Ask the Rabbi on Halacha

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?

Dear Trevor,

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.
Firstly, I have parents who aren't frun yet, may I buy Mezuzos for them with ma'aser money?
Secondly, I heard that the Mishna Brura and Harav Ahron Kotler ZT"L said that Bnei Torah should not use community eiruvin. Is this indeed how we poskin. Where can I find these rulings.

Kol Tuv
Moishe Tohn

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.
I also do not use the eruv, since I heard the same in the name of the Chazon Ish.

brooklyn, NEW YORK

1) IS IT OKAY FOR AN ORTHODOX MALE TO MARRY A REFORM FEMALE OR CONSERVATIVE JEW ?
2) CAN YOU HAVE A LUNCHEON FOR AN ENGAGEMENT DURING THE THREE WEEK?

Dear Moshe,

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.

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.

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.

Haim Ben-Eliezer
Glenmont,NY

Dear Rabbi.

I checked my tefilin 7 years ago. how often you have to check your tefilin to make sure they are Kusher ?

Thanks
Haim

Dear Haim,

There is no real obligation since they are well protected.

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.

Hessel Friedlander
Orchards

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?

Dear Mr. Friedlander,

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?

Storm
Tel Aviv, Israel

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,
Storm

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,
Storm

Frum Jews real means real chredi Jews, and yeshiva people.

Rob Brickner
Brklyn, NY USA

My friend insists showers are forbidden during the nine days; can you find a source that says that this is not so.

Dear Rob,
The source of not taking a shower in the nine days is the Ramah in Shulchan Aruch 551:16.

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.

Chaim Vaks
Scranton, Pennsylvania U.S.A.

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,
There is no brocho since we are reliant on the other person's accepting, and who says he will agree, and even if he does, he might back out.

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,
You cannot turn up the thermostat at all since you are causing the air conditioner to run for a longer time.

Yarmulkes can be thrown in the garbage.

Jerusalem, Israel

Dear Rabbi,
Could you explain the Minag of not taking Shabbos in early in Yerushalayim vs Chutz La'aretz. Is it preferable to not take Shabbos in early in Yerushalayim? What would be the acceptable reasons for taking it in early in Yerushalayim? A neighbor of mine seems to feel a responsibility to let others know that taking Shabbos in early in Yerhushalayim is not proper. How should I respond to him?

Dear Micha,
I have just spoke to Rav Eliyashiv's student, Rav Morgenstern, and he said that you are right, that the minhag in Jerusalem is not to daven maariv before some 20 minutes after sunset, so the minyans that do so, are wrong. Rav Morgenstern said that although some do it, they are minyanim of Americans.

Isi Morsel

Dear Rabbi
Some store installed an electronic eye on the street. Every Shabbos by passing we activate this device. Is it permitted or should I cross the street?

Dear Isi,
It is better to cross the street but if you cannot, then you can pass there even if you activate the electronic eye.

Eliot Pearlson
Miami Beach, Florida USA

Dear Rabbi,
There is a growing number of individuals who say that roller blading on Shabbat, within the Eruv is permissable. Since the skates of today are self contained and there is no fear of "ooly Yitaken" if they break.

One friend claims he even remembers people riding bikes, on Shabbas, within the Eruv, in their Frum Bungelow Colony in the Mountains...

Thank You.
E. Pearlson

Dear Elliot,
If roller blading is the skates that have some 6 or 8 wheels and you go real fast on concrete, you are allowed to use them on Shabbos. There is no "ooly yetaken" since they are just like baby buggies that everyone says are okay. Only bikes that have air frequently need repairing and is forbidden.

Michael Harris
Jerusalem, Israel

Why can a bachur carry on eating on Erev Pesach after a siyum when for other fasts we must continue fasting?

Dear Michael,
This is a rule for all fasts, when one is allowed to eat, his fast is broken. Unless it is a public fast that is strict, and this one is lenient.

Why do we say tachanun at Mincha on erev Pesach Sheni?

Dear Michael,
The reason may be since we can only bring a korban Pesach during the day, so that it's not starting at night, and cannot cause the previous mincha to be patur.

Smaye Goldberg
Antwrep, BE Belgium

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?
Smaye Goldberg

Dear Smaye,
If you have no other possibility than you can count sefira after sunset. But it is not advisable, since some say that you are not yotzeh and must repeat at night.

