Halocho #2392 - Selling Chametz to a non-Jew

Since most of us don't want to start selling Chametz on Erev Pessach, one can go to most local Rabbis and appoint them as a messenger to sell our Chametz.

The Rabbi will make a legal sale of the Chametz including a legal document and a deposit. Realize that this is a bona fide sale, and that the non-Jew is entitled to come to our homes and request we hand over our Chametz, as has occasionally happened.

After Pesach, the Rabbi goes to the non-Jew and asks to be paid the remainder of the debt and offers to buy back the Chametz from the non-Jew at a higher price. Since the non-Jew usually prefers to make a quick profit rather than paying for hundreds of items scattered throughout the city, he will sell the Chametz to the Rabbi.

One should only sell Chametz and not the containers it's in - especially not containers that require Tevila, like metal and glass, otherwise one would need to Toivel them in a Mikva after Pessach since they belonged to a non-Jew during Pesach.

Chametz that has been sold (via the Rabbi) must be locked away so that one doesn't accidentally use it, which would be a double problem: Chametz on Pessach and stealing from the non-Jew.

Even if one has no intention of keeping Chametz in one's home, one should still go to a Rabbi to appoint him to sell one's Chametz. Why?

A lot of products may be Chametz contrary to popular belief - depending on the latest production methods - like medications, creams, soaps or even food which one discovers later wasn't really Kosher for Pesach.

During Pessach one may discover Chametz that one wasn't aware of, or that one forgot to get rid of in the last-minute pre-Pessach rush.

If one sold all one's Chametz then one didn't own any during Pessach; a Torah prohibition.

Chametz that belonged to a Jew during Pessach may not be used after Pessach. This is a Rabbinical decree; a punishment for owning the Chametz.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 114

 מִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ הַרְבֵּה חָמֵץ שֶׁאֵינוֹ יָכוֹל לְבַעֲרוֹ מִן הָעוֹלָם, צָרִיךְ לְמָכְרוֹ לְאֵינוֹ יְהוּדִי קֹדֶם הַפֶּסַח בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁהוּא עֲדַיִן מֻתָּר בַּהֲנָאָה. 

וְלֹא יְהֵא עִנְיַן מְכִירַת חָמֵץ אֵצֶל הָאָדָם כְּמוֹ מִצְוַת אֲנָשִׁים מְלֻמָּדָה, אֶלָּא צָרִיךְ שֶׁיִּגְמוֹר בְּדַעְתּוֹ שֶׁהוּא מוֹכְרוֹ בֶּאֱמֶת לְהָאֵינוֹ יְהוּדִי מְכִירָה גְּמוּרָה וַחֲלוּטָה. וְלֹא יִמְכּוֹר בְּיֹקֶר מִן הַמְּחִיר הָרָאוּי. וּלְאַחַר הַפֶּסַח יְבַקֵּשׁ מֵאֵת הָאֵינוֹ יְהוּדִי שֶׁיְשַׁלֵּם לוֹ אֶת הַחוֹב. וְכַאֲשֶׁר יְשִׁיבֵהוּ שֶׁאֵין לוֹ כֶּסֶף, יְבַקֵּשׁ מִמֶּנּוּ שֶׁיַּחֲזוֹר וְיִמְכּוֹר לוֹ אֶת הֶחָמֵץ עִם (הַחֶדֶר) בְּעַד כָּךְ וְכָךְ. 

וְלֹא יְהֵא הַדָּבָר כְּחוֹכָא בְּעָלְמָא, אֶלָּא כְּדֶרֶךְ הַסּוֹחֲרִים מַמָש.

צְרִיכִין לִזָּהֵר שֶׁלֹּא לֵהָנוֹת לְאַחַר הַפֶּסַח מֵחֲמֵצוֹ שֶׁל יִשְֹרָאֵל שֶׁהוּא חָשׁוּד שֶׁלֹּא מְכָרוֹ כַּדָּת.

- Danny Schoemann

Monday, 7 Nissan 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2391 - Is burning Chametz wasteful?

The Torah forbids us to waste or destroy items that can still be used.

The Torah commands us to burn - or otherwise destroy - all Chametz in our possession on Erev Pessach morning.

Can we reconcile these 2 Halachot?

The Mitzva to destroy Chametz can be fulfilled with a bare minimum of Chametz; preferably with leftovers that nobody would be able to use. Usable Chametz can be donated to various charity organizations which will distribute it to the needy. 

That said, whatever Chametz is still in your possession mid-morning on Erev Pesach, needs to be burned.

