Friday, October 30, 2015

Separating Pages of a Book That are Stuck Together

Separating Pages of a Book That are Stuck Together
Day: Friday
Date: October 30, 2015
Parshat: Vayera
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 340

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina and Avraham Asher ben Tzadika

Pages of a book that got stuck together may be pulled apart on Shabbat in order to read from those pages. It is permissible to tear open a bag on Shabbat in order to get to the food inside even if there are words written on the bag. This is permitted since one's intention is not necessarily to erase the words and also since that is not the normal way to erase. It is also permissible to walk on pictures or on words written on the ground with chalk.


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

Thursday, October 29, 2015

One Who Wrote on His Hand Before Shabbat

One Who Wrote on His Hand Before Shabbat
Day: Thursday
Date: October 29, 2015
Parshat: Vayera
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 340

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina and Avraham Asher ben Tzadika

A person who before Shabbat wrote on his hand may wash his hands on Shabbat even though the writing may be erased in the process. However, since intentionally erasing the writing would constitute an issur Derabanan, that may not be done. Washing and drying one's hands for the sake of cleanliness (not specifically to erase) is also not proper in this scenario since it is certain that by doing so the writing will be erased - which constitutes a Pesik Resha Beissur Derabanan. Instead, he should pour a nice amount of water over his hand all at once and not dry his hand. Since it is possible that the writing will not be erased this way there is no Pesik Resha and therefore it may be done.


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

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Cutting a Cake With Words Written on it

Cutting a Cake With Words Written on it
Day: Wednesday
Date: October 28, 2015
Parshat: Vayera
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 340

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina and Avraham Asher ben Tzadika

It is forbidden on Shabbat to write two letters next to each other. It is also forbidden to erase if that will create enough room to write two letters. Erasing that is not done for the purpose of creating space to write is forbidden only on a Rabbinic level, not De'oraita. For this reason plus the fact that one's intention is not to erase, it is permissible on Shabbat to cut and eat from a cake that has writing on it. It is not necessary for the words to be written on a sheet of chocolate as is commonly done. It is makes no difference whether the words are engraved, if they are flush with the cake, or even if they are raised. In any of the above situations it is permitted.


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

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Brushing Hair on Shabbat

Brushing Hair on Shabbat
Day: Tuesday
Date: October 27, 2015
Parshat: Vayera
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 340

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina and Avraham Asher ben Tzadika

It is forbidden to use a comb on Shabbat since it is near impossible that hairs will not be caused to fall out while combing. However it is permissible for a person to lightly straighten or fix his hair with a soft brush since that is not as sure to cause hairs to fall out. Unfortunately, this prohibition is often looked at lightly in our times. It is therefore especially important to be careful in this area and to encourage others to be careful as well.


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

Monday, October 26, 2015

Washing Ones Face on Shabbat

Washing Ones Face on Shabbat
Day: Monday
Date: October 26, 2015
Parshat: Vayera
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 340

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina and Avraham Asher ben Tzadika

It is permissible on Shabbat for a bearded person to scrub his face even though a hair or two may inadvertently come out in the process. It is permissible since pulling out hair by hand is a Rabbinic prohibition and the one doing it does not care whether or not it happens. For the same reason, it is permissible on Shabbat to clean by hand dirt that got stuck in a child's hair or even to remove lice from the hair. Likewise, it is permissible to remove pieces that got stuck in a fur garment for the same reason.


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

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Cleaning Dried Mucus on Shabbat

Cleaning Dried Mucus on Shabbat
Day: Sunday
Date: October 25, 2015
Parshat: Vayera
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 340

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina and Avraham Asher ben Tzadika

It is permissible on Shabbat to clean dried mucus from ones nose even though a few hairs may be inadvertently pulled out in the process. Pulling out hairs by hand on Shabbat is prohibited on a rabbinic level, not De'oraita. Therefore, since the one doing the cleaning does not have any specific intention to pull out hair it is permitted. On a separate note, it is permissible on Shabbat to cut off any feathers that remain on cooked chicken.


