Question: May an extra pair of Rashi Tefillin be converted into Rabeinu Tam tefillin? Answer: Hello, Although there are people who are mehader to put on Rabeinu Tam tefillin, the way we pasken is that the rashi tefillin is the correct way that the parshiot are meant to be placed. this applies to the degree […]
Author Archives: Rabbonim of the Beis Hora'a
Gift for non-Jewish friend
Question: Dear rabbi, Can I give my non-Jewish friend a snowman necklace charm as a holiday gift? She really loves a snowman from a holiday movie she showed me. It would be a special gift for her. Would that be permitted? I know you can’t give gifts on the day of the avodah zarah holiday. […]
Shabbat opening and closing Sefer
Question: B”H Kavod haRav, Thank you for your help. Regarding opening and closing books on Shabbat, if there are raised (raised, textured, straight lines from the printing, almost like very skinny toothpick type of raised straight lines) on the side of the books pages, does this pose any issue of opening and closing the Sefer? […]
Nittul and tehillim
Question: May we say tehillim on nittul starting from after chatzos by day? Answer: Hello, One may say tehillim the day before nittul, as the minhag only applies at night until chatzos, even for thse who abstain from learning on this night. Secondly there are different minhagim regarding not learning on this night, and […]
Landlord changes his mind
Question: My question is, I was in the process of finding a house to rent for me and my family and found a house on a block that I liked, after viewing the house and much back and forth with the landlord negotiating tenant improvement we finally came to an agreement and I signed my […]
What to do with Gemach capital
Question: My father a”h founded a gemach over 50 years ago that makes loans of a few thousand dollars. Demand has dwindled, and most of the capital is sitting in an account doing nothing. I am able to track down only a few of the descendants of the contributors. Should I be donating the remaining […]
Brush
Question: Can I use a brush that’s made with pig bristles? I only realized this after I bought it. Answer: Hello, I am assuming that you mean to ask regarding that it isn’t a kosher animal. It is permitted to use, because we may not eat pig, however we are allowed to derive benefit […]
Toiveling rice cooker
Question: In the instructions of a rice cooker it says “immersing in water may cause damage to the insulation, thus, causing electric leakage and danger.” What do you advise regarding toiveling? Answer: Hello, It should still be toveled, however it should not be used for a few days afterwards, in order to give it […]
Making a vow to do something
Question: What is considered a vow? I’m aware that if I say I will do something, I should do it. But, if I answer a poll saying I’ll do something/be somewhere, or write it down on my phone to remind myself, is not doing it a sin? Answer: Hello, In general, we should be […]
Good kosher sense
Question: Dear Rabbi, I sense there are two reasons I find difficulty in Israel. One is first and obviously the worst I think. I was not brought with fear of heaven and anything goes. I think a kosher daughter is never in the picture for marriage. The other more grand is that all of my […]
Maaser Kesafim – State Disability Pay for Maternity Leave
Question: I just want to make sure that I’m doing this correctly. When calculating Maaser Kesafim, State Disability Pay for Maternity Leave would be calculated as “income” correct? Therefore, we would have to pay maaser on this, correct? Answer: Hello, What you are writing is correct. State disability is considered income, and a person […]
Zen Mahanah Zen Lo Chaser
Question: Is this din of Zen Mahanah Zen Lo Chaser muttar Lechticila or only Bedived. Please cite sources Answer: There are different opinions about this, and it also depends on the specific case. If you are looking for sources here are some. ע’ מרדכי ב”ק ס’ ט”ו בשם נמו”י, תוס’ ב”ק כ: ד”ה הא, […]
Non-Kosher Pot in Oven
Question: I’m staying at a rented condo and heated up some chicken in the oven here. I triple wrapped the chicken in foil because the oven is non-kosher. In any event, after we had eaten we noticed there was a non-kosher pot on the top shelf of the oven that we had not noticed (the […]
What to do with the oil, cups, metal wick holder, and wicks used for the Chanuka menorah?
