Since we are approaching the holiday of Chanukah, let us begin discussing some of its pertinent laws based on what we have written in previous years in addition to new some new ideas as well. When Chanukah Falls Out this Year The holiday of Chanukah lasts for eight days beginning from the 25th of Kislev,…
Tag: MARAN HARAV OVADIA
Entering a Synagogue with a Weapon
Question: May a soldier or a citizen armed with a pistol or a rifle enter a synagogue with his weapon? Answer: The Mechilta (end of Parashat Yitro) states regarding the verse, “And when you shall build Me a stone altar, you shall not build it of hewn stone; for you will have waved your sword…
Behavior at the Western Wall
In the previous Halacha we have discussed the special reverence of the Kotel, the Western Wall, for Hashem’s divine presence never moves from this wall since the presence of Hashem is in the west. Hashem has sworn that the Kotel will never be destroyed, for it has been established by King David. For this reason, Maran…
The Kotel-The Western Wall
Question: Does the Kotel (Western Wall) have any special sanctity? Answer: Our Sages (Midrash Shemot Rabba, Parasha 2) taught: “Hashem’s divine presence has never moved from the western wall of the Holy Temple.” Our Sages added, “The verse states, ‘Behold, he stands behind our wall’-this refers to the western wall of the Bet Hamikdash…
The Temple Mount
The Temple Mount ——————————— Clarification: As many of our readers have pointed out, an error was present in the last sentence of Sunday’s Halacha regarding cognac and brandy and should have read as follows: “Thus, there is certainly no room for leniency regarding this beverage (cognac/brandy) and one should point this out to those who…
kashrut supervision?
Question: Is it halachically permissible to drink brandy, cognac, or champagne produced without kashrut supervision? Answer: In the previous Halacha we have explained the law that our Sages imposed a prohibition on a non-Jew’s wine and usually, the wine is not only forbidden to consume, it is likewise forbidden to benefit from. Regarding the above…
Non-Jewish Wine
Question: If kosher wine is served at a kosher restaurant and poured by a non-Jewish waiter, is the wine forbidden for consumption? Answer: In olden times, idolatrous non-Jews would customarily pour wine as a libation offering to their various idols and deities. This was quite a common practice. Such wine is forbidden for consumption or…
Mashiv Ha’Ruach
The Laws of Mentioning “Mashiv Ha’Ruach” We Begin Reciting “Mashiv Ha’Ruach” “Mashiv Ha’Ruach U’Morid Ha’Geshem” is a praise we recite to Hashem during the winter months within the “Mechayeh Ha’Metim” blessing of the Amidah as is printed in all Siddurim. We begin reciting “Mashiv Ha’Ruach U’Morid Ha’Geshem” in the Mussaf prayer of Simchat Torah (outside…
Motza’ei Yom Kippur-Unique Laws for this Year
Adding From the Mundane Onto the Holiness One must add some of the mundane weekday onto the holiness of Yom Kippur upon its exit, i.e. one should not end this holy day immediately with nightfall; rather, one should wait another few minutes. Thus, it is prohibited to eat or perform work on Motza’ei Yom Kippur…
Erev Yom Kippur
The Mitzvah to Eat on Erev Yom Kippur The Torah (Vayikra 23) states: “And you shall oppress yourselves on the ninth of the month at night,” meaning that the obligation to fast on Yom Kippur begins from the night of the tenth of Tishrei. Our Sages (Berachot 8a) inquired about the language of the verse,…
Laws of Yom Kippur
Eating and Washing One’s Self Yom Kippur Some Laws of Yom Kippur All are obligated to fast on Yom Kippur, including pregnant and nursing women. Any woman whose health is at risk due to the fast should consult a prominent Torah scholar who is well-versed in these laws and he should render his ruling whether…
The Ten Days of Repentance
The Ten Days of Repentance The Gemara in Masechet Berachot (12b) states: “Rabba bar Chinena said in the name of Rav: Throughout the year, one recites (in the Amida prayer) ‘Ha’el Ha’Kadosh’ and ‘Melech Ohev Tzedakah U’Mishpat’ besides for the ten days beginning with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur when one recites…
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