NOTE: For professional medical advice, please contact your physician.
5
votes
1answer
405 views
Is metzitzah b'peh required when an adult is circumcised or in the case of hatafas dam bris?
As we've discussed in a general question regarding the requirements for metzitzah b'peh (MBP), the direct-oral-contact technique to draw blood from the penis of an 8-day old infant at his bris milah ...
2
votes
2answers
121 views
Can one make a mi'shebeirach for animals?
Is it proper to conduct a mi'shebeirach prayer (which is a prayer normally said by a synagogue official, at a communal Torah reading, for the health and recovery of a sick person) for the ...
2
votes
2answers
111 views
Can you daven with minyan when you have the flu?
Are you allowed to go daven with a minyan when you have the flu or other highly contagious illness? Is it considered potentially damaging someone else's health, or are the chances of someone else ...
0
votes
0answers
48 views
Learning Hilchos Chalev and Seder Kodshim as segulah for Refuah
A friend of mine was recently in Eretz Yisrael. When he was here he visited many Gedolim to get brachas for his son who was born with a number of birth defects. He was by R' Chaim Kanevsky to a get a ...
5
votes
2answers
128 views
Headache remedy on a fast day?
Even with proper pre-fast hydration and caffeine reduction, I almost always get a headache starting around hour 20-22 of a fast and growing from there. Taking a nap is sometimes possible and ...
7
votes
2answers
195 views
Having children when both parents are Tay-Sachs carriers
This is an obvious CYLOR question, but I am interested in whatever halachic information is available out there.
Suppose a couple got married without ever getting genetically tested for Tay-Sachs. ...
12
votes
3answers
575 views
Is Metzitzah B'peh a must?
There is a lot of talk in the news, etc., about Metzitzah B'peh that employs direct oral contact being dangerous.
First: If it is dangerous, shouldn't pikuach nefesh push it off?
Second: How ...
2
votes
2answers
103 views
What someone who has problems fasting should do in Tishá BeAv? [closed]
What should someone who, in every 24h fast, feels extremely nauseated, and then vomits at some point in the last 3 hours, do in a fast like Tishá BeAv?
Once I asked a Rabbi, and he said that eating ...
6
votes
4answers
132 views
Does one need to perform a delayed brit milah at the first possible time?
If a baby is sick on the 8th day, the brit is pushed off until the baby is healthy. Once the mohel and doctor determine that the baby is healthy, does the brit need to be performed right away (on that ...
2
votes
2answers
79 views
VeNiShmartem - Positive or Negative?
VeNiShmartem Meod LeNafshotheichem (Devarim 4:15), the Mitzvah of self-preservation - requiring that we guard our health - sounds rather proactive. However, it is written with the word ShMR, to ...
-2
votes
2answers
151 views
Should I do an easy chore if an overweight parent requests it? [closed]
My mom is overweight. She does most of the housework herself without help from anyone, but occasionally asks me to do an easy chore for her, such as bringing in the mail. Should I do the chore for her ...
7
votes
1answer
72 views
Heating non-food items on Shabbath
Is it permissible to heat non-food items on Shabbath? Assume the method of heating is to use an existing heat source (a blech, or the top of a crockpot or hot water urn).
Would it matter if it is ...
4
votes
1answer
59 views
Transfer of taste to/from non-food items
There are a number of heating pads on the market for heat therapy cures and general warmth in the winter. Some are electric, but some of them need to be heated in a microwave or an oven. If you heat ...
10
votes
1answer
321 views
Is one allowed to drink alcohol on regular weekdays?
Is it permissible to drink alcohol in any circumstance other than Holidays and Shabbat? Please cite sources.
CYLOR.
10
votes
2answers
232 views
What can a pregnant woman do if she already stepped on nails?
A pregnant women is advised by the gemara (Nidda 17a) to avoid stepping on cut human nails out of fear of miscarriage. What can she do if she has already stepped on them? Is there a way to "fix" ...
5
votes
2answers
120 views
What possible Kashrus concerns may exist with these vitamins?
Recently my child's Doctor prescribed vitamin drops for my infant son. When I went to the pharmacy to fill the prescription the pharmacist said that the vitamin drops prescribed are Treif, and the ...
4
votes
1answer
159 views
May one consume peyote?
Peyote is a hallucinogenic plant that contains no harmful side effects or addictive properties and is legal for religious ceremonial use. May one consume it?
related: Is one allowed to smoke ...
4
votes
0answers
66 views
an adult's responding to a child's sneeze with a blessing, or vice versa
The halacha states (Mishnah Brurah 230: 7) that one should respond to a sneeze with a blessing and the person who sneezed and was blessed should return with a blessing in kind. this is not done if you ...
8
votes
2answers
264 views
Does kosher mean healthy?
What is the relation between kosher and healthiness? G-d wants us to eat properly but also to be healthy. For example, it is better to try not to eat too much meat (even if it's kosher), and more ...
5
votes
1answer
73 views
Machine shmurah whole-wheat matza?
Usually in the store I can find machine-made shmurah matzah, and machine-made whole-wheat matza, but never machine-made whole-wheat shmurah matzah. Does anyone know if such a product is available, ...
11
votes
1answer
277 views
Mouthwash on a public fast day?
Is it permitted to use mouthwash on a public fast day? Would a sensitive mouth, due to medical reasons be a good reason to be lenient?
(I can see it being less problematic than brushing one's teeth, ...
3
votes
1answer
87 views
Blowing out channukah candles before leaving the house
I know that as long as channukah candles are lit and the candle goes out by itself, you already did the mitzvah. I also know that you should have the channukah candles lit for at least 30 minutes. ...
