Wednesday, December 31, 2014

May One Purchase Items on Shabbat?

May One Purchase Items on Shabbat?
Day: Wednesday
Date: December 31, 2014
Parshat: Vayehi
Yalkut Yosef: 323


If one needs a product on Shabbat he may go to a store to pickup to or arrange for the products to be delivered to his home. He can even tell the shopkeeper that he'll pay for the items after Shabbat. In order for this to be permitted there are four terminologies that may not be used. They are:
1. They cannot mention any form of currency or amounts of money.
2. They cannot mention the size of the item or the unit that the size is measured in.
3. They cannot mention the amount needed.
4. The cannot weigh out or measure out the amount given.
For example one may go ask for a container of cookies or a watermelon and tell the storekeeper that he'll return to pay on Motzei Shabbat. However, he may not say "5 cookies" or "a 10 pound watermelon," or any other of the other forbidden conditions. Obviously if by walking in the store he will cause a sensor to jingle he may not do so. Likewise, if there is no eruv one also would not be able to carry or to have anyone else carry the items back. If the the storekeeper is not Jewish one may not purchase any eggs that may have been laid that day or fruits that may have been picked that day.


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

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Moleed Reyah - Creating a Lasting Scent

Moleed Reyah - Creating a Lasting Scent
Day: Tuesday
Date: December 30, 2014
Parshat: Vayehi
Yalkut Yosef: 322


Included in the prohibition against Nolad (creating new things), is the prohibition of Moleed Reyah, creating a lasting scent. Therefore, it is forbidden to apply perfume to a garment on Shabbat since the smell lasts. However, it is permissible to spray perfume or cologne onto skin or hair even if it'll end up causing the garment to smell good as well. It is permissible to add good smelling ingredients into food to make the food more appealing. However, it is forbidden to add a scent into water used for washing. For example, one who wants to encourage people to drink water may put in some lemon slices to make people want the water. However, if his purpose is to encourage people to wash mayim ahraronim he may not add rose water or anything else to make the water smell good.


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

Monday, December 29, 2014

Making Soda Water on Shabbat

Making Soda Water on Shabbat
Day: Monday
Date: December 29, 2014
Parshat: Vayehi
Yalkut Yosef: 322


There are some Poskim who do not allow making ice on Shabbat due to the issur of Nolad, creating something new. However, our custom is to allow making ice and even ice cream on Shabbat. Even according to those Poskim who do not allow it, if a non Jew made the ice it is permissible to partake of it on Shabbat. It is permissible to mix powder into water Shabbat in order to add flavor. Likewise it is also permissible to make soda or soda water using Soda Stream and other such products, as long it is being made to drink on Shabbat. If there is some left over after Shabbat it is permitted to drink.


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

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Fruits That Fell Off on Shabbat

Fruits That Fell Off on Shabbat
Day: Sunday
Date: December 28, 2014
Parshat: Vayehi
Yalkut Yosef: 322


Fruits that fell from a tree on Shabbat may not be eaten until after Shabbat. In addition, they are also muktzeh and may not be moved. Likewise if one found vegetables on the ground in the garden they may not be eaten until Motzei Shabbat since they may have fallen from the plant on Shabbat. However if one knows for sure that the fruits or vegetables fell off before Shabbat they are not muktzeh and he may use them on Shabbat. When taking such fruits or vegetables he should not take more than one at a time since taking more may constitute the issur of Me'amer, or, Gathering.


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

Friday, December 19, 2014

When to Light the Menorah Before and After Shabbat

When to Light the Menorah Before and After Shabbat
Day: Friday
Date: December 19, 2014
Parshat: Miketz
Yalkut Yosef: 679/680


On Erev Shabbat the menorah should ideally be lit before the Shabbat candles. If the Shabbat candles were lit first, Sephardim may still light the menorah as long Shabbat hasn't yet started. Ashkenazi women, who consider Shabbat to start at the time the candles are lit, may not subsequently light the menorah. However, anyone in the Ashkenazi house who didn't light Shabbat candles may still light the menorah. The Hannuka candles on Erev Shabbat must remain lit until a half hour after tzet hakochav just like the other nights. One must make sure to put enough oil when lighting the menorah so the berachot are not said in vain. If one can easily find a minyan it is best to pray Minha early and light the candles after. If there is no minyan it is better to light before Minha and to wait and pray later with a minyan.
After Shabbat, when one is saying havadala at home, he should first say havadala and then light the menorah.


