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הגהות תורת שלום לכה״ח פלאגי Day-to-Day Guide | לוח יומי בין המצרים יהפכו לששון ולשמחה

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Can children eat fleishigs during the nine days? Is Erev Shabbos any different?

Kids under six may eat meat in the nine days. On Erev Shabbos, even older kids may eat if it’s close to Shabbos when they normally eat as they will be going to sleep later. שו"ת אגרות משה… Kids under six may eat meat in the nine days. On Erev Shabbos, even older kids may eat if it’s close to Shabbos when they normally eat as they will be going to sleep later. שו"ת אגרות משה או"ח ח"ד סי' כ"א אות ד'. #10196Show more

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Is there anything wrong with a picture of the two Luchos not touching each other?

Question: I was once in a shul where the Luchos were divided. One on one side of the Aron and the other on the other side. A Lubavitcher Rov of the past generation (Rabbi Moshe Drazin) walked in and… Question: I was once in a shul where the Luchos were divided. One on one side of the Aron and the other on the other side. A Lubavitcher Rov of the past generation (Rabbi Moshe Drazin) walked in and saw that, he made a protest and walked out. I am wondering what the source of that is. Also, I have a logo with the Luchos and I am wondering if I should change it since they are not exactly straight and touching each other. Artistically the graphics person felt they would look more attractive on a slant. Also at…Show more

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Can one get a haircut on Motzei Tisha B’av when it is Thursday night? Or is it better to wait till Friday morning?

If it's being done in honor of Shabbos, yes. The same applies to doing laundry. Sources: רמ"א תקנח א, מג"א א, מ"ב ג. ונסתפקו כמה…

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Am I allowed to cook and bake On Tisha B’Av? Is it considered working?

It is customary to wait until midday before preparing for the post-fast meal. However, one may begin preparations for a Seudas Mitzvah before midday. Source: See OC 559:10 and Nosei Keilim. #5178

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How can I reach 100 Brachos on Tisha B’Av?

Question: I will not be attending Minyan, is there a way I can reach 100 Brochos? Answer: Following is a list of Brachos a man will make on Tisha Be'av when not davening with a Minyan: 4 shema… Question: I will not be attending Minyan, is there a way I can reach 100 Brochos? Answer: Following is a list of Brachos a man will make on Tisha Be'av when not davening with a Minyan: 4 shema at maariv 19 amidah of maariv 1 borei meorei haesh (when Tisha Beav is on Motzaei Shabbos) 1 hamapil 17 birchos hashachar (no sheasa li kol tsorki) 3 birchos hatorah 2 baruch sheamar and yishtabach 3 shema at shacharis 19 amidah of shacharis 2 talis/tzitzis and tefillin 19 amidah of mincha Total is 89 [90] Brachos. The other 11 [10]…Show more

People Just Asked

שינוי בשינה בת”ב

שאלה: בשו"ע סי' תקנ"ה ס"ב מביא שיש מי שנוהג לשכב בארץ בת"ב ומשים אבן. וברמ"א "ויש לאדם להצטער בענין משכבו בליל ת"ב שאם רגיל בשני כרים לא ישכב כי אם באחד" ומביא מנהג להניח אבן. ומסיים "וימעט אדם מכבודו… שאלה: בשו"ע סי' תקנ"ה ס"ב מביא שיש מי שנוהג לשכב בארץ בת"ב ומשים אבן. וברמ"א "ויש לאדם להצטער בענין משכבו בליל ת"ב שאם רגיל בשני כרים לא ישכב כי אם באחד" ומביא מנהג להניח אבן. ומסיים "וימעט אדם מכבודו ומהנאתו בת"ב בכל מה שאפשר". והנה בספר המנהגים כותב שאין מנהגנו לישן לארץ ולהניח אבן. ושאלתי מה מנהגנו בנוגע לדברי הרמ"א שיש להצטער לישן בכר אחד כשרגיל בשתים. (אולי אפי' בלא כר בכלל כשרגיל רק באחד), שהרמ"א כותב זה בלשון ויש להצטער ולא באופן שכתב השו"ע "יש מי שנוהג". אשמח לשמוע דעת כבודו ושכמ"ה. תשובה: אינו חיוב גמור והכל…Show more

Is ignoring someone included in אונאת דברים?

