Question: I live in a community that does not have an eruv. The neighborhood is very very dangerous with lots of crime, assaults, robberies, etc. Is there any leniency in… Read more »
Category: Ask
Hair covering for married women
Question: What is the purpose of a married woman covering her hair? I’ve heard many conflicting reasons in the past. Some say it’s to make the woman unattractive, yet others… Read more »
Is it permitted to use a kli once before toveling it?
Question: Shalom Lchvod Harav! I heard that the Be’er Moshe held that the first time one uses a keili they don’t need to toivel it I would love a source…. Read more »
Fallen tefillin
Question: Hi Rabbi, This morning, I dropped my tefillin from about waist height with the the plastic covering to the floor. I immediately picked it up and kissed it. In… Read more »
Is alpaca fur kosher?
Question: Hi, Is alpaca wool/ fur kosher? Answer: The wording of your question is not clear to me. All wool is kosher, however there are some kinds of wool that… Read more »
Can the Hebrew word “req” (empty) mean financially poor when describing a person?
Question: Would it be very normal for the Hebrew word “req” (vain, empty) to mean financially poor when it is used to describe a person? For instance, judges 9:4, judges… Read more »
Shidduch boy same name as girl’s grandfather
Question: Are there any issues with a bochur marrying a girl who’s living maternal grandfather has the same name as him? Answer: I am not aware of any such issue…. Read more »
GMO’s being certified kosher
Question: Shalom, would you please explain briefly why genetically modified organisms (GMO) are kosher certified. From what I understand some GMO’s contain DNA, genes, from other species, such as DNA… Read more »
Toilet deodorizer that colors the water on shabbos
Question: Is one allowed to use a toilet deodorizer that colors the water on shabbos? Answer: It is very common nowadays to put a deodorizer inside the bowl of the… Read more »
Ovel going to granddaughter’s Sheva Brachos
Question: My daughter is IY”H making a wedding, I will be invited to Sheva Brachos after, can I as a Zeidy go the Sheva Brochos during the week after, and… Read more »
Non- Jewish cleaner touching wine that is not mevushal
Question: My non jewish cleaner was cleaning out a closet that had a bottle of wine in that i had forgotten to remove prior to her coming.. My wife came… Read more »
Tzitzis for children
Question: Do I need to make sure that my 4 year old’s tzitzis are actually kosher? Or are they too small to actually really be chayav in tzitzis hence I… Read more »
Building a Fence
Question: Does a children’s playground/climbing frame require a fence of 10 tefachim, or would less be suitable – around 70cm as that would be sufficient for children’s safety. The platform… Read more »
Notifying an owner of damage that was repaired
Question: Shalom, I was staying somewhere and broke something in the bathroom. I immediately went out and bought a replacement, and repaired the damage. My question is, am I obligated… Read more »
Calulating shloshim
Question: My parent died at moon on the 8th of shevat and was buried at noon on the 9 th of shvat. What is the final day of shloshim Answer:… Read more »
Can a Gabai During Shiva Stand as Sgan on Shabbos
Question: Can a Gabai During Shiva Stand as Sgan on Shabbos. If he doesn’t take his position, is that not aveilus in public as it would be very noticeable if… Read more »
Does one fulfill maaser if they give maaser to an atheist Jew?
Question: Does one fulfill maaser if they give maaser to an athiest jew? Answer: One should not give his maaser kesofim to an atheist Jew as he is considered an… Read more »
Avelus question
Question: I am in Avelus for my mother a”h, my wifes nephew is getting married, what is my halacha for the weddings, eating at kabalos Ponim, staying for chupa, and… Read more »
Evictions
Question: A tenant that lives in affordable apartment is not paying his rent for the past two due dates. He quit his job and does not have much money left… Read more »
Owning objects with idolatrous symbols
Question: Kavod Harabanim, I have an unusual hobby – I am fond of collecting and flying the flags of sovereign countries! I am also an observant Jew that tries to… Read more »
Leaving a Mezuzah When a Lease on a Storefront Ends
Question: My lease on my storefront shop is up and will not be renewed. The landlord is Jewish. We had put up Mezuzahs. Must we leave them up? We don’t… Read more »
What name to use when davening for a sick person
Question: Shalom Many people do have 2 names: a jewish name and a civil name. These people are mostly called on an everyday basis by the civil name. When one… Read more »
Ripping aluminum foil on Shabbos
Question: Can someone rip aluminum foil from a roll on shabbos, or is it best to pre rip it before shabbos? LECHATCHILA OR BIDIEVED Answer: Aluminum foil should not be… Read more »
YARZEIT ADAR leap year
Question: In a leap year, when should one “celebrate” a yarzeit in ADAR 1 or ADAR 2 when a parent passed away in a non leap-year YEAR? Are their different… Read more »
Basar vichalav
Question: I was frying eggs in clean fleishige pan it was not used in past 24 hours. then I used a dirty dairy spatula which still had cheese residue on… Read more »
