Misc. Archives - AskHalacha.com

If one had an accident on the same English day as a previous accident can he make a seudat hoda for both or should he make two seudot on the different hebrew dates?

Rav is there any truth/source to the concept that bad things happen in sets of 3? And that if 2 bad things happen you break a match to take place of the 3rd?

Shavua Tov rabbi If there are a few windows in a room can one close up completely some of them? Or one must leave a hole ?

Can one seal a door completely with Sheetrock? Also if a person leaves a small hole where the window used to be , can it be covered up inside the house with cement?

Am I allowed to throw this out in the garbage^^ ?

If one writes a chiddush and then realized it’s mistaken can he erase it?

Is one allowed to get hana’ah from the smell of bacon/other assur foods?

Is there a neshama yesera on chag or only shabbos? And what is the second sign on chol hamoed since we don’t wear tefillin. (In reference to shabbos,Brit,tefillin)

Rabbi is it true that rav Moshe Feinstein says that its asur for a man who has the mind to learn well,to go and work?

If pots and plates and utensils and ceramic cups were put away for a year can they be changed from meat to dairy or dairy to meat?

If a shadchan gets compensation for making a shiduch does he lose some of her reward in olam Haba? Does a Rebbi get reward for teaching Torah if he is getting a salary?

Do I need someone to watch me every second of the way a week Before my wedding ?

When you don’t see your bride for a week before wedding can you text her for anything important?! Or is any communication prohibited

shalom if we are invited to family members house and they do not take their dishes to mikveh are we allowed to eat there ?

someone says that Torah`s laws are stupid and mitzvot are shtujot and similar. Are people who are listening to this obligated to do keriyah?

if i ate meat and then want to eat dairy. Can I eat dairy within the 6th hour like 5 and a half hours? or the entire 6 hours half to finish

Rabbi, i just ordered lunch from a restaurant. They sent me bread on the side. I am not interested in eating this bread. What is the proper way to dispose of this according to the halaca and kaballah? I read the mishna berura today in siman 179. Hilchot perurei hapat. Still unclear what i should do, i can leave it in the pantry maybe a goy will take it or throw out , or wrap it in a bag and put in garbage

Can one ever be Chayav for giving bad advice that indirectly leads to a loss? For example one tell his friend to take the Turnpike and he gets stuck in traffic and misses a meeting

Hi rabbi, I bought a suit from mens wearhouse and they(goi employee) told me that all of their suits are shaatnez free do I still have to check it?

Regarding shatnez- is it just a prohibition for clothing or materials in general?

Do you need to check a tie bar 100% wool tie for Shaatnez

Do I need to check a garment for Shaatnez if I know that someone else checked the exact same item and it was Shaatnez-free?

Hello rav, I’ve seen many places where it says that it’s a segula to say certain perakim of tehillim after the Hanukkah candle lighting. Does doing this segula conflict with ‏עניין of not reading tehillim at night? If it does which is better to follow, refraining from tehillim at night or saying the segula

why don’t Sefardim not have the minhag of Yihud room after hupa?

Is it better to go learn with my chavruta or stay home and learn next to the menorah !?

Do you say gomel for flying to Florida?

Is there an opinion that says we shouldn’t learn Torah the night of xmas eve bc of tumah?

Is one obligated to stand up and recite kedusha with every minyan around him (Kotel) if he’s either busy learning or reciting tehillim?

If you’re going a far distance but plan to be back within 36 hours, do you still say hagomel?

Can a Jew go to the Pantheon? It used to be a church until 1792 when it was changed into a mausoleum (burial building for people)?

When washing for bread does a person need to use a vessel that has handles?

Kavod Harav, I have a few pieces of mail which I would like to sort out but not necessary needed to be done before the end of chag. Is it a problem of borer on chol hamoed?

If a girl wants to lock her self in a room can that save her from having yichud with another man in the house?

Rabbi why do we hit the aravot today on the ground

Should jews take ayin hara seriously? Can u explain the concept from a torah standpt

Kvod harav. Theres a tradition to put the lulav/hadasim/aravot in an entryway in the house,which one would suffice?

Does one need to toivel ceramic ?

Can one say hashems name if they’re practicing songs or prayers?

Are we allowed to shave under our face meaning by the neck area with a razor?

Hi Rabbi do sefaradim need to wait 6 hours after eating Parmesan cheese?

