Blessing on improper washing

When is a blessing recited on an improper washing? The previous Halachas dealt with all the details required for a valid morning washing. The current law is a summary of cases in which one is unable to follow a certain requirement for the morning washing and its subsequent law. The […]

Washing face and feet

Washing one’s face and feet every morning [1] One should wash his face and feet every day out of respect for G-d, as the verse states “For in the image of G-d he created man”. [One who goes to Mikveh in the morning fulfills this mitzvah with the immersion.[2] Some[3] rule […]

Discarding the water

Discarding the water which is forbidden in benefit: [1] The water that was used for the morning washing is forbidden to be used for any purpose, as this water is forbidden in benefit due to the impurity that resides on it. Therefore one may not leave the water lying in his […]

Rinsing the mouth upon awakening

Washing ones mouth in the morning: [1] Some have the custom to rinse their mouth in the morning to remove the ririm that is found in the mouth, in order to bless the Almighty G-d with holiness and purity. [The Chabad custom is to rinse the mouth prior to reciting the […]

Morning washing for children

Do children need to wash their hands in the morning? [1] It is accustomed not to be careful to wash the hands of children upon awakening, until they reach the age of Chinuch.[2] [However once the child has reached the age of Chinuch one must be careful to educate them to […]

Washing immediately upon awakening

Washing immediately upon awakening: [1] Every meticulous person should beware to wash his hands immediately upon awakening [after saying Modeh Ani] even if he plans on remaining lying in his bed. Through doing so he will be saved from waste of seed [nocturnal emission]. To Purchase this Sefer click here. [1] Kama […]

The Bracha/Blessing on the morning washing

 The blessing recited over the morning washing: A. The Nussach:[1] The wording of the blessing said over the morning washing is “Al Netilas Yadayim“.[2] B. Reciting the blessing after the second washing:[3] After awakening in the morning one is to wash his hands [near his bed] without saying a blessing, […]

Netilas Yadayim-The law and its reason

Introduction: In the previous chapter the restrictions that apply prior to washing hands were discussed. This chapter will deal with the detailed laws of the washing; How the washing is to be done; The reason behind the washing; When a blessing is recited; Which waters may be used for the […]

Modeh Ani: History, details, and Positions

Saying Modeh Ani:[1] Immediately upon awakening, even prior to washing ones hands[2], it is proper[3] to [accustom oneself[4] to] say Modeh Ani.[5] The reason for reciting Modeh Ani: This is done in order to remember that Hashem is standing over him and motivate him to get up with alacrity.[6] Alternatively, […]

In G-d’s constant presence

In G-d’s constant presence[1] [Immediately upon awakening, in order for one to overcome his inclination and motivate himself to get out of bed with alacrity[2]], he should [accustom himself to immediately[3]] think about who he is lying before and how G-d is constantly standing over him.[4] He should contemplate how […]

Waking up on time

Waking up on time: [1] One should be strong like a lion and overcome his desire [to continue sleeping] by waking [from his sleep[2] some time[3]] prior to the morning [dawn[4]] in order to serve G-d [which is the purpose of his creation and it is for this reason that his […]

The 6 constant mitzvos

The constant Mitzvos:  The Poskim [1] enumerated a list of Mitzvos that one has the ability to constantly fulfill throughout the day being that they are not limited to any specific time, place or action.  These are: Belief in Hashem Not to believe in the existence of any other G-d. […]

As Light as an eagle

This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com As light as an eagle:[1] Control ones sight: One is to be as light as an eagle. This refers to ones sight, that one should close his eyes to avoid viewing evil. Just like the eagle changes his glance very […]

1. Squeezing cloths that have become wet

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here     Introduction: This chapter deals with the laws of squeezing liquids out from cloth. Doing so in addition to containing the Mifarek prohibition as well contains at times the laundering prohibition. Regarding the laundering prohibition, only those laws […]

Playing games

Introduction- The spirit of Shabbos Due to the holiness of Shabbos, adults should avoid playing games on Shabbos even if the game has no Halachic prohibitions involved. The Talmud states that the city of Tur Shimon was destroyed for the sin of playing ball on Shabbos. Some explain this to […]

Left light on in Fridge

  May one open or close the door of his fridge if the light was left active? No. It is forbidden to open or close the door of the fridge if the fridge light was left active and will inevitably turn on or off upon being opened or closed. This […]

Fasting on Erev Shabbos

May one fast on Erev Shabbos:[1] Setting up a new fast day for Erev Shabbos: One may not initially set up[2] a fast day for Erev Shabbos, unless he eats something prior to the entrance of Shabbos[3].  The reason for this requirement is in order so one not enter into […]

Traveling on Erev Shabbos

Traveling On Erev Shabbos:[1] One must reach his Shabbos destination prior to 4 hours and 48 minutes[2] [see footnote] having passed from the beginning of day.[3] [See Q&A] This is due to concern that if he arrives later than the above time there will not be enough time to prepare […]

Prohibition #1: The/Koreah/Tearing prohibition

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here   Prohibition #1: The/Koreah/Tearing prohibition The laws of Tearing sewn items and separating glued items on Shabbos 1. The rules of the prohibition and when it applies: A. The Principal prohibition-Tearing with intent to re-sew:[1] One who tears [an […]

