By Rabbi Chaim Chazzan Is it permissible to recite Tehillim or the blessing after using the restroom after the first set of tekios, during musaf on Rosh Hashana, before one has heard all one hundred kolos? It is forbidden[1] to talk from the beginning of the first set of tekios, known as the … Read more
By Rabbi Chaim Chazzan May one pick up someone who is waiting at a bus stop for a Jewish owned bus and give him a ride, thereby causing the company to lose the income of that customer? If the person offering the ride would charge for the ride this would be a case … Read more
By Rabbi Chaim Chazzan The halachos of mezuzah placement are numerous and complex and unfortunately many homes have the mezuzos placed incorrectly, causing them to be invalid[1]. For this reason it has been long recommended[2] that one review each doorway in the home with one proficient in these halachos. Here are a few common … Read more
By Rabbi Chaim Chazzan May one purchase something for more expensive when one is able to buy the same thing for cheaper? In other words: Is needless spending of money included in the prohibition of Bal Tashchis (do not destroy)? The halachic definition[1] of Bal Tashchis is to actively damage or destroy anything … Read more
By Rabbi Chaim Chazzan Is one permitted to borrow tables and chairs from a synagogue for an event being hosting at home? A synagogue and Beis Medrash (a place dedicated for Torah study) have kedusha (holiness)[1], and therefore certain behaviors and activities are forbidden when in these holy places. One may not, for … Read more
By Rabbi Chaim Chazzan A person deposited money into a vending machine that malfunctioned swallowing the money and not providing the service expected. Later another person banged the machine and the money that had been lodged in it came pouring out. May he keep the money or does it belong to the owner of … Read more
By Rabbi Chaim Chazzan A shadchan suggested a bochur to the parents of a girl, but the parents of the girl informed him that their daughter is not yet ready for shidduchim. A year later another shadchan suggested the same shidduch and the bochur and girl ended up getting engaged. The first shadchan requested … Read more
By Rabbi Chaim Chazzan Are the things prohibited during the nine days forbidden on Motzoei Tisha Be’av (when Tisha Be’av is pushed off), or may we eat meat, wash clothes etc? In a regular year when Tisha Be’av falls out during the week, one shouldn’t begin any on the things prohibited in the nine … Read more
By Rabbi Chaim Chazzan May one who doesn’t have wine or grape juice at hand, make havdalah on tea or coffee? The Shulchan Aruch[1] paskens that although it is always best to make havdalah on wine, it is permissible to make it on ‘chamar medina’ (lit. the drink of the country). Much has … Read more
By Rabbi Chaim Chazzan I’m aware that there is a prohibition of hachono – preparing on Shabbos for after Shabbos. May one study on Shabbos for a test? There are several forms of preparation which are prohibited on Shabbos: “Mimtzo cheftzecha” – one may not do something permissible on Shabbos in preparation for … Read more