Question: What is the halacha concerning orthodox shuls inviting Xian leaders (some of them are missionaries) to speak about non-missionary topics on their premises or on Zoom? Should we be… Read more »
Category: Commandments and prohibitions
Shul with Statues of Animals
Question: My shul has statues of lions holding a Luchot display on top of the Aron, davening towards the statues make me uncomfortable. Is this a halachic problem? Answer: Your… Read more »
Black Magic and Avoda Zara
Question: I have an urgent question. My mother has a vacation apartment at the beach that I have been using with my children on a regular basis. My mother is… Read more »
Jigsaw Puzzle of a Japanese Budhist Temple?
Question: Is it permitted to make a jigsaw puzzle of a zen japanese temple, would it be considered עבודה זרה? Answer: It is would technically be permitted, however from a… Read more »
Corn stalks used for Halloween for Schach
Question: A gardening nursery near my home is selling corn stalks for a non Jewish holiday called Halloween as a decoration. I do not know if it’s cut specifically for… Read more »
Kaparos and Mistreatment of Chickens
Question: There is a lot of hype lately about mistreatment of chickens before they get slaughtered for kaparos. Animals that are raised for kosher slaughter, do they have animal rights?… Read more »
Swisstech logo
Question: Good Morning. There is apparel, accessories, etc… that have the Swisstech logo (red and black with a plus sign). Is it an issue of wearing these clothes, even if… Read more »
Problems with laying hens
Question: Hello, I raise chickens, but they drink the eggs they lay, so I wonder if I can cut off their beaks and catheterize them so they don’t drink the… Read more »
Shadchan and Lashon Hora
Question: I’m a shadchan and another matchmaker told me that she found out something very disturbing about one of the singles that I work with. She wants to tell me… Read more »
Clear Mezuzha Case
Question: is there any preference for a mezuzuah case that is clear ( so you can see the parchment) or non clear? Or makes no difference? Ty Answer: There is… Read more »
Known Loshon Hora
Question: If a married man is arrested for…. and it’s on the news and I tell someone about it but don’t say any names they go on their own and… Read more »
Are glass or crystal animal figurines of forbidden to own?
Question: In Va’eschanan Hashem command us not to make animal, birds and fish images. My mother in law z’l left some Swaroski figurines in the form of penguins and other… Read more »
Not making sculpted image?
Question: B”H Thank you so much for your help. My question is: Is it ok to purchase mitzvah items (a washing cup for example) that has 3-D decorations of pomegranates,… Read more »
Avodah zara in family dwelling
Question: My wife’s family owns a vacation apartment in a beach town. Most of the year it is unoccupied. Her sister is a follower of eastern religions and currently is… Read more »
Why is the Gemara written in Aramaic?
Question: Besides for Sefer Daniel and Onkelos, all sefarim are written mostly in Lashon HaKodesh. Why did the Amoraim decide to write the Gemara mainly in Aramaic? Thank you Answer:… Read more »
Mezuza placement by screen door
Question: If my front door has a screen door in front of it, where does the mezuza go? Within a tefach of the screen door or within a tefach of… Read more »
Baal taschit as a game
Question: Are you allowed to play Apple Blasters at a theme park. Basically, you buy a bucket of apples and shoot them through cannons at targets! Can you hit the… Read more »
Women being Motzei Others
Question: Hi, Is a woman allowed to be motzei other woman with for example Megillas Eicha or the other megillos, Krias HaTorah, etc? Answer: Without getting into the issue if… Read more »
Closing up skylight and attic vent vs demons
Question: 1. I would like to close up a skylight. It can be opened but hasn’t been opened- it’s just decorative as it’s hard to get to to actually open…. Read more »
Protecting one from Sakanah Covid-19
Question: Given the current Covid crisis are there any rules in Chazel as to how many people are dying a day is it time to close schools and Shuls? How about… Read more »
Pest control question
Question: B”H Thank you again. Is it against Halacha to exterminate mice if the animal will potentially feel pain? This is obviously not the goal, but what does halacha say… Read more »
Avodah Zarah
Question: My question is in relation to that which was discussed in avodah zarah 51. It mentions an argument relating to breaking sticks and slaughtering grasshoppers before idols. My question… Read more »
Siyum if I don’t remember everything
Question: Hi. Over the course of the past year I have been learning a certain Mesechta. Now, I have about 20 Blatt left to go, but the thing is, I… Read more »
Closing up a skylight
Question: I have a skylight that is never opened but lets light in. The issue is it lets drafts in as well. can I close it up? Also, is there… Read more »
Could one deliver food for a non-kosher restaurant?
