Friday, November 28, 2014

Tohen - Grinding

Tohen - Grinding
Day: Friday
Date: November 28, 2014
Parshat: Vayetze
Yalkut Yosef: 321

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

Another of the Melachot forbidden by the Torah is Tohen, or Grinding. As part of the service in the Mishkan it was necessary to grind spices for the Ketoret, and flour for the Lehem Hapanim, among other uses. One who grinds the equivalent of a third of a kebetzah of a substance has transgressed the issur. Therefore it is forbidden to grind coffee on Shabbat even with a non electric grinder. Included in this Melacha is grinding spices, creating shavings with a nail file, or even breaking splinters off of wood using an object.


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

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Other Instances of Dyeing on Shabbat

Other Instances of Dyeing on Shabbat
Day: Thursday
Date: November 27, 2014
Parshat: Vayetze
Yalkut Yosef: 320, Hazon Ovadia

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

Very often in public restrooms there is a blue soap tablet which colors the water each time the toilet is flushed. There are some Poskim that don't allow and some Poskim that do allow one to flush such a toilet on Shabbat. Our custom is to be lenient and to do so even though the water will be colored since it will get washed away after a short time. It is permissible on Shabbat to eat or drink staining food and drinks off of paper utensils even though the utensils will be colored.


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

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Dyeing Food on Shabbat

Dyeing Food on Shabbat
Day: Wednesday
Date: November 26, 2014
Parshat: Vayetze
Yalkut Yosef: 320

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

The general rule is that the laws of dyeing on Shabbat do not apply to food or drink. Therefore, one may dip cookies into coffee even though the coffee will color the cookies. Likewise one may put drink mixes into water or chocolate powder into milk even though they'll cause the water or milk to change its color. For the same reason one may make tea or coffee on Shabbat without worrying about Tzove'a. This may done even if the only reason for adding it is to color the food. In deference to the Poskim who maintain that it is not okay to color foods on Shabbat, one who first puts the tea bag or coffee etc., and then the water is blessed. The exception to this rule is food coloring. Since the sole purpose of food coloring is to dye, it should not be used even for food on Shabbat.


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

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Is it Permissible to Tan on Shabbat?

Is it Permissible to Tan on Shabbat?
Day: Tuesday
Date: November 25, 2014
Parshat: Vayetze
Yalkut Yosef: 320

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

One may apply bandages to an open wound on Shabbat even though they will be stained by the blood. Likewise, one who has a nosebleed may use a tissue to stop the bleeding. Even though these are allowed it is better to wash the wound first if possible to avoid coloring the bandages. It is permissible on Shabbat to wear glasses that darken in the sunlight. Likewise, it is permissible to tan in the sun on Shabbat.


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

Monday, November 24, 2014

May a Woman Put on Makeup on Shabbat?

May a Woman Put on Makeup on Shabbat?
Day: Monday
Date: November 24, 2014
Parshat: Vayetze
Yalkut Yosef: 320

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

It is forbidden for a woman to put makeup on herself on Shabbat unless it is a powdered makeup that comes off easily and is not to meant to last very long. Likewise, it is forbidden for a woman to put on lipstick or paint her nails on Shabbat due to the issur of Tzove'a. Even though they will color her lips the same as lipstick, it is permissible for a woman to eat pomegranates, strawberries, or any other staining fruit, since that is not her intention. One who is eating such fruits should ideally wash his hands before wiping them on a napkin so as not to color the napkin. However if that is not possible he may use the napkin without washing first.

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

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Tzove'a - Dyeing

Tzove'a - Dyeing
Day: Sunday
Date: November 23, 2014
Parshat: Vayetze
Yalkut Yosef: 320

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

Another of the 39 Melachot that are forbidden on Shabbat is Tzove'a, or, Dyeing. In order for one to have transgressed the Torah's prohibition and be hayav, one has to have dyed using something that is meant to last. However, if one dyed in a way that is not meant to last, while it is forbidden, he is not hayav. One may not blacken shoes on Shabbat even though they were already black. Likewise, one may not tell a non Jew to blacken shoes on Shabbat. However, if the non Jew blackened the shoes anyways on Shabbat, it is permissible to wear them on that same Shabbat.

