1) Even according to the opinions that prohibit purchasing Sefarim using Ma'aser money, the amount spent on the Sefarim [needed for learning] may be deducted from the total income on which Ma'aser is calculated. (Tzedaka U'Mishpat Perek 5 footnote 34)
According to all opinions, Ma'aser money may be used to purchase Sefarim that will be lent to others who cannot afford to buy them on their own, even if the buyer can afford to use his/her own money for this purpose. (Bais Dino Shel Shlomo Y"D Siman 1. See also Ahavas Chesed Vol. 2 Perek 19:2 who writes that it is a unanimous Psak and there is no room to be stringent. See also Shu"t Chasam Sofer Y"D Siman 249)
2) Even one who purchases Sefarim with Ma'aser according to the above guidelines, in order to lend to others, is not required to allow everybody that wants to come into his/her home at any time to use the Sefarim. (Shu"t Mishne Halachos Vol. 6 Siman 198, based on Taz Siman 249)
It is permitted, according to all opinions, to purchase Sefarim with Ma'aser money and donate them to a Shul or Yeshiva. (Shu"t Shevet Haleivi Vol. 7 Siman 194)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER:
(Reader Submitted Questions of interest (on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topics) and my Answers taken from the Q & A page on the Halacha For Todaywebsite. For study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha. Questions can be sent to Halacha For Today )
Reader's Question:
I just read your answer about the eggs/onions/etc. (Click Here for Q&A Page #2 and see question #72)
Wow! I never knew that - so does that mean the same thing if it was left overnight INSIDE the refrigerator?!
If I have a salad or tuna fish with scallions/onions in it and it's a lot so I want to refrigerate it, I can't?
Also, on the topic of onions, I once heard that there's something special about them (and I heard there are a few other foods that I do not know about) in reference to kosher - like milk and meat - something to do with it being "spicy...."?
My Answer:
Being in the refrigerator doesnt help. However as it said in the answer: "if the onion was prepared and mixed with other foods ( salt, oil, mayonaisse, etc.) there is no problem and it may be prepared and left overnight and eaten the next day."
Therefore your onions which were part of a salad or tuna, are OK.
Regarding your second question: Yes, Onions and a few other "sharp" foods are considered "Davar Charif- sharp item" and therefore have special Halachos when it comes to Kashrus. For example, an onion that was cut in half with a Fleishig knife becomes Fleishig. Onions that were fried in a milchig frying pan, become milchig etc.
Follow Up Question from Same Reader:
With regard to the "davar charif" laws - does that mean if I cut an onion with a meat knife and then mix it in with a salad (neither meat nor dairy) I should not use a dairy utensil? And does that make me actually "meat" - like would I wait for 6 hours before dairy?
My Answer:
Yes, the salad that contains onions cut with a Fleishig knife, should preferably not be eaten with a Milchig utensil, as it very possibly has rendered the entire salad Fleishig. (There are too many variables to this which may change the Halacha, but its too lengthy a discussion for this email)
If the knife in question was clean when the onion was cut, then there is no need to wait six hours after eating the salad before eating milchig again. (Chidushei Rav Akiva Eiger to Yoreh Deah Siman 89). However, if you are Fleishig, you may need to wait 6 hours before eating a Davar Chariif that was cut with a milchig knife, according to some Poskim.
Important Numbers
