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Sunday, April 19, 2026

Featuring laws of Shabbat

Shabbat· Deep Dive

Must a korah be placed with the intent to permit the alleyway?

Unlike a lechi which may arise naturally, a korah requires intent — it must be placed specifically to permit the alleyway; one placed for another purpose does not work even if relied upon before Shabbat.

A korah must be placed with the intent to permit the alleyway; if not placed for that purpose, it is invalid even if relied upon before Shabbat.

R' Yosef Karo, Shulchan Arukh

Early Acharonim (1)

R' Yosef Karo

A korah must be placed with the intent to permit the alleyway; if not placed for that purpose, it is invalid even if relied upon before Shabbat.

Late Acharonim (1)

R' Yisrael Meir Kagan

If the korah is four tefachim wide and fit to receive plastering, it may be valid even if not placed with intent, because such a korah functions through 'pi tikra yored ve-sotem' (the principle that a ceiling-like structure seals), not merely as a reminder.

StrictLenient
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Shabbat · Bathing in Hot Water on Shabbat

May a minor serve as maftir for special Torah portions such as Parshat Zakhor, Parshat Para, or other Arba Parshiyot?

The Rema permits a minor as maftir for the additional Shabbat portions and Arba Parshiyot. However, for Parshat Zakhor (possibly Biblical) and…

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Shabbat · Bathing and Washing on Shabbat

Is one permitted to dry a cup that had water or wine in it with a cloth on Shabbat?

The Mechaber forbids drying a cup that contained water or wine with a cloth due to concern of sechitah (squeezing). The Acharonim discuss exceptions:…

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