HaRav Yishai Natan - I run a barber shop that usually closes at 5:00. Today, someone came in close to closing time and asked for a haircut that normally takes twenty minutes. I wanted to go home already, so I told him, “I’m sorry, it is too close to closing.” He said, “I’ll give you $200 if you do it now.” I agreed and gave him the haircut. Afterward, he said he was … [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 … [Read more...]
Dishwashers: Meat and Milk Together?
HaRav Yishai Natan - This week's Parashah discusses the war against Midyan. After the battle, the pasuk says, "Kol davar asher yavo ba'esh ta'aviru ba'esh," teaching the laws of libun and hakhsharat keilim because of the beliut (taste) that got absorbed in the kelim. That leads us to a practical question: Are you allowed to use the same dishwasher for meat and … [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...]
Neighbor’s Fallen Tree
HaRav Yishai Natan - My neighbor has an old tree on his property that looked like it was going to fall any day. I told him that he should cut it down, because it might fall and break something. He never cut it down, and yesterday it fell into my property and destroyed my deck. I told him that now he has to pay for my deck and remove his tree from my property. He thinks … [Read more...]