Monday, March 31, 2014

May Jam Cooked In A Hametz Pot Be Eaten On Pesah?

May Jam Cooked In A Hametz Pot Be Eaten On Pesah?
Day: Monday
Date: March 31, 2014
Parshat: Metzora
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 447


Even if a hametz ingredient was purposely added to food, it is still nullified in a mixture of 60 parts non hametz to one part hametz. However if the hametz is the base ingredient it is not nullified regardless how large a ratio there is. If a hametz spatula was accidentally used while cooking food before Pesah, the food may still be eaten on Pesah. If one made jam before Pesah in a clean hametz pot the jam may be eaten by Sephardim during Pesah. Ashkenazim however may not eat it on Pesah. On Pesah one does not have to make sure to obtain milk only from cows owned by a non Jew that were not fed hametz. Even if the cows owned by a non Jew ate hametz one may still drink their milk on Pesah.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Food With Trace Amounts Of Hametz

Food With Trace Amounts Of Hametz
Day: Sunday
Date: March 30, 2014
Parshat: Metzora
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 447


Even the most minute amount of hametz is forbidden on Pesah and doesn't get nullified in a mixture of 60:1 as things normally do. However if the mixture happened before Pesah and there were 60 parts non hametz for every part of hametz in the mixture, it does become nullified and is okay to eat on Pesah. This is true even if one did not know about the hametz context before Pesah and he only found out about it on Pesah. Therefore if a drop of water fell into some wheat and then that wheat got mixed with a lot more wheat it can be ground and used to bake matzah for Pesah. However if the hametz item is the base ingredient and it adds a good flavor to the food it should be considered hamez and not used on Pesah.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Biyur Hametz - Burning The Hametz

Biyur Hametz - Burning The Hametz
Day: Thursday
Date: March 27, 2014
Parshat: Tazria, Hachodesh  
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 443, 445


After hatzot on Erev Pesah one may not eat or have any enjoyment whatsoever from hametz. Our Hachamim forbade eating it starting from two hours earlier than hatzot, from the end of the fourth hour of the day. During the fifth hour one may still have enjoyment from the hametz and may sell it or feed it to an animal (although he should stand there and make sure they eat it all and do not hide any of it). From the beginning of the sixth hour it is completely forbidden. One must make a declaration that the hametz worthless to him before this time. Once the sixth hour starts the declaration does not help. The mitzvah of biyur hametz (destroying the hametz) can either be done by burning the hametz or by crumbling it into tiny particles and dispersing it into the wind or dropping it into the sea. The accepted practice is to burn the hametz. One should break the hametz into small pieces before burning it to ensure that it will all be burnt and will all be rendered completely inedible. It's also a good idea to pour something flammable on it as well. The biyur must be done before the sixth hour starts.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Does One Who Will Be Away For Pesah Need To Do The Bedika Before Leaving?

Does One Who Will Be Away For Pesah Need To Do The Bedika Before Leaving?
Day: Wednesday
Date: March 26, 2014
Parshat: Tazria, Hachodesh  
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 436, 438


One who will be celebrating Pesah away from home must nevertheless check the house for hametz before he leaves if he leaves within 30 days of Pesah. No beracha should be made on this bedika, it is also not necessary in this situation to hide ten pieces of bread. If a child with bread walked through a house that has already been checked for hametz and one finds crumbs afterward, the house does not need to be checked again. This is true even if the crumbs do not add up to the amount of bread the child was carrying. The reason is because it is normal for a child to drop crumbs while eating and therefore it can be assumed that the child ate all of the hametz. If no crumbs are found and the child says he ate the whole thing, he is believed if he understands what he is talking about.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Disowning The Hametz

Disowning The Hametz
Day: Tuesday
Date: March 25, 2014
Parshat: Tazria, Hachodesh
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 434


After the bedika, one should take any remaining hametz that he needs for that night or the next morning and out it all in a safe location so that it won't get spread around. When eating one should also take care to eat over something for the same reason. After one is done eating hametz the next morning he should brush his teeth to remove any crumbs that may be stuck between his teeth. After the bedika one should declare that he is disowning any hametz in his possession. Many prayer books have a text to say in Aramaic when disowning the hametz. However, one must say it in a language he understands. If he did not understand what he said it doesn't work and he still owns the hametz. After burning the hametz the next day we again disown the hametz.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Monday, March 24, 2014

