Shavua tov. I have the following question for your review. I work as a supervisor for a frum contractor in Brooklyn NY. I usually purchase material for my construction jobs. Often I use my money and get reimbursed later from my boss. One day this week I purchased material from a large Homedepot store. I […]
Author Archives: Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer
Giving Job to Disabled People
Hello, I am wondering what is the view on people with disabilities or other medical conditions taking “risks” such as driving a car or even being a pilot if their conditions are controlled. I have been looking at different laws in certain states and other countries in regard to people with diabetes driving a bus […]
Selling on Amazon on Shabbat
I would like to sell stuff via amazon fulfilment where you send all the stuff to an amazon warehouse it then gets uploaded on to their website and hopefully sells. My question is regarding Shabbos you can not switch of your stuff from the website once it is on (unlike if you have your own […]
Discarding Jewish Magazines (Genizah)
Do Jewish magazines need genizah or can they be wrapped and discarded. Answer: They can generally be discarded. Torah sections should be placed into genizah. For more details please see Sources: Best wishes. Sources: In Torah law, the obligation is only to put documents with the actual name of Hashem into genizah. The Sages added […]
The Double Portion of the Firstborn
In Parashas Bamidbar the Torah mentions the special nature of firstborns: “Because all the firstborn are mine, on the day that I smote all the firstborns in the land of Egypt I sanctified for me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast” (3:13). Although for purposes of the Divine service the firstborns were supplanted by […]
Lag Ba’Omer – Halachic Aspects
Lag Ba’Omer is known as a day of celebration. The day is celebrated in the Land of Israel with prayers, events, special meals and of course – bonfires. Outside of Israel the day is marked by the omission of Tachanun, and sometimes some of the above. In the present article we will discuss some of […]
Lag BaOmer 2014
When is Lag Baomer 2014? Answer: This year Lag Ba’Omer of 2014 falls on motzaei shabbos (Saturday night) 17.5.2014. Note that the Israel Rabbinate has deferred some of the lighting ceremonies until Sunday, for fear of causing violation of Shabbos due to preparations for the ceremonies. Best wishes.
Mussar Seder for Non-Jewish Books
Given that we all have an obligation (as stated in the mishna berura) to have a regular mussar seder everyday, is one allowed to fulfill that seder by “learning” a secular book (often termed “self-help” books) if he feels that it is really helping him grow and improve his middos? Answer: Yes, this is certainly […]
Hydroponic Etrogim
I am currently growing certain things… and I’m looking to start on etrogim… my question is can one grow hydroponic etrogim? The reason for that is I’d be able to control every step of the etrog’s grows by feeding it the right nutritions and in so eliminating any blemishes and so forth making it mehudar […]
Used Meaty Sponge for Dairy
I used a pareve glass mug for a hot milchig drink and then washed it with a fleishig sponge. Must I throw out the mug and sponge? Answer: If the water was cold there’s no need to discard the mug or the sponge. If the water was hot the mug is fine, because we can […]
Selling Christmas Decorations
Hi, Your assistance on this matter would be much appreciated. My family currently own and operate a chain of toy stores. We have a business opportunity to acquire a chain of stores that sell xmas decorations (lights, trees, santas etc). From my limited knowledge I understand that this may be problematic. We would be grateful […]
Doubts in Counting the Omer
Though this week’s parashah in Israel is Behar, outside Israel the weekly reading is Parashas Emor, which includes the mitzvah of counting the Omer. Because we continue this week, both in Israel and out, to count the Omer, we dedicate the present article to laws of the Omer count, and in particular to various doubts […]
Toys Returned from Playground
My 3 yr old son went to the playground and returned with a toy car he found in the sandbox. It was definitely an aveidah because there was nobody else in the park at the time. It is a park mostly frequented by Jews. 1) Are we required to announce it? 2) How does one […]
Pond as Mikva
For men, can any natural body of water (e.g., pond, river) be used as a Mikveh? Can such a body of water also be used for Kelim/utensils as well? Answer: Certainly. A natural body of water (containing 40 se’ah of water) is an ideal mikvah for men, where it is filled by spring water or […]
Music During the Sefirah
This week’s article deals with the prohibition of music during the Omer period. What is the source of the prohibition? Does it apply to all forms of music (even on the radio), and all circumstances? When may one be lenient in hearing music during the Omer period? These questions, and more, are addressed in this week’s article.
