Halachic Highlights

Question: To fulfill Shiluach HaKein, do you have to first catch the mother bird and remove her from the birds or is it sufficient to simply shoo the mother bird away with your hands or a stick?

Short Answer: Some poskim require you to first catch the bird, but most poskim rule leniently that any method is fine.

Question: Should you hang a piece of your afikoman on the door?

Short Answer: There is minhag to hang a piece of the afikoman on your door for protection. Some challenge the minhag, but it is accepted by most poskim.

In Your Courtyard

Question: May you fulfill Shiluach HaKein with a bird and a nest on your front lawn?

Question: If you forget to perform b’dikas chametz and you remember on Chol HaMoed, should you wait until the night to perform b’dikas chametz or do it right away?

Short Answer: It is a machlokes when the b’dikah should be done, but most poskim say it should be performed as soon as you remember. There is also a dispute whether a brachah is recited on this b’dikah.

Question: What is the reason for the mitzvah of Shiluach HaKein?

Short Answer: Multiple reasons are suggested, including no reason at all.

Question: May a shaliach eat before doing b’dikas chametz in his friend’s house?

Short Answer: There is a dispute whether a shaliach may eat before performing someone else’s mitzvah for him. Practically, it is probably better for the shaliach to refrain from eating beforehand unless he must.