David Wolkenfeld
New York, NY USA

Is it permissible to tie small knots at the end of tzitzit strings to prevent them from fraying?

Thank You
David

Dear David,
It is allowed when there is a need to prevent them from fraying.

M. Silberman
Brookllyn, NY,USA

Dear Rabbi;
I have been invited by my brother, who is not frum, to a birthday party for the children at an indoor play park. There will be music (kol Isha) and many attendees will probably be dressed not B'tznius, as it is the summer and is hot. Should I attend for Sholom Bayis as my mother likes to keep the family together???

Dear Mr. Silberman,
There is not heter to do an eveira because one wishes to honor his parents.

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

Staten Island, NY, USA

Is it permissable to daven in a shul without a machitzah? What is the Issur?

Dear Madam,
It is not permissible to daven in a shul without a mechitza. The reason is because chazal allowed davening in public places only with a partition. They knew that there would not be the proper kavaanah, and therefore they forbade it.

Dear Rabbi:
We are moving into a new office and wish to put mezzuzot on both entrances into the office which is in a free-standing building. The front and back doors are both flush with the outside walls of the building, the door opens out and there is one step going up to enter at both doors. The only way that we can affix mezzuzot to the doorposts is after opening the doors. Is this Kosher?
Please let me know since we need to move into the office as soon as possible. Thank you very much.

Dear Madam,
The mezuzot must be seen from the outside, otherwise some say they are not kosher. Perhaps they can be attached to the outer wall within 4 inches of the door, which is better than having then inside.

Evan Balter
Los Angeles, CA, USA

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.
Thank You

Dear Evan,
You can use pure orange juice or apple juice, with no water, and not from concentrate. Do not forget to make a shehakol, instead of borey pri hagefen.

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.
Thank you
Evan Balter

Dear Evan,
You can drink straight fruit juice, as orange or apple, for kiddush and havadallah the whole year round but do not dilute any juice or wine with water.
If the fruit juice is too sweet for you, you must find someone to make kiddush for you. What about beer?

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.
Can you direct me to a book, article, internet site, or some other source of UNBIASED information where I can learn about the different certifying organizations, what differences in standards they have, and other information about the different Kosher certifications? Do you know of a simple book or source of information on modern inter- pretation of kosher law?

I would very much appreciate your help in this matter!

Dear Sir,
There is a book by Feldheim Publishers called "Is It Kosher?". It has the different symbols, and also phone numbers where one can get more information.
You can also speak to Rabbi Heineman of Baltimore, MD. He is a very reliable person.

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Dear Rabbi,
I come from a traditional orthodox family, meaning my family observes the laws of the torah but not religiously eg all the 39 malachot for Shabbat. On Friday night, we will sometimes drive to rela- tives who live far away for Shabbos dinner. It is very important to my family to keep Shabbos a family thing so I always go along.
Unfortunately, I live extremely far from shul, at least an hours walk. I would like to know if on Shabbos morning, would it be better for me to do my own davening of shacharis at home or rather to drive to shul in order to daven in a minyan and hear the Torah, considering I have already broken Shabbos for going to my relatives.

Dear Sir,
Even if you have travelled on Friday night, it does not allow you to travel on Shabbos day. So daven at home for shacharis, and since you shall be doing to prevent yourself from travelling on Shabbos, it is as if you davened with a minyan.

Baton Rouge, LA, USA

How far may a Jew walk on Shabbat?
Is this d'rabbanan?
Thanks.

Dear Sir,
A Jew may walk outside his city the distance of 2000 amos, which is about 1 kilometer. This is d'rabbanan but some say 12 times this distance is d'oraysa.

Baton Rouge, LA, USA

Can women do mayim achronim vasser? If not, why?
Thanks.

Dear Sir,
Women should do mayim achronim since the reasons for doing so apply to women just as much as they do for men. Some do not do so, since some poskim hold that it does not apply in our times.

LENA LEVI
ISTANBUL, TURKEY

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...
I mean if there are Kasher in milk and cheese and milk products,there isn't any in Turkey
. Please tell me about Kasherut laws.Tell me how many hours should I wait between meat and milk.( I wait 3 hours,but I heard of people who wait for 2 or 6 hours,as well) I started this 5 years ago, but still I believe there are so many more things to learn...
I also want to know,why do we wait eating between chicken and milk products? Thats all for now, but I have so many more questions,that I will ask in the near future.
Toda raba .
p.s:Maybe it is not a question that I should ask you, but anyway you might have some info about it: Is there any site I can improve my Hebrew on the net?

