Halacha Yomit

Introduction to the Laws of Yom Tov

The holiday of Shavuot will be celebrated, G-d willing, in approximately a week and a half on Wednesday, the 6th of Sivan (and outside of Israel on Thursday, the 7th of Sivan as well). Let us, therefore, begin to discuss some of the pertinent laws of the holiday. The Torah states (Shemot 12) regarding…

Laws of Yom Tov

The Written and Oral Torah The Shavuot holiday will be celebrated next Wednesday, the 6th of Sivan. Let us therefore begin studying some issues pertinent to this holiday. All of the Mitzvot which were transmitted to Moshe Rabbeinu on Mount Sinai were given to him along with their respective explanations, as the verse…

Halacha Yomit

Question: May one place clothing in the dryer on Erev Shabbat when the clothes will continue to dry on Shabbat itself? Answer: In the previous Halacha we have discussed that a garment that was placed in the dryer on Erev Shabbat and was still wet at the onset of Shabbat and only becomes completely dry on Shabbat does…

Daf Notes

SINFUL PEOPLE A braisa is cited regarding the judgments of two different types of sinful people. Those that sin with their body will go down to Gehinom and will be punished there for twelve months. After twelve months, their body is destroyed, their souls get burned and a wind scatters their remains under the feet…

Hanging Up Dry Clothing on Shabbat

In the previous Halacha we have established that one may not hang up wet clothing on Shabbat in order to dry it. This is not a Torah prohibition; rather, our Sages prohibited this so that people do not suspect the individual hanging up the clothes on Shabbat that he laundered them on Shabbat. Let us…

Drying Laundry on Shabbat

Drying Laundry on Shabbat Question: May one hang up laundry that was washed on Erev Shabbat to dry on Shabbat? Answer: The Mishnah (Shabbat 146b) states: “One whose clothing became wet on Shabbat may continue to wear them without concern. When he reaches the outer courtyard, he may spread out the garment to dry facing the sun…

Barechu Et Hashem Ha’Mevorach”

“Barechu Et Hashem Ha’Mevorach” Question: If one is praying alone and thus cannot answer “Baruch Hashem Ha’Mevorach Le’Olam Va’ed,” may one recite “Barechu Et Hashem Ha’Mevorach” on his own or not? Answer: It is well-known that the recitation of “Barechu Et Hashem Ha’Mevorach” was enacted to be recited only in the presence of ten Jewish men. If…

Lag Ba’Omer

The Obligation to Stand While Kaddish and Barechu are Recited ————————— Reminder: Today is Lag Ba’Omer, the 33rd day of the Omer, which is a day of celebration in honor of the great Tanna, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. According to the Ashkenazi custom, from the day of Lag Ba’Omer and on, mourning customs are no longer observed….

“Derech Eretz”

“Derech Eretz” Precedes the Torah The Mishnah in Pirkei Avot (3, 23) states: “Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya says: Without Torah there is not Derech Eretz (we shall define this term soon); without Derech Eretz, there is no Torah.” The simple definition of the term “Derech Eretz” is conducting business, hence the term “way of the…

Question: Can one pray while wearing pajamas?

Question: Can one pray while wearing pajamas? Answer: In the previous Halacha we have established that before praying, one must prepare a fitting place, proper attire, and cleanse one’s body and thoughts, as the verse in the book of Amos states, “Prepare yourself before your G-d, Israel.” Thus, the Rambam (Chapter 5 of Hilchot Tefillah, Halacha 5) writes…

Question:

Question: May one pray while wearing sandals or while one is barefoot? Answer: When one prays, one must prepare one’s environment, clothing, body, and thoughts accordingly, for one will be standing before the King of all kings. Respectable Garments While Praying The Gemara (Shabbat 9b) derives from the verse “Prepare yourself before your G-d, Israel” that…