Halachos on Storing Chometz on Pesach:
It is forbidden to have chometz (even if it was sold to the goy) in a place where one may come to eat the chometz. Therefore, a mechitza/barrier of 10 tefachim (30 inches or 40 inches) should be placed in front of the chometz. This applies only to chometz. Kitniyos however, although Ashkenazim do not eat kitniyos, it does not need to be put away.
If the chometz is in a closet or cabinet one must lock the door or tape it shut so that one can’t open it easily by pulling the door to avoid someone inadvertently opening the cabinet. Even a glass see through cabinet is considered a proper mechitza.
Placing the chometz in a closed bag in the refrigerator or in a cupboard even on its own shelf does not suffice.
Chometzdike dishes and cutlery as well must be locked away for Pesach. A proper mechitza is not necessary for dishes, but it must be locked in a place that one can’t open easily.
Halachos on Non-Food Chometz Products:
Playdough should be put away for Pesach as children may put it in their mouth.
Non-edible products containing chometz that are used topically (ie shampoo, soap) even when they are nifsal me’achilas, the minhag is not to use them on Pesach based on the principle called sicha ke’shesiyah. In a case of need one can be lenient and use these products. Regardless, these products do not have to be locked away.
Products that contain liquid alcohol that is chometz should not be used on Pesach and should be locked away.
Halachos on Chometz that belongs to a goy:
One may not eat kosher l’Pesach food on a table with someone who is eating chometz (ie at work or in a park). However, being that the chometz is in the goy’s possession, one does not require a mechitza for the chometz.
Likewise, if a goy enters one’s home on Pesach (ie cleaning lady or a plumber), if possible, it is preferable to have he/she refrain from bringing chometz inside.
If the goy does bring chometz inside, it does not require a mechitza in front of the chometz, as the goy is present with his/her chometz. When he/she leave, one must insure that the goy cleans up and remove all his/her chometz.
If the goy does not remove his/her chometz, one should have in mind not to aquire the chometz. Additionally, one should clean up and remove the chometz kelachar yad indirectly and without touching the chometz (ie, with a broom and dustpan).
Halachos on Chometz and Chol Hamoed Trips:
On Pesach one may not derive any hana’a (benefit) from chometz. Feeding animals chometz, even if they are not his own animals, is considered hana’a and is forbidden on Pesach. One may derive hana’a from kitniyos, and therefore, one may feed kitniyos to animals.
As animal feed at a zoo or farm may contain chometz, one should not feed it to the animals (even if one does not purchase the chometz feed).
If one takes a hotel room on chol hamoed, one should check the room for chometz with a flashlight (bedikas chometz) and not recite a bracha.
Many hotels have a snack bar and/or a mini bar in the refrigerator of every room, and the hotel charges when one uses an item. The chometz in the bar presents two issues: firstly, one is required to put away chometz in a closed area. Secondly, one may be considered responsible for the chometz in the hotel room ie, if it is missing from the bar. This responsibility is forbidden on Pesach. Therefore, one should ask the management to remove the chometz or lock it up.
SSCM Pesach Hotline:
Under the guidance of Harav Yacov Felder
Monitored by Rav Yehoshua Felder.
Call, text, or WhatsApp- 437-215-3011 or questions@sscm.ca
For time sensitive questions, kindly send a text message or email as they are chekced more frequently than WhatsApp messages.
On Erev Pesach, matzah may not be eaten the entire day. A child who is old enough to be part of the seder should as well, not be given matzah to eat on Erev Pesach.
Halachikly, this restriction begins the morning of Erev Pesach, however, many have a custom not to eat matzah from Rosh Chodesh, and others from Purim.
The restriction not to eat matzah does not include matzah that is unfit for the seder. Therefore, "egg matzah" may be eaten on Erev Pesach. (Please note that for Ashknazim, "egg matzah" is only permitted to be eaten on Pesach, and Erev Pesach after the sof zman for eating chametz, by cholim and the elderly.)
Likewise, matzah that is cooked (e.g. kneidlach) may be eaten on Erev Pesach (for those who eat g'brochts).
However, matzah that tastes as regular seder matzah may not be eaten (even if one may not use it for the seder). Therefore, non shmurah matzah and even year-round "chometz matzah" may not be eaten Erev Pesach. Likewise, g'brochts cake (made from matzah meal) may not be eaten on Erev Pesach.
All mezonos (e.g. kneidlach) should not be eaten after "sha’ah asiris", 4:44 p.m., as this can diminish one's appetite for the seder matzah. Fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat may be eaten in small quantities.
