Thursday, April 30, 2015

Clearing the Seudah Shelishit Table

Clearing the Seudah Shelishit Table
Day: Thursday
Date: April 30, 2014
Parshat: Aharei Mot/Kidoshim
Yalkut Yosef: 323


A person who is planning to take a nap on Shabbat should not say that he is taking the nap so he won't be tired after Shabbat. He may however take a nap for that reason without saying that it is for that reason. Even if he wants to be wide awake only in order to do mitzvot after Shabbat he still should not state that as the reason for his nap. If there is an eruv one may bring his tallit or his siddur home from shul even if he wont need it until the next day or until the following Shabbat. Even though one should not wash the dishes after Seudah Shelishit (unless he will need them again on Shabbat) it is still permissable to clean off the table since that is done to make the room more orderly and not to prepare for after Shabbat. If no one will go into the dining room until after Shabbat, the table should not be cleaned off. Likewise, a shul that has their Seudah Shelishit in the same room that they pray Arvit may clean up before Shabbat ends so they can pray there. If the room is not being used, they should not clean up until after Shabbat. The exception to this rule is on Sukkot and Hol Hamoed Sukkot. Since it would be an affront to leave used dishes or an unclean table in the Sukkah one may clean up even if the Sukkah will not be used until after Shabbat is over.

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

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Studying for Tests on Shabbat

Studying for Tests on Shabbat
Day: Wednesday
Date: April 29, 2014
Parshat: Aharei Mot/Kidoshim
Yalkut Yosef: 323


It is forbidden to prepare on Shabbat or Yom Tov for after Shabbat or Yom Tov. Doing so is a serious degradation of the honor of Shabbat. This is true even if the preparation does not involve doing any of the 39 melachot. On Shabbat one should not study anything other than Torah. Subjects that are not secular per se, such as medical textbooks and other such things should also not be studied. Learning Torah on Shabbat to prepare for during the week is allowed. Therefore, one who has a test on a Torah topic, someone who is scheduled to give a shiur, or even a boy preparing for his Bar Mitzvah may study the material on Shabbat. A medical student who has a test after Shabbat and has no time to study may rely on those poskim that allow such subjects to be studied on Shabbat. When Purim falls on Motzei Shabbat it is forbiden to bring the megillah to shul before Shabbat is over unless he plans on studying from it on Shabbat. Likewise it is forbidden to roll a Sefer Torah on Shabbat to prepare it to be read during the week.


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

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Toveling Dishes on Shabbat

Toveling Dishes on Shabbat
Day: Tuesday
Date: April 28, 2014
Parshat: Aharei Mot/Kidoshim
Yalkut Yosef: 323


A person who got a new dish and did not tovel, or dip it in a mikveh, before Shabbat should give the dish to a non Jew and borrow it back indefinitely. Since the requirement to tovel, or dip the dish in a mikveh, is only incumbent upon a Jewish owned dish and this dish now belongs to a non Jew, he may then use the dish and he never has to tovel it afterward. Giving the dish to a non Jew is allowed on Shabbat since it is being given for the sake of Shabbat and is therefore not like other gifts which may not given on Shabbat. If one is not able to give the dish to a non Jew it is entirely permissable for him to tovel it on Shabbat and use it right away. Before dipping the dish he should say the beracha the same as during the week. Ashkenazim however, are strict in this regard and do not dip new dishes in a mikveh on Shabbat. If the dish can be used to hold water, like a cup or a bowl, an Ashekenazi person would be allowed to scoop up water from the mikveh and tovel the dish that way. This is allowed since it is not obvious that he is doing so in order to tovel the dish. An Ashkenazi who does so should say the beracha quietly. If one is not sure whether the dish has been dipped in a mikveh or not and it can't be given to a non Jew, it is permissable even for Ashkenazim to tovel it for use on Shabbat.


