- In Tanya the Alter Rebbe addresses eating early morning before a personal-fast “some three hours before sunrise”. Does the same apply to communal fasts? [1]
- When the angels visit Avrohom Ovinu, they enquire about Soroh Imeinu. Our sages say that they wished to give her of Kos shel Brocho. But Rashi writes that, since Soroh became temeioh, Avrohom did not serve bread. So, what was the call for the wine?[2]
- May I give the honor of Kvater to a couple who aren’t observing Taharas haMishpocho?
- On Monday morning in Shul someone approaches me after Shmoine Esrei saying that he had forgotten to say the Morning Brochos, including Birchos haTorah. What should he do now. As an extra measure I arranged that he be called up to the Torah:[3]
- My parents are divorced. My mother asks me to say Kaddish in memory of her late father ע”ה. Must I get explicit permission from my father to do so?[4]
- Recently the Hechsher was withdrawn from several lines of imported food. Are customers entitled to a refund?[5]
- I have been teaching in a High-School for several decades. Occasionally I need to take off work and I get a substitute. If I pay my sub at a lower rate per hour that what I am paid, may I accept the full payment per hour?[6]
- My non-Jewish decorator wishes to collect his equipment from my house on Shabbos. Is that permitted?[7]
- Is there a requirement to use a tablecloth for the table where one is dining?[8]
- May I go to Starbucks to have a black coffee?[9]
[1] תניא אגה”ת פ”ג; ס’ המנהגים ע’ 45; סדור ספירת העומר; יומא לד ב..
[2] ראה ב”מ פז א.
[3] ראה שוע”ר סי’ מז ס”ו; משנ”ב שם ס”ק יז.
[4] ראה רמ”א או”ח סי’ קלב ס”ב; אוצר כבוד אב ואם סי’ רמ אות שנב משו”ת בצל החכמה ח”ד סי’ כב.
[5] ראה שו”ע חו”מ סי’ רלד.
[7] ראה שוע”ר סי’ שכה ס”ג.
[8] קיצור שו”ע סי’ מב ס”ב, ומקורו בשל”ה (פ סוף ע”א).
[9] קצור שו”ע סי’ לח סי”ב; פתחי תשובה יו”ד סי’ קיד סק”א בשם שו”ת פנים מאירות ח”ב סי’ סב.
