Atlanta,
GA
What is the Jewish approach to donating organs for
transplant? Is it true that one cannot do so unless the organs are for
another Jew? Where can I get detailed information? You are only allowed to donate organs if they are for a fellow Jew, and it is to save his life. Otherwise we must bury the Jewish dead as whole, and are not allowed to leave anything not buried. What else would you like to know?
Oceanside
NY
I have two questions.
Kol Tuv Dear Moishe,
You can use maaser money for your parents to buy them mezuzas, since in
this area they are poor and do not understand how important it is. I heard
that from Rav Elyashiv.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
brooklyn,
NEW YORK
1) IS IT OKAY FOR AN ORTHODOX MALE TO MARRY A REFORM FEMALE
OR CONSERVATIVE JEW ? You can marry a reform or conservative female, but unless they have done tshuva and understand what the obligations of being orthodox are, it will not be a successful marriage. You can have a luncheon or engagement during the three weeks, and also sefirat haomer. But no dancing or music.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Scarsdale,
NY
Dear Rabbi,
When one is listening to the torah reading, is it appropriate to answer
"baruch who u'baruch shemo" to the bracha on the torah? Or is it considered
a hefsake which prevents the listener from being yotza on the torah reading
(similarly to what we try to do when we listen to the kiddush from the
chazan on Fiday night in shul? What about the baal korei? Dear Josh, We are not yotzeh with the brocho that we cannot answer boruch uvoruch shemo. I think that on Friday night in shul you can also say it. The same applies to the baal koreh.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
If one is in a public parking lot and there is a car blocking the exit. Are you permitted to move his car and possibly damage his car in the process - with the din of "bor birshus horabim"? Dear Mr. Stern, The person who was blocking is called a gazlan, since he is stealing from the rabim their right of way. This allows you to push him since avid inish dinah lenafshe even if it shall cause him damage.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Haim
Ben-Eliezer
Dear Rabbi.
I checked my tefilin 7 years ago.
how often you have to check your tefilin to make sure they are Kusher ?
Thanks Dear Haim, There is no real obligation since they are well protected.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
What kind of deodarent r u aloud 2 use on shabbos? You can use a roll on or a spray but not a cream or ointment. And only on your skin and not on your clothes.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Hessel
Friedlander
A wholesaler sold some produce to Rueven on the express
condition that he avoid selling it in a specified part of town
as that was the area covered by a different dealer.
Reuven ignored the request and sold in the area, which meant that the
other dealer lost business.
What is the Jewish attitude to what Reuven did? It seems from your letter that you are from South Africa. I hope to be there by Rabbi Menachem Raff in July. Please leave me your phone number and I shall try to reach you. I do not understand from your letter what gives the other dealer ownership over a certain area. Since both live in the same city, both are entilted to parnassah, and what jurisdiction does the other dealer have?
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Storm
There are materials that when u touch them they change colors due to the
change of tempreture - such as a mouse pad that when u put your hand on it
the pad change color due to the change of heat, or for exmple forehead
termomter, lakmus paper, stones etc.
My question is: are we allowed to touch such materials on Shabat? is that
ok to touch them just because the change in color is due to the change in
tempreture? if the answer is no... is there any solution that will enable
to touch such materials on Shabat?
thanks, Dear Storm, I do not know of any way that this can be done on Shabbat, since this is causing coloring on Shabbat. If there was no intention to do so, then let me know more details, and maybe we can find some solution.
Dear Rabbi Feinhandler,
Thank you for your reply. I received a diffrent answer to my Q from Rabbi
Reuven Lauffer
and as followed:
In Shmirat Shabbat Kehilchata, 40:2 with footnotes, Rav Neurwith
writes that if the only thing that is happening is that the color
changes (i.e. the change in color does not highlight letters or
numbers at the same time) it is permissible to touch such an item on
Shabbat. Dear Mr. Storm, This question is an argument among the rabbis, with Rabbi Feinstein allowing, and Rabbi Elyashiv forbidding. But many frum Jews are mekel, and since the article is not made especially for Shabbos, you will have a big crowd that would buy it.
