Hi,
There are two opinions regarding reciting Asher Yatzar after using the washroom during psukei d'zimra; some say to recite it immediately, others say to wait until after davening. Either opinion is correct, but Rav Moshe Feinstein waited until after davening.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:14)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Which foods qualify for Mishloach Manot on Purim?
Hi,
May I use any kind of food for mishloach manot?
Although Megilas Esther never specifies that the gifts should be food, we understand that these gifts are meant to form the Purim Seudah (feast). Therefore, we give two foods as our gift; ideally, each portion should be of a quantity sufficient to serve as an independent Purim seudah. A beverage also suffices as a portion.
There is no basis for the common notion that the foods must warrant separate berachot; it is clear in Gemara and Shulchan Aruch that foods of the same berachah may be used. However, some authorities do require that they be two "types of food", and having foods of separate berachot would safeguard against any concern.
While mishloach manot is a beautiful mitzvah, one who must restrict his Purim expenditures should put more toward matanot la'evyonim (gifts to the needy) than to mishloach manot.
(Megilah 7a-b; Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Megilah 2:15; Terumat haDeshen 111; Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 695:4; Aruch haShulchan 695:14; Mishneh Berurah 694:3, 695:20; Tzitz Eliezer 14:65; Yechaveh Daat 6:45; http://matzav.com/harav-dovid-feinstein-purim-halacha-tidbits)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
May I use any kind of food for mishloach manot?
Although Megilas Esther never specifies that the gifts should be food, we understand that these gifts are meant to form the Purim Seudah (feast). Therefore, we give two foods as our gift; ideally, each portion should be of a quantity sufficient to serve as an independent Purim seudah. A beverage also suffices as a portion.
There is no basis for the common notion that the foods must warrant separate berachot; it is clear in Gemara and Shulchan Aruch that foods of the same berachah may be used. However, some authorities do require that they be two "types of food", and having foods of separate berachot would safeguard against any concern.
While mishloach manot is a beautiful mitzvah, one who must restrict his Purim expenditures should put more toward matanot la'evyonim (gifts to the needy) than to mishloach manot.
(Megilah 7a-b; Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Megilah 2:15; Terumat haDeshen 111; Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 695:4; Aruch haShulchan 695:14; Mishneh Berurah 694:3, 695:20; Tzitz Eliezer 14:65; Yechaveh Daat 6:45; http://matzav.com/harav-dovid-feinstein-purim-halacha-tidbits)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Monday, February 27, 2012
The Amen for "v'Yatzmach"
Hi,
One who is davening with a Sephardic minyan, so that they include ויצמח פורקניה ויקרב משיחיה, should not respond Amen to those words when he is in pesukei d'zimra. The Rambam did not include an Amen for this line in his edition of kaddish, so it is not considered integral.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:14)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
One who is davening with a Sephardic minyan, so that they include ויצמח פורקניה ויקרב משיחיה, should not respond Amen to those words when he is in pesukei d'zimra. The Rambam did not include an Amen for this line in his edition of kaddish, so it is not considered integral.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:14)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Sunday, February 26, 2012
"Amen" during Baruch she'Amar or Yishtabach
Hi,
One does not respond "Amen" to another's blessing during Baruch she'Amar or Yishtabach, even though these blessings do not appear in the Talmud.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:13)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
One does not respond "Amen" to another's blessing during Baruch she'Amar or Yishtabach, even though these blessings do not appear in the Talmud.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:13)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Questionable tefillin and mezuzot
Hi,
One who has tefillin or mezuzot of uncertain validity should have them checked immediately, or put them in genizah [storage] where they will not be used by accident. One should not keep them in a place where someone might unwittingly use them.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:12)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
One who has tefillin or mezuzot of uncertain validity should have them checked immediately, or put them in genizah [storage] where they will not be used by accident. One should not keep them in a place where someone might unwittingly use them.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:12)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Kissing the straps of one's tefillin
Hi,
Theoretically, one could contend that kissing the straps of one's tefillin, after donning the arm tefillin and before donning the head tefillin, would constitute an illegal interruption. However, because this does not cause a delay in donning the head tefillin, this is not a concern.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:10)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Theoretically, one could contend that kissing the straps of one's tefillin, after donning the arm tefillin and before donning the head tefillin, would constitute an illegal interruption. However, because this does not cause a delay in donning the head tefillin, this is not a concern.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:10)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Obligating one's self in Tzitzit
Hi,
Technically, the law of Tzitzit requires only that one who is wearing a four-cornered garment must attach the strings of Tzitzit. There is no requirement, biblically, to put on a four-cornered garment in order to be obligated in Tzitzit.
