How should one kasher a stovetop if it was previously used for treif? The oven only goes till 550. Can one put the grates into the oven to kasher them? What about the rest of the stovetop: is boiling water poured on the rest acceptable? There also a stove top griddle which is a bigger […]
Author Archives: Admin-EN
Reading Together
I see that during the laining of the Torah on Shabbos, certain people in shul read the parasha along with the baal koreh. Should one verbally pronounce every word of the parasha or just listen to the baal koreh? Also, sometimes the people reading along read loud enough for myself to hear them along with […]
Question of Lashon Hara
I understand that to tell another person of someone’s weakness in halachah is lashon hara. However, I was recently describing my coworker to my husband. Everything I said was only in glowing terms. Then, my husband asked about where she is from, her experience in this field, her background… Everything spoken was only positive, except […]
Shul Payments and Mikva Prices
I am a member of a Shul and am behind with my payments. Being behind makes me a non-financial member and limits my rights. The Shul board has decided to charge an extra 20% men mikva fees for non-financial members. Is it a problem of ribis? Answer: The stipulation of two different prices only involves […]
Hugging Family Members
When it comes to forbidden relationships the rambam makes a distinction between certain family members when it comes to hugging them. For an aunt the Rambam writes that it is foolish but for other family members he writes that is it is forbidden to hug. Why does he distinguish between arayos if they are all […]
Using Single Sink for Meaty and Dairy
I was just wondering what the exact procedure is to change a single sink from meat to dairy and vice versa. Thanks so much Answer: In principle, a single sink can be used, alternatively, for meaty and milky, provided it is thoroughly cleaned before use. When this is done (in a kitchen that does not have two […]
Ki Savo -Do All Mitvzos Have Blessings?
I have not transgressed any of Your commandments, and I have not forgotten. (Devarim 26:13) Rashi: “I have not forgotten to bless You over the separation of maaser” A part of the broad structure of berachos that we recite on a day-to-day basis is birchos ha-mitzvos—blessings that are made prior to the fulfillment of a […]
The Much Suggested Shidduch
Recently my younger brother became a chasan. A couple of people feel they are owed shadchanus gelt because they came up with the match. However, their claim is complicated by the fact that their suggestion was predated by a conversation about the possibility of a shidduch between the 2 mothers. The ongoing negotiations were handled […]
Jewish Greetings
Is there an inyan to greet a Jew with ‘good morning’ or good eve’ rather than just ‘hello’ , since the former is imparting a ‘bracha.’ Regarding the ‘velt,’ I heard that ‘hello’ (of course in friendly fashion) is sufficient and even encouraged. Answer: There is an inyan to greet with “good morning,” for, as […]
Manicure for Men
Is a man allowed to get his nails done in a manicure or pedicure? How much of society has to do an act to consider the act a non-womanly act? I know that in certain cirlces men get their nails done; does that make it mutar for the rest? Answer: It would probably not be […]
Gifts to Child Aveilim
Can a father give his children (older) a small birthday gift even though they are avelim toch yud beis chodesh, where normally they should not be given gifts? Perhaps a father is not considered she’elas sholom? Answer: After the thirty days (sloshim) it is permitted to buy a modest birthday present. Sources: The regular sustenance […]
Why Is Milk Kosher?
How is it todays milk considered kosher? In the past chazal were matir milk because one could assume that the majority of cows are kosher and therefore the milk is kosher because in each cup of milk one could rely on rov but today the milk on large dairy farms are all compiled by 100’s […]
Alon Hamishpat #33
Piskei Din – Laws of Tzedaka – part 10 – Uses of Ma’aser money – part 2. Piskei Din – Laws of firing workers – part 3 – Severance pay. Rental that continued past original lease.
