Volume 24 – Orach Chaim: Toiletries and Medicine on Pesach, Mechirat Chametz, Kitniyot, Erev Pesach, Mourning Customs, the Zichron Yosef Volume

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Volume 24 of the Tzurba M’Rabanan English Series covers the halachot of chagim and moadim, spanning from the weeks before Pesach through to the observances that mark the destruction of the Temple.

The volume opens with the practical halachot surrounding Pesach preparation: which toiletries, cosmetics, and medicines require attention before the chag, and on what grounds; the mechanics and validity of mechirat chametz, including the kinyan process and contemporary questions such as owning stocks in chametz-producing companies; and the laws of kitniyot, tracing the custom from its origins through Sephardic and Ashkenazic practice to the modern kitchen. A detailed treatment of Erev Pesach follows, covering the fast of the firstborn, the prohibition of matza, personal grooming, and the particular complications that arise when Erev Pesach falls on Shabbat.

The volume then turns to Sefirat Ha’Omer, examining the origins and parameters of the mourning customs, the halachot of weddings, haircuts, and music during the Sefira period, and the observance of Lag B’Omer. The halachot of Shavuot address Tikun Leil Shavuot, the berachot for those who stay awake all night, the custom of eating dairy foods, and the reading of Megillat Rut. The volume closes with a comprehensive treatment of Zeicher L’Churban, from leaving a section of one’s home unfinished and the placement of the amah, through restrictions on music and the practice of breaking a glass at weddings, to Tikkun Chatzot and contemporary observance.

Each shiur traces the full arc of halachic development, from the Talmudic source through the Rishonim and Poskim to the rulings of contemporary authorities. Summaries, machshava sections, further iyun essays, and responsa round out each topic.

Written and compiled by Rav Benzion Algazi. Translated and edited by Rav Joel Kenigsberg, Rav Yonatan Kohn, Rav Eli Ozarowski, and Rav Daniel Westbrook. With approbations from Rabbi Hershel Schachter (Rosh Yeshiva, RIETS), Rabbi Ya’akov Ariel, and Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu zt”l.

Part of the Tzurba M’Rabanan English Series (The Lax Family Edition), a 31-volume program covering Yoreh De’ah, Orach Chaim, Even Ha’Ezer, and Choshen Mishpat. Over 20,000 learners participate in the program worldwide.