Ask the Rabbi: Shalom Zachar without the Baby and Parents

May Panim Chadashot Leave Sheva Berachot Early?

Do Panim Chadashot have to stay until Birkat Hamazon?

Stopping a Charitable Hora’at Keva

Differences of a Second Marriage

At a second marriage for both chatan and kalla, what is different from at a regular wedding?

Mezuza for a Storage Room

I am moving into an apartment and want to know whether the storage room (in the building’s basement) requires a mezuza.

Going to and from an Aliya

Can you explain the details of how one should walk to an aliya and how and when he should return?

Does Pruzbol Ruin the Ability to Fulfill Shemittat Kesafim?

Why can’t the prz apply to everything, and I still fulfill the mitzva by voluntarily waiving my right to payment of the loan of my choice?

Visiting Egypt

I am considering sightseeing in Egypt. Need I be concerned with the Torah’s prohibition of returning to Egypt?

Sheva Berachot Every Day of Sheva Berachot?

Is it necessary, proper, or at least recommended to have a sheva berachot celebration every day of the week of Sheva Berachot?

Giving Away Orla Fruit

I have a tree in its second year, so that its fruit is orla. Can I suggest to my non-Jewish worker to take it?

Tevila of Something that Turns into a “Meal Utensil”

I received an ornamental honey dispenser and glass plate. I want to use the plate every Shabbat to hold challa rolls for lechem mishneh. Does it require tevilat keilim, assuming that it was made by a non-Jew(ish company)?

Is a Difficult to Remove Residue a Chatzitza?

A Renter Having a Zecher L’churban

The house I am renting does not have an unpainted segment of wall as a zecher lachurban (a remembrance that the Beit Hamikdash has been destroyed). Should I make one?

Buying Land for Shemitta

A group provides the opportunity to buy agricultural land in Israel for the Shemitta year. Is that worthwhile?

Air Conditioner Drain Pipe during Shemitta

In preparation for the upcoming Shemitta year, should I reroute my air conditioner drain pipe so that it does not drip in an area around vegetation?

Attaching a Mezuza to a Door Leading to Nowhere

> We are adding a floor to our house. At first, we will access it from the house, but we may eventually make it a separate unit with access via stairs from the street. Therefore, we made a door on the side of the street – during construction it is accessed by a temporary ramp, but then it will be sealed until if and when we build stairs. Does that door require a mezuza now?

Pressuring a Store to Take Back Purchase

I bought something in a store and wanted to return it. The customer service person was reluctant to take it back, but I was persistent and she eventually agreed to it. Was it permitted for me to handle it as I did, or did I violate lo tachmod (I heard in a shiur that you can violate this when pressuring a store to give a refund)?

Tefillin Prepared by Children under Bar Mitzva

Several years ago, when I was 11, my (Orthodox) shul brought in a person who makes tefillin batim (boxes) and guided several friends and me to more or less make our own tefillin. Someone questioned me as to whether the tefillin are kosher because I was not yet bar mitzva. I would rather not ask my rabbi, who brought him in. Are my tefillin kosher?

Backing Out of an Oral Offer to a Potential Worker

I needed work done on my house – only part of the job acutely. I contacted Reuven, who came recommended; he quoted a high price. Because of the acute need, I agreed without shopping around. When he said he could only come a week later, I found Shimon to do the first part of the job. (It is not clear to me if Reuven now expects to do the rest of the job.). Shimon told me that Reuven charged much too much and offered to do the remaining part for half of Reuven’s quote. Do I have a halachic or moral obligation to use Reuven?

The Son of a Convert Feeling Looked Down Upon

My father converted (his mother was not Jewish). I have struggled with my identity due to what I have read in the Kuzari, Maharal and Kabbalistic and Chassidic works, which seem to view gerim as lesser than born Jews. Does Judaism view someone like me as somewhat defective?