Performing a Bris on Shabbos

The Laws involved in performing a Bris on Shabbos     1. In what scenarios is a child to be circumcised on Shabbos?   The circumcision of an infant is to be performed on the eighth day after birth even if it falls on Shabbos.[1] If however it is past […]

6. Assisting a gentile women give birth

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 6. Assisting a gentile women give birth:[1] Is forbidden even for reward as one can excuse herself without causing enmity:  One may not assist a gentile to give birth even if the needed assistance does not involve desecrating Shabbos, […]

The laws of Erasing

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here Chapter 3: The Laws of Erasing General rule: Whenever something is forbidden to be written on Shabbos, as explained in the previous chapter, it is likewise forbidden to be erased unless stated otherwise[1]. Refer to the previous chapter for […]

The laws of writing

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here Writing letters, symbols, marks, pictures  1. The Av Melacha[1] To write or erase with intent to write: One who writes[2], and erases in order to write in the erased area, has performed one of the primary Melachas. [This is […]

7. Cutting a knot

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 7. Cutting a knot:[1] Cutting the sewing and knot of the tailor: Even if a collar had already been opened [after being made] but a professional [tailor] returned and sewed [the two sides of the collar] together in the […]

Tying a scarf or tichel

May one tie a scarf around his neck, or a tichel on ones hair? It is best to do so with a bow over a knot. However there are Poskim[1] which allow one to make even a double knot as long as the double knot is not tight. Other Poskim[2] […]

Practical Q&A

May one ask a gentile to untie a temporary knot in a time of need? Even if the knot is meant to last for more than 7 days, it is allowed to be done.[1] However it requires further analysis if this applies even according to Admur/Taz[2].   May one make […]

An amateur knot

When making an amateur knot must one have in mind to undo it within 24 hours?[1] If the knot is a type of knot which is at times opened within 24 hours, and certainly if it is meant to constantly be opened, then there is no need for one to […]

A professional knot

What is considered a professionally made knot?[1] Any strong knot which is tightly tied there is doubt that perhaps it is considered a professional knot. Double knots: Therefore [strong] double knots are forbidden to be tied or untied unless in a case of pain when made to not last 24 […]

Summary

Biblically: It is only Biblically prohibited to tie or untie a knot if: At the time of making it one plans to let the knot remain tied for as long as it can possibly last and does not plan to ever untie it.[1] According to some opinions there must also […]

6. Examples of Cases

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 6. Examples of Cases: A. Untying the rope that secures a cover to its vessel:[1] Seals that are on vessels, such as a chest of drawers, box and portable tower which have their covering tied to them with a […]

5. To suck the juice out from fruits

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 5. To suck the juice out from fruits:[1] First Opinion: The above however only applies to squeezing, however, to suck out the juice from the fruit with one’s mouth there are opinions[2] who allow one to do so even […]

4. A bow and single knot

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 4. A bow knot and a single knot:[1] A bow made on top of a single knot:[2] The above only refers to [a double knot made of] two knots one of top of the other, however by one knot […]

3. Squeezing juice into food and liquid

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 3. Squeezing juice into food and liquid: A. Squeezing ripe grapes into food [as opposed to liquid]:[1] Squeezing grapes directly into food: It is permitted to squeeze a cluster of grapes into a pot that contains food in order […]

0. Introduction to Tying and Untying

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here Introduction: The following chapter will discuss when and when not one may tie a knot on Shabbos. Doing so involves at times a Biblical prohibition, at others a Rabbinical prohibition, and at others is completely allowed. This is dependent […]

Removing wax or ink blotches

May one remove wax blotches [as well as other forms of blotches] from letters of a Sefer Torah and does it invalidate the Torah? First Opinion[1]: If there is wax [or other blotch] on a letter and the letter is not recognizable due to this then the sefer is invalid […]

Bar of Soap

Does washing ones hands with a bar of soap contain the smoothening prohibition [Mimacheik]?[1] Regarding the smoothening prohibition some Poskim[2] rule by soft soap it applies and thus would be forbidden to use according to all opinions. Others[3] hold that it only applies if there is a visible amount of […]

3. Smearing fat and oil

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 3. Smearing fat and oil: Smearing oil:[1] It is permitted to smear [oil] [See “The Laws of Smearing Oil” regarding using scented oils] with ones hand over ones entire body for pleasure. [Thus, doing so does not contain the […]

1. The General Law

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 1. The general law:[1] One who smears a poultice[2], which means that he smoothes and levels the grooves that are in it, as well as one who smears wax or tar and anything of the like which is a […]

Introduction to Shehiyah

In certain circumstances the Sages forbade leaving food on a fire from before Shabbos, out of fear that one may come to increase the flame on Shabbos in order to quicken the cooking of the food. The Rabbinical restriction only applies in specific scenarios. It depends on: The type of […]

Lice

Removing lice from skins:[1] One may not remove lice from the skins of fox and the like being that [in the process] one removes hair from the skin which contains the sheering prohibition, and although it is done unintentionally, nevertheless it is an inevitable occurrence [and is thus forbidden].   […]

Scabs

Removing scabs:[1] One may remove the scab of a wound [with ones hands[2]]. [However this may only be done if it will not cause blood to be extracted.[3]] Final stage of the wound: Even in the final stage of the wound, which is defined as when it has already healed […]