Search results for: ""Halacha""

Torah at the Table
Saying some Torah at each meal--anytime bread is eaten and at least two people are eating--is a custom but not a halacha. But, Torah can be said anytime!
Cutting Boys' Hair at Age Three
Cutting boys' hair at three years old is a custom (mainly originated through Chasidim) that some people have and is not a halacha.
Drops of Havdala Wine above Eyes or in Pockets
Putting drops of havdala wine above your eyes or in your pockets is a non-binding custom, not a halacha.
Where To Face for Wisdom or Wealth
When praying:
  • To gain wisdom, face slightly south.
  • To gain wealth, face slightly north.
This is a non-binding suggestion, not a halacha.
Egg and Wine for Face of Dead Person
Some people have the custom of putting egg and wine on the face of a dead person, but this is not halacha.
Birkat HaMazon: Covering Knife on Weekdays
Cover or remove a sharp knife from the table on weekdays before saying birkat ha'mazon.  This is a non-binding custom, not a halacha.
Jewish Festivals: Ending: Havdala: Who Drinks the Beverage
For men: No one should drink the havdala beverage except the person saying havdala. This is a non-binding custom, not a halacha.
For women: This custom does NOT apply to women. Women who say havdala for themselves may give their havdala beverage to someone else to drink.
Jewish Festivals: Ending: Havdala: Filling the Cup
You must pour at least 4 fl. oz. (119 ml--a revi'it) of wine or other beverage into the havdala cup--this is halacha.  However, to symbolize that we are blessed (siman bracha) with wealth, overfill the cup (non-binding custom).
Note Do not drink the overflow, to show that we are so rich that we do not need the spilled beverage.
Note Do not overfill a cup containing shmita wine!
Throwing Out Bread
Bread should never be thrown into trash or garbage. If you have leftover bread (or matza), crumble it and wash it down the sink.  This is not a halacha, it is considered to be good advice.You may also put it next to your compost pile or on top of paper on top of your compost pile.
Sheimot: Definition
Sheimot/sheimos are written items with:
  • God's name in Hebrew or even in other languages;
  • Three consecutive words of Torah in Hebrew (or commentaries on the Torah in any language); or
  • Halacha in any language.
 
Birkat HaMazon: Replacing Bread
Place the bread back onto the table before saying birkat ha'mazon if the bread had been removed during the meal. This is a non-binding custom, not a halacha.
Note This is true for any meal, not just for Shabbat.
100 Blessings on Weekdays
Try to say 100 blessings a day.  This is easy on weekdays since Ashkenazim say about 89 blessings just in the prayer services.
NoteSaying 100 blessings each day is a halacha drabanan.
Tzitzit: Kissing: Morning Shema
When saying morning shema, kiss the tzitzit when saying the words:
  • “tzitzit” in the shema, and
  • “emet” and “la'ad” in paragraph following the shema.
These are non-binding customs, not halacha.
 
When Right Side Takes Precedence

In general, the right side is given priority in our actions. This is considered to be proper behavior and not just good advice; however, it is a custom, not a halacha.

Examples
  • A talmid chacham walks on the right of another person. (If there are two or more other people, the talmid chacham walks in the middle of the others);
  • Put on your right shirtsleeve, sock, or shoe first (but tie your left shoe before your right shoe);
  • Hold the lulav in your right hand;
  • Wash your right hand first.
Note In all cases, if you reversed these, or if it your custom to reverse them, there is no problem.
Note Left-handed men must put tefilin on their right arm. For other practices, left-handed people should consult a rabbi.

Eating/Drinking before Havdala
You should not eat or drink from sunset (or from the time you finish se'uda shlishit) until after havdala, but drinking water during that time period is not forbidden by halacha.