Yes, in some cases. Although אונאת דברים is commonly associated with hurtful speech, its essence is causing emotional pain to another person. Therefore, deliberately ignoring someone in a way that is intended to hurt, humiliate, or reject them is… Yes, in some cases. Although אונאת דברים is commonly associated with hurtful speech, its essence is causing emotional pain to another person. Therefore, deliberately ignoring someone in a way that is intended to hurt, humiliate, or reject them is included. Chazal say (ברכות ו ע"ב) that when someone greets another, and the greeting is intentionally not returned, the one who does not return the greeting is called a גזלן. Intentionally withholding a response in order to cause pain is consistent with the issur of אונאת דברים, whose focus is the emotional harm inflicted on another. If a person does…Show more

Article: The Case of Milk in the Sugar Bowl

Standing in shul at the hot water urn between Mincha and Maariv, a Styrofoam* cup of tea in my left hand and a clean plastic spoon in my right, I’m ready to dig into the jumbo-sized sugar bowl, when… Standing in shul at the hot water urn between Mincha and Maariv, a Styrofoam* cup of tea in my left hand and a clean plastic spoon in my right, I’m ready to dig into the jumbo-sized sugar bowl, when I stop in my tracks. “One minute,” I mutter to myself, “this sugar is lumpy and in all likelihood some previous coffee-drinker dipped his milchig (dairy) spoon into this same bowl. I had a fleishig (meat) lunch a little while ago, so I need to wait six hours before having milk—which is why I took a pareve (neutral, i.e. neither…Show more

I was told today that I have a missed miscarriage. When does the Neshama come into this world?

From when the seed is implanted. Sources: ראה סנהדרין צא, ב. שם קי, ב משעה שנזרע…

Article: Is a To’ein an Acceptable Profession?

The Mishnah says, “Al ta’as atzmechah ke’orchei hadayanim.” Do not coach a litigant in a Din Torah on how to present their case [in order to increase their chances of winning]. One may certainly not coach them in… The Mishnah says, “Al ta’as atzmechah ke’orchei hadayanim.” Do not coach a litigant in a Din Torah on how to present their case [in order to increase their chances of winning]. One may certainly not coach them in ta’anos shel sheker (to make false claims), but even advising them how to put forth ta’anos shel emes (truthful claims) is forbidden as well. However, the to’ein may advise the litigant about which Beis Din would be most advantageous for this particular case, and would be most understanding of their claim. If the litigant is so clueless that without guidance…Show more

Is there any issue with getting a travel tallis bag where the tallis is stored on top of the tefillin, as opposed to a regular bag where it’s in front of the tefillin?

Some are particular about this. However, the common custom is to place the tallis on top of the tefillin if there is no space on the side. Sources: יש מפקפקים, ראה שלמי ציבור דיני חליצת תפלין ח…

Article: Pizza without a Kashrus Seal

One of the lesser-known halachos is that cheese is among the food items that must have at least one chosam (seal) if delivered by a non-Jew or a Yisroel chashud—a Jew who is suspected of not keeping Torah… One of the lesser-known halachos is that cheese is among the food items that must have at least one chosam (seal) if delivered by a non-Jew or a Yisroel chashud—a Jew who is suspected of not keeping Torah and Mitzvos in general, and kashrus in particular. A practical application of this halachah is a questionable pizza delivery. In the absence of a kashrus seal, there is a possibility, albeit remote, that the box’s contents may have been tampered with and switched for a non-kosher pizza (a pizza made with gvinas goyim, unsupervised cheese, or other unsupervised ingredients). Of…Show more

