Question: When I was very young I was diagnosed with chronic clinical depression. I’ve had long stretches of life, sometimes months or years, without being able to feel any kind… Read more »
Category: Ask
Heter iskah after closing before first payment
Question: I just closed a mortgage on a house and still have not made my first payment. Now I found out that it is owned by someone jewish. My broker says… Read more »
Radiotherapy and tattoo
Question: In order to prepare for radiotherapy as part of cancer treatment a few small marks the size of the tip of a pen mark is tattooed into the skin…. Read more »
Shaving Body Hair
Question: What is the halacha regarding a man shaving his body (legs, chest etc.) hair? Is there a difference between using a razor or a depilatory cream? Answer: Hello, In… Read more »
Tabletop Shtender
Question: If I have a tabletop shtender which I use to learn, can i use it to read my textbooks for university as well or do i need to buy… Read more »
Giving Maaser from money I receive from my parents
Question: My parents who are not religious support me and my two children completely (I am divorced). I have certain health issues and right now am completely dependent on them…. Read more »
Maaser for Kollel Support
Question: when supporting adult children, can it be taken from maaser funds? if not, what if they are a kollel couple? if yes, does it only qualify if they are… Read more »
Sale item during year of aveilus
Question: Can you buy an item (that brings you joy) during the year of aveilus – if it’s on sale and you don’t think will be available for that price… Read more »
Contract enforceability
Question: B”H Thank you very much for your help. Regarding terms and conditions that are frequently a condition of sale, if the seller has in the contract that the buyer… Read more »
KASHERING PAREVE SPOONS
Question: I have 5-10 PAREVE spoons that were accidentally used for cold cottage cheese or used in a hot cereal mixed with butter/ milk. Can i Kasher them in a… Read more »
Toveling 3 gallon glass water jars
Question: we have large three gallon glass jars that we use as a water source (rather than tap water) – we unscrew the cap and fill it at a store… Read more »
Cholent on Shabbos
Question: If someone’s cholent was burning and fully cooked and they took the insert out of the crockpot and while leaning against the counter, they put in cold water and… Read more »
Daily cleaning of glass stovetop
Question: Dear DIN Rabbis We have a glass stovetop How do we clean the glass top daily? Years ago I had asked our Rabbi, my understanding of the response is… Read more »
Can I become Jewish even though my name is Aryan
Question: Can I become Jewish even though my name is Aryan? Answer: Your present name would not affect your becoming Jewish. If you are indeed serious about becoming Jewish and… Read more »
Asking gentile to plug in crock pot on Shabbos
Question: If my crockpot went off Friday night and I’m having guests can I ask a goy to switch the crockpot back on? Answer: The idea of allowing a goy… Read more »
Sad news on Shabbos
Question: We are not allowed to say sad news on Shabbos. This past Shabbos, would it be permissible to tell a gabbai making a mishabayrach for Rav Dovid zatzal not… Read more »
Pidyon Nefesh
Question: Hi, I came across the concept of Pidyon Nefesh in Likkutei Maran, whereby you send a letter to a Tzaddik to daven for you in a time of a… Read more »
Using maaser money to pay for tickets to go visit parents?
Question: Using maaser money to pay for tickets to go visit parents? For myself, my wife and my children? Answer: It is permitted to use your maser money for it,… Read more »
Impure
Question: Hello Rav, If a man is determined to be ritually impure is he not allowed to touch people? I have been concerned of this issue and again an issue… Read more »
Marrying two wives before the cherem of Rabbeinu Gershom
Question: Before the cherem of Rabbeinu Gershom when it was permitted to marry two wives: 1) Did the husband need the permission of his first wife to marry a second… Read more »
Parshas noach
Question: After the Kabul noach sent a dove which brought back a branch from a tree. 1)How was there a tree, didnt the Kabul destroy even 3 tefachim of the… Read more »
Intrusive Thoughts
Question: What should one do about intrusive thoughts and how bad are they considered to be in Halacha? For example, if one is in the shower, or otherwise in a… Read more »
Niddah around house
Question: Hello Rav, I asked you a similar question but it is now in regard to other substances. Again as mentioned I have been having thee thoughts over and over… Read more »
IF YOUR PHONE IS WITH YOU ON SHABBOS AND IT RINGS CAN THE GOY ANSWER IT?
