Dose of Halacha

Question:   I was travelling and, due to losing a few hours, was unable to daven shacharis on time. What should I do now? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch ( OC 89:1) states that one should daven shacharis within four hours of alos hashachar (dawn). However, the Rema adds that if necessary, one may daven shacharis up until chatzos (midday). The Gemara (Berachos 26a) teaches that if someone inadvertently misses shacharis , mincha or maariv they can compensate by reciting a tefilla tashlumin , an additional amida in the next tefilla . The Shulchan Aruch (OC 108:1) rules that the regular amida must always be said first, followed by the tashlumin (see Aruch Hashulchan OC 108:9). The Shulchan Aruch (OC 108:7) and Mishna Berura (108:1; 22) clarify that one who deliberately misses a tefilla forfeits the opportunity for tashlumin . As this tashlumin should follow immediately after the regular amida, the Mishna Berura (108:11) advises against any interruptions, even for Tor...

Question: We were invited to a family member’s house who does not keep kashrus properly but have gone out of their way to buy us kosher food. They have even bought us new plates to eat from, though they haven’t tovelled them. What can we do? Answer: While there are some rishonim that allow one to use dishes that have not yet been tovelled (See Raavya, Pesachim 464; Hagaos Maimonos, Maacholos Assuros 17:6), the Rema (YD 120:8) and other rishonim (Issur Vehetter 58:85; Rokeach 481) write that one mustn’t use such dishes. Nonetheless, the Yeshuos Yaakov (120:1) and Mishna Berura (Biur Halacha 323:7) write that this prohibition is miderabanan . The Rema (YD 120:16) writes that the lack of tevila does not render the food forbidden to eat. The food should be transferred to another dish before eating, though. The Shulchan Aruch (YD 120:8) writes that if one borrowed a dish that hadn’t been tovelled from another Jewish person, they are obligated to tovel it, unless they bought...

Question: I see some men cover themselves with a tallis during duchaning , while others turn around so as not face the kohanim . What are we supposed to do? Answer: The Gemara (Sotah 38a) stipulates that the kohanim must face the community while duchaning . Consequently, the Shulchan Aruch (OC 128:23) advises that everyone should face the kohanim without staring and focus on the beracha . R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 5:20:23) notes that one can adjust their position during the amida to face the kohanim . The Gemara (Chagiga 16a) forbids looking at the kohanim in the Beis Hamikdash as the shechina rested upon their hands while pronouncing the shem hameforash , which could cause a person's eyes to grow dim. However, the Magen Avraham (128:35) and Mishna Berura (128:89) note this reason no longer applies. Instead, Rambam (Tefilla Ubirchas Kohanim 14:7) and Tosafos (Chagiga 16a) explain that watching the kohanim can be distracting. Accordingly, the Magen Avraham and Mishna ...

Question: I was invited to a friend’s sukka and I noticed that his sechach was tied down with plastic cable ties. Was his sukka kosher? Answer: The Gemara (Sukka 21b) discusses whether the materials used to support the sechach ( maamid ) need to be fit for sechach themselves. There is a machlokes rishonim as to what the halacha is. While the Ramban (Milchemes Hashem, Sukka 10a) and Ran (Sukka 10a ) write that one can’t use a maamid that wouldn’t be kosher for sechach , the Shulchan Aruch (OC 630:13) paskens that one may (See Beis Yosef OC 630:26). Thus, the Magen Avraham (OC 629:9) and Mishna Berura ( 629: 22) write that while it isn’t ideal to use a non-kosher maamid, if one did use such material to support their sechach , it would be kosher bedieved. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 629:7) questions whether one may use a wooden ladder as sechach. The Rema writes, therefore, that one shouldn’t even place it on top of their sechach to keep it in place. The Taz (OC 629:10), h...

Question: I got married a few months ago and plan on wearing my kittel on Yom Kippur. My father said that it is our minhag and that he has done so every year since he got married, but my friends have said that I should not wear it during the first year. What should I do? Answer: The Talmud Yerushalmi (Rosh Hashana 1:3) teaches that we wear white to demonstrate our confidence that we will be forgiven for our sins (see Aruch Hashulchan OC 581:13). The acharonim suggest additional reasons for the minhag to wear a kittel on Yom Kippur (and seder night ). The Taz (OC 472:3) writes that since men are buried in their kittel , wearing it reminds them to be humble and remorseful. The Rema (OC 610:4) adds that we wear white to be like malachim , angels, representing purity and innocence. The Taamei Haminhagim (Kuntres Acharon 503) writes that due to the sombre symbolism of the kittel , men who have recently married should not wear one, though aveilim (mourners) should. The Maharam Schick...

Question: I have always said shehecheyanu when lighting my Yom Tov candles. What should I do when my husband says shehecheyanu when reciting kiddush ? Answer: Rambam (Shabbos 29:23) paskens that one should say shehecheyanu every night of Yom Tov except for the seventh (and eighth) night of Pesach. R’ Yaakov Emden ( She’elas Yaavetz 107) writes that while many ladies are accustomed to saying shehecheyanu when lighting, the Gemara (Sukka 47b) writes that this beracha should ideally be said when reciting kiddush. He notes that his own wife said the beracha then and as it can be said at any time over Yom Tov there is no need to prevent women from doing so. Nonetheless, it isn’t the ideal time, and it is best to wait for kiddush to say / hear it. Thus, while the Mateh Ephraim (581:54, 599:9, 619:4) writes that women should say shehecheyanu when lighting candles, the Mishna Berura (263:23), Aruch Hashulchan (OC 263:12) and R’ Yehoshua Neuwirth (Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasa...

Question: I got a leaflet through my door advertising tefillin and mezuza checks, saying that one must check them during Elul. Do I need to check them every year? Answer: Rambam (Tefillin, Mezuza and Sefer Torah 2:11) writes that providing one’s tefillin come from a reputable sofer one can safely assume that they are kosher and they do not need to be checked even many years later. Similarly, the Tur (OC 39) and the Shulchan Aruch (OC 39:10) write that a good pair of tefillin does not need checking providing that they are worn regularly. Otherwise, they should be checked twice in seven years as we are concerned that they may have gotten mouldy (Magen Avraham OC 39:15; Aruch Hashulchan OC 39:6). The Magen Avraham (39:14) and Mishna Berura (39:26) write that as sweat can permeate the tefillin and ruin them, they should be checked periodically. Similarly, the Aruch Hashulchan (ibid.) writes that they should be checked regularly as the ink in his day would crack easily (See Ch...