How To Do Bedikat Hametz

How To Do Bedikat Hametz
Day: Monday
Date: March 24, 2014
Parshat: Tazria, Hachodesh
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 433

The bedika needs to be done using the light of a wax candle. A torch is not okay to use since one cannot bring it close to all of the nooks and crannies around the house and also because he'll constantly be worried about starting a fire and he won't focus on the search for hametz. Two candles that are close enough that their flames join together are considered to be a torch. However, if the wicks are entirely twisted together it is not considered to be a torch and may used. If one doesn't have a candle he may use a flashlight that can fit into any corner or small area in the house and that won't hinder the search. If he uses a flashlight he may still say a beracha on the bedika. Cars must also be checked for hametz as part of the bedika even if they were cleaned well beforehand. A new beracha should not be made on searching the car even if one must travel a ways to get to it. It is not necessary for one to search for hametz in his sefarim even if crumbs fell in them while he was learning.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Hiding Ten Pieces Of Bread Before The Bedika

Hiding Ten Pieces Of Bread Before The Bedika
Day: Sunday
Date: March 23, 2013
Parshat: Tazria, Hachodesh
Source: Yalkut Yosef:


There is an accepted custom to disperse ten wrapped pieces of bread around the house before the bedika for the one searching to find. The pieces should be under 18 grams or at least under a kezayit (1ounce). One should still do the bedika even if nobody dispersed the pieces of bread. If one of the pieces are not found he does not need to go through the house again to find it. Instead he can just rely on the bitul (annulment) of the hametz that he will do after the bedika. It is a good idea to write down where the pieces are so they can be found later. Some people carry around a bag during the bedika to put the hametz inside of to burn the next morning.  


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Friday, March 21, 2014

The Blessing On The Bedikat Hametz

The Blessing On The Bedikat Hametz
Day: Friday
Date: March 21, 2014
Parshat: Shemini, Para
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 432


Before the bedikat hametz we make a beracha ending in "al biyur hametz" (on burning hametz) since the bedika is only done for the burning of the hametz which is the main part of the mitzvah. One may not interrupt in between saying the beracha and starting the bedika. If one did interrupt and he talked about things unrelated to the bedika he must say a new beracha. Even after starting the bedika one should not talk about things unrelated to the bedika, however at that point he doesn't need to say a new beracha if he did. If one started checking for hametz and realized he didn't say a beracha yet he may say the beracha as long as he hasn't finished searching. If one cannot search through the entire house on his own he may split it with others. If he does so, they should stand near him when he says the beracha and say amen and have in mind to be part of his beracha. If he is splitting it with others they may not make their own beracha.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Thursday, March 20, 2014

One Must Check For Hametz As Soon As The Time Comes

One Must Check For Hametz As Soon As The Time Comes
Day: Thursday
Date: March 20, 2014
Parshat: Shemini, Para
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 431


One may not eat a kebetzah (approximately 2 ounces) of any of the five grains within a half hour before the time for bedikat hametz. Less than that amount, or any amount of fruits and vegetables are okay to eat at that time. One may not begin a project or start any melacha within a half hour of the bedika. Likewise, one should also not begin a personal Torah study session from the time of the bedika until he has finished it. Even if he always has a session at that time. If however, he started learning before the time, he may not interrupt his learning just to search for hametz. Instead he should search later. A public session, for example a shiur, or an evening kollel, however, is okay since everybody will remind each other to check when it's over so no one will forget. If one has the opportunity, he should pray Arvit before checking for hametz. One who is fatigued and therefore is not able to search for hametz effectively, may take a short nap and make sure to have someone wake him up after a half hour or so. However that is only okay if the nap is taken at the beginning of the time. But if it's any later one may not nap before checking.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Bedikat Hametz

Bedikat Hametz
Day: Wednesday
Date: March 19, 2014
Parshat: Shemini, Para
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 431


