STAR-K CERTIFICATIONrealizes that there is no substitute for a person's own Rav. However, in today's busy and connected world many people have difficulty getting in touch with their Rabbanim when they are needed. In an effort to offer a solution to this challenge, STAR-K launched its Institute of Halachah as a public service. Over the years, the agency's Kashrus Hotline has answered more and more halachic questions beyond the scope of Kashrus information, from consumers the world over, beyond the standard steady stream of inquiries regarding the kosher status of foods and certified Sabbath mode appliances which has made the STAR-K Kosher Hotline famous. The formation of a separate official division within STAR-K testifies to the need for addressing these issues.
The Institute of Halachah is directed by HaRav Mordechai Frankel, under the guidance of HaRav Moshe Heinemann, STAR-K's Rabbinic Administrator. It is an invaluable resource for a diverse array of rabbis to discuss general halachic matters, as well as gain access to source materials for shiurim and answers to congregants' questions.
Shailos may emailed using the form below, or called into the Institute of Halacha at 410-484-4110 x238. Rabbi Frankel or on occasion another STAR-K Rabbi will respond to your email or return your call if you leave a message and phone number.
Previously Asked Questions
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Halacha Questions
Due to the dwindling size of our shul we have moved into a smaller space and are now looking to sell the old building. We have a potential buyer who will like to use the space for residential housing. No one in the shul who was around when the building was bought remembers if any sort of tenai or condition was made about being able to sell the building. Can we sell the building?
The shul board can conduct a public sale of the shul building.
עי' במ"ב סי' קנג ס"ק לד שאפילו בית הכנסת של כרכים אם אין מתפללין בו יכולין למכרו ז' טובי העיר במעמד אנשי העיר, וכ"ש ביהכ"נ שלנו שיש להם דין ביהכ"נ של כפרים כמש"כ הערוך השלחן שם סעי' לד. וועד של מנהלי ביהכ"נ מקרי ז' טובי העיר כמש"כ המ"ב שם ס"ק כט, וכל שז' טובי העיר מוכרים בפרסום מקרי במעמד אנשי העיר כמש"כ הרמ"א שם סעי' ז.
Halacha Questions
Am I supposed to put up a mezuzah on a rental bungalow? Also, if I should put one on, is it with or without a bracha
If you are renting for less than thirty days, there is no chiyuv mezuza. Those who rent for more than 30 days and don’t put up a mezuza are relying on the opinion of some Poskim. However, most Poskim say that if one is there for more than 30 days one should put up a mezuza without a bracha. If you don’t know who will be living there after you, you can take it down when you leave.
בשו"ת משנה הלכות ח"ד סי' קלד כתב שבכה"ג א"צ מזוזה, אמנם בשדי חמד מערכת מ כלל קיח כתוב שיש לקבוע מזוזה בלי ברכה, וכן פסק בשו"ת חלקת יעקב יו"ד סוף סי' קס.
Halacha Questions
I know that a rainbow is considered a bad siman, and you are not supposed to broadcast that there is a rainbow outside. But can you hint to someone by saying "you can make a bracha outside", or something like that, so that they will be able to make a bracha on the rainbow?
Rav Zilberstein shlit"a allows this sort of thing. He says that one can hint that there is a rainbow by asking someone - "what's the nusach of the bracha on the rainbow?" or "where is there a siddur with the nusach of the bracha on a rainbow?".
עי' בדברי הגר"י זלברשטיין בספרו חשוקי חמד על מסכת ברכות דף נט ע"א.
Halacha Questions
I’ve heard that, strictly speaking, a man may not greet a woman and ask her “How are you”, but in our times when these greetings are mere formalities it is permissible. Nowadays, when I say “Hi, how are you doing?”, I don’t really care how you are doing and don’t expect you to tell me. Also, the majority of women don’t know about this prohibition, and may take it as an insult if you do not greet them or respond to a greeting. Is it completely permitted to greet women nowadays, or is it better to refrain from doing so?
Regarding greeting a woman, the Maharam Shick writes that it is customary to apply what the Rema writes in a slightly different context, that if a person’s kavanah is lesheim shomayim then it is permissible. Furthermore, the Aruch Hashulchan says that saying “good morning” to a woman and suchlike is fine nowadays, because doing so is considered normal derech eretz and does not imply any sense of affection. The Maharam Shick does conclude that someone who is stringent is called a “kodosh”. However, this would presumably be true only if this stringency does not result in the woman feeling insulted.
עי' בשו"ע אהע"ז סי' כא סעי' ו שאין שואלים בשלום אשה, ועי' בזה בשו"ת מהר"ם שיק אהע"ז סי' נג ובערוך השלחן אהע"ז סי' כא סעי' ח. וע"ע בשו"ת מנחת יצחק ח"ח סי' קכו ושו"ת בצל החכמה ח"ה סי' מח מש"כ בזה.