However: Since the universal custom among observant Jewish males is to wear a four-cornered garment daily in order to fulfill this mitzvah, and since this custom enables accrual of merit, one may not diverge from this custom.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:4)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Technically, the law of Tzitzit requires only that one who is wearing a four-cornered garment must attach the strings of Tzitzit. There is no requirement, biblically, to put on a four-cornered garment in order to be obligated in Tzitzit.
However: Since the universal custom among observant Jewish males is to wear a four-cornered garment daily in order to fulfill this mitzvah, and since this custom enables accrual of merit, one may not diverge from this custom.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:4)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Machatzit haShekel - the Half Shekel
Hi,
On Taanit Esther, we customarily contribute to tzedakah three coins which are each minted as "half" coins, such as half-dollars in lands where those are available. This contribution is meant to commemorate the half-shekel contributions solicited from men over the age of 20 in Parshat Ki Tisa, as well as the subsequent annual half-shekel donation by adult men toward the coming year's communal korbanot. Women could give that annual donation, but were not obligated to do so.
Preferably, the coins we use should contain at least 9.6 grams of pure silver. One who does not possess "half" coins may give three coins which are minted as 'whole' coins instead, intending to contribute half of their value as the formal half-shekel contribution. One who lacks silver may donate currency of equal value.
The custom is generally understood to include men from the age of 13, and in many places women are accustomed to give the half-shekel as well. Our practice is also to give on behalf of the children in our household, and some even give on behalf of a fetus.
(Mordechai Megilah 777; Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 694:1; Magen Avraham 694:3; Kaf haChaim Orach Chaim 674:19-28; Mishneh Berurah 694:5; Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 694:8; Piskei Teshuvot 694:4)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
On Taanit Esther, we customarily contribute to tzedakah three coins which are each minted as "half" coins, such as half-dollars in lands where those are available. This contribution is meant to commemorate the half-shekel contributions solicited from men over the age of 20 in Parshat Ki Tisa, as well as the subsequent annual half-shekel donation by adult men toward the coming year's communal korbanot. Women could give that annual donation, but were not obligated to do so.
Preferably, the coins we use should contain at least 9.6 grams of pure silver. One who does not possess "half" coins may give three coins which are minted as 'whole' coins instead, intending to contribute half of their value as the formal half-shekel contribution. One who lacks silver may donate currency of equal value.
The custom is generally understood to include men from the age of 13, and in many places women are accustomed to give the half-shekel as well. Our practice is also to give on behalf of the children in our household, and some even give on behalf of a fetus.
(Mordechai Megilah 777; Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 694:1; Magen Avraham 694:3; Kaf haChaim Orach Chaim 674:19-28; Mishneh Berurah 694:5; Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 694:8; Piskei Teshuvot 694:4)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Monday, February 20, 2012
Following Kabbalah in halachah
Hi,
Where there is debate among equal halachic authorities, we follow Kabbalistic tradition - but that is only regarding a tradition rooted in the Zohar. Later Kabbalistic writings, such as those of the Ari z"l, are considered to be on par with the halachic authorities involved in the debate.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:3)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Where there is debate among equal halachic authorities, we follow Kabbalistic tradition - but that is only regarding a tradition rooted in the Zohar. Later Kabbalistic writings, such as those of the Ari z"l, are considered to be on par with the halachic authorities involved in the debate.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:3)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Are flowers muktzeh on Shabbat?
Hi,
Are flowers muktzeh on Shabbat, if they were cut beforehand?
