Our electricity was restored on Shabbat. The lights in the house went back on. Are we permitted to benefit from these lights even though they were restored on Shabbat? One is not permitted to benefit on Shabbat from a Melacha that was done by a non-Jew for the sake of a Jew. This is true even if the Jew did not request the favor. The Mishna Berura (276:2) explains that this … [Read more...]
Halachot of Daily Living: Weekly Questions
The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis This Column is dedicated in memory of: Rav Chaim Yisroel ben Reb Dov HaLevi Belsky, zt’l Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant from 1987-2016 Laws related to Yashan nowadays What do the terms Hadash flour or Yashan flour mean? The Torah (VaYikra 23:14) states that it is forbidden to eat the new year’s grains until … [Read more...]
THE SUKKAH: KEEPING IT UP
TAKING DOWN A SUKKAH DURING SUKKOT I will be going away for the last days of Sukkot, and I do not need my Sukkah anymore. Can I take it down on Hol Hamo’ed before I leave? The Gemara (Sukkah 9a) derives from the verse (VaYikra 23:34) “The Hag of Sukkot shall be seven days for Hashem” that just as a Korban Hagiga (alluded to by the word “Hag” which is seemingly … [Read more...]
Pressed for Wine: Weekly Questions
I bought a small wooden wine press at a garage sale. It crushes about 2 gallons of grapes at a time. Does this need to be kashered? Maran in Shulhan Aruch (YD 138:1) writes that a used wine press requires kashering. This process is referred to as a niguv (wiping). The Shulhan Aruch (YD 138:10) describes this process as follows: One wipes down the surface with ashes, … [Read more...]