Question: Is listening to not Jewish song? What if they are completely clean and appropriate? Answer: In general it is frowned apon unless there is a specific need. Please see… Read more »
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Baby nurse using an electric bottle warmer on Shabbos?
Question: Hi, We have a baby nurse on shabbos and I was wondering if she is allowed to use the electric bottle warmer. My question is in terms of hilchos… Read more »
Hatarat nedarim and tehillim at bedtime
Question: I have a bit of a complex question and I’m wondering how best to proceed. I am a mother to a 7mo little boy. A few months ago I… Read more »
Why do some learn during shalosh seudas instead of eating?
Question: Is there any halachic basis for this? I’ve seen this done in Chabad houses where people specifically make it a point to learn Torah instead of eating at the… Read more »
The return from Bavel and Temurah 15b
Question: There were 42360 returnees (Ezra 2:64). Yirmiyahu 52:30 says 4600 people were exiled with Tzidkiyahu. Melachim 2 24:14 says 10000 were exiled with Yehoyachin. How can Temurah 15b say… Read more »
Can one change his Minhagim/whose halachic opinions to follow?
Question: Hi, Is there a halachic discussion as to under what circumstances a person may change minhagim/Halacha he follows? The only one I know of is marriage where a wife… Read more »
Can I sell/distribute newspapers if they may have Lashon Hara in them?
Question: Can I sell/distribute newspapers or jewish magazines if they may have articles with Lashon Hara in them? Answer: We can assume that kosher newspapers are careful about these halachos,… Read more »
Short on time on shabbat
Question: If a woman is short on time for Shacharit on Shabbat, is there a difference in the order it importance for which tfillot should be said? I know the… Read more »
Leonardo hotel in Tiveriah, a problem for kohanim?
Question: We plan on going to Leonardo hotel in Tiveriah is it an issue cuz we are kohanim Answer: The hotel itself is alright, however some of the roads in… Read more »
Davening in a room where someone is sleeping
Question: Is it permissible to daven in a room where someone is sleeping? For example, can I say shma Al hamita, personal tfillot and/or tehillim and prayers for sick in… Read more »
Can one buy shoes if necessary during the year of mourning?
Question: Can one buy shoes if necessary during the year of mourning? Answer: According to many poskim, it is permitted to buy shoes during the year of mourning and it… Read more »
Raw fish on electric blech just before Shabbos
Question: Can one put raw fish in a tinpan with some water snd spices on a electric platter a few minutes before Shabbos to eat at the Friday night seudah???… Read more »
How long is a parent an avel for a son?
Question: How long is a parent an avel for a son? Answer: A parent never forgets thier child, nevertheless regarding the halachos of aveilus all aveilim finish thier aveilus at… Read more »
Olam Haba and gehinnom
Question: Greetings. How is it possible that the gemara in Rosh Hashana 17b discusses the existence of gehenom when we know from Pirke Avos that Kol Yisroel Yesh Lo Chelek… Read more »
Chofetz Chaim Tefillin Minhag
Question: Is it known how the Chofetz Chaim wrapped Tefillin? I.e., the type of knot used, how many times on bicep, and how he wrapped on the fingers/hand? Answer: In… Read more »
When eating wet fruit
Question: Do you need to wash your hands before eating wet fruit? Answer: This idea is brought in Shulchan Aruch, however many (or most) people are not makpid on this… Read more »
Telling a son/daughter about Gehinnom
Question: Is there an appropriate age to tell your son/daughter about Gehinnom? Is it ever appropriate to tell your child that if they don’t eat Kosher or do something else… Read more »
Cell phone for havdala
Question: I think rav moshe feinstein allowed answering amen or havdala over a phone. Would this apply to cell phones which dont create sound thru vibration? Answer: I would assume… Read more »
Inheritance vis-a-vis non-observant siblings
Question: BS”D L’Kavod HaRav, I am a chozer b’teshuva for many years, and am the only orthodox member of my four siblings. The rest of the family is not observant…. Read more »
Is a person taking his children’s sins if he isn’t taking care of them, but instead puts them for adoption?
Question: Is a person taking his children’s sins if he isn’t taking care of them, but instead puts them for adoption? Answer: A person that has a child, is given… Read more »
Were the jews so few in number
Question: Please see 7:7. How can Moshe say the jews were the fewest? There were 601730 men between 20 and 60. That’s quite a large population. For the jews to… Read more »
Can I do needlepoint during nine days?
