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Q&A from the Bais HaVaad Halacha Hotline

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…

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Q&A from the Bais HaVaad Halacha Hotline

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…

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Q&A from the Bais HaVaad Halacha Hotline

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…

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Q&A from the Bais HaVaad Halacha Hotline

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…

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Q&A from the Bais HaVaad Halacha Hotline

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…

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Q&A from the Bais HaVaad Halacha Hotline

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…

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Q&A from the Bais HaVaad Halacha Hotline

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…

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Q&A from the Bais HaVaad Halacha Hotline

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…

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Q&A from the Bais HaVaad Halacha Hotline

Fruit Preserves January 4, 2023 Q May I remove the cherry tree in my backyard? A The Torah forbids the cutting down of fruit trees: “Do not destroy its trees” (Devarim 20:19). One may also not instruct a non-Jew or…

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Q&A from the Bais HaVaad Halacha Hotline

Relative Terms December 29, 2022 Q May I honor a distant relative to serve as an eid kidushin (witness) at my wedding? A Kidushin is only effective if it is performed before two valid witnesses (Shulchan Aruch E.H. 42:2). Family…

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