Dose of Halacha

Question:  I was davening in a chassidishe shul, and they skipped tachanun due to a Bar Mitzva. Is this the correct practice? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 131:4) states that tachanun is omitted in a shul when there is a chassan present or on the day of a bris . R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer OC 1:27; 4:14; Yechave Daas 2:15) expands this ruling to include the day of a Bar Mitzva, comparing it to the joy of a chasuna or a bris . He cites R’ Ben Zion Meir Chai Uziel, who explains that this minhag underscores the importance of becoming Bar Mitzvah and the significance of beginning to wear tefillin . However, R’ Eliezer Waldenberg (Tzitz Eliezer 11:17) disagrees, arguing that omitting tachanun does not necessarily encourage people to appreciate the mitzva of tefillin . Similarly, R’ Nosson Gestetner (Lehoros Nosson 10:16) points out that the Shulchan Aruch does not mention Bar Mitzva as a reason for skipping tachanun because it is not considered as joyous an occasion ...

Question: We have a learning program after Shacharis during which we are encouraged to keep our tefillin on. Is it permissible to eat while still wearing tefillin ? Answer: The Gemara (Berachos 23b) teaches that one should remove their tefillin before sitting down to eat a full meal. Rashi explains that this is because a person might become distracted or even intoxicated while eating, leading to a lack of the proper reverence due to the tefillin . The Tiferes Yisrael (Yadayim, Yachin 2:4:35) infers from Rashi that this concern applies mainly when alcohol is involved. Therefore, he suggests that eating a full meal without wine could theoretically be permitted. Nevertheless, both Rambam (Tefillin 4:16) and the Shulchan Aruch (OC 40:8) rule that one should only eat a light snack while wearing tefillin . The Mishna Berura (40:19) questions whether this hetter applies only to those who are accustomed to wear tefillin throughout the day (see Aruch Hashulchan OC 40:5). However, R’ E...

Question: My son’s bris was on Rosh Chodesh. When it was my first son’s bris , the mohel told me to leave my tefillin on. Should I have put them back on after mussaf for the bris ? Answer: The Shach (YD 265:24), Magen Avraham (25:28), Shulchan Aruch Ha r av (OC 25:38) and Mishna Berura (25:55) write that when there is a bris following shacharis, one should not remove one’s tefillin until after the bris . The Shach explains that as the Torah describes both tefillin and the bris milah as an ois (sign) it is appropriate to perform the bris while wearing tefillin . R’ Moshe Sternbuch (Teshuvos Vehanhagos 2:502) justifies the practice of those who remove their tefillin, writing that it is important not to be distracted while wearing them. He suggests that the minhag to keep them on is specifically for the father, sandek and those involved with the bris. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 31:1) writes that the reason why we do not wear tefillin on Shabbos is due to Shabbos being an...

Question:   Am I allowed to go to work on erev Pesach ? Answer: The Mishna (Pesachim 50a) teaches that one may only work in the morning on erev Pesach in places where it is customary to do so. The Yerushalmi (Pesachim 4:1) explains that one should treat the day on which one brings a personal korban as a Yom Tov. As all Jews would bring a korban Pesach on erev Pesach , they would treat the day as a Yom Tov and abstain from work. Tosafos (Pesachim 50a) writes that according to the Yerushalmi it would be forbidden mideoraisa. Rashi (Pesachim 50a), however, writes that chazal instituted this to ensure that one properly disposes of their chametz and prepares for their seder . R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yechave Daas 4:34) argues that even according to Tosafos, it would only be mideoraisa during the times of the Beis Hamikdash. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 468:2) writes that this applies both to melachos such as sewing, as well as going to work (see Mishna Berura 468:6-7). The Shulchan Aruc...

Question: Is it okay for a man to dress up as a woman and vice-versa on Purim? Answer: The Elya Rabba (696:15) suggests that the minhag of dressing up on Purim is to commemorate Mordechai being dressed in royal clothing and escorted by Haman (Esther 6:11). The rishonim give different reasons for the Torah prohibitions against crossdressing (Devarim 22:5). Rashi writes that it can lead to promiscuity. Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:37; Mitzvos Lo Saaseh 39-40) explains that this was the way of idolaters. The Mahari Mintz (15) writes that while cross-dressing is explicitly forbidden by the Torah, as one wears such clothes on Purim to enhance one’s joy as opposed to immoral purposes, it is allowed. He writes that he witnessed many such costumes and never saw the rabbanim object. The Rema (OC 696:8) quotes both strict and lenient opinions, concluding that the minhag is to be lenient. Nonetheless, the Bach (YD 182) quotes the Yereim (96) who writes that one must not even wear such ...

Question: I recited a beracha of hatov vehametiv when we bought our home a few years ago and we are now extending it. Should we say another beracha ? Answer: The Mishna (Berachos 54a) teaches that one recites the beracha of shehecheyanu upon building a new house. The Gemara (Berachos 59b) teaches that when one owns it with a partner, one recites hatov vehametiv instead . The Chayei Adam (1:62:2) argues that a married man would recite shehecheyanu as he is obligated to provide his wife and family with a home. Nonetheless, the Mishna Berura (Biur Halacha 232:3) disagrees as they have the option to rent a house rather than buy one. Thus, one would recite hatov vehametiv on a family home. Many Sephardim follow the Ben Ish Chai (Re’eh 1:7) and Kaf Hachaim (OC 232:17) who write that common practice is not to say a beracha just on a new house. Rather one should wear a new garment or eat a special fruit, and have the house in mind when saying shehecheyanu (see Ohr Letzion 2:14:47...

Question: I just became a grandparent for the first time. Can I say shehecheyanu ? Answer: The Gemara (Berachos 59b) teaches that one recites the beracha of hatov vehametiv upon hearing that their wife has given birth to a boy (see Shulchan Aruch OC 223:1). The Elya Rabba (223:1) quotes the Sefer Chassidim (843) who relates that one particular elder recited this beracha upon hearing that that he had a grandson. However, the Rashba (4:77) writes that one cannot just recite the beracha of hatov vehametiv on anything that brings them happiness. The Mishna Berura (Biur Halacha 64:1) adds that the other poskim do not concur with the Sefer Chasidim . Thus, he advises that one refrain from reciting the beracha . R' Chaim Naeh (Ketzos Hashulchan 64:11) challenges the Mishna Berura, arguing that the Elya Rabba must have known about the Rashba’s Teshuva, yet still chose to follow the Sefer Chasidim (see Piskei Teshuvos 223:n15). Nonetheless, the Kaf Hachaim (OC 223:3) quo...