Flowers which were brought home before Shabbat to be admired for their beauty are not muktzeh, and may be handled on Shabbat; for example, one may remove them from their vases to admire and smell them. However, if the flowers have visible roots then one may not remove them from water; this would be an act of uprooting them.
One may not set up a vase with water on Shabbat; this is considered a strenuous activity. Even if a vase already contains water, one may not introduce flowers; water invigorates them, causing blossoms to open, and so this would be an act of planting. For the same reason, one may not return flowers to water from which they have been removed.
One may not assemble a bouquet of flowers in a receptacle, even without tying them together.
(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 336:11; Mishneh Berurah 308:100, 336:53; b'Tzel haChachmah 4:87; Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 336:30; Shemirat Shabbat k'Hilchatah 26:26; Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:73)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Are flowers muktzeh on Shabbat, if they were cut beforehand?
Flowers which were brought home before Shabbat to be admired for their beauty are not muktzeh, and may be handled on Shabbat; for example, one may remove them from their vases to admire and smell them. However, if the flowers have visible roots then one may not remove them from water; this would be an act of uprooting them.
One may not set up a vase with water on Shabbat; this is considered a strenuous activity. Even if a vase already contains water, one may not introduce flowers; water invigorates them, causing blossoms to open, and so this would be an act of planting. For the same reason, one may not return flowers to water from which they have been removed.
One may not assemble a bouquet of flowers in a receptacle, even without tying them together.
(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 336:11; Mishneh Berurah 308:100, 336:53; b'Tzel haChachmah 4:87; Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 336:30; Shemirat Shabbat k'Hilchatah 26:26; Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:73)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Responding "Amen" to the end of Kaddish
Hi,
The "Amen" response to the Half-Kaddish, and to the corresponding parts of the Whole Kaddish, is obligatory [such that one would do it even during psukei d'zimra]. The same is likely true for the Amen response to Titkabel in the Whole Kaddish.
The Amen response to the last two lines of the Whole Kaddish, though, is not obligatory, but only optional.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:101; he does not discuss the response to Al Yisrael)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
The "Amen" response to the Half-Kaddish, and to the corresponding parts of the Whole Kaddish, is obligatory [such that one would do it even during psukei d'zimra]. The same is likely true for the Amen response to Titkabel in the Whole Kaddish.
The Amen response to the last two lines of the Whole Kaddish, though, is not obligatory, but only optional.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:101; he does not discuss the response to Al Yisrael)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Thursday, February 16, 2012
When the 17th of Tammuz is on Shabbat
Hi,
This year, if Mashiach does not arrive, the fast of the 17th of Tammuz will be observed on Sunday the 18th of Tammuz, because the 17th is Shabbat.
In such a circumstance, the laws of the Three Weeks of Mourning begin Motzaei Shabbat (Saturday night), so that one could not shave then, etc., even according to those who permit these practices on the evening of the 17th of Tammuz in a normal year.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:100)
Have a good day,
Mordechai
This year, if Mashiach does not arrive, the fast of the 17th of Tammuz will be observed on Sunday the 18th of Tammuz, because the 17th is Shabbat.
In such a circumstance, the laws of the Three Weeks of Mourning begin Motzaei Shabbat (Saturday night), so that one could not shave then, etc., even according to those who permit these practices on the evening of the 17th of Tammuz in a normal year.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:100)
Have a good day,
Mordechai
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Changing the order of Simchat Torah
Hi,
Hakafot of Simchat Torah should not be moved until after Musaf.
First, they are meant to be joyous celebrations of Torah and of Yom Tov, and so their mitzvah is a full-day mitzvah and should not be delayed due to the more frequent occurrence of Musaf.
Second, the joy associated with completing the Torah belongs at the time when we complete the Torah.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:99)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Hakafot of Simchat Torah should not be moved until after Musaf.
First, they are meant to be joyous celebrations of Torah and of Yom Tov, and so their mitzvah is a full-day mitzvah and should not be delayed due to the more frequent occurrence of Musaf.