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

Friday, November 21, 2014

Using Baby Wipes on Shabbat

Using Baby Wipes on Shabbat
Day: Friday
Date: November 21, 2014
Parshat: Tolidot
Yalkut Yosef: 320

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

One may clean a baby on Shabbat using disposable non cloth baby wipes as long as they are pre-separated and by pulling them out of the container he will not cause them to rip apart. Ideally he should use the ones at the top of the container, as those are usually the least moist and are therefore least likely to have liquid squeezed out of them. Likewise one who uses moistened toilet paper on Shabbat has what to rely on as long as it used is gently enough that no water gets squeezed out.


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

Thursday, November 20, 2014

May One Crush Ice on Shabbat?

May One Crush Ice on Shabbat?
Day: Thursday
Date: November 20, 2014
Parshat: Tolidot
Yalkut Yosef: 320

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

In order to protect one from accidentally sqeezing grapes or olives on Shabbat, our Hachamim forbade crushing ice into small pieces on Shabbat in order to cause it to melt, since this is another way of getting one product from another. However it is permissible to put ice into liquid and let it melt on its own. Likewise one may also put ice into a bowl of fruit to cool down the fruit. One may walk on snow or hail on Shabbat even though doing so will cause them to melt. There are two reasons why this is permitted. Even though the snow will certainly melt, which makes it a Pesik Resha Derabanan, nevertheless, since he does not care for it, it is permitted. (See DSH from October 29, 2012 for more information on Pesik Resha). The second reason is since their isn't any way to avoid it from happening the Hachamim's prohibition wouldn't apply. Along the same lines, it is permissible for a person to walk on sand on Shabbat even though the bottom of his shoes will cause a word to be imprinted in the sand.


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

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Making Lemonade on Shabbat

Making Lemonade on Shabbat
Day: Wednesday
Date: November 19, 2014
Parshat: Tolidot
Yalkut Yosef: 320

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

Even though it is permissible to squeeze lemons into an empty container on Shabbat, nevertheless, since it is easy, if one is making lemonade it is preferable to first put in the sugar and then squeeze the lemon over it. However if there is enough lemon juice that it will not be absorbed into the sugar there is no reason to put the sugar in first. If one wants to squeeze lemon juice into tea on Shabbat he should first pour in the hot water and then the lemon juice. He should not squeeze the lemon over sugar and then add the hot water since by doing so he'd be causing the lemon juice to be cooked. There are some Poskim who hold that lemon juice becomes cooked even in a kli sheni, and therefore if possible one should wait until the tea cools down below yad soledet bo before adding the lemon juice.


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

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Squeezing Lemons on Shabbat

Squeezing Lemons on Shabbat
Day: Tuesday
Date: November 18, 2014
Parshat: Tolidot
Yalkut Yosef: 320

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

It is permissible to squeeze lemons on Shabbat whether it is into food, drinks, or even into an empty container to mix into food or make lemonade afterward. Even though there are those who forbid doing so, nevertheless, we Sephardim have accepted on ourselves to follow all of the rulings of the Shulhan Aruch and the Shulhan Aruch permits it. If while squeezing lemons onto food some of the pits came out with the juice, he may not remove them. Doing so would be Borer.


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

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Juice that came out on its own on Shabbat

Juice that came out on its own on Shabbat
Day: Sunday
Date: November 16, 2014
Parshat: Hayei Sarah
Yalkut Yosef: 320

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

One may not squeeze oranges over sugar on Shabbat. This is not the same as squeezing fruits over food (which is allowed, see DSH from November 14, 2014) since in this situation the sugar's function is to enhance the juice and not the other way around. Likewise, one may not squeeze the fruit into juice. Our Hachamim forbade us from drinking grape juice on Shabbat that oozed out on its own on that same Shabbat. This prohibition is in order to protect us from actually squeezing the grapes on Shabbat, which is an issur de'oraita. However, if juice oozed out of other fruits one may drink the juice on Shabbat as long as he intended to eat those fruits and not to squeeze them for their juice. One who is slicing oranges and sees that some juice has gathered on the plate may drink the juice on Shabbat.


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



Friday, November 14, 2014

Squeezing Fruits Over Food

Squeezing Fruits Over Food
Day: Friday
Date: November 14, 2014
Parshat: Hayei Sarah
Yalkut Yosef: 319

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

One may squeeze grapes and other fruits on Shabbat into a bowl or plate of food. Since the juice will get absorbed by the food, it itself is considered to be food and by squeezing the fruit he is considered to be taking one food from another - which is not considered to be Mefarek. Therefore one may squeeze oranges into fruit salad or into baby food to give it flavor. However, if there is a small enough ratio of food to juice that the food will get covered by the juice it is forbidden. One may not squeeze into an empty container fruits that are normally squeezed for juice, even if his intention is to mix the juice with food afterwards.


