Kol Hanearim:[1] It is a worldly custom that on Simchas Torah all the male children receive an Aliyah to the Torah.[2] This Aliyah is customarily known as Kol Hanearim.[3] It is customary to spread a Tallis over the heads of the children during this Aliyah.[4] It is likewise customary to […]
Borer-Removing the bad together with the good [i.e. a hair together with some food]
Removing the bad/waste together with some of the good/food: The opinion of Admur in the Shulchan Aruch:[1] It is permitted to remove from food which has waste in it, the waste together with some of the food, such as [using a spoon to] remove a fly from a cup together […]
Crying on Shabbos
May one cry on Shabbos? One who receives pleasure from crying, may cry on Shabbos.[1] Thus, one may cry out of feelings of yearning and Dveikus for Hashem, such as occurs by those who Daven with concentration.[2] Furthermore, if one is saddened by a certain matter, and by crying over […]
Knowing how to judge-Hearing the details of a dispute in the presence of both sides
This Halacha is published in our Sefer “Topics in Practical Halacha” Volume 2 Hearing the claims of each side in the presence of the other side:[1] A. Introduction: Monetary claims are a basic aspect of day to day business dealings and interaction with others. These claims must be brought before […]
Saying “Harei Zu Challah” and the law if one did not say
Saying “Harei Zu Challah”:[1] After one separates a Kezayis of dough she is to say “Hareiy Zu Challah” or “This is Challah”. Bedieved if was not said:[2] If one did not say “Hareiy Zu Challah” but had in mind for it to become Challah, it is nevertheless valid. [If, […]
Pareve food cooked in meat pot or mixed with meat spoon-must one wait six hours after eating it
If Pareve food was cooked in a meat pot must one wait six hours after eating it?[1] If Pareve food was cooked in a meat pot it is permitted to eat dairy products after eating that food without waiting at all. There is no custom to be stringent. [This applies […]
The Blessing said upon seeing a cemetery
Saying the blessing of Yatzar Eschem Badin:[1] One who has not visited a cemetery [in thirty days] is to recite the following blessing upon seeing it: ברוך אתה יי אלקינו מלך העולם אשר יצר אתכם בדין וזן אתכם בדין וכלכל אתכם בדין והמית אתכם בדין ויודע מספר כלכם והוא עתיד […]
How often is Birchas Reiyah recited
How often may Birchas Hareiyah be recited?[1] All the blessings that are said over the sight of an item [i.e. Birchas Hareiyah] are not to be repeated if one re-saw the same item within thirty days of the previous sighting and subsequent blessing. [Thus, if one saw the Great-Sea on […]
If one said Vesein Tal Umatar prior/post its allowed time:
If one said Vesein Tal Umatar prior/post its allowed time:[1] If one said Vesein Tal Umatar Levracha during the summer, outside of its allowed time, which is between Pesach and 7th Cheshvan or 5th December, there is a difference in law between Eretz Yisrael and the Diaspora. Eretz Yisrael:[2] In Eretz […]
Said Visein Tal Umatar between Shemini Atzeres and the 7th of Marcheshvan, is he to repeat Shemoneh Esrei?
If one mistakenly said Visein Tal Umatar after Sukkos but before its proper time, is he to repeat Shemoneh Esrei? If one mistakenly said Visein Tal Umatar between Shemini Atzeres and the 7th of Marcheshvan, is he to repeat Shemoneh Esrei? Some Poskim[1] rule that one who said Visein Tal Umatar […]