Ask the Rabbi: “Cooked” and Sweetened Wine for Kiddush

Moral Culpability for Unintentional Actions on Shabbat

Unicycles on Shabbat

Eiruv Chatzeirot at a Hospital

May we make the Kiddush before Kri’at Hatorah?

Paying a Babysitter for Work on Shabbat

We need a babysitter for a few hours on Shabbat. Is there a problem paying her for Shabbat work?

Responsive Baby Bassinet

There is a special bassinet that provides motion and soothing noise and reacts to an infant’s crying by intensifying them. Is it permitted to use this bassinet on Shabbat, and if so, are there special instructions?

An Agent Showing a House on Shabbat

A congregant of mine is trying to sell his house. His non-Jewish real estate agent suggested doing an open house on Shabbat, a good time for many buyers. If the owner goes away for Shabbat, may he do that?

Shabbat Meal for Shema/Sefira

When we make early Shabbat, is it better, when nighttime falls, to recite Kri’at Shema and sefirat ha’omer during the meal or to wait until after the meal?

Disposing of Tea Light Leftovers

I read that one should not throw directly into the garbage mitzva-related objects. Should I wrap in plastic the leftover shell and wax residue from “tea light” Shabbat candles?

Raffle on Shabbat

May one hold a raffle on Shabbat?

Batim of Tefillin on the Floor on Shabbat

The “retired” tefillin batim (in which the parshiyot go) I keep in a closet fell to the floor on Shabbat, inside a flimsy plastic bag. I intuited that it was better to pick them up than to leave them in disgrace on the floor. Was that correct?

Different Drinks for Kiddush

If I do not want to drink wine/grape juice, may I use other drinks for Kiddush?

Using Hot Water on Shabbat

May I use my hot water on Shabbat since I have the boiler on a timer to go on every morning before I wake up? If this arrangement is unacceptable, please suggest a permitted one.

Men Lighting Early in Yerushalayim

Should single men in Yerushalayim light 40 minutes before sunset like women do?

Taking Medicine to Facilitate Mitzvot

Last Friday, I developed minor nasal issues, resembling my allergies. I figured that if I take my allergy medicine and wake up symptom-free, I can assume it was allergies. Was I permitted to take it (nasal spray) on Shabbat?

Moving a Tzedaka Box on Shabbat

A gabbai, found on Shabbat morning that the tzedaka box was on the bima, where it would get in the way and/or get knocked off during laining. Is it permitted to move the tzedaka box in that situation?

Playing Darts on Shabbat

Can we play darts on Shabbat? The darts are classic ones that pierce the board’s surface; the board hangs loosely from a nail in the wall; in between uses, the darts often stay on the boar

Homeopathic Remedies on Shabbat

Is it permitted to ingest homeopathic remedies on Shabbat?