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

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Is it Permissible to Suck Juice Out of Fruit on Shabbat?

Is it Permissible to Suck Juice Out of Fruit on Shabbat?
Day: Thursday
Date: November 13, 2014
Parshat: Hayei Sarah
Yalkut Yosef: 319

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

It is permissible to cut a grapefruit into sections on Shabbat and scoop out its fruit even though by doing so some of the juice will get squeezed out of the fruit. The reason is because his intention is not to cause the juice to be squeezed out. One may suck the juice directly out of fruit on Shabbat since that is not the normal way of getting it out. However if one is holding the fruit (as opposed to sucking the juice out while the fruit is in his mouth), it is better to refrain from sucking the juice out of grapes. One may squeeze the liquid out of pickled vegetables on Shabbat if he does not want liquid and he just wants to make the vegetables better. One may also squeeze the oil out of pizza or fried foods if does not want the liquid. If he does want the liquid, he may not squeeze it out.


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

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Sechita - Squeezing Fruits on Shabbat

Sechita - Squeezing Fruits on Shabbat
Day: Wednesday
Date: November 12, 2014
Parshat: Hayei Sarah
Yalkut Yosef: 319

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

Sechita, squeezing fruits for their juice on Shabbat is forbidden and constitutes the Melacha of Mefarek, which is an offshoot of Dash, Threshing. The Melacha of Mefarek involves removing an item from its original shell. One who squeezes olives for their oil or grapes to make wine has transgressed the Torah's prohibition of Dash. In addition, our Hachamim also forbade squeezing strawberries and pomegranates for their juice as well as anything else that people squeeze for its juice. Nowadays, most fruits are squeezed for juice. Examples include, but are not limited to: pears, apples, grapefruits, oranges, tomatoes, mangos and pineapples. Fruits that are not normally squeezed anywhere, like watermelons, or quinces, may be squeezed for their juice on Shabbat. However even these may not be squeezed using any kind of juicer.


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

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Spraying Air Fresheners on Shabbat

Spraying Air Fresheners on Shabbat
Day: Tuesday
Date: November 11, 2014
Parshat: Hayei Sarah
Yalkut Yosef: 319

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

Air fresheners and perfumes that are sprayed are not considered to be Zoreh, and therefore it is permissable use them on Shabbat. However, one may not spray perfume onto clothing or fabric. Directly onto skin is okay. Likewise, one may also spray insect repelllent, raid, or any other such product on Shabbat. When using such products one must leave a window or door open for the insects to escape and he may not spray directly at the insects. (See DSH from Feb. 19, 2014 for more information on pest control on Shabbat)


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

Monday, November 10, 2014

Zoreh - Winnowing

Zoreh - Winnowing
Day: Monday
Date: November 10, 2014
Parshat: Hayei Sarah
Yalkut Yosef: 319

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

Zoreh, or Winnowing, is the sixth Melacha of the 39 Melachot which are forbidden on Shabbat (Shabbat Ch. 7, Mishnah 2). In the olden days, after harvesting and threshing their wheat, the farmers would be left with a mix of wheat kernels and their skins which had been opened during the threshing process. In order to separate them, the farmer would scoop them up and toss them into the air. The skins, or chaff, being light, would float away while the kernerls, being heavy, would fall back down to the ground. This is also the meaning of the pasuk in Tehillim (35:5) that some people say at the end of the Amida regarding the enemies of Am Yisrael. "May they be like chaff in the wind, which the angel of HaShem pushes them away." Indeed, may HaShem cause the plans of the enemies of the Torah to be blown away and never be seen again.


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

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Borer With Non Food Items

Borer With Non Food Items
Day: Sunday
Date: November 9, 2014
Parshat: Hayei Sarah
Yalkut Yosef: 319

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

Just like one may not separate a mixture of food, so too one may not separate a mixture of clothes or books or other items. If he wants a specific garment or sefer from a mixture, he should take the one he wants and leave the others. In this way he is considered to have taken the "good" from the "bad." One may move clothes to get to the clothing underneath since that's the only way to reach the items he wants. One may separate a mix of silverware in order to set the table. The reason is since he wants to use all the items in the mixture and therefore it is not considered to be taking good from bad, or bad from good. However after Seuda Shelishit he should not set the table.


