Dose of Halacha

Question: I invited a friend to join us on a trip to the zoo, but he declined, saying that he does not go to zoos. Why is that? After all, is there not a beracha to recite upon seeing certain animals? Answer: The Gemara (Shabbos 149a) teaches that one should not gaze at human or animal statues. The Meiri (Shabbos 149a) explains that looking at such images can have a negative spiritual influence. Based on this, R’ Moshe Greenwald (Arugas Habosem OC 39) writes that one should not look at animals either, and therefore ought not to visit zoos at all. However, R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer OC 4:20; Yechave Daas 3:66) points out that the consensus of the rishonim is that this prohibition applies only to statues made for avoda zara . Otherwise, it is permitted to look at them (see Shach YD 142:33; Magen Avraham OC 307:23). He adds that even according to the stricter view, there is no issue with observing live animals. On the contrary, it serves as a way of marvelling at the wonders of H...

Question: What is the correct beracha to recite on homemade frozen grape lollies made solely from grape juice? Answer: The Beis Yosef (OC 202:1) writes that one recites shehakol on aruphi, which the Chida (Birkei Yosef OC 202:2) and Ben Ish Chai (Matos 1:10) explain refers to congealed or solidified grape juice. Accordingly, one would recite shehakol on frozen grape juice . R’ Shraga Feivish Schneebalg (Shraga Hameir 3:32; 8:113) explains that once a liquid begins to solidify, it loses its halachic status as a drink and is no longer considered wine for the purposes of berachos . He adds that one would not fulfil kiddush with frozen wine. Similarly, R’ Shmuel Wosner (Shevet Halevi 9:39) discusses whether wine that undergoes a physical change retains its halachic status. He concludes that since frozen lollies are consumed by licking rather than drinking, the beracha is shehakol . However, R’ Gavriel Krausz (Mekor Haberacha, Teshuva 2) disagrees. He argues that aruphi refers...