Question: (1) Is it ok to wash off the glass cups and the metal wick holders, in order to reuse them the following year? (2) In past years, I would put all of what remains into a bag and burn them with my arbah minim along with my chomets right before Pesach. I was just […]
Avak Lashon Hara on shiurim
Question: Is it permissible to recommend a shiur on social media from a rav if there is a doubt that some people might start detractors? I’m a big confused how some kiruv rabbis encourage people to share their videos when it’s virtually certain some scoffers will make negative comments and wouldn’t constitute avak lashon hara. […]
Davar charif
Question: If I take a parve knife with crushed garlic on it and wipe the garlic off on the edge of a non benyomo hot fleshig pot frying onions does it make the knife meaty Answer: Hello, The knife did not become meaty since the frying pan was not a ben yomo. Best wishes […]
Gifted clothes (from a ben Noach)
Question: Dear Rabbi, my aunt gave me some of her son’s clothes that he used when he was younger, I think he doesn’t use them anymore, he doesn’t live with his parents. I think she gave me the clothes without asking her son if he agreed. Is it considered stealing? Or is it permitted because […]
Trying on in a shop with no intention of buying
Question: Hi, Can one try things on in a shop even though he has no intention of buying, I’m asking by a case of a Jew and also by a non-Jew. If not, when I’m like 90 percent sure I’m not going to is that also not allowed. thanks Answer: Hello, If there is […]
Maaser with debt
Question: Hi. I have decided to be more careful and precise when it comes to maaser as a bracha. But I’m having trouble making ends meet, and I also have a large debt. The debt is long term but I am currently only paying the interest. My question is, can I use Ma’aser money to […]
Baby naming without a Bris
Question: I’m a Rabbi in an American shul. One congregant has a daughter “married” to a non Jewish man. They had a baby boy and the father is adamant that he won’t allow a Bris Milah. In his mind it’s mutilating his son. The mother would like me to give the baby a Jewish name. […]
ASORO BE’TEVES – FASTING
Question: I am a 73 years old female . Several years ago I had colorectal cancer and although B”H I am completely clear now and take no medication on a regular basis my digestive and evacuation system is impaired and I have to be careful when and what I eat. I have no problem fasting […]
Spelling of Mendel
Question: When I got divorced many years ago, I had asked a posek how to spell Mendel, with or without an eyin, and he looked in a sefer and said with the eyin. My question is, is this an obligation that I must always spell it that way, or I can now choose to spell […]
Witness unsure of father’s name
Question: Should someone avoid being a witness such as at a wedding, if there is a question about their father’s hebrew name? What happens if a question about the father’s name arises after they were already a witness? Answer: Hello, You do not have to avoid being a witness. It is part of the […]
Marriage
Question: Hi, Id just like to know, what are the things the beis din asks or the rabbi asks when you are gonna get married to show proof of judaism, and what if you dont have it, and what if you only have lets say the kesuba of your parents, is that enough? Answer: […]
Sheheheyanuh on a new watch
Question: Does one make a shehehayanu on a luxury watch or a fancy piece of jewelry. What is the time span that you have to make the berachah, if I bought the watch a month ago, 6 months ago etc but never made the berachah can I still make one? Answer: Hello, Making a […]
Ants on shabbos
Question: If I have large ants in my house and they cause me great distress. Could I collect them in a cup or even trap them in a cup and remove them from the house on shabbos? Answer: Hello, The ants that are causing you great distress would be considered a graf shel rei, and […]
Is a married woman in availus after a sister is she allowed to put on makeup for shabbos during shivah
Question: Is a married woman during shivah after a sibling allowed to put on makeup for shabbos Answer: Hamakom yinachem eschem btoch shar aveilei tZion v’Yerushalayim. A married that is in shiva may not put on makeup, even on Shabbos, however after shiva since you are married it is permitted. A gut shabbos Sources: […]
Tznius in the bathroom
Question: Can I lower my pants when sitting on toilet till my ankles? How about wiping standing if erva will be uncovered more than a tefach? Answer: Hello, The Shulchan Aruch writes that part of being modest we should be careful not to uncover ourselves unnecessarily. Even when using the bathroom, what we need to […]
Mezuzos & Covering
Question: Dear Rabbonim, Does one assume that both the plastic covering and the mezuzah case are both כליין to the mezuzah and therefore not regarded as כלי בתוך כלי for marital relations. A bedroom door usually has the mezuzah on the outside coming in which is fine; would one be able to place a walk […]
Late Shacharit
Question: I don’t sleep well and usually can’t fall asleep till late and then wake after the 4th and even the 6th hour. Can I still say shacharit or just tefillin and shema? Answer: Hello, If I may politely ask why do you only sleep well in the morning? If possible, try to start […]
Avinu Malkeinu on a Taanis Yachid
Question: Should one say Avinu Malkeinu when fasting a Taanis Yachid? If yes, what if it’s just a taanish sha’os – till chatzos or plag? Answer: Hello, I have not found any source that say that one says Avinu Malkeinu when davening without a minyan, when fasting a taanis yachid. Best wishes
Flexibility in selecting targum for shnayim mikrah
Question: How much flexibility is there in selecting the “targum” option for shnayim mikrah v’echad targum? I know that S”A says to use Rashi or Onkelos or, ideally, to read both. However, Rav Moshe seems to permit reading a translation of Rashi and Ra’avan holds the whole obligation doesn’t apply to those of us who […]
Oral Torah
Question: Hi Rabbi, This is a serious question I was hoping you could please answer. We are told the Mishna is the Oral Torah, and that the Oral Torah was taught by Hashem to Moshe on Har Sinai. But when I open a Mishna, all I see is, “Rav Meir says X,” while “Rava disagrees […]
Dairy Dish & Meat contact
Question: I picked up a dairy dish after touching meat. It is possible I forgot to wash my hands first (I cannot remember). Is it sufficient to simply wash everything with soap and water? Everything was cold. Answer: Yes that is sufficient! Chanukah sameach
Tefillin in bathroom with single cover
Question: Without thinking, I accidentally walked into a bathroom to throw something out while carrying my tefillin bag. The tefillin were in the bag and the batim were in their hard plastic cases. Obviously this shouldn’t be done and I’m doing teshuvah for causing this bizayon to the tefillin through carelessness but is there anything […]
wiping
Question: I’m having ocd when it comes to wiping myself after bowel movement. and it takes way 2 long. what’s called normal that I can study afterwards without being worried of being dirty? Answer: Hello, You should wipe yourself three four times, without pressing in. after that you can assume that you are clean and […]
Backed out of Chanukah party
Question: My daughter is arranging a Chanukah Party with friends. Each friend has contributed money for materials and food. We have spent halve of the money on materials and now one friend wishes to pull out. What are obligations and what is the correct thing to do? Answer: Hello, It is hard to give […]
Does this make my teffilin pasul?
