I have irritable bowel and I spend maybe up to an hour a day on three or four visits to the bathroom. I receive a daily email in Ivrit on Pele Yoetz on my Pelephone. If I don’t say the words out loud, are there any poskim that hold that it would be permissible for […]
Author Archives: Admin-EN
Rain on Sukkos
If one is on a tiyul on sukkos and it starts raining, I am presuming he is allowed to have a seudas keva. So when it stops raining but the sukkah he would’ve had would still be dripping, is he still allowed to eat a seudas keva for the time that it would take to […]
Leaving Sukkah During Meal
If one”s sukkah is in his yard. Then if one washes and eats bread in the sukkah or, is one allowed to go back into his house to use the restroom or to retrieve some food. Would this ruling differ if one just ate mezonos or some shehakol. Whould it also make a differance if […]
Source for Length of Shechita Knife
Where can I find a specific reference to the minimum length of the blade that may be used for ritual slaughter of cattle? I thought that this was in the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah), but cannot find it. I think that the minimum length is twice the width of the animal’s neck, but do need […]
Mistaken Eating on Yom Kippur
Question: Nursing woman felt strong weakness during Yom Kippur and husband commanded her to eat & drink and she did. If this is permitted or she did aveira? Answer: Presumably she thought her husband was telling what to do in accordance with the halacha, and so the question of the aveira would be primarily on […]
Mincha While at Work
I work in a large company in NYC which is very goyishe and there are times in the winter where a meeting may be scheduled which will go from say chatzos until after shkiah. What is the procedure for one who has missed davening mincha? Also may one daven seated at his desk granted being […]
Schach Supports
‘I have realised that the family sukka I will be using for sleeping and eating has in built metal poles across the width – they were told that if the wooden beams are placed perpendicular and on top of these poles and then the schach is on top of that, then there is no issue […]
Dishwasher on Timer on SHabbos
Can I have a dishwasher on a timer to run on Shabbat? Answer: If the dirty dished were placed before Shabbos and it will run on Shabbos without human intervention, this would be permitted, assuming the diswasher does not make excessive noise. However, to load dishes on Shabbos in a dishwasher which will go on […]
Pruzbul for Salary
Does one need a Pruzbul if he is owed salary? i.e. my son worked a summer job and is owed salary. The business owner acknowledged the that he owes him but hasn’t yet paid. Answer: It is a little late to write a pruzbul now! but for future reference a workers salary is not affected […]
Mashgiach Leaving Kitchen for a MItzvah
The Mashgiach at a kosher venue was asked by the mesader kiddushin to serve as an eid, since the couple is not frum and the rabbi and ceremony were halachic orthodox. There was nobody else who was able to do it. Should the mashgiach have said no? He felt that because it was an emergency, […]
Extending Raffle Draw Date
If a religious organization holds a raffle to raise funds but before the date of the draw they have not reached both the amount they were hoping for nor at least the value of the donated prizes……Can they extend the date of the draw to a later date in order to raise further funds? Answer: […]
Nitzavim – Mutual Responsibility
One of the basic halachic principles that accompany us daily is the principle of arvus, mutual responsibility among the nation of Israel. The concept of mutual responsibility is manifest on several layers of our national life, and this week we discuss its halachic expression. What are the halachic ramifications of arvus? How does the concept of arvus influence the obligation to rebuke wrongdoers? And what about women? These, and other related issues, are discussed in this week’s article.