It is said in the name of the Arizal that one who is meticulously careful to refrain from any minute amount of  chametz on Pesah is granted divine assistance against sinning during the entire upcoming year. Therefore even before the night of bedikat hametz one should take care to clean the entire house very thoroughly to ensure that there will no hametz around during Pesah. Pockets should be checked, especially those of little kids. School bags should also be checked. On the night if the fourteenth of Nisan we do bedikat hametz. The proper time to begin is right after tzet hakochavim, about 20 minutes after shekia. If one began and finished after shekia but before tzet hakochavim he has fulfilled his obligation but he should still search a little more after tzet hakochavim.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Why We Don't Say Tachanun During Nisan

Why We Don't Say Tachanun During Nisan
Day: Monday
Date: March 18, 2014
Parshat: Shmini, Para
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 429


During the entire month of Nisan we do not say viduy or  tachanun because the entire month was, is, and will eternally be a happy month. On the first of Nisan the Mishkan was set up. For the next twelve days of the month the Nesi'im brought their sacrifices as part of the inauguration of the mizbeiach, one Nasi per day. The day that each Nasi brought his sacrifice was considered a holiday for him. The thirteenth day was the day after they all finished and was semi holiday as well. Fourteen Nisan is Erev Pesah, and then there are seven (eight outside of Eretz Yisrael) days of Pesah and the day after which is a semi holiday. This brings us to the 22nd of Nisan. We have a tradition that Moshiach will come on Pesah. However, we do not mix celebrations, therefore the Bet Hamikdash will be built after Pesah and it will be followed by a seven day inauguration. Thus, we see that entire month of Nisan is a month of happiness and celebration and therefore we do not say viduy or tachanun during it.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Monday, March 17, 2014

Parshat Hachodesh

Parshat Hachodesh
Day: Sunday
Date: March 17, 2014
Parshat: Shemini, Para
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 685


On the Shabbat immediately proceeding, or the Shabbat of Rosh Chodesh Nisan we again take out and read from two Torah scrolls (if Rosh Chofesh fell out on Shabbat three are taken out). From the second one we read Parshat Hachodesh, which talks about Nissan being the first month of the year. A minor over six years old may be called up for the Aliya of Parshat Shekalim and Parshat Hachodesh, although not for Parshat Zachor and Para. However if a minor was already called up, he may stay and do the berachot but someone else should do the actual reading. One does not need to do shnayim Mikra ve'echad Targum on these four parshiyot.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Friday, March 14, 2014

Who Exactly Is Required To Give Mishloach Manot

Who Exactly Is Required To Give Mishloach Manot
Day: Friday
Date: March 14, 2012
Parshat: Tzav, Zachor
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 695


Married women are also required to give mishloach manot separate from their husbands. Children over bar/bat mitzvah are required to give as well even if they are still fully supported by their parents. This means that even though a family is giving mishloach manot to many people they have not necessarily all fulfilled the mitzvah until each person over bar/bat mitzvah has given at least one if the packages. A couple have not fulfilled the mitzvah if they only exchange packages between themselves. Men and women should ideally not exchange packages with each other. There is no clear halacha regarding one who sends non chalav Yisrael items to a person who is careful to only eat chalav Yisrael, or non Bet Yosef meat to one who only eats Bet Yosef meat. Therefore one should be careful not to do so and if he does he should make sure to send at least one more  package without such issues.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Thursday, March 13, 2014

The Mitzvah Of Mishloach Manot

The Mitzvah Of Mishloach Manot
Day: Thursday
Date: March 13, 2014
Parshat: Tzav, Zachor
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 695


The basic requirement of mishloach manot is to give two portions of food to one person. The foods do not need to have different berachot but they do need to be different kinds of food. For instance, one may give two different kinds of meat but if he gave two plates of the same kind he had not fulfilled the mitzvah. Likewise, he can even give two kinds of drinks, although it's best to give actual food and not just drinks. The purpose of the mitzvah is to cause love and brotherhood between all Jews since giving causes people to like each other. Another reason is because some people may be ashamed to accept financial help for the Purim meal. By everyone giving mishloach manot to each other those people will receive assistance without any shame. The mitzvah must be fulfilled during the day, not at night. One does not fulfill the mitzvah by sending cigarettes, or clothing, or even Torah books, even if he knows that the one receiving them will enjoy them.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

The Purim Meal

The Purim Meal
Day: Wednesday
Date: March 12, 2014
Parshat: Tzav, Zachor
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 695


