Dose of Halacha

Questions: One of our teachers encourages us to write ב"ה at the top of our work, while another has advised against it. Which approach is correct? Answer: The Gemara (Rosh Hashana 18b) relates that the Yevanim decreed that the Jewish people must not mention Hashem’s Name. In response, the Chashmonaim instituted that every letter should include Hashem’s Name. However, Chazal later annulled this practice, fearing that such letters might ultimately be discarded. As a result, the Rema (YD 276:13) rules that one must take care not to write sheimos in letters. R’ Ovadia Yosef ( Yechave Daas 3:78) quotes the Chida , who permits writing abbreviations even if they allude to Hashem’s Name. Although the Rogatchover Gaon (Tzafnas Paneach 196) disagrees, R’ Ovadia maintains that writing ב"ה at the top of letters is a longstanding minhag and is permissible. R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe YD 2:138) writes that while he is not overly concerned about the destruction of such...

Question: I do not usually have enough time to remove and wrap my tefillin after kaddish and before mussaf on Rosh Chodesh. Should I take them off earlier or wrap them during chazaras hashatz ? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 25:13; 423:4) writes that one should remove one’s tefillin before reciting mussaf on Rosh Chodesh . The Levush (OC 423:4) and Mishna Berura (423:10) explain that when mentioning the korbanos during mussaf , it is akin to Yom Tov when we do not wear tefillin (see Shulchan Aruch Harav OC 25:41 ). R' Moshe Sternbuch (Teshuvos Vehanhagos 1:45) stresses that it is a bizayon (disgrace) to remove one’s tefillin and leave them on the table while davening mussaf. He quotes the Shulchan Aruch Harav and Elya Rabba who write that one should remove one’s tefillin before kaddish . Nonetheless, the Magen Avraham (25:30; 423:6), Pri Megadim (Eshel Avraham 423:6) and Mishna Berura (25:59) write that our practice is to wait until after kaddish (see Kaf H...