Halocho #693 - Flowerpots on Shabbat

Picking fruit or flowers that are growing in a flowerpot is forbidden on Shabbat; it's no different to plants growing in the ground.

Moving a flowerpot from the floor to an elevated surface is forbidden on Shabbat, since the plant draws nourishment from the floor, and this would be similar to uprooting it, which is forbidden.

Similarly,  moving a flowerpot from a table or other surface to the floor would be similar to planting which is forbidden on Shabbat.

The above applies to flowerpot made of any material, and irrespective of whether or not it has a hole on the bottom.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:61

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 11 Kislev 5771

Please daven for

Noa Chaya bas Nava Yehudis,

who has been diagnosed with symptomatic West Syndrome

Halocho #443 - Shabbat meals in the garden

Spilling water onto fertile soil is forbidden because of "Zore'a" - planting, since the water could help things grow.

Therefore one should refrain from eating in the garden, since it's almost impossible that something won't be spilt onto the floor.

This is besides the problem that one cannot always carry into the garden unless there's a proper Eruv.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:28

Shabbat Shalom,

- Danny
 Thursday, 18 Marcheshvan 5770

Halocho #408 - Chol Hamo'ed; Chol or Mo'ed?

The intermediary days of Pessach and Sukkot are known as Chol Hamo'ed. Some types of work are permitted, others are forbidden.

Chazal (our Rabbis of blessed memory) have some harsh words for those who don't honour Chol Hamo'ed properly. Honouring Chol Hamo'ed includes eating meals and wearing clothes that are closer to Yom Tov standards than regular weekday standards.

On Chol Hamo'ed one may do all work needed to prevent a monetary loss.

Preparing food for Chol Hamo'ed or the last days of Yom Tov is allowed.

Gardening is forbidden besides for picking fruit for Chol Hamo'ed or Yom Tov, and to prevent plants dying, e.g. if they need to be irrigated. Planting is forbidden.

Cutting hair is forbidden on Chol Hamo'ed. Cutting nails is only allowed if one also cut them before Yom Tov.

Writing down information so that it won't be forgotten is allowed. Writing letters to friends and family is allowed. The custom is to write the first line at an angle as a reminder that writing is only partially permitted.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 104.

Ktiva Vechatima Tova

- Danny Tuesday 19 Elul 5769

Halocho #91 - Chol Hamo'ed; Chol or Mo'ed?

The intermediary days of Pessach and Sukkot are known as Chol Hamo'ed. Some types of work are permitted, others are forbidden. Chazal (our Rabbis of blessed memory) have some harsh words for those who don't honour Chol Hamo'ed properly. Honouring Chol Hamo'ed includes eating meals and wearing clothes that are closer to Yom Tov standards than regular weekday standards. On Chol Hamo'ed one may do all work needed to prevent a monetary loss. Preparing food for Chol Hamo'ed or the last days of Yom Tov is allowed. Gardening is forbidden besides for picking fruit for Chol Hamo'ed or Yom Tov, and to prevent plants dying, e.g. if they need to be irrigated. Planting is forbidden. Cutting hair is forbidden on Chol Hamo'ed. Cutting nails is only allowed if one also cut them before Yom Tov. Writing down information so that it won't be forgotten is allowed. Writing letters to friends and family is allowed. The custom is to write the first line at an angle as a reminder that writing is only partially permitted. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 104. - Danny 4 Nissan 5768

סימן קד – דיני חול המועד

סעיף א - חול המועד אסור בקצת מלאכות ומותר בקצתן, דהיינו כל מה שהוא לצורך אכילה לחול המועד או ליום טוב, וכן מלאכה בדבר האבד, דהיינו שאם לא יעשנה יבא לידי הפסד מותר לעשותה, וצריכין ליזהר מאד שלא לעשות בחול המועד מלאכה האסורה, כי אמרו רבותינו זכרונם לברכה המחלל את חול המועד כאלו עובד עבודה זרה. סעיף ב - עוד אמרו רבותינו זכרונם לברכה המבזה את חול המועד, אף על פי שיש בידו תורה ומעשים טובים אין לו חלק לעולם הבא, והמבזה היינו שאינו מכבדו במאכל ובמשתה ובכסות, ולכן כל אדם חייב לכבדו כפי כחו וללבוש בגדים מכובדים.