Halacha Summaries
MBY 510:1-11 Food preparation on Shabbos vs. on Yom Tov (part – 4 final)
MBY 510:1-11 Food preparation on Shabbos vs. on Yom Tov (part – 4 final)
6) Carrying: Is carrying food through a ‘reshus harabim’ (public domain – i.e. without an eruv) or transferring from one domain to another permissible on Yom Tov? Not only ...
Food preparation on Shabbos vs. on Yom Tov (part 3)
MBY 510:1-11 Food preparation on Shabbos vs. on Yom Tov (part 3)
4) Trimming leaves off vegetables and chopping them: Two of the melachos – ‘borer’/selecting and ‘tochain’/grinding - are permitted on Yom Tov under the general permit of ‘ochel ...
Food preparation on Shabbos vs. on Yom Tov (part 2)
MBY 510:1-11 Food preparation on Shabbos vs. on Yom Tov (part 2)
3) Making cheese: In a different world, people used to make their own cheese. Believe it or not, making cheese is forbidden on Shabbos based upon the melacha of ‘boneh’/building! ...
Food preparation on Shabbos vs. on Yom Tov (part 1)
MBY 510:1-11 Food preparation on Shabbos vs. on Yom Tov (part 1)
Intro: This is going to be a fun lesson! We will learn about activities which – while not entirely permissible on Yom Tov - may be done in a more permissive manner than on Shabbos. ...
Melachos for “Preliminaries” (‘machshirei ochel nefesh’ - abridged)
MBY 508:1-2 / 509:1-7 Melachos for “Preliminaries” (‘machshirei ochel nefesh’ - abridged)
Please read the following excerpt from “MBY Archives” from the beginning of Hilchos Yom Tov (MBY 495:1-4):
“2) Machshirei ochel nefesh (preparatory ...
MBY 507:1-7 Baking on Yom Tov (abridged)
First a PS for our last lesson:
Note: When one makes bread on Yom Tov, he may (and must) observe the laws of ‘hafrashas challah’ (separating challah from the dough.) The reason this is noteworthy is because the Sages prohibited other mitzvah ...
MBY 505 Milking an animal on Yom Tov (abridged)
MBY 505 Milking an animal on Yom Tov (abridged)
This topic is not relevant to most people, except those of you who live on a dairy farm. In fact, I did not see the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch or Rav Cohen’s sefer deal with it directly. Nevertheless, I ...
MBY 506:1-9 Kneading on Yom Tov (abridged)
MBY 506:1-9 Kneading on Yom Tov (abridged)
Intro: While the siman on kneading on Yom Tov is relatively long in the Shulchan Aruch (9 paragraphs), Rav S. B. Cohen summarized its halachos in just 1½ pages! We will follow the Rav’s lead and present ...
503:1-2 Preparing food on Yom Tov for the next day
Dedicated in memory of Raizel bas Mendel Skoble a”h, who served faithfully as a supervisor on her local board of Jewish education. May her memory be a blessing!
By her loving daughter, Yehudit Atkins
23 Adar 5773 / March 5, 2013
503:1-2 ...
MBY 504:1-4 Grinding spices and other things on Yom Tov (abridged)
MBY 504:1-4 Grinding spices and other things on Yom Tov (abridged)
Question: Is ‘tochain’/grinding one of the permissible melachos for food preparation on Yom Tov or not?
Answer: That’s easy… if you have “MBY Archives”:
MBY 495:1-4 A General ...
MBY 502 Kindling a fire on Shabbos (abridged)
MBY 502 Kindling a fire on Shabbos (abridged)
This next siman contains a very important Yom Tov topic. As technology has changed greatly since the days of the Gemara and Shulchan Aruch, and not all of the scenarios apply to our modern times, I ...
MBY 501 Obtaining and chopping firewood on Yom Tov (abridged)
MBY 501 Obtaining and chopping firewood on Yom Tov (abridged)
Intro: This siman is very relevant for someone who cooks and heats his home with a wood stove and is always scrounging around for firewood. Many of the cases herein come right out of ...
MBY 500 Buying, giving gifts and measuring on Yom Tov (abridged)
Dedicated in memory of Sarah Sherwinter z"l, our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother on her yahrzeit
(30 Shvat 5773 / February 10)
By Jules, Carol, Davey, Danny, Karli, Kayla, Reuben and Sarit Sherwinter.
3 Adar 5773 / ...
MBY 498-499 Slaughtering and salting on Yom Tov (abridged – part 2)
Dedicated in memory of Sarah Sherwinter z"l, our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother on her yahrzeit
(30 Shvat 5773 / February 10)
By Jules, Carol, Davey, Danny, Karli, Kayla, Reuben and Sarit Sherwinter.
2 Adar 5773 / ...
MBY 497:16-17 Which foods are considered “prepared” (i.e. non-muktzah) for Yom Tov (Part 8 - final)
MBY 497:16-17 Which foods are considered “prepared” (i.e. non-muktzah) for Yom Tov (Part 8 - final)
Intro: The last two se’ifim (paragraphs) of this siman discuss issues related to ‘shechita’ (animal slaughter) on Yom Tov. While shechita itself ...
MBY 498-499 Slaughtering and Salting on Yom Tov (abridged – part 1)
Dedicated in memory of Sarah Sherwinter z"l, our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother on her yahrzeit
By Jules, Carol, Davey, Danny, Karli, Kayla, Reuben and Sarit Sherwinter.
The yahrzeit date was: 30 Shvat 5773 / February ...
MBY 497:12-14 Which foods are considered “prepared” (i.e. non-muktzah) for Yom Tov (Part 7)
MBY 497:12-14 Which foods are considered “prepared” (i.e. non-muktzah) for Yom Tov (Part 7)
Intro: The next three se’ifim (paragraphs) in the Shulchan Aruch are fascinating for one who enjoys mathematical logic and permutations. The chances of ...