Alternately, Chametz can be sold to a non-Jew. More about that tomorrow.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 114

יִשְֹרָאֵל שֶׁהָיָה לוֹ חָמֵץ שֶׁלּוֹ בִּרְשׁוּתוֹ בַּפֶּסַח, עוֹבֵר בְּכָל רֶגַע וְרֶגַע עַל בַּל יֵרָאֵה וּבַל יִמָּצֵא. וְהֶחָמֵץ אָסוּר בַּהֲנָאָה לְעוֹלָם, וַאֲפִלּוּ בִּטְּלוֹ קֹדֶם פֶּסַח. וְלָכֵן מִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ הַרְבֵּה חָמֵץ שֶׁאֵינוֹ יָכוֹל לְבַעֲרוֹ מִן הָעוֹלָם, צָרִיךְ לְמָכְרוֹ לְאֵינוֹ יְהוּדִי קֹדֶם הַפֶּסַח בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁהוּא עֲדַיִן מֻתָּר בַּהֲנָאָה.

- Danny Schoemann

Sunday, 6 Nissan 5770

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #1034- Calling idols by name is forbidden

One may not mention the name of idols for any reason - not even as a landmark to meet somebody (as in "meet me next to idol so-and-so") - as it says in (שְׁמוֹת (כ"ג:י"ג:

וְשֵׁם אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים לֹא תַזְכִּירוּ, לֹא יִשָּׁמַע עַל-פִּיךָ 

"and the name of other gods do not mention".

One should not cause even a non-Jew to mention the name of his idols, with the exception of having the non-Jew swear in court, where some opinions are lenient. 

Mockery is frowned upon, with the exception of mocking idol worship. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 167:9, 10

- Danny
Tuesday, 18 Shvat 5773

Halocho #1017 – Who else get preferential treatment?

A Talmid Chacham (Torah scholar) has preference over a Cohen. Everybody else needs to give preference to the Cohen; he gets called first to the Torah and gets to speak first at functions. At meals the Cohen gets served first and leads the Zimun.

In a business partnership a Cohen does not get preferential treatment. 

One may not use a Cohen to run one's errands nor do other mundane tasks, unless the Cohen has agreed to relinquish his Cohen status for this purpose.
One must stand up for a Torah Scholar even if he's young. 

One must stand up for people over seventy even if they're not Torah Scholars, so long as they're not wicked. Even non-Jews over 70 deserve some show of respect. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 144:2, 8-9

To clarify: A Cohen always gets called to the Torah first, so as to prevent the unpleasantness of people arguing as to whether a specific person is a Talmid Chacham worthy of displacing the Cohen or not.

- Danny,
Wednesday, 20 Tevet 5773

Halocho #993 - No fresh fruit on Shabbat

Fruit that was picked on Shabbat may not be eaten on that Shabbat - even if a non-Jew picked it for himself.

Even fruit that is lying under a tree is forbidden, since it may have fallen off on Shabbat.

Such fruit is Muktza and may not even be moved, until after Shabbat.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:9

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 15 Kislev 5773

Halocho #884 - Vinegar

Vinegar made from non-Kosher wine or grape juice is not Kosher.


Vinegar made from Kosher wine or grape juice that was not boiled, can still become non-Kosher if a non-Jew touches it, unless it's so strong that it bubbles when poured onto the ground.


On Shabbat it's forbidden to add liquids into vinegar with the intent of making more vinegar.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:56, 47:10

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 9 Elul 5771

Halocho #859 - May one do work on 9 B'Av?

One may do "minor" work on the fast of 9 B'Av, such as turning on lights and driving.

Any work that takes times, as well as all business dealings, should not be done until noon, so as not to get distracted from mourning the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash - the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

While one may go to work and open ones business on 9 B'Av afternoon, it's commendable not to.

One may have a non-Jew do ones work on 9 B'Av, and one may do any work needed to prevent a monetary loss.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 124:15

- Danny
Tuesday, 2 Menachem Av 5771

Halocho #833 - Transporting Kosher food

Kosher meat that is given to a non-Jew to store or transport, needs 2 seals, to ensure it's not tampered with.

The same applies to wine that is not cooked and to fish that no longer have their scales attached.

Cooked wine, wine-vinegar, milk, bread and cheese only need one seal.

The above applies whether a non-Jew involved, or a Jew who cannot be trusted to keep Kosher.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 46:16
- Danny Schoemann
Monday, 25 Sivan 5771

Halocho #785 - Selling Chametz to a non-Jew

Since most of us don't want to start selling Chametz on Erev Pessach, one can go to most local Rabbis and appoint them as a messenger to sell our Chametz.

The Rabbi will make a legal sale of the Chametz including a legal document and a deposit. Realize that this is a bona fide sale, and that the non-Jew is entitled to come to our homes and request we hand over our Chametz, as has occasionally happened.

After Pessach the Rabbi goes to the non-Jew and asks to be paid the remainder of the debt and offers to buy back the Chametz from the non-Jew at a higher price. Since the non-Jew usually prefers to make a quick profit rather than paying for hundreds of items scattered throughout the city, he will sell the Chametz to the Rabbi.

