What exactly is, “Raglayim L’Davar?” Answer It means that there is circumstantial evidence or reason to believe or suspect, although no conrete knowledge or proof is available. The exact definition… Read more »
Category: Ask
Stolen Photographs
I recently sold several of my photographs to the Wall Street Journal to appear on their website credited to me. Later I found out that two Jewish newspapers had copied… Read more »
Golf on Shabbos
I know that golfing on Shabbas is not a Shabbas activity, but is there anyway to permit it? How can a frum Jew play in PGA events that are Thursday,… Read more »
Birthday on Assarah BeTeves
My birthday is Asara B’Teves. Would it be proper to have music and dancing on the night of Asara B’Teves, or should I make the seudah on another night which… Read more »
Lewhiff- is it kosher?
There is a new product called ‘lewhif.’http://lewhif.com/ It is made of chocolate powder that apparently only goes into one’s mouth but not into one’s lungs or stomach. It’s like a… Read more »
Yoga
Is is permissible to practice yoga? Answer: The question is quite broad. Please read these past questions and answers and be more specific in your question if you still have… Read more »
Obligation to Seek Out Seller?
Shalom Chashuva Rabbonim and Dayonim. First off – poschim bichvod achsanya. Thank you very much for whomever is hosting this service. My question is related to two maasim which happened… Read more »
Mentioning mother’s name
My workmate has the same name as my mother. Am I allowed to mention her name when I talk about work? Answer If the name is unusual, one may mention… Read more »
Undiscussed additional costs (2)
I had filed an insurance claim due to damage done at my home. The broker had come down with an insurance adjuster to assess the damages At that time I… Read more »
Undiscussed additional costs
We had an agreement (written & verbal) with an insurance adjuster (heimeish) regarding payment on a claim submitted. After settlement was reached with insurance company & we received payment on… Read more »
Teshuvah on intellectual theft
Hi, How does one do teshuva on gnevas da’as that happened over 40 years ago? It was kind of intellectual theft without any monetary damage. Thanks Answer It is unclear… Read more »
Payment for unsatisfactory services rendered
I ordered a pair of glasses from an optician. The glasses had some unusual specifications, but this optician was recommended as someone who’s the best in town. It took several… Read more »
A kohen and a divorcee
Is there any heter or condition for a Cohain to marry a divorced women? If a marriage was done by a conservative rabbi with one of the witnesses being a… Read more »
Pareve food cooked in a meaty pot
These are theoretical questions, not a request for psak. I’m asking from an Ashkenzi perspective. 1) The Rema rules in Yoreh Deah 95:2 that non-charif pareve food prepared in an… Read more »
Building in East Jerusalem
Being an advocate in Denmark and at the same time having a warm sympathy for the Jewish “cause” (I witnessed what took place here in 1943) I need to know… Read more »
What does one do with Elihayu Hanavi’s cup after the seder?
Question: I saved the wine that I left for Eliyahu Hanavi at the Seder as he did not drink it (or at least he did not drink all of it… Read more »
Warming up food on a blech on Shabbos
On Shabbos we always used a blech. Can food be put on the blech to be warmed, then taken off after it was warmed? Answer Liquid food may not be… Read more »
Shaving during sefira if you look bad
I know there is a reference somewhere that says if your wife or a friend says you look bad with your sefirah beard, you can shave it. I just don’t… Read more »
Repaying a shekel loan in the US
I live in the states and I went to Israel for seminary. While I was there I borrowed money from a friend in shekel and I don’t know what the… Read more »
Rabbeinu Tam – when can one go to the Mikva; Music in Sefirah
Hi! if we normally keep Rabbeinu Tam for Shabbos etc.. can my wife go IN the mikva 55 min after shkiya (she won’t be home until after 72 minutes after… Read more »
Beis Yosef Meat for Ashkenazim
Can Ashkenazim eat Beis Yosef meat? Answer: If the Hechsher is Makpid on the Rema’s rulings yes, but sometimes such hechsherim are only Makpid on the Beis Yosef – so… Read more »
My employee stole from me
Someone stole from my account $ 530,000.00 ? He was an employee & had access to the account. What can I do besides having that person arrested. Answer: If he… Read more »
Right to Photographs
I printed a picture in my yeshiva newsletter and the one who took the picture would like me to pay for his right to the picture please let me know… Read more »
Ma’aser to Son in Kollel
1. Is a father allowed to give all of his maaser money to his son learning in kollel? 2. I need some help in formulating a shtar that will enable… Read more »
Kashering Crystal Cups
Can colored crystal glasses (there is no gold or silver on them, just the crystal itself is colored) that came from Jews that were not very frum but have not… Read more »
Bride – Derasha at wedding?