Everyone is required to have a meal during the daytime on Purim. If one had the meal at night he must have another one during the daytime. During the meal it is good to sing praises and zemirot to Hashem. It is good to wash and have bread as part of the Purim meal. One should also have meat as part of the seudah if he can afford it, otherwise he should at least have chicken.  Men are required to drink wine on Purim to get themselves to the point where they cannot differentiate between Baruch Mordechai and Arur Haman. To fulfill this one should drink a little more wine than usual and take a nap. It is forbidden to get drunk since that causes people to do aveirot and inappropriate things and is inexcusable. Rather a person should drink a little more than usual just to the point that he starts to feel slightly tipsy. One who damages other's property out of drunkenness is required to pay just like any other day.  


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Matanot Le'evyonim

Matanot Le'evyonim
Day: Tuesday
Date: March 11, 2014
Parshat: Tzav, Zachor
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 694


There is a special mitzvah on Purim day to give gifts to the needy. This is called matanot le'evyonim. This mitzvah can be fulfilled by giving money, meals, or any other food and is fulfilled by giving one gift each to two needy people. It cannot be fulfilled by giving clothes or linens. Technically one may give a cent to each and he will have done the mitzvah. However a Gd fearing person should give generously at least enough for some bread and something to go with it to each person. One may give a needy couple food and thereby fulfill his requirement since they are two people. One may even fulfill his requirement by giving to needy children. On Purim one should not calculate the amount he gives or figure out whether to give each person who asks or not. Rather, anyone who asks should be given money. It is better for a person to spend more on matanot le'evyonim than on any other mitzvah of the day, including mishloach manot and the Purim meal. Very often people are focused on giving elaborate baskets and  spend hundreds of dollars on them, while they figure out the minimum amount they can get away with for matanot le'evyonim. One who does not do so, and instead gives generously is compared to the shechina about which it says: "who revives the spirit of the lowly, and who revives the heart of the fallen." (Isaiah 57: 15). The minimum amount should not be given from Maaser anything more than that may be.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Monday, March 10, 2014

One May Not Give Zecher Lemahatzit Hashekel From Maaser

One May Not Give Zecher Lemahatzit Hashekel From Maaser
Day: Monday
Date: March 10, 2014
Parshat: Tzav, Zachor
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 692


The money for the zecher lemahatzit hashekel should be given to institutions of Torah and to Yeshivot. Since the time the Bet Hamikdash was destroyed Hashem's "place" in this world is only in places of Torah and Halacha. May we see the Bet Hamikdash rebuilt soon in our days and may we all have the merit to give the mahatzit hashekel itself, and not have to resort to only giving the zecher (remembrance) of the mahatzit hashekel. One who normally separates Maaser (tithes) from his income may not give the required amount of the zecher lemahatzit hashekel, or of the matanot le'evyonim, from Maaser money. If he wants he can give it from his own money and then add to it from Maaser money. If when he separates his Maaser he always says that he does intend this to become a neder or a requirement for him, then he may fund these mitzvot from Maaser money if he is undergoing financial hardship.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Zecher Lemahatzit Hashekel

Zecher Lemahatzit Hashekel
Day: Sunday
Date: March 9, 2014
Parshat: Tzav, Zachor
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 692


Anyone who has not given the zecher lemahatzit hashekel before Purim should give it before the Megila reading. One should be careful not to refer to the zecher lemahatzit hashekel as mahatzit hashekel. One should give an amount of money equal to the value of 9 grams, or about 1/3 of an ounce, of pure silver. This means that the amount we are required to give fluctuates from year to year. As of this writing it is approximately seven dollars. While giving cash or a check are fine, ideally one should give it using three coins since in Parshat Shekalim it says "terumat Hashem" three times. In most synagogues these coins are available to purchase for the price of the zecher lemahatzit hashekel. Someone who can't afford to give the value of the silver can give an actual half shekel coin. Anyone over twenty is required to give the zecher lemahatzit hashekel. Some Poskim say that once a child reaches bar mitzvah he also required to give it. One should ideally also give a separate one for each child in the household. Therefore the father of a family of five should ideally give five times the value of 9 grams of pure silver. One for himself, one for his wife, and one for each of the children. If he is not able to do so he should give the half shekel for himself and he should give a little more (even just a few cents) for the rest of his household.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Even The Purim Celebration Has Limits

