D'var Halacha

 We are continuing in siman 1. Yesterday, we learned about a case in which one wishes to put wool into a pot to dye it. We learned that it will only be muttar if there are no concerns that it may come to an issur deoraysa, which, in our case, were stirring the coals and […]

We are beginning Klal 2, where the Chayei Adam will begin by discussing melachos performed on erev Shabbos which extend into Shabbos.  The issur from the Torah is performing melacha on Shabbos; melacha which takes place on Shabbos due to motions set in place before Shabbos is not assur from a Torah standpoint. Theoretically, this

 We are continuing in siman 12, where the Chayei Adam discusses checking one’s garments to ensure they do not carry muktzah items or carry in an area without an eruv.  The Chayei Adam writes that a person should check their pockets samuch l’chasheicha, close to nightfall, kodem l’chasheicha, before nightfall. Based on this language, the

We are beginning siman 12. The Chayei Adam discusses a Gemara which we include in Kabbolas Shabbos, when we recite Bameh Madlikin. The Gemara says that a person has a chiyuv to check their pockets on erev Shabbos in order to avoid leaving something inadvertently in their pockets and carrying it. The Chayei Adam writes

 We are continuing in siman 11, where the Chayei Adam discusses davening mincha gedolah on erev Shabbos. Yesterday, we discussed the potential halachic concerns that would necessitate davening mincha earlier, which were the merchatz or a haircut. Today, we will discuss an additional, practical concern brought up by the Chayei Adam. The Chayei Adam writes

We are beginning siman 11, where the Chayei Adam discusses the preferable time to daven mincha. Arguably, there is no advantage to davening mincha earlier. As we learned (S0030), the generally preferable time to daven mincha is after mincha ketana.    As some background, we will discuss the reason the preferable time to daven is

We are continuing in siman 10, which discusses washing oneself for erev Shabbos. Yesterday, we discussed washing oneself, going to the mikvah, and cutting nails before Shabbos.   It is important to note that if one is going to the mikvah, the proper order is to cut one’s nails before going to the mikvah. The proper

 We are beginning siman 10. The Chayei Adam writes that it is a mitzvah to wash one’s entire body and be tovel in a mikvah in preparation for Shabbos. Neither the Shulchan Aruch nor Mishnah Berurah mention tevillah here (siman 260), but in hilchos Tisha B’av (siman 551) the Mishnah Berurah mentions those who have

 We are continuing in siman 9, discussing fasting on erev Shabbos. We learned that one should not fast on erev Shabbos, so that they enjoy Shabbos from the moment it begins. We left off regarding the minhag to fast on a yahrzeit, and what to do when the yahrzeit falls out on erev Shabbos.  The

We are beginning siman 9. The Chayei Adam writes that it is inappropriate to enter Shabbos feeling afflicted. Therefore, one should not fast on erev Shabbos. One should feel the enjoyment of Shabbos already from the beginning of Shabbos. The Chayei Adam clarifies that the only exception is a person with a delicate constitution who,

 We are continuing in siman 8, discussing the idea of eating the Shabbos seudos l’teiavon, with an appetite. We have discussed eating on Friday afternoon when it will affect one’s appetite for Shabbos. Today, we will discuss snacking on Shabbos itself in a way that affects one’s appetite for the seudos.   The Biur Halacha, in

We are continuing in siman 8, discussing entering into the Shabbos meals l’teiavon, with an appetite. We learned that a seudas mitzvah which cannot be pushed off, such as the seuda of a bris milah or pidyon haben, can take place on erev Shabbos, because it is a seudas mitzvah.   The Chayei Adam writes that

 We are beginning siman 8. The Chayei Adam discusses the hiddur that one should eat the Shabbos and Yom Tov seudos l’teiavon, with an appetite, so that they enjoy the meal. Therefore, Chazal established limitations regarding eating on erev Shabbos and erev Yom Tov so that one will eat the meal l’teiavon. The first point

 We are continuing in siman 7, where the Chayei Adam is discussing the issues with traveling on erev Shabbos. The Gemara says one can travel up to 3 parsah on erev Shabbos, which, as we learned yesterday, allows one to travel for approximately the first third of the day. This comes out to approximately four

We are beginning siman 7. The Chayei Adam addresses the issue of traveling on erev Shabbos. Obviously, a person has to have the foresight to not get stuck in a situation in which they end up having to travel on Shabbos itself. A person has to calculate the amount of time necessary to arrive properly.

We are beginning siman 6. The Chayei Adam will discuss various situations in which melacha is permitted on erev Shabbos. We learned (S0020) that melacha which is done in an ara’i fashion–meaning, on a one-off basis–is muttar on erev Shabbos after the zman mincha.  The other explanation of ara’i is something which is done easily

 We are beginning siman 6. The Chayei Adam will discuss working on Erev Shabbos, based on a Gemara in Pesachim. The Chayei Adam writes that part of the idea of kavod Shabbos is not to run into Shabbos at the last moment. When possible, a person should give themselves a space of time in which

We have finished siman 5, where the Chayei Adam discussed sharpening knives for Shabbos. We mentioned one reason is to prevent disagreements and increase shalom bayis. We know that Chazal were concerned with increasing shalom bayis on Shabbos as much as possible. The Gemara says there were two reasons for the takana of neiros Shabbos,

 We are beginning siman 5. The Chayei Adam writes that a person should give kavod to Shabbos, and have oneg on Shabbos, by having a nice, plentiful seudah. They should include meat, fish and other good tasting food, depending on a person’s financial ability. The Chayei Adam mentions meat, but we need to determine whether

 We are continuing in siman 4, discussing the amount of dough one must create to be chayav in separating challah. Yesterday, we learned that in the opinion of the Chazon Ish, one must create a dough of five pounds to separate challah with a bracha, and about 2 pounds 11 ounces to separate challah without