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

Monday, April 27, 2015

Washing Dishes on Shabbat (Part 2)

Washing Dishes on Shabbat (Part 2)
Day: Monday
Date: April 27, 2014
Parshat: Aharei Mot/Kidoshim
Yalkut Yosef: 323


It is permissible to use liquid or powdered dish soap when washing dishes on Shabbat even though foam will inadvertently be created. A person who can't wash dishes without using rubber gloves may use them. It is also permissable to put used dishes in the dishwasher on Shabbat so they will not be an eyesore. The only condition is that they not be placed in an orderly fashion. Instead he should put them inside in the order that he picked them up. Obviously, the dishwasher may not be started on Shabbat. If a person's intention is to put the dishes in the dishwasher on Shabbat to save time on Motzei Shabbat then he may not put them in. Doing so would be preparing on Shabbat for after Shabbat, a serious violation. If a non Jewish housekeeper is washing the dishes on Shabbat with hot water it is not necessary to stop her and tell her to use cold water instead. It is permissable to wash one's glasses on Shabbat using water or solution but it is best not to apply pressure when doing so.


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

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Washing Dishes on Shabbat (Part 1)

Washing Dishes on Shabbat (Part 1)
Day: Sunday
Date: April 26, 2014
Parshat: Aharei Mot/Kidoshim
Yalkut Yosef: 323


It is permissible to wash dishes on Shabbat if one needs them for later on Shabbat. However if he knows that he will not need the dishes for the rest of Shabbat they should not be washed. If not washing the dishes will cause the house to smell or there will not be anywhere to keep them he may wash them since he is clearly not doing so to prepare for after Shabbat. One may wash a silver kiddush cup to put on display even if it will not be used for the rest of Shabbat. Of course even when washing dishes is permissible, sponges or other things that absorb water may not be used.


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

Friday, April 24, 2015

Paying Before Shabbat to Pick Something Up on Shabbat

Paying Before Shabbat to Pick Something Up on Shabbat
Day: Friday
Date: April 24, 2015
Parshat: Tazria/Mitzora
Yalkut Yosef: 323


One may pay before Shabbat for an item from a store and get a certificate allowing him to come pick up that item on Shabbat. The only condition is that no amount of money be written on the certificate. Likewise one may pay before Shabbat for a certificate allowing him to use the mikveh on Shabbat. Of course if there is no eruv it is forbidden to carry anything out of a reshut hayahid.


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

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Shehehyanu During the Sefirat Haomer



Shehehyanu During the Sefirat Haomer

Day: Thursday
Date: April 23, 2015
Parshat: Tazria/Mitzora
Yalkut Yosef: 493


During the period of Sefirat Haomer it is permissible to say shehehyanu on a new fruit on Shabbat or even during the week. However from Rosh Hodesh Iyar until the thirty fourth day of the Omer it is better to not buy or wear new clothes that one would say shehehyanu on. If one needs to wear a new garment he should wait until Shabbat to wear it and say the shehehyanu then. One should likewise not have such clothing made or tailored during these days if he can wait.


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

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Haircuts During the Sefirat Haomer



Haircuts During the Sefirat Haomer

Day: Wednesday
Date: April 22, 2015
Parshat: Tazria/Mitzora
Yalkut Yosef: 493


This custom is for men to not get haircuts or to shave during the Sefirat Haomer until the morning of the thirty fourth day. The Ashkenazi custom is to allow haircuts on Lag Baomer, the thirty third day, as well. A man who finds it very difficult to not shave until the thirty fourth day of the Omer may shave on Rosh Hodesh Iyar. Those who have the custom to not shave on Rosh Hodesh may shave the day before. If Rosh Hodesh fell on Sunday, as it did this year, such a person may shave on the Friday before.
There are some Poskim who hold that a person who finds it extremely difficult or unpleasant not to shave may shave every Erev Shabbat on honor of Shabbat. However, it is much more preferable to keep the accepted custom and refrain from shaving if at all possible. If Lag Baomer is on a Friday it is permissible even for Sephardim to shave on that day. If he won't be able to shave on Friday, Thursday night is also okay.


