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 »
Category: Commandments and prohibitions
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 »
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 »
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 »