MBY 497:11 Which foods are considered “prepared” (i.e. non-muktzah) for Yom Tov (Part 6)
MBY 497:11 Which foods are considered “prepared” (i.e. non-muktzah) for Yom Tov (Part 6)
Question: Having learned the last lesson (please review it if you haven’t already), why can’t a person beat the system, by doing ‘zimun’ on ALL the birds, and ...
MBY 497:10 Which foods are considered “prepared” (i.e. non-muktzah) for Yom Tov (Part 5)
MBY 497:10 Which foods are considered “prepared” (i.e. non-muktzah) for Yom Tov (Part 5)
Question: What is the procedure for doing ‘zimun’ (explicit designation) before Yom Tov on animals that would otherwise be considered muktzah?
Answer: We ...
MBY 497:5 Which foods are considered “prepared” (i.e. non-muktzah) for Yom Tov (Part 3)
MBY 497:5 Which foods are considered “prepared” (i.e. non-muktzah) for Yom Tov (Part 3)
Ed.: Today I have come to drive you crazy with another trapping/muktzah “permutation”: How is it that fish can be considered already trapped before Yom Tov ...
MBY 497:6-9 Which foods are considered “prepared” (i.e. non-muktzah) for Yom Tov (Part 4)
MBY 497:6-9 Which foods are considered “prepared” (i.e. non-muktzah) for Yom Tov (Part 4)
Ed. Intro: We have learned in previous lessons in this siman that when an animal is inaccessible on Yom Tov due to forbidden trapping, there is an additional ...
MBY 497:5 Which foods are considered “prepared” (i.e. non-muktzah) for Yom Tov (Part 3)
MBY 497:5 Which foods are considered “prepared” (i.e. non-muktzah) for Yom Tov (Part 3)
Ed.: Today I have come to drive you crazy with another trapping/muktzah “permutation”: How is it that fish can be considered already trapped before Yom Tov ...
MBY 497:3-4 Which foods are considered “prepared” (i.e. non-muktzah) for Yom Tov (Part 2)
MBY 497:3-4 Which foods are considered “prepared” (i.e. non-muktzah) for Yom Tov (Part 2)
In our last lesson we learned that an un-trapped animal on Yom Tov is muktzah because since a person is not permitted to trap it, it is “not prepared” for ...
MBY 497:1-2 Which foods are considered “prepared” (i.e. non-muktzah) for Yom Tov (Part 1)
MBY 497:1-2 Which foods are considered “prepared” (i.e. non-muktzah) for Yom Tov (Part 1)
MBY 497:1-2 Which foods are considered “prepared” (i.e. non-muktzah) for Yom Tov (Part 1)
Intro: The title of this siman suggests that the issue at hand ...
MBY 496:1-3 The Second day of Yom Tov in the Diaspora (abridged)
MBY 496:1-3 The Second day of Yom Tov in the Diaspora (abridged)
Intro: For Jews living outside of Eretz Yisrael, Yom Tov means two days each. (Only Rosh Hashanah is two days everywhere.) The origins of the two-day Yom Tov is the subject of a ...
MBY 495:1-4 A General Introduction to Melacha on Yom Tov
MBY 495:1-4 A General Introduction to Melacha on Yom Tov
Intro: Having just completed the bulk of the halachos of Shabbos (b’ezras Hashem!), we are pretty familiar with the complexity of the Thirty-Nine Melachos, right? Not to mention the ...
MBY 344:1-2 If a person lost track of the day of Shabbos (abridged)
MBY 344:1-2 If a person lost track of the day of Shabbos (abridged) The following quote from the Gemara Shabbos (69b) [translation excerpted from Artscroll Schottenstein Edition] forms the basis for the final siman in Mishnah Berura Volume ...
MBY 343 A Child on Shabbos (abridged)
When reading this lesson, which is excerpted from a special volume of Halacha in English by Rabbi Simcha Bunim Cohen Shlit”a, please read slowly and distinguish the subtleties of three distinct principles, which are closely related. I have ...
MBY 342 Rabbinic ordinances during ‘bein hash’mashos’ (twilight - abridged)
MBY 342 Rabbinic ordinances during ‘bein hash’mashos’ (twilight - abridged) [Excerpted from The 39 Melachos by Rabbi D. Ribiat, Vol. I pp. 143-150]
The Torah ordained that the calendar date changes (for halachic purposes) at the onset of night. ...
MBY 341:1-3 The Annulment of Vows (Nedarim) on Shabbos (abridged)
MBY 341:1-3 The Annulment of Vows (Nedarim) on Shabbos (abridged) [Excerpted from The 39 Melachos by Rabbi D. Ribiat, Vol. I pp. 110-111]
Hachana (preparing for post-Shabbos needs). The Sages forbade any extra effort or preparation (even minor) ...
MBY 340:1-14 Several Common ‘Tolados’ (sub-categories) of the ‘Melachos’ (abridged – part 7 - final)
MBY 340:1-14 Several Common ‘Tolados’ (sub-categories) of the ‘Melachos’ (abridged – part 7 - final)
7) Actions related to ‘koraya’ (tearing) [Excerpted from The 39 Melachos by Rabbi D. Ribiat, Vol. III pp. 825-833]
Koraya in the Mishkan ...
MBY 340:1-14 Several Common ‘Tolados’ (sub-categories) of the ‘Melachos’ (abridged – part 6)
MBY 340:1-14 Several Common ‘Tolados’ (sub-categories) of the ‘Melachos’ (abridged – part 6)
6) Actions related to ‘me’amer’ (winnowing) [Excerpted from The 39 Melachos by Rabbi D. Ribiat, Vol. II pp. 305-313]
The definition of Me’amer. After ...
MBY 340:1-14 Several Common ‘Tolados’ (sub-categories) of the ‘Melachos’ (abridged – part 5)
MBY 340:1-14 Several Common ‘Tolados’ (sub-categories) of the ‘Melachos’ (abridged – part 5)
5) Actions related to ‘makeh b’patish’ (final hammer blow) [Excerpted from The 39 Melachos by Rabbi D. Ribiat, Vol. IV, pp.1111, 1131, 1133-5]
The ...