If there’s a porch in an apt what side does mezuzah go on?

Are you allowed to walk in a non Jewish cemetery.

Do you say sheheiyanu on a nice netilat yadayim cup?

Are you allowed to wear women’s clothing for purim as a costume?

Does one have to “earn” a black hat in the Sephardic community? Does wearing a black hat mean you have certain expectations or requirements

Kvod harav, what is your stance regarding handing out candy on Halloween? We live in a community where 50% of the ppl are non Jewish and even those who are Jewish (secular) celebrate this day… Should we sit at home with the lights out and ignore the repeated doorbell rings… Or hand out candy so that others wouldn’t give ayin harah?? What should we tell kids (all under 9 yrs old)

Why don’t we make the blessing of shechehiyanu on one’s birthday because its once a year like all our holidays and we make the blessing then so why not now?

When called to the Torah for an Aliya do Sephardim use mothers name or fathers name?

My sister in law got mugged by a whole gang of criminals in a parking lot. Whoever was in parking lot was beat up but she wasn’t. She was only pat down and robbed. People have died in that parking lot by similar gang situations. Does she have to say hagomel?

Shalom rabbi, for women that work as a hospital nurse or doctor, if they are required to wear pants scrubs while working is it allowed? If not, what is the halacha if she cannot find a solution

Kvod harav if one is not able to immerse, how can one use 9 kabin, does he just pour it over his head? And does the water have to cover his entire body?

Can there be more than 2 witnesses during a transaction marriage for example

I bought kosher iced tea in a glass bottle with a metel cap. Once I finish it, do I need to toivel before refilling with new tea or water?

They say u can’t open an umbrella indoors cuz it will rain under ur chupa can u do It if ur married already ?

If you eat at restaurant or shul or anywhere that isn’t someone’s house do you add the part for guests during birchat hamazon?

Shalom kvod harav. If someone doesn’t want a certain action of theirs to become a neder, is it enough to just have in mind “bli neder” or the like, or does it have to be verbally stated? TIA

Can a Jew attend a Christian wedding? (between two Christians)

if a openly gay Jew wants to join your kehilla. is the Rav of the shul obligated to kick him out? accepting him is a a problem since his lifestyle is against the Torah

Kevod harav if one does a humra 3 times without saying bli neder it already becomes a neder correct?

In regards to habitual activity possibly constituting an implicit neder- can’t we just make a declaration that for anything we do we don’t intend it to be a neder?

Kvod harav, 1.If ones parents gives their child money but they specify when giving “I am giving this to you for food only” does the child have to listen if he wants to give tzedakah 2.if ones parent tells him to shorten his pe’ot and facial hair does he have to listen?

Kvod harav is a man allowed to have a job that he must look at immodest things? such as a plastic surgeon or a Gynecologist

Cutting Trees

If one is in yerushlayim. Must he go to chacham Ovadyas azkara or it is only an inyan?

In Christianity they hold hands to pray can one hold the paitents hands while they do this if they request to pray with them?

Rabbi do I need to take a cutting board made from bamboo to a mikveh?

Can one cut just a branch off a fruit tree (to promote better health of the tree in general)

Is it better to read shnayim mikra in aramaic when I don’t understand anything? Or better to say it in English?

What is the correct position for someone to sleep at night; on his back, side, stomach?

Is someone allowed to take a haircut on motzai shabbat? Would it be different for a person under 13? Thank you!

Can one try on a suit after they purchased it, if they didn’t check it for shatnez yet?

Can one donate somthing to a Kollel dorm And it considered mussar money?

Can Jews donate shoes? I heard there is there a kabbalistic reason not to. Does it matter if it’s the shoes of a person that is dead vs alive?

Can someone who is gay be chazan for davening?

Hi rabbi is there tefilin on hannuka for sefaradim?

Kvod harav, if one time one took out books from the bet midrash when it said don’t remove (the rational was, that the books were being taken out with the intention on returning them and taking full responsibility if anything happened, and the seforim weren’t ever seen being used as well) did an averah take place so that one must do teshuva?

Can one teach Hebrew language in a reform Jewish school?

Kevod harav after someone washed 3 timed (or 4) on each hand in the morning then gets dressed and ready to wash again and say al netilat yadayim dose he need to wash again 3 times on each hand or is one time on each hand enough?

Is it considered yichud to be in a room with frosted glass that is not-fully clear?

