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

  1. Counting Omer Early

    Question: I always daven maariv early in the Summer as I can’t stay up until after nacht every night to count the omer. Can I count the omer early or should I wait until the next day to count? Answer: The Gemara (Shabb…

  2. Music at Seudas Mitzva during Omer

    Question: We attended a Bar Mitzva where they played music even though it was during the omer . Was this okay? Answer: The poskim (Aruch Hashulchan OC 493:2; Igros Moshe YD 2:137) write that one mustn’t listen to music dur…

  3. Travelling Children

    Question: My 12 year old son has just come back from a holiday in Israel. Should he bentch gomel ? Answer: The Magen Avraham (OC 219:1) quotes the Maharam of Mintz (14) who writes that children don’t recite the beracha of …

  4. Eating Before Counting the Omer

    Question: I read that one must not eat before counting the omer . Does it make a difference whether I daven maariv early or late? Answer: The Rema (OC 489:4) states that once it is time to count the omer one must refrain from …

  5. Laundry on Chol Hamoed

    Question: While I’m washing my children’s clothes on chol hamoed , can I throw some of my own clothes into the washing machine? Answer: The Gemara (Moed Katan 14a) writes that in order to ensure that people would prepare pro…

  6. Selling Chametz Online

    Question: I see that some organisations are offering people to sell their chametz online. Is this ideal? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 448:3) writes that one may sell their chametz to a non-Jewish person for the duration o…

  7. Eating Sefardi Matza

    Question: I have a hard time digesting so much matza on seder night. Am I allowed to eat the softer ‘ sefardi matza’? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 460:5) writes that one must ensure not to bake one’s matza as thick as …