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
We generally cook food on Friday and then transfer it to the oven just before Shabbos starts, with the oven set to turn off at the beginning of the meal. My son-in-law questioned that. Is there any problem with this?
The Rema writes that it is customary to allow this. He does conclude that it is “tov le’hachmir” not to do this if it is so close to Shabbos that were the food cold it would not have time to heat up before the onset of Shabbos. However, it is fine to do this if there is enough time from when you put your food into the oven until you are mekabel Shabbos that the food could have heated up to yad soledes had the oven been on the highest setting. Therefore, it is sufficient if there is merely a few minutes between when you do this and kabalas Shabbos.
עי' ברמ"א או"ח סי' רנג סוף סעי' ב שכל שהוא סמוך לקבל שבת שאם נצטנן הקדירה אי אפשר להרתיחה מבעוד יום דינו כמו בשבת עצמו לענין נתינה ע"ג האש ונהגו להקל וטוב להחמיר במקום שאין צורך כ"כ. ובשו"ת מנחת שלמה ח"ב סי' לד כתב שדי אם היה יכול להגיע לשיעור יד סולדת בו. ובספר אוצרות השבת עמ' תטו הביא שהגר"ח קנייבסקי שליט"א כתב "שמעתי בשם החזו"א שאפילו מעמיד על גבי אש קטנה, כיון שאילו היה מעמיד על גבי אש גדולה היה יכול להרתיח מותר".
Halacha Questions
I have an expensive set of crystal glasses, but over the years some of them have unfortunately broken. The website replacements.com has them available but cannot tell me for sure if they are new or purchased from an estate and possibly used. What is the halacha regarding crystal? Can I kashering them for use?
You can ask replacements.com if they have any of the glasses available in the original packaging or wrapping, or with the original stickers on them. I haven't dealt with replacements.com myself, but I have been told that they get requests like this from frum people and are familiar with it. If you buy crystal which has been used, it can be kashered. If it is fragile and does not go into a dishwasher and was presumably washed by hand, then it should be kashered by the process called "milui ve'irui". Fill a bowl with cold water and submerge the crystal completely underwater and leave for 24 hours straight. Then replace the water and do this again a second time, and then replace the water again and do the same a third time. The three days do not need to be consecutive, but for each one of them the crystal has to stay underwater for 24 consecutive hours. This will kasher the crystal.
Halacha Questions
I recently went to a homeopathic healer who was able to help my children for physical symptoms in an hour session, while conventional medicine was dismissive and unhelpful for over a month. I was later questioned by a family member whether it is allowed. The healer prescribed one dose of a homeopathic nosode (a preparation created from substances secreted in the course of a disease, used in the treatment of that disease). One of my children was fine the same day. My other child’s pain persisted, so she did a few sessions which involved coaching and therapy type of talk, and after that everything was fine.
People who use homeopathic medicine generally believe that it works just like other ‘mainstream’ medicine. I don’t think that they ascribe the healing to anything religious or any ‘force’ or ‘power’. If someone is using a medicine because he believes that it has physical/chemical healing properties just like regular medicine, I think that it is halachically fine. Obviously, halacha does not determine whether the treatment is actually effective or not. Regarding the therapy that you referred to as “coaching and therapy type of talk”, the question as to whether there are halachic concerns would depend upon what was involved.
Halacha Questions
My daughter got married and had a child, and then got divorced. Is she obligated al pi halacha to still cover her hair?
With very limited exceptions, Rav Moshe Feinstein paskens that divorced woman are required to cover their hair in public. See Igros Moshe Even Ho’ezer 1:57, 4:32#4.
עי' בשו"ת אג"מ אהע"ז ח"א סי' נז וח"ד סי' לב אות ד
