TorahDose

Q. Should the knives be removed from the table before reciting the Bircat Hamazon?

A. The Shulchan Aruch writes (OH 180,5) that our custom is to cover the knives that are on the table before reciting the Bitcat Hamazon during the weekdays. One reason given by the commentators is because one’s table is compared to the sacrificial alter (mizbeach), and it was forbidden to have metal knives on the alter, as metal knives were considered a weapon used at times to kill people and were therefore unfit for this spiritual purpose. The above does not apply on Shabbat and Yom Tov. However, the Ben Ish Chai writes that according to Kabalah, it is not enough to cover the knives but rather it is better they removed completely from the table and even on Shabbat and Yom Tov. (Bayit Hayehudi v.10 p.61)

Q.  Is a person required to cover/remove all of the knives in the room if they are in a large dining are with lots of people?

A. strictly speaking, in such a circumstance, one is not required to do so, and it would suffice for him to cover/remove his own knife. (Ibid.62)

*The Daily Dose Halachot are based generally on the rulings of Sephardic Authorities.

Q. Should one be careful to serve food to their workers who are nearby before taking food them self?

A. The Shulchan Aruch (OH 169,1) writes that food with a good smell must be offered to workers who are nearby who might feel hunger pains a a result of the smell. The Mishnah Berurah adds that it would be praiseworthy to offer them food from all the other dishes as well. He points out as well that anyone for that matter who might be standing by at the time good smelling food is served, should be offered to have a taste. (Bayit Hayehudi v.10 p.50)

Q. Is one required to rinse their fingertips off with water from a cup at the end of a bread meal before the Bircat Hamazon?

A. Yes, one is required to do so. One reason is because it is improper to make blessings while ones hands are soiled. Another is because there may be salt still on one’s fingers that may come in contact with one’s eye and could be damaging. There are also Kabalistic reasons as well. According to the Sefardic custom, women too are required to to so. (Ibid.60)

Q. How should the bread be passed out after the Hamotzi blessing is recited at the Shabbat table?

A. After the bread is cut it should not be handed out hand to hand as this is how bread is passed out to a mourner. Rather, it should be placed on the table in front of the other person to pick up them self. As well, the Kaf Hachaim says that bread should not be tossed or thrown as this is disrespectful to the Mitzvah and to the people. (Bayit HaYehudi v.1 p.48)

Q. Should one be careful to treat breadcrumbs respectfully?

A. One should be careful to gather the breadcrumbs from the table and discard them in a respectful manner and not allow them to fall to the floor where people may come to walk on them. (Mishnah Berurah OH 180,4)

 Q. Why do we celebrate on Lag BaOmer when normally we mourn on the day of a Tzadik’s death (R.Shimon Bar Yuchai passed away)?

A. It is explained that after the deaths of R. Akiva’s 24 thousand students, R. Akiva anointed 5 of his remaining students (among them R. Shimon Bar Yuchai).  This took place on Lag Baomer, and through them Torah continued among the Jewish people.

Q. May Sephardim take haircuts and listen to music on Lag BaOmer?

 A. Some Sephardim have the practice to refrain from hair-cutting and shaving throughout the Omer, until Erev Shavuot, while others permit hair-cutting and shaving on the day following Lag BaOmer (but only in the morning of that day) but not on Lag Baomer itself.  One may listen to music already on Lag Ba’omer but only as part of the celebration of this festive day (if it is not in celebration of the festive day it’s forbidden till the next day).

Daily Halacha by R. Mansour

Q. Is it advisable not to go to sleep immediately after a heavy bread meal?

A. For health reasons the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch suggests waiting two hours after a meal before going to sleep and the Rambam suggests three to four hours. (Bayit Hayehudi v.10 p.44)

Q. Is there a mitzvah to have salt on ones table during all bread meals?

A. The Rama (OH 165,5) says that there is a mitzvah to do so as one’s table is compared to an alter and all sacrifices had salt sprinkled upon them. As well, having salt on the table can serve a protection from negative things. The Kaf HaChaim writes that this mitzvah is upon the woman of the home, as it is known that the wife of lot was turned into a pillar of salt partly because she refused to put salt on the table for guests. As well, the salt should remain on the table until the end of the meal. Some say that if one does not have salt, sugar may serve as a substitute. (ibid.46)

*The Daily Dose Halachot are based generally on the rulings of Sephardic Authorities.