Vitamins on Shabbos
is taking vitamins on shabbos permitted? Is taking vitamins before shacharis permitted? Answer: Taking vitamins and supplements which are for the purpose of maintaining good health and body function are permissible for use on Shabbos. Vitamins may be taken before Shachris, as they are not considered eating in this regard. Sources: See Igros Moshe O:C […]
Pareve Knife in Fleishig Dishwasher
If a Pareve knife was washed in a fleishigs dishwasher with fleishigs keilim, can I still use it for Pareve? Answer: After 24 hours, the knife may be treated as pareve. In fact it is doubtful if the knife actually became fleishig, so after a 24 hour period when the taste absorbed is no longer […]
Non Cirumsized Husband
Hi Rabbi, I consider myself to be a traditional Jewish female. I take pride in my Jewish identity and keep the high holidays. I’ve been seriously dating a Jewish man for a couple of months now. I recently found out that he’s uncircumsized. He’s in his mid 30s and didn’t have the procedure done due […]
Nursing and Pregnant on Yom Kippur
Question: Regarding my wife’s fast on Yom Kippur. My wife is (bsha’ah tova) in week #12. She still nurses our 16 month old daughter 3-8 times a day, who can drink liquid from a cup but doesn’t drink formula. Our daughter has a birth-related issue with her esophagus which affects eating, so the doctor encouraged […]
Calling a Doula on Shabbos
I expect to give birth in less than a week, בשעה טובה. It is very important to me that the doula be with me for as much time as possible- I hired her to be there to keep me calm and if, by chance, there is a Kohen warning outside of the hospital at the […]
Amen to Half Bracha
Hi, May a person answer “amen” to a bracha if they didn’t hear the whole thing? If yes, what part must they hear in order to answer “amen”? Answer: If one is aware which bracha is being recited and when it ends, even if he does not hear the end of the bracha he may […]
Bracha on Mushroom Barley Soup
What beracha rishona and acharona are said on mushroom barley soup? Answer: If the barley is the primary ingredient in the soup, the bracha would be Mezonos and Al Hamichya. If there is only a minute amount of barley a bracha would be said on the barley [mezonos] and on the soup [shehakol]. Sources: See […]
Onas Or Zarua
Hi, What exactly is the chumras or zarua and am I obligated to keep it? Answer: This is a stringency which adds on to the Onas Havest an additional 12 hours. Meaning whenever the onah falls out, the day or night before is also observed as a vest and one would refrain from relations during […]
Teshuva for Inyanei Ben Adom Lechavero
Maareh Mekomos Yoma 86B Yerushalmi IBID Pri Megadim OC”H 156 For download the file: right click on Download and choose “Save traget as”
Pregnant Woman Fasting on Tzom Gedaliah
We are married for around eight months and experienced a miscarriage should my wife fast this Tzom gedalia being that she may be in early pregnancy? Thanks Answer: If she may be in the beginning of a pregnancy, she is not obligated to fast.
Chicken Salad in Pareve Bowl
I inadvertently used a parve bowl for a chicken salad. Does the bowl now have to remain fleishik or can it be toiveled so it can return to its parve status and be used at a milchik meal? Answer: If the chicken was placed in the bowl cold or just warm, the bowl would retain […]
Baby Rattles on Shabbos
Kavod Harav, Am I allowed to play with my baby with rattles on Shabbat? Thank you. Answer: The rattle may be placed in the child’s hand even though he will shake it and make noise. If the adult feels it necessary to rattle to amuse or calm the baby, the shaking should be done in […]
Shopping on Tzom Gedaliah
Are you allowed to go shopping for clothes on Tzom Gedaliah? Answer: Yes, however some time should be set aside for additional tefilla and teshuva which is the most important part of the fast day.
Medical Issues on Yom Kippur
Question: I need to take important medicines everyday. What do I do on Yom Kippur? My husband has sleep apnea and he needs special machine to sleep (cpap). Is he allowed to use it on Shabbos and Yom Tov? Is he allowed to add water to this machine? My husband has foot problems and can not […]
Pruzbul
What is the halacha if a parent gave a decent sum of money temporarily to help renovate a childs house which was to be repayed when they can. then a decent amount of time goes by, what happens when shemitah passes? Answer: The parent should write a pruzbul which will ensure that the loan remains […]
Niddah Questions
Not expecting my period. Yesterday I saw a few drops of blood in the water and blood on the tissue more then a gris and the tissue was white. I was also having some cramps. And hour the later the same thing. watching all day and had nothing it stopped. The next morning nothing aswell. […]
Borrowing with Assumed Permission
Shalom, If a person takes something belonging to someone else under a strong assumption that the owner would permit it, and only after formally requested permission to take the said item were they עבר? If yes, must they ask forgiveness for taking that which they knew would be (and later was expressly) permitted to them? […]
Aveilus During Leap Year-
My father was nifter R’C’ Elul. I say Kadish for 11 months and in avalos for 12 month or a year?? This year is a leap year (13 months) when do I get out of avalos. I guess I stop saying kaddish on R’C’ Tammuz but do I get out of avalos on R’C’ Av […]
Debt Collection
B”H Good Morning Rabbi I owe a Jewish School money for school fees! What is the Halocha in terms of a Jewish Institution using secular courts to collect debt from a Jew? Also I will pay them a certain amount every month but can I sign an Acknowledgement of Debt that is not prepared by […]
Laundry Pick Up on Yom Tov
I am asking on behalf of a female ballat tshuvah who resides in a nursing home. Is she allowed to leave her laundry in her room and allow a private company to pick it up on yom tov? They only pick up on the last Tuesday of the month which falls out on the second […]
Reneging on Apartment Bid
I offered a bid for an ap’t and the seller accepted my bid. Am I committed to pay that price? Nothing was signed, the contract has not reached the hands of the lawyers, can I decide to change my offer? A few words about why I would like to change my offer. The offer was […]
Non Jew Turning On Lights on Shabbos
If a shul has a goy as an employee, who as part of his duties, has him come in on Shabbos and Yom Tov to turn lights off and on for the shul is this permitted? Answer: No, telling a non Jew to do work on Shabbos, even if told before Shabbos, violates the prohibition […]
Nuts on Rosh Hashana
Question: Is there any Torah source or basis for the minhag not to eat nuts on Rosh Hashana? Is it really preferable not to? What if the nuts are ground into a flour and not recognizable as nuts…? Answer: Yes, this minhag is quoted by the Rama 583:2. 2 reasons are given: 1) In hebrew […]
Probiotics Kosher Certification
Hi, Does a probiotic need to have a hechsher? Answer: If available, kosher certified medicines and supplements are always preferable. However, when not readily available, one may use pills and capsules that are inedible [tasteless, bitter,etc.] even without certification.
