Dear Rabbi, I have recently taken up pipe smoking. I would like to know if there is any problem with the tobacco one can buy for the pipe. Many ingredients are used to process and flavour the tobacco leaf. How can we be sure they are kosher? Indeed, I have seen pipe tobaccoes where non-kosher […]
Author Archives: Admin-EN
Meat in Milky Oven
A milky pizza was made in the oven and was only burnt out for 20 mins and then beef was cooked in the oven a few hours later not knowing that oven was milky. Is the beef kosher to eat? Answer: Yes, the burning out of the oven will permit the meat, at least after […]
Tenant Overseeing Repairs
The ap’t I rented has such problems that it is virtually un-inhabitable. The Ba’al HaBayit has agreed to pay for the שיפוץ. I gave up my summer taking care of the shiputz. Am I within my Halachik rights to expect and demand payment for the service I provided (which would have cost the Ba’al HaBayit […]
Purchasing Flowerpot After Shmitta
If I would decide to purchase a flowerpot after Rosh Hashana, should I be concerned lest the seller relied on the Heter Mechira which I personally do not rely upon? Answer: I assume you are referring to a flowerpot with already grown flowers. If it is only questionable and there is no readily available alternative, […]
Quitting Teaching Job
I recently decided not to renew my job as an assistant in elementary class. Because I was coming from out of town,finding lodging was very hard and to expensive, so I told my principal that she has to find another assistant. She feels I broke a contract ,while I never signed that I would take […]
Bobblehead Dolls
Hello, Is it okay to give my modern orthodox mentor a bobblehead doll of Rabbi Akiva as a gift to put on his desk at work? Thanks, Answer: Yes, this would be permitted. Dolls and figurines which are never used for Avoda Zara are not included in the prohibition of owning and keeping a human […]
Overpayed Utilities
We rented out an apartment to a big Israeli security company. They used it to house some of their security guards. They paid a flat fee for rent and then added a specific amount each month to cover utility bills – which we then paid. The contract stated that a calculation of the meter would […]
Bowing to Japanese Emperor
I have a bit of a wild question, which doesn’t have any real practical significance–I’m really just curious. I know that there is an specific issur of performing the action of bowing to Temunos and Avodah Zarah. However, there is no issur of bowing when it is toward another person and is a matter of […]
Purchasing Israeli Produce
Shalom. When exactly can I start purchasing Israeli produce, here in Chutz La’Aretz? Thank You. Answer: Israeli fruit from Israel will still be from the Seventh year, even into the 8th year. The classification of Shmittah fruit is determined by the fruits sprouting, so even if it is picked in the 8th year it would […]
Shiluch Haken and Animal Suffering
As to Shiluach HaKan as well as not using an ox and a donkey as a team to plow – some believe that these mitzvoth involve only tikkun atzmi and are not at all concerned for the pain of the animal. I believe Ramban has this opinion. I hope that both the pain of the […]
Showering After Mikva
Is it permissible for a woman to shower after the mikvah once she is Tahor? The whole Mikvah thing just disgusts me because other women were in the same waters and because of the chlorine and I just don’t feel comfortable going to my husband feeling dirty and smelly. Answer: There are various leniencies one […]
Fasting without Prayer
Question: Does a Jew fast only if he/she participates in prayer service? Answer: Your question is not fully clear. If you are referring to the Jewish fast days such as Yom Kippur, the obligation to fast is not connected to the prayers of the day. Even one who is on their own and even not praying […]
Tallis on Head for Single Man
Dear Rabbi. If a unmarried man is davening from the amud at mincha is he meant to wear a hat, as opposed to putting the talis over his head? Answer: While this is generally the custom there is no problem for him to wear the tallis over his head, for example if he has no […]
Exercise Class for Avel
I’m now mourning for my father. Can I go to an environment such as an exercise class where there is music playing, since I’m not interested in hearing the music at all. Answer: You may attend an exercise class. The prohibition for an Avel is only to attend gatherings and listen to music which are […]
Pruzbul for Guarantor
Must an Areiv, a guarantor on a loan, write a Pruzbul? Answer: No, only the lender must write a pruzbul. The guarantor is in place of the borrower, and a pruzbul will not effect his status. However if a guarantor paid of a loan, and shviis ends before the borrower has paid off the loan, […]
Microwave Mistake
Hello, I heated parve soup in a ben yomo meat bowl in a dairy microwave. Can I eat the soup/ use the bowl? Thanks! Answer: As long as the microwave was clean, and the soup was only heated for a minute or so as is common, the soup and the bowl would be permitted.
