Sefarim by Rabbi Chaim Cohen: Mekor Chaim ↗ בס״ד

  1. Buying Seforim with Maaser

    Question: I have seen Seforim that are inscribed, ‘bought with maaser money’. Is it okay to do that? Answer: Ideally one should give one’s maaser to the poor (Rema YD 249:1; Minchas Yitzchak 8:83). Today, this includes d…

  2. Supervised Milk - Chalav Stam

    Chazal (Avodah Zarah 35b) were concerned that some non-Kosher milk may get mixed into Kosher milk, and so instituted that milk production must be supervised by a Jew who must ensure that any parts or containers used don’t come …

  3. Maaser for Tuition

    Question: May I use my maaser money to pay for my children’s school fees? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (YD 245:4) writes that parents have an obligation to teach their sons Torah or hire another to teach on their behalf. Many …

  4. Who to Give?

    Question: I see lots of adverts saying that the optimum way of fulfilling Matanos Laevyonim is by giving to charities in Israel. Should I give to them instead of my local Tzedaka? Answer: The halachos of matanos laevyoni…

  5. Maaser for Mitzvos

    Question:  Can I use my   maaser   money for   matanos laevyonim   and   kimcha depischa ? Answer:   While there is a clear mitzva deoraisa to give tzedaka , there is a machlokes as to whether giving maaser (10% of one’s ea…

  6. Buggies (Strollers) on Shabbos

    Question: Can I open and close the hood on my baby’s buggy on Shabbos? Is it okay to put a rain cover over the hood? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 315:1) writes that Chazal forbade making a temporary o hel on Shabbos. The G…

  7. Opening Bottles and Cans on Shabbos

    Question: I’ve always opened cans and bottles on Shabbos, though my husband is particular to open them before Shabbos. Is this necessary? Answer:  The Mishna (Shabbos 146a) allows one to break a barrel to access a food contai…