בענין פליטת כלים בזמננו

יש לעיין ביסוד דין בליעת כלים ופליטתם בזמננו, אחר שנתחדשו דרכי הבדיקה והנסיון, אם יש בכחם לברר שאין בכלים מסוימים בליעה ופליטה של טעם האוסר. ואין מטרת הדברים לחדש שהלכה משתנה ע״פ המדע, ואף לא להכריע שבזמננו בטלו דיני… יש לעיין ביסוד דין בליעת כלים ופליטתם בזמננו, אחר שנתחדשו דרכי הבדיקה והנסיון, אם יש בכחם לברר שאין בכלים מסוימים בליעה ופליטה של טעם האוסר. ואין מטרת הדברים לחדש שהלכה משתנה ע״פ המדע, ואף לא להכריע שבזמננו בטלו דיני הגעלה, כ״א לברר האם בירור המציאות בדרך הנסיון והמחקר הוא דרך המקובלת בהלכה גם בדיני בליעת כלים. ואם יתברר שכן, שוב יש לדון בכחם של המחקרים בני זמננו אם אכן הגיעו לדרגת בירור הנצרכת בעניננו. והנה בשו״ת הרמ"א נד, לענין חביות שמן שמורחים בשומן דבר אחר: גם נראה לי דבודאי יש בו ס׳ נגד החזיר, דהא אמרו רבנן בקפילא ואמרו…Show more

מה המנהג למעשה לגבי אונן לאחר שנמסר המת לחברא קדישא?

קשה לענות איך נוהגים למעשה, כי יש בזה ריבוי דעות ופסיקות ומנהגים. וגם תלוי בכמה פרטים. ואען חלקי: הנה ד״ז תלוי בפלוגתא מפורסמת אי מהני נמסר לח״ק, כשהולכים ללוות את המת, כדלקמן. אמנם, בשד״ח אס״ד מערכת אנינות כ, שבמקום… קשה לענות איך נוהגים למעשה, כי יש בזה ריבוי דעות ופסיקות ומנהגים. וגם תלוי בכמה פרטים. ואען חלקי: הנה ד״ז תלוי בפלוגתא מפורסמת אי מהני נמסר לח״ק, כשהולכים ללוות את המת, כדלקמן. אמנם, בשד״ח אס״ד מערכת אנינות כ, שבמקום שנוהגים שהבנים אין מלווים חייבים בכל המצוות, והוא משעה שנתפשרו עם הח״ק. ולהעיר גם משו״ת חיים של שלום א, יא בילד רך שאין רגילים לילך אחריו. (ודלא כהאומרים שהאנינות נמשכת עד שמוציאים המת, ראה ציוני הלכה ע׳ כד. ועוד. ובגשה״ח א, יח, ב, כא, כתב שאחרי שנוהגין הרבה אבלים ללוות את המת לקבורתו ומהם משתתפים בנשיאת המטה וקבורה, אינם פוסקים…Show more

I have been told one should leave water in hand and rub hands together after washing for bread. Does this also apply to all other washings?

It applies to any washing that you say al netilas yodayim, and also when washing before davening. Sources: שפשוף בנט״י לסעודה, ראה סדר נט״י לסעודה ב. וש״נ.…

Will the third Beis Hamidosh have inventions such as central air conditioning and heating, WiFi, electric lights, a sound system, elevators, etc?

