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...]
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...]