STAR-K realizes 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
Halacha Questions
Is it permitted to listen to music on a yahrzeit?
If it is the first yahrzeit, then one may not. Regarding a subsequent yahrzeit, the Taz holds that all the limitations of the year of aveilus apply on that day. According to him, one should not listen to music. However, the Shach disagrees. He holds that the limitation not to eat at a chasuna applies on a yahrzeit, but other limitations do not. According to him, one could listen to music. The Halacha follows the Shach, but it would seem to be meritorious to be stringent like the Taz.
עי' ברמ"א (יו"ד סו"ס שצה) וט"ז (שם ס"ק ג) וש"ך (שם ס"ק ג) ופתחי תשובה (שם ס"ק ח). ועי' בחכמת אדם (כלל קעא סו"ס יא) מה שהביא מהבית לחם יהודה בשם בעל המגן אברהם, ועי' בחידושים וביאורים להגר"ז מרגליות בעל היד אפרים (הל' אבלות סעי' כד). ובספר נשמת ישראל להגרי"ד הארפענעס שליט"א (ח"ב עמ' תתקסא) כתב שיש להקל מיהו המחמיר תבוא עליו ברכה.
Halacha Questions
Can one use essential oils for besamim in Havdala?
Most essential oils are extracted through steam distillation, which produces a vapor that is cooled till it is a liquid. As such, the original source of the fragrance is no longer present. This may possibly be classified as a rei’ach tov she’ein lo ikar (a pleasant smell that remains even though the original source of the fragrance is no longer present), for which there is no bracha (see Shulchan Aruch O.C. 217:3). Therefore, one should make a bracha on some other besamim.
Halacha Questions
Is the minimum amount of dough needed for hafrashas challah equal for wheat, barley, spelt, oats and rye?
The minimum amount needed for hafrashas challah without a bracha is 2.6 lbs. of flour, and one should only recite a bracha on 4.95 lbs. of flour. See Rabbi Heber’s article at "When You Need to Knead: A Guide to Hafrashas Challah | STAR-K Kosher Certification" (at star-k.org) for more details. The actual measure is a volume measure, and we are converting it to weight, which the Chazon Ish (O.C. 39:8) says one can do when teaching the halacha. However, this conversion from volume to weight is true for wheat.
Barley, rye, spelt and oats have different densities and would have slightly different weight measures. According to the website שיעור הקמח לחיוב חלה - בית המדרש להלכה בהתישבות (bhl.org.il), the measurements would be:
Wheat: 2.64 lbs. (without a bracha), and 4.96 lbs. (with a bracha).
Barley: 2.31 lbs. (without a bracha), and 4.59 lbs. (with a bracha).
Spelt: 2.59 lbs. (without a bracha), and 4.86 lbs. (with a bracha).
Oats: 1.96 lbs. (without a bracha), and 3.97 lbs. (with a bracha).
Rye: 2.29 lbs. (without a bracha), and 4.47 lbs. (with a bracha).
Halacha Questions
Due to the dwindling size of our shul we have moved into a smaller space and are now looking to sell the old building. We have a potential buyer who will like to use the space for residential housing. No one in the shul who was around when the building was bought remembers if any sort of tenai or condition was made about being able to sell the building. Can we sell the building?
The shul board can conduct a public sale of the shul building.
עי' במ"ב סי' קנג ס"ק לד שאפילו בית הכנסת של כרכים אם אין מתפללין בו יכולין למכרו ז' טובי העיר במעמד אנשי העיר, וכ"ש ביהכ"נ שלנו שיש להם דין ביהכ"נ של כפרים כמש"כ הערוך השלחן שם סעי' לד. וועד של מנהלי ביהכ"נ מקרי ז' טובי העיר כמש"כ המ"ב שם ס"ק כט, וכל שז' טובי העיר מוכרים בפרסום מקרי במעמד אנשי העיר כמש"כ הרמ"א שם סעי' ז.
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