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1) It is customary to decorate the Sukkah with nice fruits- especially of the Shivas HaMinim variety-, nuts, olive oil, grape leaves and wines. (See Rashi to Sukkah 10a Dibur Hamaschil Yaynos U'shmanim. Some have the custom to use the olive oil that hung in the Sukkah for the Chanukah Menorah as to use something that was used for a Mitzvah and use it for an additional Mitzvah. See Mishna Berura Siman 673:27. )
It is also a proper custom to hang beautiful curtains, decorations and other nice things in the Sukkah.
The purpose of hanging all these things is to bring those sitting in the Sukkah to a state of happiness. (See Mishna Berura Siman 638:11, Elef HaMagen Siman 625:38 and Sefer Seder HaYom Seder Mitzvas Sukkah, page 171. See also Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 5 Siman 39:6 and 40:4 for more on the topic of decorating the Sukkah)
2) Many have the custom to hang pictures of Gedolei Yisroel, Torah leaders, past and present, to adorn their Sukkah. (Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld Zatzal, the Rav of Yerushalayim maintained that this is due to "Teishvu K'Ein Taduru, to make your Sukkah feel like your home" and most people have portraits of Gedolim hanging in their home. The Steipler Zatzal had many Gedolim pictures hanging in his Sukkah, including portraits of Rav Chaim Brisker, his son the Brisker Rav, the Chazon Ish, Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzensky and Rav Elchonon Wasserman Zichronam L'Vracha. See Orchos Rabbeinu Vol. 2 page 221 and Vol. 5 page 117. Maran Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv shlita also has portraits of Gedolim hanging in his Sukkah.)
question
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
Is one allowed to take a shower on Yom Tov?
Answer:
Showering on Yom Tov is only permitted when extremely necessary (very hot and sweaty etc.), and even then not in the normal manner of showering during the weekdays.
Hot water may not be used.
Only one part of the body may be washed at a time, and not a full body shower.
Bar soap may not be used, nor a washcloth.
Liquid soap and shampoo, according to some Poskim may be used, only if they are watered down enough. Drying the hair afterwards with a towel is prohibited.
There are other issues that may arise as well. It is important to discuss all the details of this with a Rav to determine the need to shower and the methods acceptable according to Halacha.
Unfortunately many people abuse this Halacha and take showers, or even go swimming, on Yom Tov, and they should be urged to seek Rabbinic guidance before engaging in these oftentimes prohibited activities on Yom Tov.
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- one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (Talmud Niddah 73a)
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