Question: Hello, Do disposable cups(e.g. to heat soup in a microwave or for cold food or drinks) require kosher certification (not for Passover)? I used to see Chinet or Dixie cups with an OU but cannot find them anymore. Thank you Answer: As far as I know, they do not need special kosher certification for […]
Author Archives: Rabbonim of the Beis Hora'a
Jewish rap
Question: Can I listen to rap if it has Jewish words, but it’s based on a real goyish tune? Answer: You are asking an important question. Music has a profound effect on people, and it has a unique way of effecting our soul. Children, even from the youngest of ages will be calmed by music, […]
Moving a burial after internment for 40 years?
Question: My wife was nifter in 2017. After placing a matzayva a year after, I noticed the grave behind her was someone I worked with and knew had serious mental issues and attempts at suicide. I actually visited this person when she was admitted to a mental hospital. On a later visit, I noticed that […]
Tefilla Btzibbur and Rechilus
Question: I attend a shul where there is a small minyan, often only ten people. It is very important to me that all ten should be davening in order to have tefilla btzibbur (MB 90:28). One of the people there was specifically asked by the gabbai not to daven elsewhere before coming. However, he didn’t […]
Clay Oven(tin/cheres)
Question: BS”D Shalom, I have plans to make a clay oven in my house, in which it will be closed, the pots will not have direct contact with it, they will be on another surface inside the oven, in which case I can make a pizza in it or milk products and then kasher it […]
Free will in Tenach
Question: The Torah tells us to choose life and the prophets often tell us to do Teshuvah. This seems to be implicitly saying we have free will. Is there anywhere in Tenach which explicitly talks about free will and it’s limits. The Rishonim talk a lot about G-d hardening Pharaoh’s heart. However, there are other […]
Forgiveness of Debt
Question: I am trying to be the peacemaker between two very angry people over a $500,000 loan. In a fit of anger, the malveh said “I’m writing the whole thing off” which the loveh took as forgiveness. It was never the intent but the malveh agrees he said it. If the case goes to bet […]
Is strainer now treif?
Question: Pasta cooked in clean dairy pot – not sure how long since used for dairy – and was accidentally poured through clean meat strainer – is strainer now treif? Answer: In retrospect, the strainer can still be used and it isnt treif. This is because the dairy taste in the pasta was nat bar […]
Passover story passage question
Question: Rabbi, in the Passover story, what does this passage mean: “Throughout all Egypt, the dust turned into lice. But when the magicians tried to produce lice by their secret arts, they could not.” Could the magicians not prodice lice, because only Hashem can create or take away life? Answer: True, but more specifically because […]
Zocher for Women
Question: Should there be a minyan of men when doing an additional reading of zocher for women after mincha gedola on shabbos afternoon? Thank you and Tizku limitzvos Answer: It is controversial if women should hear parsha zochor without a minyan or not. According to some poskim women should hear Parshas Zochor with a minyan […]
Credit card points
Question: B”H Kavod HaRav, Is there anything problematic with using credit card points toward paying the credit card bill? Thank you Answer: It is permitted, wthout an issue. They are giving you a present for the purchases that you made on thier card and providing them with business. Enjoy
A Jewish quote
Question: Hello rabbi, where does this quote come from? Is it from the Passover Haggadah or Purim? “In each and every generation they rise up against us to destroy us. And the Holy One, blessed be He, rescues us from their hands.” Answer: It is in the Passovre Hagaddah. Have a good day
Seeing clients on the night of Purim
Question: If one sees clients until 5:30 or even a little after on Thursdays, is is permitted when Thursday night is the start of Purim? (Sundown in the area is 5:30) or is work not allowed? Answer: Thank you for your question. Seeing clients at the start of Purim involves two issues. The first one […]
Shlomo building the 1st Temple
Question: Akeidas Yitzchak 50 asks why Shlomo was allowed to build the Temple when he worshipped idols and was compared unfavourably with his father. He answers by saying that G-d was referring to the Moshiach ben David not Shlomo who would build the Temple. G-d never instructed Shlomo to build the Temple, but allowed him […]
Vaccines
Question: I live in Israel and there has been talk of sanctioning those who have not received the Corona vaccine. Without going into the obligation to get vaccinated, can one who does not want to get vaccinated (either because he had corona, but wasn’t tested, or simply because he is scared to take it) have […]
Why does everyone learn arvei pesachim with the Rashbam, why not Rashi?