Halachos on Melachos on Erev Pesach:
On Erev Pesach after chatzos, one may not do melachos that are forbidden on Chol Hamoed.
Therefore, nail cutting, haircuts, sewing, mending, and washing clothing should all be done prior to chatzos.
However, there are numerous leniencies that apply on Erev Pesach as will be detailed.
Ironing and polishing shoes are permissible all day.
If one didn't cut one's nails prior to chatzos, one may still do so all day. Minor mending and sewing buttons may be done all day.
All melachos are permitted through a goy. Therefore, haircuts and washing clothing that where not done prior to chatzos, may be done all day through a goy.
SSCM Pesach Hotline:
Under the guidance of Harav Yacov Felder
Monitored by Rav Yehoshua Felder.
Call, text, or WhatsApp- 437-215-3011 or questions@sscm.ca
For time sensitive questions, kindly send a text message or email as they are checked more frequently than WhatsApp messages.
South:
Available in the parking lot, northeast side, Monday, April 22, 8:00-10:30 AM exactly. Please ensure that there are no plastic bags or plastic items in your chametz
packages.
North:
The City of Vaughan will once again be providing a
special bin for the burning of chometz at the BAYT on Monday, April 22. The Vaughan Fire Department will be present to supervise the ceremony. The bin will be available from 6:30 AM - 12:15 PM.
South:
A Garbage Bin will be available on Sunday, April 21 from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM and Monday, April 22, 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM in the Shaarei Shomayim parking lot. It is $5/bag for non-members.
North:
The City of Vaughan is providing a special Passover waste and recycling depot at the Garnet Community Centre. It will be available from Monday, April 15 at 9:00 AM until Monday, April 22 at 5:00 PM in the community center parking lot. Residents may dispose of their waste there from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM each day during this period.
Men, women, and children who have reached the age of chinuch are required to drink the daled kosos.
One can fulfill their obligation l'chatchila by using wine or grape juice.
There is a preference for men to use wine, as it has the aspect of simchas Yom Tov.
It is preferable to use red wine/grape juice. If one finds white wine to be superior, the white wine could be used, preferably, by adding a small amount of red wine for colour. To avoid the concern of "tzvia b'ochlin" the red wine should poured into the cup first, followed by the white wine.
Preferably, one should not eat or drink during Magid; from when the second kos is poured prior to Ma Nishtana until one drinks that second cup. Drinking a cup of coffee with reciting a bracha of shehakol, even prior to magid, can present an issue of "mosif al hakosos" as coffee is "chamar medinah". Therefore the following can be done to avoid this problem. One should have in mind during the "borei pro hagafen" of kiddush to drink after kiddush, thereby eliminating the need for an independent bracha of shehakol on the coffee.
Although the common practice is that women do not recline on Leil Seder, however, while eating the matzoh and drinking the daled kosos they should be sitting down and not standing or walking around.
Under the guidance of Harav Yacov Felder
Monitored by Rav Yehoshua Felder.
COR Community Kashering for Pesach - ONE location only this year
BYES 15 Saranac Blvd
Sunday Aril 14
3-7 pm
All items must be clean nd not used for 24 hours.
No Teflon
The Vaad Hagnizah is pleased to announce that the city wide שמות (Shaimos) collection will take place before Pesach at TWO Drop-off Locations:
North: Parking Lot of BAYT - 613 Clark Ave.
Sunday April 14, 12pm-5pm
South: Parking Lot of Shaarei Shomayim - 470 Glencairn Ave
Monday, April 15 12-5pm
Tuesday, April 16 12-5pm
Please do not come outside of the above hours
$20 fee per mid-size shopping bag
COR - Shaimos Guidelines: Discarding Holy Objects
Items, known colloquially as shaimos, must be discarded in the respectful manner that is outlined in halachah. Many cities have an organization that deals with shaimos burial. People collect their personal shaimos materials and place them either in a designated bin, or, as is the practice in Toronto, wait for a city wide shaimos collection. Just as it is important to clarify which items belong in shaimos, it is also important to know what is not considered shaimos, since there are times that it is considered disrespectful to bury non-shaimos with regular shaimos.
The following are special status shaimos and should be wrapped in plastic before being placed in shaimos:
♦ Tefillin, mezuzot, and megilot.
The following are considered shaimos and should not be discarded into the regular garbage or the recycling bin:
♦ Chumashim, siddurim, benchers, mishnayot, gemara, Torah commentaries, Shulchan Aruch and Halacha seforim etc.