Shalom,
Thank you very much for your reply and for the time and effort you put
into this matter.
can you please be kind and clear what is "frum Jews" (line 3 in your
reply) mentioned in your reply?
thanks, Frum Jews real means real chredi Jews, and yeshiva people.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Rob Brickner Dear Rob,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler I read in an e-mail that I recieved from a Chabad-Lubavitch web site that one should not recite the bracha "she'asah li kol tzarki" (who has provided me with my every need) on Tish B'Av. I wondered if this view was shared by all halachic authorities and if this restriction applied to all fast days. I appreciate your response and this web site. It only applies when you cannot wear shoes. It is disputable, and the common custom is to say it always.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Chaim Vaks We have to say a Brocho before any Mitzvah. Than what Brocho
do you we say before doing "Gemilos Chasodim" kindness to others? Dear Chaim,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Yechiel Lorch If your air conditioner's thermostat is too low can you turn
it to a higher number on shabbos while the a/c is running?
Also, does one have to put yarmulkas in sheimos or can you throw them away
in the garbage?
Dear Yechiel, Yarmulkes can be thrown in the garbage.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Jerusalem, Israel Dear Rabbi, Dear Micha,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Isi Morsel Dear Rabbi
Dear Isi,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Eliot Pearlson Dear Rabbi,
One friend claims he even remembers people riding
bikes, on Shabbas, within the Eruv, in their Frum
Bungelow Colony in the Mountains...
Thank You.
Dear Elliot,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Michael Harris Why can a bachur carry on eating on Erev Pesach after a siyum when for
other fasts we must continue fasting? Dear Michael, Why do we say tachanun at Mincha on erev Pesach Sheni?
Dear Michael,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Smaye Goldberg I'm a student in Yeshiva, and the zeman of night
is very late, especially here in Belgium. May I say
Sefeeras Huoimer earlier so I can go to sleep
to be in Yeshiva on time in the morning? If yes,
how much earlier may I say Sefeeras Huoimer? Dear Smaye,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
David Wolkenfeld Is it permissible to tie small knots at the end of tzitzit strings to
prevent them from fraying?
Thank You Dear David,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
M. Silberman Dear Rabbi; Dear Mr. Silberman, Why is it permitted to be a Messadar Kiddushin for a couple who will not keep Taharas Hamishpacah? Isn't there a problem of Lifnei Eiver?? I have a tshuva on that in my sefer Shut Avney Yashpeh, and I bring the reason why there is no lifnei eever.
Is there any issur of a married women saying D'veroim S'bekudasha with her
hair uncovered as to make a bracha? Or does this Issur apply only to
men?
Because the Tzror Hamor says there is (Parshas Naso by Sotah saying
Amen) Do we Posskin like this?? This issur applies only to men. Kol Toov
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Staten Island, NY, USA Is it permissable to daven in a shul without a machitzah?
What is the Issur? Dear Madam,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Dear Rabbi: Dear Madam,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Evan Balter I have a problem with Pesach, namely the seder. It has to do with drinking
the four cups of wine or grape juice.
The problem is I can't drink pure juice of any kind. During the year if I
drink juice I dilute it to about a 50/50 ratio.
I also can't drink a cup of wine. The problem has to do with the sweetness
of the juice. Wine is another matter. Concord grape
is too sweet and I am sensitive to wine in general and never drink it except
on Shabbat and relatively small amounts.
Please help me resolve the problem, I am not overly religious so I don't mind
mixing the grape juice.
However, my family is very religious and say that I must have a full cup of
wine or grape juice, which I don't drink.
Basically my question is, can I dilute the juice with water, thus allowing
me to drink 4 cups. Or don't mix and drink
maybe a total of 2 cups spread out over the 4.
