Panorama of Halacha

A weekly shiur by Dayan Levi Yitzchok Raskin, Rov of Anash in London, explores interesting Torah questions and halachic dilemmas. The following issues are discussed by Dayan Raskin in this week’s episode: 1) Feedback on the Bris performed by a Reform Jew: 2) If I’m short of water for Negel Vasser, should I wash my hands once until the wrists, or wash my fingers until the knuckles three times?[1] 3...

A weekly shiur by Dayan Levi Yitzchok Raskin, Rov of Anash in London, explores interesting Torah questions and halachic dilemmas. The following issues are discussed by Dayan Raskin in this week’s episode: 0. A man whose Bris was done by a Reform Jew, need he do anything now? [1] 1) The Rebbeim were emphatic that children should be taught to read by identifying the Alef, the Komatz, and that togeth...

A weekly shiur by Dayan Levi Yitzchok Raskin, Rov of Anash in London, explores interesting Torah questions and halachic dilemmas. The following issues are discussed by Dayan Raskin in this week’s episode: 1) Question from a Sem. girl in EY: If I hear the alarm, I am supposed to take shelter in a ‘safe room’ and lock it from inside. If I come there and there is a single man there; may I lock the do...

A weekly shiur by Dayan Levi Yitzchok Raskin, Rov of Anash in London, explores interesting Torah questions and halachic dilemmas. The following issues are discussed by Dayan Raskin in this week’s episode: 1) Why, of all species, did HaShem create first the male, and then separated a part and formed the female thereof? [1] 2) In many communities, especially Sefardi but also in Ashkenazi communities...

A weekly shiur by Dayan Levi Yitzchok Raskin, Rov of Anash in London, explores interesting Torah questions and halachic dilemmas. The following issues are discussed by Dayan Raskin in this week’s episode: 1) A Halocho ruling from the Rebbe Maharash זי"ע:[1] 2) One member paid for his set of Arba Minim, but will only receive it from me on Sunday, 2nd day of Yomtov. Does this raise a question o...

A weekly shiur by Dayan Levi Yitzchok Raskin, Rov of Anash in London, explores interesting Torah questions and halachic dilemmas. The following issues are discussed by Dayan Raskin in this week’s episode: 1)       An explanation on the Machzor from Reb Levik זצ"ל: [1] 2)       On the 1st evening of RH a woman got confused, thinking only of the imminent Yomtov but forgetting that it was Shabbo...

A weekly shiur by Dayan Levi Yitzchok Raskin, Rov of Anash in London, explores interesting Torah questions and halachic dilemmas. The following issues are discussed by Dayan Raskin in this week’s episode: 1)      After lighting candles for Shabbos, my wife realized that the hot food was not on the hotplate. Was she permitted to place the food there before nightfall? [1] 2)       Sefer Haminhogim-C...

A weekly shiur by Dayan Levi Yitzchok Raskin, Rov of Anash in London, explores interesting Torah questions and halachic dilemmas. The following issues are discussed by Dayan Raskin in this week’s episode: 1) In the [non-Chabad] Kollel where I learn, we begin Mincha at Mincha Gedola on the dot. Is there leeway for me to say Korbonos & Ketores a few minutes earlier? Or should I recite those part...

A weekly shiur by Dayan Levi Yitzchok Raskin, Rov of Anash in London, explores interesting Torah questions and halachic dilemmas. The following issues are discussed by Dayan Raskin in this week’s episode: 1)       Our Chabad House is in a shopfront, opening to the street. May I use a brick to keep our front door open? [1] 2)       Does a Tefach -wide panel serve as the third wall of a Succah? [2]...

A weekly shiur by Dayan Levi Yitzchok Raskin, Rov of Anash in London, explores interesting Torah questions and halachic dilemmas. The following issues are discussed by Dayan Raskin in this week’s episode: 1)       Bread kneaded with beer instead of water, is it HaMoitzi or Mezonos? [1] 2)       I somehow managed to mix up my Tefilin, Rashi and Rabbenu Tam. Is the only solution to have a Sofer open...

A weekly shiur by Dayan Levi Yitzchok Raskin, Rov of Anash in London, explores interesting Torah questions and halachic dilemmas. The following issues are discussed by Dayan Raskin in this week’s episode: 1)       I wish to replace the Tzitzis on a Tallis with new threads. May I snap the old Tzitzis or must I untie them? [1] 2)       I’m leading a Sefardi Shul for this Shabbos . This week there is...

1)       What is the background to Chabad having large (Head-)Tefilin? [1] 2)      We cannot source white eggs locally. Do we have to check boiled brown eggs? [2] 3)       We skipped Tachanun in Shul due to the presence of a Mohel who was to perform a Bris that day. He then rushed out. Due we skip the subsequent Tachanun-related portions of davening? [3] 4)       We don’t have a Friday night minya...

