By Rav Moshe Pinchasi [1] When should we pray Arvit or recite Kiddush on Shavu’ot night? One should wait with the Kiddush until the earliest definition starbreak (25 min.- 40 min. after sunset). The Magen Avraham cites the Emek Beracha that one should wait until it is completely night (Tzet HaKochavim) before saying Kiddush on Shavu’ot night as the Sefira should be … [Read more...]

By Rav Eliezer Cohen   [1] Witholding Pay as Negotiation Tactic Question: A business owner with many employees thought of a way to cut corners and maximize his bottom line; he realized that if he doesn’t pay his workers their salaries on time, they would become anxious and would agree to accept less than what they are owed. Is he permitted to use this … [Read more...]

Rav Moshe Pinchasi Q: Do we say Tahanun on Minha before Lag Ba’Omer? A: No. Although the early Poskim [1] only mention omitting Tahanun on the morning of Lag Ba’Omer, and some later Poskim also underdstood that from the Shulhan Aruch and Rama [2], still, the custom is not to say Tahanun on Minha preceding Lag Ba’Omer [3]. Q: What do we celebrate on Lag Ba’Omer? A: Maharam … [Read more...]

By Rav Moshe Pinchasi   [1] Holding the Bread with a Napkin Q: Is one allowed to hold the bread with a napkin to avoid having to wash Netillat Yadaim? A: If one cannot easily find water for Netillat Yadaim, the Shulhan Aruch rules according to the Rambam and allows one to wrap his hands with a napkin to avoid touching the bread and not have to do Netillat … [Read more...]

By Rav Moshe Pinchasi [1] Counting Only Days If one only counted the days and not the weeks, one should count again without a Beracha. But if one forgot to count again and remembered only the following night – one may continue to count with a Beracha. [2] Counting Only Weeks If one only counted the weeks and not the days, if it is a complete week, such as on the … [Read more...]