Rav Y Wiener, Author at Ask The Rabbi - Dinonline

havdalah

Question: If one realizes during the Fast of Gedalia that he did not make Havdalah last night, what should he do? Answer: Should say havdalah on Fast of Gedalia and give the wine to a child who has reached the age of education to drink. Sources: Sdeh Chemed Asifas Dinim Mareches 5:15

Nut Cake during Aseres Yemei Hatshuva

Question: Permited? Answer: The prevalent custom not to eat nuts or sour food is only on Rosh Hashanah. If they are part of an ingredient in a cake to enhance the flavor but cannot be discerned by themselves it is permitted because they are considered part of a cake. Sources: O:CH 583:2

Saving Non-Jews

Question: Does the issur of lo moridin velo maalin apply to the non-jews of today? Answer: The issur only applies to the the pagan idol worshipers not to the non-Jews of today. Sources: , CH:M 425 ibid Beer Hagolah, Teshuvas Yaavetz 41, Meiri Yoma 84 b.

Not specifying a neder

Question: I did Hataras Nedarim on erev R”H and was thinking of a few specific nedarim that I had made throughout the year. However, I was not able to specify these nedarim to the “judges” in front of me since I was too embarrassed to do so. Does that nullify the hataras nedarim that I […]

white bugs (I think mealy) on the pomegranates

Question: If I found these bugs on some of the pomegranates on our tree, is there a special way I need to check the pomegranates? What am I looking for? Answer: First wash the fruit well in soapy water and when you open up the pomegranates and separate the fruit from the peel check to […]

Speaking until the end

Question: Please see Devarim 31:30. Why does it say he said until the end of the song. Would we have thought that Moshe would have stopped in the middle? Answer: See Seforno who answers the question. Sources:

Hashkafah about Tefillos on Rosh Hashanah

Question: Why do we find so little tefillos for the umos haolam on the yomim noraim with the exception of uvechen ten pachdecha and meloch? For example, we say uchsov lechayim tovim kol benei verisecha which includes only klal yisroel. This question has bothered me. Thank you very much and a kesivah vachasimah tovah! Answer: […]

General Sukkah Questions

Question: How much, of a sukkah covered in skach, can be coverd by the roof and still be valid? Further how much wood planks can be places under and above the skach and still be kosher? Does it matter that some of the planks have some nails nailed or staples stapled into them? Thank You […]

Hatas Nedarim – Privacy

Question: Hi, An addendum to my previous question is – I am obligated to explain to the three people what the kabala/neder was and why I couldn’t keep it even if it would be incredibly embarrassing and shaming? Thank you. Answer: You only have to explain to one of them and he can be a […]

Gender Issue

Question: It Is common in (Western) society for men to shake hands with other men in social and business contexts and it is known that there is a prohibition for men to shake hands with women, indeed, to have any contact with women (other than one’s spouse, children). What happens if a man comes across […]

Can i take food from Yeshivas kitchen without permission?

Question: it stealing to take food from the Yeshivas kitchen without asking, if eventually they will use it/ serve it. For example, there is a box a cereal thats out during breakfast, and later in the day I am hungry, can i take some and it it? Or there are chocolate chips that they use […]

Minimal amount for marital relations

Question: Is there a minimal amount of time which a husband must have marital relations? What if the husband does very infrequently and the wife does not complain? Answer: Most choson and kallah teachers teach twice a week. The important thing is that there should be harmony and no ill feelings between the couple. If the […]

Can children build forts on Shabbos out of cushions and blankets?

Question: Can children build forts on Shabbos using forts and blankets? Is it Boneh or Ohel? Answer: Even though it is only a temporary ohel (tent) it is still forbidden on Shabbos. The question is after it has been made can one dismantle it. Some say that the child cannot prohibit the usage of the […]

Checking raisins in America

Question: Your requirements for raisins are directly against all the major agencies in America, who require no checking at all. Is your policy only for E’Y, or also America? Has your policy changed and needs to be updated, or does it still stand? Thank you Feivel Answer: I do not know to what previous answer you are […]

Regarding wine barrel aged grain spirits, malt liquors, and beers…

Question: Regarding wine barrel aged grain spirits, malt liquors, and beers, if the barrel has been cleaned and scraped as required by FDA and Health department standards, is the barrel still nosein ta’am to the point of an issur? in other words, now that the barrel has been cleaned and scraped (kdei klipa), does the […]

Is video evidence permissible in court?

