Q & A YOM TOV HOLIDAYS
This is Page 2 - Rosh HaShana & Yom Kippur
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Can I take a hot shower on Yom Tov?
Yes one may shower with hot water
- There is no problem due to the fact the water may have been heated on Yom Tov.
- One can argue that since the hot water was heated for other purposes, i.e. to wash dishes,
so it may be used for the secondary purpose of bathing. See the Aruch Hashulchan
regarding bathing an infant in heated water. (AH 511.5; Piskei Teshuvot 511.4 Note 29;
See Mishnah Beitzah 2:5)
- One can also say that in our day showering is hana't lchol nefesh, meaning, whether poor
or rich, in many if not most places, showering daily or twice daily is quite ubiquitous.
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Can I cook on the 1st day of Yom for the 2nd day of Yom Tov?
- Jewish law prohibits preparing on the first day of Yom Tov for the second day of Yom Tov.
- This means that you can’t make any preparations such as cooking, heating up food, setting table etc.
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Isn’t there a rule that what comes from a non-kosher animal is non-kosher?
Since a bee is non-kosher, how can honey be kosher?
- The Gemara (Bechoros 7b) cites two opinions as to why bee’s honey is permitted.
- The Chachamim explain that honey is permitted because it is not a secretion.
- Rather, honey is the collected nectar in a different form, which is expelled from the bee.
- Rebbi Yaakov says that the permissibility of bee’s honey is derived from a Talmudic
exegesis of the verse in Vayikra (11:21):
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What is the proper order of the brachas (blessings) & the yehi ratzon
(‘may it be your will’) that is recited when the apple is dipped in honey?
- Before eating the honey dipped apple, one should say the usual bracha over fruit (ha’etz).
- Then, to avoid speaking unnecessarily between the bracha & partaking of the food, one
should take a bite of the apple before reciting the yehi ratzon (Mishnah Berurah 583:4). - This applies to the yehi ratzon for challah, which is also dipped in honey, as well as any
other fruits/vegetables that will be served for the purposes of a yehi ratzon. - It should be noted that if any of those other fruits is a member of the shevaminim
(seven species attributed by the Torah to the land of Israel), they should not be brought
to the table until after partaking of the apple.
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In addition to foods dipped in honey,
are there other symbolic customs for Rosh Hashana?
- The following is an abbreviated list of food items that are customary to eat on Rosh Hashana.
- Many of their symbolic meanings stem from root of their Hebrew, Aramaic or Yiddish terms.
- The first three items are representative of our request of G-d to increase our mitzvos & merits as well as for the growth of our nation due to their associations with abundance & proliferation
- Pomegranates- due to their abundance of seeds
- Fenugreek – rubya [Aramaic] whose root word means to increase (Shulchan Aruch C. 583)
- Carrots – meheren [Yiddish] whose root word means many (Chayei Adam 138:6)
The next 3 represent our request of G-d to protect us from our enemies & or our
fervent prayer that our sins be nullified,by their connection to the concept of cessation.
- Leeks – karsee [Aramaic] whose root word means to cut off.
- Dates – tamarim [Hebrew] the root of which is tam – to cease.
- Beets – silka [Aramaic] whose root word means to remove
- Many also eat fish as a symbol of being fruitful and multiplying like the fish in the sea.
- Additionally, there is a concept of being protected from the evil eye when one is out of view.
- Fish in particular have been referenced as being hidden in the sea & therefore concealed
from the evil eye.
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Are there any foods that some customarily avoid during this period?
- Some people do not eat nuts because the Hebrew word for nut is egoz,which has the same numerical value as chet (sin).
- Furthermore, nuts have a predisposition to cause an increase in saliva & mucus which may disturb one’s concentration during prayers. (Rama O. C. 583:2).
- Others have a custom not to eat sour or bitter foods such as sour pickles
(Mateh Ephraim, 583:3)
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YOM KIPPUR
I take medicine for high blood pressure.
If I don’t take it for even one day, my blood pressure goes up significantly.
Should I take this medicine on Yom Kippur?
- Speak to your doctor to establish the danger of your high blood pressure.
- If you risk your life by not taking your medication you must take it.
- If you can easily skip a day without any medical implications, you shouldn’t.
- Medicine is not food so if you take your medicine, it doesn’t mean you’ve broken your fast.
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Does a fever & bronchitis allow me to drink tea on Yom Kippur. I have pain breathing which goes away when I drink tea. I don’t think it’s endangering
my life but it will probably mean I’ll have to take an anti-biotic.
- You may take medicine for breathing difficulties without qualification.
- You should not let a bronchial infection worsen &if it will you should drink small amounts
(shiurim - a quarter cup) every eight minutes. - If it is pleasant tasting put something in to make it taste unpleasant.
- If you must take water or liquid to take the medicine do so in a small amount.
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Can I swallow advil without water on Yom Kippur for severe menstrual cramps
that cause nausea & vomiting & would confine me to my bed.
Yes, you may take the pills.
- If you cannot swallow without water, take a small amount & put something in it to make the
taste unpleasant.
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I just had cataract surgery & I have to use eye drops every day because they
prevent infection. Can I use them on Yom Kippur?
You can use your drops on Yom Kippur
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