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

Kiddush – Why Some Sit, Why Some Stand

May we make the Kiddush before Kri’at Hatorah?

Some of the Laws of Seudah Shelishis

Different Drinks for Kiddush

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

Curious Kiddush Shaylos

The Torah commands us to declare the sanctity of Shabbos, a mitzvah we fulfill when we recite Kiddush before beginning the meal. Notwithstanding that this mitzvah appears very clear cut, it sometimes involves interesting shaylos.

A Haftarah from Yechezkel

Who chose which haftaros we read? In what ways is the book of Yechezkel unusual? Why is the haftarah on Shabbos seldom from Yechezkel?

Where Did the Custom of Weekday Torah Readings Originate?

Why Did G-d Make Israel Special?

Why is the Nation of Israel considered greater than others? Why does G-d relate to Israel differently than the other peoples? Is this not discrimination? Why were the others created, if from the outset Israel takes precedence?

Challot on the Table for Kiddush

We like to keep our challot in a warm place until bringing them to the table after Netilat Yadayim so they taste their best. Must they be on the table during Kiddush?

Eat Meat on Shabbat when it Bothers his Wife?

My wife and I are relatively newly married. I am used to having fleishig Shabbat meals, whereas my wife is disgusted by meat (including poultry, mainly by the smell). Is it right for us to stop having meat at Shabbat/Yom Tov meals or should we try to figure out an arrangement that my wife can live with?

Havdalah

Davening for a Friend on Shabbat

I regularly daven that my friend will find a shidduch. May I do so, mentioning her name, on Shabbat?

Arucha

Which Way to Turn at Bo’i B’shalom?

In what direction should one turn when getting up to “Bo’i B’shalom” at the end of Lecha Dodi? Many shuls seems to have confusion on the matter.

Frozen Challa for Lechem Mishneh

May we use a frozen challa for lechem mishneh on Shabbat?

Fulfilling Kiddush from One Who Did Not Eat

If the person making Kiddush in shul does not eat after Kiddush, is his Kiddush valid?

Short Mincha on Shabbat

In my community (I am the rabbi), we daven Mincha during the week without a separate chazarat hashatz (=heiche Kedusha) because of people’s busy schedules. In the winter, we have the practice of davening Mincha of Shabbat after the shul Kiddush following Musaf. Some congregants have requested that we do short Mincha, as their wives wait to go home with them. Is there any basis to allow this?

Continuing to Eat a Seuda Shlishit without Bread

When my family has seuda shlishit before sheki’a (sunset), I join them. The amount I eat varies, but I do not like to have a full meal with bread. May I continue eating after sheki’a?

Who drinks the Kiddush wine in Shul?