Question: Does video surveillance hold the same authority as witnesses in the eyes of modern halacha? If so would you need two sets of footage similar to how two witnesses are required in beit din? Answer: Video surveillance is not a substitute for testimony by two kosher witnesses, so therefore even though there are video […]

Dikduk

Question: L’Kvod Harav Shlit”a, My question is regarding two nekudos: 1) is pronouncing a tzeirei like a segel problematic (example: saying yisroel instead of yisroail; shomer instead of shomair; etc. and 2)is saying “laymur” instead of “laymoir”; “kul” instead of “koil”(as in “einei koil”); etc. a problem? Thanks! Answer: The Sephardim do not differentiate between […]

Trees and Orlah – In Israel

Question: Dear Rabbonim, First question: Our garden contains two fruit producing trees which have been planted too close together (Less than a foot). One Large old one and another around 5 years old but small. I wish to uproot the small one and move it a few feet to the side to allow it to […]

Schach

Question: Being that Schach has to be put down L’shem the Mitzvah of Succah, is it permissible for a woman to lay the Schach and have this in mind, even if a woman os not M’chuyev in Succah? Answer: The schach does not have to be put down L’shem the Mitzvah of Succah but requires L’shem Tzel so […]

copying Audio to USB

Question: Is it permissible to copy music from CDs that one purchased to a USB in order to be able to listen to music in the car for the purchasers own use? Answer: Since you purchased the C.D. and it now legally belongs to you, therefore you are entitled to make a copy for your […]

Fasting

Question: Dear Rov. I have been diagnosed with a mental disability and high blood pressure, chronic anxiety and depression taking numerous medications with chest pains. I believe that I am considered a person who would be in danger due toasting, I ask you to give me a psak for Yom Kippur. Yehuda Answer: Perhaps you […]

Pomegranites

Question: I was at a someones home that has many pomegranate trees. They gave me permission to take what I wanted . Is there a halacha against picking them and eating them? Answer: One is not allowed to destroy a fruit tree for no reason but there is no problem to pick fruit from a […]

Does having anal sex remove status as besula?

Question: If one has had anal sex before marriage more than once, with a Jew, full penetration, are they still considered a besula? Answer: She is not considered a besula and therefore cannot marry a Kohen Gadol. Sources: Yevomos 59a, Yerushalmi Kesuvos 1:3, Rambam Isurey Biyah 17:14

hagofen

Question: Reuven makes Kiddush on wine Friday night. When Reuven says the bracha of hagofen, he has in mind additional wine that he will drink during the seuda. Later, Shimon his guest comes in. Shimon did not hear Kiddush yet and doesn’t know how to say it. When Reuven makes Kiddush for Shimon and Reuven […]

hefsek

Question: One washes for bread at work and says al netilas yadayim. While walking to his desk etc., one is asked a question or approached by a supervisor, coworker, asked to step into someone’s office to look at something…. What is the appropriate response to avoid a hefsek and simultaneously avoid offending people? Answer: איזהו […]

Overtime

Question: I work for a company tgat send me out to different clients. My boss does not pay me overtime. I have one client that is ready to pay me for all overtime hours I put in. Am I obliged to tell my boss about it and give him a cut? Answer: Why do you […]

shabbos

Question: If one eats a banana on Shabbos and the peel remains in his hand, with no edible remnants, is it muktzah? What about a candy wrapper, once the candy has been removed? Or grapes, where you ate them and only the stem is left? Since it is still in your hand, can you take […]

Divorce, honoring father, and especially grandmother

Question: My brother was divorced and now his children will not have any contact with him. I do not know all the reasons of the divorce. What they also did was cut their grandmother who just turned 89, and their aunts, uncles and cousins out of their lives too. None of us did anything against […]

Maaser and Debt

Question: Due to the financial crisis in 2008, I had to borrow very substantial sums of money from family in order to stay afloat and for my family and I not to become homeless. BH, things have slowly started to turn for the better. However, I cannot afford to pay off my debts to family […]

tachanun for women

Question: I heard that women don’t customarily say tachanun. So does that mean they should skip that in selichos. If so, exactly what parts should be skipped in selichos? Answer: You are correct in that women don’t customarily say tachanun, so therefore they should skip the tachnun at the end of the selichos. Sources: O:CH 131 […]

hamapil after chatzos

Question: Should one skip hamapil if it is after chatzos or should one say it? Answer: Even though there is an opinion that according to the Zohar Hamapil should not be recited aftr chatzos, never the less the halachah is that even after midnight Hamapil is said. Sources: O:CH Sharey Teshuvah 239:2, Kaf Hachaim ibid […]

“Carlebach-style” Selichos

Question: I recently have seen on many frum websites “Carlebach-style” Selichos. The tzibbur sings songs whose words don’t even come from the Selichos. They jump up and down and get very lebedik. Often, the singing is accompanied by a guitar. Is this appropriate for Selichos? Is there anything halachically problematic with it? I’m sure most […]

Medicine on Shabbos/Yom Tov

Question: Can a Chazzan with dry vocal chords take saliva inducing nose drops and pills on Shabbos and Yom Tov? What about on Yom Kippur? Thanks Answer: Many poskim permit a healthy person to take vitamins on Shabbos because it only ensures that he stays healthy. Similarly if he only wants to keep his vocal cords […]