Exercise Shorts
Are shorts that one uses for exercise considered begged ish, and therefore a women couldn’t use shorts for excercise, or do we say that since in general society both men and women wear shorts, there is no problem? Does begged ish go by in general what frum people generally wear or does it go by […]
Birchas HaTorah Before Eating
Is there an obligation for a woman to recite Birchas Hatorah before eating in the morning? Thank you. Answer: A woman should preferably pray Shemoneh Esrei before eating. If this is difficult, she may recite Birchas Hatorah, and then eat. She should not eat before reciting Birchas Hatorah. Sources: There are two opinions concerning the obligation […]
Questions of Bal Tashchis
Regarding the issur of bal tashchis: 1)Is there anything wrong with using a potato in a game where the potato is thrown back and forth and made unedible by the end of the game? 2) Is there anything wrong with making fruit carvings for decorations where the melon will not be consumed? 3) If one […]
Hating Someone
When is it halachically permitted to hate someone? I’m not asking what is recommended — there are actions that have already happened. I need to know the halachic ruling. Thank You. Answer: It is permitted to hate somebody who is classified as a rasha, meaning somebody who wilfully transgresses prohibitions that are known as sins. Poskim […]
Maris Ayin
How do I know which action would fall under maris ayin and which would not? Answer: According to Iggros Moshe, maris ayin applies when “Someone thinks that I violated something, or he thinks that I inappropriately ate something non-kosher. However, it does not include doing something permitted that people may mistakenly think is forbidden due to […]
Folding Tallis After Davening
Can one fold one’s talis after davening at shul and replace it in the talis bag, or would this be considered preparing for the next Shabbos? If I cannot fold it, I would fear that it might really wrinkled by stuffing it into the talis bag, and so on. Answer: It is permitted to fold […]
Libun for Grill
Does a Barbeque grill need libun gomur if one uses one that belongs to a non-Jew, or does it kasher itself from the fire it is in? If it needs libun, if it is put in the fire of the coals and it is actually INSIDE the fire, is this considered libun gomur? Answer: The […]
A Halachic Guide On The Month of Elul
Rosh Chodesh Elul marks the beginning of a period of intense spiritual awakening. The Jewish people renew their commitment to the Torah, repent their sins, and prepare
Kashrus of Pizza Shop
There is a pizza shop in town run by a Jew who is not Shomer Shabbat. He claims that he is using only Kosher ingredients. May we rely on his word? Answer: Somebody who is not Shomer Shabbos, i.e., he does not live as an orthodox Jew, is not believed for all matters of religious […]
Present-Day Ben Pakua
Why is the law of Ben Pekuah not utilised these days? Is there any Halachic reason that it can not be introduced for commercial production on a large scale? Answer: There is no halachic reason for which the laws of a ben pakua — a calf that is born alive after its mother has already […]
Dairy Onions
I cut up onions with a dairy knife and put them into dough which I then placed in a Challah Pan. It was baked in a dairy oven. Are my Challah pans now Dairy? thanks Answer: The challah pans would not be milky if there if the volume of the challah is sixty times more […]
Filter on Faucet
Is there a problem on Shabbos of using a water filter on one’s sink in New York City where there are supposedly small bugs in the water? By Turning on the faucet the water goes through a filter? Is this the same halacha if the filter out side of the sink in a portable jug […]
Kashrus Boards
What are the main differences between rabbanut mehadrin, and, let’s say, Rav Rubin or Bedatz? Answer: The main differences between the different kashrus boards are in the level of supervision (concerning ingredients, concerning the separation of terumah and maaser, and so on), in chumros applied to the shechitah process, and in production of foods in […]
Obligation of Answering Amen
Is the obligation to answer amen a biblical or rabbinic mitzvah? If it is a biblical mitzvah what is the source of the obligation? Answer: According to most poskim, there is a rabbinic obligation to answer amen upon hearing somebody else recite a blessing. Chazal in several places highlight the importance of answering amen, and […]
Yichud in Car
What are the halachos with taking a ride home, to work or a ride to the mountains with a male workmate? Answer: In general, it is permitted to take a ride with a male workmate, providing the route does not involve deserted areas where no other cars or pedestrians are present or likely to be […]
Chumros
Are chumrosa good thing to practice? An acquaintance pointed out to me that because Adam Harishon made a chumra on the eitz hadaas (Hashem said not to eat, Adam told Chava not to touch) death came to this world, therefore chumros are not good. can you help me with this issue? Thank you. Answer: A […]
Placing Soda in Freezer
Can one put a soda in the freezer on Shabbos so this soda gets chilled and then take the soda out before anything freezes? Answer: It is permitted to put soda in the freezer to cool it for drinking on Shabbos. Sources: The question of placing liquid in the freezer for the purpose of creating […]
Sleeping Alone
Is it permitted for a girl to sleep by herself (alone) in a house? Answer: A person (boy or girl) should not sleep alone in a house, but may do so without fear if a light in the house is left on. Sources: The Gemara (Shabbos 151b) writes that a person should not sleep alone, […]
Lost Shoe
