Halachah

by R. Daniel Mann Question: I hope to visit Israel this summer. Should I say “morid hatal” in Shemoneh Esrei like Israelis, and should I continue to say Baruch Hashem L’olam (=BHLO) at Ma’ariv?      Answer: First, realize that neither of these differences has to do with being in Eretz Yisrael per se (in contrast to the different practices of ...

by R. Daniel Mann Question: Is it permitted to ingest homeopathic remedies on Shabbat?   Answer: We start with our approach to “alternative medicine,” which includes homeopathy (some use the terms interchangeably). Alternative medicine is subject to disagreement, from the grass roots to health agencies. As in most realms, extreme opinions are likely incorrect. Some treatments under the umbrella of alternative ...

by R. Daniel Mann Question: Could you please explain how to handle the transition from Shabbat into Tisha B’Av (when it falls on Motzaei Shabbat) regarding se’uda shlishit, Havdala, and changing clothes? Answer: Se’uda shlishit: The baraita, quoted in Ta’anit 29a says that one may eat as extravagant a meal as he wants on Shabbat even if Tisha B’Av falls ...

by R. Daniel Mann Question: I work in a cemetery on upkeep in the area of the graves. May I listen to Torah shiurim with earphones on site?   Answer: The gemara (Berachot 18a) forbids “holding a sefer Torah and reading it, wearing tefillin on his head,” wearing tzitzit in an obvious manner, davening, and reciting Kri’at Shema in a cemetery/close ...

by R. Daniel Mann Question: At a brit, I said Hamotzi on a bagel, and after taking a bite, put on cream cheese and lox. A friend corrected me, claiming that Halacha requires that the first bite, which connects to the beracha, should be done when it is in its optimal form, so that after the beracha, one should cut ...

by R. Daniel Mann Question: My neighbor works in a bakery, and when they have a lot of unsold challot, he often takes home dozens of them and encourages people at Maariv of Shabbat to come take as many as possible. I took what I thought I might use but not what I knew would go straight into the freezer ...

by R. Daniel Mann Question: Is it clear that a non-kohen (=zar) may bless his children or others with the blessings of Birkat Kohanim (=BK)?   Answer: This is a good question, conceptually. Concerning practice, we do not reject broadly followed minhagim, certainly when practiced by righteous and knowledgeable people. However, it is fine to inquire about the justification.  First, let ...

by R. Daniel Mann Question: I don’t see consistency in how marit ayin is applied. There are cases that are forbidden where the likelihood of mistake seems remote, while cases I view as more problematic are permitted. Can you explain why that is? Answer: We will attempt a partial overview of the concept marit ayin, focusing on elements that help ...

by R. Daniel Mann Question: It pains me to throw out leftovers. Often, after a few days, it is clear that no one will eat any more (although they are still edible), and my family wants me to throw them out. We asked a rabbi, who told us to put them in a bag before throwing into the garbage. My ...

by R. Daniel Mann Question: It is unclear to me whether one is supposed to say “Baruch hu u’varuch shemo” at the end of zimun and if so, who is supposed to recite it. What is proper? Answer: The first halachic code that mentions the phrase Baruch hu u’varuch shemo (meaning that we “bless” Hashem and His Name) is the ...