Parshas Ki Savo – Status of Disputed Property
Maareh Mekomos Bava Metziah 26B Rashi Ran Grach Ibid Sma 259 For download the file: right click on Download and choose “Save traget as”
Firstborn for Inheritance
My husband and I are talking about leaving a double portion for the firstborn son. He was previously married and had a daughter, who passed away at 3 years old,then a son who was born via c section.In our marriage, we have a son together, born naturally, then, another son, plus 4 daughters, all 6 […]
Muktzeh Status of Oven
Is an oven a Kli Shemelachto Leissur even though people warm their food inside of it. If it is a Kli Shemalchto leissur, isn’t better that one not warm food in it or place his dirty dishes inside of it. Since one shoudln’t move a Klie Shemelachot Leissur if he doesn’t have to. Thank You […]
Uninvited Guest
Hi, If someone is only invited to a wedding for the chuppah, is one allowed to stay for the entire wedding and eat the meal? Usually, the baal simcha will estimate some extra plates for people who do this but…is it stealing to eat the food if you weren’t technically invited? Answer: If there are […]
Tevila With Sticker on Bowl
I recently toiveled 3 glass bowls and after toiveling them I realized that there was some sticky residue on one of the bowls and a clear label on another one of the bowls. Do I need to re-toivel those bowls? Answer: If the residue and sticker are such that you would not leave them there […]
False Labeling
A company advertises a food product as a health food, but an independent laboratory analysis proved that the company falsified data on calorie count, net carbohydrates, and other nutritional facts. This could have a very dangerous effect on the health of those consumers innocently buying the product, falsely believing the item is compatible with their […]
Tshuva for past Sexual Sins
Question: I have a question regarding a female baal teshuva doing repentance properly. If she did extensive teshuva to G-d regarding past sexual sins with boyfriends, is it necessary for her to reach out to these ex-boyfriends to ask for forgiveness from them too? I know we are not supposed to embarrass baal teshuvas – would […]
Present for Avel
I would like to know if I am allowed to buy a gift for a dear friend who is an aval. She and her husband are married for 18 years and were not blessed with kids. I have tremendous hakaros hatov for her husband who does alot for me, but for being appropriate I usually […]
Yichud with 2 Men
A few questions: Is two men living with one woman, where the two men sleep on one floor and the woman ona different floor, in the same house, considered Yichud? One man is 17, the other 31, they are friends, and the woman is either in her 50s or 60s, not sure which. My friedn […]
Loshon Hara
I have been having a High Holiday Seat in my shul for a number of years. The people there talk over me, and also make lame jokes, ect. I find it disturbing, and they will not listen to “shushing”. I do not want any conflicts on the YOMIM NORAHIM. I want to change my seat. […]
Cholov Yisrael
is chof k dairy, cholov yesroel?! Answer: Generally, unless specifically stated kosher dairy products are not cholov yisrael. We can not however answer about policy of specific organizations. Contact : [email protected]
Anchovy Sauce with Meat
I use a sauce as an ingredient for a marinade that has anchovy’s in it. The fish/anchovy component is around 1% of the sauce, and then the sauce is only one among a number of ingredients in the marinade. I then use the marinade to prepare and cook meet. My question is if this is […]
Washing on Yom Kippur
Is it permissible to wet one’s eyes/eyelids (with water) [with one’s fingers] on Yom Kippur (Kol Nidrei) night in order to remain awake? If not, any suggestions to refrain from sleeping? Answer: No, even dipping one’s finger in a tiny amount of water is prohibited on Yom Kippur. Only to remove dirt is using water […]
Parshas Ki Seitzei – Hashovas Aveidah
Maareh Mekomos Bava Metziah 26B Rashi Ran Grach Ibid Sma 259 For download the file: right click on Download and choose “Save traget as”
Bible Question
Anyone can ask any question concerning the laws of the Torah? Genesis 9:4 But, flesh with its soul, its blood, you shall not eat. (The prohibition of consuming the flesh with its life blood in it) – There are no other ways to translate this law from Hebrew to other languages? Could you write down […]
Customs Under Chuppa
What is the position of the step father and the biological father at the daughters wedding.? Specially under the Chupa. Answer: There is no specific custom in this regard. It would depend on the daughter’s relationship with each one. Either way sensitivity should be shown to all parties, so no one should feel sidelined or […]
Tevilas Keilim for Natural Healing
A Chinese doctor recommended a gold, or silver or copper coin or nugget placed into water. This is not for good luck or avodah zara in any way. Does one have to tovel the coin or nugget since it touches water? Answer: No, the gold is not being used as a kli seudah [as a […]
Asher Yatzar
a coworker asked me, if one has an upset stomache or over reactive bladder and tends to use the bathroom more often the the normal person because bodily discomfort. does this person say asher yatzar ever single time they use the restroom. what increment of waste must be exposed of for the bracha to qualify. […]
Teshuva for Stealing
Erev tov Rav, I have a doubt of not doing well a tikun of a Guezel (stealing). I used to, many years ago, in a company, stole many items in many times. I have sent a letter of apologize (without mentioning my name, I think) plus 100 euros to make sure all the items were […]
Bracha in Mikva
Shalom, If a mikvah is in the vicinity of shower area, what constitutes enough of a separation between these areas to permit making brachah of tevilah in the mikvah? What about בדיעבד? Thank you. ANswer: Ashkenzi custom is for the woman to make the bracha in the mikvah itself. The shower poses no greater problem […]
Afterlife According to Maimonidies
I recently read that the Rambam said the Olam Haba is actually just for souls where the people that have already passed on get revived for a few moments to see the Messianic Era in this world and then pass away again to the World to Come. The Ramban writes that Olam Haba is in […]
Mechila Through Text Message
Question: Is it valid to be mochel (to forgive) somebody by text message? Answer: As long as the message is conveyed clearly and it’s intent is understood, this would be a valid way to convey mechila.
