Question: The poskim bring an eitzah to not have to repeat shmone esrei when in doubt if one said the correct addition of vesein brocha or vesein tal… where one… Read more »
Category: Ask
Coffee on Shabbos
Question: Hello thanks for taking my question did a little research about coffee and I saw that coffee is not cooked while processing only it is roasted if so this… Read more »
Use meat knife with Dairy Equipment pareve spread
Question: Can a meat knife be used to apply a pareve-but-dairy-equipment spread (vegan “cream cheese” that is not charif)? Does this affect the status of the knife at all? Can… Read more »
MAKING TZIZIT
Question: Im making myself a new pair of TZIZIT. I would like to make it LCHATCHILA BEZRAT HASHEM. When making the first knot , should it be made tight to… Read more »
Requests in Shemonah Esrei
Question: I know that it is permitted to add personal requests in the middle brochos of shemonah esrei if they are relevant, concise and requests for current needs, not for… Read more »
Ends of bread
Question: Is there a prohibition to eat the end of bread? Is it only the very first or last piece or any piece with extra crust on it? Answer: There… Read more »
Mezuza placement by this door
Question: My front door opens into a small entrance room. The small entrance room opens into a larger living room. The entrance between them has no door or even a… Read more »
Copied music
Question: Am I allowed to listen to music that is not rightly mine but has been copied from someone else? And am I allowed to listen to music that someone… Read more »
Opened pasta
Question: I left a box of opened uncooked pasta in a kitchen cabinet or counter. I cooked it and then realized that I dont know if there is a concern… Read more »
Amira lakum
Question: Suppose an inconsiderate gentile neighbor were listening to music at a fairly high volume on Shabbat, to the point that you could hear it on your own property. Would… Read more »
Amira lakum
Question: Non-Jew asks to borrow a book from a Jew. The Jew fumbles around in a dark room looking for the book, and the non Jew turns on the light…. Read more »
Food heated up by gentile on Shabbos
Question: Cruise offers kosher airline meal type meals for daily lunch and dinner. Is it halachically permissible to eat if warmed up by non-Jew on Shabbos (presumably with microwave)? Answer:… Read more »
Sitting on a car on Shabbos
Question: Sholom Uvrocha Is one allowed to sit on a car bonnet on Shabbos, as the person will weigh the car down, but not move it out of its place?… Read more »
Money for KOLLEL
Question: If a working man puts away money so that he can retire early for kollel, can maasar money be used? Or put away money so that his daughter can… Read more »
new pots and pans
Question: Hello, If one buys new pots and pans, utensils, measuring cups, etc. from the store, does anything need to be done to kasher them? Answer: Thank you for your… Read more »
Going to the right while holding the sefer torah
Question: Can you please provide a source for the widespread custom of walking the sefer Torah on the right side of the bima both to and from? is it simply… Read more »
Shekhitah for a non shochet
Question: shalom, based on that text: לימוד שחיטה בהתכתבות הרב יעקב משה טולדנו פסק לסוחר מספרד שמותר לו ללמוד שחיטת עופות למרות שאינו תלמיד חכם כדי שיוכל לשחוט לעצמו. ומצטט… Read more »
Is it appropriate to spank a child for chutzpa or defiance?
Question: Is it appropriate to spank a child for chutzpa or defiance? Answer: Thank you for your question. In the topic of chinuch, the cardinal rule is as the posuk… Read more »
Which comes forst Al Hamichya or Borei Nefashos
Question: What happens if I’ve ate a meal without bread. For instance, spaghetti and tomato sauce with a side of potato salad. What would be the after bracha. Each one… Read more »
Is one piece of bread sufficient for it to count as a “bread meal”?
