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Author Archives: Rabbonim of the Beis Hora'a

Saying Uvinu Makeinu on a fast day

Question: What is the reason that some nusach Sefard shuls don’t say uvinu malkeinu on a fast day?   Answer: This only by Nusach Sefardi, such as Eidot Hamizrach, but not by Chassidim who daven nusach Sefard. The reason they don’t say it, is because saying Aveinu Malkeinu is a minhag, and they don’t have […]

Who was the prophet Jeremiah referencing

Question: Shalom Rabbi As a member of our local Torah/Talmud study group, we came across the following pesukim from Jeremiah 23. We found your site on an internet search engine. In your opinion, who are the prophets referenced that steal Hashem’s words from one another and prophecy with lying dreams. I do hope that Jeremiah […]

Picking nose on Shabbos

Question: Is there a prohibition to pick ones nose on shabbos assuming you won’t cause bleeding? What if often (but not always) the hairs come out as well (unintentionally)?   Answer: Hello, Shulchan Aruch writes regarding a similar case that if hairs will almost definitely come out, it is forbidden (1). Usually though, it would […]

Wearing raincoat with rarely used buttons out of Eiruv

Question: Buttons on the front of a plastic raincoat that are made to close the raincoat but are rarely used. Instead the raincoat is closed with its straps. Are the buttons considered carrying?   Answer: Hello, They are not considered carrying, and one may go out of an eiruv with them. The reason being that […]

Struggle over use of shared spaces

Question: Lichvod HaRav, Our building in Yerushalayim has two groups, spilt roughly in half. Old Timers (15-20yrs +) Newer Tenants and 40% renters Care about Aesthetics and Long Term Condition Care more about convenience Clear entrance/lobby Bikes & Strollers in entrance/lobby Front door closed Front door open No playing in the lobby Yes playing 3 […]

Can you make a siyum if you didn’t concentrate on some parts?

Question: I learn on the phone with a chavrusa while driving home. He reads and I listen. Sometimes after a long day of work my mind is exhausted and I have trouble concentrating, but he keeps reading. I don’t ask to him to repeat since it won’t go anywhere. If I postpone though, we’ll never […]

Do I have to honor a parent’s request to be cremated?

Question: Dear Rabbis, My mother, sadly, is not religious. She is currently in reasonably good health, although she is aging and has some health conditions. Recently, she had a health scare. Thankfully, she has recovered. But when things were looking dicey, as we were talking, she mentioned, again, her strident desire to be cremated. She […]

Accidentally used non-kosher brand of imstant mash; what to do with dishes?

Question: Hello. I typically make instant mashed potatoes from a kosher brand in a certain pot, but mistakenly picked up another brand at the store that lacks a hechsher last week. I only realized this after having made and served the dish a few times with the pot, various plates, and utensils. The listed ingredients […]

Mishanh Shabbes 2:5

Question: In the mishnah of shabbes 2:5 it states: משנה מסכת שבת פרק ב משנה ה המכבה את הנר מפני שהוא מתירא מפני עובדי כוכבים מפני לסטים מפני רוח רעה ואם בשביל (ונ “א מפני) החולה שיישן פטור כחס על הנר כחס על השמן כחס על הפתילה חייב ורבי יוסי פוטר בכולן חוץ מן הפתילה […]

Lighting Chanukah Lights in Chutz La’aretz

Question: Question from Brooklyn, NY: 1) In Eretz Yisroel where they light outdoors, there is a great diligence to light within 20 – 30 minutes after sunset, many light at sunset itself. Does this apply outside of Eretz Yisroel where everyone lights inside? 2) There is a discussion concerning the opinion of the Ritvah, and […]

Drinking water before birkas ha-torah

Question: Can you say shehakol and drink water in the morning before saying birkas ha-torah?   Answer: Thank you for your question. Yes you may say shehakol on the water before birkas hatorah. Birkas Hatorah is a bracha we have to say before learning any Torah. We are however allowed to say various brachos, and […]

Hachnasat Sefer torah during year of Aveilut for a parent

Question: Should one avoid attending an Hachnasat Sefer Torah being given to my shul. Add on point, is there any change to this when wanting to go to take my young boys (8 & 6) to experience the excitement of their first such event.   Answer: Hello, You can take your children there for the […]