Dose of Halacha

Question: What are the halachic guidelines for reminding others to recite yaaleh veyavo on Rosh Chodesh? Is it permissible to say ‘ yaaleh veyavo’ loudly during shemoneh esrei ? Answer: The Gemara (Berachos 9b) teaches that one must not interrupt between the beracha of geula (redemption) and the amida during shacharis and maariv . The Shulchan Aruch (OC 236:2) states that before the amida , the chazan announces ‘Rosh Chodesh’ to remind the congregation to recite yaaleh veyavo . Since this is essential for tefilla , it is not considered an unnecessary hefsek (see Shut Harashba 1:293). However, the Mishna Berura (Shaar Hatziyun 236:4) clarifies that this practice applies only to maariv . During shacharis , even the slightest interruption before the amida is prohibited (see Taz OC 114:2). The Kaf Hachaim (OC 236:16) writes that the chazan may say the words ‘ yaaleh veyavo’ aloud while saying his own amida , even beginning his amida early if necessary. However, R’ Shlomo...

Question:  I want to buy gifts for our non-Jewish clients. Can I buy them non-Kosher food and wine? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (YD 117:1) writes that one must not do business with any food which is forbidden to eat mideoraisa . The Rema writes that one must not, therefore, buy such food for one’s non-Jewish workers as one stands to benefit from giving such gifts (See Kaf Hachaim YD 117:28). The Taz (YD 117:2), however, allows buying such food for workers, arguing that such gifts do not constitute business (See Shach YD 117:3). The Shulchan Aruch (YD 87:1) writes that meat and milk that were cooked together are assur behanaah , forbidden to benefit from. Therefore, if one received such a food product, one may not even pass it on to a non-Jew. The Rema writes that this does not apply to foods that are assur miderabanan. Thus, one may buy food that is bishul akum , etc. Nonetheless, the Kaf Hachaim (YD 117:52) writes that even those poskim who are stringent would allow buyin...

Question:  Do I need to line my slow-cooker with foil in order to use it on Shabbos? Answer: The Gemara (Shabbos 36b) writes that to prevent one from accidentally lighting a fire on Shabbos ( mavir ) there is a restriction against leaving uncooked food cooking on Shabbos ( shehiya ). The Mishna (Shabbos 3:1) teaches that one may place a pot in an oven after one has removed the coals ( garuf ) or cover the coals with ashes ( katum ). The Chazon Ish (OC 37:11) writes that placing a metal sheet, or blech, over one’s stove hardly affects the cooking and so doesn’t help on Shabbos. Nonetheless, the Kaf Hachaim (OC 253:11) , R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 1:93) , R’ Eliezer Waldenberg (Tzitz Eliezer 7:15) and R’ Shmuel Wosner (Shevet Halevi 1:91) write that placing a metal sheet or blech over one’s stove would be considered garuf vekatum, allowing one to leave food on the flame even if it wasn’t yet fully cooked when Shabbos begins (See Biur Halacha 253:1). A second issue with ...

Question: We have an apple tree in our garden that produces apples each year. Its roots are now causing damage to our house. Can we cut it down? Answer:   The Torah (Devarim 20:19) writes that when fighting against a city, one must be careful not to destroy any fruit trees. Rambam (Melachim 6:8) writes that if the tree is causing any type of damage, one may destroy it. While the Kaf Hachaim (YD 116:85) writes that one shouldn’t destroy a fruit tree to build an extension, most poskim allow one to (See Rosh, Bava Kama 91b; Aruch Hashulchan YD 116:13, Yabia Omer YD 5:12:3). R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer YD 5:12:5) writes that even when it is permitted to destroy the tree, it is best to sell the tree to a non-Jew first, and let them destroy it. R’ Shmuel Wosner (Shevet Halevi 5:95) writes similarly, though adds that one should also sell him the land on which the tree grows (See Teshuvos Vehanhagos 2:729). While the Gemara (Pesachim 50b) writes that one who destroys fruit t...

Question: I kissed my crying son in shul to soothe him but was advised that this was inappropriate. However, I've noticed others engaging in similar behaviour. What are the proper guidelines? Answer: The Rema (OC 98:1) instructs that fathers should refrain from kissing their children in shul , as the shul is a place dedicated to expressing one's love for Hashem (Sefer Chassidim 255). R’ Avraham Yitzchak Kook (Orach Mishpat OC 22) extends this prohibition to include kissing any family members or friends. The Ben Ish Chai (Vayikra 1:11) clarifies that while kissing young children in shul should be avoided, the Sefardi minhag of kissing the hand of a talmid chacham is commendable because it signifies respect rather than personal affection. Similarly, one may kiss one’s father or Rabbi after being called up for an aliya , provided this is the customary practice (see Kaf Hachaim OC 151:6; Ohr Letzion 2:45:55). R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yechave Daas 4:12) further explains that hon...