re turning over our kitchen it would be very helpful if we […]
Owning a dira in Eretz Yisroel – 1/2 days of Yom Tov
Question: I’ve heard many people say if one owns a dirah in Eertz Yisroel that one can keep 1 day Yom Tov. Is there a mekor for such a psak? Answer: Hello, While I can’t vouch that there isn’t someone who might say this, however in a general context it is hard to believe. […]
fabric on Shabbat
Question: B”H Kavod haRav, Thank you for your help. There is a headboard that is made of a velvet-like fabric. May pillows be put against it and leaned on during Shabbat if the headboard fabric will have a slight change in it from the pillows/ being leaned on over Shabbat? Creasing etc. the headboard fabric […]
Thoughts of torah
Question: Are thoughts of Torah considers a kiyum of the mitzva of talmud torah or must it be verbalized? If one learns a masechta of Gemara in one’s mind without verbalizing the words can they make a siyum on that. Answer: Hello, There is controversy about this, the Vilna Gaon held that one is […]
Mechiras Chametz – Amira?
Question: Hi, if I sold my chometz with a Rabbi (I wrote down my name on a piece of paper with many other names but I didn’t fill out any actual contract) but I did not explicitly say that “I hereby appoint him as my agent to sell the chometz” – rather, he said he is […]
Rabbi is sick – what do you say or call the person who is davening in his place?
Question: Rabbi, Our Rabbi has Covid. People in our shul have stood on the Bima and are davening in his place, saying a sermon and doing the responsibilities of the Rabbi. I know the term “shel’e’ach” – but it is not that. We say Yasher Koach. From the Bima…how do you call him? Is there […]
Disposing of bread pieces
Question: I believe the halacha is that if a piece of bread is a kezayis or more it needs to be disposed of in a respectful manner. And if it’s less than a kezayis, then there is no halachic requirement to dispose of it in a respectful manner. If I have a kezayis of bread, […]
I moved the candle and or match after lighting candles Friday night. Was it assur to do so?
Question: Ha Rav, I moved the candle and or match after lighting candles Friday night. Was it assur to do so? I did not need the space. It was so it would not catch on fire. Answer: Essentially after you were mekabel shSahShabbos you shouldn’t move the match, however if it was done in […]
Mechiras chometz with Dinonline
Question: Hi, regarding selling chometz with Dinonline – can someone in America do this? What time will the chometz be sold for someone in America? Thank you! Answer: Hello, You can sell your chametz via rhe site even from America. The sale is done at 8AM Jerusalem time. Chag kasher v’sameach
Possible corn starch and glazing corn syrup
Question: Good morning. I want to buy this product for Pesach. https://www.mykoshermeat.com/center-cut-tuna-loins-by-kahuna.html Should there be a concern that this fish could have been packed with corn starch and/or could have been glazed in corn syrup. Thank you very much. Answer: Hello, While I can not see the link that you attached, however in general […]
Massage
Question: Hi Am I allowed to have go for a couples massage but there is only a female massagist? Answer: No. The massagist will be touching you , not just once, but for a prolonged period of time, and giving you pleasure, and it is sure to evoke improper thoughts. The fact that your wife […]
Buying gift cards that cannot be used on the spot
Question: The local grocery store sells gift cards to shop in their store. The way it works is you buy a 100-dollar gift card today and then next time you come in then you get 110 dollars, but you cannot use that day obviously because then you could just buy one and get a discount […]
Refrigerated stored chametz
Question: Can someone store chametz in the freezer and refrigerator over Pesach as long as it is sold to a non-Jew and is wrapped up in bags? It will be wrapped up with 2 bags or more so that no mistakes are made. Answer: Hello, The chometz sold to the goy has to be clearly […]
Frying kitniyos before Pesach
Question: We are Ashkenazim. is one allowed to make cakes and fry shnitzel (both require a lot of oil) and the like with margarine or oil that is derived from kitniyos before pesach to be eaten on pesach? Answer: Hello, the Ashkenazi minhag is not to eat kitnios, even as a derivitave, and even […]
Female missed parshas Zachor in Shul
Question: A female missed parshas Zachor in Shul. She wasn’t well. Actually, in any case, Shabbos mornings, she usually does not go to Shul and davens at home. Usually, for parshas Zachor she goes to hear it at an afternoon reading for ladies. She remembered on Purim (after davening shacharis shemoneh esrei) that she hadn’t […]
Are crumbs on Shabbos table muktzah???
