Dose of Halacha

Question: Is one supposed to say a beracha on a fruit hors d'oeuvre if they’ve washed for a bread meal? Answer: The Gemara (Berachos 41b) writes that one must say a beracha before eating fruit that was brought in to a meal, unless it serves as an actual dish or is eaten as a condiment together with the bread. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 177:1) explains that the beracha of hamotzi that one recites over bread only exempts foods that are eaten primarily to satisfy one’s hunger. Thus, the Mishna Berura (177:4) writes that if one has fruit as a dessert, one will need to say a beracha first. If one started eating the fruit with bread, they wouldn’t need to say a beracha. The Mishna Berura writes that there is a machlokes as to whether one should say a beracha on fruit cooked together with another dish. He suggests that it is ideal to eat a piece of fruit first and say the beracha on that (See Shaar Hatziyun 177:7). The same would apply to a dish made of fruit served as part o...

Question: I have an early morning work shift. Is it better to daven shacharis alone before work or wait and daven later with a minyan ? Answer: The Gemara (Berachos 14a) teaches that one must not attend to personal affairs before davening. Based on this, the Shulchan Aruch (OC 89:3) rules that engaging in work or travel before davening is prohibited. This restriction begins at alos hashachar (dawn), the earliest time one may daven . However, as davening is not allowed before alos hashachar , it is permitted to work during that time. The Mishna Berura (89:17; 37) advises that if one plans to start work within half an hour of alos hashachar , they should first recite birchos hashachar (see Rema 89:3; Biur Halacha 70:5). Additionally, the Mishna Berura (70:23) explains that someone who starts working before alos hashachar may continue working afterward, provided they ensure they recite shema and daven shacharis before their respective deadlines ( zemanim ). The Mishna Berura...

Question: I will be visiting Eretz Yisrael during Cheshvan / November. Do I say vesen beracha or vesen tal umattar ? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 117:1) writes that in Eretz Yisrael we begin saying vesen tal umattar (prayer for rain) in the beracha of barech aleinu from the seventh of Cheshvan. In chutz la’aretz , we do not begin saying it until the sixtieth day of the tishrei season. As this season begins on the seventh of October, we begin saying vesen tal umattar during maariv on the fourth or fifth of December (See Taanis 10a). We continue saying this until Pesach . The Shulchan Aruch (OC 117:5) writes that one who forgot to say vesen tal umattar after this time must do so in the beracha of shema koleinu. Failing that, they would have to repeat the shemone esrei. The Mishna Berura (117:5) quotes different opinions as to what someone visiting Eretz Yisrael during this time should do. The Pri Chadash (OC 117:2) and Pri Megadim (Mishbetzos Zahav OC 117:1) write that p...

Question: I brought my child to shul and he was making a noise disturbing others during shemone esrei. Was I allowed to take him out while I was davening ? Answer: The Mishna (Berachos 30b) writes that one may not interrupt while davening shemone esrei even if the king asks them about their welfare or if a snake is on their leg. The Gemara (Berachos 32b) and poskim (Tosafos, Berachos 33b; Shulchan Aruch OC 104:3) explain that we’re not referring to dangerous situations – thus the Mishna refers to a Jewish king and a harmless snake. The Vilna Gaon (Biur Hagra OC 104:3) writes that there is a machlokes as to whether moving constitutes an interruption. According to Rabbeinu Yona (Berachos 21a) and the Rema (OC 104:3) moving wouldn’t be considered to be an interruption while according to the Rosh it would be and so one mustn’t move unless they’re in danger. The Magen Avraham (OC 104:3) and Mishna Berura (Biur Halacha 104:3) write that while one shouldn’t move without reas...