HaRav Netanel Levihim - When is the best time to say Selihot? Can I say it at Night? Maran in Shulhan Aruch, (Orah Haim siman 581) writes that the minhag is to recite Selihot by Ashmoret from Rosh Hodesh Elul until Yom Kippur. The reason for reciting Selihot is based on the Pirkeh DeRabbi Eliezer, which writes that this was the time Moshe Rabbenu went up to ask Hashem … [Read more...]
Q&A – SELIHOT WITHOUT A MINYAN
HaRav Netanel Levihim - Can One Say the Yud Gimmel Midot Without a Minyan? And Which Parts of Selihot Can Only Be Said With a Minyan? The Tur in Orah Haim 565brings down from Rav Natan that a person should not say the Yud Gimmel Midot without a minyan. The Tur himself, however, writes that he is not certain what the issue is, and why it is not like any other pasuk in the … [Read more...]
Q&A – Laundering Clothing During שבוע שחל בו
HaRav Netanel Levihim - Question May I do laundry, use a dry cleaner, or wear freshly laundered clothing during the week in which Tisha B'Av falls? Answer The Mishnah in Gemara Taanit 26b teaches that one may not launder clothing during the week in which Tisha B'Av falls. The Gemara debates whether this applies even to clothing meant to be worn only after Tisha … [Read more...]
Q&A – Meat and Wine During the Nine Days
HaRav Netanel Levihim - Question: When does the minhag against eating meat and drinking wine begin before Tisha B'Av, and are there exceptions? Answer The Mishnah (Taanit 26b) says the restriction on meat and wine only starts after midday on Erev Tisha B'Av, by the Seudat Hamafseket, according to the Tanna Kamma. The Gra (551:9) explains that this whole minhag comes … [Read more...]
Fish and Meat
Question Two practical she'elot come up regarding fish and meat: (1) Can fish be cooked in an oven at the same time as meat that is uncovered? (2) Can fish be cooked in a pan that was used for meat? Answer The Gemara in Pesahim (76b) is the mekor for not eating fish and meat together, calling it a sakana. The Tur (YD 116) brings this Gemara and explains the sakana can … [Read more...]