MBY 340:1-14 Several Common ‘Tolados’ (sub-categories) of the ‘Melachos’ (abridged – part 4)
MBY 340:1-14 Several Common ‘Tolados’ (sub-categories) of the ‘Melachos’ (abridged – part 4)
4) Actions related to ‘Tofair’ (sewing)
[Excerpted from The 39 Melachos by Rabbi D. Ribiat, Vol. III, pp. 811, 812, 814-817]
a) The scope of ...
MBY 340:1-14 Several Common ‘Tolados’ (sub-categories) of the ‘Melachos’ (abridged – part 3)
MBY 340:1-14 3) Actions related to ‘Kosaiv’ (writing) [Excerpted from The 39 Melachos by Rabbi D. Ribiat, Vol. IV, pp. 945, 947, 961]
Forming any kind of letter, symbol, picture or design that conveys a particular meaning or represents an idea (in ...
MBY 340:1-14 Several Common ‘Tolados’ (sub-categories) of the ‘Melachos’ (abridged – part 1)
1) Pulling hair, fingernails, and warts (Related to “Gozez - shearing”) [Excerpted from The 39 Melachos by Rabbi D. Ribiat, Vol. III, pp. 673-681]
a) Cutting hair (even just a single one) from a human or animal with a hair-cutting instrument such ...
MBY 340:1-14 Several Common ‘Tolados’ (sub-categories) of the ‘Melachos’ (abridged – part 2)
2) Actions related to ‘Mochaik’ (erasing) [Excerpted from The 39 Melachos by Rabbi D. Ribiat, Vol. IV, pp. 986-989]
a) Introduction to ‘Mochaik’ (erasing). The melacha of mochaik may be defined as the cleaning of any surface to render it ...
MBY 339:1-7 Several Rabbinical Prohibitions on Shabbos (abridged)
MBY 339:1-7
(Excerpted from MBY Archives, The 39 Melachos, by Rabbi Ribiat (Vol. IV) and Mishnah Torah by Rambam (Laws of Shabbos, Chap. 23)
1) No riding an animal
(Excerpted from MBY 305:18-20 Allowing one’s animal to rest - part ...
MBY 338:1-8 Prohibitions against musical instruments and noisemaking (abridged)
MBY 338:1-8 Excerpted (mostly) from The 39 Melachos, by Rabbi Ribiat, Vol. IV, pp. 1159-1162.
The following topics are covered in this lesson:
1. Playing an instrument. It is prohibited to play musical instruments (Heb. ‘klei shir’) on ...
MBY 337:1-4 Sweeping the house (abridged)
The concept of ‘Davar sh’aino miskavein’ (possible consequence) and ‘p’sik reisha’ (inevitable consequence
Suppose you lived at a time when homes had dirt floors. Would it be permissible to sweep the floor on Shabbos? (Hint: One of the 39 ...
MBY 332:1-4 Laws relating to birthing and healing animals on Shabbos (abridged)
MBY 332:1-4 Laws relating to birthing and healing animals on Shabbos (abridged)
[Based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 87:22-24, “Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
22) You must not deliver an ...
MBY 333:1-3 Clearing a room on Shabbos (and matters related to ‘tircha’/strain – abridged)
[Excerpted from The 39 Melachos, by Rabbi D. Ribiat, Vol. I, pp. 106-110]
Toil and excessive strain on Shabbos (“tircha”)
A restriction against excessive physical strain is implied in the words of the Navi (Yeshaya 58): “… And you shall honor ...
MBY 334:1-27 Laws relating to a fire that breaks out on Shabbos (abridged – part 1)
[Based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 85:1-10, “Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
1. If, heaven forbid, a fire breaks out on Shabbos, our Sages were concerned that the head of the household and ...
MBY 334:1-27 Laws relating to a fire that breaks out on Shabbos (abridged – part 2)
[Based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 85:1-10, “Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
4. The houses where there is no fire, but are near the fire and the owners are afraid that the fire will also ...
MBY 334:1-27 Laws relating to a fire that breaks out on Shabbos (abridged – part 3 - final)
[Based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 85:1-8, “Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
5. All sacred books, whether they be handwritten or printed, may be rescued from a fire, a flood, and the like, ...
MBY 335:1-5 Laws relating to a barrel of wine or oil that breaks (abridged)
The previous siman dealt with a fire that broke out on Shabbos, and the fear that the Sages had that the homeowner may forget himself and commit prohibited acts in order to save his possessions. In this siman, the Shulchan Aruch deals with a ...
MBY 336:1-3 Laws relating to using a tree on Shabbos etc. (abridged – part 1)
The next siman deals with issues pertaining to one of the first of the 39 melachos: ‘kotzair’ (harvesting). Its first three paragraphs discuss the Rabbinic decree which prohibits climbing and using a tree, out of fear that one may forget that it is ...
MBY 336:4-12 Laws related to ‘zorea’/sowing and ‘kotzair’/harvesting (abridged)
[Based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch:
80:28,61, “Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
28) Anyone who spills liquid on soil where something grows is guilty of violating the law against sowing ...
Laws relating to feeding animals on Shabbos (abridged)
MBY 324:1-15 [Based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 87:11-18, “Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
11) A person may not measure out barley, using a measuring cup, to feed his animal; rather, he ...
Laws relating to cleaning and folding clothes (Part 2 – abridged)
MBY 302:1-13 [Based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 80:93, 84 “Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
93) You may not make your bed on Shabbos for use after Shabbos. Even if there is still time left ...
Knots and loops (part 3 abridged - final)
MBY 317:1-7 Excerpted from Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 80:45-46, (“Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis)
45) Usually when we want to tie something with two strings or ropes, or when we wind around a string or ...
Knots and loops (part 1 - abridged)
MBY 317:1-7 For this abridged presentation of Siman 317, we will begin with some notes I had in my files but never sent out in an MBY email. Following these notes, we will excerpt from Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 80:45-46, (“Metsudah” edition, with ...
