Ask The Rabbi
Halachic questions answered by Hagaon Rav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
5,912 questions and answers
# 1788 Air Tight Shaila
Can you spray insulation in a house being built during the 9 days? The company is hard to engage and it can delay significantly the construction....
# 1787 Carry a Secret to the Gravestone?
I’m ordering the matzeva for my mother a’h. I’m writing a text that explains her life’s meaning and values. Since she didn’t understand Hebrew, can I have the words inscribed ...
# 1786 Some Wisdom on Teeth Extraction
I chose this coming Thursday as a day for a four wisdom-teeth extraction, because it is before the beginning of the nine days. Is this correct? or should I rather cancel and wait to see if I can get a...
# 1785 A Cover Up
Hello Rav, this one is a bit urgent. Last year we had to re-do our kitchen. We ended up completely covering a window with cabinets. A rav we asked said it was fine because the window is still fully i...
# 1784 Case Closed
I’m wondering what the Halacha is for a mezuza (in its case) that falls or gets knocked down on Shabbat. It seems clear that it can be picked up from the ground, but its not clear to me if it sho...
# 1783 A For-Giving Answer
Is the money for maaser and tzedakah different? If somebody took the obligation to give for tzedakah for doing Yizkor is it considered maaser or tzedakah. In expression Tzedakah tazil mimavet is it in...
# 1782 In The Hot Seat
Is one permitted for a man to sit next to a woman on a bus, train, or plane? Is it permitted to ask to have one’s seat changed? If a woman does sit down next to him, is it more proper to get up a...
# 1781 Some More Shoes News, On Their Last Legs
Does the tradition or prohibition not to wear the shoes of the deceased apply also to tennis shoes, rubbers or overshoes? (See question above). Does it also apply to prosthetic legs or feet?...
# 1780 If The Shoe Fits.....
Can you wear the shoes of a deceased? Can you donate it to a charity that could give it to a Jewish needy?...
# 1780 If The Shoe Fits.....
Can you wear the shoes of a deceased? Can you donate it to a charity that could give it to a Jewish needy?...
# 1779 Clothes Encounters
Can you wear the clothing of a deceased? Can you donate it to a charity that could give it to a Jewish needy?...
# 1778 Reform That Tune
(See question above regarding church melodies). If the answer is no, are we allowed to sing melodies in schul that were sung in the Reform Temple in Berlin? True, they were sung to G-d. However, their...
# 1777 iTunes Not Their Tunes
iTunes Not Their Tunes Q. Are we allowed to sing melodies in schul that were sung in a church as part of the service?...
# 1776 Sing For The King
Some shuls have a custom that the Baal Shacharis on Rosh HaShana & Yom Kippur sings HaMelech from his seat in shul instead of at the Amud. What is the source of this custom?...
# 1775 A Brocho For The Bro
Dear Rabbi. In my shule there are twin brothers who are Kohanim. They are not really observant, but they are currently in their year of availus. Their father’s yurtzheit is coming up on a Thursd...
# 1774 A Little Too Late?
if one comes slightly late to shul and the tzibbur has already started shmone esrey, may one start while the tzibbur is in the middle of davening if he will miss answering kedusha? At what point is th...
# 1773 Catch a Break
Out of the five reasons given for the fast of Shiva Asar Betamuz, the most important seems to be the first one, the day when the luchos were broken, due to the making of the eigel, since that totally ...
# 1772 First Come First Served
The Mishna in Avos says Hashem made the world with ten utterances to punish the wicked who destroy the world... and to reward the righteous who sustain it. So punishment is punished before reward. BUT...
# 1771 A Question You Want to Flush Away
Can you dispose of a spider or an ant by throwing it into the toilet or sink?...
# 1770 Need to Catch Up
Hello Rav, My son was very disturbed when he found a spider right next to his bed on Shabbat, which prompts the following question: If a non-dangerous spider or ant is in your house on Shabbat and i...