Second, the joy associated with completing the Torah belongs at the time when we complete the Torah.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:99)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Feeding birds on Shabbat
Hi,
May I feed wild birds on Shabbat Shirah?
There is an old custom of leaving grain or bread for birds on Shabbat Shirah. Some suggest it is a reward for their song at the Sea; others link it to the way the birds ate the false manna dispersed by Dasan and Aviram on Shabbat.
Some oppose this practice, insisting that food be left out before Shabbat. This is because the sages forbade feeding wild animals on Shabbat (1) because there may be strain involved and (2) because one might forget the laws of Shabbat and trap these creatures. They permitted only feeding domesticated animals which depend on us for food.
Other authorities defend the practice of putting out food on Shabbat Shirah, arguing that there is no strain involved and that the birds are beyond trapping when the food is placed outside. Further, we are doing it not for the birds' sake, but for the sake of our own custom.
(Maharam Lublin to Beitzah 23b; Magen Avraham 324:7; Tosefes Shabbos 324:17; Mishneh Berurah 324:31; Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 324:3; Tzitz Eliezer 14:28)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
May I feed wild birds on Shabbat Shirah?
There is an old custom of leaving grain or bread for birds on Shabbat Shirah. Some suggest it is a reward for their song at the Sea; others link it to the way the birds ate the false manna dispersed by Dasan and Aviram on Shabbat.
Some oppose this practice, insisting that food be left out before Shabbat. This is because the sages forbade feeding wild animals on Shabbat (1) because there may be strain involved and (2) because one might forget the laws of Shabbat and trap these creatures. They permitted only feeding domesticated animals which depend on us for food.
Other authorities defend the practice of putting out food on Shabbat Shirah, arguing that there is no strain involved and that the birds are beyond trapping when the food is placed outside. Further, we are doing it not for the birds' sake, but for the sake of our own custom.
(Maharam Lublin to Beitzah 23b; Magen Avraham 324:7; Tosefes Shabbos 324:17; Mishneh Berurah 324:31; Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 324:3; Tzitz Eliezer 14:28)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Monday, February 13, 2012
When to perform Hoshanot
Hi,
There are halachic reasons to put Hoshanot after Hallel and after Musaf. The former is sensible because the lulav is in hand and so one should complete the mitzvot performed with the lulav. The latter is sensible because the Torah reading and Musaf are actual mitzvot, which should precede the custom of Hoshanot. Our custom is to do Hoshanot after Musaf.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:99)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
There are halachic reasons to put Hoshanot after Hallel and after Musaf. The former is sensible because the lulav is in hand and so one should complete the mitzvot performed with the lulav. The latter is sensible because the Torah reading and Musaf are actual mitzvot, which should precede the custom of Hoshanot. Our custom is to do Hoshanot after Musaf.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:99)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Skipping a word in Shnayim Mikra
Hi,
"Shnayim Mikra" refers to the practice of reading the Torah portion privately in advance of the reading in shul, twice in the original text and once in the Aramaic translation/commentary.
To fulfill this practice, one must not skip a word. Therefore, one must say Gd's Name properly, as written in the translation, whenever he encounters it.
[Note: Many editions of the Mikraot Gedolot chumash have mistakes in their Aramaic. For example, some of them have בתראה instead of בתרהא for Shemot 15:20 ותצאנה כל הנשים אחריה, and this changes the meaning entirely. One should use an edition which has been prepared properly.]
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:98)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"Shnayim Mikra" refers to the practice of reading the Torah portion privately in advance of the reading in shul, twice in the original text and once in the Aramaic translation/commentary.
To fulfill this practice, one must not skip a word. Therefore, one must say Gd's Name properly, as written in the translation, whenever he encounters it.
[Note: Many editions of the Mikraot Gedolot chumash have mistakes in their Aramaic. For example, some of them have בתראה instead of בתרהא for Shemot 15:20 ותצאנה כל הנשים אחריה, and this changes the meaning entirely. One should use an edition which has been prepared properly.]
