Question: Someone previously used salt on meat and the steam rose to the salt shaker. I used this salt on pumpkin which is in a milchig oven. What is the status of the salt and pumpkin? Answer: Both are not considered fleishig. The reason is, that even if a minute amount of smoke touched […]
Author Archives: Rabbonim of the Beis Hora'a
Working Chol Hamoed Sukkot Part 2
Question: I am not sure how to respond to my other post, I was thinking that missing those hours of work and so missing out on the income might be a loss, but now I am realizing, what wouldn’t be considered a loss in that case? I guess the main thing was I feel guilty […]
Eating a fish alive
Question: A gutten, I was just wandering theoretically. Is one allowed to eat a live fish, seeing that it does not require shechita or salting; or is there an issue of אבר מן החי or some other issue? Answer: Hello, Technically the issue of אבר מן החי does not apply to fish or grasshoppers, […]
Ilui Neshama
Question: It has always been my understanding that Kaddish is recited for Ilui Neshama of the niftar, and that only the recital of Kaddish will serve this purpose. Now I have been asked if donating a number of siddurim to a bet knesset in the name of the niftar will also contribute to his ilui […]
Yichud in a room with a window
Question: Hello Rabbi would it constitute yichud to be in a woman doctor’s office with a closed door, if the office has a window but it is located on a sixth floor? Thank you very much Answer: Hello, Without getting into the fact that someone might be able to come in through the door […]
Absolving sin giving sacrificial meat gifts to Kohanim?
Question: This article, “The Priestly Gifts: The Foreleg, Checks, and Abomasiem,” is in error. Deuteronomy 18:3 says, “This then shall be the priests’ due from the people: Everyone who offers a sacrifice, whether an ox or a sheep, must give the shoulder, the cheeks, and the stomach to the priest.” This gives evidence that this […]
Tidbyt on Shabbos
Question: Is it permissible to use a Tidbyt on Shabbos? A Tidbyt is a screen in which you can see things such as weather, and sport scores at a glance. It changes automatically without being touched but updates automatically on Shabbos. Is this permissible? Thanks Answer: Hello, Although you are not actually doing anything […]
Foods during the High Holidays
Question: Hello Rabbi, from when to when are the following often not eaten: nuts, peanutbutter, vinegar and other spicy/sour foods? Just Rosh Hashanah? ThroughYom Kippur?Through Sukkot?And are things like hummus (often has vinegar), and colw slaw (same but ends up sweet) permitted anytime? Thank you. Answer: Thank you for your question. Before getting to […]
Ribis shaila
Question: Is there a ribis issue with the contract paragraph below? (b) At the time of execution of this Agreement, Buyer shall deposit with the Title Company (as defined herein) (“Escrow Holder”) the amount of $406,250 (including any interest thereon, the “Deposit”). The parties hereto direct Escrow Holder to place the Deposit in escrow in […]
Can one visit the cemetery on Erev Yom Tov?
Question: Can one visit the cemetery on Erev Yom Tov? Answer: Hi In general, yes, one may visit a cemetery on erev Yom Tov. On erev Rosh Hashana and erev Yom Kippur there were places that had the minhag specifically go to the cemetery to daven then. There are those who say that when […]
Davening at home on Rosh Hashanah?
Question: Is it OK to continue davening at home on Rosh Hashanah this year? I am asking on behalf of a man who 1) is EXTREMELY fearful of catching Covid and 2) WILL have access to hearing shofar even if he stays at home. Answer: Hello, It is hard to answer you on this […]
Eating Before Kiddush Shabbos Morning for a Woman
Question: What is the halacha for a woman who doesn’t go to shul Shabbos Morning? May she eat without kiddush when she gets up and then daven or is the correct halacha to first say a shevach, bakasha, hodaah, make kiddush, and then daven the full davening? Answer: Hello, The halachos of eating on […]
The status of G-d forbid
Question: Is it a sin to use the phrase “G-d forbid” in vain? If one does, how should one do teshuva for it? Answer: Hello, There is controversy among the poskim if it is permitted to say the word G-d in English or not. Some poskim[1] hold that it is considered like saying Hashem’s name, […]
Fleshig mug washed in milchig dishwasher; followup question in response to your reply on 09/08/22
Question: My followup question is: I would like to know the exact status of the mug. In answer to the “question” in the website reply which is copied below, the dishwasher is a Kitchen Aid with a stainless steel interior and racks that are plastic or epoxy coated (the “usual” racks, not stainless steel) and […]
Can you get married just before Sukkot starts?
