Hebrew | Francais

Search


> Ask The Rabbi

ASK THE RABBI

Send Your Question

Do not hesitate to ask any question about Jewish life, Jewish tradition or Jewish law.

Archive:

New Questions

What May One Do before Havdala after Yom Kippur?

At the end of Yom Kippur, some people are understandably in a hurry to eat, drink or even wash their face. Havdala, after Ma’ariv, often takes place well after the time Yom Kippur is “out,” and even longer for a woman at home waiting for her husband. What may one do before Havdala?

Shehecheyanu on a New Shofar for Rosh Hashana

I hope to buy a new shofar for Rosh Hashana. Can I make Shehecheyanu on it? If so, as the ba’al tokeiah, can that count for the Shehecheyanu of blowing the shofar on the second day of Rosh Hashana? Is this affected by whether I use it on the first day or to practice before Rosh Hashana?

Omitting Tachanun in Selichot in the Presence of Simcha

At our pre-Shacharit Selichot during Elul, do we omit Tachanun if a chatan or a principal to a brit mila is present, as we omit it during Shacharit?

Rebuking Those Talking during Davening

I find it very difficult to concentrate at my shul during chazarat hashatz, as some congregants talk, which disrupts my tefilla and the service’s sanctity. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 124:7) requires the congregation to be attentive during chazarat hashatz and forbids talking. I have approached the gabbaim about this issue, but they have been unwilling to act. Last week, out of frustration, I shushed someone who was talking, but this caused tension in the shul, and some complained to me. Was my response appropriate? What should I do in the future? [Upon inquiry, the querier said that the shul has a rabbi, with whom he discussed the matter years ago, and the rabbi did not do much about it. Besides this issue, he is satisfied with the values and actions of the shul and its membership.]

Must One Give his Apartment for Free?

A friend of mine splits his time between apartments he owns in two cities. He says that he does not charge rent to anyone who stays in the apartment he is not using because Pirkei Avot (5:10) says that one who subscribes to sheli sheli (mine is mine) employs middat (attribute of) S’dom. Is there a counterargument to allow charging rent?

Using Replacement Mezuzot When They Are Being Checked?

I want to bring my mezuzot to a sofer for a periodic check. Should I try to get replacement mezuzot until they return?

Giving Ma’asrot to the Intended Recipients

I understand that it is not practical to give teruma and terumat ma’aser to a kohen because he cannot use it (see this column, Bamidbar 5778) and we cannot eat ma’aser sheni in Yerushalayim with its rules, but shouldn’t we give ma’aser rishon and ma’aser ani to levi’im and the poor, respectively?

Cutting Off Threads

On Shabbat, I noticed on my suit a thread that needed to be cut off, which tends to bother me. Was it permitted to cut it on Shabbat?

Wearing a Kippa in Today’s US Social Atmosphere

Some of my students (American young-adult shomrei mitzvot) who are in college and the workplace have asked me if they should wear a kippa there, since it can expose them to discrimination or verbal or physical attack. What do you recommend?

Minyan or Tallit and Tefillin?

Right before entering shul for Shacharit, I realized I forgot my tallit and tefillin (=t&t). If I would go home to get them, I would effectively miss tefilla b’tzibbur (it was the last minyan). What is preferable – to daven at home with t&t or daven in shul without them?
Top of page
Send to friend
site by entry.
Eretz Hemdah - Institute for Advanced Jewish Studies, Jerusalem © All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy. | Terms of Use.