♦ Covers of the seforim mentioned above.
♦ Mezuza covers, tefillin straps, boxes and bags.
♦ Paper that contains Hashem’s name.
The following should be placed in shaimos or when difficult it should be discarded respectfully by wrapping them before placing them in the recycling bin:
♦ Printed material which by their nature are not intended to be saved, i.e. weekly Divrei Torah flyers, Torah articles printed in newspapers and magazines. (The rest of the newspaper or magazine is not shaimos, and should not be placed in shaimos.)
♦ Children’s Lemudai kodesh homework and parsha sheets.
♦ Invitations that contain additional pesukim (verses) besides the standard Od Yeshama.
The following should be discarded respectfully by wrapping them before placing them in the recycling bin (if not accepted in the recycling bin then place them wrapped into the regular garbage):
♦ Tzitzis, tzitzis strings, and talleisim.
♦ Kippot.
♦ Lulav, esrog, schach.
♦ Tallis bags, tallis and tefillin plastics.
The following are not shaimos and should preferably be discarded in the recycling bin (if not accepted in the recycling bin then place them into the regular garbage):
♦ CDs, DVDs, tapes, computer disks that contain Torah shiurim.
♦ Torah-themed projects and pictures – provided that no pesukim (verses) are displayed.
♦ Invitations that contain only the standard Od Yeshama and no additional pesukim (verses).
The City of Vaughan will once again be providing a special bin for the burning of chometz at the BAYT on Monday, April 22. The Vaughan Fire Department will be present to supervise the ceremony. Please note the following details:
· The bin will be located in the BAYT parking lot
· The bin will be available from 6:30 AM - 12:15 PM.
· Only Chometz in paper bags is accepted and permissible. Plastic bags are not permitted because they are a pollutant. BAYT will have paper bags available to transfer your chametz from plastic if needed
The City of Vaughan is providing a special Passover waste and recycling depot at the Garnet A. Williams Community Centre later this month to help the Jewish community prepare for Passover. This service is open to all residents. It will be available from Monday, April 15 at 9 a.m. until Monday, April 22 at 5 p.m. in the community centre parking lot. Residents may dispose of their waste there from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day during this period. Additionally, there will be double-up days for garbage the weeks of April 9 or
April 16.
Agudah is sharing an appeal to B'nei Yeshiva and Ba'alei Batim about eliminating dangerous drinking on Purim.
This Purim, as a community, let's ensure that drinking is practiced within the guidelines of the Shulchan Aruch and everyone is kept safe throughout the day.
The following are halachos pertaining to Parshas Zachor. Reprinted from SSCM - Rav Felder
There is a mitzva to hear Parshas Zachor this Shabbos. Therefore, a man should do his utmost to hear Parshas Zachor with a minyan from a kosher Sefer Torah. However, if a person cannot come to Shul to hear Parshas Zachor he should read Parshas Zachor to himself, even if he only has a Chumash to read it from. If one missed Parshas Zachor in Shul, he has another opportunity to fulfill the mitzva hearing Kriyas Hatorah on Purim.
There are various opinions as to whether women are obligated to hear Parshas Zachor. The minhag of SSCM from years back was to follow the opinions that women are exempt from this mitzvah, therefore, women do not have to attend Shul to hear Parshas Zachor. While many women are generally particular to hear Parshas Zachor, if a woman cannot attend Shul, she may read Parshas Zachor from a Chumash. Alternatively, the mitzvah can be fulfilled Purim morning as described above.
Men, women and children of chinuch age are obligated to hear the Megilah both night and day. The Leil Purim reading of the Megilah takes place at night after tzais hakochavim (nightfall). The Megilah may be read throughout the entire night until alos hashachar (daybreak). During the day, l'chatchila one should be yotzai the reading of the Megilah after neitz (sunrise). However, a person is yotzai if he hears it after alos hashachar. The Megilah may be read throughout the entire day until shkiya.
Megilah should preferably be heard b'tzibur i.e. with a minyan in shul (even if one has a minyan at home, if possible, one should attend a minyan in shul).
One may sit during Kriyas Hamegilah however, for the brachos one should stand.
The Ba’al Koreih should stand for the kriya when laining b'tzibur i.e. with a minyan, however when laining for an individual one may sit.
The mitzvah of mishloach manos (giving two portions) is fulfilled by giving two types of food (even if they are the same bracha) to one individual. Water or seltzer are not considered a portion of food. A sandwich (even if it contains bread and meat) is considered one portion.