Leaving Israel to be with Family
The holidays are coming up and I just moved to Israel but all my family is in America. I really want ti be in Israel for the holidays because I’ve never been here during that time and it would be a very nice experience being here in the Holy Land for Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, […]
Checking Apples
Shavoua tov Rav, Subjets: Checking foods / Guerout in the U.S.A 1 – Checking foods – Apples At the bottom of the apple appears sometimes a kind of a white net which doesn’t go through into the core. Sometimes there is a kind of purple/black round thing and stuck in it. Is it a spider? […]
Birchot Krias Shma after Zman Tefila
Hi i woke up after zeman teffila can i still say berchot shema? Answer: One who missed zman tefilla [4 hours of day] because of some unavoidable reason [overslept] may say birchot krias shma until midday [halachic chaztos]. Otherwise, one should not say the brachos after zman tefilla. Sources: See Mishna Brura 58:26, Biur Halacha […]
Bug Found in Flour
I found a dark bug, not a worm, in a bag of “bug-free” flour (with an excellent hechsher!). I opened the bag today and it was properly sealed. I didn’t find any holes in the bag. I already started the dough with 4 cups of flour and the second time I poured the flour into […]
Intimacy on Death Anniversary
Are relations allowed on the day of the anniversary of a parents death-” yarzheit” especially if it is Mikva night? Answer: Yes, the customs of mourning on the anniversary only include those which are practiced in the 12 months of Aveilus. Marital relations which are an aspect of the more stringent initial 7 day mourning […]
Man Receiving Massage from Woman
Can a man receive a massage from a women? Answer: No, this is prohibited. Generally any contact between man and woman is prohibited. This is true even if the nature of the contact is casual, and is certainly so with something the nature of a massage which has more intimate connotations, such as a massage. […]
Chazaras HAshatz
How many people need to have davened to recite chazartz hashatz. Also must they have started at the exact same time. Answer: Six people who are davening, may join with another 4 to complete the minyan for chzaras hashatz. Even if they didn’t start at the exact same time, but at some point were all […]
Insurance Claim for Negligent Driver
my boss gave me a car to use for my summer job. I got into an accident, totally my fault and the cost to repair is 2000. My boss chose to lay out the money and fix the car and wants me to pay the 2000. I wanted him to file an insurance claim and […]
Agent’s Fee
I work as a property rental agent . Meaning I find qualified tenants for different landlords and sign a 12 months lease with them. Should they not pay 6 months rent before vacating the property I most find another qualified tenant for the landlord at no charge . The general fee / cost to the […]
Crossing International Date Line
hello rabbi. flying home from hong kong to new York on sunday morning 1025am arriving in ny 2 pm same sunday the chai tables tells me I will be flying on Shabbos to consult a rabbi. am I permitted to leave hong kong on sunday and arrive ny on sunday. if flight leaves on time […]
Prayer with a Minyan–
If one has a choice between davening in a minyan where he will be one of the first ten, but he will have to skip in davening (because they go fast), or he won’t have such great kavana, should he daven there – or better to daven in a place where he won’t be one […]
Meaty Oven and Pizza
Hi, I accidentally are a piece of cake (which was baked in a meat oven more than 12 hours prior) with a piece of pizza (i forgot the cake was baked in a meat oven). The ingredients of the cake are piece, but did I actually eat something non-kosher and now have to throw up? […]