This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 16. Washing one’s hands in salt or soap:[1] It is forbidden to wash one’s hands in salt and certainly with soap or other fats. The reason for this is: because [the material] dissolves in ones hand and is as […]
15. Washing oneself with liquid that also contains hair removal liquid on Shabbos
15. Washing oneself with liquid that also contains hair removal liquid on Shabbos:[1] It is permitted to wash ones face, hands and feet with liquids that do not remove hair which are mixed with hair removal substances so long as the majority of the mixture is not made up of […]
14. Treating stomach pains with a vessel of hot water
This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 14. Treating stomach pains with a vessel of hot water:[1] A large amount of water: One who has a stomach pains is forbidden to place on his stomach a vessel that has hot water. The reason for this is:[2] […]
13. Warming up one’s wet body near a fire
This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 13. Warming up one’s wet body near a fire:[1] Pouring cold water on one’s body and heating it near a fire:[2] A person may not rinse his entire body in cold water and heat himself opposite a fire because […]
12. Perspiring on Shabbos in a bathhouse
This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 12. Perspiring on Shabbos in a bathhouse:[1] Entering a steam room: The Sages forbade one to enter a bathhouse even in order to merely perspire [one’s body]. The reason for this is:[2] due to the transgressors who would bathe […]
11. Splashing twigs away while in a body of water
This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 11. Splashing twigs away while in a body of water:[1] The rule: It is forbidden for a person in a river to splash an item away from oneself or towards oneself. The reason for this is because:[2] doing so […]
10. Swimming on Shabbos
This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 10. Swimming on Shabbos:[1] Introduction: Although bathing in cold water is customarily forbidden on Shabbos, as explained in the previous Halachos, nevertheless it may be done in certain scenarios, such as for the sake of Mikveh, or to relieve […]
9. The prohibition of squeezing liquid from hair on Shabbos
This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 9. The prohibition of squeezing liquid from hair on Shabbos:[1] Every bather needs to beware not to squeeze his hair. The Reason: Now, although there is no applicable [Biblical] prohibition of squeezing hair[2] being that hair is hard and […]
8. The allowance to dry oneself on Shabbos
This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 8. The allowance to dry oneself on Shabbos:[1] One who washes his face hands and feet in hot water which was heated from before Shabbos, or even [one] who bathes his entire body in the Tiberius springs, or in […]
7. Going to Mikvah on Shabbos
This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 7. Going to Mikvah on Shabbos:[1] A person is allowed to purify himself of his impurities by immersing in a mikvah on Shabbos[2] even if this immersing is Biblically required [to be done], such as a nidda and the […]
6. Doing Hefsek Taharah on Shabbos
This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 6. Doing Hefsek Taharah on Shabbos:[1] [Being that washing only minority of one’s limbs with water heated before Shabbos is permitted,] therefore in a place where there is no [accepted] custom [otherwise], a woman is allowed to begin her […]
5. Bathing for healing purposes
This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 5. Bathing for healing purposes:[1] Introduction: The bathing prohibition which applies when bathing in hot water, as well as the custom to prohibit bathing even in cold water, does not apply in a case that one is bathing for […]
Walking in the rain
Walking outside while it is raining:[1] One who is walking through a public area and rain falls on him and on his clothes, the Sages were not stringent on [his walking of four cubits with the drops of water on him]. The reason for this is: because this is a […]
Washing hands in river
Washing ones hands in a river:[1] It is permitted to stand on the bed of the river and wash ones hands in its water. There is no prohibition involved in the removal of the water which is on his hands from the river onto the bed being that the river […]
4. Bathing/Showering with cold water
This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 4. Bathing/Showering with cold water: A. The law and custom: The letter of the law:[1] Being that hot water [from the] springs of Tiberius are permitted for one to even dip his entire body inside of, as the decree […]
1. The prohibition of bathing/showering on Shabbos in hot water
This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here 1. The prohibition of bathing/showering on Shabbos in hot water: A. Bathing in hot water heated through fire:[1] The Sages forbade bathing one’s entire body or majority[2] of it with hot water whether [the water] is within a vessel […]
0. Introduction to Bathing, Showering, & Swimming