Knots and loops (part 2 - abridged - final)
MBY 317:1-7
MBY 317:1-7 Knots and loops (abridged – part 2 - final)
Please review our last lesson before reading this one…
The Shulchan Aruch (Rav Yosef Karo, the ‘Mechaber’) rules in accordance with the Rambam and Ri”f’ interpretation – ...
Forbidden and Permissible Trapping (abridged)
MBY 316:1-12
The siman on ‘tzida’ (trapping) is rather long and complex. We will stick to our abridged approach and hopefully cover the most commonly relevant halachos.
MBY 316:1-12 Forbidden and Permissible Trapping (abridged)
[Based ...
Making an ‘ohel’ (tent) on Shabbos (siman summary - final)
MBY 315 Making an ‘ohel’ (tent) on Shabbos (siman summary - final)
Ed. Before leaving this siman, I would like to attempt (be”H) a brief summary lesson to clarify and simplify some of the major points of ‘boneh’ and ‘ohel’. We will not include ...
Making an ‘ohel’ (tent) on Shabbos (abridged)
MBY 315:6-13 [Based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 80:77-82, “Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
77) An ‘ohel’ (tent, i.e. a roof that shelters) – even if it is made only to shield from the sun or ...
Laws relating to doors, windows and locks on Shabbos (Part 1 - abridged)
MBY 313:1-5 [Based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 80:67-72, “Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
Intro: Our first topic is the closing of an opening in a wall with a makeshift “door”, as to whether ...
Laws relating to doors, windows and locks on Shabbos (Part 2 - abridged – final)
MBY 313:6-10 [Based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 80:83, “Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
Ed: This halacha seems to be slightly tangential to the title of the siman, dealing instead with the ...
Laws relating to doors, windows and locks on Shabbos (Part 2 - abridged)
MBY 313:1-5 [Based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 80:67-72, “Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
70) A door-like plank made of one piece may not be used to close a doorway that is not used for ...
Laws relating to cleaning and folding clothes (Part 3 – abridged - final)
MBY 302:1-13 [Based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 80:32-41, “Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
40) Wiping off mud from feet or shoes. Moist mud that is on your foot or shoe may generally be ...
The Torah’s commands to rest one’s avadim/slaves (abridged)
MBY 304 From the Mishnah Berura’s introduction to this siman:
1) Devarim (5:14) states: “… so that your eved and your amah may rest like you.” – This pasuk refers to an eved (i.e. male slave; amah refers to a female slave) who had himself ...
Laws relating to cleaning and folding clothes (Part 1 – abridged)
MBY 302:3 Have you ever seen people who do not fold their talis on Shabbos or they fold it in an unusual manner? Paragraph 3 of this siman is the source for these practices. The prohibition against folding clothing belongs to the ‘tikun maneh’ ...
The Principles of Tachshit (ornaments) (abridged)
MBY Siman 303 The literal definition of tachshit is ornament. However, in the context of Hotza’a (i.e. carrying), tachshit refers to any accessory on a person’s body, whether ornamental or otherwise. A tachshit is any ornament or accessory ...
Laws relating to cleaning and folding clothes (Part 2 – abridged)
MBY 302:1-13 [Based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 80:32-41, “Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
[Ed: The halachic issues involving cleaning stains from garments on Shabbos are complex, and one ...
Laws relating to cleaning and folding clothes (part 1 - abridged)
MBY 302:1-13 - [Based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 80:32-41, “Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
(Ed’s intro: Keep in mind that there are two primary concerns with a getting a cloth wet:
1) ...
The melacha of hotza’ah (carrying) (part 6.5 – abridged)
This next application may not be common today, but you never know!
MBY 301:24-28 [Based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 84:19, “Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
One who wears an amulet (Heb. ...
The melacha of hotza’ah (carrying) (part 8.5 – abridged)
MBY 301:34-35 [Based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 84:14, “Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
Regarding a handkerchief, it is customary to wrap it around the waist of the trousers. One should be ...
Remaining Halachos of Seuda (eating a meal – abridged-part 4)
MBY 169:1-3, 170:1-22, 171:1-5 (abridged) – part 4 [Quoted from Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 42:1-18 – Laws Pertaining to the Meal. Translation relies heavily on the “Metsudah” edition, by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
Ed: The following halachos relates to the ...
Remaining Halachos of Seuda (eating a meal – abridged – part 5 final)
MBY 169:1-3, 170:1-22, 171:1-5 (abridged) – part 5 - Final [Quoted from Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 42:1-18 – Laws Pertaining to the Meal. Translation relies heavily on the “Metsudah” edition, by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
12) When you drink water, you ...
Remaining Halachos of Brachos (abridged)
MBY 172:1-2 Remaining Halachos of Brachos (abridged) – [Quoted from Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 50:10 – Laws Pertaining to the Meal. Translation relies heavily on the “Metsudah” edition, by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
What to do if you put something into ...
Hand-washing during the meal (abridged)
MBY 173:1-3 Ed: I searched for the equivalent of this siman in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, but I could not find any reference to it. The topic is one I honestly knew nothing about, but it could be the source of a well-known practice that I have ...
The halachos of Tzitzis and its wrapping (part 1)
MBY 8:1-6 The first instruction we are given regarding the halachos of tzitzis is to always make the bracha and don the talis (both gadol–large and katan-small) while standing! Standing for the bracha is standard procedure for all brachos over ...
The halachos of Tzitzis and its wrapping (part 2)
MBY 8:7-12 Do not make a bracha on a talis katan unless you are sure that it has the right dimensions. We will learn more about the dimensions in a later siman. Briefly, the material of the garment must be a minimum of ¾ amah (cubit) long in front ...
The halachos of Tzitzis and its wrapping (part 3)
MBY 8:13-15 Multiple taleisim
In our previous lesson, we began a discussion about donning two taleisim in close proximity of one another. The common application of this halacha is when one dons his talis katan at home and soon afterward, his ...
The halachos of Tzitzis and its wrapping (part 4)
MBY 8:16-17 Question: If a person wore his talis katan the entire night long (sleeping or awake), should he make another bracha in the morning?
