I was hungry and went into my kitchen and took out an apple to eat. After that, I was stiil hungry so I took a fiew pieces of dried apricot. Would I need to mkae a new bracha on the dried apricot? Thank You Answer: If you initially had intention to eat an apple, and […]
Author Archives: Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer
Erasing Letters from Sefer Torah
A new torah arrived with only 6 letters open for the siyum. They want to honor about 20 people. Can we scrape off some letters & let the people fill them in? Answer: A Sefer Torah with open (hollow) letters at the end is considered a kosher Sefer Torah (see Divrei Malkiel 4:90; Os Chaim […]
Tzitzis for Quilt
1) If a garment of four corners is covered in another garment (like a quilt cover), on which garment should the tzitzis be put? 2) Is a blanket of four corners (that one sleeps in during the day) obligated in tzitzis? Answer: Tzitzis are hung on the four corners of a four-cornered garment, even if […]
Power Cut on Shabbos with Babies
Dear Rabbonim Shlita, If the electricity goes out on leil shabbos and a mother is afraid that she won’t be able to care properly for her baby, is that enough reason to get a goy to turn it back on? Her concerns would be that she can’t see to feed him properly or if the […]
Disturbance of Passive Smoking
My new neighbor is a smoker, and wherever it is that he’s smoking, it blows into my house if I leave my bedroom window open. Do I have the right to ask him to stop or move somewhere else? Answer: Certainly in the summer, and whenever it is normal to leave the window open (this […]
Gift of Wine from Borrower
A borrower repaid us our loan and threw in a package of 3 very fancy wines to boot. Now what do we do with the wine? He wouldn’t hear of taking it back. Answer: In principle, if the borrower is Jewish, you should have refused to accept the wines. Once accepted, there is no obligation to […]
Sharing Online Courses
There are many “online courses” which are a bunch of lectures, sold for around a hundred dollars or so. I’ve been “splitting” these with a colleague- one of us signs up and then we duplicate it and we share in the cost. Is this permitted? Answer: The depends on the tems and conditions posted on […]
Selichos Before Chatzos
What is the halachic priority: Is it better to say [1] selichos during aseres yimei teshuva with a minyan BEFORE chatsos or [2] biyichidus before schacharis? Answer: Rav Moshe Feinstein (Iggros Moshe, Orach Chaim 2:105) writes that it is permitted to recite the Selichos before chatzos, provided this is not done on a regular basis […]
Annuling an Issur by means of a Non-Jew/Law of Shvuya
1) If a cohen marries a shvuya are the children chalalim? 2) Can one be mevatel issur lechatchila through a non-jew? Answer: 1) The children are safek chalalim; boys are forbidden from marrying divorcees, and girls are prohibited from marrying Kohanim (Even Ha-Ezer 7:1, 7:20). Of course, the ruling in specific cases depends on many […]
Peeled Eggs Left Overnight
What’s the subject about leaving over unpeeled eggs, and then eating them? What if the unpeeled eggs are put in a bag overnight? How does one peel eggs on Shabbos? Answer: The Gemara (Niddah 17) writes that eggs, onions, and garlic, which are peeled and left overnight (without before being mixed with other ingredients) may […]
Early Shabbos and Yom Tov
Can someone start rosh hashana early after plag hamincha on the first day? This year shboos is on the mozei rosh hashana: Can shabbos be made eary after plag hamincha by making kiddush, and davening mariv later ? Answer: It is fine to accept in Rosh Hashanah early (as one does for regular Shabbos). There […]
The Power of the Shofar
Although Rosh Hashanah is the first of the Ten Days of Repentence, the prayers of the day make no mention of sin, we do not recite the Thirteen Attributes of Compassion, and personal requests are few and far between. What is the nature of the day, and its unique teshuvah? Why is the entire day a Yom Teru’ah, a “Day of Sounding the Shofar,” and which inner labor does this call upon us? The article will discuss the essence of Rosh Hashanah, and strive to clarify our personal role on this great day.