Hair Gel on Shabbat
Is it permitted to use hair gel on Shabbat? Answer: Poskim generally prohibit the use of hair gel on Shabbos. It is permitted to use hair spray. Best wishes. Sources: The main problem involved with using hair gel is that this might fall under the category of memare’ach – smoothing something out. The Maamar Mordechai […]
Washing Suit on Chol HaMoed
Dry cleaning one’s only suit which got dirty on yom tov? Is it allowed? What if it was not in perfect shape prior to yom tov, and the suit-owner did not bother to get it cleaned before yom tov, and then on yom tov it got extra-dirty? Thank you. Answer: It is permitted to dry-clean […]
The Prohibition of Kitniyos on Pesach
The most prominent aspect of the upcoming Pesach festival is without a doubt the dietary restrictions. Throughout Pesach we replace bread with matzah and avoid all leavened products, turning our kitchen into quite something else. The lettuce leaves, horseradish, saltwater dips, and fascinating sandwiches of Seder Night also deserve a mention.
Another important culinary aspect of Pesach is the issue of kitniyos, legumes. Although there is no mention of the issue in the Torah, in the Mishnah or in the Gemara, the custom for Jews of Ashkenazi descent is to refrain from eating legumes of all kinds during Pesach. The question of what constitutes a legume for the purpose of this halachah, and how far the restriction goes, is therefore of great importance for Pesach cooking.
In the present article we will discuss the halachos pertaining to the issue of kitniyos, and seek to understand the reasons behind the custom, its halachic severity, and the extent of its application. Is quinoa included in the prohibition? Why is it permitted to eat potatoes on Pesach (Imagine life without them!)? Must separate dishes be used for those who must eat kitniyos on Pesach?
Statement Under Oath for Insurance
Hi Rabbi. My car got stolen and the insurance company is asking me to make a statement under oath. Am I allowed to do that? Answer: Yes. Many statements are made “under oath” and it is permitted to make a truthful statement “under oath” where this is required to gain the insurance payments. Rabbi Elyashiv […]
Gluten Free Matzos
Question: Will someone who has to eat only gluten free matzos be able to fulfill the mitzvah of eating matzah with gluten free oat matzah? Can they make a bracha “al achilas matzah”? Answer: According to the standard mesores, whereby oats are one of the five species of cereal, gluten-free matzos can be used for fulfilling […]
Kashering Water Bar for Pesach
Question: I have a water bar (tami4) which gives filtered water. It has two spouts, one that gives out cold water and the other hot water. Both spouts are next to each other (touching). Hot water has poured directly onto coffee and teabags throughout the year. But also onto soup powder (which has gluten as […]
Birkat Kohanim at the Kotel on Pesach 2014
Question: When is birkat kohanim at the Kotel on Pesach 2014? Thank you. Answer: Birkat Kohanim this year (2014) on Pesach will take place on Thursday 17 Nissan (17th April 2014) at 09:00 am. Best wishes.
Shaving on Chol ha-Moed Pesach
Question: Can you shave on Chol ha-Moed Pesach? Thanks very much. Answer: It is prohibited to take a haircut on Chol ha-Moed (Shulchan Aruch 531:1-2), and according to many authorities, this includes shaving. However, Rav Moshe Feinstein (Iggros Moshe, Orach Chaim 1:163; based (among others) on Noda Biyhuda, Tinyana, 99-101) permitted shaving on Chol ha-Moed […]
Shiva on Chol ha-Moed Pesach
Question: Does one sit shiva on Chol ha-Moed Pesach? Answer: No. Yom Tov, including the days of Chol ha-Moed, interrupt a shiva, and one does not sit shiva on Chol ha-Moed. If the burial is before the festival, the festival interrupts and effectively stops the shiva; if the burial is on Chol ha-Moed, the shiva […]
Tefillin on Chol ha-Moed Pesach
Question: Does one wear Tefillin on Chol ha-Moed Pesach? Answer: Many refrain from wearing Tefillin on Chol ha-Moed. Some wear Tefillin but refrain from reciting a berachah. You should follow the practice of your local community, and where there is no set practice, your family custom. Best wishes. Sources: Some Rishonim write that one does not […]
Music on Chol ha-Moed Pesach
Can one listen to music on Chol ha-Moed Pesach? Answer: Yes, it is permitted to listed to music, and to play music on Chol ha-Moed (Pesach, and likewise Sukkot). Best wishes.