Answer: That is the famous Shavuos question! After learning the entire night, everyone wonders ...
Tzitzis: Garment materials (part 1)
MBY 9:1-2 Question: Which materials obligate a garment in the mitzvah of tzitzis?
Answer: First of all, every type of material is obligated. The question is only whether the obligation is from the Torah or from the rabbis. There are two ...
Tzitzis: Garment materials (part 2)
MBY 9:3-6 We learned that tzitzis strings made of wool satisfy the mitzvah for a garment of any material (except linen), while strings made of other materials satisfy only for garments made of that same material (e.g. silk strings for a silk ...
Tzitzis: The Corners (part 1)
MBY 10:1-5 Question: Are only four-cornered garments obligated in tzitzis?
Answer: Sort of. Three-cornered garments are not obligated. Five- or more-cornered garments are obligated, but one may only put four fringes on them, and the fringes ...
Tzitzis: The Corners (part 2)
MBY 10:6-10 Question: If a large sheet-like garment is folded in half and worn over the body, where would the tzitzis need to be placed – in the “middle” of the large garment, which are presently the “new corners” of the folded garment, or on the ...
Tzitzis: The Corners (part 3)
MBY 10:11-12 Yesterday we learned that a four-cornered head-dress is not obligated in tzitzis, because it does not qualify as “your garment”, which implies a garment whose primary purpose is to cover the torso. In a similar vein, there commonly ...
Tzitzis: The Strings (part 1)
MBY 11:1-2 “For G-d’s sake!”
The Torah states: “Gedilim ta’aseh lach…’ - (“Tzitzis-fringes shall you make for yourself”) The rabbis expound from this verse that, in addition to the ‘kavana’ (intent) that one must have when wearing the tzitzis ...
Tzitzis: The Strings (part 2)
MBY 11:3-5 In our previous lesson, we introduced the term ‘shezira’ (twisting), as a requirement that the spun one-ply thread must be twisted and at least doubled to form a two-ply thread. The halacha teaches that this requirement is crucial to the ...
Tzitzis: The Strings (part 3)
MBY 11:6-9 Our first two topics today will hopefully never apply, so we will mention them just briefly:
1) Stolen wool or tzitzis strings. These should not be used for the mitzvah, as the Sages inferred from the pasuk, “And they shall make for ...
Tzitzis: The Strings (part 4)
MBY 11:10-15 In our last lesson, we were given the range of placement of the hole through which the strings are threaded into the garment. It was more than a half-thumb’s length and less than three- fingers-width from both the side and bottom ...
Tzitzis: Factors which invalidate the strings
MBY 12:1-3 We have learned that each tzitzis-fringe has four double-strings, which equal eight singles. We have also learned that each fringe must measure at least twelve thumb-breadths, four of which are occupied by the ‘g’dil’, or the braided ...
Tzitzis: Special considerations for Shabbos
MBY 13:1-3 Did you know that if your tzitzis are not kosher and you walk outside of an eruv on Shabbos, you are violating Shabbos?
“Why?” you ask. “I am wearing a garment; that’s not carrying!”
Your garment is not the problem. The problem is ...
Tzitzis: A non-Jew or woman; a borrowed talis
MBY 14:1-5 Here are a few brief “bullets”:
● Although we learned that a non-Jew could be used, as a last resort, to make the tzitzis strings - since he can be instructed to make them for the sake of the mitzvah - he may definitely not tie ...
Tzitzis: Moving fringes from one garment to another; fixing a torn talis (abridged)
MBY 15:1-6 One should generally never remove a kosher tzitzis fringe from the kosher talis of a living person, out of respect for the mitzvah, unless his purpose in doing so is to use that fringe on a different garment. (Ed: We will learn about the ...
The size of a garment that is obligated in ‘tzitzis’
MBY 16 Question: How big must a garment be in order for the obligation to affix ‘tzitzis’ to apply? Another way to ask the question is: when I go to the Jewish gift shop to buy a pair of ‘tzitzis’ (i.e. a ‘talis katan’) for myself, what size should ...
Who is obligated in the mitzvah of ‘tzitzis’?
MBY 17:1-3 Regarding the mitzvah of tzitzis, the Torah states (Bamidbar 15:39 ), ‘…ur’isem oso, uz’chartem…’ (“…that you may see it and remember…”)
Question: What is implied by the phrase “you may see”: Is it that one who cannot see (i.e. a blind ...
When is one obligated in the mitzvah of ‘tzitzis’? (part 1)
MBY 18:1-2 In our last lesson, we quoted a pasuk - (Bamidbar 15:39 ), ‘…ur’isem oso, uz’chartem…’ (“…that you may see it and remember…”) – from which we derive that the mitzvah of tzitzis does not apply at night, when it is too dark to see. In a ...
When is one obligated in the mitzvah of ‘tzitzis’? (part 2 - final)
MBY 18:3 In our last lesson, we learned that the mitzvah of tzitzis - and hence our ability to make the bracha over the mitzvah – is only in the daytime.
Question: When does “day” start, in this regard?
Answer: In this halachic application, ...
Making the bracha on the mitzvah of ‘tzitzis’?
MBY 19:1-2 Question: What exactly is the mitzvah of tzitzis? Is the mitzvah performed at the moment that one ties the tzitzis onto the garment, as the pasuk states (Bamidbar 15:37), ”…that they shall make themselves tzitzis on the corners of their ...
Buying and selling tzitzis
MBY 20:1-2 Question: Who can one trust with the kashrus (i.e. halachic validity) of a talis and tzitzis?
(Note: This is a major question - as are all matters of food and mitzvah articles – and it should not be taken lightly. In particular, ...
Shehecheyanu on a talis?
MBY 22 Question: Is there an obligation to make the bracha Shehecheyanu when one puts on a new talis?
Answer: Perhaps, but let’s pause to briefly orient ourselves to this bracha - when it does and does not apply. The following are four criteria ...