12
votes
5answers
302 views
Saying “Laberiut” “God bless you” or “Gesundheit”
Is there are source for saying "Laberiut" "God bless you" "Gesundheit" or any other response to a sneeze? In other words, are there posekim who mention it in Halacha?
18
votes
7answers
1k views
Is one allowed to smoke Marijuana?
Not taking into account Dina D'malchusa, what are the Halachic problems with smoking marijuana? Is it allowed?
8
votes
3answers
393 views
How do I avoid thirst when fasting?
I started fasting on Yom Kippur as an adult, about 10 years ago.
A couple times I had to drink a glass of water either after Kol Nidre or before Shacharit, because I felt completely dehydrated (I did ...
11
votes
1answer
199 views
Sneezing during davening
I have read in the Gemara (Berachoth 24B) that sneezing during the Shemonei Esrei is a sign that your tefillot have been accepted. "Just as you have been granted relief below, so you have been granted ...
11
votes
3answers
349 views
Is it better to kill 1 person or let 5 die?
I was recently reading about the Trolley Problem
A trolley is running out of control down a track. In its path are five people who have been tied to the track by a mad philosopher. Fortunately, ...
7
votes
1answer
53 views
Are bushes acceptable for elevations that require a maakeh, a fence?
If evergreen bushes span the entire length of a side of a porch, at about waist-height for someone on the porch, do the bushes remove the need for a railing? The difference being that a railing can be ...
6
votes
1answer
129 views
What height porch requires a railing?
What are the different opinions of heights (in American or metric units) that requires a railing for the side of a porch?
6
votes
3answers
295 views
What is the best way to break a fast?
After a fast often people get sick when they eat. What type of food or drink is the best way to break the fast and avoid becoming ill?
15
votes
4answers
752 views
Is practicing Yoga against Torah?
What does Halacha and Halachic Authorities have to say about the permissibility of a Jew practicing Yoga? Is it Avodah Zarah?
If it is problematic, are there methods of doing it where it would be ...
4
votes
2answers
131 views
Exercises to prevent eyes tiring
It often happens to me that after learning the whole day and reading lots of text especially with small letters I feel my eyes very tired. Who knows good set of exercises that don't takes lot of time, ...
6
votes
3answers
435 views
Choking on a Fish Bone
I remember learning once that the גמרא says to perform a certain procedure / say certain words when someone is choking on a fish bone. I also remember hearing that this is the one cure mentioned in ...
10
votes
2answers
379 views
Is Exercise on Shabbos Allowed?
Is one allowed to do exercises on Shabbos?
Are any types allowed? Some examples of different types:
Lifting weights or heavy items
Jumping jacks
Taking a walk (long, but without Techum issues)
...
3
votes
2answers
100 views
Biting your cheek
I have a habit of biting the side of my cheek, On shabbos, would this habit be considered breaking shabbos?
9
votes
2answers
505 views
How should one dispose of cut finger nails? Is it dangerous for a pregnant woman to walk on them?
Is there an Inyan of pregnant women walking over cut nails ex: a nail salon? Also, can I just vacuum up the cut nails from the floor?
12
votes
3answers
360 views
Should one induce vomiting upon realizing s/he just ate non-kosher?
I've heard several stories of people who ate something, realized it was non-kosher, and therefore induced vomiting. Is this halachically required? Recommended? Does it accomplish anything? (If not, ...
6
votes
3answers
245 views
Are Jews permitted to work out?
Are Jews allowed to pump their muscles?
What if the intent is to make yourself look good?
7
votes
3answers
253 views
3
votes
1answer
108 views
Tuesday and Friday nights
Bavli P'sachim 112:2 has a story of an angel of destruction who would work daily (see Rashash) until asked to quit. When she requested some time to work, the rabbi she was talking with allowed her ...
5
votes
1answer
71 views
Lighting Chanuka candles on Erev Shabbat
Since it's not common sense to leave a fire unattended (or against an apartment building's guidelines to have unattended fires), what's the general minhag for lighting Chanuka candles on Erev Shabbat ...
7
votes
3answers
376 views
Halakha and Spiritual Healing?
What are the halakhic guidelines and limitations for using psukim from the Torah to heal illness? Does it make a difference if the psuk is being used to heal a "spiritual" malady which is believed to ...
2
votes
1answer
158 views
Eating fish and meat together
The reason given for not eating fish and meat together is due to Sakana. In current times it does not seem to be a Sakana, (Nishtanu HaTeva). Would you be allowed to eat them together? If not - why ...
4
votes
8answers
475 views
Things we do not do because of Danger
What are things Brought down in Halacha that we do not do because of Danger?
6
votes
1answer
96 views
What are the opinions regarding eating small-bits-at-a-time (“leshiurin”) on Tisha B'Av when necessary?
I know on Yom Kippur, if someone is medically required to eat, s/he should do so with only a bit of food every few minutes, to avoid the full severity of eating "a full serving in one sitting."
On ...
2
votes
1answer
95 views
Permissibility of using Cell Phones
With all the radiation "reports" going on, is it okay to use them? Or does this fall under watching one's safety?
4
votes
2answers
218 views
Is a Cohen Allowed to Perform CPR?
CPR is performed when the heart has stopped but the brain is still alive. We have a general rule that a Cohen is not allowed to come in contact with a dead body. If so, does this mean that a Kohen ...
4
votes
3answers
383 views
chapstick/vaseline on shabbos
How should one deal with chapped lips on shabbos? Is it considered refuah?
2
votes
3answers
146 views
Do you have to close the window if someone's cold?
The LinkedIn FrumNetwork user that I recently corresponded with about the wisdom of the crowd brought up an interesting bit of conventional wisdom that she claims is at least partly apocryphal:
...