Haircut on Chol ha-Moed Pesach
Question: Can you get a haircut on Chol ha-Moed Pesach? Answer: No, it is not permitted to take a haircut on Chol ha-Moed (Shulchan Aruch 531:1-2). It is only permitted under very exceptional circumstances, where there was no possibility of having a haircut before the festival. Best wishes.
Reading Novels in Halachah
Thank you for your very quick response to my question about rading secular books. I am not sure how the “history of kings” appeared, as I don’t believe that I had written this in my question. To clarify: What are “sichos chullin” which the Shulchan Aruch mentions in Siman Shin Zayin, Halacha Tes Vav? The […]
Alcohol and its Products on Pesach
The Torah prohibits keeping any edible chametz in one’s house or possession over Pessach. Even an item containing only a weak mixture of chametz is prohibited (see Rema, Orach Chaim 447:4; Mishnah Berurah 35; Chazon Ish 119:12). One must either get rid of it before Pessach, or sell it to a non-Jew. Some of the […]
Is Quinoa Chametz?
Question: Is Quinoa chametz? Answer: Quinos is certainly not chametz. It doesn’t need to be thrown out before Pesach, or to be sold. Some authorities prohibit the consumption of consumption of quinoa on Pesach on account of the kitniyot custom, whereas other authorities are lenient on this matter. Those who refrain from cotton-seed oil and […]
Is Rice Chametz?
Question: Is rice chametz? Thanks. Answer: Rice is not chametz. However, rice is a form of kitniyot (legumes), and the custom of Ashkenazic Jewry is to refrain from eating it throughout Pesach. However, rice does not have to be sold or thrown away, and can be kept for after Pesach. In addition, there are special […]
Is Spaghetti Chametz?
Question: Is spaghetti chametz? Answer: Yes, spaghetti and all forms of wheat noodles are 100% chametz, and they must be disposed of (or sold by means of a competent rabbinic authority) before Pesach. Best wishes.
Hearing Every Word of Zachor
If someone didn’t hear words (or perhaps even an entire verse) from Parshas Zachor or Parshas Parah, are they yotzee b’dieved? Answer: There is a dispute among opinions concerning this question. The principle opinion appears to be that one is still yotzei, provided the main theme was heard. Of course one should be careful to […]
Pesach Guide – Wheat for the Needy: Halachos of Maos Chittin
This week’s article discusses the timely issue of maos chittin. What are the defining properties of the maos chittin collection? Is it a tax or a charity appeal? Can one use his maaser money towards maos chittin? Who is obligated to give maos chittin, who qualifies to receive the donations, and for which purposes can the collected money be used? These questions, and more, are addressed in this week’s article.
Liability for Buyer who Backs Out
If a buyer for an apartment backs out of the sale prior to signing any written agreement, but after several months of negotiation and having agreed to buy at a set price, does the seller have a right to demand that the costs incurred be paid by the x-buyer (such as lawyer fees)? Can he […]
Half-Baked Bread for Pas Akum
There is a brand of frozen bread that is sold half-baked. I was wondering if it would be considered Pas Yisroel if it was then baked by a Jew. Answer: If the bread is not fit for consumption “as is” and requires additional baking (as I understand from the question), there won’t be any problem, […]
Purim: Days of Feasting and Joy
In this article we will discuss the mitzvah of the Purim feast, and the general joy of Purim: When during the day of Purim should the feast be held? Is there an obligation of eating meat during the meal, and should it begin with bread? How does the mitzvah of the feast integrate with the day’s general obligation of joy? These, and other topical questions, are discussed in the present article.
Drinking on Purim
As the days of Purim approach, we will this week discuss a mitzvah act that on the one hand gives Purim much of its unique festival character, and on the other is liable to cause us – both as performers of the mitzvah, and as parents of children who wish to perform it – no small headache.
The primary Talmudic source related to drinking on Purim is a Gemara in Megillah (7b): “Rava said: a person must get drunk on Purim until he cannot distinguish between ‘cursed be Haman’ and ‘blessed be Mordechai’.”
