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Author Archives: Rabbonim of the Beis Hora'a

Inadvertently stepped on wet paper towel.

Question: Ha Rav, I covered urine on the floor of the Shul toilet with a paper towel . I then inadvertently stepped on the paper towel, was it Chillul Shabbos for S’chitah (squeezing)?   Answer: Hello, In retrospect we will not say that it was chillul Shabbos. Sechita can be one of two melachos, either […]

Can you take Covid antigen test on Shabbos

Question: Hi Rabbi, Can you take a Covid rapid antigen test on Shabbos? What if you are experiencing no symptoms? Mild symptoms? Thank you   Answer: In general we do not take rapid covid tests o Shabbos because the lines of the results are considered roshem, part of meleches kosaiv. If someone has an acute […]

May I tell my boss about a damaging co-worker?

Question: Am I allowed to tell my boss about a coworker who is causing most other employees to leave (some left already) as well as I’m also thinking to leave due to this employee’s bad middos like putting down others, while acting extra nice to the boss so the boss thinks she’s amazing. Basically the […]

Interrupting to say Kaddish, when you are slower than the Minyan.

Question: May one interrupt any part of davening to say kaddish? Or are there specific parts where it would be forbidden to stop?   Answer: Hello, Let’s go through the various parts of davening. During Pesukei D’zimra, essentially one should also not say kaddish. However, the poskim say that a child saying kaddish for a […]

Tallis fell off – new beracha?

Question: Hi, do I make a new beracha if my Tallis falls off during davening to floor? Your site seems to say two conflicting answers? According your answer here do: https://dinonline.org/2021/03/12/mezuza-4/ According to your answer here you don’t: https://dinonline.org/2021/09/12/new-brocha-when-tallis-falls-off/   Answer: Good question. Th Shulchan Aruch 8-15 writes that if one’s tallis falls off that […]

מי שפרע for rental agreement.

Question: Shalom uvracha, We are currently renting an apartment while simultaneously building an apartment. Our contract in the rental was for 1 year with the hope that we would be able to move into our new home by the end of the rental contract. The building process took longer than expected and our landlord asked […]

Interruptions regarding Keriat Shema Al HaMita

Question: Hi Rabbi, I have a couple questions about Keriat Shema Al HaMita: Firstly, is typing an email or text message after reciting Bedtime Shema considered a Hefsek? Also, if one feels that he cannot fall asleep after reciting Bedtime Shema, would it be permitted to take melatonin supplements, even if they are flavored? Thank […]

Does one need separate trivets for meat and milk?

Question: A trivet is a small plate placed under a hot serving dish to protect a table or surface. Can one have only one trivet, and use it interchangeably to place meat or milk pots on it?   Answer:  You should get separate trivets for milk and meat. The reason is because often the bottom […]

Being peaceful around someone who provokes you

Question: Hello Rabbi, There is someone in my life, close to me, that I have to be around a lot. But most of the times we are together we get into a conflict. I don’t know what to call it, we lack chemistry, our energies are not compatible. Everything I say she pokes at and […]

How to name a newborn BOY after Isaiah 54:2-3

Question: I am a beginner in Hebrew. how to NAME a boy after the idea that matches with Isaiah 54:2-3 “GOD HAS ENLARGED MY TENT” ? Could you help please?   Answer: Hi, My apologies, but those verses don’t discuss the topic about God enlarging one’s tent. Nevertheless if you want to give a name […]

Asking a non-Jew to early check in on Shabbos

Question: My wife and I will be flying early Sunday morning, check in opens 24 hours before (on Shabbos). My wife will be quite heavily pregnant and is suffering from it. I would very much like to ensure I can sit next to her to assist her during the flight. If we don’t check in […]

Lying when advertising

Question: Hi, I’m strongly considering a career in copywriting (which involves writing to promote a product or service, generally in the attempt to have people purchase something or sign up for something etc. It can be business to business, or business to customer, such as sales letters). There are times when such materials are clearly […]

Maaser on Mortgage Principal – Periodically or Upon Sale of

Question: Topic: When does Maaser need to be calculated and paid on the portion of a mortgage payment that pays down principal? Supporting Info: When refinancing a mortgage and pulling out some money in the process one does not have to pay Maaser on that money since it is technically a loan that will be […]

טעות עכום for a public company

Question: Hi, I purchased an item from Macy’s, which is a publicly owned company and probably has Jewish shareholders. They accidentally charged me less than the actual price. Do I have to go out of my way to pay it back. Or since it is טעות עכום, can I keep the money? Thank you.   […]

Challah using rice or corn together with one of the five grains

Question: How much rice flour can we use in rye or oats (cereals of the five species) to make challah with less gluten ?   Answer: Hello, Before answering your question, let’s go through the halachos regarding mixing flour of the five grains with other non-grain flour. Any mixture between one if the five grains […]

Ripping kriyah at the kotel on days that we don’t say tachanun

Question: Is there a minhag in Yerushalayim not to rip kriyah on a day that tachnun is not said? If yes, what would be the source?   Answer: Hello, There is controversy if there is such a minhag or not, however even if there would be such a minhag, it is not specifically a minhag […]

“Fasten Your seat belt” procedure in the air plane.

Question: Rabbonim of The Din Online: I have the question. Namely, the following: I was taking a flight from Dortmund to Tel Aviv. And, of course, I was very glad to fasten the seat belt, when needed / when was the time for the air flight security reasons. 1. Should the tussles, The Threads, the […]