This article is an excerpt from To purchase this Sefer, click here Introduction: The following chapter will discuss the laws of bathing and showering on Shabbos. There is a difference between hot and cold water, as well as to the amount of one’s body that is being bathed. At times it […]
Chapter 340
Chapter 340 Miscellaneous Shabbos Prohibitions Gozez/Shearing: Halacha 1: The Av Melacha-Shearing wool from skin: One who shears [hair/wool] whether from alive or dead animal, whether from a domestic and wild animal, even from skin that has been removed, is liable [for a sin offering]. Doing so is amongst the principle […]
Chapter 330
Chapter 330 The Laws of a Yoledes on Shabbos Halacha 1 Like a dangerously ill person: A Yoledes [woman in labor] is [considered] like a dangerously ill person and one [thus] is to desecrate Shabbos on her behalf for all of her needs. [Thus the following may be done:] Calling […]
Chapter 329
Chapter 329 For whom may one transgress Shabbos Halacha 1 Extinguishing a lethal fire : Any life threatening situation overrides [the] Shabbos [prohibitions], and whoever is quick [to transgress in order to save a life] is praised. Children or sick people are endangered: Even if a fire ignited in a […]
Chapter 328
Chapter 328 The laws of a sick person on Shabbos Introduction: The following chapter will discuss the laws of treating illnesses on Shabbos. Healing on Shabbos is in it of itself a Rabbinical prohibition even when done without any other Shabbos transgressions. At times healing is allowed even when it […]
Chapter 327
Chapter 327 The laws of smearing on Shabbos Introduction: The following chapter will discuss the laws of smearing oil on one’s body. The problem with doing so at times is that it falls under the decree made against healing. In continuation of this the laws of oiling leather will also […]
Chapter 326
Chapter 326 The laws of bathing on Shabbos Introduction: The following chapter will discuss the laws of bathing and showering on Shabbos. There is a difference between hot and cold water, as well as to the amount of one’s body that is being bathed. At times it is Rabbinically forbidden […]
Chapter 325
Chapter 325 A gentile which did forbidden work for a Jew Giving food and other items to a gentile on Shabbos: Introduction: The following chapter will discuss the laws regarding giving food and items to a gentile in a scenario that the gentile will carry it out to a different […]
Chapter 324
Chapter 324 Feeding animals on Shabbos 1. Feeding animals:[1] It is permitted for one to feed home and farm animals, food and drink, if they are dependent on him for their food. It is however forbidden to feed home and farm creatures if they are not dependant on him for […]
Chapter 323
Chapter 323 Transporting items from one area to another on Shabbos:[1] From a public area with an Eiruv: It is forbidden to carry from a public area [even if it has an Eiruv] four bottles of wine in a basket or box.[2] Rather one is to carry the bottles in […]
Chapter 322
Chapter 322 1. An egg laid on Shabbos:[1] An egg which has been laid on Shabbos is forbidden to be eaten[2] and is therefore Muktzah.[3] It is even forbidden to merely touch the egg.[4] Nevertheless it is permitted to place a vessel over the egg to protect it. However it […]
Chapter 321
Chapter 321 Laws of detaching food from the ground, grinding, fixing food, working leather and kneading. Halacha 1 Using bundles of herbs on Shabbos: Avoiding Muktzah: Bundles of madder[1], hyssop, and thyme[2] which were collected in order to dry out and be used for fire wood, may not be used […]
Chapter 320
Chapter 320 Introduction: The following chapter will deal with the laws of squeezing liquids out of solids on Shabbos. Squeezing liquid from a solid involves the Mifarek prohibition and is thus only permitted to be done in certain scenarios. The first section will deal with the laws of squeezing from […]
Chapter 319
Chapter 319 The Laws of separating [items] on Shabbos Part 1: Separating items within mixtures Introduction: The following section will deal with the laws of separating foods and other items from amongst other foods and items, such as separating cucumbers from tomatoes in a salad, or a white shirt from […]
Chapter 318
Chapter 318 Laws of cooking on Shabbos Introduction: The following chapter will discuss the laws of cooking on Shabbos. The first section will discuss the ramifications of one who has transgressed and cooked, or did any other forbidden activity on Shabbos. At times the Sages decreed that the food be […]
Chapter 317
Chapter 317 Laws of tying and making bows on Shabbos Introduction: The following chapter will discuss when 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 on the type of […]
Chapter 316
Chapter 316 Trappings which are forbidden and permitted on Shabbos Introduction: The following chapter will discuss the laws of trapping, killing or injuring creatures on Shabbos. Both trapping and killing or injuring an animal are Principal Shabbos prohibitions. At times it is only Rabbinically forbidden and thus allowed to be […]
Chapter 315