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Q.What are one of the punishments for speaking Lashon Hara?

A.The Chovot Halevavot (6,7) writes that one who speaks Lashon Hara about a fellow Jew, on the day of Judgment ( after death) will lose his merits to that person and receive that persons punishments. The same is mentioned in Orchot HaTzadikim. (Mishpitei Hashalom p.237)

Q. What is said about a person who constantly speaks Lashon Hara about other Jews?

A.The Rambam writes (Taanit 7b) that a person who constantly speaks Lashon Hara is comparable to idol worship, murder and committing illicit relations. Such a person can be punished in this world and may even forfeit his right to the next world. We see from here how serious this can be and therefore, we must be very careful with our speech. (Ibid)

Q. Should one listen their belt before partaking in a meal?

A. The Bach (commentator on the Shulchan Aruch OC 157) writes that it is recommended that one listen their belt before a meal. the Kaf HaChaim adds that this applies only when the belt is tightly fastened around the waist. (Bayit Hayehudi v.10 p.42)

Q. Should one be careful never to over eat?

A. The RAMBAM writes (Deot 4,5) that over eating is as damaging to the body as eating poison and is the main cause of many ailments. He says that one should not over eat even healthy foods. (ibid.)

*The Daily Dose Halachot are based generally on the rulings of Sephardic
Authorities.

Q. Is it forbidden to eat a grotesque food item?

A. According to the Shulchan Aruch (116,6) it is forbidden to eat grotesque foods or drinks, such that people are generally disgusted by, like vomit, excrement, phlegm or the like. Similarly, one may not eat out of an item used for filthy purposes like the bathroom (or cleaning the floor) or with hands that are very dirty. All of the above is included in the Torah verse, “You May Not Make Yourself Abominable (by thing you eat)”(Bayit Hayehudi v.10 p.37)

Q. Is it forbidden to eat dirt or mud?

A. The Talmud stated (Shabbat 113b) that one may not eat dirt or mud as it may bring a person to become sick and the Caf Hachaim codes it as Halacha. (ibid.39)

*The Daily Dose Halachot are based generally on the rulings of Sephardic
Authorities.

Q What type of food is one recommended to eat for breakfast?

A. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 155,2) recommends that for health reasons it is advisable to eat baked grain foods for breakfast as it has many great health benefits. This is not a requirement though. (Bayit Hayehudi p.36)

Q. Is it advisable not to eat a food while is very hot?

A. The Kaf Hachaim (YD 116,142) discourages eating meat while it is so hot that it is steaming. As well, one should not drink a liquid while it is extremely hot. (Ibid.37)

*The Daily Dose Halachot are based generally on the rulings of Sephardic

Q Is it forbidden for a man to wear a even a single garment which is meant
for woman and vice versa?

A. A man may not wear even a single garment of a woman, even if all his other
clothing is for men. The same is true for a woman. This would be included in
the verse in the Torah: ” A woman shall not wear the clothing of a man nor a
man the clothing of a woman for it is abomination for anyone to do
so”-Devarim 22-5

Q. May a man pluck or dye the white hairs among his dark hairs?

A. A man may not pluck or dye even one white hair from among his dark hairs.
This would be included in the prohibition of dressing like a woman, as this
is considered a female act of beautifying. However, one may dye his darks
hairs white. ( Bayit hayehudi v.4 po285- shulchan aruch yd 182-6)

R’ Moshe Feinstein permits one to dye their white hairs in order to get a
job, by looking younger being as his intentions are not to beautify himself.
( Igeret Moshe v.5 p.91)

HALACHA A DAY KEEPS THE YETZER HARA AWAY

Q. When one hears the blessing and counting of the Omer from the chazzan,
must he say explicitly that he is not to fulfilling his own obligation with
the chazzans blessing?

