Question: If one is a Kohen or a Levi, and the only one in the shul avaliable to receive an Aliya, but needs to use the restroom but is excessively uncomfortable doing so in the shul, what should one do? Accept the Aliya without a bracha? Thank you very much Answer: It depends on how […]
Author Archives: Rabbonim of the Beis Hora'a
Sending tablecloths to the cleaners to be done on Shabbos
Question: When doing a catering job on Shabbos can the goy give in the tablecloths to the laundry Friday night to have them cleaned for Shabbos morning if there are no clean tablecloths for Shabbos morning? Answer: The gentile can not do melacha especially a d’orayso, for you on shabbos. Additionally you will not be […]
Does a woman strengthen her emunah from learning about emunah?
Question: Dearest Rabbi: Is it beneficial for a woman to study about emunah and bitachon, to help strengthen her emunah and bitachon? Answer: Definitely! Not only is it beneficial, it is imperative for all men and women to constantly strengthen their emunah and bitachon, especially in these trying times. Best wishes
Cluster of grapes on Shabbos
Question: If a person has a cluster of grapes intact with stems. Can they be eaten normally? What is the best way to eat on Shabbos? Answer: They may be washed off right before eating but not soaked in water, They can then be plucked off the stems before eating then without a problem. Removing […]
Giving non-kosher to a goy
Question: I accidentally purchased non kosher yogurt, can I give this to my neighbor who is a non-Jew? Would it violate the issur of hana’ah? Answer: It is permitted to benefit from non kosher food, as long as we are not doing business with it on a permanent basis. Therefore you are allowed to give it […]
Daven A Second תפילה after donating a kidney
Question: Lechvod Harav, I donated a kidney. The surgery was in late afternoon. In the morning when I davened שחרות I did not remember that I did not daven מעריב. I few days later I realized that I didn’t daven מעריב and was very aggravated because I could have davened two שמונה עשרה for תשלומין. […]
Can I use maaser money to take a course on how to check shatnez?
Question: Can i use maaser money to take a course on how to check shatnez? Thanks Answer: In general, we don’t use ma’aser money to do personal mitzvos, a person’s learning torah is considered his personal mitzva, therefore maser money should not be used to learn how to shatnez test. Additionally, if he course is […]
Household help and utensils
Question: I have a non-Jewish lady who helps me around the house. She has been instructed to keep the meat and dairy separate and usually does so. Recently, I found meat utensils (which she had washed) in the dairy drawer and vise versa. What is the status of these utensils? In general, how can we […]
Hilchos Avodah Zara 2:5 explanation
Question: I read in Hilchos Avodah Zara that for one who claims there is no punishment for transgressing the Torah, it is forbidden to talk to them or answer them. If I am a gentile in the process of Geirus, and I believe my father to fall into this category, would this apply here? He […]
Inadvertently ate cold chicken and then drank coffee
Question: Inadvertently ate cold chicken and then drank hot coffee. Is the coffee cup treif Answer: The coffee cup is not trief, but it should be washed off with water that is not hot and soap. This is because the cup might have residue from the chicken on your mouth. Best wishes
When catering an affair if there’s no eruv can the goyim take out the garbage?
Question: When catering an affair if there’s no eruv can the goyim take out the garbage? Answer: They should not be asked to take out the garbage, because it involves an issur d’rabonon, and a hired waiter is considered a sechir yom, (a hired worker) and not a kablan (a contractor) who can choose to […]
Bank deposited money in my account
Question: Hi I live in Israel and a while back one of the big Israeli banks where I use the ATM often deposited money in my US account, not much like $350 but I have no idea why. It could have been legitimate or a mistake I have no idea. I asked the American bank […]
Cold dairy item on cold meat plate
Question: If a cold dairy item touches a cold, clean and empty meat plate, is the dairy item ok to consume? And is the meat plate still a meat plate ANOTHER Q PLS If we use cloth napkins with a meat meal, and then wash them in a washer.dryer, can the clean cloth napkins ok […]
Eating meat
Question: Shalom, is there anything mentioned in the halakha or talmud that limits us how much we can eat meat? Answer: I am not aware of such a limitation. Best wishes
Food left uncovered overnight
Question: B”H Thank you for your help. Regarding cookies left uncovered overnight near someone sleeping- may they be eaten or is it like peeled egg and should be discarded? Thank you Answer: The fact that they were uncovered is not a problem, as this issue only applies to onions, garlic and eggs. If the cookies […]
Dropping off clothes at the cleaners on Friday
Question: Can a person drop off clothes to non-jewish cleaners on Friday that will be ready the following week ie Monday or Wed LECHOTHILLA? Can it be right before Sunset or much earlier on Friday? PLEASE LICHITCHILLA. Answer: It is permitted l’chatchila to drop off a suit at the dry cleaners, so that it will […]
Kashering counter tops and sinks
Question: I have read on this website that one may kasher a sink or countertop. However, the reality is that it is impossible to pour hot water over all of the counter top or sink. Counter tops have backsplashes which cover the back inch. The lip of many sinks, as with granite countertops, are under […]
copying kitchen cabinets
Question: A relative of mine had a playroom cabinet with a variety of draws, cupboards and open areas incorporated in it, designed by a yidishe interior designer. If I like it and want to a carpenter to make me the same, can I take down the measurments of it and design etc and get him […]
Can I use this hotplate on Shabbos?