Dear Lena,
You are right that it is terrible to eat unkosher. This damages our souls intensly.
Cheese can outright treif since it may be made from products that are unkosher. Try to get some fresh milk, that was supervised from the cow. If there is a law in Turkey that one is not allowed to mix other milk in cow's milk, then you can rely on that and use the fresh milk.
We wait six hours after meat before we eat milk.
Chicken is an Rabbinical prohibition not to eat with milk.
It is great that you wish to learn more, and keep up the good work!!

Baton Rouge, LA, USA

I live in a town with a small Jewish population. The two synagogues both have mixed seating.
I like to hear the Torah read. I also have the need to be with other Jews.
While I have read elsewhere, that it is better for me to stay home, is this really the case?
Until I find a job in a better place, I am stuck in this place.
Thanks

Dear Sir,
It is very sad that there is not a proper shul, but Rabbi Moshe Feinstein writes that one cannot daven in such a shul.
I suggest that you refrain from davening when it is mixed but try all the time to convince people to change. You may be the one that will influence them, since your sincerity is so great.

My question to the Rabbi is:
My friend is married to a Convert that was converted by Conservative Rabbis. Her conversion has included a Mikveh. He has two young children. Can they be converted through an Orthodox Rabbi even though the wife does not want to repeat her conversion? She is keeping a Kosher home.
Thank you for your response.

Dear Sir,
The children can be converted by an orthodox rabbi. They do not need their parent's consent, but it is much easier if they will have their father's consent. Their mother's consent is unneccessary at all.
When these children will become bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah they will have the privilege to decide if they want the conversion or wish to discard it.

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,
The Bima is holy since it is used for a sefer Torah, and what is used for something holy is considered holy. The Hebrew term is "Tashmishei Kedusha". The source is in Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 154.

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,
Jeff Hayes

Dear Jeff,
The tithe is the portion that is given to the Levites from ones produce of the feilds, one tenth. Nowadays most do not give it, since the exact ancestory has been last, and it is hard to prove that one is a Levite. It is, although, the amount given from one's salary to charity. This is a custom, and not explicit in the bible.
Our site is an orhodox one.

Meir Ben-Aliz
Haifa, Israel

B"H

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,
Sincerely yours,
Meir

Dear Meir,
The poskim say that every chazen must wear a talis, and that includes mincha and maariv. It must be kosher, since even when a brocha is not said, there is still a mitzvah, and the mitzvah must be complete.

Doug Hammond
Branson, MO, USA

Explain the significance of the fast on 9th Tebheth please. Thank You

Dear Doug,
Are you referring to the tenth of Teveth? There is no fast on the ninth. On the tenth, King Nevuchadnezer started his seige upon Jerusalem and brought into great distress, and eventually lead to the destruction. We fast since we wish to repent, since we know that due to our sins we have not been redeemed.

If a part of the batim of the tefillin (not the straps) is a bit scraped/worn are the tefillin still kosher?
Thank you!

Dear Sir,
It is hard to answer such a question since it really depends how much is worn out. The problem usually occurs on the corners of the batim where they become rounded instead of pointy. They should be shown to a rabbi who is an expert in this issue.

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.

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.

Meir Haim Dudai
Haifa, Israel

When I buy new dishes:
Do I have to put them in boiling water? If so, for how long? (because it is partly made of plastic and some is made of steel, and I'm afraid that the plastic would melt ).

Dear Meir Chaim,
The reason for putting new utensils into boiling water, is that the stainless steel or the aluminum has a coating of fat absorbed in its walls that needs to be kashured and removed. Therefore we must kasher in boiling water before we use the utensil. In order to answer your question, I need more details. Tell me exactly what sort of utenstils, and what is their usage. In what temperature are they used?

Meyer Hyman
Scarborough Ontario, Canada

Can you use Masser money to pay for shul dues?

Dear Meyer,
Concerning your question whether you may use masser money to pay shul dues, the rule is that anything that is an obligation to pay cannot be payed from masser. For instance you cannot buy tefilin from masser since you have to do that anyway.

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.

D. Kluk
Skokie IL, USA

What is the maximum area that can be included in an eruv

Dear Mr. Kluk,
There is no maximum area that is allowed in an eruv, and by theory you can make one that has thousands of square miles. There is however a problem of having areas within the eruv that are not considered habitable, for instance a plowed or planted field. In order to get over this problem, it is necessary to have an inner fence for these areas, and thus they are not considered part of the general eruv. This fence must be properly made so it is like an eruv within an eruv.

