Q: Do women recite Birkat Ha’Ilanot? Can one recite Birkat Ha’Ilanot after Nissan? Answered by Rabbi Moshe Pinhasi A: Women may also recite Birkat Ha’Ilanot[1] as many Poskim maintain that one may recite the Beracha even after Nissan if there are still blossoming trees[2], thus, it would not be considered a time-bound Mitzva. Even according to the opinions that one may … [Read more...]
Birkat Ha’Ilanot on Shabbat
Q: May one recite Birkat Ha’Ilanot on Shabbat? Answered by Rabbi Moshe Pinhasi A: Some say[1] that one should not recite this Beracha on Shabbat because – according to Kabbala – by reciting this Beracha one is sorting out particles of Keddusha from the trees, which is akin to sorting [בורר] on Shabbat. They are also concerned that one may come to detach a flower or branch … [Read more...]
Koshering Utensils for Pessah
Q: How can I kosher my oven for Pessah? May I use the hot-plate on Pessah? Answered by Rabbi Moshe Pinhasi A: With regards to an oven, the Ohr L’Tziyon[1] takes a strict position, asserting that it is virtually impossible to kosher an oven, even if it is not electric[2]. However, Hacham Ovadia Yosef, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach זצ"ל and others[3] allow for koshering an oven … [Read more...]
Slaving Away: Modern Issues of Slavery in Halacha
By Dayan Yehonatan D. Hool, Yerushalayim "For the Children of Israel are servants unto me, they are my servants, whom I took out of Egypt"[1]. Our miraculous liberation from the bondage of Egypt by the Almighty, was for the purpose of serving Hashem alone. The Gemara[2] derives from this verse, that we are commanded not to enslave ourselves ever again, even to a fellow … [Read more...]
The Great Search
An Overview of the Laws of Bedikat Hametz By Rabbi David Ani, Rav of Congregation Bet-El and the Abraham Ohabi program and professional Mohel, Brooklyn The Prohibition of Owning Hametz The Torah in Parashat Bo writes: “On the first month, in the evening of the fourteenth day, you shall eat Matzot, until the twenty first of the month in the evening. For seven days, no leaven … [Read more...]