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 »
Category: Commandments and prohibitions
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 »
Is tweeting bad things about a Jew not allowed?
Question: Dear Rabbis, I have a question that touches upon the spheres of journalism and lashon hara. I recently watched an excellent Netflix program which paints a rather unflattering picture… Read more »
Opening a church door
Question: Shalom, I have a question. If walk next to a church and an old man asks me to open the door for him so that he can enter and… Read more »
Fence around slanted roof used regularly
Question: Would one need to make a fence around a slanted roof if they walk on it regularly? I know most rabbanim say that a slanted roof does not need… Read more »
Minyan and “essentials”
Question: Considering that all the “essential” stores are open, especially the highly “essential” liquor stores, and people are shopping there, and the “essential” busses and trains are running and are… Read more »
Pregnant women stepping on nails with shoes
Question: Is the issue of pregnant women stepping on nails only with bare feet? Answer: Not that I am aware of. The sources for not throwing one’s nails out (… Read more »
Euthanasia for a dog
Question: My dog is 12 years old. He has developed a cancerous growth in its leg and it is affecting his ability to walk and run freely. The wound is… Read more »
Prohibition of study of the Talmud
Question: Is there any halacha prohibiting the study of the Talmud for non-Jews? Answer: A gentile is permitted to learn the seven commandment that are applicable to gentiles, because this… Read more »
Saying Shem H-shem while reading a posuk
Question: Question: Now that we are davening b’yichidus, I heard that I may lain that week’s parasha from a chumash But may I say Hashem’s Name ? and if so… Read more »
emailing before Shabbos
Question: May one send an email before Shabbos to a mechallel Shabbos Jew who might check and/or respond to it after Shabbos has begun? If not, what is the latest… Read more »
Mezuza that fell down
Question: A contractor did some work on my house and to my great horror, a Mezuza was accidentally detached from a door. No one can seem to find it. To… Read more »
cremation of a pet
Question: Can I cremate my pet that died, or should I just bury it? Answer: There are no rules regarding how an animal has to be cared for after death…. Read more »
Feeding an animal
Question: Is there a ban on feeding an animal with meat of the same species? Like feeding a chicken with pieces of another chicken? Answer: Not that I am aware… Read more »
Learning Halachah
Question: Learning halacha is very important as we all know. Yet, it is very confusing since there are 4 major sections and so so many commentaries within each section not… Read more »
Listening to lashon hara
Question: If a person hears lashon hara while davening Shemoneh Esrei, may/ should he walk away from there so that he can’t hear? If I hear lashon hara while getting… Read more »
Answering lashon hora to doctor
Question: When a person goes to a doctor, and the doctor asks “Who was the previous doctor who treated you?” and I know that once I tell him who the… Read more »
Discourage someone to buy a business when it’s to my benefit
Question: If I know a piece of information that my competitors which is false to a potential buyer, am I allowed to let that buyer know when it’s to my… Read more »
Killing a very old dog
Question: BS”D I have a very old dog, he doesn’t walk any better, he’s blind, he suffers a lot, often bites who passes by because he thinks he’s another animal,… Read more »
tora chozeres le achsanya sheo is refering to…?
Question: Where does it say Tora chozeres leachsanya shelo? Answer: The gemora Baba Metzia 85a says that if there are three generations of talmidei chachamim in a row that their… Read more »
Dancing at wedding when a man is looking at them
Question: Girls dancing at a kosher wedding do we girls have to stop dancing when men wrongfully come to the side of the michatza my friends tell me we have… Read more »
medical check ups
Question: BH Thank you for your help. My question deals with going to a health care office that may have non kosher statues in them. I am a bal teshuva… Read more »
Purchasing a home planetarium
Question: What would the Halacha be with purchasing a home planetarium which is basically a slide that goes into a projector that projects the image onto the wall and ceilings…. Read more »
Lifnei Iver in assisting abortion
Question: A man has the following question. His wife is a PA in a doctors office. An Jewish girl is pregnant early on and wants an abortion. Doctor tells PA… Read more »
Avoda zarah
Question: Hello, this is another question regarding avoda zarah listed within a separate email. The question arises in regard to the rule that one may not derive benefit from that… Read more »
Redeeming, avoda h zarah
Question: Hi, I figured I’d ask another question separately but in of a similar sort. Within the avodah zarah. It mentions that one can not benefit from something made using… Read more »
Annuling of idols within the avodah zarah
Question: I read that unlike idols owned by non-Jews which can be annulled, ones owned by Jews cannot be annulled as such. Why is this? I have read a good… Read more »
money for tora
Question: There is a person who is willing to pay me $50 a week for learning with him. Is this permitted, as one may not take money for Torah, as… Read more »
Using marijuana for recreational purpose in Canada
Question: Hello Is it אסור for an individual to ingest/smoke/inhale marijuana for recreational purposes in a country where it is legal to do so? The massive body of evidence has… Read more »
Hilchas Lashon harA
Question: If s/o posted in general on text group if a/o knows if dr X is good-& I know that he is cuz he helped Bh few family members ,b… Read more »
Tefillin & Mezuzot
Question: Is it permissible to posess in one’s house, etc… Tefillin and Mezuzot which have not been checked (may or not be posul) but are not being used at all… Read more »
Releasing a son/daughter from Shiva and all other mourning dinim
Question: A parent has been ignored by his children without explanation for almost 10 years. The parent has a non-lethal thus far cancer, but nevertheless a very serious illness.No visiting,… Read more »
Gemara/ Daf Yomi for women?
Question: Is is permissible for a woman to learn Gemara? And more specifically subscribe to the 8-Minute Daf Yomi videos? Answer: Thank you for your question. It is nice… Read more »
Siyum
Question: 1.When finishing a mesechta is it okay to leave the siyum for another occasion like yutzeit, simcha? Or the siyum should be made right away? Does a seuda have… Read more »
New Years international change how to be comprehended?
Question: The Jewish people are known to only celebrate the Jewish new year. In addition, we also have an international new year for all states – 2020. Regardless, if the… Read more »
Standing for parents
Question: My wife and I are baalei teshuva. Our parents are traditional. We have never observed the practice of standing up when our parents enter the room. Do we need… Read more »
Civil complaints secular israeli companies
Question: I recall two cases in the past regarding an Israeli Cell Phone Company and and Israeli Bank (Both are large, publicly traded companies–i think the cell phone was majority… Read more »
Kibbud Em
Question: Shalom Thank you so much for taking my question. A relative is visiting from overseas. We arranged to meet. When I spoke with my parent and mentioned I was… Read more »
Dress code
Question: What is the minimum dress code a person is obligated for while learning torah. Is there a difference which topic of torah . For example pshat or sod? I… Read more »
sheker l’toeles vs geneivas daas
Question: How to we reconcile sheker l’toeles vs geneivas daas if we don’t want to hurt someones feelings? EG 1. A non-frum family members invites us to events, or encourages… Read more »
rechilus against rav
Question: On Sukkos I was in a shul and I asked the rav for wine so that I could make Kiddush in the sukkah. The rav gave me some wine…. Read more »