A. There are opinions which hold that mitzvoth do not need Kavanah
(intention) in order for one to fulfill his obligation. According to them,
one fulfills his mitzvah of counting the Omer when he hears the chazzan
bless and count, even though he did not have in mind to do. Therefore it is
advisable that one speak out the following “I have in mind not to fulfill my
obligation of counting the omer, on any night of the omer this year, through
the counting of the chazzan or anyone else, rather through my own blessing
and counting (why not say it right now.). (Kitzur YY. 489-17)

Q. Is one required to count in a language that he understands?

A. One must count the omer in a language that he understands. Therefore if
one counted in Hebrew but did not understand what he said he must count
again in a language he understands BUT without a blessing. (Chazon Ovadia
Laws of Yom Tov p.232)

*The Daily Dose Halachot are based generally on the rulings of Sephardic
Authorities.

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HALACHA A DAY KEEPS THE YETZER HARA AWAY

Q. May a woman and boys under Bar-Mitzvah get a haircut and shave during the Omer? 

A. Although men may not get a haircut or shave during the Omer, these restrictions do not apply to Sephardic woman. (However all other restrictions apply to them equally.) (Chazzon Ovadia page 261). Boys under Bar-Mitzvah may take haircuts as well. The reason is because children under Bar Mitzvah are not obligated in the customs of mourning. (Ohr Letzion v.3 p.184)

Q. Is it permitted to cut one’s fingernails and toenails during the omer?

A. YES (Chazzon Ovadia p.261)

*The Daily Dose Halachot are based generally on the rulings of Sephardic Authorities.

A. Is one allowed to take a haircut or shave during the Sefirat HaOmer?

Q. Men may not take  haircuts or shave until the morning of the 34th day of
the Omer (some Ashkenazim permit doing so from the 33rd day – Lag BaOmer).
Some permit those who find it very difficult not to shave, to shave on Rosh Chodesh Aiyar, and if it fall out on Sunday, like it does this year, one would be able to shave already on the Firday before. Even those who generally refrain form shaving on any Rosh Chodesh due to the enactment of R. Yehudah HaChasid, would be allowed to shave on that day. Others permit those who find it very difficult not to shave, to shave every erev (eve of) Shabbat in the honor of Shabbat. However, one is very much encouraged to keep within the custom not to shave at all until the 34th day of the Omer. ( YY. Kitzur p. 624)

Q. Is one allowed to listen to music during the Sefirat HaOmer?

A. One may not listen to music with instrumentation, whether it be live live or a recording
or radio. This restrictions applies from right after the Pesach holiday until Lag BaOmer (33
day). Although to shave and take a haircut one must wait until the 34th
morning (Lad BaOmer), music is permitted one day earlier from the 33 day (Lag BaOmer). (YY.
Kitzur p. 623)

*The Daily Dose Halachot are based generally on the rulings of Sephardic
Authorities.

Q.  We have now begun saying ‘Morid HaTal’ in the Amidah.  What if one said ‘Mashiv Haruach’ instead?

A. If somebody forgot to recite “morid Ha’tal” and recited instead “Mashiv Ha’ru’ach,” and he remembered before concluding that beracha, he must return to the beginning of that beracha (from Atah Gibor). If he remembered after concluding that Beracha (meaning, after reciting the words ”Mechayei Ha’meitim”), he must return to the beginning of the Shemona Esrei. (Kitzur Yalkut Yosef)

Q. We have now begun saying ‘Barcheinu’ in the Amida. What if one said ‘Barech Aleinu’ instead?

A. If somebody forgot to recite the blessing “Barcheinu” and recited instead “Barech Aleinu,” if he remembered only after concluding the Beracha or later in the Amidah, he must return to the beginning of the Barcheinu blessing. However, if remembered only after saying the second Yehi LeRatzon at the end of the Smonah Esrei, he must return to the beginning of the Amida.

The Daily Dose Halachot are based generally on the rulings of Sephardic Authorities.

Q. What are some of the activities that are not permitted during Chol HaMoed?

A. Men may not take haircuts or shave during these days.  This restriction does not apply to woman or boys under 13.  Cutting nails is permitted for Sefaradim.  Ashkenazim do not cut their nails unless they were trimmed on the day before the Sukkot/Pesach Festival began or for mikvah purposes for a woman.

