Dose of Halacha

Question:   I usually reuse disposable aluminium dishes a few times. Do I need to   tovel   them? Answer:  Rambam (Kelim 5:7) writes that when one only intends on using a container once before throwing it away, it is not  mekabel tumah.  The Shav Yaakov (Shut 31) writes that only containers that are considered to be proper  kelim  require  tevila.  Following this,  R' Yitzchak Yaakov  Weiss (Minchas Yitzchak 2:32)  paskens  that disposable dishes that are only used once do not require  tevila.  If they will be reused at all, then they do require  tevila . R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe YD 3:23), however, quotes Rambam elsewhere (Kelim 2:1) who writes that the criteria for a container to be   mekabel tumah   is also that it is long lasting. Thus, even if one decides to reuse such a container, it will not require   tevila.   R’ Moshe does concede, however, that if one buys it wit...

Rambam was asked (Teshuvos Harambam 46) whether it’s right to stand for the reading of the Aseres Hadibros . Many have the custom to do so to remind us of the time we stood when we received the Torah. The Gemara (Berachos 12a) tells us that the Chachamim did not incorporate the Aseres Hadibros into the davening as there was a danger that some would think like the heretics that this was the only passage given at Sinai. Similarly, writes Rambam, one who normally sits during leining must not stand for the Aseres Hadibros. While many acharonim includin g R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 4:22)  and R’ Ephraim Greenblatt (Rivevos Ephraim 6:153:14)  justify standing, R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yechaveh Da’as 1:29) writes that had they seen Rambam’s responsum they wouldn’t have written what they did. R’ Moshe Sternbuch (Teshuvos V’hanhagos 1:144) recommends standing up before the Baal Koreh begins reading the Aseres Hadibros so no one will mistakenly think that the Torah is only ...

Question: How many people need to finish davening shemone esrei before the chazan can begin chazaras hashatz or kaddish ? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 124:4) states that the chazan should wait for nine others to respond before beginning chazaras hashatz . If this requirement is not met, it is considered close to making a beracha levatala . However, elsewhere, the Shulchan Aruch (OC 55:6) appears to contradict this ruling, stating that if one of the ten cannot respond because they are still davening or have fallen asleep, they may still be included in the count. The acharonim offer various explanations to reconcile this apparent contradiction. The Magen Avraham (55:8) concludes that nine respondents are not strictly required for chazaras hashatz (see Taz OC 55:4, Aruch Hashulchan OC 55:13). On the other hand, the Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 55:7), Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (20:2), and Kaf Hachaim (OC 55:48; 124:20) maintain that a full minyan is indeed necessary. R’ Ephraim ...