Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Commentaries on the Hagada

Commentaries on the Hagada
Day: Tuesday
Date: March 31, 2015
Parshat: Shemini
Yalkut Yosef: 473


Even though one should not talk unnecessarily during the reading of the Hagada, it is proper to explain the Hagada as it is being read and to tell over commentaries that get the others involved. The Zohar tells us that when we discuss the miracles and salvations that HaShem has orchestrated for us the Malachim come to listen and they praise HaShem as well. This causes a tremendous amount of goodness and strengthens greatly the presence of HaShem in this world. Therefore it is not proper to rush through the Hagada, but instead one should take ones time and read through and explain each paragraph. It is certainly improper to read so fast as to not read the words clearly. The matza should be swallowed, not the words of the Hagada. However, if going slowly will cause the children to fall asleep it is okay to speed it up a bit so they will fulfill the other mitzvot as well.


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

Monday, March 30, 2015

The Four Questions

The Four Questions
Day: Monday
Date: March 30, 2015
Parshat: Shemini
Yalkut Yosef: 473


After saying "Ha Lahma Anya" but before the "Ma Nishtana" we fill up the second cup and we remove the Seder plate from the table. The reason for both of these is to make the children curious so they will ask the Ma Nishtana. If there are no children present the Four Questions still must be asked by someone there. It is a mitzva to teach ones kids about Yetziat Mitrayim. Even if the kids don't ask one must still volunteer the information on their level. After the four questions are asked the Seder plate is brought back to the table and the Hagada continues. One should not talk during the reading of the Hagada unless there is a real need.


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

Sunday, March 29, 2015

The Karpas

The Karpas
Day: Sunday
Date: March 29, 2015
Parshat: Tzav
Yalkut Yosef: 473


After kiddush at the Seder everyone washes their hands the same way we normally wash for bread but with no beracha. The reason for this washing is because we are about to dip the Karpas, and anytime we dip food into certain liquids we wash our hands without a beracha. If one dips food into fruit juice he does not need to wash his hands. Therefore if ones custom is to dip the Karpas into lemon juice he should add enough water to have a ratio of more than one part water to one part lemon juice. This way his washing will have been required and not for no reason. It is better to not talk after washing until one says the beracha on the Karpas. One should make sure to eat less than a kezayit of the Karpas. If he ate more he should not say an after beracha. Some of the Karpas should be left on the Seder plate until after the matza and the Maror are eaten.


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

Friday, March 27, 2015

Leaning During the Seder

Leaning During the Seder
Day: Friday
Date: March 27, 2015
Parshat: Tzav
Yalkut Yosef: 472-480


Men and women are both required to lean during the Seder. It is a good idea to appoint one person to remind everyone else to lean at the appropriate times. During the following parts of the Seder leaning is required: during the four cups, when eating the required matza, when eating the "Hillel sandwich" and while eating the Afikoman. During the rest of the Seder it is praiseworthy for a person to lean, but not required. The only time we specifically don't lean is during Birkat Hamazon. One should lean to the left even if he is a lefty.


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

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Preparing for the Seder

Preparing for the Seder
Day: Thursday
Date: March 26, 2015
Parshat: Tzav
Yalkut Yosef: 472-480


The Seder table should be set early enough so that one can begin the Seder immediately upon returning from shul. Both men and women are required to drink the four cups. Children should also be given the four cups so that they will learn how to fulfill the mitzvah properly, especially if they are old enough to understand the story of yetziat mirayim. It is a mitzvah to give the kids incentives such as candies to encourage them to stay up and ask questions. Ideally the Seder should begin after tzet hakochavim but if one began early, as long as he recited kiddush after shekia he does not need to repeat it. However he should not dip any of the vegetables or eat the matza until after tzet hakochavim. It is even better if one can wait until the Rabenu Tam time before starting the seder, however if there are kids around who will have a hard time staying up he should not wait. It is also good for the kids to rest during the day so they will be able to stay up as long as possible and be part of the seder.