Is there a din of פנים חדשות for ladies For שבע ברכות? (For example, the friend of the kallah, a girl)?

What do I do with used mezuza cases?

Rabbi when I light candle for sadikim if it falls on Friday can I light it before Shabbat candles?

Can one cut his nails at night?

The night of a wedding how many of the 7 Brachot are made?

if one is in Israel ND got Israeli esrog frm this yr produce is there a shita to do biur on it ? if not may I discard it ?

If someone buys a home from a Jewish owner and has to take off the mezuzas for renovation, can he put them back without any additional bracha or action ?

Kavod harav,i hav a landlord thts willing to pay for half of my washing machine but i meant a dryer do i hav to notify him abt it?

What is the best way to get rid of old kipot?

Are you allowed to have a face on a tombstone and if not what do you do if there is a face on the tombstone already?

Is a cross considered an idol?

Does a panini press (grilled cheese machine) need to be toveled?

Is there any way out of ripping shirt when one hasn’t gone to kotel in more than 30 days? (Besides borrowing shirt from someone)

Can shnayim Mikra be done at night?

If someone did not eat a kabetza of bread within 4 minutes, do they still need to bench? The person ate small pieces of bread every minute or so.

Can one still do birkat halevana and if he can what if the moon is not visible?

Is Bosley (it’s hair grafts from your own hair for people to have more hair in their bald spots) not allowed?

Is it problematic for someone to buy their non Jewish coworker a holiday gift?

I saw in a sefer that if someone’s Name is Yosef. you should not call him Yossi because he is not getting the full potential of the name of Yosef. and Yossi is its own name. is this correct?

Kvod harav, Shavua tov. Does one need to be finished the amida by zman tefila or start before? and the same for zman kriat shema?

How many ounces are required for kiddush ?

Is this geniza?

Can an individual use a razor on his face but above the points where he isn’t allowed?

Netilat Yadayim for Little Children

Kavod haRav, my daughter will be turning 3 (by Jewish years) very soon. Will she be required to do netilat yadayim with a kli in the morings or can we be lenient?

shalom if someone wakes up in the middle of the night to use the restroom he has to wash first without beracha ?

Rabbi in birkat levana do we repeat baruch yotzrich 3 time right?

Rabbi if a woman who is married doesnt cover her hair can she make berachot?

Is this considered gniza?

Kavod haRav, regarding owning and keeping (small) decorative sculptures or figures of animals (or even human figures) in the house, I was taught that it is a problem given it can appear like idol worship however if there is a visible chip/break in the figure then it is allowed given the image is not complete. Is this true? If so, is a visible scratch enough or does it have to be an actual chip/break?

If one buys a Sefer from a store and finishes reading it can he return it ?

Can you read Hebrew in the bathroom? Not to pray but to learn just thinking the Hebrew and not saying it?

can one enter a raffle where the proceeds go to a goyish organization?

Does one need to tovel the plug as well on an electrical appliance?

Are scallions in the same category as onions that if the roots are chopped off it shouldn’t be left overnight?

Kvod harav, is there a need to tovel a garlic press?

Does a person have a chiyuv to wear a helmet when riding a bike?

Kvod harav. The opinion that holds that its not ok to eat before davening: Is that because its after Alos hashachar or because its between the time someone woke up and davened? For example if someone woke up at 3am and plans on staying up until netz should he refrain from eating or can he eat hamotsei if he wants?

do Jewish people believe in Jinxing it. like for example your driving and your wife says looks like there is no traffic and then all of a sudden traffic happens..Or you say I made a lot of money and then you lose it by Jinxing it..

If a man spills his seed in vain, does he say Asher Yatzar?

Why do Chassidim pray minha up until a later time than us ? And why can’t we follow these times?

Is a man allowed to be a Santa for money, or its chukos hagoy?

Kavod haRav, I thought if one sleeps in one’s bed for even a short time after tzet hakochavim then he must say birchot haTorah before reciting any pasukim upon awakening. Is this not correct?

What’s the latest date that sefardim can say birkat halevana?

Rav if I bought clothing online but the distributor canceled the order bec of some malfunction and i still somehow received what I ordered but the money was refunded to my account already, can I keep the clothing?

If one accidentally bought food at a restaurant that he learned wasn’t kosher can he give the food to a goy?