It's very possible. We will have to wait and see. See also here: https://asktherav.com/is-it-ok-to-make-heated-floors-in-the-beis-hamikdosh-when-moshiach-comes-so-that-the-kohanim-dont-get-cold-feet ובנדו״ד יש להוסיף דעת היראים שעו, שבתלוש ליכא משום הכל בכתב. (וכ״כ בשו״ת דברי מלכיאל ד, קב מד״ע. ושם הוא לענין בימה של… It's very possible. We will have to wait and see. See also here: https://asktherav.com/is-it-ok-to-make-heated-floors-in-the-beis-hamikdosh-when-moshiach-comes-so-that-the-kohanim-dont-get-cold-feet ובנדו״ד יש להוסיף דעת היראים שעו, שבתלוש ליכא משום הכל בכתב. (וכ״כ בשו״ת דברי מלכיאל ד, קב מד״ע. ושם הוא לענין בימה של עץ דלקמן. אבל שם רק לפי שעה ודעתו ליטלו משם. וראה משה״ק באמרי יוסף אלקלעי ביהב״ח א, ט. וי״ל). ושקו״ט בבימה של עץ דהקהל - ראה שירי קרבן לירושלמי מגילה א, ד ד״ה מפני התקיעה, שאינה מצוה ורק לפי שעה. שו״ת דברי מלכיאל שם (כנ״ל). דובב מישרים א, נב (שאינה מצוה רק לכבוד המלך. והב״ד שערי קרבן הנ״ל. ור״ל דמצוה…Show more

Article: When Things Might Get Fishy with Meat

Halachah states that it is a sakanah (danger) to eat fish with meat, and relates that eating them together can cause tzora’as (leprosy) chas v’shalom. We are careful not to mix meat and fish products, though we are… Halachah states that it is a sakanah (danger) to eat fish with meat, and relates that eating them together can cause tzora’as (leprosy) chas v’shalom. We are careful not to mix meat and fish products, though we are permitted to eat them separately at the same meal. Indeed, it is the custom on Shabbos and Yom Tov to eat both at the seudah (festive meal). We eat the fish course before the meat at a seudah on Kabbalistic grounds, but it is also suggested by the Rambam for medical reasons: we should eat lighter foods—in this instance, fish—before…Show more

Placing Food Wrapped in Aluminum Foil on a Crockpot or Blech (Hatmanah)

Question: Can I leave a kugel wrapped in aluminum foil on the blech over Shabbos, or is this considered hatmanah? Also, may I place challos wrapped in aluminum foil on top of a crockpot of cholent to warm them?… Question: Can I leave a kugel wrapped in aluminum foil on the blech over Shabbos, or is this considered hatmanah? Also, may I place challos wrapped in aluminum foil on top of a crockpot of cholent to warm them? Answer: Hatmanah refers to insulating or wrapping food in a way intended to preserve or add heat. If the aluminum foil is used for practical reasons, such as keeping the blech clean or preventing the food from drying out, it is not considered hatmanah, and it is permitted. Therefore, a kugel wrapped in foil may be left on the…Show more

Article: Melachah on Rosh Chodesh

According to halachah, it is permissible to do work on Rosh Chodesh. However, women have the custom of refraining from work on Rosh Chodesh—and this custom is binding—as a reward they received for refusing to give… According to halachah, it is permissible to do work on Rosh Chodesh. However, women have the custom of refraining from work on Rosh Chodesh—and this custom is binding—as a reward they received for refusing to give their jewelry to make the Eigel, the Golden Calf, and for not having worshipped it. The three yomim tovim of Pesach, Shavuos, and Sukos correspond to Avrohom, Yitzchok, and Yaakov respectively, whereas the twelve days of Rosh Chodesh every year correspond to the twelve tribes (Tur Orach Chaim 417). After the men sinned with…Show more

Article: Buying and Giving Presents during the Nine Days

There is no Halacha that forbids us from giving presents, including birthday presents, during the Nine Days, with the exception of Tisha Be’Av on which it is forbidden to give a present. Even buying the present during the Nine… There is no Halacha that forbids us from giving presents, including birthday presents, during the Nine Days, with the exception of Tisha Be’Av on which it is forbidden to give a present. Even buying the present during the Nine Days is permitted. According to Halacha, if one needs to buy something they need right now, such as in the case of a birthday, when the gift needs to be given to the person on the day of the birthday which happens to be in the Nine Days, one is allowed to buy the item even during the Nine…Show more