It is preferable that the portions should be considered respectable portions and not insignificant (i.e. one candy).
Although many have a commendable practice to give mishloach manos to many people in order to foster friendship, it is only necessary to give one person in a fashion that fulfills the above requirements. All the additional mishloach manos can be fulfilled with simpler portions.
Halachos pertaining to Matanos L'evyonim
The minimum amount necessary to fulfill this mitzvah l’chatchila is to give two aniyim sufficient funds to purchase a seuda of bread and meat. This amount should not be given from maaser funds, though one may add to this amount from maaser funds. The Rambam writes that one who is able is encouraged to increase in giving matanos l’evyonim more than mishloach manos, as the greatest way to celebrate is to gladden the hearts of those in need.
One can fulfill this mitzvah through the SSCM Fund.
Selected Halachos for Ta'anis Esther and Parashas Zachor
Unlike in most years, this year Ta’anis Esther is on Thursday and precedes the Shabbos upon which we read Parashas Zachor.
Ta’anis Esther
On Ta’anis Esther before Minchah,[1] the custom is to donate money zeicher l’machatzis hashekel – as a remembrance of the half- shekel sum that each male age twenty and above was required to donate yearly when the Beis Hamikdash (Temple) stood, and from which communal sacrifices for the ensuing year would be purchased. Since the solicitation of the donations in those times commenced in the month of Adar, we also donate the money in the month of Adar.[2]
According to strict halacha, only men are obligated in the mitzvah of zeicher l’machatzis hashekel, not women. Nevertheless, in many locales the minhag is that women donate voluntarily (see note),[3] or men donate on behalf of their wives and daughters (see note).[4] If a woman donates even once, she is obligated to donate every year. There is a dispute amongst the Poskim (halachic authorities) at which age the obligation begins for men – 13 or 20.[5] It is customary for men to donate for each of their sons even below the age of 13/20.[6] If a man donates on behalf of a particular member of his household – who is not obligated in the mitzvah – even once, he is obligated to donate every year on behalf of that household member – until that member moves out of his house.[7]
There are two prevalent customs regarding the proper amount of the donation for “zeicher l’machatzis hashekel.” The Ashkenazic custom[8] is to give three of the half-coin of the standard currency of the country.[9] E.g., in America one gives three half-dollar coins; in Israel one gives three half-NIS coins. Since most people do not have easy access to half-dollar coins, the custom is as follows: The shul puts out three half-dollar coins in the designated pushka (charity box) or equivalent. Each man puts $1.50 in the plate and takes the three half-dollar coins in exchange. He then places the three half-dollar coins back in the pushka as the “zeicher l’machatzis hashekel.” (see note).[10] If he is giving zeicher l’machatzis hashekel for several people (e.g., himself, his wife, and his children), he may put the full sum for all of them in the pushka at one time, take the three half-dollar coins from the pushka and put them back in repeatedly until he covers the original sum. For example, if he is giving zeicher l’machatzis hashekel for seven people, he may put $10.50 in the pushka, then take out the three half-dollar coins from the pushka and return them 7 different times.
The Sephardic custom is to give instead the actual value of 9.6-10 troy grams of pure silver,[11] since that is the amount that was given in the times of the Beis Hamikdash.[12] 10 troy grams of silver is the equivalent of [the spot price of] one ounce of silver divided by 3.11. Since the price of silver fluctuates constantly, this sum also fluctuates constantly. (In recent years, the sum has been approximately $4-$9, and lately has been approximately $7.90.) See note.[13]
If one was unable to give the zeicher l’machatzis hashekel before Minchah on Ta’anis Esther, one should endeavor to give it before the megilah reading at night, or at least before the megilah reading on Purim day.[14] If one was unable to give it on Purim, one should give it even after Purim, during the month of Adar. If one did not give it during the month of Adar, perhaps one should give it even after Adar to fulfill the custom of zeicher l’machatzis hashekel.[15]
The money that is collected should be distributed to poor people (but see note).[16]
Parashas Zachor
On the Shabbos before Purim, we read Parashas Zachor[17] for the aliyah of maftir. Therein is recorded the mandate to: 1) remember – and never forget – that the nation of Amaleik attacked the Jewish People unprovoked following the Exodus from ancient Egypt; 2) eradicate Amaleik; and 3) relate to our descendants that which Amaleik perpetrated against the Jewish People.[18] According to some Rishonim (early commentators),[19] it is a mitzvah d’oraysa (Biblically ordained mitzvah) to read it – or hear it being read – once a year from the Torah (see note);[20] according to other Rishonim,[21] it is not a mitzvah d’oraysa, but a mitzvah d’rabanan (Rabbinically ordained mitzvah). Since the obligation might be a mitzvah d’oraysa, even if the nearest shul (synagogue) is a great distance away, every male age 13 and older is required to go to shul to hear the reading of Parashas Zachor – if feasible (see note).[22]
There is a dispute amongst the Poskim whether women are obligated in this mitzvah.[23] Since many Poskim hold that women are indeed obligated in this mitzvah, a strong minhag (custom) has developed in many – but not all – communities that women make an effort to attend shul to hear the reading of Parashas Zachor (but see note).[24] If a woman cannot attend the reading in shul, it is advisable that she read it herself from a printed text (e.g., from a Chumash).[25]
Children (see note)[26] who have reached the age of chinuch[27] (and will not disturb the reading)[28] should be brought to shul to listen to the reading of Parashas Zachor.
