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...]

  Hezek on the Safari Rav Yonoson Hool   Let us begin with a story. Mr. Cohen is taking his family on a trip to the local safari park. He rides, uneventfully, with his family through the park. At one point Mr. Cohen gets out of his car to wash Netilat Yadaim so that he can eat his lunch. Mr. Cohen leaves the car door open and while he is out of the car a … [Read more...]

By Rabbi Yitzchok Basser Q: In his teenage years, someone shoplifted from a store owned by a family friend. He wants to make amends. Is it sufficient to anonymously return the value of the item stolen, or must he take the difficult step of identifying himself and asking mehila. A: It is preferable to ask mehila, but he is not required to do so. In a case of … [Read more...]