Sunday 31 December 2017
Light Sensors on Shabbos
Monday 25 December 2017
Fridge Light on Shabbos
Sunday 17 December 2017
Waiting for Spouse to Light Menora
Sunday 10 December 2017
Newspapers on Shabbos
Sunday 3 December 2017
Removing Pills from Packaging on Shabbos
Sunday 26 November 2017
Next Day Delivery on Shabbos
Sunday 12 November 2017
Beracha on Tasting Food
Sunday 5 November 2017
Beracha on Smelling Coffee
Sunday 29 October 2017
Making up for Missed Davening
Question: I was travelling and due to losing a few hours, did not manage to daven shacharis on time. What should I do now?
Answer:
The Shulchan Aruch (OC 89:1) writes that one should daven shacharis
within four hours from alos hashachar (dawn).
The Rema writes, however, that one may
daven shacharis until chatzos (midday)
if necessary.
The Gemara (Berachos 26a) teaches
that one who accidentally missed shacharis, mincha or maariv
can make it up with a tefilla tashlumin, by repeating the amida
in the following davening. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 108:1) writes that one
must ensure to say the regular amida first followed by the tashlumin
(see Aruch Hashulchan OC 108:9). The
Shulchan Aruch (OC 108:7) and Mishna Berura (108:1; 22) stress that one who
deliberately missed a tefilla does not have this opportunity.
As this tashlumin
should be said soon after the regular amida, the Mishna Berura (108:11) writes that one
must not interrupt even to learn something, though one doing tashlumin
for shacharis should listen to chazaras hashatz and say tachanun
and ashrei first (see Rivevos Ephraim 1:170; 3:142; 8:37).
R’ Avraham Yeshaya Pfoifer (Ishei Yisrael
30:n5) writes that as each of these amidos
should be the same, one (who davens nusach ashkenaz) says shalom
rav instead of sim shalom even when repeating the amida.
While we no longer wear tefillin
while davening mincha, R’ Pfoifer (Ishei Yisrael 19:n46) writes that one
who has not yet worn them should do so then. R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC
4:34) writes that one would be allowed to wear them in shul even though
no-one else does so then, and this does not pose an issue of lo sisgodedu (practising
a distinctly different custom to others).
In conclusion, if one did not
manage to daven
shacharis, one should daven mincha as normal, though repeat the
amida again. They should listen to chazaras hashatz (if in shul)
first, and say both tachanun (when relevant) and ashrei before
the tashlumin.
Sunday 22 October 2017
Using Non-Toveled Plates
Sunday 15 October 2017
Looking at the Kohanim During Duchening
Sunday 8 October 2017
Tying down Sechach
Sunday 1 October 2017
Wearing a Kittel on Yom Kippur
Sunday 24 September 2017
Shehecheyanu and Yom Tov Candles
Sunday 17 September 2017
Checking Mezuzos and Tefillin in Elul
Question: I got a leaflet through my door advertising tefillin and mezuza checks, saying that one must check them during Elul. Do I need to check them every year?
Answer: Rambam (Tefillin, Mezuza and Sefer
Torah 2:11) writes that providing one’s tefillin come from a reputable sofer
one can safely assume that they are kosher and they do not need to be
checked even many years later. Similarly, the Tur (OC 39) and the Shulchan
Aruch (OC 39:10) write that a good pair of tefillin does not need
checking providing that they are worn regularly. Otherwise, they should be
checked twice in seven years as we are concerned that they may have gotten
mouldy (Magen Avraham OC 39:15; Aruch Hashulchan OC 39:6).
The Magen Avraham (39:14) and Mishna Berura (39:26) write
that as sweat can permeate the tefillin and ruin them, they should be
checked periodically. Similarly, the Aruch Hashulchan (ibid.) writes that they
should be checked regularly as the ink in his day would crack easily (See
Chayei Adam 14:20; Mor Uketzia 39).
However, R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo, Tefilla 4:36; n52) writes that as tefillin
nowadays are generally manufactured from thicker hides and better quality ink
and parchment, one should not have them checked unless one has a specific
reason to.