Secondly how can I explain our answer, if I can dilute to my family so we
can have a peaceful seder. Any text sources of any level
are helpful. Dear Evan,
Thank you for your reply. To follow up, are you saying that I can not
dilute what I use for kiddush, etc. i.e. if I use grape juice it must be
100% grape juice. If I use Kedem grape juice I can't add water to it. I s
this correct, even though I never drink straight juice year round? Also
is the same true year round i.e. for kiddush and havdalah? I understand
that I am supposed to use pure wine or grape juice but I can't drink it
pure. It doesn't matter what type of juice it is, it the sweetness that is
the problem.
Dear Evan,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Wahsington DC, Maryland, USA Dear Rabbi Please help me. I have a small
business making food and am very confused about
the different kosher certification symbols,
companies, and associations. We are certified by
one group, and the other group comes and claims
that it is more legitimate. Since there are
literally at least a dozen certifying groups,
it's impossible to figure out who to go with, and
what benefit is derived from being certified by
one group of rabbis versus another.
I would very much appreciate your help in this
matter! Dear Sir,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Dear Rabbi, Dear Sir,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Baton Rouge, LA, USA How far may a Jew walk on Shabbat? Dear Sir,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Baton Rouge, LA, USA Can women do mayim achronim vasser?
If not, why? Dear Sir,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
LENA LEVI I am living in the Diaspora and I try to observe Kashrut.It was really
hard in the beginning, but I am getting used to it.The thing is that,
knowing that something is not Kosher and eating it, feels terrible.I don't
eat outside of home,but still... Dear Lena,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Baton Rouge, LA, USA I live in a town with a small Jewish
population. The two synagogues
both have mixed seating. Dear Sir,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
My question to the Rabbi is: Dear Sir,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler I am trying to research the halakha associated with the function of the Bimah as "sacred space". Could you please point me in the right direction? Todah Rabbah. Dear Madam,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
I am curious about the Jewish interpretation of the tithe. Do Jews
believe in paying a literal tithe of ten percent? How about
different branches of Judaism, conservative,reform, and orthodox? I
don't know if this inquiry is addressed to a proper source, but I
hope you can provide an answer.
Thank you, Dear Jeff,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Meir Ben-Aliz My question is about talith wearig on Mincha and Maariv of Friday evening.
We are used that the chazen is wearing a talith during the two prayers?
Has the talith be a "kosher" one or can it be a "pasul" one, as no bracha
is said?
Thanking you in advance,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Doug Hammond Explain the significance of the fast on 9th Tebheth please.
Thank You Dear Doug,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
If a part of the batim of the tefillin (not the straps) is a bit
scraped/worn are the tefillin still kosher? Dear Sir,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Hadassa Baum
Shimshon 39a ,Haifa, Israel Is it possible to make a ceramic stove
"Kosher for Pessach" ? How does the different
types available (Halogenian etc.) effect the
process? Dear Hadassah, I need more details. Perhaps you should call me. My number appears below.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
What does the halacha say about Yom Haatmaut?
Is it in accordance with halacha or not? Dear Sir, The halacha does not mention Yom Haatzmaut. But the halacha does mention to keep the halacha! If this day is used as an excuse not to keep mitzvot, then it is a sad day. If it is used to thank G-d, then that is fine. But to make a special day to thank G-d should be done only by the greatest rabbis, and we do not have those with us these days.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Meir Haim Dudai
Dear Meir Chaim,
Rabbi Feinhandler
Meyer Hyman
Dear Meyer, In most shuls the dues are obligatory, since the community must pay the rabbi and keep up the shul and other community services. Therefore it cannot be considered masser. The sources are mentioned in my sefer Shut Avneh Yashpeh I, page 329. If you are in a dire position, you could ask the shul to forgo your dues, and then what you would give would be volunantary and would be considered as masser. But even in that case it should be a shul that has a poor membership, otherwise the shul may be considered as being rich, and you cannot give masser to someone rich.
