Identifying a bird species as Kosher Adapted by Rabbi Ariel Ovadia[1] The No-Eat List The Torah in Parashat Shemini and Re’eh identifies 24 species of non-kosher birds. Based on the Gemara, Maran rules[2] that if one can identify these 24 forbidden types of birds, one can eat any bird that is not on the list. However, it seems like even in the time of the Hachamim of the … [Read more...]

Fulfilling the obligation of Kiddush via listening By Rabbi Moshe Pinchasi Shomea K’Oneh Generally, it is better to do a Mitzvah yourself than have someone do it on your behalf (i.e. Bedikat Hametz, preparing for Shabbat etc.)[1]. However, with regards to Berachot, one does not have to try and recite the Beracha himself, and can rely on hearing it from someone else. The … [Read more...]

Do the Siddur apps pose a Halachic problem? By Rav Mordechai Lebhar, Rosh Kollel Link Los Angeles, based on a response to an article written by Rabbi Zvi Ryzman, author of Ratz KaTzvi series, Los Angeles Hands-Free The Gemara in Berachot [1] writes that one who is praying Amida should hold in his handsTefillin, a Sefer Torah, a knife or a bowl and other such items which, … [Read more...]

By Rabbi Michael Ovadia Introduction The prohibition referred to as “Bishul Akum”, is the rabbinic injunction against the consumption of food cooked by non-Jews. According to almost all Rishonim, this prohibition was enacted in order to prevent intermarriage[1]. Because food that was cooked by a non-Jew is considered non-kosher, all utensils in which it was cooked are … [Read more...]

An Audio Shiur by Rabbi Mordechai Lebhar, Posek for the SHC and Rosh Kollel Link, Los Angeles … [Read more...]