Question: Can you get married just before Sukkot starts? I mean, having the wedding during the day on Oct 9, since Sukkot starts in the evening. Answer: Mazal Tov, If the wedding and wedding meal will be in the morning of erev Yom Tov then it is permitted. The wedding meal should not be […]
Saying names at Yizkor
Question: Dear Rabbi When saying Yizkor for grandparents, can one say multiple names during the same prayer or does one need to say each individual in a separate prayer. For example, one saying for females, can one mention both grandmothers together or should one start again from the word ‘yizkor’ for each grandparent? Answer: […]
Tachanun with the minyan
Question: Hi What do I do as a person who davens ashkenaz when I am in a Sefardi shul for tachanun? Should I do what they doing? Or what my Minhag is? If I do what my minhag is should I say the י״ג מידות with them?? Answer: R’ S. >Z Auerbach zt”l said […]
Taking pet birds in and out of the cage on Shabbos
Question: Is it permitted for children to take their pet birds in and out of the cage on Shabbos or is there an issue with muktzah and/or trapping when closing the cage? Answer: Hello, You are asking a good question. We are not allowed[1] to touch the birds on Shabbos because of muktza. Regarding closing […]
Fleishig mug washed in milchig dishwasher
Question: When emptying the milchig dishwasher, I found a ceramic mug that I keep with fleishig dishes, that is used to drink tea or pareve coffee after fleishig meals, when the person drinking it is “still fleishig”. It is possible, but not common, that actual fleishig food or soup ever got into that mug, but […]
Lavender or rosemary that grows on the sides of the path near the park
Question: Can I pick from these 2 plants as they are public property that I pay arnona for and they grow a lot so it is not as if it is being used up. Second, during shmitta … Answer: Paying arnona means that you paid the taxes due so that there will be light […]
Hachana on shabbos
Question: I used someones apartment for Shabbos. Is it permissible to move things that were pushed out of place or utilized — to put them back Shabbos afternoon, so as to make it easier or not to forget after Shabbos. Putting a cup back in the specific place it was found or putting books back […]
Selling chametz
Question: If one is certain that he has disposed of all chametz in his possesion, does he still have to participate in the sale of chametz with his Rav I believe the Mishna Berura and Aruch Hashulchan differ on this Answer: Hello, Although it can be argued that if the person is sure that […]
Unclothed daughter
Question: Until what age is a father permitted to see his daughter unclothed? Please provide the relevant source(s). Thank you. Answer: Hello, Without getting into any hashkafa issues, from a strict halachic perspective, a father may see his young daughter even in covered places when she is still small. This applies until age 11 […]
Upper side panels for sukkah
Question: I want to keep the schach from blowing off the sukkah, so is it permitted to add small plastic panels to the tops of the walls, that would surround the schach and effectively keep the schach from moving? Answer: Hello, Yes this is permitted. The pieces are not supporting the schach, but are […]
correcting someone else
Question: B”H Kavod haRav, Thank you for your help. If a group of teachers have a paper document with each of their phone numbers and email addresses listed, and one of the people listed on the document notices that their contact information is not correct, may they tell the other teachers of the error, or […]
Fruit cup Bracha
Question: What bracha to make on a fruit cup? It comes in a sealed container with fruit and juice Answer: Hello, The bracha will be determined by which type of bracha has the majority[1] of the fruit. For example, if the fruit salad is made of 1/5 peaches, 1/5 pears, 1/5 apples, (all hoetz), 1/5 […]
Bracha by animal waste
Question: Hi, I am aware that not all animal waste has a bad enough smell to be considered “reach ra” to the extent that on cannot say a bracha next to it. Is bunny waste a problem? (To me it smells quite bad). And if it isn’t is there a problem if I can actually […]
Kashering on Pesach
Question: Can one kasher something that needs libun, by using a self-clean oven which reaches a very high temperature? When something is determined to need hagala , but this is not possible because of the large size of the object, can one use the self-clean oven? Answer: Hello, According to a number of poskim, […]
Skirt found in camp
Question: I was packing up to go home from camp and was going through my closet that I shared with two counselors and found a skirt. The skirt did not have a label on it and it was not my size, but it fit me. I asked everyone in the room assuming it was not […]
Starting Shemona Esrei Late
Question: If the minyan started Shemona Esray already and I’m behind can I start my own Shemonei Esray when I catch up even though the minyan is still in middle of their own? Answer: Hello, It depends how behind the minyan you are. If there is enough time for you to daven Shemona Esrei and […]
Working on Motzei Shabbos
Question: Hi, I read somewhere that there is no siman bracha for (specifically woman?) Doing work on Motzei Shabbos (parnassa job work.) Can you please verify if this is correct as I have absolutely no interest in working if there is no siman bracha yet sometimes Motzei Shabbos can be a good time for me […]
Keriah at the Kotel
Question: I own an apartment in Yerushalayim and have lived there for the past 10 years. Officially, I am still a resident of Jerusalem, but have rented out my apartment and I now live in Bet Shemesh. Again, I own the Jerusalem apartment. Must I do Keriah when visiting the Kotel, having not visited the […]
Vaad abyit
Question: I was in a building for two years right away we paid vaad abyit for the first three months and I told him to put us on horaat keva which he never did. I went back a few times and then forgot about it totally. Now it’s four years later and he sent me […]
What is on time payment for employees
Question: It is the industry standard at least in the construction field that payday is on Friday for the week ending the previous Friday. Is this considered paying on time? Answer: Hello, There are two parts to the mitzva of paying workers on time, there is the positive commandment to pay them the day, […]
Brother’s fiancée halachic status
Question: B”H Dear Rabbi, I am writing you regarding a difficult extended family situation. My brother just got engaged to his girlfriend of 3 years. They have lived together for 1.5 years. I live in a different country, so because of Covid, I only got to meet her this summer. I was told that her […]
Possible dairy in meat dishwasher
Question: I think my son ate his pizza on a Fleishig plate. That plate was washed in the fleishig dishwasher with a lot of other fleishig dishes. What is the status of the dishes there? And the dishwasher? Answer: Hi, In retrospect, the dishwasher and the dishes are still kosher. Regarding the dishwasher, the […]
Deducting mortgage payments before maaser due to working from home
Question: I understand that one can deduct expenses from their maaser obligation if those expenses are needed to be able to bring in the income e.g. travelling, internet, rent of an office etc. However, I work from home 100% of the time. So does that mean I can deduct my mortgage payments or at least […]
Single girl davening
Question: Davening is very hard for me and I don’t typically daven. #1 am I being over an isser each day? #2 throughout the day I thank Hashem and ask Hashem for things and notice the hashgacha in my day (shevach, bakasha, and hoda’ah) is that enough? Answer: Hello, It is unfortunate that davening […]
ribbis?
