Dose of Halacha

Question: Our family has just returned from a holiday abroad. Should each of us bench gomel individually, or can one person recite it on behalf of everyone? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 219:5) rules that if one person recites the beracha of hagomel , others who hear it may fulfil their obligation through listening, even without responding amen. This applies only if the one reciting the beracha intends to discharge the obligation of those listening, and the listeners likewise intend to fulfil their obligation in this manner. The Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 167:18) writes that, in general, it is preferable for one person to recite a beracha on behalf of others, rather than each individual reciting it separately. This follows the principle of berov am hadras Melech , that mitzvos are enhanced when performed with greater communal participation (see Berachos 53a; Yoma 70a; Megilla 27b). An exception is made for berachos before eating, where the widespread practice is for each per...

Question: We daven in someone’s house on Friday night for a few weeks during the summer. There was a debate as to whether we should be saying magen avos or not. Should we be saying it? Answer: The Gemara (Shabbos 24b ) teaches that Chazal instituted saying the beracha of me’ein sheva ( magen avos ) on Friday night because of safety. Rashi explains that the shuls were typically not situated in residential areas. Saying this tefilla ensured that anyone who came late had time to catch up so that everybody could leave together. The Vilna Gaon (OC 268:13) adds that one who missed the amida could listen to the chazan say the beracha of me’ein sheva instead. Therefore, the Mordechai (Shabbos 284) and the Tur ( OC 268:8 quoting the Raavya) write that one praying at home should not recite this beracha . The Beis Yosef (OC 268: 8 quoting the Mordechai and the Ri) adds that one who does so has said a beracha levatala. The Rivash (40), Radbaz (1092) and Beis Yosef (OC 268:10) ex...

Question: I am a madrich (counsellor) over the Summer and have been asked to create stamps out of potatoes with the children. Is this allowed? Answer: The Torah (Devarim 20:19) prohibits soldiers in battle from destroying fruit trees. Rambam (Melachim 6:8) writes that this applies to destroying all fruit trees as well as blocking up essential water supplies. Rambam adds (6:10) that this prohibition al so a pplies to destroying kelim (containers, such as plates), tearing clothes, demolishing buildings and destroying food unnecessarily. The acharonim debate as to whether destroying these other things is prohibited mideoraisa or miderabanan (See Mishna Lamelech, Melachim 6:8; Torah Lishma 400; Yabia Omer YD 5:12). The Shulchan Aruch (OC 171:1) writes that one may use food for non-eating purposes providing that one is not doing so in an abhorrent manner. The Magen Avraham (171:1) explains that if one is utilising it for any practical use then this is considered to be appropriate...

Question:  I take regular medication and have managed successfully to fast on Yom Kippur by eating a small piece of cake and a shot of juice with my pills. What do I do on Tisha B’Av? Answer:  A  choleh she'ain bo sakana  is defined as one who is confined to bed as a result of their illness (See Shulchan Aruch and Rema OC 328:17). The Shulchan Aruch (OC 618:7) and Mishna Berura (618:18) explain how one in this category should eat  shiurim  (less than a kezayis in a short amount of time) on Yom Kippur. The Aruch Hashulchan (OC 554:7) writes that there is no concept of  shiurim  on Tisha B'Av. Likewise, the Mishna Berura (554:16) writes that Tisha B'Av is like any other Rabbinical fast whereby a  choleh she'ain bo sakana  should break their fast. However, in the Biur Halacha (554:6), he writes that if they can manage to eat in  shiurim  on Tisha B'Av they have not technically broken their fast. R' Avraham Avraham (Ni...