Berachos on Yom Kippur
How many brachos does one have to make up on yom kippur in order to make the 100? Answer: Many! According to the simple count, a person has to make up 35 berachos on Yom Kippur (depends on how we calculate birkas ha-Torah, and depends on the berachah of she-asah li kol tzarchi). The way […]
The Mitzvah of Writing a Sefer Torah
This week’s article deals with the halachic issue of writing a Sefer Torah. What are the parameters of this mitzvah? Does the mitzvah apply today, and if so, why do most people not write a personal Sefer Torah? Can a Sefer Torah be written in partnership? Is there a mitzvah of writing or purchasing other sefarim? These questions, and more, are discussed in this week’s article.
Cookie Ice Cream
From this teshuva, https://dinonline.org/2010/05/17/berocha-on-ice-cream-with-cookies-inside/ It seems the Rav holds cookie dough is a Mezenos product. I wanted to know why cookie dough is that bracha. Isn’t it raw and not cooked? Shouldn’t it be shehakol? Or do we say that since it is sometimes made to be eaten raw (like in cookiedough icecream) and the […]
Berachos Upon Seeing Alps from Airplane
According to the Gemara Berachos 9th perek and codified in Shulchan Aruch oc 228, one must make a beracha on seeing mountains, oceans etc. Why nowadays does the minhag seem not to? You don’t see people on a plane making a berachah on the Alps or Atlantic ocean when flying over them, or theMediterranean seawhen […]
Cruelty to Animals: Halachos of Tzaar Baalei Chayim
This week’s article discusses the prohibition of tzaar baalei chayim, causing pain and suffering to animals. What are the parameters of the prohibition? When is it permitted to cause pain to animals? Does a corresponding prohibition apply to humans? These questions, and more, are discussed in this week’s article.
Cruelty to Animals: The Prohibited and the Permitted
This week’s article discusses the prohibition of tzaar baalei chayim, causing pain and suffering to animals. What are the parameters of the prohibition? When is it permitted to cause pain to animals? Does a corresponding prohibition apply to humans? These questions, and more, are discussed in this week’s article. This week’s Q & A discusses issues of Kerias Shema.
Walking Barefoot
What are the different opinions regarding walking around in socks or barefeet? I recall the Ben Ish Chai writing that one should not go barefoot. On the other hand, the Ramak in Tomer Devorah says that sometimes one should go barefoot because it is “Sod Ha-Shechina”. It is very healthy for the feet and posture […]
The Second Shabbos Meal After Kiddush
If one eats some cake at a kiddush in shul and then goes home and eats the Shabbos meal and forgets retzei during birkas hamazon; should he repeat the bentching or do we say the Shabbos meal at home is like the third meal and since some rishonim hold one doesn’t need bread the halacha […]
Husband’s Custom of Chalav Stam
Can the Rov put forth the rules of a wife following the minhagim of her husband. I.e. The husband follows the view in America to eat/drink cholov stam. May the wife,who had been raised to be stringent and not rely on that opinion, follow her husbands habit. (If yes, would she need to be matir […]
Tisha Be’Av: The Shechinah Within
The First Temple was destroyed as a result of the three Cardinal Sins. The Second Temple was destroyed as a result of baseless hatred. What is the difference between the two? Why was the Second Temple specifically sensitive to baseless hatred? And which special lesson can we derive for our own generation?
Yuhara: Laws of Arrogance
This week’s article discusses the issue of yuhara, displaying arrogance or haughtiness in the performance of mitzvos. What are the parameters of this prohibition? What categories of mitzvah performance are included, and when is there no concern of yuhara? We will seek to clarify this issue in this week’s article. This week’s Q & A discusses the question of calling up a father and son for hagbahah and gelilah.
The Deadly Pursuer (2): Killing One for Saving Many
In the previous article we discussed the contradiction that sometimes arises between the obligation to save lives on one hand, and the prohibition of murder on the other. A particular solution to such a contradiction is given by the halachah of rodef: Where there is no other way to prevent a pursuer from killing his […]
Burial in “Storeys” (Har Ha-Menuchos)
Re Har HaMenuchot. The terraces that are built on amudim – how is this considered burial in the ground of Eretz Yisroel. Answer: The reason why it can be considered burial in the ground is because a layer of earth is laid on each “floor” of the cement terracing, ensuring that the burial is “in […]
Disinterment of Graves: A Grave Concern?