Article: Fish and Meat

There is no need to have separate pots for fish and meat. While there is a danger to mix fish and meat together, Plaitas Kelim, the taste that remains in pots, is not a danger, and the same pot… There is no need to have separate pots for fish and meat. While there is a danger to mix fish and meat together, Plaitas Kelim, the taste that remains in pots, is not a danger, and the same pot may be used for both fish and meat. While Yesh Machmirim, there are those who are strict to designate separate Kelim, separate pots, for fish and meat, this is only a Chumra, a stringency, and only lechatchila, in the first instance. After the fact, if fish was cooked in a meat pot or vice versa, all agree that there is…Show more

Article: The Halachah of Colors

Halachah speaks of four basic colors: shachor (black); adom (red); lavan (white); and yarok—which can refer to shades from blue to yellow and any combination of them in various shades of green. There are other colors that are… Halachah speaks of four basic colors: shachor (black); adom (red); lavan (white); and yarok—which can refer to shades from blue to yellow and any combination of them in various shades of green. There are other colors that are used in the Torah, some which are obsolete today, but those colors are generally named for a specific item or coloring agent of that shade. One example is the blue (or purple) color of a dye called techeles, which is made from the blood of the chilazon (a type of marine creature). There are many halachos that reference color. The…Show more

Our camp rule is no bathroom breaks during class. May I enforce it according to halacha?

You may, but it is not recommended. Bal teshaktzu prohibits forcing the body into a state of harmful retention. A brief, reasonable delay, or asking permission rather than leaving at will doesn't reach that level, since the issur is… You may, but it is not recommended. Bal teshaktzu prohibits forcing the body into a state of harmful retention. A brief, reasonable delay, or asking permission rather than leaving at will doesn't reach that level, since the issur is about real, sustained withholding, not a short wait. It’s permitted to prioritize limud haTorah over an immediate bathroom break in the case of one who is in the middle of learning and would cause bittul Torah by stopping - see here. A teacher's authority to structure the classroom, requiring students to ask rather than get up freely, fits within this.…Show more

האם קיים מקור כלשהו בספרי הפוסקים להוראה בחשאי לברך ענט”י כשניעור כל הלילה?

בההנהגה למעשה, ראה כאן. וכ״ה בב״ח או״ח ד ד״ה וידקדק, הובא במג״א שם יב, דלא פלוג רבנן. וכ״כ גם בדעת הרא״ש. וכש״כ בדעת הרשב״א. (ושאר האחרונים ס״ל שלרא״ש ודאי אין לברך. ונחלקו בדעת הרשב״א. ולדעת אדה״ז בשו״ע מהדו״ק ד,… בההנהגה למעשה, ראה כאן. וכ״ה בב״ח או״ח ד ד״ה וידקדק, הובא במג״א שם יב, דלא פלוג רבנן. וכ״כ גם בדעת הרא״ש. וכש״כ בדעת הרשב״א. (ושאר האחרונים ס״ל שלרא״ש ודאי אין לברך. ונחלקו בדעת הרשב״א. ולדעת אדה״ז בשו״ע מהדו״ק ד, יג גם בדעת הרשב״א ספיקא הוא. ולכאורה כ״ה דעתו גם במהדו״ב ובסידור. וראה שלחן הזהב פרידלנד מהדו״ק שם שהאריך. וראה לקמן). ועיי״ש בשלחן הזהב שהביא שכ״פ הרגצובי לברך. ואפשר כדאי שימשמש במקומות המכוסים, כמו בישן שינת עראי, ראה בסידור שם. ובהגהות רעק״א למג״א יב, לברך בניעור ועשה צרכיו מס״ס. וכ״ה בהוראה ביחידות נדפסה בהיכל מנחם ב ע׳ ריג שעכ״פ יעשה…Show more

