All my best- Here is the article- By Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff PROLOGUE Although the Torah prohibits performing melacha activity on Yom Tov, it permits preparing food. As the Torah states, Ach asher yei’ocheil lechol nefesh, hu livado yei’aseh lochem: “However, that which is eaten by all people, only it may be performed” (Shemos 12:16). [...]

Earlier in the week, I sent out articles for this coming Shabbos. Now I am including an article for your Pesach reading pleasure on the topic of sheva berachos and the seder. In a separate e-mail, I am going to send you another pesach article. My next article will be sent out iy”H after Pesach [...]

The Torah teaches that, although most melachos are forbidden on Yom Tov, cooking and most other food preparation are permitted. Nevertheless, some types of food preparation are prohibited on Yom Tov, such as catching fish, picking fruit, and squeezing juice. Why are these activities different from cooking, kneading, and the other food preparatory activities that [...]

uestion #1: A certain rav told me that he was unhappy that some kosher for Pesach apple sauce products contain vitamin C, which he claims is kitniyos. But I see some reliable Ashkenazic hechsherim containing vitamin C. Does that rav have his facts wrong? Question #2: My sister married a Sefardi, who eats rice on [...]

This Shabbos falls on a Rosh Chodesh (or, this coming Rosh Chodesh falls on Shabbos)-   Question #1:  My mother always prepared a special kugel when Rosh Chodesh fell on Shabbos. Is there a halachic basis for this custom? Question #2: Do I fulfill the mitzvah of celebrating Rosh Chodesh by eating a fleishig sandwich [...]

Most people do not realize that kindling the Chanukah menorah in shul falls under the category of custom, and it is not part of the mitzvah that our Sages instituted. How did this practice become so established that we even recite a beracha on it? For that matter, when do we ever recite a beracha [...]

Micha Moka, who is fairly new to observant Judaism, presents the following question: "This is the first time that I am purchasing my own esrog. I have been told that many esrogim may not be kosher because they, or their antecedents, were grafted onto other citrus trees. But, I don’t understand what the problem is. [...]

Questions: I live in a predominantly Ashkenazic community where the “Three Weeks” are observed with no music, and certainly no celebrations or weddings. A Sefardic family in the neighborhood has scheduled a wedding for the 20th of Tamuz. (A) May they do so? Should we stop them from breaking the community’s custom? (B) May an [...]

There is a widespread custom to eat at least some milchig meals on Shavuos. A housewife asked me this question: since this year Shavuos follows on the heels of Shabbos, and she has no large pareve pots, is there a way for her to prepare side dishes or desserts that she may then serve with [...]

In honor of Pesach, I am sending two articles: the first, a discussion of some aspects of tevilas keilim, since this is a topic on which many people have questions this time of year. The second is an article on Rav Wolbe, since his yahrzeit falls out during Pesach. I will not be sending out [...]