Halacha L'Maaseh Archives

Miscellany: U-Z (Using God’s Name, Walking Between People…)

by in

USING GOD’S NAME IN VAIN Introduction to Using God’s Name in Vain You may use God’s correct names and not the defective version (Hashem, Adoshem, Elokim…) whenever you are teaching, even if you are only quoting a partial pasuk. This is the halacha, even though many people have the custom of using only the defective […]

Download MP3

Download PDF

Miscellany: R-T (Remembering Amaleik, Shiluach HaKein, Torah Study…)

by in

REMEMBERING AMALEIK All Jews, both men and women, must fulfill the commandment to remember what Amaleik did to the Israelites. The paragraph about that episode, called Parashat Zachor (found in Parashat Ki Teitzei: Deuteronomy/Devarim 25:17-19) is read on the Shabbat morning before Purim as a law established by Chazal (takana). The commandment is fulfilled whenever […]

Download MP3

Download PDF

Miscellany: M-P (Marit Ayin, Names, Organ Donation, Pidyon HaBen…)

by in

MAR’IT AYIN Eating Kosher at a Non-Kosher Event You may eat a kosher catered meal at an otherwise non-kosher event as long as: Your food is obviously different from the non-kosher food, and You have kosher dishes and utensils to use. Your food must be separate from the non-kosher food. Reason: To avoid mar’it ayin–the […]

Download MP3

Download PDF

Miscellany: F-L (Forbidden Benefit, Jewish Education, Land of Israel…)

by in

FORBIDDEN TO BENEFIT FROM (Asur B’Hana’a) What Jews May Not Benefit From Jews are forbidden from benefiting (asur b’hana’a) in any way from: Bechor (first-born male) of a Jewish-owned goat, sheep, or cow Chametz on Passover Idols Kilei ha’kerem Mixtures of milk cooked with meat Orla Yayin nesech and possibly stam yeinam. FORGETFULNESS End of […]

Download MP3

Download PDF

Miscellany: A-D (Angels, Bar Mitzva, Chazaka, Doormats…)

by in

ANGELS Asking Angels for Help You may ask angels to intercede, as is done in Shalom Aleichem, in which people ask the angels to ask God for the help that they want. But you may not ask angels to help you directly. BAR MITZVA Bar Mitzva and Adar 2 Birthday If a boy born in […]

Download MP3

Download PDF

Assorted Laws of Marriage: The First Week, the First Year and More

by in

First Week of Marriage Making the Bride Happy The groom is commanded to make his bride happy for seven days. He may not go to work (unless she wants him to do so). He must be with her and do whatever she wants, even if it goes against his judgment of what is reasonable. Being […]

Download MP3

Download PDF

Sheva Brachot

by in

Introduction to Sheva Brachot At the end of the wedding meal, the seven blessings (sheva brachot) are said in birkat ha’mazon. The final blessing is on wine. This is the only required festive meal after the wedding. Any festive meal on the subsequent six days is optional but, when held, all the blessings are required. […]

Download MP3

Download PDF

Wedding Customs

by in

Wedding Customs (Not Halachot) Couple Separates for Seven Days The couple does not see each other for seven days before the wedding. They may speak on the phone. The Aufruf On the Shabbat before the wedding, the groom has an aufruf at which he receives an aliya. What the Bride Buys The bride buys for the groom: Talit and kittel, Watch, […]

Download MP3

Download PDF

Weddings

by in

Minimum Number of Men The minimum number of men at the kidushin part of a wedding is two Jewish males, at least 13 years old (needed as witnesses), plus the groom. Witnesses: Four Pairs A Jewish wedding requires four pairs of witnesses, but the same witnesses may be used for all four parts: tanayim; ketuba; […]

Download MP3

Download PDF

Introduction to Weddings and Marriage; Dating

by in

Introduction The purpose of the rabbi at a wedding is to ensure that the extremely detailed wedding halachot, as set out by the Shulchan Aruch, are followed correctly. If not, the wedding might not be kosher. A Jewish marriage includes: a written document (ketuba); a financial transaction (ring) in front of two kosher witnesses; and […]

Download MP3

Download PDF

Orthodox union