One should only sell Chametz and not the containers it's in - especially not containers that require Tevila, like metal and glass, otherwise one would need to Toivel them in a Mikva after Pessach, since they belonged to a non-Jew during Pessach.

Chametz that has been sold (via the Rabbi) must be locked away so that one doesn't accidentally use it, which would be a double problem: Chametz on Pessach and stealing from the non-Jew.
Even if one has no intention of keeping Chametz in one's home, one should still go to a Rabbi to appoint him to sell ones Chametz. Why?

A lot of products may be Chametz contrary to popular belief - depending on the latest production methods - like medications, creams, soaps or even food which one discovers later wasn't really Kosher for Pessach.

During Pessach one may discover Chametz that one wasn't aware of, or that one forgot to get rid of in the last-minute pre-Pessach rush.

If one sold all ones Chametz then one didn't own any during Pessach.

Chametz that belonged to a Jew during Pessach may not be used after Pessach. This is a Rabbinical decree; a punishment for owning the Chametz.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 114

- Danny
Monday, 7 Nissan 5770

Halocho #752 - Who does a Pidyon HaBen at his Bar Mitzva?

Usually a firstborn baby boy whose father is a Cohen or Levi, or his mother is the daughter of a Cohen or Levi does not need a Pidyon HaBen.

If the firstborn's mother is Jewish but his father is not, then he does his own Piyon at his Bar Mitzva.

A daughter of a Cohen or Levi who slept with a non-Jew has lost her special status and does not exempt her firstborn son from a Pidyon HaBen, even if the firstborn's father is Jewish.

A firstborn who was orphaned from his father before his Pidyon HaBen, should get redeemed by Bet Din, not by his mother.

A firstborn who was not redeemed as a child, needs to do a Pidyon HaBen to himself as soon as he finds out; once he becomes Bar Mitzva.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 164:7, 8

- Danny
Tuesday, 18 Adar-I 5771

Halocho #636 - Vinegar

Vinegar made from non-Kosher wine or grape juice is not Kosher.

Vinegar made from Kosher wine or grape juice that was not boiled, can still become non-Kosher if a non-Jew touches it, unless it's so strong that it bubbles when poured onto the ground.

On Shabbat it's forbidden to add liquids into vinegar with the intent of making more vinegar.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:56, 47:10

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 9 Elul 5770

Halocho #626 - Watering meat on Shabbat

Meat has to Kashered (soaked, salted and rinsed to remove the blood) within 3 days of being slaughtered.

If this is not possible then the meat has to be hosed down every 3 days.

It is forbidden to hose down meat on Shabbat, however one may ask a non-Jew to do so, to prevent the meat from becoming forbidden.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:56

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 25 Menachem Av 5770

Halocho #576 - 0% interest on loans

The Torah prohibits charging interest and paying interest to fellow Jews.
The Torah allows charging interest and paying interest to non-Jews.

A person who lends money to a Jew and charges interest, has transgressed six Torah commandments and - if he doesn't repent - will not awaken at Techiyat Hameitim - when the dead will be revived at the End of Days.

The person who borrows the money transgresses three Torah commandments.

The scribe, witnesses, co-signer and middle-man all transgress one Torah commandment.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 65:1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 10

- Danny
Wednesday, 13 Sivan 5770

Halocho #574 - Can a donkey be holy?

The Torah says that a firstborn male donkey has Kedusha (some holiness) and may not be used until it is redeemed; by giving a Cohen a sheep or goat in its stead.

The result is a donkey for the owner and a sheep (or goat) for the Cohen, both without any Kedusha.

The sheep or goat can be male or female, of any age and any physical condition as long as it's alive.

If one does not want to redeem the firstborn donkey, the Torah instructs one to chop off its head and bury it. It is preferable to redeem it rather than killing it.

A firstborn male donkey belonging to a Cohen or Levite does not need to be redeemed. (As opposed to a firstborn Kosher animal that has Kedusha even if belonging to a Cohen or Levite.)

One should not sell (part of) first-time pregnant donkeys to a non-Jew, as one would be exempting oneself from the Mitzva of redeeming it.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 178

- Danny
Monday, 11 Sivan 5770

Halocho #573 - What's special about a firstborn Kosher animal?

If a Jew's Kosher animal that has never given birth gives birth to a male, the calf has Kedusha (some holiness) and needs to be given to a Cohen, even nowadays.

This first-born animal may not be used for any work, and its wool may not be sheared, nor used if it fell off.

In the time of the Bet Hamikdash (Temple) the animal is brought as a sacrifice, with most of the meat being eaten by the Cohen.

Nowadays the Cohen needs to keep it until it gets a permanent blemish, at which time anybody can help eat it. The Cohen may not blemish it.

