5.5 Lech Lecho 5785 – Panorama of Halacha
1) When writing a Kesubah, should names ending with א-ל or י-ה be written normally, or with a hyphen or apostrophe? [1]
2) A Mezuza was affixed diagonally, but tilted backwards rather than forward. Is it OK? [2]
3) Is bowing at Modim done differently to the other bows in Shmoine Esrei? [3]
4) A group of non-Jewish school-children are visiting a synagogue. May I open the Oron Kodesh and open a Sefer Torah for them to see?[4]
5) What is the background to the custom of having two lit candles in front of the Chazan, and in the case of a Chiyuv – to light five candles?[5]
6) The husband is able to light Menorah at the ideal time – right after sunset, but his wife can only be home an hour and a half later. Should he light on time or wait for her? [6]
7) If he does wait for her, may he eat in the interim?[7]
8) In error I placed £300 in my Charity Account, when I really intended to give £30. May I consider the extra £270 as Maaser for future earnings?[8]
9) A Jewish locksmith works for a non-Jewish firm. He was given a job: to fix the door of a church. Is he allowed to keep the payment?[9]
10) Our online order landed us with avocadoes from Eretz Yisroel. May we eat them; give them to a non-Jew; throw in the bin?[10]
11) What is the difference between Geshem [in the 2nd brocho of Shmoine Esrei] and Motor [in the 9th brocho]?[11]
[1] ס’ גנזי הקודש ע’ 96; משפט הכתובה ח”ב פי”ד.
[2] רמ”א יו”ד סי’ רפט ס”ו; שכל טוב שם אות קמה.
[3] ראה שוע”ר סי’ קיג ס”ו; פסקי תשובות שם אות ד; ‘התקשרות’ גליונות שצ, שצג, תט.
[4] ראה ספר חסידים אות תקלג; נתיבים בשדה השליחות ח”ב ע’ 266 ואילך.
[5] ספר המנהגים-חב”ד ע’ 18; פסקי תשובות ח”ב סי’ קנא הע’ 91.
[6] ראה רמב”ם סוף הלכות חנוכה; רמ”א סו”ס תער”ב.
[7] ראה נתיבים בשדה השליחות ח”ב ע’ 138-9.
[8] ראה ס’ צדקה ומשפט פ”ה סי”א, ובהערות שם.
[9] שו”ע יו”ד סי’ קמג ס”ב.
[11] ראה ערוך השלחן סי’ קיד סק”ב; מלבי”ם זכרי’ י, א.