1)       We were given funds to build a Mikvah. That is a long-term project. May we borrow some of those funds in the interim, to be used for other needs? [1] 2)      What is the source for touching the Sefer Torah with a cloth at the beginning and ending of one’s Aliya ? [2] 3)       Why don't we eat meat in the 9 days? During the week of Shiva RL, eating of meat is permitted. [3] 4)       Is...

1)       Please clarify the area to be left as Peios : [1] 2)       May one, after the Shabbos, separate the pieces of chicken from the remaining soup, in order to refrigerate and/or freeze them separately? [2] 3)       The Torah-command to testify if you know vital information, does that apply only to a hearing in Beis Din? [3] 4)       May children play with PlayDough or Plasticene on Shabbos? [...

1)       In our locality, each household brings their garbage to a central waste-point. Our non-Jewish cleaner will normally take a bag of garbage on her way home at the end of each day. May she do so on Shabbos? [1] 2)       A family owns a caravan, which they use several times a year. Otherwise, it is parked in their driveway. One daughter uses the caravan regularly for her music practise. Does...

1)      I’m puzzled with the explanation in  Shaar haKolel  as to why on Shabbos etc. the letter Vov is added to the word המרחם in Moidim. Please explain: 2)      A note in the Kfar Chabad Sidur instructs us to stand erect for the last three words of  Moidim deRabonon . Is that correct? 3)      A man whose left arm is paralyzed ר"ל, should he still don Tefilin on that arm? 4)      The 11th bl...

1)       I have been advised to avoid gluten. Rakusens produce a gluten-free Matzo. The list of ingredients includes, maize starch, oats, tapioca starch, soya bran. Does this food warrant the full bentsching? [1] 2)      Does the Tekiah have to be a straight, level sound? [2] 3)       The Chabad-style Shevorim has an extra note added. Isn’t that an extraneous sound that would serve to interrupt be...

1)     I wish to replace the Tzitzis on a Tallis with new threads. May I snap the old Tzitzis or must I untie them? [1] 2)     I’m leading a Sefardi Shul for this Shabbos . This week there is a newly-married Chosson . In the past, at the Kiddush they have recited Sheva Brochos , although there aren’t ten men who washed for Hamoitzi . Is this totally misguided? [2] 3)     Revisiting the ruling re....

1) We are told that we should patronize the businesses of fellow Yidden. Are there guidelines to delineate how far this extends? [1] 2) There is a popular minhag, to avoid positioning a bed with the foot-end facing the door. What can be done when seems to be the most practical position? [2] 3) May we have music playing in the presence of an Oveil ר"ל?[3] 4) In the week of Shiva, the Oveil ר&q...

1) During Covid we purchased a closet to use as an Oron Kodesh. Thankfully, it is no longer needed for that purpose. May I use it for clothing? [1] 2) The pews in our ladies Shul are infected with woodworm and we plan to replace them. May the disused furniture be used as firewood? [2] 3) On Shabbos or Yomtov, may one tear open plastic bags that contain magazines or clothing? [3] 4) Does Yellow Che...

1) On Shabbos, may one separate the white of an egg from the yolk? [1] 2) A single woman, never married; should she light one or two Shabbos candles? [2] 3) One reason given in Poskim for not reciting the blessing on a new moon on Friday is because of מחוץ לתחום. Please explain:[3] 4) A folding Shtender that has walls all around; may it be set up on Shabbos? [4] 5) When making Havdolo for children...

1) In my Shul I am the Baal Korei. Usually, I am also the only man present who can read the Haftoiroh. When the Toichocho is read, do I have two Aliyos, or could I call up someone else for Maftir and I will take over for reading the Haftoiroh? [1] 2) One the 2nd night of Yomtov, is there an objection to davening Maariv and beginning the meal early? This coming Shovuos, the 2nd day is Shabbos. Does...

1) One who is unable to daven with a Minyan is encouraged to: a) daven at the same as the Minyan; b) daven in a Shul, even without a Minyan. If I have to choose between these two, which has priority? [1] 2) Before a bris we invoke the presence of Eliyohu haNovi. Isn’t there something out of place with asking angels for assistance? [2] 3) Some guidance about dwellings where movement-sensors switch...

1) Is a Mezuzah required on the entrance to a Mikva facility?[1] 2) When was ובא לציון enacted as a follow-on to Shacharis, and: why, on Shabbos and Yomtov, is it relegated to Mincha? [2] 3) Now that the Shul have Kabolas Shabbos early, a man living alone has to choose between lighting Shabbos candles at home after Plag haMincha, or being in Shul in time for Kabolas Shabbos. Which has priority?[3]...

1) We don’t eat onions that were peeled and left overnight. One exception is when the “hair of the head” is left intact. Is that the root side or the leaf side?[1] 2) Is there an issue with leaving soup in a metal pot in the fridge overnight? [2] 3) I made a batch of dough, including rolled oats. Do the oats contribute to make up the required volume to be able to say the brocho when separating Cha...