The Beracha & Kashrut of Wine | By Rav Mordechai Lebhar, Rosh Kollel Link LA and author of Sefer Magen Avot Many people have adopted the custom to conduct a “Seder” on Tu BiShvat, which includes serving the fruits of Shiv’at HaMinim and new fruits as well as drinking four cups of wine. This custom is based on the Sefer Hemdat Yamim [1] which compiled this unique Seder … [Read more...]
Lighting Hanukkah Candles as a Guest (“Achsenai”)
By Rabbi Ariel Ovadia On the House Unlike most other Mitzvot – which are incumbent upon the individual – the consensus of the Poskim is that the Mitzva of lighting Hanukkah candles is defined as a “Hovat HaBayit”, an obligation upon the “house”, as the Gemara in Shabbat 21b states: “ner ‘ish u’veto” – a candle per person and their household [1]. There are many implications to … [Read more...]