Halocho #701 - Who should light the Chanukah Menorah?

This year Chanukah starts on Thursday, 2nd December 2010. We will light the first flame on Wednesday afternoon, 1st Dec.

Since both men and women were included in the miracle of Chanukah, they both need to light the Chanukah Menorah.

At least one person per household must light.

The custom is for everybody to light, including children under Bar Mitzva. However, married couples share one Chanukah Menorah that either the husband or wife lights.

Even blind people should light, if they live by themselves.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:16

- Danny
Tuesday, 23 Kislev 5771

Halocho #679 - Being responsible to the last minute

When returning an object that you were asked to safeguard, or when returning a loan, it must be returned to the person who gave it to you.

Giving it to a member their household is not acceptable;  if something happens to the item you would be held responsible.

However, giving it to the owner's spouse is permitted, unless you were explicitly asked not to do so, since spouses trust each other to look after each other's property.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 188:5

- Danny
Sunday, 23 Marcheshvan 5771

Please daven for 3 year old David ben Lea who has bacteria in his blood

Halocho #357 - Where is your Ketubah?

A husband's obligations to his wife are documented in a contract called a Ketubah.

The Chattan gives a signed and witnessed Ketubah to his Kallah under the Chuppah.

The Ketubah must be in the wife's possession for as long as she remains married.

Anytime the Ketubah gets lost, the couple needs to immediately contact a Rabbi, since they are not allowed to live together without a valid Ketubah.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 145:11

- Danny Sunday, 6 Tamuz 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Yisrael Meir ben Ruth - ישראל מאיר בן רות

Halocho #340 - Are the laws of Sotah applicable nowadays?

In Parshat Naso we learn about the Sotah; a wife who has been warned by her husband not to seclude herself with a man she seems [too] friendly with.

If she disobeys - and secludes herself with him - she is forbidden to live with her husband until she is taken to the Bet Hamikdash and giving the Sotah-water to drink to prove her innocence.

It's a Mitzva for a husband to ensure that his wife follows Halacha - especially in matters of modest behavior. However, he has to be careful never to say to her "do not seclude yourself with Mr. so-and-so".

Even warning her privately is a problem, since if she disobeys she may be a Sotah; and nowadays there's no way to give her Sotah-water to drink.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 145:25

- Danny Wednesday, 11 Sivan 5769

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

Halocho #218 - Do married daughters have to respect their parents?

Sons and daughters both have the same obligation to fear and respect their parents.

However, if a daughter has a conflict between respecting her parents or her husband, then her husband has priority.

However, if her husband doesn't mind, then her parents have priority.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 143:13

- Danny Wednesday, 6 Kislev 5769

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