Question: Why does everyone learn arvei pesachim with the rashbam, why not rashi? Answer: From what I have seen, the reason for this is because Rashi on Arvei Pesachim is a very concise commentary of what Rashi heard from his Rebbi R”I ben Yakar. (See Rashbam Pesachim 109: D”H Dhainu). The Rashbam is based on […]
Tzadkim with multiple wives
Question: How can we relate to the fact that Klal Yisroel’s greatest had more than one wife? Our understanding of marriage and kedusha is based on total oneness and total exclusivity. Every description that we hear about marriage has that at its core: Adam & Chava, the kruvim, the oneness of our relationship with Hashem […]
Discarding MEZUZAH case
Question: If a mezuzah case is used for a mezuzah which is wrapped in wax paper, and one wants to discard the mezuzah case. How should the mezuzah case be discarded? Remember the mezuzah case here is not protecting the mezuzah, the mezuzah is wrapped in wax paper and the case is covering that? […]
Washing when eating mezonos
Question: Hello, I am new to washing halacha and was wondering whether one would wash for the following: Oatmeal Gluten free cake/cookies/bread (assuming one eats enough to qualify as a “meal’s worth–even if just cake). Granola bars Thank you very much Answer: Under the assumption that you mean oatmeal in a bowl, we do not […]
Buying clothes for SHABBOS
Question: Is buying new clothes for SHABBOS/YOM TOV included in the EXPENSES that are not deducted from ones income set from ROSH HASHANA just like food? Answer: Yes, buting clothing for Shabbos is no less of a Shabbos expense then buying food. Best wishes
CLEAR MEZUZAH CASE
Question: Should a person specifically seek out clear MEZUZAH CASES LACHACHILLA so that the MEZUZAH can be seen? Is a regular mezuzah case which is not clear also lchatchilla? What is the better way LACHATCHILLA? Answer: Please see the following post, which discusses a similar question. https://dinonline.org/2020/09/02/clear-mezuzha-case/ Thanks Sources:
Is microblading and micro shaping allowed
Question: I was reading a Jewish weekly magazine this past shabbos and saw an ad for microblading for eyebrows. I was surprised to see this since from my understanding microblading is in essence a form of tattooing and I understood that it’s not allowed al-pi-Halacha. I would appreciate a psak if this is allowed and […]
Mikveh
Question: Can a woman go to the mikveh with hair extensions meant to stay there for a long time, in a permanent manner, the hair being glued with keratin. If the question is why she has extensions, then, perhaps because her hair is damaged or too thin. Or, even if she doesn’t cover her hair […]
Milky plastic utensil for hot soup
Question: My son served up hot chicken soup with a milky plastic ladle. Can the ladle still be used? Answer: Thank you for your question. The ladle should not be used, because now it contains both milky and meaty taste. Aplastic ladle can not be koshered, therefore you don’t have much of a choice but […]
Posting music online
Question: A couple of years ago when I was a teenager, i posted a couple of new jewish music albums online. They were removed after about a week. I feel very bad about this. What am I obligated to do? Am I chayav to pay? Answer: Although what was done was incorrect, you do not […]
האם לתת את מחצית השקל למוסדות או לעניים ?
שלום רב, מה שאתה אומר יש בזה הגיון, אמנם המנהג הוא לתת המחצית השקל לצדקה (ע’ שערי תשובה ס’ תרצ”ד סק”ב). אגב יש מעלה לתת צדקה להחזקת התורה, ולעניים לומדי תורה, ע’ יו”ד רנ”א סע’ ט”ז, וחכמ”א ס’ קמ”ה סע’ ז’). פורים שמח
Crumbs from Cookies
Question: Do crumbs from cookies, crackers, cake or oatmeal have the same status as crumbs from bread and need to be treated respectfully? Answer: Crumbs of cookies etc., should be treated respectfully like crumbs of bread. Best wishes Sources: Piskei Teshuvos 180-4.
Cooking food in oven together with chicken gravy
Question: Hi What is the status of food cooked in the oven at the same time as an open meat dish with gravy. I cooked a crumble at the same time as my chicken in gravy was baking in the oven uncovered. Is the crumble now fleishik? if I eat the crumble do I need […]
Hilchos Losh and Melaben
Question: Hi, I have a few questions regarding Losh. Is mixing spices into mayonnaise considered losh? According to the opinion of R’ Moshe Feinstein that mixing two things with the same texture is not considered Losh, is Chrayne and Mayonnaise considered the same texture? What about a liquid into mayonnaise such as lemon juice, since […]
Halacha
Question: I asked you a question about taking audio off of you tube and you answered privately asking for more info about the audio. It’s a CD called “the purim story made by kirsch and greenwald. And its available online (as is most audio). I don’t know if people know that they can get this […]
Drinking coffee in middle of shachris. Selling shiur downloads
Question: I have seen people in Shul drinking coffee during the entire shachris. Is this okay? I assume they made a brocha before and have no health issues. Also, I see some rabbis sell digital downloads of lectures given many years ago in public. I learned that one is supposed to teach Torah for free, […]
Reiki
Question: Hi, Is it permissible to have Reiki done on me? The reason I’m interested in trying it is because I’ve suffered from depression for many years and have been in traditional therapy throughout. Although I am doing significantly better and function well daily, I still suffer. I’ve tried almost every type of mental health […]
Asking a goy to move muktzeh