Question: Is it allowed to sweep the crumbs (- crumbs; not sweet wrappers and shells etc which we know are muktzah) from the Shabbos table into one’s hands, these crumbs then to be taken to the bin (or recycling bin); or are the crumbs muktzah and therefore would have to be swept (eg, with a […]
Washing from the bathroom and for bread
Question: Hi, If one came out of the bathroom and is washing his hands with a cup and also knows that right after he will be eating bread what should he do? Wash twice? Wash once (if so, how would he wash)? Say Al Netilas Yadayim and then Hamotzei and then Asher Yatzar after? Say […]
Selling xmas ornaments
Question: Hi, I am wondering if one is allowed to design and sell xmas holiday ornaments which customers would hang on their holiday trees. The designs need not contain any religious words or symbols but may contain words like “merry christmas,” “first christmas,” etc. These “ornaments,” can also serve other purposes such as car rearview […]
Passover diced potatoes
Question: Cross Valley brand makes a fresh diced potato. I wanted to know if it could be used on Passover. Answer: Hello, I don’t have updated information, but in previous years the Star-k used to write that peeled potatoes, carrots celery, etc., to prevent browning use citric acid, which is derived from dextrose, which […]
What should I do?
Question: I am an orthodox Jew. I was raised orthodox, I learn frequently, I practice consistently. Yet recently have been curious about Ásatrú ( a sect of norse paganism) and have been dedicated to doing much research on it, slowly developing a connection to it. I am torn on what I should do about it. […]
Online class that has a picture of an avoda zara
Question: B”H Kavod haRav, Thank you for your help. Would it be permitted to watch a specialist give a video class on a specific topic if the person has in their video background a picture of an avodah zara? The topic they are lecturing on does not involve religion, and the nature of the topic […]
Kol isha
Question: When travelling it is very hard not to hear a woman singing either live or recording. Can I still say tehillim/daven/learn even if I will be home later? Answer: There are Poskim who say that if the woman isn’t seen, or if the singing isn’t live that it isn’t considered kol isha[1], however […]
Maasser for Hachsokas hatoire
Question: We try to give maaser from our earnings bli neder for hachsokas hatoiro. We have a big family bli ayin horo and our income is not so big. Our son is going to go Yeshiwe Gedola out of town be”H. Are we allowed to pay S’char limud for Yeshiwe from this money? Does this […]
Eczema Cream on Pesach
Question: I have eczema that is sometimes very severe and I use Aveeno hydrocortizone cream to treat it. The cream contains oatmeal, alcohol, and possible chametz products. Can I use it on Pesach? Answer: Hello, Although it is better if you can get a cream that doesn’t contain chometz, however if it is hard, […]
Kids checking eggs
Question: Is there an age requirement for kids to be able to check eggs themselves? My 9 year old daughter likes to bake. Does an adult or someone over bar/bas mitzvah needs to watch her? Answer: Hello, There are two types of eggs that might have blood spots, fertilized and unfertilized. Blood spots found […]
Warning a Neighbor
Question: I work in Manhattan so unfortunately, I know the smell of people smoking marijuana. Yesterday I opened the window in my bedroom to get some fresh air and I smelled it in the air. I looked through the alley and saw my young teenage neighbor blowing smoke out of his window, obviously so his […]
Mechaber siman 110 regarding: Employees right to daven
Question: Siman 110 mb sk 12 allows an employee to daven mincha with a minyan (assuming that is common practice in that place). Does this also apply if: 1. The employer is a non jew 2. The employer is non observant (and therefore perhaps makpid, see mechaber) 3. If the employee has paid break time […]
Entering a church
Question: May one enter a church in order to donate blood? Does it make a difference if the blood drive is in the church cafeteria instead of the sanctuary itself? Answer: Hello, Jews are commanded not to worship idols, and to distance ourselves from them. Therefore, a Jew may not enter a church. The […]
Switching Tzedoko
Question: My husband is a melamed in cheider and sent his talmidim to collect money on Purim a having in mind a certain person in Eretz Yisroel who desperately needs financial help. The children had pushkes with “Aniyei Eretz Yisroel” printed on and my husband gave them a hamlotze letter which that yid had gotten. […]
Wearing a rain cover on a hat on Shabbos
Question: is it permissible to walk in area of no eruv with a plastic rain protector around your black hat? it protects the hat and your head from seeping in and getting soaked Answer: Hello, You are asking a controversial question, numerous poskim including R’ Moshe Feinstein zt”l do not permit it. Their reasoning […]
A woman with seven sons
Question: I have heard people say that a woman who bears 7 sons in guaranteed Gan Eden. Is there a source for this? Thank you Answer: Hello, I also have heard this, but I have no idea if or where the source for this is. Best wishes
Maaser on an investment
Question: Does one need to give maasser on investments when the money stays in the investment to reinvest and not drawn out? Answer: You would give maaser on it after the money is taken out. As long as the money is still invested, it is considered to be part of the same business deal, […]
Benching for children
Question: I saw in the Pischei Teshuva (184) a discussion on how to make benching easier for children. He brings the MGA in the beginning of 192 in the name of the Bach that one can say the first bracha and then another paragraph that basically shortens the rest of benching. Until what age would […]
Non-kosher wine
Question: Someone brought wine to our house that was not kosher. Before we realized it, my wife poured some into a glass. Thankfully, nobody drank it. Since glass does not absorb, can we simply wash the glass with cold water? Answer: Hello, Yes, you can. Best wishes
Medicine on Shabbos and Yom Tov
Question: I am prescribed a medication that has multiple purposes. Originally I was prescribed it to address a skin rash. I then developed another issue that affects my breathing and the same medicine helps to ease breathing. Originally I didn’t take it during Shabbos. May I now take it on Shabbos and Yom Tov? As […]
Women eating before Megilah?