- Generally, work may not be done unless one will suffer a financial loss if he does not do the work.  Loss of POTENTIAL profit is not considered a loss, and therefore work may not be done for that purpose . A Rabbi should be consulted.

- Laundering clothing for adults may not be done over Chol HaMoed. Children’s clothing MAY be washed but only those clothes which are needed.  All baby clothes may be washed even if not needed right away being as they constantly become dirty and need to be changed.  Hand towels and towels that are usually washed after each use, socks and nylon stockings may be washed IF needed even for adults. If ones clothes became stained DURING the holiday, if he has no other suitable garment, he may take the stain out (on Chol HaMoed) with a stain remover but not wash the entire garment. One may polish their shoes if they will be used on the festival.

- If one requires professional work to be done during this time that can not be done by an amateur, a Rabbi should be consulted whether that type of service is permitted.

*The Daily Dose Halachot are based generally on the rulings of Sephardic Authorities.

Q. What are the laws that pertain to Bedikat Chametz which is to be done tonight?

A. – Tonight after Tzet Ha Kochavim ( three stars) is when the mitzvah of Bedika begins. 1/2 hr before this time it is forbidden to eat a bread meal or have mezonot or engage in any type of work, so as not to get carried away and not fulfill the Bedika.
– Tools needed for Bedika: A single wicked wax candle, if not available one may use a flashlight. Some have the custom to carry around a bowl with salt and pieces of bread in it during the Bedika ( which is also to be burned the following day) and to use a knife as a tool to retrieve any chametz that is found.

– The custom is to put small pieces of bread, each less than 27 grams ( less than a Kezait) wrapped in paper, around the house to be found during the Bedika. According to the Kabbalah there should be 10 pieces of bread. If ONE of the pieces are not found during the search one need not search the entire house for it rather he may nullify it with the nullification process done after the Bedika. People make the mistake in thinking that only those 10 pieces need to be found when really the mitzvah requires one to thoroughly check the entire house for any Chametz that may not have been cleaned out. This includes: crevasses and cracks around the house, porch, stair case, yard and garden, fridge and cabinets, anywhere food may have been kept, even rooms one is sure no chamtz was ever brought into should be searched.

** Even though it might be burdensome to do such a thorough search the Rabbis say that the greater the effort the greater the reward. The Arizal says that if a person is careful even with the smallest amount of Chametz is guaranteed not to sin that year!!

– One need not turn out the lights when doing the Bedika.

– Once the blessing of the Bedika has been made one should be sure not to talk about anything not having to do with the bedika.

– Bedika must be done in the car as well but no Beracha is made being as the Beracha done in the house includes the car. All other places owned by a that person should be checked if it was NOT rented out to a Gentile over Pesach.

– If the one doing the Bedika would like others to help, those people must be present at the time of the Beracha and have in mind to be included in the Beracha and answer Amen. If they did not hear the Beracha they should not Check because this mitzvah requires a Beracha.

– IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO DO THE NULLIFICATION AFTER THE BEDIKA IN A LANGUAGE WHICH IS UNDERSTANDABLE TO THE READER.

– THERE IS A SECOND NULLIFICATION WHICH MUST BE DONE THE FOLLOWING DAY AFTER BURNING THE CHAMETZ.
-The Bedika must be done at night. If one did not do the bedika at night they may still do it the next morning before the time the chometz becomes forbidden, but no blessing is made on this bedika.

Chag Sameach!

