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

  1. Folding Serviettes on Shabbos

    Question: I was recently invited to a friend’s home on Shabbos and saw them folding serviettes at the table into different designs. Is this permissible? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 302:3) writes that one should not fold r…

  2. Forgot to Silence Phone

    Question: I forgot to silence my phone before I went into shul and it beeped while I was davening the amida . Was I allowed to switch it onto silent so as not to disturb others? Answer: The Gemara (Berachos 23b) writes th…

  3. Travelling to Europe

    Question: I recently drove to Belgium and back via the Channel Tunnel. Should I have bentched gomel as I crossed the English Channel? Answer: The Gemara (Berachos 54b) writes that in the times of the Beis Hamikdash , one …

  4. Mixed Up Dishes

    Question: We bought two new plates to replace ones which had smashed from our set. We accidentally put them in the cupboard with the others before tovelling them and don’t know which ones they are. What should we do? Answe…

  5. Light Sensors on Shabbos

    Question: Do I need to cross the road on Shabbos to avoid triggering a motion sensor light? Answer: The Mishna Berura (277:9) writes that one mustn’t open a door near a candle. As the breeze will inevitably fan the flame, …

  6. Fridge Light on Shabbos

    Question: We rented a cottage for the weekend and forgot to check if the fridge had a light that will switch on when we open the door. Could we have asked our three year old child to open and close the fridge on Shabbos? Answ…

  7. Waiting for Spouse to Light Menora

    Question : I can’t leave work every night in time to light when it gets dark. Should my wife light for me? Answer: The Gemara (Shabbos 21b) writes that the time for lighting the menora is when everyone from the market has …