Question: Shalom, We recently purchased a house that needs substantial renovations. Lots of Yamim Tovim and Chol Hamoed are coming soon. If we contract out to a non Jewish company… Read more »
Category: Festivals (Yom Tov)
Second day yom tov in ancient times
Question: Greetings. Why is there no source telling us how Jewish communities that were far away from Eretz Yisroel kept yomtov in the days of the first Temple or even… Read more »
Asking a non Jew before yom Tov
Question: Shalom Can I arrange with a non Jew before Yom Tov to turn off the oven during a Yom Tov? Answer: The halachos of asking a non Jew… Read more »
Turning down or off gas stove or grill on YT
Question: May one ask gentile to turn down or off gas to stove or grill on Yom Tov? Answer: It depends why he is asking him to do it. If… Read more »
Israeli outside of Israel on 2nd day Yomtov of Shavous
Question: I permanently reside in Israel and have to be in the USA over the Shavous holiday. I am staying in a back-house of a rather large private home with… Read more »
One day vs two day Yom Tov
Question: I will be in Eretz Yisrael with my entire family over Shavuos, Bezras Hashem. I am a baal teshuva while my family is not observant, I heard that if… Read more »
Pesach in time of Beis Hamikdash
Question: I was wondering how we understand whether during the First or Second Temple what was going on in Yerushalayim at the time of Pesach. Let’s assume there were half… Read more »
Candle lighting when eating out for the seder
Question: Dear Rabbi I have a Shaila about candle lighting for Shabbos and Yom Tov on each of the Sedarim nights, if one is staying in a hotel should they… Read more »
potted plant yom tov
Question: hi is one allowed to move a potted plant on yom tov? what about when you try to protect it from the elements? rain sun heat cold etc? or… Read more »
Escelater on Yom tov
Question: What are the issues with using an escelator on Yom tov if any? Answer: I am not an expert on escalators, but there can be sensors that are activated,… Read more »
Seuda Shelishit on Erev Yom Tov
Question: When Erev Yom Tov falls on a Shabbat, what should one eat for Seudah Shelishit so as not to spoil his appetite for Yom Tov? Answer: There are a… Read more »
Carrying on Yom Tov with a shinu
Question: I recently saw in a sefer on Hilchos Yom Tov that one should use a shinu when carrying on Yom Tov (outside an eiruv). I saw that is an… Read more »
Computer Buying Stocks on Yom Tov
Question: Am I permitted to place a stock order before Yom Tov that will be executed on Yom Tov itself? Basically, the money in my account will be used to… Read more »
Israeli in chutz laaratz for 2 years. How many days yom tov does he keep?
Question: Whats the halacha for an Israeli who is in chutz laaratz for a job for 2 years. How many days yom tov does he keep? Answer: There are opinions… Read more »
Yuntiff rules for observant Jews from Israel visiting USA
Question: An observant relative from Israel is arriving in Miami on Simchas Torah. Can an arrangement be made for her to be picked up at the airport (by a non-Jew)… Read more »
Non-Jew doing work on Yontif
Question: Sorry – I asked this before, but the reply said I wasn’t clear. Let me try again: Let’s say a Shul has Kids Minyanim in the basement on Rosh… Read more »
When to light candle for Yizkor
Question: Dear Rabbi, I was wondering on the precise time to light the Yartzeight candle for yizkor. I have seen a view which states it should be lit after nightfall… Read more »
Automatic dividend reinvestment that may occur on Yom Tov
Question: We own stocks and mutual fund shares that automatically reinvest dividends. Sometimes the purchase date or the settlement date (when the shares actually change ownership, generally 2 days after… Read more »
can we light a sterno on yom tov
Question: is lighting a sterno simular to lighting a match Answer: We are not allowed to create a fire on yom tov, but we are allowed to light something from… Read more »
Break Open Glass Oil Vial on Yom Tov
Question: Is it permissible to break off the top of the glass oil vials on yom tov? The vial already contains the oil and wick, and will not be reused… Read more »
Showering Yom Tov
Question: Hi, I would like to ask you since this year we will have many 3 day Yom Tov, and it’s very hard for me and my family that we… Read more »
Eiruv tavshilin and left city
Question: Hi, If I make an eiruv tavshilin on erev Yom Tov, as required, but have to go to another city because of a medical emergency can I still cook… Read more »
Yizkor money
Question: If I recite Yizkor, can I simply put a certain amount of money in the pushka after Yom Tov? Answer: If you didn’t specify that you were going to give… Read more »
simchas yom tov with beer, amount of wine
Question: To be mekayem the mitzvah of simchas yom tov, does one need to drink specifically wine, or can it be any alcoholic beverage? If it can be anything, does… Read more »
When’s the best time to light? Erev Yom Tov or Yom Tov by night?
