Question: an answer was posted about buying something for someone and it getting lost beoness shulchan aruch C:M 182:1, 200:12 seem to say clearly that a messanger makes the kinyan for the sender [zechiya] and hence becomes a shomer in this case chinam who is patur from oness please clarify- this important point Answer: Yasher […]
Author Archives: Rav Y Wiener
standing for elderly
Question: an answer was posted that said if there is a kiddush hashem one should stand for elderly isnt this a chiyuv of mipnei seiva takum and not just issue of kiddush hashem? Answer: The question was asked regarding a non Jew as well. Sources:
Can a sick person daven maariv alone before nacht?
Question: Where I live nacht is around 11 pm. I normally daven maariv with a minyan after plag hamincha. Today I am unwell, cannot go to shul and iy”H will daven at home alone. Is there please any heter to daven maariv after plag and before nacht? Answer: You can daven maariv at home after […]
monetary
Question: when I was a bar mitzvah bachur (and before then),I used to ride on the yeshiva buses without paying for them. The story is as follows: three of the yeshiva’s buses pass by a certain stop on the way to yeshiva;its the last stop for at least one of them. Either the drivers let […]
coloring tefilin straps with sharpie pen
Question: Can I color the tefilin straps with a sharpie pen because i may have some white dots on them? Answer: Most probably you can dye the straps with the marker because the ink is not treif but made from some synthetic base, but better to obtain a kosher pen. Sources: Noda Beyehuda 2, O:CH 3, […]
supermarket goods stolen
Question: an answer was posted with regards to stolen supermarket goods from the door of one’s house how can i be responsible to pay for something i never acquired? outside my door is not my courtyard?? Answer: He already acquired it by placing it in the cart. Since it is common practice here in Yerusholyim for the shops to […]
mechila
Question: Shalom Aleichem, I’m submitting these shailos on behalf of my friend who’s a little nervous but doesn’t have OCD and he just wants to know what the halacha is,and he will follow whatever the rabbonim tell him. 1)If I wronged a katan, can i ask him for mechila now?and if he has no power […]
tumas meis
Question: When a plane with a mais is connected to the airport to exit the passengers, does the tuma spread to the entire airport and hence a kohen may not enter an airport, the plane is an ohel zaruk and seemingly not chotzetz? Answer: The plane is also made from metal which is mekabel tumah. […]
leaving maid with wine and utensils
Question: I leave my maid with closed bottles of wine and with my kitchen utensils alone, is this common practice a problem? Answer: If the maid thinks that some one might always come back unexpectedly it is fine, but if she knows that you will be out for a very long time is a problem. Sources: Y:D 122:9 Shach […]
Yerusha of intagibles (דבר שאין בו ממש)
Question: We were dicussing an aspect of yerusha today that I hope you will be able to provide some guidance. The essential question is whether a father is מוריש intagibles to his sons? For example, let’s say the father has a business that does not require an inventory. He makes service calls and he purchases […]
What is a Bracha?
Question: The Hebrew term Bracha is often translated as ‘blessing’ or ‘praise’ , as opposite to a curse, and we recitate many brachot a day over people, stuff and situations. But what exactly are those Brachot, what exactly do they do, act out, achieve or effectuate? It’s not like we’re grant wishes, put a spell […]
It’s Wednesday night — can I take a haircut?
Question: I’ve been reading many pages online about when it is best to cut nails l’kavod Shabbos (for Ashkenazim). Now it’s Wed. night. Can I take a haircut? Answer: You can have a haircut. The problem is only with nails because they look unkempt if cut 3 days before Shabbos. Sources: O:CH 260 Mishnah Berurah 6.
Ask meaning
Question: there is some meaning to this word : HAFTIJ ? Answer: See the following link: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/haftij%C4%85 Sources:
once payment is accepted, is there a binding purchase?
