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

  1. Flowers on Shabbos

    Question: A guest brought us a bunch of flowers on Shabbos. What could we have done with them? Answer: The Rema (OC 336:11) writes that one may place branches and flowers in water on Shabbos only if there are no flowers th…

  2. Playing Football on Shabbos

    Question: Are our children allowed to play football in the back garden on Shabbos?   Answer: The Beis Yosef (OC 308) quotes opposing views as to whether one may play with a ball on Shabbos. The Shibolei Haleket (121) prohibit…

  3. Brushing Carpet on Shabbos

    Question: Is one allowed to brush a carpeted floor on Shabbos? Answer: There is a machlokes in the Gemara (Shabbos 95a) as to whether sweeping a dirt floor on Shabbos is assur mideoraisa or miderabanan. While Rambam (Sha…

  4. Shabbos Picnic

    Question: Is there any issue with having a picnic in a nearby park on Shabbos within the eruv ? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 336:3) writes that one may walk normally on wet or dry grass on Shabbos as one isn’t intending …

  5. Putting out the Bins on Yom Tov

    Question:  Can I take the bins out on Yom Tov to be emptied and bring them back afterwards? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 308:35) permits removing a chamber pot ( graf shel rei’i ) on Shabbos. Although rubbish is typically co…

  6. Daven in English

    Question:  My Hebrew is not great, and I do not understand most of the davening. Is it better for me to daven in Hebrew or in English? Answer: The Mishna (Sotah 32a) teaches that one may recite the shema and the amida in a…

  7. Time to Count the Omer on Friday

    Question: I forgot to count the omer on Thursday night, and only remembered after davening kabbalas Shabbos . As this was before shekia , can I still continue counting with a beracha , or was it too late? Answer: Tosafos (Menac…