1)During The days of Sefira, it is customary to exhibit some signs of mourning, as in this time period the 24,000 disciples of Rabbi Akiva perished. (See Talmud Yevamos 62b and Tur and Shulchan Aruch Siman 493)
It is customary not to get married during Sefira. Getting engaged is permissible.
It is customary not to take haircuts or shave facial hair during Sefira.
It is customary not to listen to music or dance during Sefira (We will elaborate on this in more detail iy"H in the coming days)
2) Though the time of Sefira is from Pesach until Shavuos, it is customary to only exhibit the signs of mourning for 33 of the 49 days.
Some people start from Pesach and cease the mourning on Lag B'Omer, while others only begin exhibiting the signs of mourning from the first day of Rosh Chodesh Iyar until three days before Shavuos(Sh'loshes Yemei HaGbalah)(See Shu"t Chasam Sofer Orach Chaim Siman 142 and Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 1 Siman 159 regarding if today's days there exists any problems of "Lo TisGodedu" with people who observe different times of Sefira)
Some Poskim maintain that one may switch his/her "33 days" from year to year (Hataras Nedarim may be necessary in order to do this), while others are stringent and maintain that one must continually follow the same minhag each year (See Michtavim U'Ma'amarim from Rav Eliezer Menachem Mann Shach Zatzal Vol. 6 page 71 for the reasoning why changing would not be permitted.)
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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 page 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.
You wrote: "…part of a fingernail that is loose and hanging is a Chatitzah and must be removed before washing Netilas Yadayim".
What do you do if it's Shabbos, Chol HaMoed or Yom Tov? Are you allowed to remove the part of the fingernail that is loose?
Answer:
Removing a loose fingernail on Shabbos is an Issur D'Rabanan, and may not be done. The only time it may be removed with your teeth or hands, but never with a scissor, is if it causes Tza'ar, pain or discomfort
Thus, in a case where it does not cause discomfort, it may not be removed on shabbos, yet is a chatzitza for washing! This poses a problematic situation. The same problem would arise if a woman's nail polish starts cracking and peeling on Shabbos. A Rav should be consulted for Halacha L'Ma'aseh.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Important Numbers