Q. Is one permitted to pick up Chametz he finds in a public place over Pesach?

A. No, one may not pick it up 1) Because it is forbidden to take possession of any Chametz on Pesach And 2) even if he does not intend to take possession of it, there is a fear that he may come to eat it. (C.O Pesach P.122,19)

Q. What should be done if someone finds chametz in their home over Presach?

A. If the chametz is found on Chol HaMoed then it should be immediately removed from the home and then burned. However, if the chometz was found on Yom Tov, being as it is muktzah, it may not be moved. Rather, one should put something over it to hide it in order to prevent someone from eating it accidentally. Then, after Yom Tov it should be burned. (Mishnah Berurah 446,1)

Medicines/ bedika flashlight

HALACHA A DAY KEEPS THE YETZER HARA AWAY

Q. Are medicine tablets and pills considered chametz?
A. Medicine pills and tablets, even ones which have wheat ingredients,
do not need to be discarded or sold before Pesach, but only if they have a bad taste and therefore would not be fit for the consumption of a dog. However, with regards to consumption, only someone who
suffers from an ailment which effects his whole body,( even though it is
not of dangerous nature), may take this medication on Pesach ( he may
even buy the pills on Pesach from a non Jewish store if necessary.) One
who just feels unwell may not take this medication. Medication which has
a good taste and contains wheat products may not be consumed through out
Pesach. It’s best to ask a doctor or pharmacist if the pill can be
found without the wheat ingredients (possibly a generic brand.) Chazzon
Ovadiya Laws of Pesach Pg. 120 .

Q. Is one allowed to use a flashlight when doing Bedikat Chametz?

A. One may use a flashlight only if he does not have a candle which is
kosher for Bedika use. The candle can not have two wicks or be made of a
substance which is forbidden according to halacha. When making Bedikat Chametz with a flashlight one may still make a Beracha. Chazzon Ovadia Laws of Pesach Pg. 38

*The Daily Dose Halachot are based generally on the rulings of Sephardic
Authorities.

HALACHA A DAY KEEPS THE YETZER HARA AWAY

Q. Are medicine tablets and pills considered chametz?
A. Medicine pills and tablets, even ones which have wheat ingredients,
do not need to be discarded or sold before Pesach, but only if they have a bad taste and therefore would not be fit for the consumption of a dog. However, with regards to consumption, only someone who
suffers from an ailment which effects his whole body,( even though it is
not of dangerous nature), may take this medication on Pesach ( he may
even buy the pills on Pesach from a non Jewish store if necessary.) One
who just feels unwell may not take this medication. Medication which has
a good taste and contains wheat products may not be consumed through out
Pesach. It’s best to ask a doctor or pharmacist if the pill can be
found without the wheat ingredients (possibly a generic brand.) Chazzon
Ovadiya Laws of Pesach Pg. 120 .

Q. Is one allowed to use a flashlight when doing Bedikat Chametz?

A. One may use a flashlight only if he does not have a candle which is
kosher for Bedika use. The candle can not have two wicks or be made of a
substance which is forbidden according to halacha. When making Bedikat Chametz with a flashlight one may still make a Beracha. Chazzon Ovadia Laws of Pesach Pg. 38

*The Daily Dose Halachot are based generally on the rulings of Sephardic
Authorities.

Q. Why is this coming Shabbat referred to as Shabbat Hagadol (The Great Shabbat)?

Q. What are some customs of this day?

A. The Chid”a (Rabbi Chayim Yosef David Azulai, 1724-1806) writes that on thisShabbat people should extend to one another the greeting, “Shabbat HagadolShalom” and then respond, “Shabbat Hagadol Shalom U’mevorach.” There is a widespread custom for the Grand Rabbi of the congregation to deliver on this Shabbat a special Derasha (lecture) devoted to the laws of Pesach and discussions of the Haggada in preparation for the holiday. Some Ashkenazim have the practice of reciting the Maggid section of the Haggada on Shabbat Hagadol, in order to familiarize themselves with the Haggada in preparation for the Seder. (ibid.)

Q. Where should food purchased for Pesach be stored?

A. All Pesach foods should be placed in a safe protected area away form any possibility of children getting into.  Often small food crumbs can fall into that food making it unusable for Pesach.  Over Pasach,even the smallest amount of chametz which falls into food does not become batel (nullified).  Also for this reason anyone who is checking rice for Pesach should be carefule no children are around who may accidentally drop some food into the rice. (Chazzon Ovadia p 81)

Q. Is an Ashkenazi allowed to eat at a Sefaradi home over Pesach being as Sefaradim use their cooking utensils to cook Kitniot?

