Q&A from the Bais HaVaad Halacha Hotline
Drinking Problem March 16, 2023 Q It is difficult for me to drink alcohol. What is the minimum I must imbibe for dalet kosos, and may I use grape juice instead? A The cup must hold at least a revi’is…
Drinking Problem March 16, 2023 Q It is difficult for me to drink alcohol. What is the minimum I must imbibe for dalet kosos, and may I use grape juice instead? A The cup must hold at least a revi’is…
Bread Barrier March 10, 2023 Q When my new washing machine was installed, a piece of bread was trapped underneath. What is my obligation regarding biur chametz? A The Mechaber (O.C. 436:1) writes, “One who converts his house to storage…
Manos Mail March 2, 2023 Q May mishlo’ach manos be shipped with UPS before Purim if it will arrive on Purim? A One may certainly fulfill the mitzvah through a bona fide shliach—a Jew that is a bar da’as—because shlucho…
Transitory Inflation February 23, 2023 Q May an air mattress be inflated on Shabbos with a manual pump? A Contemporary poskim cite the Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 340:8), who forbids the initial stuffing of cushioning into a new mattress or pillow…
Halfwit February 16, 2023 Q I made two two-pound batches of dough, one of white flour and the other whole wheat, and baked them together. Should I separate challah? A For a dough to be subject to challah, it must have…
Gadol Talmud February 9, 2023 Q A while back I pledged a set of Shas from a certain publisher to my shul, but the prices have almost doubled since. What do I owe now? A After the dissolution of the…
Joint Bentcher February 2, 2023 Q Do I participate in a zimun if I only drank? A A group of three recites zimun before birkas hamazon when they partake in a meal of bread. The Rishonim debate whether all three…
A Sticky Situation January 26, 2023 Q May I tovel a utensil in the mikveh with a sticker attached? A All parts of an item that requires tvilah must contact the waters of the mikveh. An attached foreign object is…
A Change of Pace January 19, 2023 Q Should I recite borei nefashos after slowly sipping a beverage? A Unlike a bracha rishonah, which must be recited on any quantity of food or drink, a bracha acharonah is only made…
Loan Disapproved January 12, 2023 Q I recently discovered that the CEO of a bank where I hold an interest-bearing savings account is Jewish. What should I do? A Depositing money into an interest-bearing bank account is a loan at…