Attending a wedding during the Omer

Hi,

One who observes one period of mourning during Sefirat haOmer, and who is invited to attending a wedding during that time because the families involved are observing a different period of mourning during the Omer, is permitted to attend the wedding and dance and celebrate.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 2:95)

Pitka tava,
Mordechai

Kiddush for Shabbat and Yom Kippur

Hi,

It is appropriate to keep in mind, when reciting the middle blessing of the Yom Kippur nighttime amidah (מקדש השבת וישראל ויום הכיפורים), that this recitation fulfills the mitzvah of Kiddush for Shabbat and for Yom Kippur.

However, because the obligation to recite Kiddush is unclear, and because we do not have an established text, one who is ill and needs to eat on Yom Kippur does not recite Kiddush before eating.

(R' Akiva Eiger to Orach Chaim 271:1 and the end of Orach Chaim 618; Chatam Sofer to Orach Chaim 271; Avnei Nezer Orach Chaim 2:38; Mishneh Berurah 618:29; Har Tzvi 1:155; Moadim uZmanim 6:25; Igrot Moshe Choshen Mishpat 1:39)

Gmar tov,
Mordechai

Taking pills to ease fasting for Yom Kippur

Hi,

There is a view that one should not do anything before Yom Kippur to ease the Yom Kippur fast. (Sdei Chemed, Maarechet Yom Kippur 1)

However, the great majority of authorities support taking medication in advance of Yom Kippur to ease the fast. They base themselves in part on Rashi's statement that the reason for the mitzvah of eating on Erev Yom Kippur is to make the fast itself more manageable. Also, some suggest that because Yom Kippur is a Yom Tov, we are not to make it more difficult than the Torah did.

(Rashi Rosh haShanah 9a כל האוכל, Rashi Yoma 81b כל האוכל, Chelkat Yaakov 2:58 (aka Orach Chaim 216), Tzitz Eliezer 7:32:4, Piskei Teshuvos 611 footnote 2)

Gmar tov,
Mordechai

Breaking from shul practice

Hi,

One who davens in a shul where they say Hallel on Pesach night may not leave, lest his departure be taken as a sign of disagreement with the community. He should recite Hallel, but he should avoid reciting a berachah unless that would be obvious to the community.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 2:94)

Gmar tov,
Mordechai

Kashering rubber

Hi,

One may kasher wood-based rubber with "hagalah", just as one may kasher [smooth] wood with that method. However, this will not necessarily apply to synthetic rubber.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 2:92)

Gmar tov,
Mordechai

Taking medicine on Shabbat

Hi,

Medicine is prohibited on Shabbat, unless:
a) It is to save a life, or
b) Taking it involves only the rabbinic prohibition against medicine on Shabbat (as opposed to biblical prohibitions), and it is necessary to alleviate great pain.

However: One who needs a medicine which is only taken when mixed into food or drink may mix it into food or drink before Shabbat and take it, assuming that on-lookers will not know it is medicine, and assuming that the patient himself will do the mixing [as opposed to purchasing a pre-mixed product]. This ensures that the patient will remember and not mix and take it on Shabbat itself, and it ensures that no one will be mis-led regarding the general issue of taking medicine on Sahbbat."

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 2:86)

גמר חתימה טובה,
Mordechai

Tea on Shabbat

Hi,

The laws of Shabbat permit boiling solids which were already boiled before Shabbat.

Tea leaves are dried over a fire, but this process is qualitatively different from a boiling process in the eyes of Jewish law. Therefore, one may not consider tea leaves "pre-boiled", and one may not boil them over a flame on Shabbat.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 2:85)

Have a great day,
Mordechai