Question: Dear Rabbi: It has no control knobs except for On & Off. “Turn up the temperature of the portable hot plate to 203F, keeping food warm, not burnt.” Answer: If it indeed doesn’t have adjustable settings, you can use it on Shabbos without any issues of shehiya. Best wishes Sources:
cold milk in meat pot
Question: Cold milk was sitting in the fridge in a meat pot for more than 24 hours may i use the milk and do i need to kasher the pot? Answer: The milk can be used, because the pot was not used within 24 hours of it’s absorbing the milk, ( which happens after the […]
Calling police on jew
Question: Kavod Harav I love in artzot habrit America- I live in a dead end street where only residents may park. However at the end of the block is an old couple whose children come to visit them and park in middle of the street blocking all that are parked on the street making us […]
May retzuos of tefillin touch the ground?
Question: I would think that retzuos cannot touch the ground since they are tashmishei kedusha. But I see nearly everyone not being careful about this. The only source I can find that mentions the issue is the Kaf HaChaim who says it is no problem. Please clarify. Answer: From what I have seen it seems […]
Shoes that are similar style for both gender
Question: B”H Thank you for your help. Regarding men and women not wearing clothing and shoes for the opposite gender: There is a pair of women’s sneakers (they are noted for women with women’s sizing), however they have similar design details to the mens styles from that brand. Would it be ok to wear this […]
bathroom during learning
Question: Hi! I was in the middle of learning with my chavrusa and needed the bathroom badly (gedolim, not ketanim). The bathroom in that beis medresh is tiny and was full. In the future if this happens, am I obligated to stand there waiting or is there a heter to continue learning until the bathroom […]
Hoshen Mishpat
Question: The first Siman in Choshen Mishpat, what cases do Batei dinim judge today? For example, if my dog (assume i didn’t guard it properly) bites and kills my neighbour’s cat, and it is an expensive cat, would Bais Din judge this today and aware money to my neighbour? Answer: Bais din would officially give […]
Brocha Achrona when drinking from a straw
Question: Does one make a brocha achrona when drinking from a water fountain? When drinking from a straw? Does it make a difference if the person drinks a lot at one time, and may arguably be a revi’is in one gulp? Answer: The amount of time for drinking liquids to make bracha achrona is controversial. […]
Have you ever heard that Hashem led Avraham Avinu with a cloud during the day and a fire a night?
Question: Did you ever hear that in Parshas Lech Lecha when Hashem told Avraham Avinu to go to Eretz Yisroel, Hashem led Avraham with a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night? I heard this on shabbos and it sounded interesting but don’t know where it’s from. The only thing I […]
Sechar Shabbos with a waiter
Question: Is it a problem to hire waiters for Shabbos since its schar yom? Answer: Thank you for your question. Hiring the waiters is not the problem, the problem is that a Jewish waiter is not allowed to accept payment for Shabbos services. This is known as sechar Shabbos. What is usually done when hiring […]
Genaivas Daas in Office
Question: My office is right next to a different employee. Although I am not trying to listen in, I often hear his phone conversations, being that we are so close to each other. Am I obligated to try to ensure that I don’t hear him (play music or wear earplugs etc.) or if he wanted […]
Gentile manager at simcha on Shabbos
Question: When the manager of the catering job is a goy can he do what he feels is needed to make sure the simcha runs perfect even it means doing things which are forbidden to do on shabbos? Answer: The manager may do whatever he likes… for him it isn’t Shabbos. The issue is that the […]
amira lakum for shabbos meal
Question: Although we said goyim can not bring anything for the meal on shabbos how about if they are items which are essential to the meal like bulkies, grape juice, or even essential foods like gefilte fish, cholent or even chicken. Answer: All of the examples that you wrote are considered essential to the […]
Lights that need to be turned on for a simcha
Question: If the simcha will be ruined because items are missing or the warmer was switched off or the light are off and the bal simcha be embarrassed shouldn’t we apply the klal of shvus dshvus bmokom kovod habrius thus being more lenient regarding Answer: The lights might or might not be d’orayso, depending […]
Catering job on Shabbos
Question: If you know that if the catering job won’t go well the bal simcha won’t pay you or he will spread bad information about you is. This considered hefsed m’rubah thus there is more room to be lenient in regards to amira l’akum Answer: If it will cause a hefsed miruba, then it would […]
What is the status of life insurance with regard to yerusha and a bechor
Question: Is life insurance considered a davar that is rauy lavo, or is it considered a davar hamuchzak? Is there a difference with regards to this between a whole life policy which can generate cash values, interest for the benefit of the owner, be used as a mashkon to borrow against or provides other benefits […]
Laundry service making pickup on Shabbos
Question: After catering a party can your laundry service pick up the dirty tablecloths on shabbos after the party is over? Answer: There are two issues here. First of all, when the dry cleaners comes, it is a publically noticed action, that is quite noticeable, and it looks like he was told to come on […]
Money may be lost in pocket- can I wear the coat outside on Shabbos?