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

Friday, October 23, 2015

Cutting or Pulling out Hair on Shabbat

Cutting or Pulling out Hair on Shabbat
Day: Friday
Date: October 23, 2015
Parshat: Lech Licha
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 340

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina and Avraham Asher ben Tzadika

It is forbidden on Shabbat to pull out or cut any hairs whether it is from ones own body or from someone else's. A person who cut or pulled out two hairs using a utensil has transgressed an issur De'oraita. A person who only cut or pulled out one hair with a utensil or who pulled out more than one by hand has transgressed the Rabbinic prohibition. It is important to note that even not on Shabbat it is forbidden for a man to pull out white hairs due to the issur of "Lo yilbash gever simlat isha."(Y"D:182).


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

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Dancing on Shabbat

Dancing on Shabbat
Day: Thursday
Date: October 22, 2015
Parshat: Lech Licha
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 338

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina and Avraham Asher ben Tzadika

Included in the prohibition against playing music on Shabbat is the prohibition against dancing on Shabbat. Since the Hachamim were concerned that a person might make or repair an instrument, it follows that dancing also can cause a person to forget about Shabbat and do so. Nowadays, since very few people know how to make musical instruments, there are some Poskim that do allow dancing on Shabbat. However Sephardim may not rely on this leniency since we follow the rulings of Maran Bet Yosef who forbids it. On Simhat Torah however, it is permissible to dance and clap as part of the Torah celebration.


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

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Alarm Clocks on Shabbat

Alarm Clocks on Shabbat
Day: Wednesday
Date: October 21, 2015
Parshat: Lech Licha
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 338

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina and Avraham Asher ben Tzadika

It is permissible to set an alarm clock before Shabbat in order for it to go off on Shabbat. It is even permissible on Shabbat to pull out the button on a mechanical alarm clock that will eventually cause the alarm to go off. The reason this is permitted is because by pulling out the button one is merely removing the device that would have stopped the alarm. He is not actually setting it up. Once the alarm goes off it is permissible to cover the clock with blankets to muffle the sound so that it won't disturb others.


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

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Putting Bells on the Sefer Torah on Shabbat

Putting Bells on the Sefer Torah on Shabbat
Day: Tuesday
Date: October 20, 2015
Parshat: Lech Licha
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 338

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina and Asher Avraham ben Tzadika

There is a popular custom to put bells on top of the Sefrei Torah when they are taken out on Shabbat. Simply placing the bells onto the Sefer Torah does not transgress the prohibition against making music on Shabbat. However, it is forbidden to purposely shake the bells so that they will make noise. Doing so is forbidden always, even on Simhat Torah and those who do so should be politely stopped. It is also permissible to open the parochet covering the aron even if hanging from it there are bells that will make noise.


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

Monday, October 19, 2015

Using a Door Knocker on Shabbat

Using a Door Knocker on Shabbat
Day: Monday
Date: October 19, 2015
Parshat: Lech Licha
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 338

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina

Since the intention is not to make music, it is permissible to knock on a door Shabbat. For the same reason, it is even permissible for Sephardim to use a door knocker on Shabbat. However, Ashkenazim are strict in this regard and do not use door knockers on Shabbat since they are created solely for the purpose of making noise. It goes without saying that an electrical doorbell may not be used on Shabbat. It is permissible to open a door on Shabbat even if there are bells tied to it that will chime and let people know that the door was opened. It is better though to remove the bells before Shabbat. If the chime is electric it must be removed before Shabbat so as not to cause those who open the door to break Shabbat.


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

Sunday, October 18, 2015

The Permissible Way to Clap on Shabbat

The Permissible Way to Clap on Shabbat
Day: Sunday
Date: October 18, 2015
Parshat: Lech Licha
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 338

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina

As mentioned previously, it is forbidden on Shabbat to make music by clapping along with a song or to a beat. However, if it is done in a different way than normal, such as hitting one palm against the back of the other hand, it may be done. Whistling and other sounds that are made with one's mouth are not included in this prohibition and therefore may be done on Shabbat. As mentioned previously, clapping and snapping that are not done as music, such as to get someone's attention or wake someone up may be made.