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

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Matza on Erev Pesah

Matza on Erev Pesah
Day: Wednesday
Date: March 25, 2015
Parshat: Tzav
Yalkut Yosef: 471


On Erev Pesah, from amud hashahar (this year in Los Angeles approximately 5:23 AM) and on, it is forbidden to eat matza until the seder. The reason for this prohibition is so that everyone will eat the matza with gusto that evening. Along the same lines, some also have a custom not to eat maror or eggs on Erev Pesah since they are both used at the Seder. However, these are not our customs. One should not eat foods made from matza meal unless there is a very small ratio of matza meal to the other ingredients. It is permissible to eat Matza Ashira on Erev Pesah since it cannot be used to fulfill ones hiyuv that night. A child who is too young to understand the story of Yetziat Mitzrayim may eat regular matza on Erev Pesah.


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

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Matza Ashira

Matza Ashira
Day: Tuesday
Date: March 24, 2015
Parshat: Tzav
Yalkut Yosef: 462, 467


The Sephardic custom is to permit egg matza and matza made with fruit juice, also known as Matza Ashira, to be eaten on Pesah. Ashkenazim however follow the Rama and with the exception of the elderly and of children, do not eat such matzot on Pesah. The Matza Ashira cannot be used to fulfill one's requirement to eat matza at the Seders. However, after one has eaten the required amount of matza at the Seder, he may eat Matza Ashira as well. It is permissible to soak matza in water in order to soften or prepare it for some other use. Likewise, flour made from ground matza can also be used for any baking and does not become hametz.


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

Monday, March 23, 2015

Rice and other Kitniyot on Pesah

Rice and other Kitniyot on Pesah
Day: Monday
Date: March 23, 2015
Parshat: Tzav
Yalkut Yosef: 453


Rice, peas, and other kitniyot are permissible to eat on Pesah. One must ensure to check rice well three times prior to cooking it in order to make sure there are no wheat kernels mixed in. Ashkenazim and some Sephardim are strict in this regard and do not eat these foods on Pesah. Even a person who does not eat these foods on Pesah may own and even store them in his house during the holiday. Ashkenazim may eat non kitniyot food in a Sephardic house even if the food was cooked in dishes that were previously used for kitniyot. Needless to say, a Sephardic host may not serve kitniyot to an Ashkenazi guest. A person who does not eat kitniyot may nevertheless cook kitniyot for those who do.


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

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Tables and Tablecloths

Tables and Tablecloths
Day: Sunday
Date: March 22, 2015
Parshat: Tzav
Yalkut Yosef: 451


One need not kasher his table for Pesah if he generally has a tablecloth over it. If there is generally not a tablecloth then water should be poured over the table. If there is a chance that doing so will ruin the table, one should keep a tablecloth on during Pesah instead. Tablecloths that are used for hametz need to be washed with hot water and then they can be used on Pesah. When doing hag'ala one should not put in meat and dairy dishes at the same time if they have both been used within twenty four hours. Instead he should kasher them one after the other.


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

Friday, March 20, 2015

Glass on Pesah

Glass on Pesah
Day: Friday
Date: March 20, 2015
Parshat: Vayikra
Yalkut Yosef: 451


Glass does not absorb anything that is cooked or stored inside of it and therefore may be used on Pesah without being kashered. Even if the hametz was stored inside of the glass for long periods of time, such as beer in beer bottles, the bottles do not need to be kashered. The only thing necessary is to wash them well a few times. Ashkenazim are strict in this regard and treat glass the same as ceramic. (See DSH from March 19, 2015 for the laws of kashering ceramic). There are some Sephardim who with regards to Pesah are also strict about using glass. They should consult with their Rabbi if they would like to change their custom and follow Maran. Glass baking dishes also have no need to be kashered just like any other glass. Ashkenazim may kasher glass baking dishes by doing hag'ala on them three times. After the baking dishes are taken out of the hot water, they should not be put into cold water as is generally done as part of hag'ala since doing so will cause the baking dishes to shatter.


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

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Ceramic and Pottery Dishes on Pesah

Ceramic and Pottery Dishes on Pesah
Day: Thursday
Date: March 19, 2015
Parshat: Vayikra
Yalkut Yosef: 451


Ceramic and pottery that has been used for hot hametz during the year can never be kashered for use on Pesah. The Torah teaches us that any taste that is absorbed into the walls of earthenware utensils never comes out. Therefore such vessels should be put away for Pesah and not used. If however the vessel was used for cold hametz that remained inside of it for 24 hours or more, the vessels can be kashered. The procedure is as follows: one must pour cold water into the vessel and leave it for 24 hours. After 24 hours the water should be spilled out and this process should be repeated two more times. Once this has been done three times the vessel has been kashered.


