Question: This year, we expect to have two Kohanim with us for Rosh Hashonoh at Kehillas Shivtei Yeshurun. During previous Yomim Tovim, I do not recall having a Kohein chant the special "nigun" during birkas Kohanim. Either we didn't have a kohein (e.g. Pesach) or it just wasn't said due to Shabbos. I spoke with…

Question: Answer: ויאמר ד' סלחתי כדברך לאחר חטא המרגלים ד' מגלה רצונו כביכול לנטש ולהרג עם ישראל ולקיים הבטחתו לאבות דרך משה, (עיין פרק י''ד מפסוק י''א והלאה). משה רבינו טוען בעד העם שיצא חילול ש''ש, "ואמרו הגוים אשר שמעו את שמעך לאמר מבלתי יכולת ד' להביא את העם הזה אל הארץ אשר נשבע להם…

Question: Should I try to say some or all of the morning berachos before selichos? Answer: As soon as you wake up, you should wash your hands (netillas yodayim) even if it is before alos hashachar. If it is after chatzos and you have relieved yourself and do not expect to use the bathroom again…

Question: I learned in the Mishna Berura that one should put on one's tallis and tefillin at home and then walk to shul. The Mechaber, Ramo and M.B. are all in agreement that this is the mitzva min hamuvchar. The only heter they mention for not doing it is if one were going to walk…

Question: As a female travel agent working with religiously observant coworkers, I rarely run into halachically problematic situations. When the office closes at 5:00 pm, the doors are locked and the shades are drawn. Sometimes a few employees stay working into the night. The nights I stay late there are usually two or three other…

Question: A Vaad gives its certification to Starbucks in one part of the country where the flavors are kosher. As far as I can see (from the customer side of the counter), the flavor shots come from pumps inserted into the bottles. These pumps have a small reservoir around the neck of the bottle that…

Question: Does a glass saltshaker require tevilla? Answer: A saltshaker that has a glass container to hold the salt and a glass cover with holes in it needs tevilla with a beracha. Salt is considered a food item, and since it comes in direct contact with the glass, it requires tevilla. A glass container that…

Question: My chavrusa and I have been learning Pirkei Avos with Kehati each morning for the past year. At our current pace, we should be able to finish by Sunday, the 7th of Av. When we finish, we would like to know if we are permitted to have a siyum with a fleishig seuda. While…

Question: I approached the prospective seller of an apartment intending to close a deal to purchase it, only to find him seated with another person interested in the apartment. I am familiar with the principle of עני המהפך בחררה, according to which it is ethically reprehensible to snatch a deal from another Jew when I…

Question: Hertzl from Ramat Beit Shemesh asked: My mum is coming to visit immediately after Tisha B'Av, and I want the garden to look neat and clean upon her arrival. On what days are we permitted to hire a gardener to do work such as trimming trees and shrubbery, mowing the lawn, and removing weeds?…