Rabbi Feinhandler
D. Kluk
Dear Mr. Kluk,
Rabbi Feinhandler
Rabbi;
Individual neighborhood eruvim would no longer be needed.
How many days after the Sabbath ending Creation Week was the very
first molad Tishrei, the start of year 1? Were the days of the year
previous to
year 1 in year 0?
Dear Mr. Kluk,
Rabbi Feinhandler
Ronnie Miller Dear Ronnie, Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Jerusalem
Hessel Friedlander Dear Hessel, Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Jerusalem
Arel Weisberg Dear Arel, Jerusalem
Brooklyn NY USA Dear Anonymous, You can have your vort even on Tisha B'av since chazal said that someone might steal your chasan through their prayers. But in the the three weeks do not make music, and serve only mezonot. And mazel tov! Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Jerusalem
Keren Maoz Dear Keren, Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Jerusalem
Brooklyn NY USA Dear Moshe, Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Jerusalem
Vienna Austria Dear Efi, Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Jerusalem
Harry Ganz Dear Harry, Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Jerusalem
Question: When waiting between meat and dairy, from what point do you start counting from? From the last bite of meat or from when you bentch? Dear Sir, Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Jerusalem
Phillip Kravitz Dear Philip, Rav Elyashiv is of the opinion that since the result is a liquid that the solid melts inside, therefore it is similar to mixing sugar into your tea, and thus can be done in the regular manner as the weekdays. Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Jerusalem
Question: Does an expecting woman (in advanced weeks) have the "Tzom Yom Kipur"? Dear Anonymous, Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Jerusalem
New York USA A person can eat on Yom Kippur only if his life is in danger, and this is not the case with your wife. Only if she will be vomiting so much that she will becoming dehydrated can a person eat. I suggest that your wife stays in bed. Walking around causes the vomiting feeling and staying in bed helps a person keep calm. There are also suppositories that reduce the risk of vomiting and you can get them in the drugstore or through your doctor. Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Jerusalem
Brooklyn NY USA Dear Sarah, Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Jerusalem
Monmouth Beach NJ USA Dear Marvin, Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Jerusalem
Moshe Murray Dear Moshe, Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Jerusalem
Dan Klajmic
Dear Dan, My opinion is that they should not since it is not tzenius for a woman to make the blessing in front of ten men. For some unknown reason some woman do it after birth, but then when they travel overseas they do not, which is a contradiction. The best advice is to have her husband get an aliya to the Torah, and then when he says Borchu, he will have in mind to be motzee his wife and she will have in mind to be yotzeh. This is mentioned in the Eliahu Rabba. Dear Rabbi, Dear Dan, Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Jerusalem Question-: What is the best way to wake up on time on Shabbos in time for schacharis? Can one use an electric alarm clock set before Shabbos and let it go untill it shuts itself off? The problem with the electric alarm clock is that you might shut it off since you are still drowsy and you do not really have control over yourself. Therefore an electric alarm clock can be used only if it is placed and covered in such a way that you will remind yourself not to turn anything off. The same applies to any clock that has a battery. You can also use a mechanical alarm clock which works on springs as in the old times. There it is not a problem in turning it off. There is a problem setting it since it will go off on Friday night. So leave it off on Friday night and just turn the knob a little to free the bell after that hour has gone by. Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Jerusalem
London England Dear Anonymous, Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Jerusalem
Felix Vaks
Dear Felix Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Jerusalem
|
Boris Shpeizer Bryan Texas USA Sholom Aleichem Rabbi, Choidesh Toiv.Our family back in Russia has a small garden. We grow some vegetables and certain berries too. And my question is since raspberries (or blueberries) are considered to be pri oeitz, we presumably are not allowed to eat them for several years of their life. However in the area where we live (Irkutsk in the central part of Siberia) we usually use the trees only for the first one or two years. After that the tree is not bearing any fruits any more. At least the amount of the berries is not worth of the labor it requires. Are we allowed to grow these types of the plants in our garden and eat their produce? Dear Boris, Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Jerusalem