Question: While I was praying shacharit I had an open cut on my arm and a drop of blood was transferred from the cut to underneath the bayit shel yad teffilin that caused a light stain. Does this cause an issue of being pasul? Also is there a halachic way to clean off the blood […]
Interruptions in preparing a meal with borer
Question: My understanding is that the requirement of “miyad” by borer requires that one immediately use the item selected from a mixture. And when borer occurs in the context of preparing for a meal, the selection may be done in advance of the meal, but only an amount of time that is necessary for the preparation time for […]
Moser Dino L’shamayim
Question: Hello, what kind of prayers are permitted when a jew starts up with you? Tosfos in Gittin daf zayin according to one answer forbid praying against enemies, but is not tehillim full of such prayers? May one ask that ones own efforts against enemies be successful, or at least that they should leave you […]
clothing and halacha
Question: B”H Kavod haRav, Thank you for your help. Is there any issue for a lady to purchase a fashion style (in a large chain store with multiple locations around the world) that is very modest and proper with regards to style, but the design may be an interpretation of another designers “original” design? With […]
Rosh Chodesh during Chanukah
Question: Hello, 1. Is Rosh Chodesh this month Tuesday night into Wednesday? May laundry be done Tuesday before sunset? 2. If fasting is not permitted during Chanukah, so people who fast erev Rosh Chodesh fast or not? And women? Would it be Tuesday afternoon? Tuesday night? Thank you Answer: Hello, 1. If Rosh chodesh […]
Ma’aser questions
Question: Ha Rav, 1. We are invited to a wedding, is the 300₪ considered ma’aser? The 300₪ is our gift to the newlyweds. 2. The Shul dues 500₪. We heard that a percentage is ma’aser. Is this correct? Is the percentage 75% or 80% of the 500₪ Shul membership? 3. I won 85₪ in a […]
Maaser for Shul during Yomim Naoraim
Question: The shul that I go to for Yomim Naoraim (Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur) brings in a special Chazon with a beautiful voice from Eretz Yisrael. I am assuming that the shul pays the Chazon. Also, I believe that the Chazon is part of a Yeshivah in Eretz Yisrael. Additionally, the shul itself is […]
Maaser Kesafim
Question: I had a follow up question to an article that was posted entitled “Maaser Kesafim: Obligation, Custom and Virtue” published on 11/24/2017. There it stated: “According to some authorities, the special virtue of maaser—for which the Torah promises wealth (and even permits testing Hashem)—is only achieved when one donates exactly one tenth of his […]
Garlic
Question: I was told that it is halacha that garlic is not to be cut with a metal knife, but with a ceramic knife (or just using hands/fingers) to peel garlic cloves. I do use a ceramic knife..but I would like to know where this halacha is stated. Answer: Hello, I am not aware […]
Wedding ring
Question: Kvod Harav, I would like to ask about the importance of wearing a wedding ring. Once my finger size changed years ago and my rings no longer fit, I never had them resized and have not worn them regularly. I heard that the ring is meant to be a reminder of the marriage for […]
Maaser and Business Credit Card
Question: 1) When calculating Maaser, is the minimum monthly payment that is due to the credit card company, for the credit card that I use for business purposes considered a business expense? If it is, I would first deduct this minimum monthly payment from my income, before calculating maaser, correct? 2) If I put a […]
Family vacation during year of aveilus
Question: Are you allowed to go on a vacation with your family during your year of aveilus for a parent? If so, what are the restrictions? Answer: Hello, Going on vacation for an avel depends on the circumstances. If it is needed for medical or mental reasons it is permitted. One should however be […]
Non Jew Bought a Tallith with Tzitzith
Question: Kvod HaRav, I am a non-Jew, I bought a Tallith to don at home while studying, praying, etc as a voluntarily practice. I do plan to convert in the future but as of right now, I have no sponsoring rabbi. Today I was reading the Shulchan Aruch and later the Mishneh Berurah where I […]