This week’s article discusses the contemporary issue of relocating graves. Although the issue has been somewhat politicized in recent years, we mustn’t forget that in principle, the question of disinterring graves is strictly halachic. What is the nature of the prohibition to exhume remains? When is it permitted to do so, and in particular, are various public needs sufficient cause for leniency? These important questions will be discussed in this week’s article.
Eating for Pleasure
Is it a sin to eat for pleasure? Answer: The Torah writes “ta’amu u’re’u ki tov Hashem,” “taste and behold that Hashem is good.” This is an instruction to experience the goodness of the world. When we experience the “good taste” of the world, we experience the goodness of Hashem. It is thus fine to […]
Parshas Korach – The Levite Task of Washing Kohanim’s Hands
In this week’s parashah we read of the tragic dispute between Korach and his assembly, and Moshe Rabbeinu. The dispute, as the verses make clear, centered on the question of the Kehunah: Korach and his assembly were not satisfied with their status as Levites, and desired to serve as Kohanim. Moshe Rabbeinu thus admonished them […]
False Teeth/Braces for Meat and Milk
I was asked the following question and wanted to hear the Rav’s answer. Why don’t people have to wait 24 hours between meat and milk in certain occasions. Even if one wants to say that teeth are not able to absorb, people with metal braces would still have the same problem. Assuming the food was […]
Tochen (Grinding, Mashing, Cutting) on Shabbos
b’h’i Tochen – 1- why does mashing fruits require both a) shinui and b) miyad? Even according to the opinions that m’yad doesnt work at all (see Chazon Ish when it comes to pulverizing dates) why woudn’t shinui be enough? 2 – what are the different methods to accomplish shinui? Answer: The issues of shinui […]
Wrapping the Tallis
Can an ashkanazi put on tallit according to sefardi minhag? Answer: The general Ashkenazi custom is to wrap both the head and the body in the tallis after making the berachah, and this should be done: the tallis should be draped over the head (until the mouth), and then wrapped round the head and the […]
The Shavuos Diet
This special article for Shavuos deals with the custom of eating dairy products on Shavuos, and their proper separation from meaty foods. What is the source for the custom of eating dairy foods on Shavuos, and how is it performed? What is the optimal way to avoid mixing dairy and meaty? And what is the ideal way in which our time over the Shavuos festival should be spent? These questions are discussed in this week’s article?
Disqualifications for Birkas Kohanim
This week’s Parashah, in which we learn of the mitzvah of Kohanim to bless the nation, inspires us to investigate a particular facet of the mitzvah: the possible disqualification of Kohanim from participation in the blessing. Since its inception, a number of questions on the site have addressed issues of potential disqualification from the blessing. […]
Meaning of Go’el Hadam
In the teaching of the rambam on retzicha and shmirat hanefesh, I have great difficulty offering a rationale for goel hadam. Since halacha is so civilised, and both refined and refining, how does one explain such an apparently vengeful and crude series of halachos. Last time I had this difficulty was the yefas toar, where […]
Motion Sensors for Light on Shabbos
I have noticed that many lights outside homes are activated by a sensor that turns them on at night? Is there a problem on shabbos Friday night? Answer: If the sensors are set in a manner that it is possible to pass by without activating them, and they are only activated if one actually approaches […]
Bechukosai – Toiling in Torah Study
This week’s article discusses the issue of toiling in Torah study. What defines the obligation of Torah study? Is the obligation quantifiable? To which parts of Torah should one dedicate his time? What is the main object of our toil: quantity or quality? These questions, and more, are discussed in this week’s article.
Tachanun in Ashkenaz Minyan
If i daven nusach sefard in a ashkenaz minyan which tachanun should I pray? Answer: You should pray in the Ashkenaz nusach. However, some write that you are permitted to add the 13 middos. Sources: As with any conspicuous change from the custom of a shul, a person davening in a nusach Ashkenaz minyan should […]
The Halachic Status of Music: During the Year and in the Sefirah (Part 1)
Although it is well known that one mustn’t listen to music in the sefirah period, it is striking to note that this prohibition is not found in any early authority, from the time of the Talmud until the Mishnah Berurah! What, then, is the nature of the customary prohibition? When can one be lenient, and when must one be stringent? To answer these questions, we must first understand the halachic approach to music throughout the year, which is the subject of this two-part series.
