Halocho #1010 - Do a Mitzva: Keep your home safe

The Torah says in דברים פרק כב:ח:

 כִּי תִבְנֶה בַּיִת חָדָשׁ, וְעָשִׂיתָ מַעֲקֶה לְגַגֶּךָ; וְלֹא-תָשִׂים דָּמִים בְּבֵיתֶךָ, כִּי-יִפֹּל הַנֹּפֵל מִמֶּנּוּ

It's a Mitzvah to put a fence around one's roof to prevent people from falling off.

The fence must be at least 10 Tefachim high (80 cm, 2 feet 7½ inches) and must be strong enough that a person can lean on it and not fall. A roof that is never used does not need a fence.

Similarly, any life threatening danger needs preventive protection as appropriate. E.g. a well or pit needs a fence or a cover strong enough to ensure nobody falls in.

For the same reason one may not own a dangerous dog nor a shaky ladder.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 190:1,2

- Danny
Monday, 11 Tevet 5773

Halocho #988 - Your life or your Shabbat

Saving lives takes precedence over Shabbat. (Saving lives takes precedence over all sins besides for idolatry, adultery and murder.)

Even if the danger is not certain, one must transgress Shabbat - if needed - and take care of the potential danger.

When a potential life threatening situation arises on Shabbat, one first takes care of the danger - and later one can ask questions for future reference.

Even if a non-Jew is available, one desecrates Shabbat and does not waste time trying to get the non-Jew to avert the danger.

Even if many people desecrated Shabbat to avert a danger, and they unnecessarily duplicated each others efforts, they all get rewarded for their efforts to save a life.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 92:1

Shabbat Shalom,
- Danny
8 Kislev 5773

Halocho #717 - Banana peels

It is forbidden to throw items into the street - or anywhere that people walk - if it could cause damage.

This includes glass items and slippery items.

If one dropped something dangerous one is responsible for the damage it causes and one has an obligation to clean it up.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 184:3

- Danny
Tuesday, 28 Tevet 5771

Halocho # 455 - Dangerous property

One must ensure that people do not get hurt on ones property.

E.g. a well or pit needs a fence or a cover strong enough to ensure nobody falls in.

Similarly one may not own a dangerous dog nor a shaky ladder.

Source Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 190:1

- Danny
Monday, 6 Kislev 5770

Halocho #358 - May one consult a wizard?

In this week's Torah Reading we will read all about Bilam the Wizard's failed attempts to curse the Jews.

The Torah commands us to kill all witches and wizards. (Shmot 22:17)

It's forbidden to consult with soothsayers, witches, wizards and their ilk.

To treat a life threatening situation that seems to be caused by the occult one may use a non-Jewish witch or wizard.

(Whether witches and wizards really exist, or if they are simply muggles adept at sleight of hand, is a matter of dispute amongst Rabbinical authorities.)

Source Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 166:5

- Danny Monday, 7 Tamuz 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה

Halocho #314 - Come to Israel!

Living in Eretz Yisrael is a Mitzva. Walking 4 Amot (~2 m.) in Eretz Yisrael is a Mitzva. Even moving to Eretz Yisrael is considered part of the Mitzva. One may not leave Eretz Yisrael except to learn Torah, get married, to escape from danger or for business trips. Source: - Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 248:4 - ספר המצות הקצר - מצות לא תעשה קצב - Danny Tuesday, 4 Iyar 5769, 19th day of the Omer

Please daven for a complete recovery for Yosef Ben Rachel who ruptured his colon and will be undergoing a second surgery in July.

Halocho #132 - Who must fast on 9 B'Av?

On 9 B'Av almost everybody needs to fast. Pregnant and nursing mothers need to fast on 9 B'Av even if it causes them discomfort, unless it's dangerous to their health. When in doubt, consult your LOR (Local Orthodox Rabbi). During the first 7 days after childbirth, a mother is not allowed to fast. Anybody who isn't healthy should only fast for a few hours. This includes a mother between 7 and 30 days after childbirth unless she feels up to fasting. When in doubt, consult your LOR. Children are not allowed to fast. Those who are not fasting should limit their food intake to the bare minimum; only bread and water if possible. Before eating, one needs to make Havdala this year (and any other year when 9 B'Av is on Sunday). Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 124:6 - Danny Monday, 25 Tamuz 5768

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Halocho #11 – Protection from dangerous items

Any life threatening danger needs preventive protection as appropriate. E.g. a well or pit needs a fence or a cover strong enough to ensure nobody falls in. Similarly one may not own a dangerous dog nor a shaky ladder. Source KSA 190:1-2

Halocho #10 - A fence around your roof

It's a mitzvah to put a fence around ones roof to prevent people from falling off. The fence must be at least 10 tefochim high and must be strong enough that a person can lean on it and not fall. A roof that is never used doesn't need a fence. Source: KSA 190:1

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