Halacha Yomit

Three Weeks

The Laws of Taking Haircuts During the “Three Weeks” As a result of the mourning observed during the “Three Weeks,” the Ashkenazi custom is to abstain from shaving and taking haircuts beginning from the Seventeenth of Tammuz until the Tenth of Av. Nevertheless, the Sephardic custom is not as stringent and follows the letter…

Motza’ei Shabbat

Walking on Shabbat for a Purpose of Motza’ei Shabbat Question: May one begin walking towards the end of Shabbat to a store (outside of Israel) so that one may enter the store immediately at the conclusion of Shabbat in order to purchase something? Answer: The prophet Yeshaya (58, 13) states: “If you shall turn…

Listening to Music during the “Three Weeks”

Listening to Music during the “Three Weeks” All forms of dancing are forbidden during the three weeks between the Seventeenth of Tammuz and the Ninth of Av, even when there is no musical accompaniment. This applies even when the dancing conforms to the laws of modesty and holiness observed by the Jewish nation, i.e….

“Shehecheyanu”

Reciting the “Shehecheyanu” Blessing During the “Three Weeks” It is proper to abstain from reciting the “Shehecheyanu” blessing during the three weeks between the Seventeenth of Tammuz and the Ninth of Av on a new fruit or a new garment. One should leave the new fruit or garment for after Tisha Be’av rather than to…

Opening a Door Which Has Electric Light Bulbs Attached to It Question: May one open the door or lid of a fish tank on Shabbat in order to feed the fish if there are light bulbs attached to the door? Answer: In the previous Halachot we have explained that one may not move a candle or any object that…

Moving Candles on Shabbat

Moving Candles on Shabbat Question: May one move the Shabbat candles from place to place on Shabbat? Answer: Shabbat candles which were lit before the onset of Shabbat, whether they are resting on candlesticks or any other surface, may not be moved on Shabbat under any circumstances. Even if one needs to move the candles so they are…

Stipulating to Move Candles on Shabbat

This document is holy, and must be treated as such. When finished, please deposit into your local Genezah. Stipulating to Move Candles on Shabbat In the previous Halacha we have discussed that it is absolutely forbidden to move a flame that is burning on top of a wick on Shabbat. As a result of the flame,…

Halacha Yomit

How One Should Conduct Himself in the Morning The Mishnah in Pirkei Avot (Chapter 5) states: “Yehuda ben Tema says: Be bold like a leopard, light as an eagle, swift as a deer, and mighty as a lion to perform the will of your father in Heaven.” Let us now explain this Mishnah. The Tanna…

Uncovered Hair at Home

Uncovered Hair at Home Question: May a married woman walk around her own home with her hair uncovered? Answer: It is well-known that a married woman may not reveal her hair and it is therefore customary for women to cover their hair with bandanas, head-scarfs, and the like so that their hair cannot be…

Personal Modesty

Personal Modesty The Gemara (Yoma 47a) states: “Our Sages taught: Kimchit had seven sons, all of whom served as Kohanim Gedolim (High Priests). The Sages asked her, ‘What have you done to merit this?’ She replied, ‘The beams of my house have never seen the braids of my hair.’” Rashi, in his commentary on this…

Halacha Yomit

One Who Interprets the Torah Contrary to Halacha Question: Why do we sometimes find that great sages spoke out harshly against other rabbis who permitted things they though were forbidden if there are always disagreements among the Jewish nation? Answer: It is true that as time progresses and the generation become weaker, more disagreements ensue among the…

If One Washes his Hands and then Decides not to Eat

If One Washes his Hands and then Decides not to Eat Question: If one washes his hands and then sometime during the meal decides not to any more bread, what must one do? Answer: In the previous Halachot we have explained that one who eats less than a Kebeitza (approximately fifty grams) of bread, one…