Question: If a mailman leaves a package outside my house, is it permissible to ask him to pick it back up and put it inside my house ? (I live in an eruv) Answer: The poskim say that it is permitted to ask the mailman to move the muktza only if we would technically be […]
Ona’ah
Question: I understand that אונאה is אוסר once it hits a sixth, I just cannot seem to find where we get this amount from? Answer: The idea of a sixth in brought in Shulchan Aruch CH:M 227-2 from the Rosh B:M 4-20, that chazal said that if the ona’ah is less than a sixth the […]
frozen food
Question: hello, Some fruits have bug warnings–like blueberries this past summer. Are frozen certified berries still ok? frozen blueberry blintzes? Answer: Berries that indeed have infestation issues need a reliable certification even when sold frozen, in order to ensure that the washing was done correctly. Regarding frozen blintzes, they need to have a reliablecertification, which […]
Thermos on SHABBOS
Question: Can a person use a thermos that was filled with a hot beverage before SHABBOS on Shabbos lchatchila? Is there a difference between SFARDIM and ASHKANAZIM in this regard? Should a person be strict? Answer: Pouring water into a thermos before Shabbos is not an issue at all, according to all poskim. The reason […]
TESHUVA with VIDUI ON SHABBOS
Question: Can a person do TESHUVA with VIDUI/ just CHATATI (I have sinned) on SHABBOS/ YOM TOV? On SHABBOS we don’t do TACHNUNIM, ect.Or is it preferable just to do TSHUVA without VIDUI or CHATATI? Answer: We do not say viduy on Shabbos at all. IN fact the poskim say that we do’t say viduy […]
Measuring on Shabbat
Question: Hello, I know it is not allowed to measure on Shabbat. If one wants to get a general idea of quantity to try to not to have too much, is it acceptable to first to put it into a cup to get the rough amount (e.g. 8 oz) before putting it on the plate […]
inheritance
Question: I was holding money for my brother that our father left to both of us. The account was only in my name. I am not sure if he told his family about this money. My brother died suddenly. We had never discussed what to do in the event of his passing before me. What […]
CLEANING WITH A DAMP PAPER TOWEL ON SHABBOS
Question: What is the best method to clean a plastic table cloth cover on sHABBOS with water? Can a slightly moisten paper towel be used or regular moisten towel? Answer: The best way to clean a plastic tablecloth on shabbos would be to spill some water on the plastic, rub the spots lightly to dislodge […]
Silly putty on Shabbos
Question: Is one allowed to play with silly putty on Shabbos Answer: We don’t play with silly putty on Shabbos as it involve smoothing the putty and is included in meleches memachek. Best wishes
Milk frother
Question: Question: 1) Hi how does one toivel a Nespresso Aeroccino 3 milk frother? If I submerge the whole cup the electric bottom will for sure break… 2) is there such an eitza to do teviela in the snow? If yes please give instructions how to do it properly. 3) is another eitza is to […]
Divorce and goyim
Question: Considering that non-jews must abide by the 7 laws of Noach, including sexual immorality, at what point is a goy considered married ? At what point is he considered divorced ? Can a goy have many wives ? Answer: There is some controversy about this. However the two non-Jews would surely be considered […]
Mezuzah on unroofed balcony
Question: I have an unroofed large balcony on my upper floor with a single doorway. Is a mezuzah needed, and if so, on which side of the doorway should it be placed? Answer: In general, if the doorway has two doorposts and a lintel it would need a mezuza, If you can send us a […]
Bugs flying around fruit
Question: If a bug is flying around fruit in a grocery store and even lands on it, is the fruit okay to eat after washing and peeling it? (e.g., an orange)? Answer: If that is all it did then yes, washing or peeling would suffice, however you should also determin that the flies didn’t make […]
Product sold as Kasher for Pesach when it wasn’t
Question: Lichvod Harav Fleishman, We ordered a carton of meat from a meat sale on Chanukah. The meat was advertised as כשר לפסח. We purchased such a large amount (250 Shekel) specifically for פסח, as we do not make meat except on Yom Tov, generally. When it arrived, we searched well but could find any […]
Shabbos Food while traveling
Question: Hi Rabbi, My mother and I will be traveling to a Caribbean island for a week that for the most part lacks a Jewish community, and we will be there for Shabbos as well. My mother is not as concerned with Kashrut as I am, and while due to circumstances I eat vegetarian food […]
Holes in socks
Question: Someone told me to throw out any socks with holes in them. Is this a superstition or halacha? Answer: This is something that I have never heard of. Additionally, it is not the accepted thing that Klal Yisroel is careful about, therefore you should not worry about it. For practical reasons you might want […]
Doctor appointment on Chol Hamoed
Question: Hello, Which days are chol hoamoed in 2021? Is it permitted to have a (non emergency–just a physical) doctor’s appointment during that time? Answer: Chol Hamoed in chutz la’aretz will be from March 29- April 4. It is permitted to schedule a doctors appointment because there is no melacha involved the actual appointment. May […]
Speaking Loshon Horah about a non yiras Shamayim
Question: Gut vog, In Sefer “Chofetz Chaim” perek 4, halacha 7, the Chofetz Chaim says that “if a person has no yiras shamayim and is consistently on the wrong path (e.g. a non frum person), it is permitted to speak lashon hara about them.” The Chofetz Chaim continues: “this halacha is relevant to a sinner […]