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...]

The Halachic method for identifying a real Etrog By Rav Mordechai Lebhar, Posek for the SHC, Rosh Kollel LINK Los Angeles, and author of Magen Avot If you haven’t done so yet, chances are that you are searching for a proper set of Arba’at HaMinim for the upcoming holiday of Sukkot. Surely, you seek out a beautiful Etrog with which to fulfill this precious Mitzvah. You look at … [Read more...]