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

Friday, October 16, 2015

Making Music on Shabbat

Making Music on Shabbat
Day: Friday
Date: October 16, 2015
Parshat: Noah
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 338

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina

Our Hachamim forbade us from making music on Shabbat whether it is with an instrument or even by hand, such as by clapping or snapping to a beat. It goes without saying that electrical instruments are forbidden for additional reasons as well. It is permissible in general to clap on Shabbat if it's not being done to a beat or to accompany singing. The one exception is clapping to scare away birds which is also forbidden. Our Hachamim suspected that one who does clap to scare away birds may become caught up and pick up a rock to throw at the birds which is forbidden for other reasons.


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

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Using a Broom on Shabbat

Using a Broom on Shabbat
Day: Thursday
Date: October 15, 2015
Parshat: Noah
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 337

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina

It is permissible for Sephardim to sweep the floor on Shabbat (as long as it is not a dirt floor) the same way that it is swept during the week. It is even permissible to sweep using a broom with brittle straw bristles or twigs which will likely break off when used. Ashkenazim however are strict in this regard and while they may tell a non Jew to sweep the floor, they may not do it themselves. There are some Ashkenazi authorities who permit sweeping the floor on Shabbat as long as the broom is made from synthetic bristles and that is the accepted Halacha for Ashkenazim. However, even in such a case it is still forbidden to sweep a dirt floor.


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

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Riding a Bicycle on Shabbat

Riding a Bicycle on Shabbat
Day: Wednesday
Date: October 14, 2015
Parshat: Noah
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 337

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina

It is not proper for an adult to ride a bicycle on Shabbat. However, it is permissible for children to ride tricycles on Shabbat as long as there are no batteries or lights that will be turned on. It is also permissible for children to ride roller blades or even to wear shoes with bells that will make noise when they walk. However, even children should not be given shoes to wear on Shabbat that will light up when they walk unless the batteries were removed before Shabbat.


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

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Pushing a Stroller Through Dirt on Shabbat

Pushing a Stroller Through Dirt on Shabbat
Day: Tuesday
Date: October 13, 2015
Parshat: Noah
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 337

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina

As mentioned previously, it is forbidden to dig or make tracks in dirt on Shabbat. However, it is permissible to drag an object over dirt if ones intention is not to make tracks and if it is not completely certain that tracks will be made by the object being dragged. Therefore, if there is a proper eruv, it is permissible to push a stroller through dirt on Shabbat even though doing so will create tracks. This is the case even regarding a double stroller which is heavier.


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

Monday, October 12, 2015

Choresh - Plowing

Choresh - Plowing
Day: Monday
Date: October 12, 2015
Parshat: Noah
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 337

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina

Choresh, or plowing, is another of the 39 melachot forbidden by the Torah to do on Shabbat. This Melacha involves any form of getting the ground ready for planting and has a number of practical subcategories. It applies even to a small private garden or plant. Therefore a person who digs even a very small amount on Shabbat has transgressed this prohibition since there are some plants that can be planted in a tiny area. A person who has no intention of helping plants grow, but dug because he wants the dirt, has still transgressed this prohibition, but on a Rabbinic level.


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

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Putting Besamim Into Water on Shabbat



Putting Besamim Into Water on Shabbat

Day: Sunday
Date: October 11, 2015
Parshat: Noah
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 336

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina

It is permissible on Shabbat to put sprigs of besamim into a vase of water. It is even permissible to put fresh water into the vase or to add additional water to the vase in order to put in besamim. However, flowers who's buds have not fully opened up yet may not be put into water on Shabbat since putting them in water will help finish the growing process. This is true even if the water was already in the vase before Shabbat and the flowers were taken out of the water on Shabbat in order to smell them. If the flowers are in full bloom it is permissible to put them back into the water, although there too it is best not to put them back.


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

Friday, October 9, 2015

Dropping Seeds on the Ground on Shabbat



Dropping Seeds on the Ground on Shabbat

Day: Friday
Date: October 9, 2015
Parshat: Beresheet
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 336

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina.

On Shabbat one must be careful not to drop seeds in a place where they might inadvertently get watered and eventually grow. Doing so is forbidden as part of the prohibition of Zore'ah. However, it is permissible to drop a small amount on the ground in order to feed ones chickens or birds for that day. It is also permissible to drop them in a place where people normally walk since that will prevent them from growing.