Even The Purim Celebration Has Limits
Day: Thursday
Date: March 6, 2014
Parshat: Vayikra
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 690


There is no prohibition against dressing up and wearing masks on Purim. However, It is completely forbidden for men to wear women's clothing or vice versa as a Purim costume. It is also forbidden to hire a magician to entertain even though he is doing tricks that are only slight of hand and not actual magic. There is a widespread custom in some yeshivot for one of the students to deliver a speech and mimic the Rabbis and make jokes. This custom has no place among the Jewish people and must not be perpetuated. A person who makes jokes about, or mocks a Hacham has committed a sin that is "too heavy to carry" and loses his portion of olam haba. Anyone who has the ability to stop such things from happening is required to do so.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Who Is Required To Hear The Megila?

Who Is Required To Hear The Megila?
Day: Wednesday
Date: March 5, 2014
Parshat: Vayikra
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 689


All men and women have an obligation to hear the megila on the night of Purim and then again during the day. Children should also be taught to sit and listen to the megila. However, children that are too young to understand what is going on should not be brought to shul for the megila since they will make noise and cause everyone there to have to hear the megila again. One may not fulfill his obligation to hear the megila over the phone, over skype, or any other such technology even if it is live and not pre recorded. However a person who hears someone say a beracha through such a contrivance should say amen if it is not pre recorded. One who heard the megila over a loudspeaker has also not fulfilled his obligation unless he is close enough to the reader to hear him without the loudspeaker. A deaf person is required to read the megila, but if he can hear with hearing aids he can listen to it like everyone else and he doesn't need to actually read it. A blind person and a person who is mute (but not deaf) are required to hear the megila.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Who Is Required To Fast On Taanit Esther ?



Who Is Required To Fast On Taanit Esther

Day: Tuesday
Date: February 4, 2014
Parshat: Vayikra
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 686


Pregnant women who are past their first trimester and nursing women are not required to fast Taanit Esther. A pregnant woman who is still within her first three months may eat if she feels weak or is sick. She should not try to be strict on herself in that scenario, if she does not feel one hundred percent she should eat. If she is no longer nursing she is also not required to fast this fast within two years of giving birth if she feels weak. A woman who Gd forbid miscarried does not have to fast if was within thirty days. If she feels weak, she also does not need to fast within two years. A person who is sick, weak, or elderly, even if he is not in any danger, is exempt from this fast. Everyone else, men and women, are required to fast and do not have a right to separate themselves from the general public by not fasting.



The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org


Monday, March 3, 2014

Taanit Esther, The Fast Of Esther

Taanit Esther, The Fast Of Esther
Day: Monday
Date: February 3, 2014
Parshat: Vayikra
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 685


In the days of Mordechai and Esther on the thirteenth day of Adar, the Jewish people gathered to defend themselves from their enemies. Obviously they needed the mercy of Hashem to succeed in the battle and therefore, drawing from the example of Moshe Rabenu during the war against amalek, they prayed and fasted that day. As we know Hashem answered their prayers and they were victorious. The day that had been designated by their enemies as a day to kill Jews was switched around and became a day that the Jews showed their dominion over their enemies. Not one Jew was hurt on that day, while the Jews decimated their enemies. In commemoration of this astounding miracle we fast on this day every year. This fast is known as Taanit Esther.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Sunday, March 2, 2014

When Adar Starts We Increase Our Joy

When Adar Starts We Increase Our Joy
Day: Sunday
Date: March 2, 2014
Parshat: Vayikra
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 685


The Gemara in masechet Taanit says "When Adar starts we increase our joy." In the Megilat Esther it says that "this month switched their worry into joy." Meaning, the month of Adar itself causes good things to happen. Therefore if a Jew must go to court against a non Jew, he should do his best to schedule it during the month of Adar since during this month we have the upper hand. May Hashem listen to our prayers during this month and save us from those who make evil decrees against us and our Torah. Some people have a custom to fast on the seventh day of Adar which is the yahrzeit of Moshe Rabenu. Some also have a nice custom to make a special learning session on the night of 7 Adar in commemoration.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org