Avoiding pas akum during aseres yemi teshuva
To prevent us from becoming too homey with non-Jews, Chazal forbade bread baked by non-Jews even when there is no concern about its kashrus. Chazal's main focus was on bread that a goy baked at home for his family. According to many poskim, bread baked for sale (pas palter) may be eaten. Being that it is a commercial enterprise it is less likely that the Jews and non-Jews will develop a dangerously close relationship (Y.D. 212). If a Jew was involved with lighting the oven [or placed the bread in it] it is permitted even if the goy prepared it for his family.
(
סימן תרג, סעיף א וס"ק א; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 2
)
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Hilchos Tefillin 40 (page 137)
מתחילת סימן מ עד סעיף ג
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Suspending an Aron Kodesh
Fasting when Tefillin Fall
Double Covering Sefarim
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Suspending an aron kodesh
It is forbidden to hang
tefillin (the actual
bayis as well as the
retzuos) from a hook; doing so is considered disrespectful. Likewise, it is forbidden to suspend
sefarim by their pages or binding. It is permissible to hang up a bag containing
tefillin or other holy writings. A
sefer Torah may not be suspended even when it is placed inside something else. As such, it is forbidden to hang an
aron kodesh by bolting it to a wall. Instead, the
aron kodesh should rest directly on the floor or on a stand.
(
סעיף א וס"ק א-ג; וראה ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 3)
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Fasting when tefillin fall
There is an ancient custom of fasting for a day if one drops
tefillin
on the floor, since their falling is viewed as a message from Heaven to repent. Yeshiva students who find it hard to fast may exempt themselves by putting extra time into learning on that day. The elderly and infirm may contribute to
tzedaka
instead of fasting. If the
tefillin
were in their bag (or otherwise contained or wrapped)
when they fell, it is not necessary to fast. Nevertheless, a small amount should be contributed to charity. If a
sefer
Torah falls, all those present should fast even if it was cloaked.
(
ס"ק ג; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 8, 11 ו־12, וראה עוד שם)
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There are situations where the halacha requires
kisvei kodesh to be double wrapped. An item wrapped in this way is called
kli besoch kli (utensil within a utensil). At least one of the wrappers cannot be the standard cover for that item. Therefore,
tefillin encased in their hard plastic boxes and velvet bags will still need an additional covering. The
poskim discuss whether modern
sefarim which are produced by the push of a button require a double wrapping or if one is sufficient.
(
סעיף ב, ס"ק ד, ה, ז ו־ח; וראה ביה"ל ד"ה אסור; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 15)
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- If a goy has a sefer Torah, tefillin, or mezuzah and is demanding an exuberant price, the item should not be purchased. Buying at the high price will encourage the goy to steal other holy objects for the ransom.
- There is a halachic principle that an individual witness may testify regarding issurim. According to the Rama, the witness must also be someone trustworthy/muchzak bekashrus (i.e. someone who dons talis and tefillin, davens three times a day, washes his hands before he eats, and generally conducts a Torah home).
- Tefillin that were made correctly and are worn regularly never need to be inspected. It is admirable to occasionally check the thinner, older-style tefillin even when they are maintained well because they can suffer damage from sweat.
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- Sitting on a box of sefarim
- Eating while wearing tefillin
- What is considered a snack?
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