Rabbi;
Thanks.

You stated, "There is no maximum area for an eruv." Then an eruv line constructed over the Equator, through the poles or any other great circle of the Earth would divide the entire Earth into exactly two eruvim of equal area. I would select the great circle over the most land.

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,
There is no maximum area that is allowed in an eruv, and by theory you can make one that has thousands of square miles. There is however a problem of having areas within the eruv that are not considered habitable, for instance a plowed or planted field. In order to get over this problem, it is neccessary to have an inner fence for these areas, and thus they are not considered part of the general eruv. This fence must be properly made so is like an eruv within an eruv. Incidently, I come to Chicago once a year about before Pesach time, and I shall try to contact you if you leave me a phone number.

Ronnie Miller
Worcester MA USA

Question: Were bikkurim brought during the shmitta year?

Dear Ronnie,
Concerning your question whether Bikkurim were brought during the shmitta year. Rashi (Shemos 23:19) says that it does apply in the Shemita year. But the Ohr Hachayim (parshas Ki-Tavo par. Asher) says that it does not apply since the fruits are hefker. See the Minchas Chinuch (91) for more details.

Hessel Friedlander
Johannesburg, South Africa

Question:The gemara bava kama page 34 b talks about the benefits of praying in front of a window. A person will then see the sky and feel humble. I always thought one should close the curtains if praying in front of a window?

Dear Hessel,
The Mishne Brura (90:8) answers your question saying that although we should be concentrating in our prayers and not be looking around, but if it does happen that we have lost our concentration, then we should lift our eyes up to heaven as a way of regaining our concentration. .

Arel Weisberg
Princeton NJ USA

Question:Is it permissible to go out to see movies with or without friends during the three weeks?

Dear Arel,
Our custom is not to listen to music for the entire three weeks, and in the movies there is always music. Also, it is a form of entertainment that is similar to music. Incidently, many movies show things that are not permissible to see according to the Torah. Try to get yourself involved more in learning Torah, and you will find that you will not miss going to the movies.
I send my best wishes,

Brooklyn NY USA

Question:

1. How do we get the Yiddish name "Fishel" from the Hebrew "Ephraim"? They don't seem to be related.

   Dear Anonymous,
   It is not clear to me whether Fishel is the same as Efraim, but if it is, people make nicknames that show that a person is dear to them.

2. Can I have my vort during the Three Weeks? What about during the Nine Days?

   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!

   Sincerely,
   Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
   Jerusalem
   

   ---

   Keren Maoz
   Kohav Yair Israel
   
   Question:May I wear a new skirt on Shabbat within the 3 weeks?

   Dear Keren,
   There is a difference between before Rosh Chodesh Av and after. Before, there is no issur of new clothes, but the issur is saying shechiyanu, and since this brocho is not said on a new skirt but on important clothes, you can wear it even on the weekdays. After Rosh Chodesh no new clothes are allowed, and this includes also Shabbat since Shabbat only allows clean, but not new.

   Sincerely,
   Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
   Jerusalem
   

   ---

   Brooklyn NY USA
   
   Question:Are you permitted to turn up the thermostat once the air conditioner is working? Are you permitted to turn down the thermostat once the air conditioner is not working?

   Dear Moshe,
   You are not allowed to turn up the thermostat even when the air conditioning is working since you are now causing (in the new situation)it to go off once it reaches that temperature. The same applies when it is not working.

   Sincerely,
   Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
   Jerusalem
   

   ---

   Vienna Austria
   
   Question: Why does everyone have to learn daf yomi?

   Dear Efi,
   Learning Daf Hayomi is a way to have a set program in order to learn Torah and also to know the width of the Torah. People all over the world have benefited from it, and one can only gain from it.

   Best wishes,
   Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
   Jerusalem
   

   ---

   Harry Ganz
   London UK
   
   Question: Last Erev Shabbos, we forgot to put the Shabbos urn on. We have a non Jewish au-pair girl who put the kettle on on Shabbos morning to make herself some coffee. Could we have used any hot water left over for ourselves?

   Dear Harry,
   When the non Jewish girl does it entirely for herself and not for the Jew, there are two opinions in the Shulchan Aruch if it is permitted (Orach Chaim 325:4) and the conclusion is that in dire circumstances you can be lenient.

