Panorama of Halacha

The following issues are discussed by Rabbi Raskin in this week’s episode: A Shliach who is active in the Chevra Kadisha , used to fast on the 7th of Adar. (He is the only one who fasts). This year he fasted on the 15th of Kislev. What should he do about 7 Adar? [1] When Rochel got married to Reuven, she lit candles for Shabbos for the number of Reuven’s children from his first wife. [2] Sadly, Re...

The following issues are discussed by Rabbi Raskin in this week’s episode: I get the apprehension re. Pores Mapah uMekadeish . What if I continue the meal with other foods, not with bread? [1] A seminary girl in wants to spend Shabbos with her grandfather. She wishes to bring a friend too. But as her grandmother is away, is there an issue of Yichud ? [2] From what age should boys and girls (from s...

The following issues are discussed by Rabbi Raskin in this week’s episode: Should one who won’t hear Megila say the brochos She’asa Nissim and Shehecheyanu? [1] Mishloach Monos purchased from and delivered by a non-Jew? [2] Does an overhang veranda create a Reshus haYochid beneath it? [3] What is the source for the custom to pluck grass when leaving a cemetery? [4] When relying on a child for Miny...

The following issues are discussed by Rabbi Raskin in this week’s episode: When lasagne is eaten as a meal, does it warrant the full Birkas haMozon? [1] What about Lokshen Kugel? [2] What’s the story with having an under Bar-Mitzvah make up a minyan? [3] Is Tevilas Keilim required for a Pepper Mill? [4] A Jewish woman passed away and was buried kahalacha . Her relatives do not care about a matzeiv...

The following issues are discussed by Rabbi Raskin in this week’s episode: The exemption of Tachnun in a Shul where a Bris is to be held; is that the unanimous position of the Poskim ? [1] Shimon visits Reuven and places his cellphone on the coffee table. Reuven’s dog got hold of the phone and damaged it. Is Reuven liable for the damage? [2] For those who are unable to hear Megila in the normal ma...

The following issues are discussed by Rabbi Raskin in this week’s episode: When giving a gift to a non-Jew, and one wishes to give wine and chocolates, is it allowed to buy and give non-kosher wine and non-kosher chocolates? We are celebrating the Bris of an adult. Does the presence of the ‘sandek’ acquit us from saying tachanun on that day, or just at the seuda that follows? In Shul, I drank a sm...

The following issues are discussed by Rabbi Raskin in this week’s episode: Connection of Mayim Acharonim to Sodom; why women don’t usually wash mayim acharonim? [1] Is there a problem to use a powdered sugar shaker to sprinkle sugar on cake/doughnuts etc. on Shabbos? [2] May we have fish together with cottage cheese? [3] I wish to export alcohol to new markets, and I have a non-Jewish partner. May...

The following issues are discussed by Rabbi Raskin in this week’s episode: In Parshas Mikeitz (42:20) we read how Yosef instructs his brothers to bring Binyomin to Egypt, “and they did so”. What did the brothers do right then? [1] When wrapping ourselves in the Tallis we say several pesukim. Shouldn’t we wait שיעור הילוך ד’ אמות before reciting those verses, to avoid a hefsek? [2] When toivelling...

The following issues are discussed by Rabbi Raskin in this week’s episode: The Dvir is mentioned in ועל הנסים and in מעוז צור. What is the Dvir? For Krias HaTorah on Chanukah, the first two Aliyos are of the Nossi whose day (of Nisan) corresponds to the number the day is into Chanukah. The third Aliya reads the Nossi of ‘tomorrow’s number’. Why then is it that during Succos the last Aliya will cor...

The following issues are discussed by Rabbi Raskin in this week’s episode: Answering אמן to a brocho heard via Zoom etc. [1] A bochur in Yeshiva is traveling back home on a Chanukah evening. Can he light Menorah in Yeshiva before he leaves? [2] We have been invited out for supper on Chanukah evening. I have two options re. lighting Menorah: a) at our hosts; b) at home, after the meal. Please advis...

The following issues are discussed by Rabbi Raskin in this week’s episode: Why, in the Alter Rebbe’s Nusach, do we say in Shmone Esrei : מחול לנו, whereas in most other Sidurim it is either מְחָל לָנוּ or מְחַל לָנוּ? [1] We have recently switched to ותן טל ומטר. Why is this dictated by the Civil Calendar? If lighting a Menora in a studio to be broadcast live on national media, may one recite the...

The following issues are discussed by Rabbi Raskin in this week’s episode: Extra circuits in the Kesher of the Rebbe’s Tefillin shel Rosh : Why do we recite למנצח בנגינות before Bentsching (when Tachnun is said)? Our cleaning lady took out of the fridge a bag containing a started bottle of uncooked wine. May we drink the wine? Use it for Kiddush? [1] Collapsible cup for netilas yodayim and Kiddush...

The following issues are discussed by Rabbi Raskin in this week’s episode: May paper towels that have designs be used on Shabbos? [1] May one spread chocolate on biscuits that are engraved with letters? Should one cover the Hand-Tefillin for the duration of the Brocho? [2] When praying for a Kohen or Levi, does one include his title before mentioning his mother’s name? When praying for a parent, s...

The following issues are discussed by Rabbi Raskin in this week’s episode: The cover for my Tefillin Shel Yad is stuck tight. May I lay the Tefillin so? [1] The custom is to remove the cover whilst donning the Tefillin , but to then replace it for the duration of prayer [2] . Why should it be removed initially? [3] We use pre-cut paper towels on Shabbos. Certain brands are embossed with the produc...

in this episode

The following issues are discussed by Rabbi Raskin in this week’s episode: 1) 7 Mitzvos for Bnei Noach: Guidance from the Rebbe זי”ע re. publishing. 2) Revisiting the Sous Vide. 3) Braiding hair with two groups of hair instead the usual three. 4) Reuven sold an antique Sefer to Shimon for a nominal sum. Shimon recognized the name of the original owner. This makes the Sefer worth x20 of what he pai...