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

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Refrigerators, Soda Stream Bottles, and Dentures

Refrigerators, Soda Stream Bottles, and Dentures
Day: Wednesday
Date: March 18, 2015
Parshat: Vayikra
Yalkut Yosef: 451


Silver utensils, gold utensils, and any utensils that are not normally used for hot food need to only be cleaned well to be able to use them on Pesah. Even if they are occasionally used for hot food they still need only to be washed well. However, if they were used for hametz within 24 hours of the start Pesah then they need to be kashered following the guidelines previously mentioned. (See DSH from March 13, 2015). Refrigerators and Soda Stream bottles as well need only to be washed well to able to use on Pesah. Dentures need to be cleaned well from any pieces of hametz to be able to use them on Pesah. Ideally one should pour hot water on them from a kli rishon as well.


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

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Kashering a Micorwave for Pesah

Kashering a Micorwave for Pesah
Day: Tuesday
Date: March 17, 2015
Parshat: Vayikra
Yalkut Yosef: 451


There are two different kinds of microwave ovens. Some of them have a heating element and can be used like a regular oven. Others work by using radiation to warm up the food as opposed to using actual heat. The ones that have a heating element can kashered for Pesah the same way as a regular oven: by waiting 24 hours from the last use, cleaning it well, and turning it on the highest setting for an hour or so. The microwaves that work through radiation need to kashered even though generally they are used to warm things up rather than to cook. These are kashered by cleaning them well and boiling a cup of water with (non toxic) soap until the walls of the microwave have steam on them. As an extra precaution it is also good to wrap well everything that is heated in the microwave on Pesah. Microwaves in more public places that are constantly used or even private microwaves that are used so much that the walls generally become very hot should not be kashered for Pesah. Serving trays that are not used to cook on may be kashered by pouring boiling hot water on them directly from the pot the water was cooked in.


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

Monday, March 16, 2015

Ovens, Dishwashers, and Plattas

Ovens, Dishwashers, and Plattas
Day: Monday
Date: March 16, 2015
Parshat: Vayikra
Yalkut Yosef: 451


An electric oven can be kashered by cleaning it well, waiting twenty four hours from the last use, and then leaving it on the highest setting for an hour. A dishwasher can be kashered by cleaning it out well and then running it empty with soap. A platta is kashered by cleaning it off well from any hametz particles and then pouring hot water from a kli rishon over it. Even if a person occasionally puts bread straight onto the platta this still works since the heat of the platta burns away any hametz that may have been absorbed.


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

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Skewers and Barbecue Grills

Skewers and Barbecue Grills
Day: Sunday
Date: March 15, 2015
Parshat: Vayikra
Yalkut Yosef: 451


Skewers and barbecue grills are used without liquid. Therefore, if a person knows he had hametz mixed into something he barbecued or if he toasted buns on the grill, the grill requires libun in order to kasher it for Pesah. This is done by heating it intensely until it gives off sparks. If he did hag'ala instead that would work too although it's not ideal. If one is not sure whether or not during the past year he put hametz on the grill he should still kasher it just in case, but for that situation hag'ala is fine. Molds that are used to make rolls and baguettes require libun. If they will be destroyed by doing libun and it is not at all practical to buy new ones, hag'ala may be done instead.


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

Friday, March 13, 2015

Hag'ala and Libun

Hag'ala and Libun
Day: Friday
Date: March 13, 2015
Parshat: Vayakhel - Pikudei
Yalkut Yosef: 448


Pots, pans, and other utensils used with hametz during the year need to be kashered to use on Pesah. The type of kashering it needs to depends on the way it is normally used. A pot which is normally used for items that contain liquid, needs "hag'ala," and a utensil normally used for food that does not have liquid requires "libun." A pot that is normally used with liquid would require hag'ala event if it is used occasionally for items without liquid, and vice versa. However if the utensil is normally used for food that is okay for Pesah and only rarely used for hametz, in such a case we do not follow the main usage and the utensil would in fact need to be kashered. Therefore, a water urn that is occasionally used on Shabbat to heat food should not be used on Pesah if the food heated is hametz.