Question: Can I do needlepoint during nine days? Answer: It is questionable if it is permitted or not. The poskim say that if it is of value duch as a… Read more »
Eating before havdala
Question: Is eating permitted tonite before havdala. My wife visited her sister in the hospital and will return late. Can she eat? Also re myself Answer: No. We should ot… Read more »
Vaping on tishe bov
Question: Can I vaoe a electric cigarete on tishe bov? Or should I rather use regular cigarettes Answer: Regular smoking is controversial and the Mishna Berura says not to smoke on… Read more »
Opening Envelope on Shabbos
Question: Rabbonim chasuvim, May one open an envelope on Shabbos when it is very likely the person opening the envelope will keep the it to hold it’s contents in indefinitely… Read more »
Being yotzei an unclear Bracha
Question: At was at my parents home for shabbat, and when my father was saying havadallah, he was mumbling some of the words, and I couldn’t hear all the words… Read more »
Masser for my own medical bills
Question: dear Rabbi, I am not well and do to this we are a one income family. I do get money from social security and have been giving Masser on… Read more »
Ordering a Present during the Nine Days that will arrive after the Nine Days
Question: Hello. My son’s birthday is during the nine days and we are postponing his birthday party until after Tisha B’Av. During the nine days are we permitted to buy… Read more »
Eating before Maariv for a woman
Question: I know there is a halacha about not eating mezonot/hamotzi from 30 mins before tzeit hakochavim until one has davened Maariv. Does this halacha apply to women who have… Read more »
Brochos and challah on an oatmeal-banana mixture
Question: I was wondering what is the appropriate brocha for the following item. Instant oatmeal (whole oats) are mixed together with mashed bananas and are then baked forming a cookie…. Read more »
Boat during the nine days.
Question: I have a work event and it is on a boat. Am I allowed to attend. Answer: If I understand the situation correctly, a work event is going to… Read more »
Book that fell and possibly got damaged
Question: Hello Rabbi, If, in a store, I drop a book from its bookshelf, do I have to pay for it ? What should I do if I can’t tell… Read more »
Studying on Tisha baav
Question: Is studying for a test (for credits for a degree) on Tisha baav considered something that you won’t see brochah from? Answer: If it is included in what it… Read more »
Electric Mosquito Zapper On Shabbos
Question: Can we use an Electric Mosquito Zapper in the Sukkah on Shabbos/Yom Tov Answer: If it is turned on before shabbos or Yom Tov, it is permitte because you… Read more »
Washing dishes on Tisha B’av
Question: can one use freshly cleaned towels, kitchen towels and table cloths, if the prepared ones became dirty or too overused and replacements were not prepared prior to the 9… Read more »
Might owe money
Question: About 20 years ago, I recall a friend of mine borrowing about $100 from my parents. We were both single at the time. I believe that she may have… Read more »
Breaking fast on Tisha ba’av
Question: If one breaks their fast on Tisha B’av because they have a really bad headache or are feeling sick. Is there any merit in drinking water only and carry on… Read more »
Kid drinking havdala
Question: Please let me know your opinion about the following I would really appreciate it My wife will not be fasting on Tisha B’av. I would like to make Havdalah,… Read more »
Not tipping the counselors
Question: My son is in a day camp but he is comes home crying. He is getting picked on a lot. He is not enjoying it at all. Are we… Read more »
Installing phone line on Tisha Bav
Question: May I call the Phone company to install a phone line on Tisha Bav? Does it make a difference before and after Chatzos? Also, it is in Israel, where… Read more »
Nail polish in the nine days
Question: Is it permissible to get a manicure including nail polish in the nine days Answer: This year, since Tisha B’av is on Sunday, it is permitted to cut nails… Read more »
Mourning and sefardim when Tisha bav is a nidcha
Question: This year Tisha Beav is pushed to Sunday. Its a NIDCHA. Do Sefordim this year keep any laws of the “9days”? Usually Sefordim keep the laws of mourning for… Read more »
Undergarmets/socks/towels and 9 days
Question: check up better Undergarments, socks, and towels get soiled readily/constantly because of the hot weather and sweat. These items are worn not for pleasure, but to absorb sweat and… Read more »
library book
Question: A half page in a public library book was torn out by us and is missing; can i return ti without mentioning it? ty Answer: Does the library usually… Read more »
halachah status of pareve pan
Question: I accidentally sautéed (pareve cut) onions, in a pareve pan, using a spatula that I’d just used to (in a dairy pan) make eggs with cheese. there was still… Read more »
Deodorant on Tisha B’av
Question: I read in a sefer by Rabbi Belsky that if you will sweat and smell you can put on deodorant on Tisha B’av. Is there a difference between roll-on… Read more »
delaying people
Question: One who is being driven to the mountains and suddenly remembers that he did not daven Maariv, and he can tell the driver to pull over and wait 15… Read more »
Washing Dishtowels during the nine days
Question: I don’t have anymore dishtowels. Can I wash a few for use? Answer: The leniency to wash dirty clothes during the nine days is when the item is dirty… Read more »
Difference of rabbis opinion
Question: Shalom Rav what does one do when he hears of a rabbi in his communtiy who holds differrently to other but is a reputable talmid chacham? recently a rabbi… Read more »
Withholding wages
Question: My company just put in a new payroll system and instead of paying us every two weeks, they are going to delay the first paycheck by one week so… Read more »