The Gemara (Yoma 11a) writes that while public mezuzos
only need to be checked once every fifty years, mezuzos on private
dwellings should be checked twice every seven years. Rashi explains that we
need to check to ensure that the mezuzos haven’t been spoiled or stolen.
Thus, Rambam (Tefillin, Mezuza and Sefer Torah 5:9) and Shulchan Aruch
(YD 291:1) write that mezuzos should be checked twice every seven years.
The Mateh Ephraim (581:10) and Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (128:3) write that
it is commendable to check one’s tefillin and mezuzos every year
during Elul. R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yechave Daas 1:49) adds that this is particularly
important as there are many inept sofrim who make mistakes. The Aruch
Hashulchan (YD 291:1) writes that this specifically applies when the mezuza
is prone to dampness.
Nonetheless, R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo,
ibid.) writes that mezuzos wrapped in proper cases would not need
checking this often.
In conclusion, it is most important that one buys good quality tefillin and mezuzos from reputable sofrim which do not require frequent checking. Good tefillin that are worn regularly do not need to be opened and checked unless one suspects that there may be an issue. Mezuzos on internal doors should not need regular checking if they are in good cases and are untouched, though it is advisable to check those on external doors that are exposed to the wind and rain every Elul.
Sunday 10 September 2017
Beracha on Cholent
Sunday 3 September 2017
Repeat Kiddush at Home
Sunday 27 August 2017
Shofar in Elul
Wednesday 23 August 2017
Silver Atara
Monday 21 August 2017
Photographing a Sunset
Sunday 6 August 2017
Waiting after Tasting
Sunday 30 July 2017
Shabbos Clothes on Shabbos Chazon
Sunday 23 July 2017
Load Dishwasher on Shabbos
Sunday 16 July 2017
Money in Coat Pocket
Sunday 9 July 2017
Broken Glasses on Shabbos
Sunday 2 July 2017
Flowers on Shabbos
Sunday 25 June 2017
Playing Football on Shabbos
Sunday 18 June 2017
Brushing Carpet on Shabbos
Sunday 11 June 2017
Shabbos Picnic
Friday 2 June 2017
Putting out Bins on Yom Tov
Monday 29 May 2017
Daven in English
Answer: The Mishna (Sotah 32a) teaches that
one may recite the shema and the amida in any
language. Thus, Rambam (Kerias Shema 2:10) and the Shulchan Aruch
(OC 62:2) write that one can recite the shema in
any language providing they pronounce the words clearly. The Shulchan Aruch (OC
101:4) writes that one may daven the amida in any language though
brings different opinions as to whether this applies equally to public and
private prayers.
Tosafos (Sotah 32a) writes that one who does not understand
what they are saying when they are reciting the shema or davening
has not fulfilled their obligation. They should rather recite it in a different
language that they do understand. The Magen Avraham (62:1; 101:5) paskens
like Tosafos (see Pri Megadim, Eshel Avraham 62:1).
Nonetheless, the Mishna Berura (101:13) quotes the Chasam
Sofer (OC 84; 86) who demonstrates that one may only daven in a foreign
language as a temporary measure. Elsewhere (62:3) he explains that as there are
certain words that cannot properly be translated, such as veshinantam and
totafos in the shema, one should stick to lashon hakodesh
as much as possible (see Biur Halacha 62:2; 101:4). The Aruch Hashulchan (OC
62:4; 101:9; 185:3) adds that even the names of Hashem cannot properly be
translated, and one must not therefore, daven in a foreign language.
Nonetheless, R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 4:70:4) writes that
while one is learning Hebrew, one may daven in English, though they must
ensure to only use a good translation (see Rivevos Ephraim 3:92; 4:44:34).
In conclusion, it is certainly preferable to daven
in the original lashon hakodesh even if one does not understand the
words. Ideally, one should use a siddur with translation so that they
can understand what they are saying. Only if one cannot read Hebrew, should
they recite the tefillos in English.