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Seeing Monkeys and Elephants

Question: I invited a friend to join us on a trip to the zoo, but he declined, saying that he does not go to zoos. Why is that? After all, is there not a beracha to recite upon seeing certain animals? Answer: The Gemara (Shabbos 149a) teaches that one should not gaze at human or animal statues. The Meiri (Shabbos 149a) explains that looking at such images can have a negative spiritual influence. Based on this, R’ Moshe Greenwald (Arugas Habosem OC 39) writes that one should not look at animals either, and therefore ought not to visit zoos at all. However, R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer OC 4:20; Yechave Daas 3:66) points out that the consensus of the rishonim is that this prohibition applies only to statues made for avoda zara . Otherwise, it is permitted to look at them (see Shach YD 142:33; Magen Avraham OC 307:23). He adds that even according to the stricter view, there is no issue with observing live animals. On the contrary, it serves as a way of marvelling at the wonders of H...
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Frozen Grape Lollies

Question: What is the correct beracha to recite on homemade frozen grape lollies made solely from grape juice? Answer: The Beis Yosef (OC 202:1) writes that one recites shehakol on aruphi, which the Chida (Birkei Yosef OC 202:2) and Ben Ish Chai (Matos 1:10) explain refers to congealed or solidified grape juice. Accordingly, one would recite shehakol on frozen grape juice . R’ Shraga Feivish Schneebalg (Shraga Hameir 3:32; 8:113) explains that once a liquid begins to solidify, it loses its halachic status as a drink and is no longer considered wine for the purposes of berachos . He adds that one would not fulfil kiddush with frozen wine. Similarly, R’ Shmuel Wosner (Shevet Halevi 9:39) discusses whether wine that undergoes a physical change retains its halachic status. He concludes that since frozen lollies are consumed by licking rather than drinking, the beracha is shehakol . However, R’ Gavriel Krausz (Mekor Haberacha, Teshuva 2) disagrees. He argues that aruphi refers...
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Learning Next to the Shul

Question: I often learn in the room next to the Beis Hamedrash while they are davening . Do I need to join in for Kaddish , Kedusha , or Barchu ? Answer: The Gemara (Berachos 8b) teaches that one must not walk behind a shul while the tzibbur is davening as this creates the false impression that the person is avoiding tefilla . There are several exceptions, such as where there is another shul nearby, in which case it can be assumed that he intends to daven there. This halacha is codified by Rambam (Tefilla U’birchas Kohanim 6:1) and the Shulchan Aruch (OC 90:8). R’ Yosef Shalom Elyashiv (cited in Rivevos Ephraim 1:89), explains that this concern applies only to someone physically present in the shul who refrains from responding. It does not apply to someone learning nearby or passing outside. R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo Tefilla 9:5; n8) rules that someone engaged in Torah learning while a nearby minyan is davening is generally exempt from responding to dev...
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Touring a Shul

Question: May I tour an ancient shul if I don’t intend to daven there? Answer: The Gemara (Megilla 28a), citing the Tosefta (Megilla 2:18), prohibits using a shul inappropriately. This includes eating, drinking, or walking through it without purpose. Accordingly, Rambam (Tefilla 11:6) and the Shulchan Aruch (OC 151:1) rule that one should not enter or stroll through a shul unless there is a specific reason to do so. The Kesef Mishna (Tefilla 11:6) explains that entering a shul simply to relax or de-stress is not permitted; one should enter only to daven or to read from the Torah. The Talmud Yerushalmi (Shekalim 5:4) recounts that R’ Chama bar Chanina and R’ Hoshiya once walked through a shul in Lod. R’ Yitzchak Falaji (Yafeh Lelev OC 151:2) explains that talmidei chachamim may do so, as their walks are considered a form of simchas mitzva , helping to prepare the mind for Torah learning and reflection (see Shaar Hatziyon 151:9). R’ Aharon Epstein (Kapei Aharon 16) notes...
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Starting Shavuos Early

Question: I know that we do not normally daven maariv on the first night of Shavuos until nacht . Can we make an earlier minyan ? Answer: The Shelah (Shavuos 1) states that one must not recite kiddush or begin the Yom Tov meal on the first night of Shavuos until it is nacht (nightfall). As the Torah writes that one must count seven complete weeks of the omer , bringing Yom Tov early would diminish this. The Magen Avraham (494:1) and Pri Chadash (OC 494:1) also write that one must wait until nacht on the first night of Shavuos to recite kiddush . However, the Yosef Ometz (850) notes that he never witnessed anyone in Germany wait until nacht to recite kiddush . He argues that waiting until nacht reduces the time available for learning on Shavuos night. Similarly, the Korban Nesanel (Pesachim 10:2) states that it is not necessary to wait until nacht to recite kiddush and begin the meal. The Mishna Berura (261:19; Biur Halacha 261:2) discusses a machlokes about whether the mitzva...
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Gluten Free Sheva Berachos

Question: Is it permissible to recite sheva berachos if the chassan is coeliac and therefore unable to wash for bread? Answer: The Gemara (Pesachim 102b) teaches that one may not fulfil two mitzvos using the same cup of wine. Tosafos explains that this is why we use two separate cups at a sheva berachos meal, one for bentching and one for the sheva berachos themselves. R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer EH 3:11:6) infers from this that sheva berachos may only be recited when those present have eaten bread. In a later teshuva (Yabia Omer EH 6:9), R’ Ovadia quotes R’ Shlomo Kluger (Haelef Lecha Shlomo OC 93), who rules that if the chassan does not eat bread, the meal cannot be considered a seudah held in his honour, and sheva berachos may therefore not be recited. R’ Ovadia adds that the kalla must also eat bread in order for the sheva berachos to be valid (see Tzitz Eliezer 13:99:4). R’ Sraya Deblitzky (Sova Semachos 1:19) maintains that bedieved , even if the chassan eats ...
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Wait Until Nacht to Count the Omer

Question: When is the best time to count the omer if I am not davening maariv with a minyan at nacht ? Answer: The Beis Yosef (OC 489:1) highlights a machlokes regarding whether one may count the omer during bein hashemashos (the time between shekia , sunset, and nacht , nightfall). The Rosh, (Pesachim 10:40), Tur (OC 489:1) and Tosafos (Menachos 66a) argue that since counting the omer is miderabanan nowadays, it is permissible to count from shekia . On the other hand, Rambam (Temidin Umusafin 7:22) and the Ran (Pesachim 28a) assert that one should wait until nacht . Following this reasoning, the Mishna Berura (489:14) states that, ideally, one should wait until nacht to count (see Aruch Hashulchan OC 489:7). Other poskim , including the Bach (OC 489:1), Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 489:12) and R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yechave Daas 1:23) write that it is acceptable to count after shekia . The Shulchan Aruch (OC 489:1) advises that the omer should be counted after maariv . The Mishna Beru...
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