Dose of Halacha

Question: I went to a shiur about having bitachon in Hashem. Is it appropriate to buy life insurance or is that considered to be a lack of bitachon ? Answer: R’ Yisroel Yaakov Fisher (Even Yisrael 9:161) writes that sometimes Hashem keeps people alive in order so that they can support their family. Thus, he argues that one isn’t obligated to buy life insurance as one is removing this merit. Additionally, he argues that by buying a policy, one removes the great mitzva opportunity for others to support one’s relatives. R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 2:111; 4:48), however disagrees, arguing that buying an insurance policy does not demonstrate a lack of belief in Hashem. As we are not supposed to rely on open miracles, it is inappropriate to daven for one. Rather, we must use the resources available to us to earn money. Hashem placed the idea of insurance in the minds of modern man and we should utilize this (See Shevet Halevi 4:1:2). R’ Moshe Stern (Baer Moshe 8:118) and R...

Question: I came to shul on Friday night and saw that my friend had left his phone charger on the windowsill. Was I allowed to place it in his seat so that he didn’t lose it? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 266:13) writes that if one finds a purse on Shabbos, one mustn’t pick it up. The Mishna Berura (Biur Halacha 266:13) writes that it is questionable whether the prohibition of muktze is set aside for the mitzva of hashavas aveida. He notes that the Vilna Gaon (OC 586:50) quotes the Mordechai (Sukka 747) who allows one to use a shofar that would otherwise be muktze on Rosh Hashana. Nonetheless, R’ Yitzchak Yaakov Weiss (Minchas Yitzchak 5:42:12) writes that even the Vilna Gaon doesn’t pasken like the Mordechai and the consensus is that one cannot pick up something muktze even to perform such mitzvos . The Shulchan Aruch (CM 264:1) writes that the halacha is that one may recover one’s own lost objects before bothering with others’ objects. Thus, the Chasam Sofer (OC 82) ...

Question: Our shul has a sign on its door asking meshulachim not to collect during davening. Isn’t it appropriate to give tzedaka during davening? Answer: The Gemara (Sukka 25a) teaches that one who is involved in one mitzva is exempt from participating in another. Thus, one who is visiting a sick person would be exempt from eating in a sukka . The Ran (Sukkah 25a) and Rema (OC 38:8) write that even if one can continue performing the first mitzva, one is exempt from performing the second mitzva if the first one will be affected as a result. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 92:10) writes that it is commendable to give tzedaka before davening . The Mishna Berura (92:36) notes that in some shuls people collect for tzedaka during kerias Hatorah . This is wrong as it prevents people from following along and answering barechu. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 96:1) writes that one mustn’t hold money while davening the amida . The Pri Megadim (Eshel Avraham 132:1 Mishbetzos Zahav 96:1; 566:3 quo...

Question: I see people pouring out some of their havdala wine to extinguish their havdala candle. My family don’t ever do this. Is this not a waste? Answer: The Gemara (Eruvin 65a) teaches that there is a special beracha given to a house in which wine is spilled. Following this, the Rema (OC 296:1) writes that we pour some wine out after havdala and extinguish the light in it in order to start the week off with a siman beracha. The Taz (296:1) writes however, that pouring out wine in such a way would be wasteful and considered a disgrace. Rather, the Gemara means that one should fill one’s cup to the brim, even allowing it to overfill a little. He explains that the Gemara doesn’t ask for one to pour out some wine, but teaches us that one who does not become angry when wine is spilled in their home, will be blessed. The Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 296:5) writes that it isn’t disrespectful to overfill the cup as one is only wasting a little bit. After drinking some of the wine, ...