Is there a bracha that should be recited on a hurricane?   Maran, the Shulchan Aruch writes (OH 227:1) that on a exceptionally strong wind, one makes the beracha of "HaOseh Ma'aseh Bereshit" The Kaf HaChaim explains, in the name of the Birchei Yosef and other poskim, that on an extraordinary wind that is not heard all over the world, (presumably this means until … [Read more...]

I’m going on a trip and I don’t have a proper Netilat Yadayim cup. Can I use a disposable cup? The halacha requires that one use a keli (vessel) for Netilat Yadayim. The Poskim differ as to whether a disposable cup (such as a paper cup, or plastic bottle) is acceptable. Igrot Moshe (OC 4:39) ruled that one should not use a disposable cup for kiddush because kiddush requires … [Read more...]

Q: Can one use toothpaste, lipstick, or medicines which may have a Hametz ingredient on Pessah? Answered by Rabbi Moshe Pinhasi A: Anything that is unsuitable for the consumption of a dog prior to Pessah, may be kept in one’s possession but is nevertheless forbidden to eat MiD’Rabbanan[1]. With regards to toothpaste, lipstick and the like, since one does not intend on … [Read more...]

Laws related to Berachot In a recent Halacha Yomit you mentioned that according to many opinions the Beracha on cloves is Bore Mine Besamim. Can you please explain why? On which other spices does one recite Bore Mine Besamim? The Beracha of “Bore Mine Besamim” is recited on spices that don’t fit into any of the general categories. On aromatic fruit, we say the blessing … [Read more...]

Laws Related to Berachot These are some Berachot which fall in the middle between the two categories mentioned last week– that is – they aren’t clearly obligatory or not obligatory, and it is questionable if they can count as part of the 100 Berachot or not: Amen in response to the blessing on an Aliya to the Torah, or on the Berachot of the Haftarah: On the one hand, the … [Read more...]