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 #1012 - Looking after your health and possessions – Bal Tashchis

The Torah gave permission to doctors to heal. Therefore someone who is not feeling well may not rely on a miracle, but must go see a doctor and follow his instructions.

One who ignores medical advice is not only endangering their life but is also considered to be arrogant; one should use the top expert in the field.

That said, a person needs to realize that the actual cure comes from The One Above and should pray that their doctor be a successful messenger to heal them.

The same way it’s a Mitzva to preserve one's health , so too it’s a Mitzva to look after one's possessions; not to lose, break or waste them.

One who breaks vessels, tears clothes, wastes edible food, wastes money or throws away objects that other people could use has done the Aveira of לֹא-תַשְׁחִית as it says in דְּבָרִים כ:יט:

כִּי-תָצוּר אֶל-עִיר יָמִים רַבִּים לְהִלָּחֵם עָלֶיהָ לְתָפְשָׂהּ, לֹא-תַשְׁחִית אֶת-עֵצָהּ לִנְדֹּחַ עָלָיו גַּרְזֶן--כִּי מִמֶּנּוּ תֹאכֵל, וְאֹתוֹ לֹא תִכְרֹת, כִּי הָאָדָם עֵץ הַשָּׂדֶה, לָבֹא מִפָּנֶיךָ בַּמָּצוֹר

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 192:3, 190:3

- Danny
Wednesday, 13 Tevet 5773

Halocho #730 - Chop down trees?

One is not allowed to chop down fruit bearing trees without a good reason. Besides for the transgression of wasting, doing so is also considered to be dangerous.

If a tree is preventing other trees from growing, then it may be chopped down.

If lots of trees are growing together in a small area, then one may chop down some of them so that the others can flourish.

If one needs the space that the tree is growing on, then it may be chopped down.

If the wood of the tree is more valuable than its fruits, it can be chopped down for the wood.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 33:11

- Danny
Sunday, 18 Shvat 5771

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 #14: Looking after your health and possessions – Bal Tashchis

The same way it’s a mitzva to preserve ones health – to ensure its health and wellbeing – so to it’s a mitzva to look after ones possessions not to loose, break or waste them. Anybody who breaks vessels, tears clothes, wastes edible food, wastes money or throws away objects that other people could use has done the Aveira of Lo Sashchis. Source: KSA 190:3