Felix Vaks Scranton, Pennsylvania Are you allowed to pick up a muktza object on Shabbos if your parents tell you to. Dear Felix, Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Author of Avney Yashpeh and Beloved Companions 2/12 Gedera St. Jerusalem, Israel 94427 telephone: 972-2-5371447 fax: 972-2-537-2658 e-mail: feinhan@aquanet.co.il web site: http://www.shemayisrael.co.il/ask
Dear Morris, What you are referring to is when one grows the tree to use the
shells of a fruit, and then the fruit could be not the real purpose of the
growth of the tree, and lose its brocho. But in our case the juice comes
from the tree itself, and thus there is no problem about the brocho. Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Author of Avney Yashpeh and Beloved Companions 2/12 Gedera St. Jerusalem, Israel 94427 telephone: 972-2-5371447 fax: 972-2-537-2658 e-mail: feinhan@aquanet.co.il web site: http://www.shemayisrael.co.il/ask
Jordan Fox Dear Jordan, Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Author of Avney Yashpeh and Beloved Companions 2/12 Gedera St. Jerusalem, Israel 94427 telephone: 972-2-5371447 fax: 972-2-537-2658 e-mail: feinhan@aquanet.co.il web site: http://www.shemayisrael.co.il/ask
Sidney Kaz Dear Sidney,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Author of Avney Yashpeh and Beloved Companions 2/12 Gedera St. Jerusalem, Israel 94427 telephone: 972-2-5371447 fax: 972-2-537-2658 e-mail: feinhan@aquanet.co.il web site: http://www.shemayisrael.co.il/ask
Shlomo Ben-Chaim Dear Shlomo, Dear Rabbi Feinhandler, Dear Shlomo,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Author of Avney Yashpeh and Beloved Companions 2/12 Gedera St. Jerusalem, Israel 94427 telephone: 972-2-5371447 fax: 972-2-537-2658 e-mail: feinhan@aquanet.co.il web site: http://www.shemayisrael.co.il/ask
Bournemouth, Dorset, England The reason why a gentile that keeps Shabbos is chayav mita, is that G-d created the world with the purpose of keeping it going and functioning. Everyone must participate in the continuation of the world by working and building. The Jews who accepted the Shabbos, were free of that obligation, since they had accepted the testimony that G-d is the Creator, and that all of our creating stems from Him. Hence we do not work on the Sabbath in order to show that He is the source of all the creation. But the gentile who does not have that commandment to rest and testify about the creation, he is not fulfilling his purpose in the world, which is to create and continue the world. Hence his punishment is death, since he is not fullfilling his function.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Author of Avney Yashpeh and Beloved Companions 2/12 Gedera St. Jerusalem, Israel 94427 telephone: 972-2-5371447 fax: 972-2-537-2658 e-mail: feinhan@aquanet.co.il web site: http://www.shemayisrael.co.il/ask
Antwerp, Belgium Making a brocho on medication depends on its taste. If it is a syrup, or something that you chew, with a pleasant taste, you make a brocho, but if it is something bitter than you do not make a brocho.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Author of Avney Yashpeh and Beloved Companions 2/12 Gedera St. Jerusalem, Israel 94427 telephone: 972-2-5371447 fax: 972-2-537-2658 e-mail: feinhan@aquanet.co.il web site: http://www.shemayisrael.co.il/ask
Englewood, NJ USA I need to know whether you used that fleishig ladle in fleishig boiling soup within twenty four hours of putting it into the pareve soup. If it was not used in a boiling fleishig soup within twenty four hours, then your corelle bowl is fine, and does not need any kashering. But if it was used, then let me know and I shall investigate the shayla. Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler Author of Avney Yashpeh and Beloved Companions 2/12 Gedera St. Jerusalem, Israel 94427 telephone: 972-2-5371447 fax: 972-2-537-2658 e-mail: feinhan@aquanet.co.il web site: http://www.shemayisrael.co.il/ask
Oakhurst, NJ USA Dear Steve,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Jerusalem, Israel Dear David,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
REHOVOT ISRAEL You may do that as long as the chicken is dry. Of course directly on the cover will cause the hot water and the pot of hot water to be fleishig.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Galia Peled Dear Galia,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Raanana Israel At work I organize a minyan for Mincha, which during the winter months
allows us to daven Betzibbur, and in the summer months allows us not to
worry to rush home some times to catch a minyan. The minyan's core is
basically 11 Shomrei Shabbat. But at times, (too often), we need to add some
non-Shomrei Shabbat to the minyan. Of the non-Shomrei Shabbat we have two
types, those who will take a siddur and join in the Teffila and answer Amen,
and those who just stand there. The Teffila we do, is Pores Mincha, meaning
the Shat'z starts Shmone Esrei immediately after Ashrei till Ata Kadosh. One
of the members of the minyan complained that this minyan is not valid, I
explained to him that even a person who is half asleep is Mitztaref
Be'DiEved. The member also complained about the fact that this situation
happens too often and therefore the Minyan is not a good one.