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

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Listening to Music During the Sefirat Haomer



Listening to Music During the Sefirat Haomer

Day: Tuesday
Date: April 21, 2015
Parshat: Tazria/Mitzora
Yalkut Yosef: 493


The Gemara tells us that Rebbi Akiva had twenty four thousand students and tragicallly during the days of Sefirat Haomer they all died as a result of their lack of respect toward one another. They stopped dying on the thirty fourth day of the Omer. Afterward he started teaching Torah again with five students. They are Rebbi Meir, Rebbi Yehudah, Rebbi Yossi, Rebbi Shimon and Rebbi Elazar. All of the Torah that exists in the world today was transmitted through these five great Hachamim. As a sign of mourning we do not listen to any music during this time period whether live or recorded. On the thirty third day of the Omer, also known as Lag Baomer it is permissable to listen to music in honor of the yartzeit of Rebbi Shimon Bar Yochai. It is permitted to play music at a simcha such as a Brit, a Pidyon Haben or a siyum that is made after finishing a masechet. Singing without musical acompanyment is permitted. Obviously, it is permitted for the Shaliah Tzibur to sing parts of the prayer as well.


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

Monday, April 20, 2015

One Who Remembered a Missed Night Immediately After Shekia



One Who Remembered a Missed Night Immediately After Shekia

Day: Monday
Date: April 20, 2015
Parshat: Tazria/Mitzora
Yalkut Yosef: 489


A person who within thirteen and a half minutes of shekia remembers that he did not count the Omer the night before or that entire day, may count the previous day's count with no beracha. After tzet hakochavim and for the rest of Sefira he may still count with a beracha. As far as the Torah is concerned a new day begins at night and continues until the next night. It is unclear whether the first 13 and a half miuntes after shekia are still part of the previous day or if they are part of the incoming new day. Therefore if one forgot until that time he may count the number of the previous day since it may still be part of the previous day. However if he were to count the next day's number during that time as well he would be contradicting himself. That time is either part of the previous day or the incoming day, it can't be both. Therefore if during those few minutes one has counted the previous days number, he can only count the next number after tzet hakochavim. For the same reason on subsequent nights he should also count only after tzet hakochavim.


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

Sunday, April 19, 2015

One Who Unsure Whether or not He Counted the Previous Night



One Who Unsure Whether He Counted the Previous Night

Day: Sunday
Date: April 19, 2015
Parshat: Tazria/Mitzora
Yalkut Yosef: 489


One who is not sure whether or not he counted the Omer the previous night may still count with a beracha the following nights. The reason is because there is a "safek sfeka," an uncertainty within an uncertainty. The first uncertainty is maybe he really did count the night before. The second, as mentioned previously (Tuesday April 14, 2015), is maybe each night is its own mitzvah. Because of these two uncertainties he may continue counting with a beracha.


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

Friday, April 17, 2015

One Who Counted the Wrong Number of Days



One Who Counted the Wrong Number of Days

Day: Friday
Date: April 17, 2015
Parshat: Shemini
Yalkut Yosef: 489


A person who missed counting a day of the Sefirat Haomer and therefore is no longer able to count with a beracha may not count for others even if he is the Shaliah Tzibur. A person who at night realized that he counted the wrong day the previous night may no longer count with a beracha. If he counted one night and afterward realized that he said the wrong number he should count again with a beracha. If he remembered within a few seconds of counting he should correct himself with no beracha.


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

Thursday, April 16, 2015

The Proper Time to Count the Omer



The Proper Time to Count the Omer

Day: Thursday
Date: April 16, 2015
Parshat: Shemini
Yalkut Yosef: 489


The proper time to count the Omer is at tzet hakochaim, about 18 minutes after shekia. One who didn't count on time can still count with a beracha the whole rest of the night. If he didn't count at night he may count the following day with no beracha. A shul that finished arvit before tzet hakochavim may count the Omer at that time with a beracha as long as it as after shkia. Before shekia however, it is not permissable to count with a beracha. A person in such a shul who always counts later and would much rather count after tzet hakochavim but doesnt want to take the risk of forgetting and thereby missing out on the mitzvah the rest of the nights should do the following. He should count together with the shul with no beracha and he should think to thimself that he only wants the counting he is doing now to be cosindered counting if he forgets to count later. But if he remembers to count later then he does not want to fulfill his requirement with this counting of the Omer. If he had this in mind he may count after tzet hakochavim with a beracha. One who accepted Shabbat early and finshed arvit before shekia may not count at that time event though for him it is already Shabbat.


