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Lag B’Omer
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In this article we will discuss some of the laws and customs of Lag B’Omer. A number of reasons are given for commemorating Lag B’Omer: 1. It commemorates the students of Rav Akiva who ceased dying during this day (Shelah, Pesachim 525). 2. This day is the yahrtzeit of Rabi Shimon bar Yochai, who revealed […]
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Peeled Eggs, Onions or Garlic Overnight (Part 3)
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Other Possible Exceptions- 1. The Gemara states a possible exception to the rule and that is if some of the original outer layer, peel, shell, or root hairs remain, then one need not worry about Ruach Ra’ah, as it is not considered to be peeled. 2. The Smak (171) understands this to mean that the […]
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Attending a Simcha During Sefira
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1. The Gemara states that twenty four thousand students of Rabbi Akiva died during the period of Sefira, which is the time between Pesach and Shavuos. Since Talmudic times, the period of Sefira is treated as a time of mourning and the conducting of weddings is prohibited during this season. 2. There are various customs […]
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Sefira and the View of the Arizal
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1. According to the Arizal, haircuts are not allowed from Pesach until Erev Shavuos. It is even prohibited to do so on Lag B’Omer. (Kaf Hachaim 493:13) 2. The Minchas Elazar of Munkatch writes that weddings are permitted according to the Arizal on Lag B’Omer itself. He explains that the Arizal forbade haircuts even on […]
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Standing Before Elders at the Chuppah
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[As a continuation of the last post I want to address some of the laws of standing before elders during the Chuppah. These laws are not exclusive to the Chuppah and would apply anytime an elderly person walks past.] 1. The Torah (Vayikra 19:32) says, “Mipnei Seiva Takum V’Hadarta Bifnei Zakein.” This verse teaches that […]
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Placing the Chuppah Outdoors
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1. The Rama writes that there is a custom to have the canopy (chuppah) outdoors under the stars. This is a siman tov (good omen) for the couple to have “as many children as the number of stars in the sky.” (Rama Even Haezer 61 and Maharam Mintz 109. See also Ezer Hakodesh on Shulchan […]
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Rejoicing with the Chosson and Kallah
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(This should not be relied upon for practical halacha. When a question arises a Rabbi should be consulted.) It is a great mitzvah to rejoice with the chosson and kallah at their wedding [simchas chosson v’kallah] (Shuchan Aruch Even Haezer 65:1. According to most authorities the mitzvah is rabbinic in nature, see Rambam Avel 14:1 […]
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Peeled Eggs, Onions or Garlic Overnight (Part 2)
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Overnight Peeled Eggs- 1. Overnight peeled eggs might actually be permitted according to several authorities, as Rashi when explaining the prohibition omits eggs from the criteria. Rashi did not have the word “eggs” in his edition and accordingly eggs that were left overnight would not be prohibited. Harav Yaakov Breisch zt”l (Chelkas Yaakov Y.D. 39) […]
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Peeled Eggs, Onions or Garlic Overnight (Part 1)
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The Source- 1. The Gemara (Nidah 17) cites an extremely strong statement by Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. He states that one who eats a peeled onion, egg or garlic that has been left sitting out overnight is literally endangering his life, and will be ultimately judged as a person who took his own life.1 The […]
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When To Cut One’s Nails According To Halacha
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(This should not be relied upon for practical halacha. When a question arises a Rabbi should be consulted.) 1. The Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 260:1) writes that it is a mitzvah to cut one’s nails on Friday in order to honor Shabbos. 2. Harav Chaim Naeh zt”l (Ketzos Hashulchan 73 Badei Hashulchan 3) writes that there […]
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