Some other points:
- Some people of the minyan would not daven Mincha at all, if I did not
instigate and cajole them to come to this Minyan. My second Shaila has to do with a current domestic situation, which Im
Yirzeh Hashem should change within about 2 months.
We have a handicapped daughter aged 10, who is very difficult to wake up
and prepare in the morning to go to school. Her school bus leaves at 6:40,
and she must get up about 6:00. Until recently the family schedule was as
follows: I would go to the 6:00am minyan for Shacharit, and then continue
with my day. We had an au-pere (Philipino), who was able to take care of my
daughter and prepare her for school, while my wife took care of the other
kids. Since the au-pere has left, my wife has a problem preparing our
daughter. Firstly because of our other two children aged 6 and 1 3/4.
Secondly, because my daughter is very heavy, and if she is stubborn in the
morning my wife can't get her out of bed. The two options open for me now,
is either go to the 5:30 Minyan and leave right before the end (about Ein
Kalokeinu or Aleinu, and days of Kriat Hatorah even earlier), or go to the
6:00 o'clock minyan and leave right after Ashrei.
The 5:30 minyan also causes a problem because Zman Hanachat Teffilin is now
about 5:45 and this means putting on Teffilin in the middle of the Teffila
where I really can't make a hefsek. (The other members of the minyan are not
Makpid on this din, I will be bringing this problem to the Rav Harashi of
Raanana, Rabbi Meltz).
If I go to the 5:30 minyan I will make it much easier for my wife, but she
told me the 6:00 o'clock minyan is OK, as long as I get home to put our
daughter on her ride.
My question is Rabbi, which minyan is preferable? If the 5:30 minyan is preferable, what is the best way to act about putting on Teffilin.
Thank you very much. You can put on your tefilin in the beginning but the brocho can only be made when time of teffilin arrives. See Avney Yashpeh tefila ch.14 comm. 12. Even if that time is after yishtabach you can still make a brocho between the prokim of brichos krish ma (see shulach aruch 66:2).
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Waltham MA USA It is true that you need do not make hamotzi if something is boiled. But some disagree since it was a dough in the beginning, therefore it is a good idea to eat them in a meal but it is not a must.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Johannesburg South Africa "Asher Yatzar" is not a hefsek and does not require a new bracha on food during a meal or eating fruit. Even in davening it is not considered a hefsek.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler I want to know how I should calculate the Maasser (with the Net or Brut salary, taxes ...). You only calculate for masser what you take home, the net. All the taxes that come out of your salary go to the government and are not considered as earning.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Petach Tikva, Israel
I am sorry that I did not respond earlier but I was in the USA. The bris takes place on Sunday which is the ninth day after the birth.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Dov Kay Dear Dov,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Hagit Migron
Dear Hagit,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Toronto, Ontario Canada
Thank you Dear Sir,
By wathcing tv or movies you can be over on Lo tasure achrei
levavchem veachrey eineichem. There is also so Lo tefanu el medatchem.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Alan Schulman
A pracitical question came up. A minyan was needed, and nine men
were available. A tenth man was in prison. Can the other nine travel
to the prison, and stand outside the cell with the tenth man inside the
cell in order to form the minyan? If the cell has a sealed door, I'm sure
the answer would be no, but suppose the cell is such that there are only
bars separating it from the anteroom and corridor?