Wearing tzitzis in a cemetery
MBY 23:1-3 Many people who wear tzitzis - especially those who wear them hanging outside of their pants(!) - are familiar with the custom of tucking them in when one attends a funeral (R”L) or visits a cemetery. This custom is based upon a concept ...
The great reward for the mitzvah of tzitzis
MBY 24:1-6 While there is technically no obligation to tie tzitzis if one does not wear a 4-cornered garment, it is well-known that Jews have always made it a point to create that obligation by obtaining and wearing a ‘talis katan’ throughout the ...
The Bracha ‘Hatov v’HaMeitiv’ (part 2 - abridged final)
MBY 175: 1-6 [Quoted from Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 49:8-14 – Laws Pertaining to the Bracha over Wine. Translation relies heavily on the “Metsudah” edition, by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
With this lesson, we complete the halachos of ‘HaTov v’HaMeitiv’ ...
Baked goods eaten during the meal (abridged)
MBY 176 [Quoted from Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 43:6 – Laws Pertaining to the Brachos over special courses during the meal.]
Regarding baked goods, such as cakes, tortes, mandel bread etc., if one eats them during a meal (i.e. over which he washed and ...
Covering the knives before Birkas Hamazon (abridged)
MBY 180:5 [Quoted from Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 44:4 – Laws Concerning the Washing of Hands After a Meal. Translation relies heavily on the “Metsudah” edition, by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
Ed. Here is a fascinating ‘minhag’ (custom), which I have seen ...
Vessels placed under Shabbos lamps (abridged)
MBY 265:1-4 [Based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 75:11 – The Laws of Candlelighting, “Metsudah” edition, translated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
In this short siman, two rather complex issues are introduced, regarding the use of oil lamps on ...
Laws of Kiddush (abridged)
MBY 272:1-8 (abridged) Laws of Kiddush (part 9) [Based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 77:3 – The Laws of Kiddush, “Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
From the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch:
“It is a ...
300 Remaining Halachos pertaining to Havdalah (part 1 - abridged)
MBY 299:2-10 - based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 96:5-6, 12-15 – The Laws Concerning Maariv and Havdalah, “Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
5) Similarly, one may do no melacha (i.e. acts ...
300 Remaining Halachos pertaining to Havdalah (part 2 - abridged)
MBY 299:2-10 - [Based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 96:5-6, 12-15 – The Laws Concerning Maariv and Havdalah, “Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
6) If one prolongs the Maariv prayer at the end of ...
300 Remaining Halachos pertaining to Havdalah (part 3 - abridged)
MBY 299:2-10 - [Based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 96:5-6, 12-15 – The Laws Concerning Maariv and Havdalah, “Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
13) If possible, one should fulfill the mitzvah of ...
Walking on Shabbos (abridged)
MBY 301:1-6 [Based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 80:36-37, “Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
As a prelude to the major topic of carrying vs. wearing clothing on Shabbos, the halacha touches upon ...
The Seudas Purim (the Purim feast) and Mishloach Manos (food for friends)
MBY 695:1-4 What should the Purim day schedule look like?
1) After davening shacharis with the appropriate additions (see above siman 693), one is obligated to hear the Megilah again. Although the earlier the better (i.e. preferably after ...
The melacha of hotza’ah (carrying) (part 2.5 – abridged)
MBY 301:8-10 [Based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 84:2, “Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
Especially, a man should be careful not to go out with a ring on which there is no engraved seal, and ...
The melacha of hotza’ah (carrying) (part 3.5 – abridged)
MBY 301:12 [Based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 84:1, “Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
Regarding any article that is neither a garment nor an ornament, one is forbidden to walk out with it into ...
The melacha of hotza’ah (carrying) (part 5.5 – abridged)
MBY 301:19-22 [Based heavily upon Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 84:6-9, “Metsudah” edition, with notes, translated and annotated by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
6) A person who is shackled in chains may walk out with them on Shabbos.
7) One may not walk out ...
The Bracha ‘Hatov v’HaMeitiv’ (part 1 - abridged)
MBY 175: 1-6 [Quoted from Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 49:8-14 – Laws Pertaining to the Bracha over Wine. Translation relies heavily on the “Metsudah” edition, by Rabbi Avrohom Davis]
8) If a group was drinking one kind of wine, whether during the meal ...
Halachos of Waking up in the morning (part 1)
MBY 1:1 What kind of halachos are there about waking up?
Here are several:
1) Wake up like a lion – with a start and ready to stand up and serve Hashem by doing His will – after all, that is why we were created!
2) Wake up the morning; don’t ...
Halachos of waking up in the morning (part 2)
MBY 1:2-4 Speaking of waking up in the morning, the Shulchan Aruch discusses next the ancient practice of waking up in the middle of the night to recite special prayers called ‘tikun chatzos’ (lit. the rectification of mid-night). The theme of ...
Halachos of waking up in the morning (part 3)
MBY 1:5-9 For this lesson, you will need an English Artscroll Siddur. We will attempt to familiarize ourselves with certain pages and sections which are omitted in a standard minyan. The reason they are printed in the Siddur is because of what is ...
Halachos of getting dressed (part I)
MBY 2:1-2 If you thought it strange that there are halachos of waking up, wait till you learn the halachos of getting dressed…
The first subject addressed in this siman is the notion of ‘tznius’ (modesty) before Hashem. Now, on one hand, Hashem ...
Halachos of using the bathroom (abridged)
MBY 3:1-17 In this lesson, we will learn the most relevant halachos and principles in this siman. Some of the points seem practical, more than halachic. I guess this reinforces the idea that halacha is not simply a set of “rules”; it is a ...
Halachos of washing the hands in the morning (part I)
MBY 4:1a In this very brief introductory lesson, we would like to clarify something that some people may be unaware of. Most of us are familiar of with the concept of ‘negel vasser’ (Ed. I can’t even translate it literally, but it refers to the ...
Halachos of washing the hands in the morning (part II)
MBY 4:1b In our introductory lesson to this siman, we learned that there are three reasons that we must wash our hands in the morning:
1) To remove the ‘ruach ra’ah’ (evil spirit) which rests on our hands when we sleep (a.k.a. ‘negel vasser’). ...