Question: I was wondering what is the correct way for women to do here in 14th Adar Purim, where they fast Taanis Esther and then wait for husbands to return and only then they go to hear the Megilah. Can they break the fast before they hear the Megilah? Before Megilah, even after nighfall, the […]
Missed zachor
Question: I missed parshas Zachor on Shabbos kodesh (this past one) and I missed vayuvei amalek on Purim as well (by mere minutes! ) What should I do? Can someone Lein for me without minyan? Answer: Hello, Make sure to listen when they will read it again in parshas Ki Teitzei. Best wishes Sources: ערוך […]
Muddy Buddies for Dessert
Question: Hi, Would I make a bracha on Muddy Buddies (a snack made of Rice Chex cereal coated in a chocolate- peanut butter mixture) when eating them for dessert by the end of a seuda? Thank you! Answer: The bracha would be the same brahca as when it is not eaten during a meal. […]
Meat on Purim Night
Question: Is there an inyan not to eat meat on Purim night, for example a meat soup, lest one think that it is the Purim meal? Thank you. Answer: Hello, There is no such inyan that I know of. In fact it does say that we should be “marbeh ktas b’seuda” that we should enlarge […]
Davening after Chatzos
Question: My daughter age 16 woke up late after chatzos- what can she daven for shacharis? Answer: Hello, She can say brachos, and Pesukei D’zimra, (and according to some poskim without Baruch Shamar and Yishtabach) daven Shemona Esrei, for Mincha, then say ashrei again and then a second Shemona Esrei as a make-up for […]
Misloach manot questions
Question: Hello Rabbi, A few questions regarding misloach manot: What should be included? Must it go to a Jew? If it must go to a Jew, given that it is food, must it go to someone I know will say a bracha? or would it be ok to send to a less observant Jew? Thank […]
Matanos Levyonim part 2
Question: Question: Hi, is it allowed to put matanos levyonim in a box in shul on taanis esther or Purim night? Thanks Answer: HI, Can you please tell me how it is going to get to the poor person? Essentially we should be making a person a messanger to give the matanos levyonim for us. […]
Ten commandments re-teach:
Question: The ten commandment was taught very rapid throughout my school years. It’d be greatly appreciated if this site can go through 1-10 to get clear understanding. Thank you as always. Answer: Hello, At this current time things are quite busy, and maybe in the future I will have time to do this. For […]
Chodosh
Question: Where can one find out what products are Chodash? Are Stella Dora Cookies which expire April 15, 23 an issue? What about Triscuts that expire July 12, 23? Answer: Hello, Try this link https://yoshon.com/updates-downloads/ Kol Tuv
Aveilus and purim
Question: I’m in the year of aveilus for both my father and mother, may I attend a public(shul) breakfast or Purim seudah? In general should I be more stringent on things as it is a double aveilus? Answer: Hamakom yinachem eschem b’toch shar aveilei Tzion v’Yerushalayim. Regarding the shul breakfast, this sounds like a seudas mere’im, […]
Who gets maftir a chosson by his ufruf ora person that has yarhzeit?
Question: Who gets maftir a chosson by his ufruf or a person that has yarhzeit? Answer: Hello, Before answering your question, it should be noted that both the chosson and the yahrtziet are not a chiyuv to specifically get the maftir. They both should get an aliya, but there is no obligation for any one […]
Oats for challah
Question: The only grain I can properly digest is oats. If I grind oatmeal flakes into a flour and bake it into a loaf, can I make a motzi bracha on it and use it for Shabbat? Thanks, Answer: Hello, Can definitely use it for Hamotzei and for Shabbos meals. Any one of the five […]
Home improvements during Sefira
Question: Can a person make home improvements like painting or buying new furniture during Sefira? Answer: Hello, It is permitted to paint one’s home or do other types of home improvements during sefira, (see sources). Regarding buying new furniture, there is discussion among the poskim regarding saying Shehechiyanu during sefira, and many poskim permit […]
Requesting Payment to a third party
Question: Someone purchased something from me. I have a few thousand dollars in a maaser account, and told them to send me 3 checks for various tzedakas-that way they can get a relax deduction (they asked for it). The customer is late in paying; can I already use the money in my maaser account or […]