Unavoidable light sensors in my apartment on Shabbat

Question: I recently rented an apartment and when I came home on my first Shabbos I noticed that the only entrance is equipped with motion detector lights. I did a bit of research on this site and didn’t find anything specific to my situation. I can’t turn them off beforehand (and even if I did […]

Early Slichos Minyan

Question: The (Orthodox) shul across from my home has a Slichos minyan at 11pm, which I’d like to attend. I live in Central Israel and chatzot is about 12:30 at night. This is will be my second year reciting Slichot (not frum from birth), and last year I prayed Slichot with the same minyan, not […]

caffeine suppositories

Question: Are caffeine suppositories permissible on Yom Kippur? Thank you Answer: Although one is allowed to use caffeine suppositories on erev Yom Kippur to make the fast easier, on Yom Kippur one should refrain from using them unless the fast causes excessive suffering or there is a possibility that the fast will be broken. Sources: Teshuvas Chelkas […]

Laws of Shiva and Working

Question: I’m a commissions analyst for a telecom company. I calculate the monthly commissions for the Inside and Direct sales teams, managers and Directors. Approx. 25 employees. The calculations are due for the last pay period of each month. Due to insufficient resources, I do not have a backup. Can I put in some work […]

Reuse of glass jars

Question: Is it permissible to re-use glass food jars for storing dry food such as nuts or grains or leftovers from meals without having first been immersed in a mikvah? I am referring to jars originally used to store commercial food items which are normally disposed of after the food is eaten. Answer: There is […]

Grama Benizakin

Question: What is the biblical source that grama in damages is patur? Thank you Answer: See Yad Rama Bava Basra 26, Birkas Shmue Bava Kama 13,14 &20 Also Kuntrasey Shiurim (Hagaon R.Y.Gustman) Bava Kama 1. Sources:

Yerusha

Question: I got a significant amount of money as inheritance. Do I have to give maaser on all of it soon or can I save and disburse it yearly over a few years? I did once hataras nedarim on maaser, so whatever I don’t transgress if I don’t give, although I plan, bli neder, on […]

New motion detector without red light

Question: If this new detector does not have a light to show movement, is there a chashash of a Shabat transgression when walked in front of it? Answer: Since you do not care about whether or not your motion is detected and it is non a certainty that you are always close enough for it […]

Feishig mix up with milchig cutlery

Question: I fried onions that had previously come into contact with salami in a milchig frying pan using a milchig spoon. The onions were cut with a fleishig knife. The onions were then placed back onto the fleishig glass plate. The frying pan was then washed in a milchig sink with a milchig sponge. ( […]

Muktzeh

Question: If a hat is hanging on a tree on Shabbos, and subsequently falls off by itself or is removed by a goy, may one wear this hat on Shabbos? I remember learning in Rabbi Simcha Bunim Cohen’s sefer that an object on a tree bein hashemashos is muktzah the whole day, since it is […]

Must a diffuser be toiveled?

Question: Does a diffuser need to be toiveled? A diffuser is of course not a vessel and is just used to make sure that a pot is heated evenly. Thanks Answer: One does not have to toivel a diffuser since it does not come in direct contact with food. Sources: Y:D 120:4

Kiddush Levana

Question: One can still say it from the Gemara even after the zman for saying it has passed, or one can say without Sheim UMalchus. Answer: One can always read it from the gemorah like the Chasam Sofer did when he wanted to make a bracha “שחלק מחכמתו” on Hagaon Reb. Mashulam Igra. Sources:

Washing body

Question: How should one wash himself in the shower? I know that you start from the head and then move downwards. My question is does the right leg go before the left arm or vice versa? Thank you Answer: One should always precede the right hand and foot before the left, because the Torah gave […]

Removing a Whitehead spot on Shabbos

Question: Dear Rabbi On Shabbos, if one has a whitehead spot (a covering of white over a red spot), could one gently remove the white with a tissue if there will be no bleeding involved? Answer: One is allowed to squeeze a white head on Shabbos if one is careful not to squeeze fresh blood. Sources: […]

Abarbanel on “Ad Hayom Hazeh”

Question: In his introduction to Neviim Rishonim, Abarbanel uses the phrase “ad hayom hazeh” to disagree with Bava Basra 14/15 about who wrote the books of Neviim Rishonim. The phrase “ad hayom hazeh” appears in Chumash too. Surely he’s not saying that later authors wrote the books of Chumash (see his comments to Bemidbar 21). […]

shofar

Question: I learned that something that is on a tree bein hashemashos Friday evening is muktzah the whole Shabbos. Let us assume that there is a shofar on a tree bein hashemashos of R”H. A Jew may not climb the tree during R”H to retrieve his shofar. However, I believe that he may request of […]

gozez

Question: I noticed that when I am eating, sometimes hair ends up on my plate. I assume that it is hair from my mustache that came off in the course of eating. When this happens on Shabbos, is it a problem of gozez? (It’s not just one hair, but maybe three in the course of […]