Halachos of washing the hands in the morning (part III)
MBY 4:2-23 In truth, to fully encompass the topic of hand-washing (and I am not even touching the hand-washing before a meal), we must back up again and identify actually three different reasons for hand-washing. For this summary, I was aided in ...
Birchos Hashachar - morning brachos (part I)
MBY 5 Before learning about brachos, the Shulchan Aruch wants us to know a little about the meaning of a brachah, and in particular, the meaning of the various names of Hashem. Indeed, the most important aspect of ‘kavanah’ (intent) of any bracha ...
Birchos Hashachar - morning brachos (part II)
MBY 6:1 Speaking of the meaning of the brachos, let us examine today the amazing bracha we recite after performing our bodily functions – known as ‘Asher Yatzar’ (translation taken from the Artscroll Siddur, p. 15):
“Blessed… Who fashioned man ...
Birchos Hashachar - morning brachos (part III)
MBY 6:2-4 The ‘birchos hashachar’ consist of four preliminary brachos – ‘al netilas yadayim’ (over the morning hand-washing), ‘asher yatzar’ (over our bodily functions), ‘birchos haTorah’ (over Torah study) and ‘Elokai, neshama’ (restoration of the ...
Birchos Hashachar - morning brachos (part IV)
MBY 7:1-4 This lesson is entitled: “Everything you ever wanted to know about making the bracha ‘asher yatzar’ after using the bathroom, but were afraid to ask!”
Q: How many times a day does one make this bracha?
A: However many times he uses ...
Birchos Hashachar - morning brachos (part V)
MBY 46:1-2 Ed: Please note that that we have just moved from siman 7 to siman 46, and yet we are still on the same topic – Birchos Hashachar! How can that be? Because the Shulchan Aruch interrupts the halachos of brachos to instruct us on the ...
Birchos Hashachar - morning brachos (part VI)
MBY 46:3 Have you ever considered how many brachos one makes altogether during the course of a day?
This is not merely fun trivia. The Shulchan Aruch writes that a Jew is obligated to make one hundred brachos a day! This practice originated as ...
Birchos Hashachar - morning brachos (part VII)
MBY 46:4-8 There are a few of the Birchos Hashachar litany that were not listed in part 5 of this siman. The reason they were not mentioned with the others is because they have “issues” (or at least potential issues), as we will discuss ...
Birchos Hashachar - morning brachos (part VIII)
MBY 46:9 There are just two small points we need in order to finish this siman and topic:
1) Reciting pesukim as tefila before Birchos HaTorah. The one group of morning brachos we have not yet discussed much is the Birchos HaTorah (i.e. the ...
Specific Laws of Tefillin part I
MBY 25:1-4 Specific Laws of Tefillin (part 1)
‘Talis and Tefillin’
People tend to think of ‘Talis and Tefillin’ as a “set”! While they are, in fact, two distinct mitzvos, they are both typically worn during the morning tefila. ...
Specific Laws of Tefillin part II
MBY 25:5-10 Question: What ‘kavana’ (thoughts or intentions) should one have when donning the tefillin?
Answer: There are two different ‘kavanos’ one should have - one general and the other specific.
The general: the fulfillment of a Torah ...
Specific Laws of Tefillin part II continued
MBY 25:5-10 Question: How many brachos are made over the tefillin – one for the ‘tefillin shel yad’ (hand) and one for the ‘tefillin shel rosh’ (head), or just one bracha for both?
Answer: That really depends on whether you are of the Ashkenazic ...
Specific Laws of Tefillin part III
MBY 25:11-12 Question: We have learned that the donning of the ‘shel rosh’ should follow closely after the donning of the ‘shel yad’. How does the winding of the ‘retzua’ (strap) around the arm figure into that – i.e. after how many winds around ...
Specific Laws of the Tefillin part IV
MBY 25:13 Question: We learned above that it is most important to wear the tefillin during the Shema section and the Shemoneh Esrei. Suppose a person is able to wear them throughout most of the service, but for one reason or another, he must take ...
The Positioning of the Tefillin part I
MBY 27:1-4 In this siman, we will learn many “cardinal rules” about the proper positioning of the ‘batim’ (tefillin boxes) and ‘retzuos’ (straps) of the tefillin ‘shel yad’ and ‘shel rosh’. I say “cardinal” because it is completely possible that a ...
The positioning of the Tefillin part II
MBY 27:5-8 In the previous lesson, we learned that a “lefty” puts tefillin on his right arm rather than on his left arm. The halacha states that an ambidextrous person puts the tefiilin on his left arm, like a “righty”. Sound simple? Not so fast ...
The Positioning of the Tefillin part III
MBY 27:9-11 Now we get to one of the “weak spots” of the mitzvah of wearing tefillin: the proper placement of the ‘bayis’ of the ‘shel rosh’. Unfortunately. many people are either unaware, or less than vigilant about the “lower boundary” prescribed ...
Taking Off the Tefillin
MBY 28:1-2 Last week we learned that it is recommended for a person to periodically check the position of his tefillin – particularly the ‘shel rosh’ – because it tends to shift downward or to the sides, which are “out of bounds” in terms of the ...
Taking off the Tefillin continued
MBY 29 A bracha for taking off the tefillin?
Have you ever heard of a bracha that is recited when the tefillin are removed?
If you said no, that’s good, because our practice is not to say one. However, the question is not so far-fetched. ...
The Time for Tefillin
MBY 30:1-5 Yesterday, we learned the following:
“Actually, according to the Torah, we could wear our tefillin all day and all night! The reason we do not wear our tefillin at night is because the rabbis decreed that we must not.” (See reason ...
Tefillin on Shabbos and Yom Tov
MBY 31:1 Almost everyone knows that we do not wear tefillin on Shabbos and Yom Tov. The question is: why not? The complete answer to this question is surprisingly complex, which is why I want to learn it with you. In the process, we will also ...