What’s a bigger zechus for a refuah shleima for someone, learning Torah b’chavrusa or joining a group of women for a challah bake?

Can one be maphrish challah twice in one day?

Hi rabbi what is the din regarding cheating on an exam what if your classmates are giving you answers without you asking?

Rav can a store owner put holiday lights outside his store to attract business?

If one goes to a restaurant, and the goy cooks the food with the mashiach just turning on the fire (Ashkenazi standards) can a Sephardi eat food that is cooked from this utensil in the future (he requests that a jew will stir the food for him). Since the utensil was already cooked with only a goy in the past, it needs to be koshered?

If one says shema and goes to sleep for the night without davening maariv but plans on waking up in the middle of the night should he say birkat hashachar before davening maariv?

What is the lowest number I can halachically get when cutting hair?

Hi rabbi when sleeping on a plane do we say Al netilat yadayim when washing?

Kevod HaRav, not good to have picture of other people beside the child in the childs room. Non sense or true?

Rabbi can one use English muffins for lehem mishne (I’m asking bc I’m not sure if it’s considered a full “loaf” it has a cut in them to separate the halves)?

Hi. How can i dispose old tzitzit that are still kosher?

Hi. How can i dispose food that is still edible?

Do Sephardic typically say יהוה in Baruch Hamapil?

if one prayed Arvit before nightfall, does he have to say the shema twice after sunset (meaning one for the correct time and the other for bedtime shema) or can the shema he says at bedtime shema cover the kriat shema?

If a goy give you a bracha “may you have a baby boy soon” can you say amen?

Since a person only relieves heavenly punishment when he is 20, does a convert recieve heavenly punishment after 20 years of his comversion?

Hello Rabbi, if I’m eating or drinking something and then feel the need to use a bathroom, can I continue eating or drinking if there are no available bathroom around me?

are you allowed to pray in a cemetery?

Rabbi may one drink coffee in the restroom if the purpose is to relief oneself before putting on Tefilin? (and not for the enjoyment of the flavor of the coffee)

I hav a coffe glass jar may i use it now to store salt/sugar or do i hav to toivel first?

Hi rabbi if one wakes in the middle of the night and wants to read the parasha just to study how to read , or if one wants to learn does he have to say birkot hatorah?

The shulcha aruch in siman קסז writes that the botzeah should not pass bread to the people at the table in their hands rather put it down in front of them since it is a siman of avelut. Is this a rule only for the botzeah or for anyone at the table?

Can you trust to eat at the house of a Jew who says they keep kosher but doesn’t keep Shabbat?

Does it count as learning Torah if you don’t say the text out loud?

Are you allowed to call your step parents by their first name if they allow you too?

If one goes on a train do they need to make a new beracha?

Kvod harav what is your opinion on the Goya salsa that I sent this morning? Many products from the company Goya are marked kosher but this one that contains vegetables isn’t. Can I eat it anyway? Pics are above

If Chas veshalom someone has a miscarriage what are they supposed to do with the fetus? Can they leave it to the hospital to take care of it?

Hi. Do new grills on a bbq need to be dipped?

Until what month into a pregnancy does miscarriage invalidate the status of the boy being a bechor in regards to pidyon?

Why is a Bat-Kohen or Bat-Levi exempt from Pidyon haben?

What do you do if you by mistake eat meat and milk together?

Kvod harav, is it better for one to learn with tefillin on at home, or learn in a beit midrash with no Tefillin?

if a child is born c-section is he considered a bechor regarding getting double or the kedusha of Bechor? What about if he is born after mother had a previous miscarriage?

Kevod HaRav can you please recommend us a reliable website where they list all kosher foods by different manufacturers? Thank You

Are Jews allowed to get down on their knees and bow when they pray?

If you live in Israel, and haven’t gone to the Kotel for a total of 30 days, do you tear your clothing again?

Havod Harav, I understand that its best not to say tehillim at night however in our arvit prayer we say some passages of tehillim. Why is tehillim allowed as part of arvit but not allowed if said outside of arvit?

Does one have to put a mezuzah on the door post of the boiler room?

How can one discard jewish magazine that have some divre torah?

Are you allowed to call your step parents by their first name if they allow you too?

are you over on any issur or asey by going to a theater/game /Broadway show?

Could I light one ner Neshama for more then one tzadik?

Is one allowed to have sculptures of people or animals in ones home?