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

Thursday, December 18, 2014

May One use the Hannuka Candles to Light Other Candles

May One use the Hannuka Candles to Light Other Candles
Day: Thursday
Date: December 18, 2014
Parshat: Miketz
Yalkut Yosef: 674


One may use the Hannuka candles to light other "mitzvah candles." For example, it is permissible to light the Hannuka candles directly from each other since they are all part of the mitzvah. However, one may not use them to light a candle from which to light the other Hannuka candles, since there is no mitzvah to light that candle. Likewise they may not be used to light a cigarette or the like. If one of the candles went out one may not relight it from another of the candles, even directly. One may however light Shabbat candles directly from the Hannuka candles since the Shabbat candles are also being lit for a mitzvah. After the candles have been lit for a half hour it is permissible to light other candles from them.


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

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Using the Menorah's Light

Using the Menorah's Light
Day: Wednesday
Date: December 17, 2014
Parshat: Miketz
Yalkut Yosef: 673


It is forbidden to use the menorah's light for any personal use unless it is for a mitzvah. Even for a mitzvah one may only use the light for a momentary use -not for more. For example, one may not count coins with the menorah's light or use it to learn, but he may use the it to find a match with which to light the rest of the candles or to look up a Halacha. Therefore the custom is to light an extra candle, called a shamash, so that if one does use the light it'll be from that candle and not from the others. The shamash is lit after all the others and should be placed a little higher or lower than the others. If one cannot put it at a different height he should at least separate it a bit so it's obvious that it's not part of the candles being used for the mitzvah. The candles need to stay lit for a half hour. (See DSH from Dec 15, 2014). After a half hour has passed one may use the light for any reason. If there is a blackout one does not need to close his eyes so a not to use the menorah's light, even within the first half hour.


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

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Eating Before Lighting the Menorah

Eating Before Lighting the Menorah
Day: Tuesday
Date: December 16, 2014
Parshat: Miketz
Yalkut Yosef: 672


One may not start a meal until the Hannuka candles have been lit. This restriction begins from a half hour before the candle lighting time. In this case a meal refers to eating more than about two ounces of bread, cake, or cookies. Less than this amount, or any amount of other foods, is fine to eat. A person who is waiting for someone else to light on his behalf may eat if he needs to. One may also not start working or learning Torah before lighting the candles. Although, with regards to learning Torah the prohibition starts from the time of candle lighting, not a half hour before.


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

Monday, December 15, 2014

The Ideal Time to Light the Menorah

The Ideal Time to Light the Menorah
Day: Monday
Date: December 15, 2014
Parshat: Miketz
Yalkut Yosef: 672


The ideal time to light the menorah is at tzet hakochavim. The candles need to be big enough or have enough fuel to stay lit for the next half hour. If one did not light at that time he may still light all the way until amud hashahar. Even if one lit less than a half hour before amud hashahar he still says a beracha on the lighting, even though the candles will have less than a half hour before amud hashahar.


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

Sunday, December 14, 2014

The Proper Placement of the Menorah

The Proper Placement of the Menorah
Day: Sunday
Date: December 14, 2014
Parshat: Miketz
Yalkut Yosef: 671


Ideally the flames of the Hannuka candles should be within three and ten tefachim (about 5 to 32 inches) from the floor. The candles themselves may be lower than three tefachim. One who put the flames higher than ten tefachim has nevertheless fulfilled his obligation as long as they are less than twenty amot (32 feet) from the ground. If the flames of the candles are higher than 20 amot from the ground they must be extinguished and relit at an acceptable height with no beracha. The Menorah should be placed on the left side of the front doorway opposite the mezuzah such that when people pass through they are surrounded by mitzvot.


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

Friday, December 12, 2014

One Who Lit Too Many or Too Few Hannuka Candles

One Who Lit Too Many or Too Few Hannuka Candles
Day: Friday
Date: December 12, 2014
Parshat: Vayeshev
Yalkut Yosef: 671


In order to fulfill the mitzvah of Lighting the menorah it is only necessary to light one candle per night. More commonly done and a much more desirable way of fulfilling the mitzvah is to start with one and add a candle every night. If one accidentally lit an extra candle on any of the nights of Hannuka, he does not need to relight when he realizes his mistake. In fact, if he does relight with a beracha the beracha is considered to be a beracha levatala. If one lit fewer candles than necessary and then realized later he may light the extra one, but without a beracha. It is permissible to use a round menorah as long as the flame from each candle is an inch or so away from the one next to it.