Tefillin on Shabbos and Yom Tov continued
MBY 31:2 Any one who wears tefillin is bound (n.p.i.) to ask (or be asked): “Do I/you wear tefillin on Chol Hamoed (the intermediary days of Pesach and Sukkos)? And it is amazing how there is such a split response to this question. There doesn’t ...
Misc. Halachos of Tefillin
Some of the remaining holes we have in Mishna Berura Volume 1 pertain to the halachos of Tefillin (and that’s notwithstanding the many lessons we had in it!) For the most part, these halachos are relevant to the scribe, not the average “consumer”. ...
The Tefillin Batim (boxes) Intro and part I
MBY 32:37 Intro: In the next series of halachos, we will learn about subjects that most people never learn about – the making of tefillin. You might say that the reason most people don’t learn about it is because they don’t make them; experts do! ...
The Tefillin Batim (boxes) part II
MBY 32:38 If you’ve ever examined the ‘batim’ of a ‘shel yad’ and a ‘shel rosh’ closely, you have probably noticed a big difference between them. The ‘bayis’ (sing. for ‘batim’) of the ‘shel yad’ is smooth, while the ‘bayis’ of the ‘shel rosh’ has ...
The Tefillin Batim (boxes) part III
MBY 32:39 The next qualification of the ‘batim’ – both the ‘shel rosh’ and ‘shel yad’ – is ‘ribua’ (square-ness).
What needs to be square? Look (or imagine) a ‘bayis’: It has a large cube sitting atop a square base, which is larger than the cube. ...
The Tefillin Bstim (boxes) part IV
MBY 32:40 The following are some features of the ‘batim’ of the tefillin, which are halachically desirable, but not crucial:
1) Blackness of the ‘batim’: While we are always careful to paint the ‘batim’ black, and to touch them up when the color ...
The Tefillin Batim (boxes) part V
MBY 32:41-42 Question: What are the minimum dimensions required for the ‘batim’?
Answer: Two fingers-width for both length and width of the ‘bayis’ (and that includes the larger square at the base of the ‘bayis’ – called the ‘titura’!) [Ed: ...
The Tefillin Batim (boxes) part VI
MBY 32:43-47 Here is a list of several additional “bullet points” concerning the ‘batim’:
▪ The ‘titura’ (larger square which is the base of the ‘bayis’) may be made of a separate piece of leather than the main cube; however, it is ...
The Tefillin Batim (boxes) part VII
MBY 32:48-52 A few more “bullets” to complete the siman:
▪ Although we learned that the ‘batim’ should preferably not be coated by anything other than paint, it would be kosher if a thicker layer was plated over it, provided that it was made ...
Fixing Tefillin / Retzuos (straps) part I
MBY 33:1 We have learned that the ‘bayis shel rosh’ is made up of four compartments which are one – i.e. either made originally from the same leather, or fused together somehow. If there is a hole or a tear or two in the leather of the ...
Fixing Tefillin / Retzuos (straps) part II
MBY 33:2-4 Torn stitching
If some of the stitching around the base of the ‘titura’ (i.e. the large square under the cubed ‘bayis’) tears, the tefillin must be fixed, particularly if three or more stitches tear. In the event that no other ...
Fixing Tefillin / Retzuos (straps) part III
MBY 33:5 Torn ‘retzuos’
Question: If the ‘retzuos’ of the tefillin ‘shel rosh’ or ‘shel yad’ tear, can they be repaired (i.e. sewn) or must they be replaced?
Short Answer: It depends on two factors: 1) at what point along the length of the ...
Tefillin of Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam
MBY 34:1-4 For this siman, we will present a synopsis of the halachic background behind the curious practice of some Jews who wear two different pairs of tefillin.
As we have learned, each ‘bayis’ of tefillin contains four ‘parshiyos’ (paragraphs) ...
A Listing of more Tefillin topics for the scribe
MBY 35
1) The number of lines of text in the Tefillin parchments
MBY 36
1) Precision in the writing of the letters
2) Parts of letters that must touch
3) Adding the crowns (Heb, ‘tagin’) to certain letters
At this point, the ...
Who is obligated, and who is excused from the mitzvah of tefillin (part I)
MBY 38:1-4 In our last lesson, we learned that a necessary condition for the wearing of tefillin is a clean mind and body. We all know that sometimes maintaining a clean body is beyond a person’s control, such as one who has stomach or intestinal ...
Who is obligated and who is excused from the mitzvah of tefillin (part II)
MBY 38:5-7 Question: Does a mourner wear tefillin?
Answer: When a person dies (r”l = ‘rachmana litz’lan’ – “May the Merciful One spare us”), the immediate relatives (i.e. father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter and spouse) are in the ...
Who is obligated and who is excused from the mitzvah of tefillin (part III)
MBY 38:8-13 Here are a few more halachos to complete the siman:
1) In a very limited way, there may be an exemption from the mitzvah of tefillin for a person who is completely consumed by his continuous involvement in another mitzvah.
2) ...
Who is Qualified to make and sell tefillin? (part I)
MBY 39:1-6 In the first paragraph of the Shema, it states, “You shall bind them (i.e. the words of the Torah) upon your arm… And you shall write them on the doorposts of your houses and your gates.” Our Sages reveal that by juxtaposing the commands ...
Who is qualified to make and sell tefillin? (part II)
MBY 39:7-9 Question: What if an evil villain captures tefillin, and will return them only for a hefty ransom – are we required to oblige him his price?
Answer: Only if his price is no more than slightly higher than their true value; otherwise, we ...
Who is qualified to make and sell tefillin? (part III
MBY 39:10 Question: Do tefillin need to be checked? If so, how often?
Answer: If you ask the average tefillin-wearing Jew on the street, he will tell you that you have to have them checked twice in seven years. (How you ever heard that?) This ...
Treating Tefillin with respect of a holy article (abridged)
MBY 40:1 As I am sure everyone is aware, tefillin are holy articles (Heb: ‘tashmishei kedusha’), not far behind a ‘sefer Torah’ (Torah scroll). As such, extreme care must be taken, not merely that they do not become damaged or disgraced, but that ...