If I found 1 shoe. Do I need to return it or call it out? Answer: Before picking up the shoe, the answer to this question depends on where the shoe was found, and on whether or not the shoe has characteristic markings by which it can be identified. However, having picked up the shoe, and providing […]
Uncovered Water
What are the exact halachos of mayim megulim? How long can the water be uncovered? How large can the opening be for it to become assur? Is it only overnight? Answer: For those who are particular concerning the prohibition of uncovered water, water should not be left unconvered form the time it takes for a snake to travel from the […]
Washing Kiddush Cup
Can one rinse out the kiddush cup on Shabbos to prepare for the mitzvah of havdalah, or this is considered preparing for the weekday which is forbidden? Answer: If it is clear that the kiddush cup won’t be used until after Shabbos, it should not be rinsed on Shabbos. Sources: Mishnah Berurah (323:29, based on […]
Leaving Eretz Yisrael
As there is a problem leaving Eretz Yisrael except for work, for a shidduch, and so on, what are the connotations of just going there for a ‘holiday’ and then returning to live in chutz la’aretz? Answer: For somebody who goes to Eretz Yisrael on holiday, there is no prohibition of leaving. According to some […]
Visible Bugs
What is the definition of a bug that is forbidden to eat. Let’s say the one can see a litte dot with the visible eye, but then if one were to take a microscope one could see that the little dot is really a bug–is that considered seeing with the visible eye? Answer: If the […]
Serving Hashem on the Job
I work at a job answering phones for hours. How can I serve G-d and gain reward while on the job? Just by thinking about Hashem? Answer: The first way of serving Hashem while on the job is by doing the job properly, with full attention on answering the calls in the best possible manner, […]
Yichud for Father
If two girls sleep with one of the girls’ father, is it considered yichud? Answer: If a daughter is present, there is no prohibition of yichud with another girl. Sources: See Devar Halachah (8:4), who quotes dissenting opinions concerning this question. Rav Wosner, however, is lenient on the matter, and this leniency is also cited […]
Receiving Charity
bs”d, kvod HaRav: I was told by one of the Gedolei Yisroel to leave my husband, as there is an abusive atmosphere for myself and kinderlach at home. I have approximately 8 days left in the apartment I currently live in before the lease ends. The people I thought were going to help me get […]
Kissing the Torah
Is it better to kiss the sefer torah in shul with one’s hand, or to take a tzitzis string from the talis, touch the Torah with the string, and kiss it? Answer: Both options are equally acceptable. However, it is preferable to actually kiss the Torah, rather than doing so by means of hand or […]
Fixing a Hat on Shabbos
If a black hat gets crushed on Shabbos can one fix the hat back to its wearable form? Answer: It is permitted to straighten out the hat. Or Le’Zion (27:9) writes that if the hat is crushed to a point that it cannot be worn, it should not be fixed up on Shabbos, because this […]
Tehillim at Night
Is one allowed to say Tehillim at night? I never received a clear answer from anyone about it… Would you also be able to provide an explanation of why one would not be able to? (I heard s/t about the night being time of din…however, wouldn’t that be an ideal time too counter that with […]
Chatzitzah on Handles
I toiveled a pot recently. Before I toiveld it I took off all the chatziztos. My wife then used the pot for cooking in. However, after a week or so we noticed that on the handles of the pot there were still some chatziztos which I neglected to take off. It should be noted that the handles are screwed on […]
Tefillas Haderech & Davening While Traveling
Why do some people eat food before reciting tefillas haderech?
Since tefillas haderech does not begin with the word baruch, it is pre
Shabbos in New Zealand
I heard there is a shailah about when to keep Shabbos when staying in New Zealand due to the date line. How do we pasken? Answer: There is a dispute among authorities concerning the time of Shabbos in New Zealand. According to most poskim, Shabbos should be kept on Saturday. Some, however (based on the […]
Ordering the Sunday NY Times
May I order the sunday edition of the NY Times? Issues I know of: [1] The Sunday edition actually is delivered on 2 days — Saturday and Sunday. A number of years ago the NYT decided to deliver a portion of the paper on Saturday and a portion of the paper on Sunday, even though it is […]
Clocking In
1. Am I allowed to clock in for work when I am not working if I know for sure that I will make up the time later? The reason I ask this is because I work alone for a company and they prefer that I work at specific hours but I may not always able […]
Custom Before/After Marriage
Does a kallah, the daughter of sefardi mother and ashkenazi father, needs to follow the minhagim/halachah of her father or husband, or can she choose to follow her mother’s minhagim? For instance, the question might be relevant to hair covering: although ashkenazim use a pe’ah, Rav Ovadia Yosef has ruled that it is assur. Can […]
Simple Faith
Is emunah peshutah a good thing, or should I aspire to understand the reasoning behind mitzvos and minhagim? Answer: The answer to this depends largely on personal disposition. Emunah peshutah is certainly a “good thing,” and it is something worth striving for. However, most people will be able to forge a deeper connection with mitzvos if […]
Shalom on Tisha b’Av
Is she’elas shalom after chatzos assur on tisha b’Av? Answer: One does not greet a person with Shalom (or other greetings such as “good morning/afternoon”) during the entire day of Tisha b’Av, even after chatzos. Sources: Mishnah Berurah 554:1; this is also implied by the simple reading of Shulchan Aruch, 554:20. See Mishnah Berurah 554:41 […]