Learning and other activities

Learning and doing other activities on Erev Shabbos:[1] One is to slightly diminish the amount of his learning on Erev Shabbos. It goes without saying that one is to diminish from doing other activities.[2] Yeshiva on Erev Shabbos: [Due to the above requirement to diminish in ones learning on Erev […]

Forms of work

The forms of work that are forbidden to be done past Mincha:[1] The Sages only forbade one to do forms of work which fulfill all the following conditions: Melacha Gemura: The work is a complete form of work. [Meaning that it involves laborious activity, as opposed to a job which […]

Mincha on Erev Shabbos

Saying Hodu:[1] It is a custom established from the Ball Shem Tov to recite psalm 107 prior to the Mincha prayer.[2] Hodu is omitted prior to Mincha Erev Shabbos which is also Yom Tov or Chol Hamoed.[3] [Some communities are accustomed to recite Hodu together with a Minyan.[4] This is […]

Accepting joyfully

 Accepting Shabbos with joy:[1] One is to wear elegant clothing and rejoice in the coming of Shabbos like one is going to greet the king, and like one who is greeting a bride and groom. This was the custom of the greatest of our Sages which would garb themselves in […]

Checking pockets

Checking ones pockets close to Shabbos: [1] It is a Mitzvah[2] upon every person to check his clothing[3] on Erev Shabbos, in close proximity to the beginning of Shabbos. This is done in order to verify that he is not carrying anything which is forbidden to carry[4] on Shabbos.[5] [This […]

Carrying close to shabbos

Carrying an object close to the start of Shabbos:[1] The public area is defined as a Reshus Harabim: It is forbidden for one to carry an object in his hand [or pocket[2]] into a public domain which is defined as a Reshus Harabim very close to the start of Shabbos.[3] […]

Shabbos reminders

Reminding ones household that Shabbos is near:[1] Slightly[2] prior to sunset, one is to caution his household that they should light the candles and cease from doing any forbidden work. Likewise, if one’s wife baked Challah [as is required due to the custom] then slightly prior to sunset it is […]

Preparing the Blech

Practical summary of how to prepare the Blech Erev Shabbos: It is forbidden to leave less than half cooked food on an open flame into Shabbos. This law created the use of a Blech. The blech effectively covers the fire and allows one to leave even less than half cooked […]

Doing laundry on Erev Shabbos

Doing laundry on Erev Shabbos: The general law:[1] Ezra instituted for laundry to be done on Thursday [or prior[2]] in honor of Shabbos, in order so one have clean white clothing to wear on Shabbos.[3] [This comes to negate doing laundry on Erev Shabbos[4]], as on Erev Shabbos there is […]

Clothing

Shabbos clothes:[1] Every person is obligated to strive based on his affordability, to have elegant clothing for Shabbos.[2] These clothing are to be designated specifically[3] for Shabbos (and are to be nicer than the clothing he wears during the week).[4] [Hence one is to avoid wearing these clothing at all […]

Nails

Cutting ones nails: It is a Mitzvah to cut one’s [hand[1]] nails every Erev Shabbos.[2] [See Q&A] A. Cutting nails during the week, prior to Erev Shabbos?[3] Although it is a Mitzvah top cut the nails on Erev Shabbos as stated above nevertheless if one does not desire to wait […]

Haircut

Getting a haircut?[1] If one has long hair it is a Mitzvah to cut it [any day prior to Shabbos] in order so one not enter into Shabbos in disgrace. Furthermore, it is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar to cut the hair specifically on Erev Shabbos and not beforehand.[2] If however […]

Mikveh

Going to Mikveh on Erev Shabbos:[1] It is a great Mitzvah to immerse in a Mikveh on Erev Shabbos[2], and so is the Chabad custom.[3] Immersing before Shabbos draws down the holiness of Shabbos onto one’s soul. [4] Regarding Erev Yom Tov, even one who is not particular to go […]

Bathing

Bathing on Erev Shabbos:[1] It is a Mitzvah[2] [upon both men and women[3]] to initially bathe one’s entire body[4] in hot water[5] on Erev Shabbos [and Erev Yom Tov[6]] in honor of Shabbos [and Yom Tov]. If one is unable to do so then he is at the very least […]

Tasting the foods on Erev Shabbos

Tasting the foods on Erev Shabbos:[1] One is to taste the Shabbos foods on Erev Shabbos [to see if they need anything added to them in order to ensure their tastiness[2]]. [Nevertheless, this was not seen to be the custom of the Previous Rebbe.[3]] It is proper to taste each […]

Setting up the Shabbos table

Setting the table for Shabbos:[1] When to set the table:[2] One[3] is to set up the Shabbos table [including its chairs[4]] on Erev Shabbos in preparation for the Friday night meal.[5] [The silverware and china are to be clean and polished for the meal.[6] There is no need however to […]

Sharpening knives on Erev Shabbos

Sharpening knives on Erev Shabbos:[1] One is to beware to sharpen the [kitchen and eating] knives every Erev Shabbos, as preparing oneself for eating is included within the honor of Shabbos.[2] In addition, [at times] one needs to sharpen the knives for the sake of Shalom Bayis [marital harmony], such […]

Keeping floor clean

Not to dirty one’s floor by the Shabbos meals:[1] It is proper[2] to beware at the night and day meal from dirtying one’s floor by throwing food remnants onto it.[3] Rather one is to throw the remnants onto the tablecloth which is on the table and after the meal one […]

Cleaning preparations

Cleaning the house for Shabbos:[1] One is to clean and tidy all matters of his house so that when he comes home from Shul the house is found clean and organized.[2] [The floors are to be swept and cleaned.[3] When cleaning the house for Shabbos one should mention that he […]