Crying on Rosh Hashana
Question: Are there some Torah opinions that say one should not move oneself to tears on Rosh Hashana, when praying? If so, why? Answer: Yes, this is the opinion of the Vilna Gaon [Maaseh Rav 207]. It is based on the pasuk in Nechemia 8:9 that Rosh Hashana is intended to be a day of […]
Parshas Netavim – Arvus – Taking Responsibility for Klal Yisroel
Maareh Mekomos Dogul Merrvava 371 Rosh Brachos Perek 3 Sotah 37B Shach Y”D 388 For download the file: right click on Download and choose “Save traget as”
Eye Drops on Yom Kippur
Question: I am scheduled to get lasik eye procedure the day after Yom Kippur. Am I allowed to put in eye drops on Yom Kippur? Thank you. Answer: Yes, this would be permitted. The drops are not for healing purposes, rather as preparation for the surgery to keep the eyes lubricated and infection free. This […]
Kashrus of Vitamins
Hello, I would like to know if one can take supplements such as vitamins and herbal extracts that are vegan certified but not necessarily kosher certified if a similar product in terms of either potency, quality or proper dosage can’t be found kosher,(ex; I only found a vegan soy free version of a vitamin as […]
Blessing on Lightning and Thunder
Hello me and a colleague had a dispute in opinions on the matter of making blessings upon seeing lightning and hearing thunder. Is one to say the blessing only once every 30 days or could it even be said daily in areas prone to storms. Thanks rabbi Answer: This blessing may be made once a […]
Irregular Cycle
I have very irregular cycles. I never know when to expect my period. Occasionally I will see light pink on a tissue and then nothing will happen for weeks. It may be irritation. Today I saw pink on the tissue and drop of blood in the toilet. There was no stain anywhere else. What do […]
Pruzbul
hi im 15 and i need to make a pruzbul, but there’s two problems that my father mentioned to me and i would like to know what i should do first i don’t own any land and i would like to know how i could right the pruzbul and if i live in my father’s […]
Maariv for Avel on Motzai Yom Tov
The seforim extol the importance of an avel davening for the amud on Motzai Shabbos. Rav Shlomo Zalman even said that every avel should make an effort to have is owm amud on MOtzai Shabbos. It is the only time that it overrides Brov Am Hadras melech Does the same apply to Motzai Yom Tov?? […]
Teshuva for Relations on Onah Beinonis
what teshuva can one do if one mistakenly miscalculated and had relations on the onah beinonos Answer: Firstly, to ensure proper care is being taken that it does not happen again. To make sure the system of calculating is clear and accurate, that it is checked and double checked by husband and wife. In addition […]
Self Defense Class for Women by Man
What’s the Halacha re a woman taking self-defense classes taught by a man? The class would be semi-private – a male instructor with 2 female students. The instructor is a jewish Israeli guy who is traditional on terms of observance. (I don’t know much about the classes but I assume there must be physical interaction). […]
Inviting Guests to Hotel
My wife and I booked a room at a hotel in Israel. My daughter and her three daughters all under age six came to visit us at the hotel at our request. We all sat around the pool and two of my granddaughters went into the pool. The hotel did not ask my daughter who […]
Avel Chazan on Yom Kippur
Question: Can an avel lead the service (daven for the amud) on Yom Kippur? Answer: No, he should not daven for the amud. If he is the only available chazan who can daven, he may be the chazan. Sources: Magen AVraham 581:4.
Fence for Pool Tznius
We have a private swimming pool in our backyard. There is a tall fence around it so that no neighbors can see anything going on in the pool area. Women swim here during the day. My neighbor who owns a private house next door, is planning to sell her home to someone who will be […]
Withholding Maaser
If a person gets a windfall and therefore owes a large sum of money for maaser (or chomesh), can they set up an IRS recognized Charitable Foundation, deposit all of the maaser obligation into the foundation, but not actually distribute the tzedaka from the Foundation all at once, but rather the Foundation will distribute the […]