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
Comments or questions regarding these answers can be emailed to halacha@star-k.org. Only generic questions and answers are posted here. All sensitive questions and answers are kept strictly private.
Halacha Questions
After a recent natural disaster, I wrote a check to one of the relief funds from my maaser account. The check was never cashed, and the money was not withdrawn from my account. Am I obligated to track down the people who organized the fund, or can I use that money to donate to another tzedakah?
If a person makes a neder to give tzedaka to a certain poor person and that poor person does not want to accept the money, the donor is absolved from his neder. Perhaps it is the same here, that the tzedaka decided that they do not want your money. However, this is probably not the case and they just lost the check. As such, there was a kabbalah on your part to give money to tzedakah. If you did not verbally speak out that you were definitely going to give the money specifically to this cause, then you could now decide to give the money to some other tzedaka instead.
עי' בט"ז יו"ד סי' רג ס"ק ה שאם נדר ליתן צדקה לעני והעני אינו רוצה לקבל הרי הוא פטור מן הנדר, אמנם נראה שאין זה שייך הכא. ועי' ברמ"א שם סי' רנח סעי יג שמי שגמר בלבו ליתן צדקה חייב לקיים מחשבתו (והאחרונים כתבו לחלוק על התירו של השו"ת אש דת הובא בפת"ש שם ס"ק טו), אמנם בספר צדקה ומשפט פ"ד הערה יג כתב שבכה"ג מותר לשנות מעני לעני. ואף לפי השו"ת חוות יאיר ס' קצד שבנדר אמרינן כתיבה כדיבור מ"מ כתב בשו"ת באר משה ח"ב סי' ח שכתיבת ש'יק הוי כמחשבה שהרי לא כתב 'הריני נודר כך וכך לצדקה', וא"כ מותר לשנות מצדקה לצדקה.
Halacha Questions
What is the inyan of not having clothes on your bed while you are sleeping? Why is it a problem?
I don?t know of any problem with having clothes on your bed unless they are under your head. The Gemara says that one of the things that can cause a person to forget his learning is putting his clothes under his head, meaning that a person should not use his clothes as a pillow. Women need not be concerned, but a man should avoid this. If he puts something between his head and the clothes, then it is fine.
בגמ' הוריות דף יג ע"ב אמרו שאחד מן הדברים המשכחים את הלימוד הוא הנחת כליו (פירש"י מלבושיו) תחת מראשותיו, והמ"ב סי' ב ס"ק ב כתב שאפשר שאם מניח דבר אחר המפסיק בין ראשו לבגדיו אין קפידא. והחוות דעת (יו"ד סי' עב) וכף החיים (או"ח סי' קנז ס"ק כח) כתבו שנשים א"צ ליזהר בדברים אלו כיון שאינן מצוין בתלמוד תורה, וכ"כ הגר"ח קנייבסקי שליט"א (שיח השדה, קונטרס ספר זכרון ח"ב בהקדמה), ועי' במבוא לספר שמירת הגוף והנפש (פי"ט) מש"כ בזה (וע"ע בזה בספר זכרון שם אות טו ובשמירת הגוף והנפש סי' קיח).
Halacha Questions
What does one do with the wine at a sheva brochos after seudah shelishis at the end of Shabbos?
Rav Moshe Feinstein says that the chassan and kallah should drink, but not the mevarech (the person who led the zimmun). The chassan and kallah need to drink together at least the shiur of moleh lugmov (a cheekfull) of one of them. 2 fl. oz. would be sufficient to fulfill this requirement.
כ"כ בשו"ת אגרות משה או"ח ח"ד סי' סט, ועי' במ"ב סי' רעא ס"ק סח ששיעור מלא לוגמיו הוא בערך שיעור ביצה, ובספר כזית השלם עמ' כד כתב ששיעור ביצה הוא מעט פחות מן 2 fl. oz
Halacha Questions
Do I need to tovel a pill splitter (which cuts pills in half) in a mikva?
A utensil used in the preparation or eating of food (a ?kli seudah?) needs tevilah. A pill is not eaten as food, and a pill splitter therefore does not require tevilah.
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