Question: Hello, Is one piece of bread sufficient for it to count as a “bread meal”? Thank you! Answer: One slice of bread is definitely enough to make your meal… Read more »
Frozen bread
Question: Can bread be taken from the freezer and then eaten as a bread meal without heating? Or is this considered disrespectful if the bread is not fresh and then… Read more »
EXCHANGING AN OLD MEZUZAH WITH A NEW
Question: If someone is changing his front door old MEZUZAH for a new more HIDUR MEZUZAH. IS A BRACHA MADE for the new one? The old one is kosher i… Read more »
Corona test on Friday
Question: Am I allowed to take a Corona test on a Friday in Israel? It seems almost certain that a Jew will be testing the samples or at least in… Read more »
Maaser fulfillment through donating appreciated stocks
Question: Shimon receives a gift of $100,000 and wants to give maaser. Shimon has a stock portfolio with a base cost of $6,000 that appreciated to $10,000. Can Shimon donate… Read more »
Cheese on veggies made on fleishig stovetop
Question: I cooked parve veggies in a parve pan on burners that are used for fleishig. I then put cheese on the veggies and warned up in dairy betty Crocker/microwave…. Read more »
Can a gentile keep mitzvot
Question: If a gentile wishes to sincerely serve God can they keep mitzvot like wearing Tallit or taffilin Answer: A gentile may put on tefillin or tzitzit however he may… Read more »
Fasting with an eating disorder
Question: Hello, I have struggled with an eating disorder for a while now and I’m finally recovering well. I’m afraid that fasting might trigger my disorder again. Am I allowed… Read more »
MEZUZAH on GARAGE
Question: Im attaching a mezuzah to my garage. The garage is used for storage. Do I make a Bracha? Answer: It is controversial if we make a bracha on a… Read more »
nasal flush on a fast day
Question: My daughter suffers from sinusitis and uses a nasal flush daily. Some of the saline usually goes down the back of her throat, although it is not intentional or… Read more »
Torah study on a Christian date
Question: Shalom, today because it is a famous Christian date, is it forbidden to study torah? or gemoras? Answer: There are differant customs regarding learning torah from nightfall until midnight…. Read more »
Yashrus with Online Course
Question: I paid for an online course with several sections. The course tracks the “completion” of each section, once the participant watches it. There is no professional component, it is… Read more »
Rating a Jewish company/product
Question: Is it Lashon Harah to rate a Jewish owned company/product with a rating less than 5 stars? (4 stars?) If yes, would one have to be mevarer to see… Read more »
Laced Top/Front Shaitels
Question: According to the opinions that shaitels are permitted (of course with appropriate length and style), what is the halacha when it comes to laced top/front shaitels? Ive heard that… Read more »
Starting a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with Maaser money
Question: Can Maaser money be used to begin a nonprofit organization? The purpose of the organization is to increase and improve Torah learning and help people donate money to Torah… Read more »
Fast day
Question: Can one have a regular doctor appointment for a physical on a minor fast day (esther) or is it preferable to choose another day if there are options? Answer:… Read more »
Shmiras Halashon & Discsussing Feelings
Question: To the Posek, I live in a VERY small Jewish community. The way the Rav’s wife dresses bothers me; the standards of tznius are possibly borderline from my perspective… Read more »
What can you consume before Kiddush on Friday evening after 10 Tevet
Question: What can you consume before Kiddush on Friday evening after 10 Tevet? After end of fast we are invited for Shabbat dinner which might be quite a bit after… Read more »
Cursing a parent
Question: What are the parameters of the command not to curse one’s parents? If one gets in a fight with one’s parents, would cursing them out (using contemporary dirty words… Read more »
Kashering pot used with oil
Question: Hello, My wife was making donuts in a parve pot. The pot was filled with a couple of inches of hot oil. My wife mistakenly put a donut stuffed with milk… Read more »
Sleeping on planes
Question: Al pi Kabbalah when one sleeps they should be careful not to sleep with there shoes on as this can cause one to forget their learning (if not mistaken)…. Read more »
minor fast
Question: If one has energy, may one exercise on a minor fast day? Answer: Yes you may do exercises on a minor fast day if you wish to do so…. Read more »
Saying layihudim loud during Havdalah
Question: Whats the orgins/source of those listening to havdolah to first say the phrase layehudim etc? Answer: I don’t have a good source for this minhag, however as with other… Read more »
Definition of Koveah Seudah
Question: What does Koveah seduah mean? If one is Koveah seduah (on certain item) say hamozti and bentch. Thank you. Answer: Koveah Seuda means that the person is making this… Read more »
Do sponges used for handwashing dishes need a hechser?
Question: Recently I noticed the hecsher from scotch brite sponges was removed. Does this signify that they are not kosher anymore? Or sponges dont need a hecsher anyway so it… Read more »
genizah menorah box
Question: Does my outdoor menorah box require geniza? is it considered tashmishie kedusha? Answer: An outdoor menorah box does not require geniza, as it only services the menora which services… Read more »
Menorah and HANUKKAH
Question: Is the Menorah a religious symbol? Is Hanukkah or The Festival of Lights a religious service when the Menorah is lite using the Shamash and there are prayers blessings,… Read more »
Kappara for humiliating someone
Question: I was sitting at the table with my family and my wife said something. I disagreed with her and was careful not say something sharp or embarrassing to her… Read more »
Waking friend for vasikin and gezel shayna
Question: A bachur asked me to come to his room to wake him for vasikin. I knew what room he was in, but due to the early hour and darkness… Read more »
Shabbat bread meals
Question: Hello, could crackers be used in place of bread/challah? (for example triscuits?) Answer: Essentially, we should be eating bread, challah, etc. for the first two Shabbos meals, and not… Read more »
Food questions for Shabbat
Question: B”H Regarding eating on Shabbat: 1. If someone uses a regular knife to put parve butter on bread (mindful not to “smooth” but just put the butter on the… Read more »