Article: Mishum Sakono

There are certain foods that are forbidden according to Halacha on the basis of danger. For example, one is not allowed to eat fish that was cooked together with meat, or meat that was cooked together with fish, as… There are certain foods that are forbidden according to Halacha on the basis of danger. For example, one is not allowed to eat fish that was cooked together with meat, or meat that was cooked together with fish, as that is considered dangerous to the person. Food placed under a bed is considered dangerous as well. A Ruach Ra, a negative, impure spirit, rests on those foods. Eggs, onions, and garlic that were completely peeled and then left overnight are considered dangerous, and one should not each such foods. A Ruach Ra also rests on food that was…Show more

איפור בימי השבעה לכבוד שבת

שאלה: אשה אבילה בתוך שבעה שאסור להתאפר: אם רגילה כל ערב שבת להתאפר לכבוד שבת, האם יש צד להתיר לה להתאפר לכבוד שבת, שאם לא תתאפר נחשב לה אבילות בפרהסיא? תשובה: אין להתיר. מקורות: הנה, ראיתי תשובת ח״א שליט״א, שאין להתיר משום אבלות…

Article: Snubbing Scoffers vs. Retaining Dignity

The opening phrase of the Tur (the 13th century halachic compendium that forms the basis of the Shulchan Aruch) quotes the Mishnah in Pirkei Avos: “Hevei Az Kanameir” (Be bold as a leopard). The Rema cites the… The opening phrase of the Tur (the 13th century halachic compendium that forms the basis of the Shulchan Aruch) quotes the Mishnah in Pirkei Avos: “Hevei Az Kanameir” (Be bold as a leopard). The Rema cites the Tur’s explanation of the Mishnah at the beginning of Shulchan Aruch: “Lo yeivosh mipnei hamal’igim” (one should not be bashful in front of scoffers)—we should strengthen ourselves internally when performing mitzvos and ignore those ridiculing us for such “old-fashioned” behavior. On the other hand, there is a concept in halachah of kavod habriyos (upholding human dignity); a heter (dispensation)…Show more

Serving from pots on cool side of the blech

Question: When dealing with a blech on top of a fire, it’s possible to arrange that the fire is off on part of the blech so that the area on the side isn’t so hot. If the area isn’t… Question: When dealing with a blech on top of a fire, it’s possible to arrange that the fire is off on part of the blech so that the area on the side isn’t so hot. If the area isn’t so hot, can you take your soup to the edge and serve without having to actually lift it off the blech? Answer: Any part of the blech in which the pot would not be able to reach Yad Soledes Bo is considered off the fire, and you may serve straight from the pot without lifting it. If you want…Show more

Article: Should a beis din annul a neder made to quit smoking?

If someone in their struggle to quit smoking—or stop abusing drugs—made a neder (vow) to stop, but now wishes to have their neder annulled, should the beis din acquiesce? The halachah is that a beis din should not be… If someone in their struggle to quit smoking—or stop abusing drugs—made a neder (vow) to stop, but now wishes to have their neder annulled, should the beis din acquiesce? The halachah is that a beis din should not be matir neder (annul a vow) that was made to stop one from violating an issur (a prohibition). However, some poskim argue that if there’s a chance that the person will violate the issur—and leaving the neder in place poses an additional michshol (pitfall) for them, possibly resulting in transgressing both the issur and the neder—the neder should be…Show more

Calling someone with same nickname as father

Question: My father has a name that is not super common but not rare either, but he goes by a nickname that is pretty rare - I've only heard it used one or two times. I'm working at a… Question: My father has a name that is not super common but not rare either, but he goes by a nickname that is pretty rare - I've only heard it used one or two times. I'm working at a sleepaway camp, and one of the staff has the same nickname as my father. Is it an issue to call him that nickname even though my father is not here? Answer: There is a dispute about this. Though one may be lenient, it is worthwhile being stringent. Sources: ברמ"א יו"ד רמ, ב: ואם הוא שם פלאי שאין…Show more

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