Question: May my wife and seven-year-old daughter dress up as nuns for Purim? Answer: Wearing clothing that is specific to gentiles is forbidden. One may wear clothing that is worn by all people, Jews and gentiles alike, but if there is a style or type of clothing that is specifically not worn by Jews, it…
Question: Is it an aveiroh to sit on a dining room table? I have heard that a table is likened to a mizbeach and one shouldn't do it, but is it an actual prohibition? Answer: The common saying that one should not sit on a table because a table is like a mizbeach is partially…
Question: The Mishna Beruroh (690:52) quotes the Chaye Odom as saying that there is no minhag for the people to say Homon's sons' names and then for the baal korei to repeat them.[1] Why do we do it anyway? Answer: The Chaye Odom may mean that the custom of the tzibbur reciting the list of…
Question: The 14th of Adar is a Friday and we plan to keep all the mitzvos of the day in RBS on Friday. We also would like to travel to Yerusholayim for Shabbos. Since it will be Purim on Shabbos in Yerusholayim, do we have to keep Purim twice? Does it make a difference if…
Question: May an ovel (mourner) send mishloach manos? May the family of an ovel receive mishloach manos? Answer: An ovel is responsible for fulfilling all mitzvos, including sending mishloach manos on Purim.[1] Although one should refrain from directing mishloach manos to an ovel, when a person has a relationship with any other member of the…
Question: Answer: The Chofetz Chaim recommends setting aside one-third of one’s maaser money to be used for loans. One fulfills the mitzvoh of tzedokoh when lending money to Jews or giving it to a lending gemach. Not only is it permissible to use maaser money to lend to others; it is even encouraged.[1] The only…
Question: When I go running I put on a different pair of tzitzis – an old pair that I don't mind getting sweaty. Do I make a new berochoh of al mitzvas tzitzis on them? If I then change back to the tzitzis I had been wearing that morning, do I make a berochoh again?…
Question: Is it permissible for a woman in active labor and in pain to use a TENS machine on Shabbos? It's a battery-operated machine that has pads that attach to her back to stimulate the nerves and ease the pain. Answer: I am not familiar with this machine, but a woman in active labor and…
Question: We are moving house soon, can we ask the current owners to leave the mezuzos behind, or is it up to them to decide whether to leave them? Answer: They have to leave their mezuzos unless they or you will be painting the apartment. It is their responsibility to leave them; it is not…
Question: Someone told me I must remove our dog from the room when we make kiddush and birkas hamotzi. Is this true? Is our dog muktze on Shabbos? Answer: Your dog can be in the room for kiddush and hamotzi. If someone touches the dog, he should not make the berochoh until he has washed…