Dose of Halacha

Question: I’ve always prepared my egg and liver before Shabbos lunch. Is that a problem? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 321:9) writes that the melacha of tochen, grinding, doesn’t apply to food that doesn’t grow from the ground such as meat and eggs. Thus, while one needs to be careful not to chop the onion too fine, one is allowed to cut liver and eggs into very small pieces or mash it with a fork (Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasa 8:23). The Mishna Berura (321:36) writes, however, that one mustn’t use a specialized utensil such as a grater to cut such foods, as it is uvda dechol , weekday activity. R’ Yehoshua Neuwirth (Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasa 6:3) writes that one may use an egg slicer even for vegetables, as it is simply a few ’knives’ placed closely together. As shelling the eggs is considered borer, separating, one must only prepare them right before the meal. Another potential issue with mixing the ingredients together is losh , kneading. R’ Yehoshua Neuwirth (Shemiras ...

Question: Is it appropriate to shave before shacharis ? Answer: The Mishna (Shabbos 9b) writes that one mustn’t cut one’s hair before davening mincha as we are concerned that they will forget to daven. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 89:7) writes that this prohibition does not extend to before shacharis as it isn’t common for people to have a haircut so early in the morning (See Rambam, Tefilla 6:7). Nonetheless, the Elya Rabba (89:12) explains that this refers to the time before alos hashachar. All work, including haircuts, is forbidden after that time before one davens. Thus, the Mishna Berura (89:36) writes that one can’t have a haircut after alos hashachar before shacharis. He concedes, however, that it is sufficient to just say the birchos hashachar first for activities that one regularly gets up early to perform. R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo, Tefilla 2:7) writes that one shouldn’t shave before shacharis as it is no different from taking a haircut (See Oh...

Question: Can I invite guests on Shabbos Tisha B’av? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 552:10) writes that if Tisha B’av falls either on Sunday, or on Shabbos and so is observed on Sunday, then one may eat meat and drink wine during seuda shelishis . Even though normally the seuda mafsekes, the meal before the fast is eaten in a state of mourning, one isn’t allowed to mourn on Shabbos. The Magen Avraham (OC 552:14) and Aruch Hashulchan (OC 552:12) write that while it is prohibited to limit oneself from eating properly because of Tisha B’av, one must eat this meal in a solemn mood and mustn’t invite guests. The Mishna Berura (552:23) writes, however, that if one usually spends seuda shelishis in company of friends then not doing so because of Tisha B’av is a public demonstration of mourning which is prohibited on Shabbos. Likewise, R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 4:112:1) writes that one may sing zemiros during seuda shelishis even if one doesn’t regularly sing. In conclusi...

Question: My gardener comes every month to mow the lawn and trim the hedges, etc. Can he come during the nine days ? Answer: The Mishna (Taanis 26b) tells us that when the month of Av enters, we decrease our rejoicing. The Gemara (Yevamos 43a) writes that among other things, one shouldn’t build or plant during these nine days. Tosafos writes that the Gemara Yerushalmi qualifies this prohibition as building or planting for joyous purposes such as building a house for a wedding and planting a royal garden. Thus, the Shulchan Aruch (OC 551:2) only forbids building or planting for joyous purposes. The poskim , however, extend these restrictions to anything done for beauty (See Mishna Berura 551:12). Thus, one should avoid planting new plants and herbs. R’ Ephraim Greenblatt (Rivevos Ephraim 1:374) writes that one may, however, mow their lawn and maintain their garden during this time. It doesn’t matter whether one has their gardener do it for them or one does it themselves. On Tish...