Question: There is a hole in the pocket of my jacket-somewhere in the lining. I think I lost some money in that lining hole but cannot find it. We have been through the coat, feeling each part of it but have not been able to find the money. Can I still wear this coat on […]
Hinting to goy to open fridge door when the light will turn on?
Question: .Can you hint to the goy to open the fridge door even though the light will come on when opened? Answer: Yes you can even ask the gentile to open the fridge door directly. The reason for this is because you are asking the goy to do an act tat isn’t a melacha, rather […]
Mamzerim and the Mitzva of Having Children
Question: Shalom, Rabbi! Are male mamzerim still obligated to have children? Wouldn’t it be a bad thing to create more mamzerim? Thank you. Answer: You are bringing up a very valid point. The Achronim discuss this, see MInchas Chinuch mitzva 1-22. Also see Pri Megadim, O:CH 240-1. Best wishes
re my previous question regarding making a bracha over the challah when part is used for mezonos
Question: I recently asked a question https://dinonline.org/2020/10/28/flour-from-challah-used-for-mezonos-cake/ and thank you for your answer , but I think there may have been a misunderstanding. The dough I will use for the mezonos cake is exactly the same dough as the one I use for my challos- no difference at all. You mentioned in you reply that […]
Girl’s wearing kippot
Question: Hi Rabbi, My brother’s school, a school that I used to go to, requires both boys and girls to cover their heads during tefila, Judaic classes, and eating – including by wearing a kippah. On a social media post of theirs, I saw that all the boys and girls were wearing Kippot so I […]
Extended mechila insincerely
Question: Hi, In advance of Yom Kippur and in the spirit of the chag, I approached a friend who I thought had wronged me and told him I forgave him for anything he had done to me; he didn’t ask for forgiveness, though he was happy to hear that I pre-empted and had forgiven him. […]
Cold chicken in dairy plastic container
Question: Cold cooked chicken was stored in a dairy plastic Container. What is the status of the plastic dairy container and if needed can it be kashered? Thank you Answer: If the chicken was dry and cold, then it will not give over any taste, however if there was liquid or sauce from the chicken […]
Musical Instrument Kabbalat Shabbat
Question: Shalom Rav, I hope all is well. In Australia, some orthodox communities have begun a “musical” Kabbalas Shabbas to attract members to the shul. During Kaballas Shabbas, they play musical instruments, including guitar, piano, violin, saxophone etc. They start before Shabbas officially comes in… and they stop playing and put their instruments away at […]
amira lakum
Question: If you are in a situation that you are allowed to hint to the goy, and he doesn’t get the hint, what should you do next? Answer: Try again, but you may not tell him directly etc. Have a good Shabbos Sources:
amira lakum
Question: Can the goy wheel the baby carriage from the house to a simcha hall even though it means going through a area without a eruv? Answer: A goy should not be asked, etc. to wheel a carriage outside of an eruv, because we don’t ask a goy to do thing for us on Shabbos […]
Does eating one pomegranate seed require a bracha acharona
Question: Does eating one pomegranate seed require a bracha achas m’ein shalosh because of the Halacha of berya? Answer: One seed of a pomegranate is considered a “beriya” ( a whole being). It is controversial if a beriya gets a bracha achrona even if it is not the size of a kezayis. The Shulchan Aruch […]
Shabbos mode in oven
Question: Are you allowed to open and close an oven that is on numerous times on Shabbos with food in it? The oven is in a shabbos mode so there is no issue of the oven going on and off when you open it. Answer: Please see the following link, which is to an article […]
Was there an opinion that the Jewish calendar was always calculated and not done by witnesses?
Question: Hello if you look at Rabbeinu Bachaye on the pasuk Hachodesh hazeh lachem- He seems to bring down an opinion by Rabbeinu Chananel that the Jewish calendar was always done by calculation not by witnesses. Answer: This is what it seems, however I don’t understand it, and why it isn’t a contradiction to the […]
Bnei noach, Guerim and not kosher wine
Question: gostaria de fazer 2 perguntas; 1 – Can a bnei noach make Beracha(hagafen) from wine with a non-kosher wine? 2 – Can a candidate for Guerim make a kiddush or make a beracha(hagafen) over a non-kosher wine? Answer: 1- It is only prohibited for a person to make a bracha when the food being […]
אונאה selling masks
Question: Just came from a Dr. Office which requires everyone to wear masks. If someone doesn’t have a mask the receptionist will sell him/her a mask for $1.00. I checked online and the price of the mask is 20 cents. So the office is selling a mask for 5 times its current value. Is this […]