   Best wishes,
   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,
   You count from the last bite of meat, and not from when you bentch. But you must bentch, even if six hours passed from your last bite of meat.

   Best wishes,
   Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
   Jerusalem
   

   ---

   Phillip Kravitz
   Brooklyn NY USA
   
   Question:Can baby cereal be made on Shabbos? The cereal is instant powder which must be mixed with water.

   Dear Philip,
   This shayla is a dispute between the poskim. According to the sefer Shemiras Shabbos, it can be only done with a shinuy. In other words, if you normally add powder to your milk, then on Shabbos you should first put the powder in the bottle and then the milk. Secondly you must stir in a different way then the weekdays. You should not stir the bottle, but rather put in a spoon and stir one way, for instance North and South, then take out the spoon and stir in the other direction, as East and West.

   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.

   Best wishes,
   Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
   Jerusalem
   

   ---

   Question: Does an expecting woman (in advanced weeks) have the "Tzom Yom Kipur"?

   Dear Anonymous,
   An expecting woman must fast on Yom Kippur even if she is in advanced weeks. It is a good idea that she should stay in bed, and not go to shul, so that she will not stress herself. If neccessary, her husband should also stay home, so that he can help her out with the children or attend to her.

   Best wishes,
   Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
   Jerusalem
   

   ---

   New York USA
   
   Question: My wife is two months expecting and wakes up every morning sick and feeling that if she doesn't eat, she will throw up. How must she fast on Yom Kippur? She said that to eat a little bit at a time won't help; she needs a good amount of food to make her feel better. What's the aitza? I hope you can answer this as soon as possible.

   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.

   Best wishes,
   Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
   Jerusalem
   

   ---

   Brooklyn NY USA
   
   Question: As a convert I do not have the mitzvah of saying Yischor. However on Yom Kippur would it be proper for me to say it for a deceased friend who does not have but one brother living?

   Dear Sarah,
   Yizkor can be said for anybody, since it is simply a prayer for the deceased, and anyone can pray for any deceased person. If you cherish the memory of someone, it is a kindness that you are doing to that person to say yizkor for his soul, and to give charity in his memory.

   Best wishes,
   Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
   Jerusalem
   

   ---

   Monmouth Beach NJ USA
   
   Question: Do I buy three, or just one, candle if I have three family members whom I wish to remember?

   Dear Marvin,
   There is a dispute on this question. The mishneh brura (610:12) mentions that it sounds from the Shulachan Aruch that one is enough for both parents, which implies that one is enough for all relatives. But he mentions an opinion that one for each person.

   Best wishes,
   Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
   Jerusalem
   

   ---

   Moshe Murray
   Minneapolis MN USA
   
   Question: I just purchased a tzitzis and one string is much longer than the others. Can I cut it?

   Dear Moshe,
   You are allowed to cut it. I think that according to the kabbalah you should not do it with a knife but rather with your teeth.

   Best wishes,
   Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
   Jerusalem
   

   ---

   Dan Klajmic
   France
   
   Lihvod HaRav,
   I want to know if a woman could make BIRKAT HAGOMEL

   Dear Dan,
   There are two customs concerning woman bentching Hagomel. Some say it and some do not.

   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,
   I am sorry, I have not given you all data of the problem. My wife leaves a very serious sickness. Now, Barouh Hachem, she is cured. We have decided to make a Seoudat Mitsva at home. We have invited members of the family (parents,brothers, uncles, friends) and it is ahead these man that I proposed to make the blessing Birkat Hagomel. I do not think that that is a lack Tsiniout, in this family situation.

   Dear Dan,
   Under such circumstances that it is a family gathering your wife can certainly make a birchat hagomel when there is a minyan.

   Best wishes,
   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.

   Best wishes,
   Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
   Jerusalem
   

   ---

   London England
   
   Question: My Rav has asked me to find out about a she'ala that was put to him regarding Internet. He asked if I could find a suitable source that was "au fait" with Internet. Hence the question to you:It concerns advertising on Internet, where people tend to look at the advertising on Shabbos. It would seem to go against a Tshuva of the Chelkes Yaakov. Do you have any further sources or piskei halocho on this?

   Dear Anonymous,
   You will find a similar question in my sefer Shut Avney Yashpeh, I, siman 50. According to the results there, if the advertising is of a religious nature like seforim or tefilin, then there is no problem, since only frum Jews will buy such things, and they will not buy on Shabbos. But if the product is secular, then there must be no indication that the owners are Jewish. As you will see in my above tshuvah, in this manner it is permitted.