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

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Visiting a Cemetery on Hannuka

Visiting a Cemetery on Hannuka
Day: Thursday
Date: December 11, 2014
Parshat: Vayeshev
Yalkut Yosef: 670


The custom is for women not to do Melacha other than cooking and similar necessary Melachot for the first half hour the Hannuka candles are lit. The reason for this custom is to serve as a reminder to everyone that the light of the Hannuka candles may not be used for any purpose. Since Hannuka is a joyous time it is forbidden to fast, even for a Yahrzeit. Instead one who wants to fast should do so before or push it off until after. It is also improper to visit a cemetery, especially of a recently deceased person, during Hannuka since that usually goes along with sadness and eulogizing which is also not done during Hannuka. One who wants to visit the grave of a Hacham may rely on those Poskim who allow it.


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

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

The Miracles of Hannuka

The Miracles of Hannuka
Day: Wednesday
Date: December 10, 2014
Parshat: Vayeshev
Yalkut Yosef: 670


During the time of the second Bet Hamikdash the Greeks enacted harsh and evil decrees against us Jews. Putting it very mildly, among other atrocities they put us through a lot of suffering, did not allow us to study Torah, and they defiled the Bet Hamikdash. Ultimately Hashem had mercy on us and through a series of miraculous wars the Hashmonai family overcame the Greeks on the twenty fifth of Kislev. When the Jews went back to the Bet Hamikdash to clean up the defilement that had occurred there they only found enough pure oil for the Menorah to last for one day. Hashem in his kindness performed a miracle and the small amount of oil actually lasted for eight days until they were able to produce new oil. To commemorate these momentous events we celebrate Hannuka.


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

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Is it Permissible to make Saltwater on Shabbat?

Is it Permissible to make Saltwater on Shabbat?
Day: Tuesday
Date: December 9, 2014
Parshat: Vayeshev
Yalkut Yosef: 321


One who is making a vegetable salad on Shabbat may add salt since that is not the normal way of pickling and also since the salt is only there to add flavor and not to preserve. However, one should not do so to eat later at a different meal unless there is a compelling reason to do so, such as the vegetables are hot now and will be better affected by the salt. It is forbidden to make a lot of saltwater at once once on Shabbat since doing so makes it appear as if it is being done to use during the week. However a small amount, such that it is obvious that it is not being made for after Shabbat, is okay. The exception is if the ratio is two or more parts salt to one part water, in which case even a small amount may not be made. These halachot only apply to salt. The same mixtures with sugar instead of salt are permitted.


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

Monday, December 8, 2014

Food Preparation on Shabbat

Food Preparation on Shabbat
Day: Monday
Date: December 8, 2014
Parshat: Vayeshev
Yalkut Yosef: 321


The Torah considers pickling to be the same as cooking. Therefore it is forbidden to pickle vegetables in vinegar on Shabbat. Likewise, it is forbidden to pour vinegar over cucumbers and let them sit in order to absorb the flavor for later in the day. However, it is permissible to do so to eat right away or to dip one or two pieces into salt or vinegar and eat them right away. It is also permissible to put fruits into water to infuse the water with their flavor to drink later on that day. It is permissible to put completed pickles into vinegar to absorb the flavor since they are already pickled and therefore cannot be re-pickled. However, one who is tasting homemade pickles should not put them back in the brine if they are not yet finished.


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

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Grinding Peppercorns on Shabbat

Grinding Peppercorns on Shabbat
Day: Sunday
Date: December 7, 2014
Parshat: Vayeshev
Yalkut Yosef: 321


It is permissible to peel fruits and vegetables on Shabbat using a peeler. It is also permissible to slice hard boiled eggs with an egg slicer. One may not use either part of a mortar and pestle on Shabbat. However, one may grind peppercorns or coarse salt onto a plate using the handle of a knife. The reason it is permitted to do it this way is because there are two differences between this and the way it's normally done. He is not using either the mortar or the pestle, but instead using the knife handle and a plate. One may crumble with his fingers snuff that clumped together since it was previously powdered. It is permissible to mash bananas and other such things for a baby for immediate use.