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

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

One Who Heard Someone Else Say the Beracha Before He Counted



One Who Heard Someone Else Say the Beracha Before He Counted

Day: Wednesday
Date: April 15, 2015
Parshat: Shemini
Yalkut Yosef: 489


Ideally the beracha on Sefirat haomer should be said while standing. Nevertheless one who sat while saying the beracha does not need to count again. It is best for one to say the beracha himself and to count himself. However if a person had in mind to fulfuill his oblgation by listening to another person count and the other person had in mind to count for him he has fulfilled his requirement and does not count again. Some poskim hold that in order for a person to be counted as having done a mitzvah he had to have in mind at the time he did it that he wanted to do the mitzvah. Other poskim hold that even if he didn't have in mind that he is doing the mitzvah, as long as he did the act he has fulfilled his requirement. According to those poskim a person who heard the Shliah Tzibur or another person saying the beracha and counting the Omer has fulfilled his oblgation and may not count with a beracha afterward. Therefore, in order to remove ones self from any doubt, everyone at the beginning of the days of Sefirat Haomer should say explicitly that he does not want to fulfill his obligation by hearing another person say the beracha, only by saying it himself.


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

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

One Who Forgot to Count the Omer



One Who Forgot to Count the Omer

Day: Tuesday
Date: April 14, 2015
Parshat: Shemini
Yalkut Yosef: 489


The Torah instructs us to count the Sefirat Haomer for seven complete weeks. Some Poskim hold therefore that if a person forgot to count the Omer one night of the seven weeks he has not fulfilled the mitzvah since the seven weeks are not complete. Other Poskim hold that each night is a mitzvah in its own right. Therefore a person who forgot to count the Omer and didnt remember until the next night may not say the beracha on the following nights, although he still needs to count. Likewise a person who counted the wrong day also cannot count with a beracha on the following nights. If a person forgot to count at night but remembered the next day, he may still count with a beracha that night. Even if he missed many nights but counted them all during the day, he may continue counting with a beracha. Parents should teach their boys to count the Sefirat Haomer with a beracha so that the kids will be experienced and get used to doing the mitzvah properly. If a child under Bar Mitzvah forgot to count the Omer one night, he should continue counting with a beracha on the following nights.


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

Monday, April 13, 2015

The Beracha on the Sefirat Haomer



The Beracha on the Sefirat Haomer

Day: Monday
Date: April 13, 2015
Parshat: Shemini
Yalkut Yosef: 489


Even though nowadays the mitzvah of Sefirat Haomer is Derabanan, the text of the beracha says that Hashem commanded us to count the Omer. The reason is since Hashem commanded us to listen to the Hachamim (Devarim 17:10) it is as if Hashem indirectly commanded us to count the Sefirat Haomer today as well. This is the reason why we say a beracha on any Derabanan mitzvah such as Hanuka Candles and Netilat Yadayim. Nevertheless, a person who counted without a beracha has fulfilled his obligation and should not say the beracha after the fact. A person who while saying the beracha thought it was a certain day of the Omer and afterward realized that it is a different day does need to say the beracha again. Instead he should count the Omer as he would normally do. One must count the Omer in a language that he understands. A person who counted in Hebrew but does not understand the words he said must count again in a language that he does understand. Women are not required to count the Omer and therefore may not say the beracha. According to the Kabalists it is preferable for women not to count the Omer event without a beracha.


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

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Haircuts During Hol Hamoed

Haircuts During Hol Hamoed
Day: Wednesday
Date: April 8, 2015
Parshat: Shemini
Yalkut Yosef: 531-2


It is forbidden to take a hair cut or to shave ones beard during Hol Hamoed. It is permissible however to trim ones mustache if it doesn't get in the way. Brushing, combing, and washing ones hair are all permitted even though a few hairs will probably be pulled out. Sephardim may cut their nails even with scissors or a nail clipper. Ashkenazi people may not cut their nails even by hand hand. Thankfully even Ashkenazim may cut their nails during the sefirat ha'omer. On Hol Hamoed one may do anything necessary to help a sick person, even if the condition is as simple as a headache.


