Due to the space limitations of a text message, please note that it is particularly important to read carefully, pay close attention to the context of the question, and use the answers as a springboard for further study.
If you would like my phone number to submit questions, please leave a comment and I will send it to you.
Q: HELP! I wasn’t in shul today and couldn’t put on tefillin.. when is the latest I could put on and if I did it in the afternoon would I daven mincha?
A: You have to put it on before sunset and yes you can daven mincha with them (that is actually optimal).
Q: We inadvertently left some labels on when toiveling dishes and glasses and used them. Do they need to be toiveled again (labels removed)? If so, toivel with or without a bracha?
A: Unless the stickers are inconspicuous and you would only remove them for toveling, you would need to remove the stickers and tovel them again with a bracha. It is considered like it was never toveled before since the unwanted stickers prevented the water from reaching part of it. Just like if the handle of a mug, for example, was not dipped beneath the surface of the water.
Q: Someone gave me some of their kitchen utensils. Although their house was strictly kosher, they never toiveled anything. What should I do with them, toiveling-wise?
A: They would have to be immersed, with a bracha.
Q: Can a non Jew drink from the kiddush?
A: Of course!
Q: Is a Jew allowed to visit an Arab country on vacation?
A: Yes as long as it is generally considered a safe vacation spot.
Q: If you want to buy items from Amazon that total less than $35, is it OK to add something to your cart that you will just return afterward to bring the total to > $35 in order to get the free shipping? If it’s technically OK, it still feels wrong to do this. Is that founded? I.e. I’m trying to figure out if it’s in the category of “well, it’s technically allowed, but you still shouldn’t do it”
A: I don’t know if it’s OK or not but I would assume not. Even if it is technically OK I do not think it is right. It is definitely founded in my opinion.
Q: If I make something pareve in a plastic lined slow cooker usually used for cholent, can I eat it with dairy? In case it matters, the cholent is usually made using a plastic liner as well, though there are times that I didn’t use a liner.
A: Is there any condensation or other liquid in between the liner and the inner wall of the pot?
Q: Yes, you need to put water because the plastic is quite thin
A: You wouldn’t be able to cook something pareve in order to eat it with dairy, but something pareve that has already been cooked in it may be eaten with dairy.
Q: Ah ok, so it has the same law of a regular meat pot. I was wondering if the liners made any difference. The water transfers the ta’am (flavor) even though it’s the other side of the liner? Or is the concern that the liner isn’t leakproof
A: If there is a significant amount of liquid between two hot containers/pots then ta’am is assumed to transfer
Source: Rabbi Isaacs Blog