It's a Mitzva to sell part of all first-time pregnant Kosher animals to a non-Jew so that the calf - if it's a male - will not have any Kedusha; avoiding the possibility of it not being treated properly.

Source Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 177

- Danny
Sunday, 10 Sivan 5770

Please daven for a complete recovery for

 Chagai Yitzchak ben Pnina - חגי יצחק בן פנינה

Halocho #539 - Selling Chametz to a non-Jew

Since most of us don't want to start selling Chametz on Erev Pessach, one can go to most local Rabbis and appoint them as a messenger to sell our Chametz.

The Rabbi will make a legal sale of the Chametz including a legal document and a deposit. Realize that this is a bona fide sale, and that the non-Jew is entitled to come to our homes and request we hand over our Chametz, as has occasionally happened.

After Pessach the Rabbi goes to the non-Jew and asks to be paid the remainder of the debt and offers to buy back the Chametz from the non-Jew at a higher price. Since the non-Jew usually prefers to make a quick profit rather than paying for hundreds of items scattered throughout the city, he will sell the Chametz to the Rabbi.

One should only sell Chametz and not the containers it's in - especially not containers that require Tevila, like metal and glass, otherwise one would need to Toivel them in a Mikva after Pessach, since they belonged to a non-Jew during Pessach.

Chametz that has been sold (via the Rabbi) must be locked away so that one doesn't accidentally use it, which would be a double problem: Chametz on Pessach and stealing from the non-Jew.

Even if one has no intention of keeping Chametz in ones home, one should still go to a Rabbi to appoint him to sell ones Chametz. Why?

A lot of products may be Chametz contrary to popular belief - depending on the latest production methods - like medications, creams, soaps or even food which one discovers later wasn't really Kosher for Pessach.

During Pessach one may discover Chametz that one wasn't aware of, or forgot to get rid of in the last-minute pre-Pessach rush.

If one sold all ones Chametz then one didn't own any during Pessach.

Chametz that belonged to a Jew during Pessach may not be used after Pessach. This is a Rabbinical decree; a punishment for owning the Chametz.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 114

- Danny
Monday, 7 Nissan 5770

Please daven for a Refua Shelema for 3 years old Tania Mazal Tov bat Naomi

Halocho #538 - Is burning Chametz wasteful?

The Torah forbids us to waste or destroy items that can still be used.

The Torah commands us to burn - or otherwise destroy - all Chametz in our possession on Erev Pessach morning.

Can we reconcile these 2 Halachot?

The Mitzva to destroy Chametz can be fulfilled with a bare minimum of Chametz; preferably with leftovers that nobody would be able to use. Usable Chametz can be donated to various charity organizations which will distribute it to the needy.

Alternately Chametz can be sold to a non-Jew. More about that tomorrow.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 144

- Danny
Sunday, 6 Nissan 5770

Halocho #537 - Untying knots

Untying knots is one of the 39 forbidden categories of work forbidden on Shabbat.

Any type of knot that you may not tie on Shabbat (as we learned in Halocho #508 - Knots on Shabbat) you are not allowed to undo on Shabbat.

In case of great need/discomfort you may ask a non-Jew to untie knots.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:46

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 3 Nissan 5770

Halocho#496 - What's new? Chodosh and Yoshon

The "five grains" are wheat, barley, spelt, oats and rye.

Grain that was planted and started taking root before the first day Chol Hamoed Pessach may be eaten immediately - and is called "Yoshon" (old).

Grain that took root thereafter is "Chodosh" (new) and may not be eaten until after the 2nd day Chol Hamoed Pessach of the coming year.

In Israel, Chol Hamoed Pessach starts on 16th Nissan, in the Diaspora on the 17th Nissan.

The Torah prohibition of eating Chodosh applies to grain grown on Jewish land, according to all opinions. There is a minority opinion that Chodosh does not apply to grain grown in the Diaspora on non-Jewish land; the custom is to rely on this opinion in emergency.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 172:1-3

- Danny
Tuesday, 4 Shvat 5770

Halocho # 491 - Eating in transit

If you ate while walking, you may say Birkat Hamazon while walking.

If you sat while eating you have to sit while saying Birkat Hamazon

If one didn't eat in a house - or one ate in the house of a non-Jew, one replaces the 6th הָרַחֲמָן with:

הָרַחֲמָן הוּא יִשְׁלַח לָנוּ בְּרָכָה מְרֻבָּה בִּמְקוֹם הֲלִיכָתֵנוּ וּבִמְקוֹם יְשִׁיבָתֵנוּ עַד עוֹלָם

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 68:9, 10

- Danny
Tuesday, 26 Tevet 5770

Please daven for a complete recovery of 3 year old Chaim Ovadya ben Sara