HaRav Yishai Natan - Listen to the shiur below Seudah Mafseket — The Final Meal Before Tish’a BeAv As we approach Tish’a BeAv, one of the most misunderstood areas of halachah is the Seudah Mafseket, the final meal before the fast. Many people are unsure what they may or may not eat. There are essentially two accepted ways to observe the Seudah Mafseket. First, we … [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...]
HALACHOT OF THE 9 DAYS AND SHAVUA SHE’HAL BO
Harav Yishai Natan - The Mishnah's Restrictions The Mishnah (Ta’anit 26b) records three restriction: Beginning with Rosh Hodesh Av, we decrease our joy. During Shavua Shehal Bo, we do not get haircuts or do laundry. At the Se'udah Hamafseket on Erev Tisha Be'Av, we do not eat meat. Those are the only restrictions found explicitly in the … [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...]
Pay Day: Paying Your Employees Q&A
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...]