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

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Zore'ah - Planting and Watering Plants on Shabbat



Zore'ah - Planting and Watering Plants on Shabbat

Day: Thursday
Date: October 8, 2015
Parshat: Beresheet
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 336

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina.

Zore'ah, or planting, is another of the 39 melachot that are forbidden to do on Shabbat. Included in this De'oraita prohibition is planting from seeds, from a seedling, grafting, pruning and anything else that will cause a plant to grow whether it is directly in the ground or even in a planter. Watering plants is also forbidden on Shabbat as a result of this prohibition. Therefore people who are eating outdoors on Shabbat and Yom Tov may not wash their hands in a place where the water may reach plants or dirt. However, it is permissible to micturate onto grass or plants on Shabbat and Yom Tov since that doesn't help it grow. It is better to go next to the plants as opposed to directly on them.


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

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Masheev Haruah Umoreed Hageshem



Masheev Haruah Umoreed Hageshem

Day: Wednesday
Date: October 7, 2015
Parshat: Beresheet
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 114

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina.

On Shemini Atzeret we began saying Masheev Haruah Umoreed Hageshem instead of Moreed Hatal. With Gd's help we will continue until we switch back on Pesah. If one forgot to say Masheev Haruah and instead said Moreed Hatal, he should go back and say it again if he hasn't said HaShem's name yet. Once he said HaShem's name at the end of the beracha he may not go back. This is true only for those who for the rest of the year say Moreed Hatal.
However, those who normally don't say Moreed Hatal must go back and say Masheev Haruah. If such a person said Baruch Ata HaShem at the end of the beracha and remembered at that point, he should say "Lamdeni Hukecha" and go back to Masheev Haruah. If he finished the beracha but did not start the next beracha he should say Masheev Haruah at that point and continue on with Ata Kadosh. Once he started the blessing of Ata Kadosh even if he only said the word "Ata" he must go back to the beginning of the Amida.


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

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Shemini Atzeret and Simhat Torah



Shemini Atzeret and Simhat Torah

Day: Sunday
Date: October 4, 2015
Parshat: Vezot Habiracha
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 668

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina.

The holiday of Shemini Atzeret is its own holiday and is not part of Succot. Outside of Eretz Yisrael it is treated as a safek since it may possibly be the last day of Succot. Therefore on Shemini Atzeret we eat and sleep in the Succah as we do on Succot but we do not say the beracha of Lishev BaSuccah. On the flip side we say Shehehyanu as we do at the beginning of any new Yom Tov. On the second day of Shemini Atzeret we read parshat Vezot Haberacha and we celebrate Simchat Torah with the hakafot, dancing, singing, and even clapping. Musical instruments may not be used since it is Yom Tov after all. After Succot is over we do not say Viduy or Nefilat Apayim (Tachanun) until after Rosh Hodesh Heshvan.


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

Friday, October 2, 2015

Haircuts During Hol Hamoed

Haircuts During Hol Hamoed
Day: Friday
Date: October 2, 2015
Parshat: Vezot Habiracha
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 531/2

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina.

 It is forbidden for men and women over Bar/Bat Mitzvah to get haircuts during Hol Hamoed. Men may not shave or trim their beards either. However, one may trim his mustache even if it doesn't get into his food. One may brush or comb his hair even though some hairs will fall out by doing so. Likewise, one may also cut his nails during Hol Hamoed. Ashkenazim are more strict and do not cut their nails during Hol Hamoed


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

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Laundry on Hol Hamoed

Laundry on Hol Hamoed
Day: Thursday
Date: October 1, 2015
Parshat: Vezot Habiracha
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 534

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina.

Our Hachamim forbade us from doing laundry on Hol Hamoed in order to discourage us from not doing it before the holiday. However a person who has only one shirt may wash it on Hol Hamoed even if he had the opportunity wash it on Erev Yom Tov but didn't. Towels, little children's clothes, and other such things that are constantly used and get dirty quickly may be washed. Undergarments may also be washed during Hol Hamoed if one has no clean ones left. One who is washing any of the aforementioned items might think that since the washing machine is running anyways, and it doesn't require extra effort, it may be okay to add other items that are not needed for the holiday. In reality however, one may not add anything other than the items previously mentioned. Spot cleaning and ironing are both not considered laundry and are allowed on Hol Hamoed. 


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