Chapter 315 Matters forbidden due to building a tent on Shabbos. Introduction: The following chapter will discuss the laws of setting up dividers and roofings on Shabbos. A roofing is defined as any item which hovers over a surface, such as an umbrella, or a tent, or a table. The […]
Chapter 314
Chapter 314 Matters forbidden [to do] because of [the prohibition of] building and destroying on Shabbos. The laws of breaking a vessel on Shabbos Introduction: The laws of destroying a vessel mentioned in the previous chapter were only with regards to disassembling vessels that are made of assembled parts. The […]
Chapter 313
Chapter 313 Laws of moving doors, windows and locks on Shabbos Introduction: The following chapter will discuss the laws that involve inserting and removing doors, windows and other parts into and out of houses and vessels on Shabbos. It will also discuss the laws of inserting locks onto ones door. […]
Chapter 312
Chapter 312 Introduction: The following chapter will discuss the laws of Muktzah items as they relate to being used for cleaning purposes after going to the bathroom. In addition other laws regarding using the bathroom are dealt with in this chapter. One must keep in mind that the form of […]
Chapter 311
Chapter 311 The laws of moving a dead body and other laws of indirect moving of Muktzah on Shabbos. Introduction: The following chapter will discuss the laws of Muktzah as they relate to a corpse. It will mention under what circumstances a corpse may be moved and carried outside, in […]
Chapter 310
Chapter 310 Laws of items which one sets his mind off from[1] on Shabbos. Introduction: The following chapter will deal with the laws of Muktzah as they relate to items which on their own are useable and have the status of vessels, but have been set aside from a person’s […]
Chapter 309
Chapter 309 Is moving an item indirectly permitted on Shabbos Introduction: This chapter will discuss the laws of Muktzah items as they relate to being moved in the process of moving non-Muktzah items. For example, may one lift up his child that is holding a Muktzah item in his hand? […]
Chapter 308
Chapter 308 The Items which are permitted and prohibited from moving on Shabbos Introduction Our sages decreed that one may not move certain items on Shabbos in their usual way. This chapter will discuss the details of this restriction, with regards to which type of vessels the restriction applies to, […]
Chapter 259
Chapter 259 Miscellaneous laws of insulating and Muktzah [relevant to insulating] Introduction: The following chapter will discuss the laws of Muktzah which are relevant to the different forms of insulating materials, which may be used to insulate ones hot food for Shabbos. As well the laws regarding a plastered oven […]
Chapter 258
Chapter 258 It is permitted to place before Shabbos a cold item on top of something hot Halacha 1 It is permitted to insulate, [a pot with material that does not add heat,] before Shabbos, whether [the food in the pot is] hot or cold food, [and to then place […]
Chapter 257
Chapter 257 The Laws of insulating hot foods Introduction: In the previous chapters the laws relevant to leaving food on a flame from before Shabbos and placing it there on Shabbos were discussed. In the following chapter the laws of insulating a food before Shabbos and on Shabbos will be […]
Chapter 256
Chapter 256 The six horn blasts that were blown before Shabbos. Halacha 1 Announcing that Shabbos is coming some time before Shabbos: At the time that the Jews were properly settled the Sages instituted to blow six blasts from a high area, in order to stop the people from work […]
Chapter 255
Chapter 255 Preparing a fire before Shabbos comes in Introduction: The previous chapters dealt with the laws regarding leaving food on a fire from before Shabbos. The following chapter will deal with the laws of how the fire has to be lit before Shabbos in order for it to be […]
Chapter 254
Chapter 254 Laws of foods which are prepared before Shabbos which will finish cooking on Shabbos. Introduction: The following chapter will continue to discuss the laws of Shehiyah which were explained in the beginning of the previous chapter. It will discuss the laws of placing food directly over a fire, […]
Chapter 253
Chapter 253 The laws of Shehiyah [leaving a food on the fire on Erev Shabbos for the Shabbos meals] Halachas 1-13 The different types of ovens and their relative laws: The laws of the Kirah oven: Halacha 1: What is the Kirah oven? A Kirah oven is made like a […]
Bikur Cholim on Shabbos
Bikur Cholim on Shabbos:[1] It is permitted to visit the sick on Shabbos.[2] Nevertheless [one is not to arrange to visit the sick specifically on Shabbos and is rather to arrange to visit him during the week as] it was with difficulty that the Sages allowed visiting the sick on […]
Concentrating on Birchas Hamazon and knowing the meaning of the words
Kavana in Birchas Hamazon:[1] Understanding the meaning of the words: If one does not know the meaning of the words that he is saying in Birchas Hamazon, such as due to his lack of understanding of the language, then he does not fulfill his obligation. This applies even if one […]
Gender of angels-Female or male?