A. An Ashkenazi is allowed to eat at a Sefaradi home even foods that were cooked in pots that were used to cook Kitniot. However, they may not eat any actual kitniot.(Chazon Ovadiya Laws of Passover Pg. 86)

*The Daily Dose Halachot are based generally on the rulings of Sephardic Authorities.

Q. What laws pertain to one who will not be in his home over Passover?

A. One may not have Chometz in his home over Passover even if he will not be there, unless he plans on renting his home out and selling his chometz through the rabbi to a Non-Jew over the holiday.  If he is not renting out his home then he has a Mitzvah to do ‘Bedikat Chometz’ (search for Chometz with a candle) on the night before the Passover holiday.  If he will be leaving town before then and will not be home that night to do the bedika, he MUST do the bedika the night before he is leaving town (so long as he is leaving within 30 days of the holiday).  This bedika should be as thorough as the regular bedika done before Passover and with a candle. However, no beracha is made when the bedika is done prior to the night before Passover. Generally, the custom for those away for Pesach is to rent out their entire house except for one room in order to fulfill the mitzvah of Bedika the night before leaving town. In such a case, that one room must be thuroughly cleaned for Pesach (but not the rest of the house which will be rented to the Non-Jew).

Q. What about the car, does it also need bedika if one is leaving town before Passover?

A. Yes, one must do a bedika in their car the night before he leaves town even though it will not be used over Passover, unless the car is rented out to a Non-Jew over Passover. .

*The Daily Dose Halachot are based generally on the rulings of Sephardic Authorities.

Q. Why do we dip the celery in saltwater during the Pesach seder?

A. The Ben Ish Hai cites Rashi’s commentary to Masechet Pesahim (114) where he explains that this is done in order to arouse the curiosity of the children. Although it is not uncommon to dip vegetables in dressing during the meal, it is unusual to do so at the beginning of the meal, even before we wash our hands and eat bread. This deviation from ordinary protocol will catch the children’s attention and lead them to begin asking questions. The Ben Ish Hai explains that the Mitsva of telling the story of the Exodus on Pesah should be done in the form of questions and answers, as indicated in the verse, “Ki Yishalecha Bincha” – “When your son shall ask you…” (Shemot 13:14). Therefore, one is required to evoke questions for the fulfillment of this Mitsva, and this is the reason why we eat Karpas, to arouse curiosity so that the children will ask questions. (Dailyhalacha.com)

Q. Within How Much Time Must One Eat the Matza at the Seder?

A. Ideally, when one fulfills the Mitsva of Matza at the Seder, he should place all the Matza in his mouth at the same time, chew it, and then swallow it all at once. If this is too difficult, he should eat the Matza within four minutes, and those who cannot eat quickly should eat the Mitsva within no more than nine minutes, and preferably within 6-7 minutes. (ibid.)

These Halachot are based generally on the ruling of Sefaradic authorities

HALACHA A DAY KEEPS THE YETZER HARA AWAY

Q. What is the reason behind the custom of giving charity before Pesach known as “Kimha De’pis’ha”?

A. In ancient times, Jewish communities would require all their members to donate flour to a communal fund in the weeks before Pesah, and that flour would be distributed to the needy members of the community so they could bake Matzah for Pesah. Today, this practice, which is known as “Kimha De’pis’ha,” is observed in the form of donations of money to charity funds that distribute the money to needy community members before Pesah. The products that one must buy for Pesach – such as Matzah, wine, and food for the holiday meals – can be very costly, and even people who are employed and receive monthly salaries may be unable to meet the high costs of the Pesach celebration. It is therefore vital for all community members to donate to the communal Kimha De’pis’ha fund after Purim, each according to his ability, so that sufficient funds can be distributed to the needy in time for them to make their purchases and properly prepare for the holiday. (Dailyhalacha.com)

Q. If one accidentally cooked food in a non-Pesach pot on Pesach, may the food still be eaten?

A. As long as no Chametz was cooked in that pot with in the last 24 hours, the food may be eaten. Ashkenazim, are more strict and do not eat the food. (Chazon Ovadia)