Music in the Sefirah
Can one listen to music privately in your own car or with earphones during the omer? Answer: Although there is no formal prohibition on listeing to music in a private manner (without communal singing and dancing), the common custom is to prohibit listening to music, and this should be upheld. However, the custom does not […]
Honoring Seder Night Pledges
This week’s article discusses the contemporary question of fulfilling promises—Afikoman promises. Is there a full halachic obligation to honor one’s Afikoman promise of Seder Night? Is there a difference between young and older children? Is the duress that a parent sometimes experiences in trying to retrieve the Afikoman a factor? These questions, and more, are discussed in this week’s article.
Kilayim between Vegetables
Grew veggies densely in ground but now grow in containers. Planted parsnip because I cannot buy it in Israel. In one container most of parsnip died so I planted red carrots in the empty end. Today before harvest I realized this migh be a problem of mixed species. The closest carrot and parsnip distance was […]
Matzah: The Bread of Questions
Why is the festival of Pesach named Chag Ha-Matzos, after the food we eat on Pesach? What is the secret of the question and answer style of Seder Night? And what is the connection, expressed in a number of halachic details, between the mitzvah of matzah and telling the tale of our redemption from Egypt? The article, in honor of the forthcoming festival, elucidates the essence of Pesach, and the goal we seek to achieve on Seder Night.
Biur Chametz the Easy Way— Laws of Selling Chametz (Part II)
This week’s article continues the discussion of the Sale of Chametz. How is the rabbi, or the person responsible for the sale, appointed by the individual homeowner? When is the sale to the non-Jew actually performed? How do international sales work? And what products should be included in the sale? These questions, and more, are discussed in this week’s article.
Biur Chametz the Easy Way: The Sale of Chametz
This week’s article is the first of a two-part series on the sale of chametz. What is the history of the chametz sale that has become so widespread? What was it initially intended for, and what does it achieve? Does one fulfill the mitzvah of tashbisu by selling one’s chametz? What are the benefits of a collective sale, and how should the purchasing non-Jew be given access to his chametz? How, indeed, must the chametz be treated over Pesach? These questions, and more, are addressed in this week’s article.
Pumpkin Seeds for Pesach
Question: Are pumpkin seeds, in any form or shape, permissible to eat on Passover or are they considered kitnyot? Answer: Pumpkim seeds are considered kiyniyot (as ruled by Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, and other poskim). Nevertheless, if they have not come into contact with water, it is permitted to eat them on Pesach (this depends […]
Checking Books and Toys for Crumbs
Question: Do you have to shake out sefarim before Pesach, if you are not using them during Pesach and sealing the bookcase with a plastic sheet? Second question: Do you have to check boxes of toys if you are similarly locking the toy boxes away during Pesach? Answer: Most poskim rule that sefarim do not […]
Paraffin Candles on Table
Please allow me a follow up on my question (and your prompt answer) regarding leaving liquid paraffin candles on the Shabbos table. I was looking at a somewhat different situation i.e. leaving any type of candles in front of a door on Shabbos. In that case one is not allowed to open the door even […]
Purim Charity: Halachos of Matanos La-Evyonim
The verses in Megillas Esther include the rabbinic enactments of Purim (9:22): “The days wherein the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned for them from sorrow to gladness, and from mourning into festival; they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending portions one to another, […]
Swallowing Nails
If a person bites his nails – is it forbidden to swallow the nails? Answer: Although anything that is derived from something not kosher is itself not kosher, and it is forbidden to swallow human skin (see recent post on this matter), nails are not edible, and therefore the prohibition would not apply to eating […]
Parashas Vayakhel – The “Mini-Temple”—Halachos of Shuls
This week we take an in-depth look at the laws of the shul, and in particular, the laws derived from the comparison between today’s “small sanctuary” and the original Temple. Is this comparison made on a Torah level, or only on a rabbinic level? What are its ramifications concerning building or destroying a shul? Which halachos are extracted from the comparison (such as the structure of the shul, placement of the bimah, doors, the aron ha-kodesh, and so on), and which are not? These questions, and more, are discussed in this week’s article.