According to the Magen Avraham,[29] if one missed the reading of Parashas Zachor on Shabbos, one may fulfill one’s obligation by listening to the Torah reading of Purim morning. To fulfill one’s obligation with that Torah reading, one would have to have in mind at the time of the reading to fulfill one’s requirement of the mitzvah of remembering Amalek.[30] The later Poskim, however, question the ruling of the Magen Avraham.[31]
[1] M.B. 694:4; Kaf Hachayim 694:26.
[2] Rema O.C. 694:1.
[3] Sh”ut Shevet Halevy (7:183) rules that women should give a zeicher l’machatzis hashekel as a chumrah (stringency) so as to fulfill the opinion of those who hold that women were obligated in the mitzvah during the times when the Beis Hamikdash stood. Similarly, Rav Ovadyah Yosef (Yalkut Yosef -Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 2006 - 692:6) rules that women should give a zeicher l’machatzis hashekel.
[4] See Dirshu Mishnah Berurah n.e. 694:5 note 18.
[5] See Rema O.C. 694:1 and M.B. 694:5.
[6] M.B. 694:5.
[7] See Dirshu Mishnah Berurah n.e. 694:5 note 20 (citing Rav Elyashiv), based on Mishnah Shekalim 1:3. Cf. Koveitz Halachos (Purim page 49) regarding cases in which women donate voluntary or someone donates on their behalf. See also Mo’adim Uzmanim 2:157 with regard to the possibility of saying bli neder (it should not be considered a vow) when a man donates the first time for his children to prevent it from becoming obligatory.
[8] Some Ashkenazim are stringent and donate according to the Sephardic custom (Balaylah Hahu, section on Machatzis Hashekel); see below in the article.
[9] Rema O.C. 694:1. The reason is that the word Terumah (Separation/Donation) is written three times in the section in the Torah that discusses the half- shekel obligation. See Shemos 30:11-16.
[10] It is the custom of some to say “zeicher l’machatzis hashekel” when placing the half-dollar coins in the pushka (see Yechaveh Da’as 1:86; Balaylah Hahu #2; see also Kaf Hachayim 694:21). One should be careful, however, not to say that the sum is for “machatzis hashekel” (omitting “zeicher”) lest it be considered a donation to the Beis Hamikdash (Yechaveh Da’as 1:86, based on Teshuvos Ge’onei Mizrach Uma’arav #40). Koveitz Halachos (Purim 3:3), however, is not concerned even if one were to say explicitly “This money is for machatzis hashekel.”
[11] See Piskei Teshuvos vol. 6 page 574; and Yechaveh Da’as 1:86.
[12] Kaf Hachayim 694:20.
[13] The custom in many Sephardic congregations is as follows: The shul puts out three half-dollar coins in the designated pushka or equivalent. Each man pick up the three coins and exchanges it for the required sum based on the value of silver, and then returns the three half-dollar coins to the pushka. Kaf Hachayim (ibid.) writes that if there is a coin in circulation whose value is equal to or greater than the silver requirement, one who wishes to fulfill the mitzvah in the best possible manner should donate one of those coins. [It would seem that if he wishes, he may then exchange that coin for the three half-dollars in the pushka, as above.] Rav Ovadyah Yosef rules (Yalkut Yosef - Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 2006 - 692:4,6) that if one is struggling financially, one may give the minimum amount of one-half of the standard currency of the country for himself and a small amount for each of his household members.
