A step by step guide to Koshering your kitchen for Pessah, based on article by Kollel Toronto, and reviewed by Rav Mordechai Lebhar THE OVEN Self-Cleaning Ovens 1) Before using the self-clean cycle, the door, window and the gasket should be cleaned thoroughly because the self-clean cycle does not clean these areas. 2) Turn on the self-clean cycle for at least 2 hours … [Read more...]

Is Living on a Heart-and-Lung Machine Considered a Life? By Rabbi Micha Cohn Q: Is a person whose heart is not beating and is living on a heart-and-lung machine Halachically considered alive? A: When heart transplantation was in its early stages with very low success rates, there was much Halachic discussion about the permissibility of these procedures not only from the … [Read more...]

When Purim falls on Motza’e Shabbat, is the Megilla Muktze? By Rabbi Moshe Pinchasi As this year (5777) Purim falls on Motza’e Shabbat, many will find it more convenient to just bring the Megilla along with them to Shul before Shabbat ends, and thus be prepared for the reading on Purim night. This would bring up the discussion of whether the Megilla is considered Muktze or … [Read more...]

Your most pressing Purim questions, answered By Rabbi Moshe Pinchasi[1] Q: Is one obligated to give Mahatzit HaShekel on behalf of his wife and children? A: The Rama[2] writes that males over twenty-years old should give Mahatzit HaShekel. The Kaf HaHayim[3] and others write that this is also the Sephardic Minhag. Some[4] are of the opinion that even males over thirteen … [Read more...]

Can one join a Minyan or fulfill the audible Mitzvot via skype, telephone or other voice-transmitting devices? By Rav Yosef Fund / Posek for the Bet HaVa’ad, Lakewood Since the advent of voice-transmitting technology, towards the end of the nineteenth century, the Poskim have grappled with the prospect of fulfilling Mitzvot using such methods. Can one hear Megilla, join a … [Read more...]