The Uniqueness of Business Halacha
Food for Thought
As the Jewish people trek further away from Mitzraim, they start complaining to Moshe and Aharon about the lack of food. Hashem promises to shower them with “bread from the heavens” – the Man, and the verse adds: למען אנסנו הילך בתורתי אם לא – "and thus I will test [the nation], will it follow my Torah or not…” How does the Man, a heavenly delicacy, test the Jewish people’s … [Read more...]
What to Do with Leftover Hanukkah Oil?
Q: What is the appropriate way to dispose of the leftover Hanukkah oil? A: The Shulhan Aruch[1] rules that one must burn the leftover oil from the Hanukkah candles. Many Rishonim[2] write that this is because the oil has some Keddusha, being that it represents the oil used in the Menorah in the Bet Hamikdash[3]. Rav Hayim Palacci suggests[4] that one may still use the oil … [Read more...]
Lighting Hanukkah Candles as a Guest (“Achsenai”)
By Rabbi Ariel Ovadia On the House Unlike most other Mitzvot – which are incumbent upon the individual – the consensus of the Poskim is that the Mitzva of lighting Hanukkah candles is defined as a “Hovat HaBayit”, an obligation upon the “house”, as the Gemara in Shabbat 21b states: “ner ‘ish u’veto” – a candle per person and their household [1]. There are many implications to … [Read more...]