Question: once payment is accepted, is there a binding purchase on the part of the seller? Answer: The buyer or seller cannot retract, and if they do they deserve the curse of “מי שפרע “. Sources: Gemorah Bova Metziah 44a, Rambam Mechirah 7:1, CH:M 204:1&4
chamisha dvarim of chavala
Question: i may owe my parents several thousand dollars for various reasons.they don’t know about this. ii recently occured to me that perhaps i am patur from at least some or all of the sum, because they treated me horribly as a child and teenager,emotionally,as well as several instances of assault,and others of public humiliation. […]
monetary
Question: i may have taken longer than usual showers when i was in the dorm of a yeshiva.i am uncertain if my parents were paying for the dorm.also ,in a second yeshiva, i used to turn the shower on to make the janitor think that i was in the shower so that he wouldnt disturb […]
Various Questions
Question: 1) On the subway, is one required to give up his seat to anyone older or only for the elderly? Does it make a difference if it is a Jew or a non-Jew? What if he won’t be able to learn if he stands? 2) Is one allowed to learn if there are immodestly […]
Praying for a non- Jew
Question: As an ardent supporter of Donald Trump may I pray for his success in his presidential campaign? Answer: Avrohom prayed for Sodom and for Avimelech. If you feel the urge you can pray for his success, Hashem will decide how to direct your prayers. Sources: Sefer Chasidim 257
Relatives allowed to be eidei kiddushin
Question: What relatives are allowed to be eidei kiddushin? (especially considering the stance that there not be any room to call the kiddushin in question) Answer: Even though distant relatives can be witnesses together, the prevalent custom is that the two witnesses should not be related in any way what so ever. Sources: Sanhedrin 27b, […]
Shoes of one who passed away
Question: I know that the shoes a person is wearing when he passes away need to be discarded, but can the remaining pairs (especially pairs he seldom wore) be given away to a gmach? thanks Answer: There are various ways of interpreting this custom. Some say that only the shoes worn at the time of […]
Gambeling
Question: is there any problem with spread betting on stocks or currencies of :mesachek bekuvya; gambling Answer: It is common practice to bet on stocks etc, but never the less if it can be avoided it is praiseworthy. Sources: Sanhedrin 24b, CH:M 370:2, Ramoh ibid 3, Semah ibid 3, Teshuvas Chavas Yoir 61, Teshuvas Rav Peolim 2 […]
shlichut
Question: I was asked if I can buy a expesive item for my friend and to lay out the money. I bought it and a אונס happened on the way back. I told him he has to pay because I was a shomer chinum– he claims that he was never Koneh it and he is […]
Delivered order that was stolen
Question: Hi. I ordered an order from my local supermarket. They dropped it off on the top step leading to my house. (I live in a single family house). They say they dropped it off about 9 am. At 915 I checked and it wasn’t there. I believe them that it was dropped off, but […]
Renting a apartment to a goi
Question: can you rent an apartment to goi (nosri and philipino) in jersualem in rechavia that is mixed relegious and chiloni????? Answer: Although there is room to be lenient never the less it is preferable to rent the apartment to a Jew. Sources: Gemorah Avodah Zorah 20b, Chinuch 40, Rambam A:Z 10:3, Y:D 151:8-10, Shach […]
Dispute regarding authorship and existence of Iyov
Question: Bava Basra 15 and 16 express lots of different opinions as to who wrote Iyov, whether he lived and if so when. Rambam in Moreh Nevuchim 3 says he never lived. Ramban, Ralbag and Malbim say Moshe wrote the Sefer before or after G-d spoke to him. Ibn Ezra says he was a descendant […]
Partnership
Question: Shalom uverachah and thank you. Reuven approached Shimon and asked him to find properties they could buy together, with Reuven providing most of the money and Shimon, who would be doing the legwork, taking most of the profit. Shimon found a property and told Reuven why he thought it was a good deal and they […]
The time of krias shema
Question: If one has started reciting the bracho of yotzer ohr and suddenly realizes that he is about to miss zman krias shema (and if he finishes yotzer ohr + ahava rabba, he will miss it), what should he do? Answer: One is allowed to interrupt the ברכות ק”ש to say the shemah on time, […]
Returning a ring after a broken marriage
Question: Is a wife required to return a diamond ring if a get is being given? What if the husband was told by bais din that his possessions become hefker if not removed from the wife’s residence by a certain date, and the ring wasn’t claimed at that time together with the rest of his […]
Taking School to a din Torah
Question: I was wondering if there was any grounds to take govenors of a school to Beis Din for denying a child entry to the school with no reason. Various govenors and bad hachinuch have even refused to meet with the parents or listen to other Rabbonim to find out what the family is like […]
Shabbat in the Jewish calendar
Question: All Jewish holidays depend on Jewish Lunar calendar. Why only Shabbat we are celebrating according to the Christian Solar calendar on Christian Saturday? Answer: The Jewish calendar is a lunisolar calendar based both on the sun and moon. Our Shabbos is not based on the Christian Saturday but a continuation from the first Shabbos since the […]
Jewish Weddings
Question: Good morning, I was just inquiring if a non-Jewish guest, can attend the Chuppa ceremony and / or reception, at an Orthodox Jewish wedding? Also, if they can attend are they allowed to participate in the rituals (eg holding the chuppah, chant mazel tov)? Thank you! Answer: I think it is common practice that […]
Chosson making Shiva call
