Question: Is there a place to be מתיר cutting my nails- or at least chipped one(s)- on Hoshanoh Rabboh, if I didn’t cut them before Yom TOV started? Answer: The… Read more »
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Tying 4 minim.
Question: Two questions, I put together my hadasim and aravot and lulav but they seem to be not in their exact position. Like my custom is one hadas in the… Read more »
Can I pierce my ears on chol hamoad sukkot?
Question: Can I pierce my ears on chol hamoad sukkot? Answer: If the earrings are going to be put in to your ears on Chol Hamoed or on Yom tov… Read more »
Packing a suitcase on Chol Hamoed
Question: I am flying the day after Yom Tov finishes. Am I allowed to pack my suitcases on Chol Hamoed for this purpose? Answer: You may pack the suitcase on… Read more »
Woman reciting bracha on lulav
Question: Do woman say a bracha every day of sukkot shaking the lulav? thank you Answer: Ashkenaziot do, but Sefardiot.don’t. This is because the Sefardi minhag is that women do… Read more »
Adding extra schach during chol ha moed
Question: We have an extra large sukkah. We purchased actual palm fronds which we used for our schach. Over yontif, the palms seemed to have shrunk because they have dried-out… Read more »
Can you visit a bais hakevoros on chol hamoed
Question: Can you visit a bais hakevoros on chol hamoed? Answer: We do not visit the bais hakevaros on chol hamoed. Sources:
Rice outside of a sukkah
Question: Must rice be eaten in the sukkah? Answer: It is preferable to eat rice inside the succah, however there is no obligation to do so. Sources:
sukkah
Question: What if one did not have the intentions of building a sukkah leshem mitzvat sukkah. but built it knowing its for sukkah or else they wouldn’t build it. thank… 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 »
Can I read a business article or use contact lens solution on chol hamoed?
Question: 1) Can I read a business article on chol hamoed? 2) Can I use the regular contact lens solution (disinfectant) on chol hamoed? Thank you very much! Answer: You… Read more »
What Bracha do you make on an acai bowl?
Question: Hi, What Bracha do you make on an acai bowl? Here’s a link for reference: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/acai-breakfast-bowl-3363448 Thanks! Answer: It seems that this bowl is made of pureed fruit, therefore… Read more »
Hechsher
Question: Can I trust the BYL (Bet Yosef Lesfardim) hechsher on the lachma gene that’s sold in the Moisha’s Supermarket in Flatbush? Answer: My apologies, but I am not familiar… Read more »
sukkah
Question: Shalom, I am building a sukkah and I want to make a levud for the walls of my sukkah. I am sephardic, is it okay to use the measurements… Read more »
End of Shabbat
Question: Many shuls in the U.S. start maariv around eight minutes before Shabbat is over, so that by the end it will be time for maariv. Doesn’t this create a… Read more »
Car backed out of driveway and ran over my lawn trimmer – is car driver obligated to pay?
Question: My son (age 13) has been doing lawn work for some of our neighbors for pay. He had put his trimmer at the end of a neighbor’s driveway while… 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 »
Damage to worn sweater
Question: I borrowed a sweater and while I was using it it became ruined. The value of the sweater when it was new was $32 but it was somewhat used… Read more »
Maamid of Schach
Question: hi I have noticed that my in laws sukka (where I will be spending yomtov) has 4 fixed horizontal metal poles, and then they place vertical wooden poles on… Read more »
What name I should use when I am called to the Torah?
Question: Shalom Staff, This is my second attempt to receive an answer about this question. My original question to you was not about what I’m called at this point because… Read more »
Tefilla for the government
Question: Dear Rabbi, Why is it that in most shuls that I have been in, I don’t see any tefillah for the American government if the Mishnah in pirkei avos… 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 »
Place a cooked chulent in a pan on top of an upside down pan before shabbos
Question: Can you before shabbos place a cooked chulent in a pan on top of an upside down pan Answer: My understanding of your question is that you want to… Read more »
Writing Sefer Torah for a nonpracticing jew
Question: Can you write a Sefer Torah in honor of a deceased nonpracticing Jewish child Answer: It is permitted to write a sefer torah in honor of a deceased non… Read more »
Is a man allowed to have a manicure for tidy reasons given by a non Jewish woman?