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

Friday, December 5, 2014

Barech Alenu

Barech Alenu
Day: Friday
Date: December 5, 2014
Parshat: Vayishlah
Yalkut Yosef: 321

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

As of last night we stopped saying Barichenu in the Amida and switched to saying Barech Alenu. Ashkenazim always say Barech Alenu and in the winter add the words "veten tal umatar livracha." Outside of Eretz Yisrael this switch occurs sixty days after the equinox. In general this falls out either the night of the fourth or the fifth of December.

One who forgot and said Barichenu should go back to the words "veten tal umatar livracha" and continue from there. If he only remembered after finishing the beracha he should say "veten tal umatar livracha" between berachot and then continue on with the next beracha. If he only remembered when he got to Shema Kolenu he should insert it during Shema Kolenu before the words "ki ata shome'a tefilat." If he remembered after saying the words Baruch ata HaShem at the end of the beracha, he should say "lamdeni hukecha," say veten tal... and then finish off with "ki ata..." After Shema Kolenu he may say "veten tal..." if he remembers. Once he starts Retzeh however, he must got back to Barech Alenu and continue from there. If he finished the Amida, even if he hasn't yet stepped back, he must start over again from the beginning. A woman who forgets filled the same procedure.


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

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Chopping Things that are not Grown From the Ground

Chopping Things that are not Grown From the Ground
Day: Thursday
Date: December 4, 2014
Parshat: Vayishlah
Yalkut Yosef: 321

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

There are some Poskim who maintain that the prohibition against Tohen only applies to food grown from the ground. There are also Poskim who maintain that an item of food that can technically be eaten the way it is may be cut into much smaller pieces on Shabbat. Therefore one may cut meat, chicken, or fish into very small pieces on Shabbat. Likewise, it is also permissible to cut cheese into very small pieces. Even though it is forbidden to make cheese on Shabbat due to the issur of Boneh, crumbling or grinding cheese is not considered to be Soter. It must be noted that it is forbidden to grate cheese, carrots, or anything else on Shabbat using a grater since it is an instrument specifically made for that purpose.


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

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

En Tohen Ahar Tohen

En Tohen Ahar Tohen
Day: Wednesday
Date: December 3, 2014
Parshat: Vayishlah
Yalkut Yosef: 321

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

"En Tohen ahar Tohen," there is no grinding after grinding. Once an item has been ground, it may be reground on Shabbat even if it has since been put back together. Therefore, it is permissible to crumble bread into small crumbs on Shabbat either for oneself to eat or to feed to ones chickens. However it is best even in this situation to only crumble the bread right before using it. Similarly one may not cut vegetables into very small pieces to give to an animal unless it is to give the animal right away.


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

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

If One Cut Vegetables to Eat Right Away, May the Leftovers be Eaten at Subsequent Meal?

If One Cut Vegetables to Eat Right Away, May the Leftovers be Eaten at Subsequent Meal?
Day: Tuesday
Date: December 2, 2014
Parshat: Vayishlah
Yalkut Yosef: 321

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

If one cut vegetables very finely on Shabbat, not order to eat them right away, it is still permissible to eat them on Shabbat even though he should not have done so. Along the same lines, if one made a salad for the current meal and some of it is left over, it is permissible to eat the leftovers at the next meal. It is permissible on Shabbat to use a wooden cutting board even though the knife will inadvertently make marks in the wood.


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

Monday, December 1, 2014

Cutting Vegetables Into Very Small Pieces on Shabbat

Cutting Vegetables Into Very Small Pieces on Shabbat
Day: Monday
Date: December 1, 2014
Parshat: Vayishlah
Yalkut Yosef: 321

In memory of Ettel bat Harav Chaim Shalom.

Some poskim consider cutting any vegetable into very small pieces to be part of the issur of Tohen and therefore forbid it. Most Poskim however, only forbid cutting into small pieces vegetables that can't be eaten raw and are intended to be cooked. Since there is a chance of transgressing an issur De'oraita in this case, one should be strict and not cut vegetables on Shabbat into very small pieces unless they are being cut to eat right away. One should not cut them to eat later or the next day. Therefore it is permissible to cut cucumbers, tomatoes and other such vegetables as part of a salad for the Shabbat meals.
The time limit "right away," with regards to our subject, is the same as with regards to Borer. One may cut the vegetables during a meal for that same meal, or right before the meal as part of the meal preparations. (See DSH from Oct. 27, 2014.)


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