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 […]