   Best wishes,
   Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
   Jerusalem
   

   ---

   Felix Vaks
   Scranton PA U.S.A.
   
   Question: I know you are not allowed to Daven if your head is not covered. But are you allowed to learn Torah if your head is uncovered?

   Dear Felix
   You cannot daven without a head covering since you are pronouncing words. The same applies to learning Torah. But if learning is done without pronouncing words, so it is possible without a head covering.

   Best wishes,
   Rabbi Israel Pesach Feinhandler
   Jerusalem
   

   ---

Dear Boris,
Although the berries on bushes are similar to trees, but since their lifespan is less than four years, their fruit is not considered Orlah, and is allowed to be eaten within the first three years.

Dear Felix,
You are not allowed to do such a thing. Although muktzeh is only from the Sages and not from the Torah, but even such a prohibition is not allowed even though your parents request.

Morris Feder
Brooklyn, NY

Question:
What brochah is made on juice from a fruit specifically grown for its juice and not for eating--such as juice from juice oranges. Is it a shehakol or borey pree haetz??

Dear Morris,
The brocho is borey pree haetz since you are really eating the fruit itself, and the use of the tree is for the fruit, although in a different manner than the way you are eating it.

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.

Jordan Fox
Chicago Illinois USA

Question:
What is the chiyuv (obligation) to kiss one's tzitzit when mentioning the mitzvah in krias shema? In the place I go to daven I notice many people do not. The way I always learned is that you do kiss them. What is the halacha?

Dear Jordan,
The Shulchan Aruch (61:25) only mentions that they should be touched when you mention tzitzis but says nothing of kissing them. Since we hold them anyway during the parsha that is just fine.

Sidney Kaz

I am an avid sport fisherman. Is there an isur about fishing for sport or food in either the Tanach or Halacha?

Dear Sidney,
Fishing is okay as I explained in detail in my book Shut Avney Yashpe II, p. 188. The source is trumas hadeshen psakim 105, noda beyehuda II yoreh deah 10, The idea is that one does something for a purpose it is not forbidden because of cruelty. Here the purpose is either to eat or recreation.

Shlomo Ben-Chaim
NJ USA

Can you read a web page that was processed on Shabbos by a Jew e.g. Kol Israel? Am I being 'neheneh' from 'maaseh shabbos' or is it a 'dovor shein bo mammosh'. Thank you.

Dear Shlomo,
Reading a web-page that was made on Shabbos is definitely enjoying chilul Shabbos. You would not have been able to read the page if there was chilul Shabbos, and there is no such reasoning as 'dovor shein bo mammosh' in these halachos. But the question is if there is a fine after Shabbos according to the Shulchan Aruch 318:1 since it is for others and not for himself. But the answer is that since he made it for others, it is as if he made it for himself, and therefore it is forbidden forever.

Dear Rabbi Feinhandler,
However, I wanted to ask you, OK it's not like the 'Chaye Odom' which says that you need a 'maaseh begufu'. Yet, if the money of selling 'maaseh shabbos' is permitted, isn't a download a file copy, which means that the 'maaaseh shabbos' was exchanged much like money?

Dear Shlomo,
I thought about your comment that it is similar to the money received since it is not the original product, and I agree with you. So you are allowed to read the kol Yisrael news since it is a copy on your computer.

Bournemouth, Dorset, England

I have heard the Halacha that a non-Jew who keeps Shabbat is Chayav Mita. Can you please tell me the source of this Halacha and also its reason?

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.

Antwerp, Belgium

I would like to know if we need to say a bracha when we take a medication.

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.

Englewood, NJ USA

I cooked a parve soup in a fleishig pot. I then accidently poured the soup with a fleishig soup ladle into a milchig bowl made from ' corelle. ' What is the status of the bowl ??

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.

Oakhurst, NJ USA

I've recently begun a new job that requires me to get up at 4:30am. It is not possible to pray Shachrit at my job. Is it o.k. to pray this early and put on tefilin or is there another solution? I am Sephardic. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Dear Steve,
It is impossible to daven before dawn, which is called "Amud Hashachar". You must find out if at that time it is already "Amud Hashachar". If it is not, and you cannot daven at work, then you must quit your job.

