Category: ASK THE RABBI

By Rabbi Chaim Chazzan   May one sit whilst reciting birkas hatorah?   The general rule is that brochos on mitzvos (in contrast to brochos on food for example) must be recited whilst standing[1]....

By Rabbi Chaim Chazzan   Is one obligated to give maaser from money received from an insurance payment as a result of a fire or the like?   The Torah (Bamidbar 18:23) obligates a...

By Rabbi Chaim Chazzan   May one count sefiras ho’omer before davening maariv?   When faced with the opportunity to perform two mitzvos and the question arises which one to do first, there is...

By Rabbi Chaim Chazzan   Is there an obligation to rise before a blind talmid chochom who is unaware you’re standing up for him?   The Torah commands us “vehodarto p’nei zokein – honor...

By Rabbi Chaim Chazzan   Is one obligated to have one’s sta”m (– Sefer Torah, teffillin and mezuzos) checked for their kashrus by a computer?   All contemporary poskim concur that a computer cannot...

By Rabbi Chaim Chazzan   I’m aware that certain forms of writing are prohibited on chol hamoed. Is it permitted to type on electronic devices, such as to send a text message or to...

By Rabbi Chaim Chazzan   Is one permitted to carry a box of tissues in the street on yom tov, even though he won’t use all the tissues in the box, which means that...

By Rabbi Chaim Chazzan   Is one permitted to wear a Bluetooth device during davening?   The Navi Amos prompted, “Hikon likras Elokecha Yisroel,” Prepare yourself before you daven to Hashem. Chazal derived from...

By Rabbi Chaim Chazzan   Someone pledged a number of donations to a shul for aliyos he’d received and told the gabbai that he would pay them before Rosh Hashanah. When the year came...