The gender of angels-Male versus female: In Kabala[1] it states that there are angels who come from the level of Za and angels who come from the level of Malchus. Angels who come from Z”a have a masculine aspect, while angels who come from Malchus have a feminine aspect and […]
Making Kiddush as soon as one arrives home from Shul Friday night
Making Kiddush as soon as one arrives home:[1] It is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar[2] to recite Kiddush as close to the entrance of Shabbos as possible.[3] [This especially applies if one has hungry guests or family members.[4]] Nevertheless, the central fulfillment of the Mitzvah continues to apply throughout the night […]
Living and/or visiting Egypt
Living or visiting Egypt?[1] The Torah prohibits one from living in Mitzrayim in various places in scripture.[2] This prohibition is counted as one of the 365 negative commands.[3] Does the prohibition apply today? Some Poskim[4] however rule that the prohibition no longer applies today.[5] Other Poskim[6] however rule this prohibition […]
Sending regards and inquiring of the well being of a woman
Sending regards to a woman:[1] A man may not ask a woman at all as to her wellbeing.[2] This applies even if one does so indirectly, through a messenger. It is forbidden to send greetings even through the woman’s husband.[3] [Thus, a man may not ask someone to send […]
Celebrating a birthday
Introduction It is customary amongst many people to celebrate their birthday. It is a happy day in which people yearn and desire to be cherished and allow themselves extravagances and luxuries that they would usually not partake in. In the secular world, many use the day for partying and sometimes […]
Birthday Customs
The customs of a Birthday Introduction It is customary amongst many people to celebrate their birthday. It is a happy day in which people yearn and desire to be cherished and allow themselves extravagances and luxuries that they would usually not partake in. In the secular world, many […]
Determining your birthday
Determining your birthday Someone who was born during Bein Hashmashos: If one was born on Bein Hashmashos, he is to choose one of the days to celebrate his birthday and fulfill the birthday customs. Some are accustomed to fulfill the customs on both days.[1] If one was born […]
Covering the wine bottle during Kiddush
Must one cover the wine bottle during Kiddush and may the wine still be used if it was left open? One may not recite Kiddush over wine that has been left open/revealed.[1] Nevertheless, if the wine remained open/revealed for only a short amount of time, one does not need to […]
Making Kiddush on wine that was left uncovered-Must one cover the wine bottle during Kiddush
Making Kiddush on wine which was left opened:[1] One may not recite Kiddush over wine that has been left open/revealed.[2] If it stayed opened for only a short amount of time:[3] Nevertheless, if the wine remained open/revealed for only a short amount of time, one does not need to be […]
Laws of Yichud in Taxis
Yichud in a taxi:[1] When a woman takes a taxi with a male taxi driver, or a man takes a taxi with a female taxi driver, the possibility of a Yichud prohibition arises.[2] This is dependent on several factors as will be explained: People/cars outside: If the windows of the […]
When did Avodas Habeirurim begin?