Q. May one say when purchasing meat “this meat is for Passover”?

A. The Shulchan Aruch writes (469:1)  that one may not say regarding a live animal or piece of meat that they Plan on using for Pesach dishes, “This (meat) is for Pesach.”  Halacha forbids doing so because it appears as though one is designating the meat for the Korban (sacrifice of) Pesach which must therefore be eaten in Jerusalem. One should try not to say so even regarding chicken and fish. Rather one should say “this is for the holiday” when making the purchase. (Chazon Ovadia Pesach p.217)

Q. Should one try to use handmade matzah over machine made matzah for the Seder nights?

A. It is preferable to use handmade matzah for the seder. However, if this will be difficult, one may use machine made matzah so long as the machine is turned on by a Jew who says at that time that he is running the machine that he is doing so for the mitzvah of Matzah. (ibid.221)

*The Daily Dose Halachot are based generally on the rulings of Sephardic Authorities.

HALACHA A DAY KEEPS THE YETZER HARA AWAY

Q. In what fashion can a person perform mitzvot which would greatly enhance their reward?

A.The Chida writes that there is a far greater reward for mitzvot when it is done out of happiness. ( Bayit Hayehudi V.10 p. 329) 

Q.What statement should a person accustom themself to say?

A.The Shulchan Aruch ( OC 230,5) writes that a person should accustom themselves to say, “all that G-d does, he does for the good.”

*The Daily Dose Halachot are based generally on the rulings of Sephardic Authorities.

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Q.May one pop an eyeglass lens that popped out on Shabbat?

A. One should not pop the lens back, even loosely and temporarily. However, if the need to do so is great, one may do so but only if it pops back in without any tightening. One may also directly ask a gentile to pop it back in. (Kitzur YY v.1 p.630)

Q.Is it forbidden to unclog a drain on Shabbat?

A. It is forbidden to unclog a drain which is completely clogged up. If there is a great need to do so, then one may be lenient and ask a gentile to unclog the drain. It would be best for that gentile to tell another gentile to do it. However, if it is not completely clogged and the water makes its way through very slowly, then one may unclog the drain with a home plunger and only if it requires very little effort. In any event one may pour boiling water over the clogged area to melt away the residue from the dishes and therefore allowing better water flow. (ibid 632)

Q. What are the guidelines for cleaning the house from Chametz for Pesach?

A. It is very important not to go overboard in cleaning the house for Pesach for it can cause unnecessary anxiety. Generally, around the house one need only search out and remove small pieces of Chametz which could on some level have interest to be eaten, for example, a Cheerio, a piece of a pretzel or the like. Anything of less importance, which one would have no desire in eating, is automatically nullified with the nullification process which one does before Pesach. This would include little specks of crumbs that may be hard to find- around corners and hard to reach places. HOWEVER, any places which food will be eaten in over Pesach must be thoroughly cleaned even of crumbs. This would include the kitchen and the dining room. The reason is that even though those crumbs will be nullified, it would still be forbidden to eat them and therefore we would not want them to be around in places where there is a possibility they might fall into our food.

Q. Does one have to clean Chametz out books and Sefarim that he uses during the year?

A. As mentioned above small crumbs which have no interest in being eaten are included in the nullification process. Therefore the books and Seforim would not need to be cleaned out. However, if there is a possibility that they contain crumbs then one should not bring those books to the table on Pesach for fear that those crumbs may fall into the food.

*The Daily Dose Halachot are based generally on the rulings of Sephardic Authorities.

Q. May a person open a package of food in a supermarket since they plan on paying for it when checking out?

A.One may not do so unless he received explicit permission from the store owner, as the food does not yet belong to the person until it is paid for. (Kuntrus Hilchot Gezel ch. 1)

Q. May one take a taxi that showed up prior to one that was already ordered that is still on the way?

A.One must wait for the taxi that was ordered or notify them that they will no longer need the taxi. Otherwise, one is causing the original taxi to travel for no reason and may cause him to potentially lose business. However, if the ordered taxi is taking an unreasonable amount of time, there may be room for one to be lenient and take the available taxi. (ibid.Ch.9 law 2)