Dose of Halacha

Question:  I was davening in a chassidishe shul, and they skipped tachanun due to a Bar Mitzva. Is this the correct practice? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 131:4) states that tachanun is omitted in a shul when there is a chassan present or on the day of a bris . R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer OC 1:27; 4:14; Yechave Daas 2:15) expands this ruling to include the day of a Bar Mitzva, comparing it to the joy of a chasuna or a bris . He cites R’ Ben Zion Meir Chai Uziel, who explains that this minhag underscores the importance of becoming Bar Mitzvah and the significance of beginning to wear tefillin . However, R’ Eliezer Waldenberg (Tzitz Eliezer 11:17) disagrees, arguing that omitting tachanun does not necessarily encourage people to appreciate the mitzva of tefillin . Similarly, R’ Nosson Gestetner (Lehoros Nosson 10:16) points out that the Shulchan Aruch does not mention Bar Mitzva as a reason for skipping tachanun because it is not considered as joyous an occasion ...

Question: We have a learning program after Shacharis during which we are encouraged to keep our tefillin on. Is it permissible to eat while still wearing tefillin ? Answer: The Gemara (Berachos 23b) teaches that one should remove their tefillin before sitting down to eat a full meal. Rashi explains that this is because a person might become distracted or even intoxicated while eating, leading to a lack of the proper reverence due to the tefillin . The Tiferes Yisrael (Yadayim, Yachin 2:4:35) infers from Rashi that this concern applies mainly when alcohol is involved. Therefore, he suggests that eating a full meal without wine could theoretically be permitted. Nevertheless, both Rambam (Tefillin 4:16) and the Shulchan Aruch (OC 40:8) rule that one should only eat a light snack while wearing tefillin . The Mishna Berura (40:19) questions whether this hetter applies only to those who are accustomed to wear tefillin throughout the day (see Aruch Hashulchan OC 40:5). However, R’ E...