Should we set aside מסר money before or after taxes?

Shavua tov. R we allowed to see the xmas tree in rockeffeler center?

Can one wear leather insoles in a non leather shoe, for tisha b’av and other days that require non leather shoes?

When does one have to say the prayer for tefilat hadereh (the travelers prayer) …. someone is driving to Detroit from New York. At what point is the prayer recited?

Kvod harav, whats the bracha for matzah ball soup for a Sefaradi?

If someone mixes mevushal wine with non mevushal what’s the status of the wine?

Can you wear a coat if you didnt test it for shatnez but might be?

Is one allowed to keep peeled hard boiled eggs in a chulent overnight?

is civil marriage considered marriage according to Halacha?

How does one fulfill the mitzvah of shnayim mikrah if he can’t read Hebrew?

I’m curious to know how come we are so careful with bugs on fruits and vegetables nowadays is it because we have the tools to see them i.e. microscope, or were Jews always this careful?

Rabbi- you answered about the sculptures of people that a limb needs to be broken. Does this ruling also apply to dolls for children?

Rabbi if someone wants to set aside time to learn Hebrew so that they could learn Torah better would that be a good use of time if it takes some time away from currently learning?

Kevod HaRav, If Hashem promised Avraham avinu that his offspring will be plenty like stars and sand, why are we such a small percentage of the world?

How frequently must one have their mezzuzot checked if they are strictly indoors only?

Are you allowed to kill a bug/fly if it is bothering you?

If a woman baked bread when she is Nidda, is the husband allowed to eat it?

If someone falls asleep on his couch does he need to make another birkat ha Torah?

If one is by the kotel or a minyan factory and started the amida with one minyan and is going slowly that his minyan is finishing the repetition already can he join in the next minyan if he’s up to kedusha with them? And should he pause when his shliach tzibur is reciting kedusha if he knows he can catch another kedusah after he finishes with another minyan?

Hi rabbi, if someone’s parent wants them to go to a non Jewish concert with them, should they go to make their parent happy?

Rabbi if someone walks into mincha minyan bit late and they are up to the amidah should they wait for chazara and do nakdishach with them or should they start amidah right away to catch amidah with 10 people?

Can I use a empty pushka for my own use and pay the institution the price of the pushka? like 5 dollars?

Can a Jew help a goy carry a xmas tree into the goys house?

If the purpose of keriyat shema al hamita is that one should sleep right before reading these peskim because it’s holy. Can one learn gemara or something right before they go to sleep instead? (Assuming they prayed arbit when it was dark outside)

Is it ok to own a dog in a jewish home?

Do you make a bracha on crystal cups when dipping in the mikvah

Is it correct to only make a bracha on dipping the vessels when you know it was made by a non Jewish company or even if the vessel was made by a Jewish company one makes a bracha? I heard there is an issue of a doubt in marking a blessing and therefore some don’t make a blessing when it is owned by a Jew.

My wife babysits her friends baby once a week for about 3 hours and gets $40 each week. Today her friend asked if she could come 10 minutes early, My wife said yes as a friendly favor. Her friend left $3 extra in the envelope but my wife didn’t ask for any extra money. She wants to give it back. Is there a problem of ribit here?

If a couple lived like Goyim and now they become religious are they required to make kiddushin?

There is a shoe company that makes a design on the bottom that looks like a star of David (not sure if on purpose or not), can you wear those shoes?

Kavod ha Rav. Is it an issue to have seffarim on a shelf in my bed room? Does it make a difference for single or married?

whats the minhag of skipping tahanun… for bar mitzva?

can a Koren marry a Jewish woman who was with a Jewish man and had kids with him but was never formally married or divorced. They lived like Goyim and then got seperated

If one collected a lot of coins for tzadaka, but he has to pay a fee to convert them into cash at a coin machine, does he have to pay the difference out of pocket?

Is it correct to date or marry someone with your step mothers name bc I know you shouldn’t with your mothers name?

Kvod harav, if a father saw his newborn baby girl in person already and didn’t say a bracha, is there anyway to rectify that when seeing the baby again?

There are reliable predictions that by 2024 there will be people living on Mars, being that the time cycle will be different ..etc Will a Jew be allowed to live there with 10 other Jews ?

Is it permitted to dance while wrapped in tefillin? (During hallel)

Is a person allowed to do chemical experiments with food? Is it bal tashchit?