First Ever Bais Hora’ah Chabad Launches as a Trusted Address for Halachic Guidance
When a shaila comes up after work hours, on a trip, or in a community without a local Rov, the silence that follows can be its own kind of difficulty. Bais Hora’ah Chabad, a new initiative of Merkos 302’s Merkos Torah, was built to fill that quiet space with a clear, confidential answer.
After a soft launch and beta period, Bais Hora’ah Chabad is officially launching ahead of 27 Iyar, the second yahrtzeit of Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky a”h, in whose memory the project has been dedicated.
“My father a”h spent his life making sure no shliach ever felt alone in the field,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Executive Director of Merkos 302. “Bais Hora’ah Chabad carries that forward, giving every Yid, wherever they are in the world, a place to turn when they need clarity in halacha.”
Bais Hora’ah Chabad joins the landscape of halachic guidance with a focused purpose, to ensure that in the moments when those resources aren’t immediately reachable, a clear answer still is.
The service is offered free of charge. Shailos can be submitted by phone, WhatsApp, or through an online form at BaisHoraahChabad.com, with an anonymous option available. A direct text option is expected to roll out soon.
Early feedback from the beta period reflects what the team hoped to build: “I sent a text and got a call back in two minutes, amazing.” “Efficient and personal, I know who I’m getting a response from.” “I can now text and WhatsApp knowledgeable Rabbonim who are not in a rush.”
The Vaad HaRabbonim
Bais Hora’ah Chabad operates under the guidance of a panel of senior Lubavitch Rabbonim, each chosen for both their depth in practical halacha and their familiarity with the realities of Lubavitch life around the world.
Rabbi Boruch Hertz serves as mara d’asra of the Lubavitch community of Chicago and is widely consulted by shluchim around the world on questions of practical halacha.
Rabbi Gedalya Oberlander is mara d’asra of the Lubavitch community in Kingston, Pennsylvania, and a widely consulted posek on questions of practical halacha.
Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Raskin, mara d’asra of the Lubavitch community of London, is known for his expertise in the nusach and minhagim of the Alter Rebbe.
Rabbi Mordechai Farkash serves as shliach and moreh hora’ah in Bellevue, Washington, bringing decades of experience guiding a community on shlichus.
RabbiTuvia Kasimov, Rov and Moreh Tzedek in Crown Heights, rounds out the senior panel.
Our Morei Hora’ah, Rabbi Ehud Kvin of Florida, RabbiBerel Polityko of Airmont, NY, and Rabbi Mendel Prescott of New Haven, Connecticut, handle a broad range of day-to-day shailos and ensure that calls and messages are answered without delay.
Its day-to-day operations are overseen by Rabbi Moshe Markowitz, Mazkir, and Rabbi Mendel Zirkind, Sgan Mazkir.
The Bais Hora’ah operates under the leadership of RabbiMendy Kotlarsky, Chairman of Merkos Torah, Rabbi Mendel Chaiton, Menahel of Merkos Torah, and RabbiBetzalel Bassman, Menahel of Bais Hora’ah Chabad.
How to Get Guidance
Bais Hora’ah Chabad can be reached at 347-688-7917 by phone or WhatsApp. (WhatsApp messages can be sent at any time.)
Or online at: BaisHoraahChabad.com/ask (anonymous option)
Hours (ET):
Sunday–Thursday, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
Friday, 10:00 – A half hour before shabbos (NY time)
Motzei Shabbos, 7:30 – 9:30 PM.