Question: IF YOUR PHONE IS WITH YOU AT THE PARTY ON SHABBOS AND IT RINGS CAN THE GOY ANSWER IT? Answer: No. Under normal circumstances a gentile may not do… Read more »
Forgot to do moch dachuk
Question: HI, My wife did a hefsek tahara but forgot to insert a moch dachuk afterwards.Is it me’akev bedieved? Answer: If it isn’t the first day of her seeing blood,… Read more »
Email before birchos hashachar
Question: Is it assur to check my email before saying birchos hashachar? (I am a mother of young children and usualyl do not daven shachris so I have in mind… Read more »
Questions related to hand washing
Question: 1) If there are two reasons that I need to wash hands should I wash two times, or just once? For example: a) waking up from nighttime/daytime sleep and… Read more »
washing after bathroom
Question: Hello, is it okay to brush teeth in the bathroom and then get dressed before washing after exiting the bathroom? or does the washing have to be immediate? I… Read more »
amiira lakum
Question: ARE WE MORE LENIENT BY ELDERLY PEOPLE WHEN IT COMES TO AMIRA LAKUM ON SHABBOS? Answer: It depends on the individual situation if the person is considered a choleh… Read more »
Shehecheyanu blessing on fruits
Question: Hello, Would this blessing be said for foods such as jarred applesauce (if one has not had fresh apples yet?), jarred hearts of palm, or fresh grapefruits or pineapples (given… Read more »
Is the bread now “Fleishigs” only?
Question: 1) I left a bag of bread open for a short while on a counter where there was a plate with meat on it nearby. Is it now assur… Read more »
lekavod shabbos kodesh – shaimos?
Question: HI, We print a weekly list of things to do for Shabbos and at the top of the page its says “lekavod shabbos kodesh”. 1) Is it a problem… Read more »
Business transaction
Question: Hello, Many years ago, while I was a student, I had a business transaction that I’m not sure was ok from a halachic standpoint. And if it’s not ok,… Read more »
Beracha on cereal and milk, ice cream sandwich
Question: When you are eating cereal & milk, are two Brochos made? Which comes first? What about an ice cream sandwich? Thanks. Answer: Hello, When eating cereal and milk, only… Read more »
Toveling with a sticker on
Question: Hi, My wife and I got married a few years ago and received shabbos china as a gift. All of the dishes have really stuck on stickers that are… Read more »
Microphone for weekday davening
Question: Hello and thank you for this service. To give a little background. I am the gabbai for the outdoor minyan which has taken place in the chatzer between a… Read more »
Muktzeh status of screws, nails & bluetack
Question: A gutten, Please can you clarify for me, are nails, screws and blue tack considered מוקצה מחמת גופו because they have no use on Shabbos, or are they considered… Read more »
Desecration of Kedusha
Question: If one is wearing tight pants, and one senses a small amount of a sense of pleasure because of this during davening, or while learning etc…may one continue to… Read more »
Zera on Blanket
Question: Hello Rav, I have been very nervous lately and it has caused me to not be able to function as I normally do. I have a blanket that has… Read more »
Hand washing after both bathroom and morning wash:
Question: Good to know. If you’re at home? How does washing work? You need to use the kitchen sink? Ps. Does this also apply to morning hand wash as well?… Read more »
Gentile lighting match on Yom for a mitzvah
Question: IF THERE IS NO FIRE AVAILABLE FOR NEIROS YOM TOV AND YOUR MINHAG IS TO LIGHT BEFORE THE MEAL WHEN ITS YOM TOV ALREADY CAN A GOY BE ASKED… Read more »
Label found on bottom of griddle after toiveling
Question: I toiveled a griddle, not realizing until after I finished that there was a label on the underside of the griddle. Do I have to re-toivel it? If yes,… Read more »
amira lakum during bein hashmashos
Question: IF A PERSON ARRIVES LATE FOR SHABBOS AND HAS TO LEAVE HIS CAR RUNNING WHILE HE RUNS INTO HIS ACCOMODATIONS CAN HE ASK A GOY TO PARK HIS CAR?… Read more »
CAN A NON JEW OPEN A CONVECTION OVEN ON SHABBOS WHICH CAUSES THE FAN TO SWITCH OFF ?
Question: CAN A NON JEW OPEN A CONVECTION OVEN ON SHABBOS WHICH CAUSES THE FAN TO SWITCH OFF ? Answer: While I am not familiar with convection ovens, and any… Read more »
Shabbos lighting for single women:
Question: I’ve read an article a while ago in regards to Shabbos lighting for women. It described that married women light two and a single lady lights one. I follow… Read more »
How to pray hallel, it’s times, plus is meaning:
Question: How to pray hallel? I’ve heard to pray on Rosh Hodesh. What other time periods? In addition, do you pray twice Halllel (After once the morning prayer and 2nd… Read more »
Bathroom washing hands after usage:
Question: A person once informed me on something new on washing after bathroom usage. You can’t wash in the bathroom. You can only wash once you’re out fully. Is this… Read more »
Food that was touched before morning washing
Question: Hello, I am now learning and observing more laws. If I used to buy food before washing three times, is the food still ok to eat? For example, I… Read more »
Terminology for women in morning blessings
Question: Alright, it says with a star * גוי – Blessed are you, hashem, our god, king of the universe, who did not make me a gentile. For men it’s… Read more »
Wearing crosslike symbol
Question: I asked this question before about wearing a jacket with a raised symbol from a game and am sending an attachment with the picture as requested. Thanks Attached: Attached… Read more »