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
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.
Halacha Questions
How covered must a person be in a room with sefarim out (for example, on top of a desk)? Can somebody change their clothes in front of sefarim?
A person should not stand naked in front of kisvei kodesh. However, if a person is at least partially dressed it is fine.
עי' מ"ב סי' מה ס"ק ה שאין לעמוד ערום לפני כתבי קודש
Halacha Questions
I have a yahrtzeit next Friday, and my minhag has been to fast on yahrtzeits. Should I fast on Friday or the Thursday before or the Sunday afterwards?
You should fast on Friday till tzeis hachochavim. If fasting is difficult for you, you can make an early Shabbos and daven maariv and then eat before tzeis hachochavim. Even if fasting is not difficult for you, if when you first started fasting you said that it was bli neder then you could do this - make an early Shabbos and daven maariv and then eat before tzeis hachochavim.
עי' מ"ב סי' רמט ס"ק כב שמי שמתענה ביום שמת בו אביו או אמו, ופעם ראשון השלים עד צאת הכוכבים, שוב צריך לנהוג כן לעולם. ואם הפעם ראשון שהתחיל להתענות חל בערב שבת, אז יותר טוב שלא ישלים אלא יאכל אחר שיוצא מבית הכנסת. ואם הפעם ראשון שהתחיל להתענות היה בחול והשלים התענית, אם מצטער יכול להקל בערב שבת לאכול תיכף אחר יציאתו מבית הכנסת, ואם התנה כן בפירוש אז ודאי אין צריך להשלים ויכול לאכול אחר יציאתו מבית הכנסת.
Halacha Questions
We are extending and refurbishing our house. We will be moving out of the house during the whole period of refurbishment. We are looking to sign a contract with a non-Jewish builder, and all workers will also be non-Jewish. We will agree on a set price for the job. We will not be directly involved in the building and will not be hiring any workers directly. The council has imposed very strict deadlines which we have to meet. The builder has said that in order to meet these deadlines he has to work on Shabbat. In these circumstances, is this halachically permitted?
No, you should not have him work on Shabbat. If he needs to meet the deadlines, he should start earlier in the morning and work till later at night during the rest of the week.
עי' שו"ע או"ח סי' רמד סעי' א ומ"ב שם ס"ק ז וביה"ל שם ד"ה או.