Question: May a chosson make a shiva during the week of Sheba brachos? Answer: Although we do find certain lenencies in the laws of mourning regarding a choson,never the less if feels a necessity to make a shivah call on a close family member or friend he is allowed to do so. Sources: Y:D 342
Tumah
Question: Bchvod haRav…..I put my phone down on a place that might have had old dried zera on it and then i touched my phone and then touched other things and my phone bumped into other things …..do i have to worry about 1) if there is zera on clothing that got touched or bumped […]
Relations before marriage
Question: If I’m not nida can I be with a man ? Is there a heter? Answer: There is no heter. Not only is it not permitted to be with a man, there is also an issur “yichud” (seclusion) for a single girl to be alone with a man. Sources: Rambam & Raavad Ishus1:4, Sanhedrin 21b, Rambam Isurey […]
Learning in the middle of the night
Question: If one awakens unexpectedly in the middle of the night and wants to learn but still hopes to fall back asleep what should be done? Thank you Answer: Since his original intention was to sleep uninterupted the entire night, when he falls asleep the birkas hatorah he made the previous morning terminates and therefore when he […]
Writing a valid shtar
Question: Someone wants to borrow a significant sum from me, is there a text for a valid shtar [einglish or hebrew]. Also, is it necesssary to have witnesses or does the signature of the borrower hold wieght in beis din? Answer: It is sufficient that the shtar says that the undersigned borrowed a sum of […]
Chronology of the Shofetim
Question: Seder Olam, Abarbanel, Rashi and Redak all try hard to fit the years of the Shofetim into 480 years between leaving Egypt and building the Beis Hamikdash. Reading Sefer Shofetim one would get the impression that it spans over 500 years. Are there any modern discoveries or authors that shed light on this question? […]
King David’s Sin
Question: Have question regarding King David. I have heard that the story regarding David’s sin with Bathsheeba was spawned from political motives. Do we have old versions of the Tora that support this? Were there scrolls found in the dead sea scrolls that support this. Regards Howard Answer: Please forgive me for delaying. Rabbi Avigdor […]
Amira l’akum
Question: In the case of a public school teacher who will be absent from work on yom tov (i.e., the second day of Shavuous), is she permitted to leave work (which obviously would involve writing) for the students in her class to do during class time, or would this transgress the prohibition of amira l’akum […]
Kabalah with a Neder
Question: Hi, About 7 months ago I made a kabalah WITHOUT saying “bli neder” and it ended up being a kabalah that I was not able to keep (as of this week). Is there something that can be done about this quandary? Thank you. Answer: You should stand in front of 3 people (even relatives) […]
Davening behind a Rebbi or Father
Question: If one is davening S”E and one suddenly realizes that he is standing right behind his rebbi/ father, what should he do? Answer: Some hold that only if he davens alone with his rebbi is a problem but to daven in a shule with other people is not a problem. Perhaps he should turn […]
Mezinka
Question: Is there a mekor for the mezinka dance done at weddings ? Answer: I assume you mean the dance with the broom. To the best of my limited knowledge I have not yet found a source, If you find one please keep me informed! Sources:
Chasan driving
Question: Is there a problem with a chasan driving the day of his chupa Answer: There is no problem for a choson to drive on the day of his chupah, but since the prevalent custom is that a choson does not go alone he should therefore have someone accompany him. Sources: Berochos 54b, Mogen Avrohom […]
Checking lentils
Question: If the packet of black lentils has a kosher stamp how do I check them ? Answer: I spoke to the bug expert of the Eida Charedis and he said you should check them like rice. First put them in a sieve and then inspect them. Sources:
Signing a Non-Halachic Ketubah
Question: A friend has asked me to act as a “witness” and has requested that I sign a non-halachic ketubah. My question is, is this considered as just signing my name on a meaningless piece of paper, essentially my autograph, or is this not allowed as it is endorsing in a sense a non halachic […]
Left over food from wic
Question: Hi, If a person is eligible for wic and gets for example 24 bottles of milk per month but only uses 16. Can that person give the leftovers to a friend. In general the particular about this and will not give milk to a family that can’t consume the 24 bottles. So my question […]
Caviar Selections that are kosher
Question: Dear Rabbis, I would like to try caviar and I am concerned that many of the fish are not kosher. I am not entirely certain what is indeed kosher but I would like to order some. Can you suggest what I might want to try so that I can in my future give this […]
Koton and pasik reishah
Question: [When] may a koton be asked to turn on hot water on Shabbos? Answer: One is not allowed to tell a minor to do a malochoh deorysah on Shabbos even if the child has not reached the age of chinuch. Regarding a melochoh derabonon is a dispute amongst the Rishonim and the Chofetz Chaim […]
Need help calculating date of shloshim
Question: If the date of burial was May 23, 2016, when does shloshim fall? Shavuot falls within 30 days. Does that change the determination of the date of shloshim? Answer: The shloshim needs to be calculated by the Hebrew date. So May 23 corresponds to the 15 Iyar. Which means that the date of the shloshim […]
Candle Lighting
Question: Due to the lateness of the Z’man for 2nd night Yom Tov (Chu”L), my wife wasn’t able to candle light as she was extremely tired. Consequently, I lit the candles. Is she obligated to light an extra candle on Shabbatot from now on and/or on future Yomim Tovim? Please clarify. Thank you. (Please respond […]