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

  1. Wearing Tzitzis Without a Vest

    Question: I often struggle to wear tzitzis over a vest, especially in the summer when it gets too hot. I’ve seen undershirt tzitzis that button up on the side. Can I wear these instead of a vest? Answer: The Rosh (Moed Katan…

  2. Black Stripes on the Tallis

    Question: I am buying my first tallis . The shopkeeper told me that as an Ashkenazi, I should choose one with black stripes. What is the reason for this? Answer: Rambam (Tzitzis 2:8) and Rashi (Menachos 41b) write that the tz…

  3. Beracha on Tzitzis

    Question: Is it true that married men should not recite a beracha on tzitzis ? Answer: The Rema (OC 8:6) rules that one should recite the beracha ‘al mitzvas tzitzis’ prior to putting on a pair of tzitzis ( tallis katan ).…

  4. Disturbance During the Amida

    Question: I brought my child to shul and he began making noise, disturbing others during shemone esrei. Was I permitted to take him out while I was davening ? Answer: The Mishna (Berachos 30b) teaches that one may not interr…

  5. Seeing Monkeys and Elephants

    Question: I invited a friend to join us on a trip to the zoo, but he declined, saying that he does not go to zoos. Why is that? After all, is there not a beracha to recite upon seeing certain animals? Answer: The Gemara (Sha…

  6. Frozen Grape Lollies

    Question: What is the correct beracha to recite on homemade frozen grape lollies made solely from grape juice? Answer: The Beis Yosef (OC 202:1) writes that one recites shehakol on aruphi, which the Chida (Birkei Yosef OC …

  7. Learning Next to the Shul

    Question: I often learn in the room next to the Beis Hamedrash while they are davening . Do I need to join in for Kaddish , Kedusha , or Barchu ? Answer: The Gemara (Berachos 8b) teaches that one must not walk behind a shul …