Question: B”H Kavod haRav, Thank you for your help. I was in a store in the checkout line and noticed a tzedeka box. I went into my purse to get a quarter to donate. A person near me said something regarding the fact that it would help them to have quarters. I went to give […]
PRUZBOL QUESTION
Question: I received a PRUZBOL 7 years ago for a loan that is still owed me presently, do I need a new Prozbol now for that same loan from 7 years ago? Answer: Hello, Since you already made pruzbul for this debt, according to most poskim there is no need to make another one […]
Downpayment/ Yoshor Vtov
Question: BH I was asked by a community member the following shailo: A number of years ago he gave a down payment to a frum person who was selling his home. He signed a contract that if the deal fails, he loses the down payment. It turned out, that the deal failed since the banks […]
Tzedaka when moving neighborhoods
Question: Hi, I am moving neighborhoods in Jerusalem. If I will still visit every day the neighborhood in which I used to live, when do my tzdaka priorities change? Thanks in advance! Answer: Essentially you live in your new neighborhood, and not in your old one, therefore the preference for giving tzedakah would be […]
Meat in Milchig Microwave
Question: Hi, I accidentally put a hamburger and bun in a milchig microwave that wasn’t used in the last 24 hours for 30 seconds. What is the status of the hamburger and microwave? Thank you! Answer: Hello, Regarding the microwave, it needs hagala, just like any milchig pot that you mistakenly cooked fleishig inside […]
Niddah
Question: I am curious, it seems that immoral sexual behaviors that are associated with Karet also receive the death penalty. Why is it that relations with a niddah receives Karet but no death penalty? This seems to be an exception. Answer: Hello, You are correct in your observation. Although having relations with a nida […]
Maaser/Wealth
Question: Hi Rabbi , I know that someone who has debts he is exempted from giving Maaser (not Tzedaka) because he has to pay first his debts, but if he doesn’t give maaser how will he receive the blessing to become wealthier? Shouldn’t he give maaser even though he has debts in order to become […]
Mishna Berurah Siman 639 – end of s`k 15
Question: The MB seems to be saying that there is no need “whatsoever” to be stringent and eat meat and fish (impromtu) in the sukkah. How does that fit with the words of the Shulchan Aruch (ibid.) that it is praiseworthy to refrain even from drinking water outside of the Sukkah? Answer: What the […]
PRUZBOL
Question: I live in the USA, can I procure a Pruzbol through your Bait Din in Israel? And how can I get it done? Give me details and a phone number. Thank you Answer: Hello, IY”H in the near future the site will have a pruzbul form for everyone to fill out. Best wishes […]
Sticker on back of Mezuzah
Question: Hi. Is it ok to leave the sticker that says the Mezuzah was computer checked on the back of the Klaf? Or is it like extra words in the Mezuzah and it would be Pasul? Please provide sources. Thank you Answer: Hello, The sticker on the back should l’chatchila be taken off. It […]
Using itch relief spray on Shabbos
Question: Can one use an itch relief spray on Shabbos? Answer: Hello, Using a spray on Shabbos to provide relief of itching, depends on the reason of the itch, and its severity. Usually when something itches, it will only be considered a minor ache, in which case we don’t take any medications or remedies […]
Date of aliyah of Yehoshua bin Nun im Bnei Yisroel
Question: Shalom u’bvrakhah. The shomronim seem to put the 1st aliyah of kol am yisroel at the 1. of elul marking start of their year counting nowadays. For us the forty days of repentance start. Personally, I suspect, that the 1. of tishri could be the date of the fabrication the the egel zahav of […]