Halacha Deep Dive
Episodes
Gelatin
11 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Does gelatin need to come from a kosher-slaughtered animal? Is it fleishigs?
Electric Lights for Shabbos Candles, Havdalah & Chanukah
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can you use an electric menorah? If you are in a hospital or hotel for Shabbos can you use the lights for Shabbos licht or Havdalah?
Public Menorah Lighting
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can a bracha be made on lighting a menorah in a park or another public are?
Mesh Tzitzis
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Does one fulfill the mitzvah of tzitzis with a mesh garment?
Undershirt Tzitzis
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is an undershirt that has four corners and tzizis valid for the mitzvah of tzitzis?
Pre-seasoned Cast Iron Cookware
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How to kasher a pre-seasoned pot? Hagalah or libun? Do you have to scrape off the layer of oil?
Washing your Hands in the Bathroom
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Does washing your hands in the bathroom work? To say a bracha? To wash for bread? For negal vasser in the morning?
Hinting to a Goy on Shabbos
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can you hint to a goy to turn off your lights on Shabbos? To turn on your AC? "I can't sleep in this room with the light on"
Putting a Child in Front of a Light Switch on Shabbos
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can you get a young child to do melacha for you on Shabbos?
Credit Unions
28 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can you take a loan from or open an account with a credit union
Bowing to the Ground on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you need to put a mat in front of you when you bow on Yomim Noraim?
Are Papayas Kosher?
14 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are all papayas orlah? Can you use a papaya for your new fruit on the second night of Rosh Hashana?
Cleaning Ladies & Housekeepers on Shabbos
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What can you allow your cleaning lady or housekeeper to do in your house on Shabbos?
Taking Fasting Pills on Shabbos
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can you take a fasting pill on Shabbos? Is there a difference between tzom kal and delayed release pills?
Real Estate & Nursing Homes on Shabbos
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How can a Jewish owned nursing home or real estate owner operate on Shabbos?
Acapella During the Three Weeks
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can one listen to Acapella during Bein Hamitzarim?
Women & Zimun
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are women required to answer to a zimun? Can 3 women make their own zimun?
Bentching Gomel after Flying
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Does one make a gomel after a flight? Does it make a difference if you are flying domestic or international?
Crockpot for Shabbos
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can a crockpot be used on Shabbos?
Moving Garbage Cans to the Curb on Yom Tov
01 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can you move the trash can to curb on Yom Tov? Can you move the can back after pickup?
Shabbos on a Cruise
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can you take a cruise that will be at sea on Shabbos? Does it make a difference when you get onboard? Does it make a difference how many Jews are on t...
When to Correct the Baal Koreh
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What mistkaes do we make the baal koreh fix?
Non-Mevushal Wine poured by a Mechalel Shabbos
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can you drink non- mevushal wine poured by a mechalel Shabbos?
Women & Kaddish
27 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can a woman say kaddish?
When should you have the Shabbos Day Seudah
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you have to start before chatzos? Can morning seudah into two and have shalosh seudos then?
The Latest Time to Finish the Afikomen and the 4th Kos
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What time do you have to finish the Afikomen by? Is there a deadline for Hallel and the 4th Kos?
Machine Matzah
16 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can you use Machine Matzah on Pesach? For the Sedarim?
Merging the Purim & Shabbos Seudos - "Pores Mapa"
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can your Purim seudah go straight into your Shabbos seuda? The issues and possible solutions.
Aluminum Pans & Styrorofam Cups
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are they kosher?
Hair Dye for Men
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can a man dye his hair? For work? A shidduch?
Pictures & Videos of Hostages Released on Shabbos
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can you look at a picture of hostages being released on Shabbos?
Changing a Diaper in Front of Seforim
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can you change a baby in front of seforim? In front of your Shabbos licht?
Singing Zemiros with your Wife & Daughters
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can you sing zemiros together with the female members of your family? Can you sing bentching together?
