Ribbi Hayim Palachi זצ"ל – or as he is affectionately referred to as "מרן החבי"ף" – was one of the most well-known and prolific Torah giants of the 19th century. Ribbi Hayim as born in 1788 in Izmir (Smyrna) – a thriving city with a prominent and scholarly Jewish community in the Ottoman Empire – into a family of respected Hachamim. His father, Ribbi Yaakov Palachi זצ"ל, was … [Read more...]
Beracha over Ice Cream
Q: Does one recite a Beracha over ice cream eaten within the Se’uda? A: The Ohr L’Tziyon[1] distinguishes between pareve ice cream which consists of liquids and is therefore exempt from a Beracha during a Se’udah[2]. Dairy ice cream, however, has the status of a food, and since it does not come to compliment the bread, it requires its own Beracha[3]. It would seem that … [Read more...]
Moving Orchids & Other Potted-Plants on Shabbat
Q: We often adorn our house with orchids. Is it permissible to move them aside on Shabbat? A: Yes. However, one may not place them near a dirt floor or near sunlight in order to benefit them. There is a distinction in Halacha between a punctured potted-plant (עציץ נקוב), which can absorb the earth’s nutrients and is considered to be fully attached to the ground, thus, … [Read more...]
What’s in a Wine
The Beracha & Kashrut of Wine | By Rav Mordechai Lebhar, Rosh Kollel Link LA and author of Sefer Magen Avot Many people have adopted the custom to conduct a “Seder” on Tu BiShvat, which includes serving the fruits of Shiv’at HaMinim and new fruits as well as drinking four cups of wine. This custom is based on the Sefer Hemdat Yamim [1] which compiled this unique Seder … [Read more...]
Never Mind: Non-Verbal Commitments in Halacha
By Dayan Shlomo Cohen | Dayan at Ahavat Shalom, Jerusalem and Author of “Pure Money” Good Will Reuven was owed a thousand dollars by his dear friend, Shimon. The debt was already a year old, and Reuven knew that Shimon was having trouble paying it back. Reuven's business was thriving, and he thought to himself to do Shimon a favor and forgo the debt. Later that day, … [Read more...]