Reciting Pirkei Avos:[1] It is customary to recite Pirkei Avos on every Shabbos between Pesach and Shavuos.[2] Some are accustomed to continue reciting it after Shavuos, throughout the summer months, until Rosh Hashanah.[3] [Practically, the Chabad custom is to say Pirkei Avos until Rosh Hashanah.[4] On the Shabbosim which are […]
Bringing food to the table before Kiddush
May one bring food to the table prior to Kiddush? Some[1] learn that one is to refrain from bringing any of the foods to the table prior to Kiddush, unless they are covered just like the Challahs.[2] However from Admur it is clear that it is only necessary to cover […]
Sweeping on Shabbos
1. Sweeping on Shabbos:[1] A. Using brooms made of hard strands: Breakable strands:[2] It is forbidden to sweep on Shabbos using a broom made of twigs [or other hard strands] which easily break upon being used.[3] This applies to all types of floors, even tiled floors.[4] [Thus one may not […]
Opening the hood of a stroller on Shabbos
May one open or close the hood of a baby carriage on Shabbos? Background:[1] It is a Biblical prohibition to build or destroy a permanent tent, or hovering on Shabbos. Due to this, it is Rabbinically forbidden to build/open or take down or close any hovering on Shabbos, even temporary, […]
Borer-Removing bad together with good
Laws of Borer 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 […]
Making and undoing hair braids on Shabbos
May one make or undo a hair braid [“Tzama” in Hebrew] on Shabbos?[1] It is [Rabbinically[2]] forbidden for a woman to braid her hair [or another women’s hair or child’s hair] on Shabbos.[3] It is likewise forbidden for her to undo a braid on Shabbos [even if it was made […]
Closing and opening Sefarim with writing on side
Closing and opening books with writing [or designs] on their side pages:[1] Books that have [words or] letters [or designs[2]] written on the top edges of the pages [i.e. the sides of the pages] some Poskim[3] rule it is forbidden to open or close them on Shabbos due to the […]
Making Techina on Shabbos
May one make Techina on Shabbos? Adding water to pure Techina:[1] It is forbidden to make a normal texture of Techina by placing water to pure Techina, if the Techina did not have water mixed into to it before Shabbos.[2] It is however permitted to add a large amount of water […]
Cold showers on Shabbos
Bathing/Showering in cold water: The Sages did not decree against bathing in cold water on Shabbos and it is thus permitted to do so from the letter of the law.[1] Nevertheless, the custom in the Ashkenazi provinces is to avoid doing so being that there are many bathing restriction involved […]
Shabbos Tablecloth
Setting the table for Shabbos:[1] Placing a tablecloth on the table: It is customary for there to be a tablecloth spread over one’s [dining[2]] table throughout the entire Shabbos. One may not swerve from this custom.[3] There are those which have the custom to spread two tablecloths over the [dining] […]
