Dose of Halacha

Question: At what age should our son get his own aliya on Simchas Torah? Answer: The Rema (OC 669:1) writes that on Simchas Torah we add on extra aliyos, reading the same parsha a few times. The Mishna Berura (669:12) explains that we want to give everybody an opportunity to participate in the simcha of the Torah. R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo, Sukkos 12:15) adds that when everyone receives their aliya they get to recite the beracha , ‘ asher bachar banu.. venosan lanu es toraso , Who chose us.. and gave us His Torah’ (See Rivevos Ephraim 2:176) While the Mishna Berura (282:12) writes that we shouldn’t call up a child under bar mitzva for an aliya during the year , the Rema writes that on Simchas Torah we are accustomed to give all the children a joint aliya . The Mishna Berura (669:13) explains that this serves to train them in the mitzva of reading from the Torah. According to the Shaarei Ephraim (8:57) this is also to give them a love for the Torah. The...

Question: What is the procedure for leaving the sukka if it rains? Answer: The Mishna (Sukka 2:9) teaches us that if it rains enough to ruin one’s food then one may leave their sukka . While the Mishna writes that it is a bad sign if one has to leave due to rain, the Aruch Hashulchan (OC 639:20) writes that this specifically applies in Eretz Yisrael, but not in places where it is likely to rain. The Rema (OC 639:7) and Aruch Hashulchan write that one who stays in the sukka when they are exempt is considered to be unrefined (See Teshuvos Vehanhagos 2:304). Nonetheless, the Rema (OC 639:5) writes that this halacha does not apply on the first night, as if it is raining then, one must still make kiddush and eat a kezayis of bread in the sukka . According to the Mateh Ephraim (625:51), one should ideally eat a kebeitza . While one who is mitztaer (uncomfortable) is usually exempt from eating in the sukka , the Mishna Berura (639:35) explains that according to the Rema, this exemptio...

Question: Can I take pills on erev Yom Kippur to help me fast more easily? Answer:   The Gemara (Berachos 8a; Yoma 81b) writes that there is a mitzva to eat on erev Yom Kippur. According to Rashi, we do so to properly prepare for the fast on the following day (See Rashi, Rosh Hashana 9a). The Sdei Chemed (Yom Kippur 1:18) writes that one mustn’t purposely continue eating until the fast begins as this will prevent one from feeling that they’re fasting on Yom Kippur. R’ Eliezer Waldenberg ( Tzitz Eliezer 7:32:4 ), R’ Menashe Klein (Mishne Halachos 2:66:4; 7:82) and R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer OC 9:54), however, challenge this, writing that we are not supposed to actively do anything to oppress ourselves on Yom Kippur. If we are supposed to eat and drink more before Yom Kippur, then we are allowed to plan our eating in this way. Thus, these poskim write that one may take slow release energy capsules before Yom Kippur (See Rivevos Ephraim 3:413:2) . While R’ Ovadia Yosef writ...

Question: Last year, I joined a new shul where they do many things differently to what I am used to. I have always done hataras nedarim by myself, though in this shul people do it together. Is this okay? Answer: The Gemara (Nedarim 23b) writes that if one doesn’t want their nedarim , vows, to endure throughout the year, they should proclaim on Rosh Hashana that they wish them to be annulled. According to the Ran (Nedarim 23b), this is the source for saying kol nidrei on Yom Kippur. According to the Mishna Berura (619:2), kol nidrei does not automatically annul all vows, however. Likewise, the Shaarei Teshuva (581:1) quotes various poskim explaining why one should specifically perform hataras nedarim on erev Rosh Hashana, while it is still Elul (See Kaf Hachaim OC 581:12; 19; Minchas Yitzchak 9:61) . The Chayei Adam (138:8) stresses the importance of performing hataras nedarim at this time, writing that people erroneously view it as another prayer. Rather, people should s...

Question: I have always found it difficult to get up extra early for selichos before Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur though have read that they should not be recited after maariv . What should I do? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 581:1) writes that one should say selichos at the break of dawn. The Magen Avraham (565:5; 581:1) and Mishna Berura (565:12) write that the end of the night is an auspicious time for selichos . Thus one should not recite selichos before chatzos , midnight, for Kabbalistic reasons. R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yechave Daas 1:46) quotes the Chida (Birkei Yosef OC 581:1) who explains that this time is one of din ¸ judgement, rather than rachamim, mercy. This is so important, that if one is present when others are saying selichos at this time, they should not participate. According to the Chida (ibid.) it would be better not to say selichos at all than to say it at this time of night (See Mateh Ephraim 581:20; Rav Pealim OC 2:2). While there are poskim who write that...