Jerusalem, Israel

SOMEHOW, QUITE A FEW MONTHS AGO, I MISTAKENLY MUST HAVE SWITCHED MY ARM TEFILLIN WITH SOMEONE ELSE AT THE SHUL. I NOTICED THE DIFFERENCE BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO PUT ON THE TEFILLIN--IT WAS FOR A LEFT HANDED PERSON AND I AM RIGHT HANDED. I PUT A NOTICE ON THE BOARD OUTSIDE THE SHUL AND A NOTICE IN THE LOCAL THROWAWAY AD MAILER, BUT I RECIEVED NO RESPONSE AT ALL. SHOULD I CONTINUE TO PUT UP NOTICES? SHOULD I USE THE TEFILLIN(FORTUNATELY FOR ME I WAS USING MY SPARE PAIR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT) IF I NEED TO? ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD KNOW AND/OR DO?

Dear David,
Since it is a mitzvah the person who lost it wants you to do mitzvahs, so you can use his tefilin. Of course use it the right way and try not to change the tefilin in such a way that you will be able to return it if you find the owner.

REHOVOT ISRAEL

DEAR RABBI:
MAY WE PLACE COLD CHICKEN WHICH WAS COOKED PRIOR TO SHABBAT ON THE COVER OF THE MAIM CHAMIM IN ORDER TO WARM IT.

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.

Galia Peled
Jerusalem Israel

Is it necessary to take maasrot and trumot from fruit and vegetables purchased from an Arab farmer?

Dear Galia,
It is not necessary, since it was grown by an Arab it is free of the requirements of maasrot and trumot.

Raanana Israel

Dear Rabbi Feinhandler,
Firstly, I would like to tell you how much I have appreciated your sefarim, Shu't Avnei Yashfe, and Priority in Prayer. I would like to ask the Rav two shailot about Teffila.

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.
- The others would not daven in a minyan.
- We also started in the winter months to try and make a minyan for Maariv, with the same situation above. But many of us who want to daven in the Minyan and Daven three times a day, can catch a minyan at home. My question is Rabbi, is the institution of this type of Minyan valid? Is it a Kosher Minyan? Are there any special guidelines on how to keep this Minyan going?

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).

Waltham MA USA

I have heard a couple of times that one need not do "netilat yadayim" for bagels because they are BOILED. On the other hand, people say they are bread. They make awfully good snacks and so I was wondering what the halacha would be on them. Todah Rabbah!

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.

Johannesburg South Africa

Is "Asher Yatzar" a hefsek during a meal to require a new bracha on the food when returning to eat? Is there a difference whether it was just a piece of fruit (and you want a new piece of fruit/continue eating same piece) as opposed to a bread meal?

"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.

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.

Petach Tikva, Israel

A baby boy who was born on Shabbos by a caesarian section, does the bris take place on the following Shabbos or is the bris delayed till Sunday ?

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.

Dov Kay
Sydney, NSW Australia

Dear Rabbi,
If a wife lights chanuka candles for her husband on the first night of chanuka (e.g. the husband cannot light himself), should the husband still make birchas shehecheyonu on the second night when he lights for himself?
Dov Kay

Dear Dov,
Once your wife made a shechianu for you, it is as if you said it yourself and you do not repeat it on the second night. I am sorry that I did not respond earlier but I was in the USA.

Hagit Migron
Jerusalem, Israel

Dear Rabbi,
1. Can the candles on a hanukkia be arranged in a circle, or do they have to be in a straight row?
2. Does a hanukkia have to have a shamash? Does it have to be higher than the other candles?

Dear Hagit,
I am sorry for my late response, but I was away in the USA.
The candles shoud be straight. Otherwise they seem like a bonfire which is not kosher.
They must have a shamash. It should be higher or further away from the other candles.

Toronto, Ontario Canada

1) What are all the Issurim (Doarasah and Derabbnin) that one can be over by watching T.V. or Movies
2) Is there a problem with using Internet Sites from Israel when it is not Shabbos in America but is Shabbos in Israel?

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.
If the internet sites are being managed in Israel on Shabbos then it is forbidden. But if it is automatic it is okay.

Alan Schulman
Helsinki Finland

Concerning forming a minyan:

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!

Dear Alan,

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.

Nicole Brackman
Brookline, MA USA

If one comes late to a minyan and the Shema has already been recited by the congregation, does one say El Melech Ne'eman before reciting the Shema?

Thank you very much and kol tuv.