The Latest Time to do Melacha on Erev Shabbos
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What is the latest time you can do melacha on Erev Shabbos? When should you finish mincha on Friday?
Is a cross avoda zarah?
22 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can do business with crosses? Can you bend down if there is a cross in the front of the room?
Kosher Cheese
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What makes cheese kosher? Is there a difference between Mozzarella and cottage cheese?
How to Put On Your Tallis
08 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How to wrap yourself when you make a bracha on your tallis
Using the Shul's Tallis
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you make a bracha when using the Shul's tallis? What about when you borrow one from your friend?
Urns on Shabbos
17 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can you use an urn with a water gauge on Shabbos? Does the water in your urn need to be fully cooked before Shabbos?
Pizza Makers & Urns With Hashgacha 'No Tevila Required'
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How is tevilah avoided? What is necessary for the hashgacha? Is that hashgacha valid when bought from a non-Jew?
Toiveling a Keurig
03 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Does a Keurig require Tevilas keilim?
The Bracha on Hydroponic Vegetables
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What bracha is made on hydroponic vegetables? Haadama or shehakol?
Bamboo Schach Mats
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What are the possible problems with using bamboo mats for schach? Why do they need a hechsher? How to use them properly
Eruv Tavshilin
22 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When is the earliest that you can ake an eruv tavshilin? Can you put up a cholent late on the second day of Yom Tov?
Washing Dishes on Shabbos
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can you wash your dishes on Shabbos
Making a Smoothie with Unwashed Strawberries
15 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you need to wash or check your strawberries for bugs before blending them for a smoothie?
Whipped Cream on Shabbos
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can you use whipped cream on Shabbos? Can you make ice cubes? Melt frozen milk?
Neutering & Spaying Pets
14 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can you neuter your pet? Does it make a difference if the vet is a Jew? What about a female animal?
Negative Online Reviews
11 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are you allowed to post a negative online review? Does it make a difference if it is Amazon or Google?
Cleaning Contact Lenses on Shabbos
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can you clean your contact lenses on Shabbos? Can you use multi purpose solution? Saline solution?
Potato Chips & Pringles
20 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do potato chips need to be bishul yisroel? What about pringles?
Is Veal Kosher?
09 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is veal that is fed exclusively treif food, kosher?
Erasing the Name of Hashem- E-books & Tattoos
02 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can you erase Hashems name from an E- book (kindle, nook etc.)? Can someone remove a tattoo of Hashem's name?
Using Deodorant on Shabbos
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can you use a stick deodorant on Shabbos? Spray deodorant? Do you have to make sure it does not get on your undershirt?
Women Wearing Pants
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can a women wear pants? With no men around? Pajamas? Ski pants?
Folding a Tallis on Shabbos
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can you fold your tallis on Shabbos or should you leave it until after Shabbos?
Listening to music
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is all music and singing permitted year round? Music in a restaurant with wine?
Using Grape Juice for Kiddush & Daled Kosos
16 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is it better to use wine for Kiddush? Can grape juice be used for the daled kosos? Should I get a non mevushal wine or grape juice?
Lowering a Flame on Yom Tov
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can you lower a flame on Yom Tov? What if your food will burn? What if you can light a smaller flame instead?
Bringing a Korban Pesach Nowdays
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can we bring a korban pesach before Moshiach comes and Beis Hamikdash is rebuilt?
Responsibility for Damage on Purim
17 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is a person held responsible for damages they cause on Purim? Does it make a difference if they are drunk? Does it make a difference how much damage t...
Pasterurized Wine as Mevushal
03 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Does pasteurization make wine considered mevushal?
Using a Water Filter on Shabbos
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can you use a water filter on Shabbos? A Brita pitcher? An undersink filter?
The Bugs in NYC Water
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Does NYC water need to be filtered?
Using 'Hanging' Toilet Disinfectant on Shabbos
05 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can you use a toilet disinfectant tablet that colors the water and gives off a good smell on Shabbos?
Mezonos Rolls
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is the bracha on 'mezonos rolls' mezonos or hamotzi?