[14] See Rema O.C. 694:1; M.B. 694:4.
[15] See Dirshu Mishnah Berurah note to 694:4.
[16] Sha’arei Teshuvah O.C. 694:2; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 141:5; see Rema O.C. 694:1 and Sha’ar Hatziyun 694:9. Kaf Hachayim (694:22) records that the custom in his country was to send the collected money to Eretz Yisrael to be distributed among the Torah Scholars who lived there; and that the custom in Eretz Yisrael was to use the money collected there for the upkeep of the shuls or for distribution to needy Torah scholars. Rav Ovadyah Yosef rules (Yalkut Yosef - Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 2006 - 692:7) that the money should be given to support Yeshivos. Cf. Aruch HaShulchan (694:8) who writes that the money may be used for any purpose.
[17] From Parashas Ki Seitzei (Devarim 25:17–19).
[18] Mishnah Berurah 685:16.
[19] Tosafos (Brachos 13a s.v. Bilshon Hakodesh); Rosh (Brachos 7:20). See also Be‘eir Heiteiv (Orach Chaim 685:2).
[20] According to the Minchas Chinuch (Mitzvah 603), while it is a mitzvah d’oraysa to read it, one fulfills the Biblical mandate by reading it from a printed text (e.g., from a Chumash) or even by saying it by heart (not from a text). He agrees, however, that to fulfill the Rabbinic mandate, one must read it – or hear it being read – from a Sefer Torah (Torah Scroll); see note 22. Pe’ulas Sachir (on Ma’aseh Rav #133), however, maintains that to fulfill the Biblical mandate one must read or (or hear it being read) from a Sefer Torah, but that the requirement that a minyan be present is only Rabbinic. See also M.B. 685:14,17.
[21] See Sefer Hachinuch (Mitzvah 603); see Minchas Chinuch ad loc. See also Halichos Beisah chapter 9 note 8 for a lengthy discussion.
[22] Shulchan Aruch O.C. 685:7. If it is not feasible for one to go to shul and hear Parashas Zachor with a minyan, one should read Parashas Zachor from a valid Sefer Torah without a minyan (Rema O.C. 685:7; see M.B. 17). If one cannot do such, one should at least read it from a printed text (e.g., from a Chumash) – preferably with the proper trup (cantillation melody). see note 20.
[23] See Sefer Hachinuch (Mitzvah 603) with Minchas Chinuch.
[24] See Halichos Bas Yisrael 22:1 with notes 1–4. See also Dirshu Mishnah Berurah n.e. 685:16 note 26. Rav Ovadyah Yosef (Yalkut Yosef - Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 2006 - 685:14) rules that women who do not come to shul to hear Parashas Zachor have on whom to rely halachically, but women who do come to hear it will receive heavenly blessing.
[25] See note 20. For women there is a stronger basis for allowing reading Parashas Zachor from a printed text (see Kaf Hachayim 685:30) and maybe even for reciting it by heart (see Sh”ut Toras Chesed 37:5).
[26] Boys; and girls in those locales in which the minhag is for women to hear the reading of Parashas Zachor.
[27] A father is obligated in the chinuch (training) of his young children (under bar- and bas-mitzvah) to perform mitzvos that the children will be obligated to perform when they become older. (Some say a mother is also obligated in chinuch of her children; see Mishnah Berurah 343:2 and 640:5) In general, the age of chinuch is 6-7, depending on the maturity of the child.
[28] Based on M.B. 689:18.
[29] Orach Chaim chapter 685.
[30] M.B. 685:16.
[31] See M.B. ibid. and Pe’ulas Sachir (on Ma’aseh Rav of Gr”a #133).
SPRING FORWARD: Reminder to change your clocks this Motzei Shabbos and move it one hour ahead, and check or change your smoke detector and CO2 detectors batteries if needed. Keep in mind that Israel won't change their clocks till Friday March 29th, so there will be only a 6 hour time difference till then.
Ontario government announced plan to scrap licence plate renewals; they will soon renew automatically without you having to do it. Note that for now, you still need to make sure yours is renewed; if stopped with an expired plate, you can be fined. Stickers ended 2 years ago, so the only way to check the status of your plate is to go online, or call the ministry. As well, driver's licence and photo card fees will stay frozen permanently.
No more free parking on legal holidays, starting this Monday, Feb 19 (Family Day). In addition, note that since this Monday is a legal holiday, stores, offices and attractions may be closed or have different hours.
Important Numbers