The basic idea of drinking on Purim emerges moreover from the Megillah itself, which states that the days of Purim were enacted for mishteh – a word that specifically implies (by contrast with a regular se’udah) a wine-feast (as the original misheh of Achashverosh with which the tale of Esther begins).
The mitzvah of drinking to the point of inebriation raises a number of questions. What is the level of drunkenness that must be reached? Is it really possible that a Jew will be unable to distinguish between the curse of Haman and the blessing of Mordechai? When is there an obligation to drink – should one be drinking during the entire day? Must one drink wine, or can one drink any alcoholic beverage?
These questions, and more, are discussed below
Tefillin on Purim
Are Tefillin worn on Purim? Answer: Yes. Purim is not a Yom Tov, and therefore tefillin are worn as usual. Best wishes.
Hallel on Purim
Do you say Hallel on Purim? Answer: Hallel is not recited on Purim. The Gemara writes that the reason for this is that we do not recite Hallel for a miracle that took place outside Israel. Alternatively, the reading of the Megillah is considered a Hallel in itself. A third reason is that the redemption […]
Do You Sit Shiva on Purim
Do you sit shiva on Purim? Thanks. Answer: The Rambam writes that although Purim is a day forbidden in fasting and hespedim, one continues to sit shiva as usual (Avelus 11:5). However, the Rosh (Moed Katan 85) writes that one does not sit shiva. The Shulchan Aruch (696) rules in accordance with the Rambam, whereas […]
Can You Work on Purim?
Can you work on Purim? Thanks very much. Answer: According to the strict halachah it is permitted to work on Purim. The Megillah describes the day of Purim as an occasion of “mishteh ve-simcha” — feasting and rejoicing (9:22). No mention is made of a “Yom Tov,” a day on which work is forbidden. Nevertheless, the […]
Telling Classmate of Teacher
Is it lashon hara to tell someone in my class that the teacher is not Shomer Shabbos? Answer: This is not considered lashon hara, because if she violates Shabbos publicly, this is common knowledge. However, the Chafetz Chaim writes that it remains wrong to spread such information without there being a positive purpose, and for […]
Meat on Purim
Kavod haRav. In the halachic responsa this past Shabbos the question was asked if its a mitzvah to eat meat at the Purim seudah. We had learned that it was and when I showed this to my Rav, Rabbi Yehuda Pfeuffer shlita, he asked me to write to you. This is from his hand written […]
Do Women Give Matanos La’Evyonim?
Must women also give matanos la’evyonim, or does this apply only to men? Answer: For unmarried boys and girls, the mitzvah applies evenly, and for both it is correct for a parent to give them money with which to fulfill the mitzvah (see sources). Concerning married women, several halachic opinions rule that the obligation of […]
Yad Eliezer for Matanot La’evyonim
Can you give your money to Yad Eliezer for Matanot La’evyonim? Answer: Yes, it is fine to do so, provided Yad Eliezer has a special allocation of money or goods for the poor on the day of Purim. For people from un-walled cities, the allocation must be on the 14th, and for those from walled […]
Who Has to Fast on on Taanit Esther
Does everybody have to fast on Taanit Esther? Who has to fast on this day? Thanks very much. Answer: Although Taanis Esther is the most lenient of the public fast days, it remains a fast day, and everybody has to fast in principle. Thus even women fast on Taanis Esther. However, this is (as noted) […]
How Much to Give for Matanot La’evyonim
How much do you have to give for Matanot La’evyonim? Thanks very much. Answer: Although the basic halachah is that one must give a perutah to each of two poor people – a very small amount – it is proper to give a worthy gift that is capable of bringing a degree of joy to […]
Why do we Send Mishloach Manos
Why do we send Mishloach Manos on Purim? Answer: The Megillah mentions the concept of sending mishloach manos “each man to his fellow,” and the Gemara (and later authorities) understands this to be one of the rabbinic enactments of the Purim day. The idea of the mitzvah is to heighten the sense of unity and […]
When do you Deliver Mishloach Manot
When do you deliver Mishloach Manot? Answer: Mishloach Manot are delivered on the day of Purim, meaning the 14th or Adar in a non-walled city, and the 15th of Adar in cities that were walled in the days of Joshua. They should be delivered in the day and not in the night. On the occasion […]