I am the gabbai tzedaka and a old penny collector. Someone puts in a old penny worth perhaps 10 cents. I will take it out and put in 10 cents. However, from purely a halachic standpoint (not doing the nice, moral thing) how much should I put in? I asked 2 orthodox rabbis in town […]
Author Archives: Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer
Kashering Sink with Plastic Faucet
Question: Can a sink faucet with a plastic spout be kashered? If I am by someone else’s house that was told by their Rav that they can kasher it – is there makom to be makil? Answer: Yes, there is certainly room to be lenient here. Although there is an implication in Iggros Moshe, Yoreh […]
Children’s Dolls in Halachah
What is l’maseh in regards to having dolls that look like real people. Is one required to make some sort of pagam in the doll. Is there any tzad or makor l’hakil to not to do this? Answer: Shevet Ha-Levi is stringent concerning dolls (based on Yoreh De’ah 141). However, many are lenient, because the […]
Trimming Nose Hair
Is it mutar for a man to trim his nose hairs? Answer: It is generally permitted to shave nasal hair, certainly if its presence causes a person shame or discomfort. Sources: The Torah prohibits a man from beautifying himself in the manner of women, and it is therefore prohibited to shave one’s body in places […]
Moving Mechitzah on Shabbos
In a simcha hall there is a mechitzah that is easily moved with wheels on the bottom. However it’s been now in the same place for a number of months. On Shabbos the people using the hall wanted to move the mechitzah, is this muter? Answer: Although the mechitzah has not been moved for a […]
Eggs that Never Came
I ordered 2 trays of eggs by phone and paid in advance by credit card which they charged. I never received it and the secretary said the delivery man told her he left it outside my door after knocking. I said I never heard any knock and I checked my door periodically throughout the day […]
Spelling “Calsa”
In the Kasubah of a woman who’s not a basuleh it’s written “Calsa” (כלתא). Is the correct spelling with an alef at the end or a hei? Answer: To my knowledge, the word “calsa” is always spelt with an aleph at the end.
Leaving Mishloach Manos Outside the Door
Regarding shloach manos. If a person appoints a shlioach or delivers shloach manos himself, and theres no one home. If you leave the shloach manos on the stoop or by the door, are you yozei the mitzvah lechathillah or otherwise? Answer: If the person doesn’t receive the mishloach manos on Purim, the mitzvah is not […]
Dividing One’s Inheritance
Is it possible to divide the yerusha so that the wife (or husband) get 50% and the children divide the rest equally, both girls and boys? In this specific case the boys and girls are already married and although being helped by the parents are self supported. Toda merosh Answer: A yerushah can be divided in […]
Taking Out Tzitzis with Safety Pin
I have a number of tallis katonim that I use. One pair has tzizit which is menupatz. If I use a safety pin to designate that pair, can i wear it on shabbos with the safety pin in an area without an Eruv?The safety pin is only as a simon to tell me which pair […]
Finishing Paying Off one’s Home
Is there a Torah source or minhag to make a seudas mitzvah, when one finishes paying off his home in chutz la’aretz? Answer: I do not know of a specific or formal custom in this matter. Although completing one’s payment for a home is a personally important matter, and it can bring a person much […]
Intention for Torah Study in Kerias Shema
Can one be yotzie Krias shma with dual cavanah. 1. For mitzvah 2.lilmud Torah? Thank you Answer: Yes, but the principle intention is for the mitzvah of kerias shema, and the Torah study involved is secondary. There is also no need to have this intention. The Gemara actually states that somebody who recites kerias shema […]
Remembering Amalek: Halachos of Parashas Zachor
This week’s article discusses the halachos of Parashas Zachor, which is read this week in advance of Purim. Is the reading of Zachor a Torah mitzvah, or a rabbinic enactment? Does the mitzvah require a kosher Sefer Torah, and a reading among a quorum of men? Are women obligated in the mitzvah? These questions, and more, are discussed in the present article.
Getting Back Donated Money
A yeshiva was collecting money for a megila, I donated a sum and 2 hours later a donor walked in and donated the whole thing. Am I allowed to take back the money? Answer: You do not have a right to take back the money. Sources: The Gemara writes that “leftover money” is used for […]
Mental Vow to Give Charity
If one decides to donate a certain amount of tzedaka to a certain organization in his mind, but does not say so explicitly out loud, is that a vow? Does it make a difference if the person is a child or a woman – ie: her money technically belongs to her father / husband – […]
Reciting Berachos without Covering Hair
Does a married woman need to cover her hair when making any brochas for herself? if so what is the source? Answer: No, there is no specific obligation for a woman to cover her hair when reciting blessings. Although some are stringent in this matter, it appears that at least for Ashkenazim, one can be […]
Walking on the Streets
If there are poskim that say that aryos [internet/joining the army] is yehareg ve’al ya’avor – why doesn’t the same idea apply to walking in the street because there are also arayos? Answer: 1. Although there is a prohibition of placing oneself in a position/place where one will be exposed to arayos (meaning, in this […]
Used Unlicensed Anti-Virus
A year ago I purchased a license for anti-virus software for my desktop computer. Afterwards, I wanted to have this software for my laptop also. My computer tecnician said he could arrange for a discount for purchasing two licenses. He set it up and took from me for the laptop an amount that was less […]
The Joy of the Month of Adar: Why and How?