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

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Owning Hametz on Pesah

Owning Hametz on Pesah
Day: Thursday
Date: March 12, 2015
Parshat: Vayakhel - Pikudei
Yalkut Yosef: 448


The Torah commands us rid our homes of all hametz on Pesah and separately it forbids us from owning hametz on Pesah. Therefore the Hachamim decreed that any hametz owned by a Jew during Pesah is forbidden for benefit for anyone even after Pesah. Even if a person declared that he doesn't want any of the hametz in his posession, he still may not have it in house over Pesah unless it has been sold to a non Jew. There are some poskim who hold that it is even forbidden to smell hametz if it was owned by a Jew on Pesah.


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

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Medication on Pesach

Medication on Pesach
Day: Wednesday
Date: March 11, 2015
Parshat: Vayakhel - Pikudei
Yalkut Yosef: 447


Any cosmetics may be used on Pesah regardless of whether they contain hametz or not since the hametz is not edible. Likewise, medications that taste bad may be used on Pesah by a person who is ill even though they may contain hametz. Such a person may even buy medications on Pesah from a non Jewish pharmacy. A person who is fine but has a small headache or the like may not consume medications containing hametz. Cough drops and other good tasting medications may not be used if they contain hametz. One who has to take specific medications that contain hametz should ask his Rabbi about how to go about taking them on Pesah. Even though technically dish soap does not need to be kosher for Pesah, nevertheless since nowadays it is easy to find soap with a hechsher one should use such soap.


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

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Pesah Food that was Cooked in a Hametz Pot

Pesah Food that was Cooked in a Hametz Pot
Day: Tuesday
Date: March 10, 2015
Parshat: Vayakhel - Pikudei
Yalkut Yosef: 447


One who cooked food in a hametz pot before Pesah may eat the food on Pesah as long as there was no actual hametz in the pot and the pot was not used for hametz within twenty four hours. Ashkenazim however are strict and do not eat such food on Pesah. A Sephardic person may be strict about this in his own house but he may not instruct other Sephardim to not eat such food.


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

Monday, March 9, 2015

Hametz that got mixed into Pesah Food

Hametz that got mixed into Pesah Food
Day: Monday
Date: March 9, 2015
Parshat: Vayakhel - Pikudei
Yalkut Yosef: 447


If on Pesah some hametz got mixed into food it is not batel, even if there is more than a 60:1 ratio of Pesach food. However if the mixture occurred before Pesah, and there was more than a 60:1 ratio of Pesah food to hametz the hametz is batel and the food may be eaten on Pesah. If one only found out about the mixture on Pesah or even if he intentionally mixed in the hametz before Pesah, the hametz is still batel and the food is okay for Pesah. However, if the hametz is the only base ingredient and gives flavor to the food it is proper to be strict and not consume it on Pesah.


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


Sunday, March 8, 2015

The Reason we do not say Tahanum during Nissan

The Reason we do not say Tahanum during Nissan
Day: Sunday
Date: March 8, 2015
Parshat: Vayakhel - Pikudei
Yalkut Yosef: 429


During the entire month of Nissan we do not say nefilat apayim, viduy or tahanun since the whole month is filled with celebrations. The celebrations are:
On the first day of Nissan the Mishkan was erected and from that day on each Nasi brought his offering, one Nasi per day, and made that day into a holiday. The following day, the thirteenth of Nissan, was their Isru Hag. The fourteenth of Nissan is Erev Pesah which is followed by Pesach. The Gemara teaches us that the Bet Hamikdash, may it be rebuilt soon, will be rebuilt during Pesah. Since we do not combine celebrations, the celebration for the Bet Hamikdash will be held for seven days after Pesah which completes the rest of the month of celebrations. Therefore, since the entire month is completely full of holidays we do not say tahanun on any day.
During Nissan we do not say the mizmorim: Ya'ancha HaShem Beyom Tzara, and Tefilla Ledavid since these are days of rejoicing. Our custom is to say Mizmor Letoda as usual during Shacharit during the month of Nissan. However, we do not say Tzikatecha during Mincha on Shabbat.


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