wrapping fish in aluminum foil in a meat oven
Question: Is wrapping fish in aluminum foil a good enough cover when baking fish in a greasy meat oven? Answer: If it is actually on top of the grease then… Read more »
Cutting Out the Middle Man
Question: I needed someone to deliver things in the neighborhood. I called a jewish company who sent me one of the non-jewish delivery men they use for deliveries. Can I… Read more »
Tefilin Chatzitzah
Question: I recently got stitches on my head which is covered with a band aid. Thus, the Band aid is slightly Chotzetz between the Retzuah and the skin. 1#. Do… Read more »
attending a funeral at a reform temple
Question: My mother’s funeral is tomorrow– at a reform temple. I am going, because of peace in the family. When we announce the shiva, may we announce the levaya as… Read more »
Timing mikveh
Question: Dear Rabbi, If a man has an emission during the time of darkness after sundown and wishes to immerse, when should he time his immersion? Should he wait until… Read more »
Silicone utensils
Question: I used a parve silicone soup ladle for fleishig by mistake. Does the ladle become fleishig or traife? Answer: It is only fleishigs, not trief. Pareve is something that… Read more »
Shabbos Morning Kiddush
Question: Is one obligated to make kiddusha rabba during Shabbos morning? Are there any opinions that provide heteirim for making kiddush after Chatzos Yom? Thanks in advance. Answer: We re… Read more »
Lashon Hora about person acting against the law
Question: Shalom, I became a Baal Tsuva many years ago during my service in the United States Navy. The United States military has it’s own legal system. On my ship… Read more »
Meat oven and fish
Question: An oven is used primarily for meat. It has grease residue. Can someone bake fish or make a fish meal in this “meat” oven? Can one bake fish in… Read more »
Status of davar gush as a kli rishon with regard to bishul after baking
Question: Is one halachicaly required to remove every last crumb of challah that has fallen on their plate before placing hot (non-liquidy) cholent, or chicken on it on Shabbos. Although… Read more »
Receiving Workplace Gifts during the Year of Mourning for a Parent
Question: My place of work recently had an event which I couldn’t attend, where they gave a gift to all their employees. I’ve now been informed that the gift is… Read more »
Teacher confiscating Item
Question: Would it be possible to ask the Rov`s opinion on the following: A Rebbe who confiscates an item from his talmid (as it was distracting him and / or… Read more »
Worker that was asked to leave early
Question: My wife has a job being a home attendant for an elderly woman while the woman’s daughter is out working. The arrangement is that she is to take care… Read more »
Inheritance and halacha
Question: I am about to receive an inheritance which I know was derived by my father from working on shabbos and charging usurious interest rates. Does Halacha allow me to… Read more »
False pledge to tzedakah
Question: I saw a sign advertising for our community’s melava malka for women. It stated the price, but underneath, it read ‘we would rather you come so pay any amount… Read more »
Nursing Home shinui makom
Question: I work at a nursing home and wash resident certainly pays to stay there similar to an apartment building. However the management is free to change their rooms as… Read more »
When to count veset
Question: If period started a day after staining from when do you count the veset? Thanks. Answer: This question will affect the five day count and the onas haveses…. Read more »
Is a father allowed to see his married daughters hair that is normally covered?
Question: 1.Is a father allowed to see his married daughters hair that is normally covered? 2. Is hair that is normally covered allowed to be shown in a picture uncovered?… Read more »
Rav Ovadia Yosef on dogs being muktzeh
Question: What is the opinion of Rav Ovadia Yosef zt”l on dogs being muktzeh on Shabbat? Answer: R’ Ovadia Yosef zt”l holds that dogs even if they are one’s pet… 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 »
taking transactions off of Airbnb
Question: Hi Rabbis, Airbnb is a platform for booking rooms from other individuals. Their online platform has a terms of use that people agree to when using the account, to… Read more »
Maaser money separated, but now person may not need the money
Question: Hi, I set aside maaser money for a relative of mine whom I knew can use the money, as she was a divorced mother of 5 with barely making… Read more »
Melachim 2 4:1
Question: Please see Melachim 2 4:1. Redak says that Ovadiah’s wife managed to communicate with him despite him being dead. The dead Ovadiah told her to consult Elisha. Is this… Read more »
Rending on tu bishvat
Question: Do we rend clothing for jerusalem on tu bishvat Answer: Yes we do. In fact, according to some poskim we even rip on Rosh Chodesh, which is a day… Read more »
Avodah zarah question
Question: Dear Rabbi, Can one wear a necklace with a cat on it. A silver charm but flat metal. Like a rectangular shape. Answer: I don’t see an issue with… Read more »