This week’s article discusses the famous statement of Chazal: “When Adar enters, we augment our joy.” Why is the month of Adar singled out from all other months in its expression of joy? What halachos does the special status of the month include, and in which way are we to express the joy of the time? These points, and more, are discussed in this week’s article.
Conversion Process
Does it require a Beit din for a convert to convert? Where is the source of this law? What if a convert, all alone, accepted upon himself the mitzvot, dipped, circumsized, is he Jewish ? Why do batei dinim make conversions drag for so long ? What is the source for this? Does this have […]
Kiddush on Beverages Other Than Wine
In this week’s article we discuss the issue of Kiddush, and in particular the question of which beverages can be used for Kiddush. When is it permitted to make Kiddush on beer, and on other beverages? Can whisky be used for Kiddush, and how much needs to be drunk? Can one make Kiddush on bread? These questions, and more, are discussed in this week’s article.
Automated Forex Trading over Shabbos
Hi I have started currency trading and have some Halacha’s to ask. 1. Is currency trading considered halachic gambling? 2. I trade through an automated system, where people from all over the world enter into trades and then their trades are copied into my account, both when they open each trade and close each trade, […]
Changing Foreign Currency Checks
I asked the following question from you and received an answer. At the end of your answer you noted: “that this answer does not relate to the possible ribbis issues involved in the transaction.” If I may, I would like to know what “possible ribbis issues” may relate to this transaction. The case: 1. Ploni […]
Proping up Siddur with Tefillin Box
1) Can one use any black marker or paint to darken tefilin straps? I don’t think the average marker is made out of any impure animals. 2) Can one use tefillin cases to prop open a siddur to a page or is this considred a tashmush kedusha? Answer: 1) The paint used to color tefillin must […]
Brachah for Croutons
jordan basket femme hogan interactive donna What l’maseh is the bracha to be made on “croutons”? Answer: The berachah for croutons is usually mezonos. However, this depends on how the croutons (not soup-nuts, which are always mezonos) are made. Some are baked, some are baked twice and others are baked and then fried. If the […]
Taking Revenge and Bearing a Grudge: A Halachic Appraisal
This week’s article discusses a number of basic questions concerning the prohibitions against taking revenge and bearing a grudge. When are the prohibitions of taking revenge and bearing a grudge transgressed? Are they contingent on a person’s inner thoughts, or do they require a concrete action? Are there instances in which it is permitted to take revenge and to bear a grudge? We will seek to clarify these issues in this week’s article.
Halachos of Rebuke
One of the early sources pertaining to the concept of rebuke is found in our parashah, Parashas Vayigash. The Torah describes Yosef’s revelation to his brothers with the following words: “Yosef said to his brothers, “I am Yosef! Is my Father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were greatly alarmed […]
Dreams Can Come True: A Halachic Appraisal of Dreams (2)
In last week’s article, and in keeping with the weeks’ parashios in which a number of dreams are mentioned, we began to discuss the halachic significance of dreams. The main focus of the article was the seeming contradiction between two Talmudic sources, one of them highlighting the halachic significance of dreams, and the other indicating […]
Dreams Can Come True: A Halachic Appraisal of Dreams (1)
In Parashas Vayeishev we begin to learn about the importance of dreams. Yaakov Avinu, the Torah informs us, “kept the matter” of Yosef’s prophetic dreams, anticipating their future fulfillment. Ultimately, the dreams were realized when Yaakov and his sons were brought before Yosef, the Egyptian viceroy. In the forthcoming parashah, Parashas Miketz, we find the […]
Covering Challah on Pot
In terms of hatmanah – if one wishes to leave potato kugel wrapped in aluminum foil on top of a cholent pot (crock pot or on blech) and cover the towel over the kugel on the cholent would this be ok ? (since not all of the cholent is covered only where the potato kugel […]
Selling Box after Faulty Sample
A person who sells plastic silverware and plates, cups, etc in large quantities received a shipment with many plastic plates. He opened up a number of the boxes to check if the order is correct. He found in 2 boxes instead of being what was 50 sets of plates there was only 40. To open […]
Placing Food in Oven on Shabbos
Our oven has a matzav Shabbat, its programming is separate from the non-matzav Shabbat programming (their switches are unrelated, once Shabbos mode is on, the knobs belonging to the normal oven have no more effect — to the best of my knowledge). However, Shabbos mode does not use a different compartment of the oven, the very […]
Asking non-Jew to Turn On Lights
Amira l’goy we are sometimes matir l’tzrachei rabbim, for example turning on the lights in a shul. If davening in the shul starts at 8 am and someone got there much earlier and wants to learn before the people start to arrive, can he get the goy then to come turn on the lights […]
Netillas Yadayim in Bathroom
