Dose of Halacha

Question: What is the best thing to do with the challa that one separates? Should one wrap and dispose of it or burn it in the oven? Answer: Rambam (Bikurim 5:13) writes that the challa which one is supposed to separate and give to the kohen is akin to teruma . Just as teruma which becomes tamei must not be eaten, so too challa nowadays may not be eaten as we are all presumed to be tamei . Likewise, any dough that came into contact with water or any of the other seven liquids would be tamei (See Mishna, Machshirin 6:4) . According to Rambam (Yom Tov 3:8), there is a mitzva mideoraisa to burn this tamei challa (See Tosafos, Shabbos 24b). In chutz la’aretz where this mitzva is only miderabanan, the requirement to burn it would also be miderabanan. Thus, the Rema (YD 332:5) writes that nowadays we burn this dough. As only kohanim may benefit from challa , it must not be baked together with other bread, though. While the Shach ( YD 108:1 quoting from the Issur Veheter) ...

Question: I know that if one has a drink after reciting kiddush, they don’t say another beracha . Does that also apply to one who hears kiddush from another? Answer: The Gemara (Berachos 41b) teaches that wine exempts other drinks. T osafos explains that as wine is such an important drink, any other drink is considered taful, insignificant in comparison. Thus, the S hulchan Aruch ( OC 174:2) writes that saying the beracha hagefen on wine exempts one from saying a beracha on other drinks. The Mishna Berura (174:3) writes, however, that this only applies when the drinks are either on the table or one intends on having another drink at the time when one says hagefen . If one heard kiddush from another but didn’t drink wine themselves, they should say shehakol before drinking another drink. There is a machlokes , however, as to whether one who hears kiddush from another and only sips a little, needs to say a beracha on other drinks. R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yechave Daas 5:20) writ...

Question: Can I send mishloach manos before Purim with a delivery service if it is guaranteed to arrive on Purim? Answer: There are two main reasons given for the mitzva of mishloach manos . According to the Terumas Hadeshen ( 111) we do so in order to ensure that everyone has food for their seuda. The Chasam Sofer (OC 196) quotes R’ Shlomo Alkabetz (Manos Halevi 9) who writes that Haman described the Jewish people as a nation scattered and dispersed among the nations (Esther 3:8) . By giving food gifts to others on Purim, we demonstrate our friendships. Following this, there is a machlokes as to whether one can send mishloach manos before Purim to arrive on Purim. The Baer Heitev (695:7 quoting the Yad Aharon) writes that as they have received their food, one fulfils their obligation regardless when they sent it. The Aruch Hashulchan (OC 695:17), however, writes that as the primary reason is to increase happiness and friendship, one must give it on Purim, too. The Ben Is...

Question: I forgot to remove the dry cleaning tags from my clothes before Shabbos. Was I allowed to remove them on Shabbos? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 317:3) writes that one mustn’t open a knot that ties new clothing together. The Rema brings an opinion that concurs with the Shulchan Aruch, writing that one mustn’t, therefore, open temporary stitching tying clothes together, etc. He then writes that there are those who allow opening temporary stitching providing one doesn’t do so in front of one ignorant of hilchos Shabbos (See Beis Yosef OC 317: 8 ). The Taz (317:7) defines a temporary stitch as one that was supposed to be undone within twenty four hours. The Levush (OC 317:3), however, writes that even if the cleaners tied it knowing that their customers wouldn’t open it for a while, that is still considered to be temporary.   The Mishna Berura (317:21) writes that while the halacha follows the Levush, some follow the Taz. Nonetheless the Aruch Hashulchan (OC 317:2...

Question: Can we place dirty clothes into the washing machine on Shabbos? Answer: The Gemara (Shabbos 138a) teaches that there are certain acts that are prohibited  miderabanan  on Shabbos because they are  uvdin dechol , mundane, weekday activities. Included in this would be a vigorous massage (Rashi, Shabbos 147a) or weightlifting (Rashi, Beitza 29b). R’ Mordechai Yaakov Breisch (Chelkas Yaakov OC 107) writes that one mustn’t place dirty clothes in a washing machine on Shabbos as it is considered uvdin dechol. Additionally, as one would normally fill the wash after Shabbos, putting clothes in on Shabbos is considered hachana , preparing for after Shabbos. We are also concerned that the clothes will get wet in the machine, which will aid the cleaning. R’ Yisroel Dovid Harfenes (Nishmas Shabbos 4:367), however, disagrees. While emptying a basket into the washing machine would be hachana , if one would put such clothes straight into the machine du...