The old minhag was that the chasan at the chasuna would say a Dvar Torah. If the chasan is very shy would there be an issue if the kallah spoke… Read more »
Liability for Loss Caused by Mistake
I and my two neighbors entered into an agreement back in June of last year with the New York City Waterboard to pay arrears on a large waterbill. We have… Read more »
Backing out of Business Deal
I contacted a firm that was to negotiate a short sale for me and the deal set was that if the firm cant get me the deal i will not… Read more »
Broken thermostat in borrowed apartment
Ploni borrowed someone’s house to stay in over Pesach.At the end of Pesach he discovered that the themostat on the water heater had broken on its own, not thru any… Read more »
Noach’s Wife
B”H Noah is mentioned as a righteous man etc etc. In the Torah is there any mention of his wife and what ‘her’ character may have been? (you only need… Read more »
Tevilas Keilim – Redoing
Before yuntif a new set (about 80 pieces) of cutlery was bought and toiveled. I discovered after they were toiveled that one of the forks had a thick black goey… Read more »
Whistling
I’m not sure this is a halachic question, but it is a question of hanhaga. What does our tradition say about whistling? Answer: There is no source either way about… Read more »
Does a Tzavoah Override a Trust?
Does a Tzavoah override the provisions of a Trust written many years before. Answer: A will written according to Halachic guidelines can cancel conditions and instructions given prior to the… Read more »
Sefarim on Zeh Nehene
Hi I run a program in a non-religious program for mostly very secular kids in the Cape Town Jewish High School, called Herzlia. It’s the Beit Midrash option for Jewish… Read more »
Found store credit note
I was in the supermarket the other day and I found a credit for the supermarket. could I keep it? It was in Jerusalem. Answer: This question is particularly interesting…. Read more »
Vocal Music in Sefiras HaOmer
לכבוד הרבנים שליט’א רציתי לשאול האם מותר לשמוע בתקופת העומר הקלטה של שירים שאין עליהם ליווי כלי נגינה (היום קוראים לזה ‘ווקלי’) תודה רבה תשובה: מעיקר הדין מותר, יש מפוסקי… Read more »
Selling Chometz Online
Question: I am thinking of selling my chametz online, and wanted to know the Halachic basis for it, without a kinyan? Answer: I am unaware of the details of the… Read more »
Shnayim Mikra – to read the whole Sedra first
Dear Distinguished Rabbis, shlitas I was told by a Rav a heter, but since he’s not a posek, I’m concerned that it may not have been a correct psak, as… Read more »
Orlah for a replanted sapling
Question In your Halachos on Birkas HaIlanos, you mention that one shouldn’t use trees that are Orlah. I planted two fruit saplings a year ago (when they were blooming). I… Read more »
When no water is available for Netilat Yodayim
Question Can one say just the brocha on the bread without washing hands if there is no water to wash hands? Answer If one is travelling on a journey, and… Read more »
Donation in error
Question My wife transfered maaser money from our general checking account to our tzedaka account. Immediately after performing the transaction, she realized that she had forgotten to subtract approx. $5000… Read more »
Calculating Chatzos in Yerushalayim
Question: What are the last times one may eat matzo and afikomen the seder night for the year 5770 in Yerusholayim? Can you please explain your calculations and let me… Read more »
Costs of billing – Ribbis?
Question I have an IT business. I send invoices to my clients via email, if they didn’t pay it then I send them a letter where I charge them 60p… Read more »
Hot water tap on Yom Tov
Question Can one use hot water from the tap to wash one’s dirty dishes with on yom tov? Answer It depends. If, as in Israel, the hot water is coming… Read more »
Does the entire Haggadah have to be read?
Question: Does the entire Haggadah have to be read word for word, or it is enough to just ‘talk’ ABOUT some sections without actually reading the text? Answer: Torah law… Read more »
Tevilas Kelim – Saltshaker
Question: Does a glass saltshaker require tevilloh? Answer: A saltshaker that has a glass container to hold the salt and a glass cover with holes in it needs tevilloh with… Read more »
Tevilas Kelim – Pickle Jar
Q We bought some pickles in a glass jar. I do not know if the jar was immersed in a mikve or not, but I somehow doubt the hechsher includes… Read more »
Ma’ase Uman – Tevilas Kelim
Q I just got a new toaster, and when I was going to open it, I discovered that the screw head is not a standard one; I’ll need a Torx… Read more »
The Industrial Leather Couch
Question: Last week I purchased a sofa set, second-hand, from people who were about to leave the country. They told me that the sofas were leather and we agreed on… Read more »
Is a Beth Din required to provide a reason for its ruling?
Question: Is a Beth Din required to provide a reason for its ruling? Answer: According to the Halacha, usually a Beis Din is not required to provide a reasoning for… Read more »