Reading Other People's Mail, Texts & Emails
21 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can you read your spouse's emails? Can you look at your child's texts?
Shellac on Candies
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is Shellac (used to glaze candies kosher)?
Counting Jews
07 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When and how can you count a group of Jews? Can one partcicpate in the Israeli census? How to count for a minyan?
Workplace Holiday Parties
25 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Can you go to your office holiday party? Can you have 'drinks' by your office end-of-year party?
Asara B'Teves on Erev Shabbos: When Does a Friday Fast Finish?
17 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When Asara B' Teves is on Friday when can you break your fast? Before Shabbos? When youget home from shul? Tzeis Hakochovim?
DE - With Meat, After Meat, and Cholov Yisroel
10 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Can a dairy equipment (DE) product be eaten with meat or after meat? Can someone who only eats Cholov Yisroel eat a DE prodcut?
Bison & Giraffe
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are Bison kosher? What about Giraffe? Do animals require a mesorah to be considered kosher?
Is Turkey Kosher?
19 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What makes a bird kosher? Does turkey meet those requirements? Why is turkey widely considered to be kosher?
Worcestershire Sauce
14 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Can you use Worcestershire sauce on meat? Can you put a marshmallow on a skewer you just used for a hot dog?
Hunting & Fishing for Sport
05 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is hunting or fishing for sport permitted? Is it tzaar baalei chayim or baal tashchis? Is it something a Jew should do?
When Does Shabbos End?
29 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Explaining the various opinions about when Shabbos ends. 50, 60, 72 and 8.5 degrees
Shaking Hands with the Opposite Gender
22 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is a man allowed to shake hands with a woman?
Fridges and Freezers on Shabbos
15 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Can you open a fridge when the motor is off on Shabbos? What are the issues to be aware of with new model fridges?
Buying Jewish
27 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do you have to give preference to buying from a Jew?
Shabbos Elevators
10 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Using an automatic elevator on Shabbos
Magic Shows
03 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Can you do a magic trick or attend a magic show?
Gambling
27 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Can you play poker buy a lottery ticket or go to a casino?
Going Onto Har Habayis
16 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is it permitted to go onto Har Habayis?
Making a Bracha on Dessert
09 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Does dessert require it's own bracha? fruit? cake? ice cream?
Swimming on Shabbos
03 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Can you go swimming on Shabbos?
Getting Drinks in a Bar
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Can you drink a beer in a bar?
The Bracha on Sushi
12 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What bracha should be made on sushi? Mezonos? Shehakol? Haadama? Haeitz? All of them?
Making Sushi on Shabbos
05 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Can you make sushi on Shabbos?
Cosmetic Surgery
30 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Can a woman undergo cosmetic surgery? Can a man do the same?
Teaching Torah to Gentiles
21 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What to do when a Gentile wants to learn Torah
Dancing & Clapping by Kabbalos Shabbos
07 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Can you Dance or Clap during Kabbalos Shabbos? By an Aufruf or Sheva Brachos?
Amazon Packages That Come on Shabbos
30 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If your Amazon order comes on Shabbos can you use the package on Shabbos?
Buying Chametz After Pesach
23 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The halachic questions in buying from supermarkets after pesach. Is a mechira valid if the owner contines to do business with the chametz?
Owning Stock in a Company That Has Chametz
20 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Can you own stock in a company that has chametz? Do you have to sell your shares with the rest of your chametz? What is the halachic status of a corpo...
The Quinoa Kitniyos Question
13 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is quinoa considered to be kitniyos?
Megillah on a Microphone
06 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Can you listen to megillah or havdalah on a microphone? Should you answer amen to a bracha heard on zoom?
Kosher Tuna
27 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Does tuna need a mashgiach temidi and bishul yisroel?
Lab Grown Meat
19 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is it fleishig or parve? Does it need to come from a kosher animal?
Plunging a Toilet on Shabbos
12 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Can you fix a stuffed toilet on Shabbos?