Question: Manicure Answer: Please see the following post where a similar question was addressed http://dinonline.org/2012/04/08/services-for-the-opposite-gender/ Aside from that, if there is a special need, please specify it so your specific question… Read more »
Parve soup prepared on meat equipment, reheated by mistake in a dairy pot
Question: I purchased a cooker parve, vegetable soup from a takeout place, container said parve- prepared with meat equipment. I mistakenly heated the soup in a dairy pot. What is… Read more »
Shaving on erev yom Kippur
Question: Are you allowed to shave after chazos on erev yom Kippur . Thanks Answer: Yes you are allowed to shave on Erev Yom Kippur after chatzos. It is only… Read more »
After which word do you release the tzitziot when saying Sh’ma of Arvit on Yom Kippur
Question: My question is: After which word do you release the tzitziot when saying Sh’ma of Arvit on Yom Kippur? During Shacharit throughout the year, it says to kiss and… Read more »
If mikvah night is Yom Kippur
Question: When do I go to the mikvah if I’m supposed to go Tuesday night Answer: We do not go to the mikvah on Yom Kippur eve, since we do… Read more »
Pregnant Woman Carrying Water Bottle on Shabbat
Question: Hello, May a pregnant woman carry a water bottle on Shabbat provided she does not set down the bottle at all? Thank you and Shana Tovah! Answer: It is… Read more »
When is it permitted for an adult child to disobey their parent?
Question: Hi! I’m looking for a halachic answer to this question – not the musar perspective. I have an upcoming business trip abroad centered around a meeting that will take… Read more »
Sucking ice on shabbat
Question: May one hold ice and suck it on shabbat. for example grape juice that froze into an ice cube. thank you Answer: It is permitted and it is not… Read more »
Do the tzitzit string have to hang off the side of the cloth or the bottom?
Question: You know the strings that come out of the hole on the corner of the zizit? I learnt that it has to be coming out from the side and… Read more »
Applying eye drops on Yom Kippur
Question: I have Glaucoma and am required to take eye drops twice a day to control eye pressure which could increase if not applied. Increased pressures can worsen my condition… Read more »
support while on way to divorce
Question: Is a husband obligated to financially support his wife whom he declared to her that he wants to divorce although she will not move out of their rented home?… Read more »
Can an individual in his home say Anim Zmirot or Avinu Malkenu?
Question: Can an individual in his home say Anim Zmirot or Avinu Malkenu? Answer: Regarding Anim Zmiros, I haven’t seen anything on this, however it is usually only said with… Read more »
Permissibly of prostate biopsy
Question: Is there any Halacha issues with having a biopsy of the prostate? Answer: There might be a potential issue, of making the man a krus sufcha, which is a… Read more »
Tying shach of a sukka to the walls with plastic ties as a precaution
Question: Can one fasten the schach mats to the walls with plastic ties as a precaution not to fly of even though there are 2 by 4 beams on top… Read more »
Haircut on Sunday
Question: Would I be allowed to get a haircut today (Sunday) since the lady who cuts my hair usually isn’t available on Fridays? Ty! Answer: Yes, you are allowed to… Read more »
Contact Lenses on Shabbos
Question: I once heard that if the contact lenses are somewhat dried out, it’s assur to put them even in a saline solution on shabbos because of makkah bepatish. Is… Read more »
Geneivas Daas with a non-Jew
Question: I ordered something expensive from an online store. I found the item hefker in the lobby of the building I reside in. Am I allowed to tell the retailer… Read more »
Masser for online access to torah shiurim
Question: Kavod HaRav, There’s a website that has numerous shiurim that they allow people view 30 minutes amonth for free. If you want to watch more they have for different… Read more »
Tarp Sukkah Wall
Question: I heard there is a problem with using a tarp as walls for my sukkah? How can I fix the problem without building full walls? Answer: what you heard… Read more »
Visiting a kever
Question: Does a child in a year of aveilut for a parent visit their grave before Yom Kippur? Answer: A child may go to the grave of a parent during… Read more »
Should Jews do business with Argentina?
Question: Dear Rabbi, Yes rewards a jew. So does money. Argentina has a coin which depicts a sun. Yireh says I can not possess a coin with a graven image… Read more »
Medication on Yom Kippur
Question: Dear Rav, I have an anxiety disorder which my psychiatrist proscribes medication and when I even mess up the dose I can get severe depression. How can I take… Read more »
Kaparot and adoption
Question: Hi and Shana Tova. We are preparing for kaparot and we have been asked to submit the names of our family for the berakhot. My husband is adopted but… Read more »
Nicotine Patch and Caffeine Patch on Yom Kippur
Question: Hi, Is it allowed to stick on a patch with caffeine or nicotine on Yom Kippur or is that like taking medicine. Thank you. Answer: It is controversial. Some… Read more »
Called Up To Torah When Father Doesn’t Have a Jewish Name
Question: Shalom Rabbi, What is the solution when a jew has a father who is also jewish but never had a bris and was never given a jewish name. Does… Read more »
Setting water temp in house below Yad soledes to avoid shailos
Question: I’d like to set my water heater below yad soledes to avoid questions when the cleaning help or kids wash dishes. We try to make sure they are careful… Read more »