Designating food for shabbos

Food designated for Shabbos:[1] If one was given food for Shabbos it should not be eaten during the week. This is an act of piety, although from the letter of the law there is no prohibition in the matter.[2] [1] 242/8 [2] This can be learned from the law in […]

Separating challah

Separating Challah:[1] The amount of dough needed to separate with a blessing: One may only separate Challah with a blessing if he has 1,666.6 grams of flour.[2] If one has less than this amount but more than 1,250 grams[3] he is to separate Challah without a blessing. How much dough […]

Baking Challahs

Baking Challahs:[1] It is customary for every household to bake Challahs for Shabbos which are used for Lechem Mishneh and not to buy them at the bakery as is done during the week. This matter of baking one’s own Challah is included in the honoring of Shabbos and Yom Tov […]

How much to enhance shabbos

How much should one spend in order to enhance Shabbos and what should be part of the Shabbos menu? The foods eaten to fulfill the mitzvah of Oneg Shabbos vary in accordance to each countries definition of a luxurious food. Thus those foods and beverages which considered delicacies in ones […]

The Mitzvah of Kavod and Oneg Shabbos

The mitzvah of Kavod and Oneg Shabbos:[1] A Biblical or Rabbinical precept: There are two matters regarding Shabbos that were expounded on by the prophets. These are the Mitzvah to honor Shabbos [i.e. Kavod Shabbos] and Oneg Shabbos.[2] These two Shabbos obligations [to honor and enjoy it] are in truth […]

Shopping for Shabbos

Shopping for Shabbos: When to go shopping:[1] It is best to purchase foods which require further preparation[2] on Thursday, as opposed to Erev Shabbos.[3] Readymade foods, such as beverages and different readymade desserts and the like, are better to be purchased on Friday. If the store will close and one […]

The Mitzvah to help prepare for Shabbos

Preparing for Shabbos-A Mitzvah and obligation upon each person:[1] Best to personally perform all the Shabbos preparations: Even if one has many servants he is to endeavor to personally prepare [all[2] or as much as possible of] his Shabbos needs.[3] [This applies even if doing all the Shabbos preparations will […]

Making Dye

Making dye on Shabbos:[1] It is forbidden to make dye on Shabbos, such as by soaking pigment in water, [due to the dyeing prohibition[2], or alternatively due to the kneading prohibition[3].]   General Q&A May one use Q-tips on Shabbos? This is allowed.[4]   [1] Magen Avraham 320/25 brought also […]

4. Dyeing Foods

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 4. Dyeing foods:[1] One is permitted to place turmeric in food and there is no need to worry [that doing so] is [transgressing the] coloring [prohibition] as there is no coloring [prohibition involved] in [dyeing] food. Getting pigment on […]

4. Washing hands with salt/ soap/fats

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 4. Washing ones hands with salt/ soap/fats:[1] It is forbidden to wash one’s hands in salt[2] and certainly with soap[3] or other fats. The reason for this is: because [the material] dissolves in one’s hand and is as if […]

Cooking/Bishul

Check out our Amazon Sefarim Shop This article is an excerpt from the above Sefer WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Sponsor an Article Important Note: The following laws deal with what constitutes the prohibition of cooking on Shabbos and not the Rabbinical prohibition associated with placing cooked food on or very […]

0. Introduction to Laws of Cooking

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here Introduction: The following section will discuss the laws of cooking on Shabbos. The first chapter deals with the definition of cooking and what foods may be heated on Shabbos and which may not. The second chapter will discuss the […]

Sharing Candelabras

Hadlakas Neiros Shabbos-Sharing candelabra and Chanukah menorah   It at times occurs that there are extra branches on the candelabra, or Menorah and there is another person lighting who does not have a candelabra/Menorah and hence would like to use the extra branches for his/her lighting. The question arises as […]

Olive oil versus Wax

Hadlakas Neiros Shabbos-Olive oil or wax?   Many of you I am sure have noticed that while most people light Shabbos candles using wax candles, some are particular to use olive oil. On the other hand, by Chanukah most of Jewry uses olive oil while only some use wax. Should […]

10. Examples

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here Examples: Tearing the covering off of a bottle:[1] A person may tear the hide which [seals] the opening of a barrel of wine or other liquids, if he does so for the need of Shabbos. He need not worry […]

1. The general rules of the prohibition

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 1. The general rules of the prohibition: A. Items attached to the ground:[1] Any item attached to the ground [including vessels, even if they are not sturdy[2]] contain the [prohibition] of building and destroying, [even if one plans to […]

7. Making a hole in a barrel

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 7. Making a hole in a barrel: A. Chopping off the top of a barrel:[1] A person may present a barrel of wine before his guests, and cut off its head (the definition of the head of the barrel […]

5. Tikkun Keli by food

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 5. Tikkun Keli by foods:[1] A. For the sake of using as a vessel: Animal food [which includes all foods which are edible to animals[2]] does not contain within it [the prohibition of] fixing a vessel [and is permitted […]

1. The definition of the prohibition

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here Important Note: Building or fixing an item on Shabbos contains two possible prohibitions. The Makeh Bepatish prohibition and the Building prohibition. In Chapter 1 we will deal with the Makeh Bepatish prohibition, its definition and cases of application. In […]

4. The permitted method of separating

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 4. The permitted method of separating:[1] Separating the food from the waste with ones hands to eat immediately: It is permitted to separate food, as opposed to the waste, with ones hands in order to eat right away. [Regarding […]

0. Introduction to Laws of Borer

This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here Introduction: The following section will deal with the laws of separating foods and items from amongst other foods and items, such as separating cucumbers from tomatoes in a salad, or a white shirt from amongst other colored shirts. Doing […]