Question: I have a talmid who is from a very weak family and himself just starting to get into yidishkeit. He is back in NY and would like to work… Read more »
Permissibilty of incense
Question: There are very popular types of incense originally used in buddhist and hindu ceremonies. They are now manufactured en masse. Is it permissible to use this incense? Answer: Please… Read more »
pesachim 112
Question: The Gemara Pesachim 112 says not to wear clothing until eight days have passed since they were laundered. Are we obligated to comply with this, and if not why… Read more »
The extent of Rechilus
Question: Why does the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (30-1) start by giving the case of Doeg relating to Shaul HaMelech that Achimelech gave Dovid bread and a sword? It was true… Read more »
Lashon Hara and Kibbud Av V’em
Question: B”H Thank you so much for your help. A close relative is currently dealing with a medical condition that causes him to become confused and mix up details. I… Read more »
Pronunciation of daled in front of Hashem’s name
Question: I recently asked what’s the correct pronunciation of Hashem’s name when it has a daled in front of it. I was asked where the that appears. I’ve seen it… Read more »
Loshon Hora and Shiduchim
Question: I am asked about a boy for a possible shidduch. I “heard” he has OCD problems, although not manifest and I have not personally seen it when I have… Read more »
loshon hora
Question: My friend needs a handyman to do the exact same thing that I had him fix last week. The handyman did a very poor, and messy job. I was… Read more »
Pronunciation of daled in front of Hashem’s name
Question: Hi, if there is a daled in front of Hashem’s name, is it pronounced like a shin ,da- ado…or like a beis, ba-do, thank you so much. Answer: The… Read more »
Lashon hara about the sins of people in the Torah
Question: B”H Thank you so much for your help. My question is: is it considered lashon hara or slander to talk about behaviors of people mentioned in the Torah, for… Read more »
Killing animals painfully
Question: Hi, are you allowed to kill animals with spray, vacuuming them, or using glue traps, Thank you so much Answer: If it is possible to kill them in a… Read more »
lashon hara?
Question: B”H Thank you so much for your help, it is sincerely appreciated. If a father asks daughter 1 if she spoke with daughter 2 and daughter 1 says no,… Read more »
Throwing out bread
Question: In regards to the halacha that a piece of bread that is at least the size of a kezayis must be covered and thrown out, is it sufficient to… Read more »
Question on informing
Question: B”H Thank you. Someone who is not Jewish was working in a building and seemed to make “romantic” gestures toward a resident (the Jewish resident did make the mistake… Read more »
Destroying a bird’s nest
Question: If a bird created a nest on one’s home, in our case the gutter, and it may possibly cause damage to the home, may one destroy the nest? Answer:… Read more »
Dressing up as a mermaid
Question: Dear Rabbi, is one permitted to dress up as a mermaid (like Ariel from Disney movie or just a mermaid)? I did not know if they are mythological creatures… Read more »
Torah and bnei noach
Question: BS”D Shalom, Is there a halakha that prohibits bnei noach from studying the torah? Answer: In general if a gentile wants to do mitzvos, he may, except for two… Read more »
“Sit in beth midrash alone”
Question: Dear Rabbi I hope that everything is healthy at yours, as well as your mishpoche. Allegedly Hagaon M’vilna had been sitting in Beth Midrash alone. Maybe you have a… Read more »
Why do we end davening the same way as four Mesechtos are ended?
Question: Many have mentioned the segulah these days of reciting pitum haketores. I was wondering why is it that specifically Brachos, Nazir, Yevamos and Creisos that are ended with the… Read more »
Assembly of jigsaw puzzle with photo of church
Question: I purchased a puzzle with many photos of places around the world. Among those photos are at least one of a church, as well as others that may be… Read more »
lashon hara
Question: I was discussing with another bachur who we can go to for a Shabbos seuda. When the name of a certain person came up, I said that I won’t… Read more »
Cutting down a vine
Question: My backyard is overgrown with weeds & vines. Some of them grow inedible (for humans) berries (seeds?). Seems to me (not 100% sure) that the birds like to eat… Read more »
Is this avoda zarah?
Question: I have a handmade wooden sculpture from when I was a young boy. I’ve attached a picture herein. Is the symbol on it avodah zarah? Do I need to… Read more »
Criticizing the State of Israel and/or Government
Question: I recently read your interesting question and answer regarding the prohibition against publicly criticizing Jews and Jewish leaders because it violates the principle of loshon horo. I was wondering… Read more »
Saying that one worships something
Question: BS”D And forbidden to say that worship something, like food, a car, an object because you like it very much? Or can we just say we love (worship) Hashem?… Read more »
Is Blue Jay kosher for Shiluach Haken?
Question: Is Blue Jay kosher for Shiluach Haken? Answer: The general rule is that if the bird is essentially kosher, even if we do not eat it because it doesn’t… Read more »