Can someone wash negel vasser (morning washing after sleep) in a bathroom with a toilet and shower? The bathroom is clean? Answer: For today’s bathrooms, which are generally clean, the Chazon Ish (17:4) writes that there is a doubt as to whether they retain the same status of Chazal’s bathrooms. This is all the more […]
Throwing Away Food after Simcha
As follow up to question of bal tashchit at a simcha, is one obligated to make sure that food is distributed to poor, or is there no obligation if it’s more costly to save the food and distribute it, or even to take it home or give away to family, friends and guests? If there […]
Chanukah Candles when Travelling
I am travelling abroad during Chanukah I reach my place of lodging at about 2 in the morning – should I light when I arrive there? Should my wife light for herself the nights that I am not home or should she be yotzei with my bar-mitzvah boy? I arrive back home at ~ 3 […]
Berachah on Fruit Syrup
If someone is eating fruit cocktail with its syrup, a bracha (haeitz) should be made for it during the meal (a bread meal). At times some of the syrup is left over after all the fruit is eaten, should one make a shehakol on the syrup now? It’s not fruit and it’s not part of […]
Chanukah Candles Via Skype
Can one fulfill the chiyuv of pirsuma nisa for neiros chanukah via Skype (for example could someone in the US Skype with someone in Israel if there is no one awake in the middle of the night)? Answer: According to several authorities even somebody lighting (very) late can still light with a berachah. Skype doesn’t […]
Laws of Yichud/Seclusion (1)
The verse in this week’s parashah states (Devarim 13:7): “If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son, or your daughter, or the wife of your lap, or your friend that is as your own soul, entice you secretly, saying: ‘Let us go and serve other gods,’ which you have not known, neither […]
Laws of Seclusion (2)
In last week’s article we began to discuss the prohibition of yichud, seclusion with women who constitute prohibited unions. We discussed the basic nature of the prohibition (Torah/rabbinic; ‘essential’/’protective’), and elaborated on the common leniency of a woman whose husband is in town. This week, we will continue to discuss the common halachos of yichud. […]
Lighting Above Twenty Amos
ןIf the house I live in is on a hill above the street level (there are steps to climb to the front door) can I still light at my window? Does the height requirement begin at street level or at my house? People walking by would still be able to see the menorah in the […]
Flowers for Church Wedding
Shalom! I am a bridal designer and creating a flower arrangements for brides. Question: Can I sell my bouquets to gentile brides who will use my bouquets to get married in Christian church or other Avoda Zara Temple? If I’ll be liable for it as a Jewish woman? Thank you for your efforts, time and […]
Kavod for Gerus Candidate
At a Yeshiva there is a person who is in the process of becoming a ger, it was asked if they are allowed to give him any of the following kibbudim: Pesichas ha’aron, hagbah, or glilah. While it may not be a “kavod” to the tzibbur to give these kibbudim to a goy however the […]
Baruch Sheptarani: Released from Punishment
This week’s article deals with the blessing of baruch sheptarani, the berachah recited by fathers upon their sons reaching Bar-Mitzvah. What is the meaning of the blessing, and why is it commonly recited without Shem and Malchus? It the blessing recited for girls? Is it recited by mothers? These, and other questions, are discussed in this week’s article.
Is a Noise Considered a Hefsek?
if one makes a bracha on food and makes a noise that signifies something to others like uhuh… (meaning no! or stop it) is this a hefsek if one makes a noise betwen the bracha and the actually eating? Or does a hefsek only count if the one actually speaks a word, not just making […]
Fruit Salad in Non-Kosher Hall
How I order fruit salad at a non-kosher banquet hall, hotel, and/or restaurant? Answer: It is not permitted to eat in a non-kosher restaurant, even if the food is kosher. The reason for this is because of marit ayin, performing an action that gives the impression of something prohibited (eating non-kosher food), even when it […]
Eating Locusts and Opening Bottles
The relationship between different minhgim and mesorot. Mesorah: What would be the halacha if an Ashkenazi Jew visited a Yemenite Jew and was offered the Egyptin Desert Locust as a snack? Could he rely on their mesorah to permit him to eat what would otherwise be a Torah Prohibition? Minhag and Psak din: An Ashkenazi […]
Late Aliyah on Simchas Torah
On Simchas Torah if someone didn’t receive an aliyah and Bereshis was already read. Are they allowed to get an aliyah and read again in parshas V’Zos HaBracha or perhaps better to get the aliyah and read again in Bereshis? Answer: I don’t see any problem with getting an aliyah for parashas Vezos Habracha, even […]
Gifts in Halachah: To Hate or to Accept?
In this week’s parashah, Vayeira, after Avimelech discovers that Sarah is the wife of Avraham, the pasuk narrates (Bereishis 20:14): “Avimelech took sheep, cattle, slaves and maidservants, and gave them to Avraham; and he returned him his wife, Sarah.” The concept of receiving gifts, also in the context of Sarah, is likewise found when Avraham […]
Laws of a Postponed Bris
Our parashah includes the instruction of Bris Milah, which was given to Avraham and his offspring (Bereishis Chap. 17). The Rambam cites the verses of our parashah in his opening to the laws of Milah: “Milah is a positive mitzvah, for which one is liable for the punishment of kareis, as it is written, “an […]