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

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Barchenu

Barchenu
Day: Tuesday
Date: April 7, 2015
Parshat: Shemini
Yalkut Yosef: 117


Since motzei Pesah we have been saying Barechenu instead of Barech Alenu. If one accidentally started saying Barech Alenu he should stop as soon as he remembers and start again from Barechenu. If he realized after saying Baruch ata Hashem, at the end of the beracha but before finishing the rest of the beracha he says "lamdeni hukecha" and starts the beracha again. If he remembered any time after finishing the beracha until the second yihiyu leratzon, the same procedure is followed. If he remembers after the second yihiyu leratzon he needs to go all the way back to the beginning of the Amida.


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

Monday, April 6, 2015

Moreed Hatal

Moreed Hatal
Day: Monday
Date: April 6, 2015
Parshat: Shemini
Yalkut Yosef: 114


We started saying moreed hatal instead of moreed hageshem on the first day of Pesah. One who forgot to say moreed hatal and said moreed hageshem instead needs to correct himself. If he corrects himself right away he does not need to go back and start again. If he remembers during the beracha he has to stop where he is and go back to the beginning of the beracha (Ata Gibor) and start again. If he only went back to the beginning of the line (rav lehoshe'ah) that is okay. If he finished the beracha he must go back to the beginning. If he only said "Baruch ata Hashem " at the end of the beracha but did not end it off yet, he should say lamdeni hukecha and start the beracha again.


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

Friday, April 3, 2015

The Afikoman

The Afikoman
Day: Friday
Date: April 3, 2015
Parshat: Shemini
Yalkut Yosef: 477


Ideally the Afikoman should be eaten before hatzot and while leaning. However one who didn't lean and is too full to eat it again, or if he remembered only after birkat hamazon, does not need to eat the Afikoman again. If he remembered before birkat hamazon and he's not too full, he must eat the Afikoman again while leaning. After eating the Afikoman one may not eat anything at all. If after eating the Afikoman but before birkat hamazon one ate something else, he must eat the Afikoman again. After birkat bamazon he does not need to eat it again. It is permissible to drink water and other non alcoholic drinks though. The only exception is the last two cups of wine, which of course, are permissible to drink. If one needs, he can also drink coffee or tea to help stay awake to study and discuss Yetziat Mitzrayim.


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

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Bedikat Hametz

Bedikat Hametz
Day: Thursday
Date: April 2, 2015
Parshat: Shemini
Yalkut Yosef: 431-433


The proper time for bedikat hametz is tzet hakochavim, 20 minutes or so after shekia. As is the case with many mitzvot, starting from a half hour before the bedika one may not eat a meal or even a snack that consists of two kezayits (about 2 ounces) or more of grain products. Less than that amount, or any amount of fruits and vegetables is fine to eat. One may not talk in between saying the beracha on the bedika and starting the search. After starting the bedika one should only talk about things that pertain to the search. However if at that point he talked about something irrelavant to the search he does not need to say a new beracha. It is permmisable to split the search among those present but everyone involved should hear and have in mind to be part of the beracha. One who did not hear the beracha ideally should not search since he is doing the mitzvah without saying the beracha. Cars must also be searched for hametz even if one does plan on driving at any time during the holiday. A new beracha is not necessary.


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

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

The Zroah

The Zroah
Day: Wednesday
Date: April 1, 2015
Parshat: Shemini
Yalkut Yosef: 474/5


The Sephardic custom is to not say a beracha on the second or fourth of the four cups. Only on the first and third. Ashkenazim however do say a beracha on each cup. Many people have a custom not to eat any roasted meat on the night of the Seder lest others think it's a korban. Even for those who do eat roasted meat, it is forbidden to eat the "Zroah." The reason is since the Zroah is roasted someone may think that it is a korban and it is being eaten outside of the Bet Hamikdash. Even though nowadays we unfortunately don't have the Bet Hamikdash and everyone will know that it is not a korban, nevertheless since the purpose of the Zroah is to remind us of the Korban Pesah it may not be eaten. It is permissible however to eat the Zroah the following day. May we merit to see the Moshiah and the rebuilding of the Bet Hamikdash very soon, amen.


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