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:98)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Fasting through different time zones
Hi,
One who travels by airplane on a fast day observes the fast based upon his current location, whether this lengthens or shortens the fast.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:96)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
One who travels by airplane on a fast day observes the fast based upon his current location, whether this lengthens or shortens the fast.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:96)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Purim is coming
Hi,
It's time to review laws of Purim.
I have already posted what I believe are the most-relevant laws; please go to the following pages to see them:
Al haNisim
Kriat haTorah (Torah reading)
Matanot laEvyonim (Gifts for the needy)
Megilah reading
Mishloach Manot (Sending food to others)
Purim Clothing
Purim Seudah (the Purim feast)
Taanit Esther (the fast of Esther)
If I am missing anything you would like to see, please email me.
Have a great day,
Mordechai
It's time to review laws of Purim.
I have already posted what I believe are the most-relevant laws; please go to the following pages to see them:
Al haNisim
Kriat haTorah (Torah reading)
Matanot laEvyonim (Gifts for the needy)
Megilah reading
Mishloach Manot (Sending food to others)
Purim Clothing
Purim Seudah (the Purim feast)
Taanit Esther (the fast of Esther)
If I am missing anything you would like to see, please email me.
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Arba Minim [Four Species] for a minor
Hi,
One who can afford to purchase sets of Arba Minim [lulav, etrog, hadasim and aravot] for his minor children should do so, rather than rely on the minority view that they can fulfill the mitzvah with a borrowed set, and train them to recite a berachah with it.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:95)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
One who can afford to purchase sets of Arba Minim [lulav, etrog, hadasim and aravot] for his minor children should do so, rather than rely on the minority view that they can fulfill the mitzvah with a borrowed set, and train them to recite a berachah with it.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:95)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Yizkor for Israelis outside of Israel
Hi,
Israelis who are outside of Israel may go to shul and say Yizkor on the day that the community says it. They should appear to recite all of the prayers with those around them when in shul, lest they distinguish themselves from those around them.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:92)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Israelis who are outside of Israel may go to shul and say Yizkor on the day that the community says it. They should appear to recite all of the prayers with those around them when in shul, lest they distinguish themselves from those around them.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:92)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Dangerous illness on Yom Kippur
Hi,
One who is suffering from an illness which, left untreated, could result in a potentially fatal illness, is considered to be 'dangerously ill' in the eyes of Jewish law. Such a person may take a pill (for his current illness) on Yom Kippur with water, if he cannot take the pill dry.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:91)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
One who is suffering from an illness which, left untreated, could result in a potentially fatal illness, is considered to be 'dangerously ill' in the eyes of Jewish law. Such a person may take a pill (for his current illness) on Yom Kippur with water, if he cannot take the pill dry.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:91)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Medicine to enable fasting
Hi,
One should not receive injections which will enable him to fast; there is no obligation to do so, and doing so may be an inappropriate use of medicine as well as an act of wounding in performing the injection.
This is true for any fast.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:90)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
One should not receive injections which will enable him to fast; there is no obligation to do so, and doing so may be an inappropriate use of medicine as well as an act of wounding in performing the injection.
This is true for any fast.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:90)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Tachanun and local custom
Hi,
One who lives in a place where Tachanun is recited without the 13 attributes of Divine mercy, and who prays at some point with a minyan which does recite them, is obligated to recite them with the community. One may not diverge visibly from communal custom.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:89)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
One who lives in a place where Tachanun is recited without the 13 attributes of Divine mercy, and who prays at some point with a minyan which does recite them, is obligated to recite them with the community. One may not diverge visibly from communal custom.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:89)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Saying the 13 attributes of Divine mercy with another minyan
Hi,
One who has already prayed, and who then hears a congregation reciting the 13 attributes of Divine mercy, is not required to say it with them. However, where the custom is for bystanders to say it with the congregation, one should do so, even if this interrupts his personal study. Communal study should not be interrupted.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:89)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
One who has already prayed, and who then hears a congregation reciting the 13 attributes of Divine mercy, is not required to say it with them. However, where the custom is for bystanders to say it with the congregation, one should do so, even if this interrupts his personal study. Communal study should not be interrupted.
(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:89)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
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