Dear Nicole,

Yes. You can also say "Hashem Elochem Emes" twice.

Mt. Kisco, NY USA

Lichvod Harav,

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?
If one is staying in a hotel that isn't Jewish must an eruv chatzeros be made?

Dear Sir,

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.

Yaacov Wolf
Melbourne, Victoria Australia

Dear Rabbi Feinhandler I am not working at the present time and I would like to know if I have to pay maaser on the interest earned on my savings? I also am receiving unemployment benefits, Is that included in maaser? What is counted in calculating maaser?

Yours Truly
Yaacov Wolf.

Dear Yakov,

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.

em>Monsey, N.Y. USA

Regarding priority in prayer, must a person say Boruch Sheamar, Ashrei, and Yishtabach even if they will vadai miss davening B'tzibur? If so, is the halacha the same for Nishmas on Shabbes?

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.

Nepean, Ontario Canada

Page PehGimmel, Amood Bet (83b) of Yoma relates the story of the innkeeper who tried to steal the purses from R.Meir and 2 other Rabbis. The part I have trouble with is where the gemara mentions that the inkeeper had traces of lentil soup on his mustache. The Gemara and Rashi mention that the inkeeper's failure to wash (mayeem achroneem) led to his slaying his wife. I don't understand how washing hands after a meal would have removed food traces from his face. Thank you.

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!

Binyomin Simon

Rabbi Feinhandler:

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.

Dear Binyamin,

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.

Ken Resnick
Roissy, CDG Cedex

I am getting married on January 3rd in a Chateau near Paris. My Fiancee is converting but will not be near completion in January.

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.

Michael Zucker

Is it true that a person with a tattoo can not be buried in a Jewish cemetary? I'vee always thought it was an "old wives tail". Thank you.
Michael Zucker

Dear Michael,
It is not true that when you have a tatoo you can not be buried in a Jewish cemetary. As long as we do tshuva, we are okay, but a tatoo cannot be removed, so that is not the person's fault.

Seam Gilman
Kansas, USA

Rabbi,
Iam in the United States Army serving my country proudly. But I have a problem, I can not seem to get the cooperation of my commander, to feed me kosher food when I go out to the woods to train, as a soldier. So I have to bring my own food, with me. Now Iam married so I get money to help pay for my food, but when I go to the field they take this money away cause they say they feed me when they really don't, I pay for my food to bring with me. Now by the rules in the army they can't do this, but my commander says I have to show him what I can eat and it's just not that simple (what I can or can't). Now I need to find a way for him to understand (from the mishna) I have looked on the internet with no luck. He needs to see this. I hope I have made this clear, and haven't confused you.
Thank you.

Dear Seam,
I think that it is very clear that you do not want to eat unkosher food. This is written explicitly in the Torah, and there is no problem that we cannot eat food unless it fits the requirement of having only kosher ingredients.

Paris, France

Is it allowed to use an elevator on Shabbos day if the button is pushed by a non-jewish person?

Dear Sir,
It is okay if the non-Jew does not do it for you, but rather he is going for himself, and you are just coming along.

Australian Student

Question: CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME AS MUCH AS YOU KNOW ABOUT JEWISH MARRIAGE- IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT AND I REQUIRE IT WITHIN 2 DAYS IF POSSIBLE!
THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH
PLEASE REPLY
THANKS

Dear Australian Student,
Sorry for the delay.
Jewish marriage is only allowed between Jews and must be preformed by an orthodox rabbi.

Mt. Kisco, NY USA

Lichvod Harav Shlita,
If one always thought that he was a Yisroel, but then finds out that on his grandfather's (fathers father) tombstone it says "Halevi" or "Hakohen," is this proof enough to start receiving a Kohen or levi aliyah? Do we suspect that perhaps there was an adoption somewhere? And even more so, what happens with regard to marrying a divorced woman?

Thank you v'kol tuv

Dear Sir,
The tombstone is not enough but you have to find out more information.

Wendy

My grandmother died on Sept 26 1994, I always assumed her yahrzeit would be that week. My dad told me yesterday that it was pushed back a week because of a holiday. He couldn't really explain why and wasn't sure if it was just this year or always. Could you help me out?

Dear Wendy,
We observe the yahrzeit exactly as the date of death. I do not know what your father means.

Tamy Reichman
Brooklyn, NY USA

Question:

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,
It is not correct to enter such a place because one might think that you are buying not kosher food.