Summary Hilchos Purim-Part 9- 1) Purim in Jerusalem and Sfaek cities; 2) Traveling to and from Jerusalem; 3) Shushan Purim 4) Laws relevant to Friday for Jerusalem and Safek residence

1. The Date of Purim All cities known today celebrate Purim on the 14th with exception to Jerusalem which celebrates on the 15th. Cities of doubt: Due to doubt, the following cities celebrate Purim also on the 15th: Akko; Gaza; Bagdad; Beiriy; Beis Shean; Damascus; Gush Chalav; Haifa; Hebron; Eiyn […]

May one play chess on Shabbos?

May one play chess on Shabbos? Letter of the law:[1] It is permitted to play a game using [pre-designated[2]] bones[3] so long as one is not doing so for gambling purposes. [Some[4] explain that this bone game refers to chess. Others[5] explain this to refer to “five stones” or “Kugalach”. […]

Drinking during Davening if thirsty

Drinking during Davening:[1] Once one has begun Baruch Sheamar, it is forbidden to drink until after Shemoneh Esrei [and Tachanun[2]].[3] This prohibition applies even between the paragraphs [i.e. Bein Haperakim]. However, prior to Baruch Sheamar, and after Shemoneh Esrei [and Tachanun], it is permitted to recite a blessing over a […]

Parshas Tetzaveh-Summary of the Parsha

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer    Buy now on Amazon.com Parshas Tetzaveh Pesukim: 101 [Siman: מיכאל] Haftorah: Yechezkal 43:10-27 Number of Mitzvos: There are Seven Mitzvos in Parshas Tetzaveh. Four positive commands and three negative command.   A. Positive commands: 1. Mitzvah 98/Positive 40: To have candles […]

From the Rav’s Desk: Must one pay for the elevator condo fee [i.e. Vaad Bayit] if he always uses the stairs or lives by the ground floor

Question: [Wednesday, 8th Adar 1, 5782] We have a year’s long dispute in our apartment building with the building management regarding if those who live by the entrance or who only use the stairs need to contribute towards payment for the elevator maintenance and monthly electricity bill. He of course […]

Snow in Halacha

Snow in Halacha: A. Netilas Yadayim with snow:[1] If there is no water available for one to wash his hands in the morning, or for the sake of eating bread, then if one crushes and melts the snow, then one may wash with it from a vessel, or even dip […]

Parshas Yisro-Summary of the Parsha

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer    Buy now on Amazon.com Parshas Yisro Pesukim: 72 [Siman:יונדב] Haftorah: Yeshayahu 6:1-13[1]  Number of Mitzvos: There are a total of Seventeen Mitzvos in Parshas Yisro. Three positive commands and Fourteen negative commands.   A. Positive commands: 1. Mitzvah 25/Positive 12: To […]