Question: When’s the best time to light? Erev Yom Tov or Yom Tov by night? Answer: There are differant customs, and if you have a family minhag do that. There… Read more »
Blech, and lowering a fire on yom tov
Question: 1.must one use a blech on yom tov? 2. When can one start preparing food for second night Yom tov? 3.what are the laws regarding lowering /highering flames on… Read more »
Amen after shehechiyu
Question: If one is hearing Kiddush from someone else on Shavous night with intent to be yotzi only the 1st two brachas, but the listener desires to make his own… Read more »
Are you allowed to have a non-Jew at your Seder table
Question: What is the halacha of having a non Jew at your pesach seder Answer: The halacha is that one should not host a non Jew for a yom tov… Read more »
Blech on Yom Tov
Question: I thought of a question over Yom Tov. If one uses a blech of Shabbos, are they allowed to use it on Yom Tov? The reason for using a… Read more »
Why don’t we say a Shehechiyanu on the mitzvah of Eruv Tavshilin
Question: The bracha of sheheheyanu is recited on mitzvos that come from time to time (e.g., sukkah, shofar, yom tov). Why is this bracha not said when making an eruiv… Read more »
Ger cooking for his parents on Yom Tov
Question: Can a ger/giyores have his/her non-Jewish parents over and cook them a meal Yom Tov? Answer: Although we are allowed to cook on Yom Tov, it is only if… Read more »
Removing makeup on yom tov
Question: Am I allowed to remove makeup on yom tov Answer: Removing makeup on Yom Tov is the same as on shabbos, since the related melachos aren’t from the melachos… Read more »
Applying makeup via a Non-Jew On Shabbos & Yom Tov
Question: My wife is scheduled to go to the Mikvah the first night of Yom Tov, this will in turn cause her not to be able to have any makeup… Read more »
Using a Tankless Water Heater on Yom Tov
Question: Is it possible to use the hot water from a faucet on yom tov in which the water is heated by a tank-less water heater. Tank-less water heaters do… Read more »
Cookbooks on Yom Tov
Question: I hear that there is a problem using a menu on Yom Tov because of Shtarei Hadyotos. Does this same problem apply to using a cookbook, or are there… Read more »
Doing melacha prior to baruch hamavdil
Question: We have a case of Shabbos that goes into Yom Tov (i.e., Yom Tov commences on motzoi Shabbos). A lady recited the blessing over lighting Yom Tov candles and… Read more »
Receive yom tov earlier
Question: First of all, I would like to thank to all the people that are involved and the sponsors . You all doing an amazing job !Yasherkoach! From my search… Read more »
Pestilence
Question: A person comes to shul on yom tov covered with bedbugs. Before the gabbai can remove this person several nearby people have been infested, and perhaps the carpet also…. Read more »
follow-up havadala
Question: It is my understanding that if one forgot to make Havdalah motzoi yom tov, he can only say it the next day, and not beyond that. Answer: Correct. Sources:… Read more »
Duchaning during the Mourning Year
Question: Is it permissible to duchan during a mourning year – after Sh’loshim – after a parent has died? Answer: There are different minhagim regarding a cohen duchining during the… Read more »
Amira l’akum
Question: In the case of a public school teacher who will be absent from work on yom tov (i.e., the second day of Shavuous), is she permitted to leave work… Read more »
Candle Lighting
Question: Due to the lateness of the Z’man for 2nd night Yom Tov (Chu”L), my wife wasn’t able to candle light as she was extremely tired. Consequently, I lit the… Read more »
Shnayim Mikra
Question: Can Shnayim Mikra (or part thereof) for upcoming Shabbos be read on Yom Tov that falls out during the week (as in Shavuos this year)? Answer: One can do… Read more »
Soaking foot on Shabbos
Question: Is it permissible to soak one’s foot on Shabbos or yom tov , in cold water, to relieve the pain of a rash? Answer: One can soak the foot… Read more »
Chese or chocolate fondue on yom tov
Question: Hello, I wonder if there is a halachic problem with having a fondue (cheese of chocolate) on yom tov? There are possibilities to either use a plata or a… Read more »
Three-day Yom Tov
Question: Can one drive between Shabbos and Yom Tov on a 3-day Yom Tov? Can one say Havdallah and drive to another destination and light candles for Yom Tov? Answer:… Read more »
second days of yom to for ben chutz la aretz
Question: 1) If I hold two days of Yom Tov while in eretz yisroel ,is it ok pre-order (and pre-pay by giving my credit card information before yom tov) from… Read more »
shower on yom tov
Question: Is it permissible to shower on Yom Tov, not for comfort just when you feel a terrible smell? Answer: It is permitted to take a cold shower on YomTov… Read more »
Work By Gentile on Yom Tov
Question: Can I hire a gentile to clean my home on Yom Tov with broom and/or mop? What work cannot be done? I know gentiles work in the kitchen and clean… Read more »
Autopay on Yomtov
Is it permitted to enlist in autopay, which will pay bills for you even on Yom Tov? Details: I have a repetitive bill which is paid weekly. I want to… Read more »