When did Avodas Habeirurim begin? Avraham Avinu began the Divine mission of refining the sparks of Tohu that fell into the worlds. This power however was only given to Avraham after he fulfilled the Mitzvah of Mila, as prior to doing this Mitzvah the Kelipa of Noga covered over the […]
Wearing the shoes and other clothing of the deceased
This article is an excerpt from our Sefer Wearing shoes of deceased:[1] One is not to wear the shoes of a deceased person due to fear of danger.[2] It is not to be given even to a poor person. It may however be sold to a gentile who is purchasing […]
Omitting Tachanun on the day of a Bar Mitzvah
Bar Mitzvah: Some[1] communities are accustomed not to say Tachanun in the presence of a Bar Mitzvah boy on the day of his Bar Mitzvah, and so is the widespread Sefaradic custom in Eretz Yisrael. Other[2] communities are accustomed to recite Tachanun on the day of the Bar Mitzvah, and […]
Inviting non-Frum Jew for Shabbos if he will drive
May one invite a non-religious guest for Shabbos if he will desecrate Shabbos in order to come to you?[1] Some Poskim[2] rule it is forbidden to invite guests to one’s home for the Shabbos meal if this will cause him to desecrate Shabbos, such as to drive, in order to […]
When to say Yehalelu on Shabbos after Mincha
When is Yehalelu to be recited on Mincha of Shabbos? In general, the verse of Yehalelu is recited by the Chazan when the Sefer Torah is being brought to the Aron.[1] However, according to the Chabad custom to begin the Kaddish towards the end of the Gelila, this forms a […]
Yehalelu & Returning the Sefer Torah to the Aron: When; Who and How
Yehalelu-Returning the Sefer Torah: A. When to return the Sefer Torah: The custom of Chassidim and Sefaradim is to return the Sefer Torah to the Aron after Uva Letziyon by Shacharis. The custom of Ashkenazim is to return it before Ashreiy. B. Yehlaleu:[1] The verse of Yehalelu[2] is recited by […]
Wishing good Shabbos after Mincha on Shabbos
Wishing good Shabbos after the time of Mincha:[1] There is a known custom not to wish good Shabbos or say Shalom Aleichem between Mincha and Maariv on Shabbos, during Bein Hashmashos.[2] _____________________________________________________________ [1] Piskeiy Teshuvos 292/8 in name of Sefer Matamim and Otzer Minhagei Yeshurun; Mentioned in Makor […]
From when may one say Karbanos before Mincha
At what time may one begin to recite Karbanos for Mincha?[1] The Karbanos for Mincha are not to be recited prior to 6.5 hours into the day, which is 30 minutes after midday, and the earliest legal time in which Mincha may be Davened.[2] _________________________________________________________ [1] Shraga Hameir 7/20; Piskeiy […]
Women wearing socks and stockings
Women wearing socks/stockings:[1] It is forbidden for men to learn Torah or Daven opposite a woman’s legs [literally, Shoka] as the legs are considered an area of privacy by a woman, and is therefore an Erva to be revealed. [It is therefore necessary for women and girls to cover their […]
Standing for Kaddish
Standing for Kaddish and Barchu:[1] Some Poskim[2] rule it is not necessary [for the listeners] to stand during the recital of Kaddish and Barchu. Other Poskim[3] rule one is required to stand upon answering Kaddish or any Davar Shebekedusha [i.e. a matter that requires a Minyan].[4] Practically, it is proper […]
Aliyah of Kol Hanearim
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 […]
Brushing dust off clothing/hat/shoes on Shabbos
Brushing dust/dirt from clothing [without using water]:[1] *This Halacha does not apply to removing wet or dry mud from clothing, and does not apply to using water or other liquids to clean the garment Some opinions[2] rule that it is [Biblically[3]] forbidden to shake off earth or dust from a […]
Damage caused by one’s objects left in a public area
Damage caused by one’s objects left in a public area: It is an act of piety for a person to hide his sharp objects [nails/glass], and any other damaging item, in an area that will not cause any potential harm/damage, such as to throw them in the river or to […]
Chazaras Hashatz if only five people from within the Minyan Davened together
This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com May Chazaras Hashatz be recited if only five people Davened together?[1] In general, a Minyan requires ten people to be in the room, and six people to have Davened together Sheoneh Esrei in order to recite Chazaras Hashatz. Nevertheless, in […]
