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 »
Category: Festivals (Yom Tov)
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 if the… 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 »
Laundry Pick Up on Yom Tov
I am asking on behalf of a female ballat tshuvah who resides in a nursing home. Is she allowed to leave her laundry in her room and allow a private… Read more »
Motorized Home on Yom Tov
Can an Orthodox Jew stay/live in a non motorized home (5th wheel) during Yentif? http://www.jayco.com/products/fifth-wheels/ Thank you Answer: As long as it is not in transit, it may be lived… Read more »
Broken Glasses on Yom Tov
What does one do if they are at a hotel for Yom Tov (with a jewish organization) & their eyeglass accidentally fell on the floor while they were sleeping &… Read more »
Waving Hands by Candle Lighting
Dear Rabbi. When lighting yom tov candles, are women required to wave their hands three times, like on Shabbos, before covering their eyes and making the bracha? Answer: Waving the… Read more »
Hot Water on Yom Tov
Can one use an electric hot water heater on Yom Tov- the heater is a 50 gallon tank Answer: It is not clear what you mean by “using the heater”…. Read more »
Haircut Erev Shavuos
Hi, can I have a haircut tomorrow (Friday) before Shabbat/ Shavuot, or do I wait until after Shavuot? Thanks Answer: A haircut may be taken on Friday.
Hisbodedus on Yom Tov
CAN ONE DO HITBODEDUT TO HASHEM ON YOM TOV? Answer: Yes, this is fine. For those who practice it the concept of Hisbodedus draws a person to Hashem and embodies… Read more »
Melaveh LeMalka on Yom Tov
DOES ONE DO MELAVA MALKA AT ALL THIS SHABBOS PESACH? Answer: For Chutz La-Aretz, there is no distinct melaveh le’malka meal, because the Yom Tov meal takes its place. When… Read more »
Extinguishing Flame on Yom Tov
In your newsletter that I saw through Agudas Yisroel Bais Binyamin, you point out that it is only permitted to lower or shut fire on a stove on yom tov… Read more »
Lowering the Flame on Yom Tov
Is one allowed to turn off the stove burner on yom tov while cooking to prevent the food being burnt? Answer: If it is possible to take the food off… Read more »
Smoking and Smoking on Yom Tov
hi 1) My wife payed our housekeeper what she thought was 170 shekel for the work she did for the day and the housekeeper called her later in the day… Read more »
Package Arrived on Yom Tov
If one receives a package through US mail or fedex, and It arrives on yom tov (a book), can one open the parcel? Answer: This will generally be permitted. The package… Read more »
Putting Mattress on Bed on Yom Tov
The Halacha books say that one may erect a folding bed on Shabbos and Yom Tov. Can I then put a mattress on even though the mattress is covering the… Read more »
Non-Jew on Second Day of Yom Tov
Can one ask a goy to turn on their oven on 2nd day Yom Tov that is an Erev Shabbos to be able to cook for Shabbos. Can we say… Read more »
Eruv Tavshilin for Second Day Yom Tov
If I’m holding two days Yom Tov here in Yerushalayim, do I make an Eruv Tavshilin with a Bracha? Answer: Yes, you should make a berachah if you are planning… Read more »
Accepting Yom Tov Early
Can one make kiddush and eat in the sukah early on first,and second night of sukot if one are having elderly over? Answer: This is fine for the second night… Read more »
Craftsment on Erev Pesach
Question: My question is regarding Daf Yomi of today 13A. The practitioners of 3 crafts may perform work on Pesach eve until midday – Tailors, Barbers and Launderers. My question… Read more »