This was an actual situation I was aware of! As long as the man in prison can be seen, it is considered a minyan. This is not according to all opinions, but in dire situations as the one described, it can be done. Otherwise, all should be in the same room.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Nicole Brackman
Thank you very much and kol tuv. Yes. You can also say "Hashem Elochem Emes" twice.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Mt. Kisco, NY USA
Is an Eruv Chatzeros needed only when there is no eruv around a certain
area. In other words, if a town has an eruv, must an eruv chatzeros be make? You need an eruv chatzeros even if there in an eruv, since without both you cannot carry on Shabbos. When staying at a non-Jewish hotel, and you are not eating in their dining room, this is considered as if there are two places where people are living, and an eruv chatzeros is needed. Also, is gelatin parve because it has been processed so much? I understand that you are speaking of non-vegaterian gelatin. You are right that it is considered pareve.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Yaacov Wolf
Yours Truly One has an obligation to maaser only when he himself has parnassah. If the interest and other benefits only give you a meager earnings, than you are not obligated to give masser.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
em>Monsey, N.Y. USA Dear Sir, The answer is that you must say all the prayers you mentioned, and they are all more important than tefila betzibur. More details you can find in my book "Priority in Prayer" by Feldheim or through me.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Nepean, Ontario Canada Dear Sir, It may be that when someone washes his hands, he also washes around his mouth automaticaly. Of course there is no obligation to do so. Thank you for replying so promptly to my question. I think you're right that one could wipe his face quickly after Mayeem Achroneem but it is not obligatory. It seems that Rashi says something to that effect. It's just that I have never seen that done during Mayeem Achroneem. I suppose minhag was different at the time period this Gemara describes. The fact that they didn't have indoor plumbing to the extent that we do now may be a factor. Perhaps, they had to do more washing at the table as opposed to washing one's face in the washroom as we do today. I've got to go now. May I extend warm Hannukah greeting to you and your family. Sholom al Yisrael!
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Binyomin Simon
We have assembled a small minyan in my office building. The minyan consists
of men who daven all of the different Nusachim (Ashkinaz, Sefard, Aydot
Mizrach). We can only get about 15 people together maximum from our street -
so we have to daven together to keep our minyan alive. (Beieve it or not,
but the office is in Bnei-Brak --the industrial zone). There is a small room
we have found to daven in. Two questions:
1. There is no mezuzah on the door. Must one be on the door to the small
room (kitchenette)? The room belongs to the building. You do not need a mezuza to have a minyan. 2. We have no sefer Torah. We want to know if we are required to say Tachanun? And if so, how? (i.e. do we put our heads in our arms...) You do not need a sefer torah to say Tachanun. But to put your head down, you do need one. If you have any other questions, I am at your service.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Ken Resnick
Do you know of Rabbi that will marry us in France. Dear Ken, If your fiancee will not be coverted by the day of your marriage, it means that you are marrying a gentile, which obviously is not permitted. I suggest that you wait for the conversion, or have it hurried up, since it is not allowed to marry a gentile.
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Michael Zucker
Dear Michael,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Seam Gilman
Dear Seam,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Paris, France
Dear Sir,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Australian Student
Dear Australian Student,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Mt. Kisco, NY USA
Thank you v'kol tuv
Dear Sir,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Wendy
Dear Wendy,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
Tamy Reichman There is a non-kosher restaurant next door to where I work
that has a juice bar in
which they serve freshly squeezed jucies. I would like to know if I may
buy those juices, i.e. can
one drink them?
Dear Tamy,
Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
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