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

Friday, November 7, 2014

Selecting Fruit From a Tray That Also Includes Bad Fruits

Selecting Fruit From a Tray That Also Includes Bad Fruits
Day: Friday
Date: November 7, 2014
Parshat: Vayera
Yalkut Yosef: 319

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

One may select from a tray of fruit that has some bad fruits mixed in. If he happens to take out a bad one he may put it aside and select another fruit to eat. The reason this is okay is because his intention when selecting the fruit wasn't to remove it since he didn't know it was bad. However, if he knows the fruit is bad, he may not select it in order to remove it from the mixture. When who is eating from a fruit may cut off a bad spot if he plans on eating the rest of the fruit right away.


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

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Pouring on Shabbat From a Pitcher with a Lid

Pouring on Shabbat From a Pitcher with a Lid
Day: Thursday
Date: November 6, 2014
Parshat: Vayera
Yalkut Yosef: 319

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

One may pour tea from a pitcher on Shabbat even if the pitcher has something at its mouth to prevent the leaves from coming out along with the tea. Among the reasons why this is permitted is the fact the leaves settle to the bottom and the liquid stays on top in such a way that they are not mixed together. Also, usually it doesn't bother a person very much even if he were to drink the leaves along with the tea. Therefore, if he does not have in mind to separate out the leaves, one may use such a pitcher on Shabbat. However he should not take the last few drops. One may dump the bones and shells etc. from a plate before putting it into the sink to wash.


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

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

May One Drain a Can of Tuna on Shabbat?

May One Drain a Can of Tuna on Shabbat?
Day: Wednesday
Date: November 5, 2014
Parshat: Vayera
Yalkut Yosef: 319

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

One may drain the liquid from a can of pickles or similar items on Shabbat since the pickles and the liquid are not really mixed together. Therefore by pouring out the liquid one is not separating a mixture. However, a can of tuna or other small or fibrous item can only be drained if one lets out some of the tuna with the liquid. The reason tuna is different is because it has very small pieces that are completely mixed in with the water and wouldn't be able to be fished out easily, no pun intended.


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

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Pouring Liquid out of Soup on Shabbat



Pouring Liquid out of Soup on Shabbat

Day: Tuesday
Date: November 4, 2014
Parshat: Vayera
Yalkut Yosef: 319

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

One who has a pot of vegetable or chicken soup etc. that contains more than enough liquid to fully cover the solids by a few inches may scoop out the liquid and leave the vegetables on Shabbat. He may also slowly pour the liquid out of the pot into anther container if he just wants the liquid. However if he is not planning to eat it right away he should stop once the stream is reduced to drops. The reason is because before that point it is reasonable to assume that the liquid coming of the pot was not mixed in with the vegetables (but was on top). However once the liquid starts to come out in drops instead of as a stream it is apparent that that liquid was mixed together with the vegetables. At that point there is a possibility of Borer and therefore it can only be done to eat right away. (See DSH from Monday Oct. 27, 2014 for the definition of "right away").


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

Monday, November 3, 2014

Using a Slotted Spoon on Shabbat



Using a Slotted Spoon on Shabbat

Day: Monday
Date: November 3, 2014
Parshat: Vayera
Yalkut Yosef: 319

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

The main purpose of a slotted spoon is to scoop. The separation that happens as a result of the slots is only an added benefit. Therefore, one may scoop with a slotted spoon on Shabbat as long as his intent is not to separate out the liquid, but rather to select the food he does want. For example, one who wants to take fish from a tray that has sauce may use a slotted spoon if his intention is not separate out the sauce. However, it is better if possible to refrain from using a slotted spoon on Shabbat in consideration of the authorities who do not allow it. A spoon that is comprised entirely of mesh may not be used since it's entire purpose is to separate. One may move aside food at the top of a bowl or pot in order to reach the food at the bottom. A salt shaker that has grains of rice in it to prevent moisture may be used on Shabbat.


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

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Removing Bones From Fish on Shabbat

Removing Bones From Fish on Shabbat
Day: Sunday
Date: November 2, 2014
Parshat: Vayera
Yalkut Yosef: 319

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

While preparing for, or during the Shabbat meal one may remove bones from the fish. However if the bones are already removed from the fish but are mixed in with other food on the plate, he may not move them to the side of his plate unless he is not able to eat otherwise. Likewise, one may also remove the skin from chicken before eating it. One may pick out larger pieces of chicken and vegetables from soup even if he is only taking them out to eat later. However, smaller pieces that require more effort to remove are considered to be mixed in and should only be removed with some of the liquid, as is the case with a fly that fell into a drink.


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