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There are some times on this site where questioners will be directed to "ask their Rabbi." While it's always optimal to have such people discuss the question with their own Rabbi (and such action should be stressed), there are times when people either don't actually have a Rabbi [yikes], or are embarrassed to ask such questions to their own Rabbi.
What are some useful and reliable websites to get practical Rabbinic advice?
For all sh'eilos, if one does not have a personal rav, or one's rav is not available, Star-K initiated the "Institute of Halacha", run by R' Mordechai Frankel of Baltimore and endorsed by R' Moshe Heinemann. Questions may be emailed or called in during certain hours. See here for email address and phone number.
For Choshen Mishpat and ribis questions, I've had the Business Halacha Institute recommended to me. It has an ask-the-rabbi service (via e-mail or, I think, phone) it calls "Halacha Hotline".
http://www.dinonline.org/ask-the-rabbi/
http://www.chabad.org/asktherabbi/default_cdo/jewish/Ask-the-Rabbi.htm
The Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation has a number you can call with halachic questions relating to sh'mirat halashon, or proper speech. It's 718-951-3696, and it's available from 9:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
In Israel, there are a few resources. Eretz Hemdah is one in English and they refer difficult questions to senior poskim.
Rabimeir.com (you can go to the Shu"t section on the menu - but you have to ask in Hebrew) - HaGaon HaRav Meir Eliyahu Shelit"a
Doresh-tzion.co.il (you can go to shu"t behalacha section on the side menu - but you have to ask in Hebrew) this is the Q&A of HaGaon HaRav Bentzion Mutzafi Shlit"a (a Posek)
Kisse-r.co.il - Answered by staff members at the esteemed Kisse Rahamim Yeshiva in Bene Berak headed by HaGaon HaRav Meir Mazuz Shelti"a (a Posek); occasionally he will answer the questions.
The THE FEDERATION OF SYNAGOGUES in the UK offers the service described at http://www.federationofsynagogues.com/askthefederation/
It says:
Ask the Federation is a service of the Federation Beis Din to the wider kehilla.
Ask your shailos in one of two ways... 1. ShailaText - send an SMS to 07860 017 641 for a personal response within four working hours
- ShailaOnline - join the conversation in our growing Facebook community - post your question on the group for a response in under 24 hours.
In memory of Dayan Gershon Lopian z"tl
For those who want to ask in Russian, both halacha and hashkafa, as well as personal relationships (updated on 2021-03-24):
http://revach.net/ask/ but they don't always answer every question.
For Yeshivas Rabbenu Yitzchak Elchanan (RIETS/YU) alumni and RCA members only there is a very reliable responsa service on http://rabbanan.org
Halachipedia (Rabbi Yitzchok Levy of Lakewood answers questions): http://www.halachipedia.com/index.php?title=Ask_the_Rabbi
One may ask questions of well-known dati leumi posek Rav Shlomo Aviner by emailing his assistant at [email protected]. The assistant always answers questions (after asking the question to the Rav).
There is a relatively new website (soon to be app) I set up for this specific reason (a user friendly system for a quick response to halachic or any torah questions that a Jew might have) here is a brief summary of the goals of my website:
Do these situations sound familiar? You did not know the correct Bracha... Your husband mixed up the milchig and fleishig dishes (again!)... You had a question that you didn't feel comfortable asking someone who knows you... You feel guilty "bothering" the Rabbi with your "simple questions" all the time...
Too often, many of us will convince ourselves that we THINK we know the correct thing to do and that we are PROBABLY right.
Pocketrabbi.com is taking your Orthodox Jewish observance to the next level by making sure that you never again have to act as your own Rabbi when you don't know what to do, and that NONE of the questions that you have related to Judaism go unanswered.
check it out:
www.pocketrabbi.com
www.facebook.com/PocketRabbi
I found this which seems promising
https://www.chayimaruchim.com/contact.asp?pagetype=Rabbi
Even though they seem to imply on their site to be mostly healthcare related only, I personally called them and asked a generic halachic question about davening that had nothing to do with healthcare and the guy happily answered
Dinonline.org
Kollel “Choshen Mishpat” was founded in 1995. The founders’ goal was to raise the public’s awareness to the Mitzvos Bein Adam Lechavero and to the Halachos pertaining to Dinei Mamonos (financial matters). At the head of the institution stand Rabbi Yosef Fleischman Shlit”a and Rabbi Asher Flegg Shlit”a. The Kollel numbers around 120 scholars, many of whom received Semicha (Halachic ordination) for Rabbinate and Dayanut both from Gedolei Yisrael and from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. The alumni of the Kollel serve as Dayanim in Batei Dinim around the world and in the Kollel’s Beis Din.
Over the years there developed alongside the Kollel other frameworks related to these issues.
Beis Din for monetary matters “Nesivos Chaim”
Beis Hora’ah for people interested in consulting in matters pertaining to monetary and business matters is free of charge.
Research Institute – Which employs some of the Kollel alumni and puts out various publications.
“Alon Hamishpat” – Since 2006 the Kollel puts out a monthly publication with an international circulation of thousands of copies. In the publication one can find essays on current topics, practical halachos, rulings of the Beis Din and more.
Seminars – three times annually the Kollel conducts seminars in monetary laws.
Dinonline.org – the site that you are visiting right now. We hope you will enjoy it.
