Everyday Halacha Guide: Practical Jewish Laws for Home, Health, and Daily Life

The following laws are based on the rulings of the Rishon LeTzion, Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef

Food and Drink Stored Under a Bed

One should not place food or drink under a bed that people sleep on. However, after the fact, most authorities permit eating such food, especially if the floor beneath the bed is tiled or covered. Even on bare ground, in cases of significant loss, it may be permitted. If the bed belongs to a non-Jew or a child, it is certainly permitted.

If someone sleeps in their clothes and food is in their pockets, there is no concern.

Food placed between a pillow and blanket may be eaten.

It is permitted to store food in airplane or bus cargo compartments, even though people sleep above them.

A sealed container of wine placed under a bed is forbidden by some due to spiritual concerns, but many permit it today, especially as modern homes have tiled floors.

Ideally, one should not place food under a table during a meal, but after the fact there is no concern.

Foods to Be Careful With

It is proper to avoid leaving peeled garlic, onions, or eggs overnight, due to harmful spiritual effects, unless they are mixed into another dish. After the fact, they are permitted.

Pickled garlic stored for a long time is permitted.

Canned onions are permitted even if left overnight.

Food eaten by a cat or mouse should ideally be avoided because it may cause forgetfulness, though it is not strictly forbidden.

Using Items of the Deceased

It is generally permitted to use the clothing of a deceased person. However, shoes worn at the time of death should not be used.

Fruit Trees

It is forbidden by Torah law to cut down a fruit-bearing tree unnecessarily, and doing so may involve danger. However, one may cut branches for building a sukkah. It is preferable to have a non-Jew do the cutting.

Uprooting fruit trees is permitted for necessary home expansion, preferably through a non-Jew.

Safety in the Home

Children must be protected by installing bars on windows and proper railings on balconies — even if the height meets the minimum halachic measure.

Any dangerous hazard must be removed, as the Torah commands: “Guard yourself and guard your life.” Leaving dangers such as exposed wires or unstable ladders is a violation of this command.

A mother should not sleep with a baby beside her due to the risk of suffocation.

Marriage-Related Halachot

A yeshiva student may marry a woman from a priestly family (bat kohen), but one should not marry off a daughter to a non-observant man.

If a man’s wife passes away leaving young children, he may marry her sister to care for them.

Fish and Meat

Eating fish and meat together is forbidden due to health concerns. However, two people may eat them at the same table without special separation.

Frying fish in a meat pan (after washing it) is permitted.

One should not bake fish and meat together in a small oven, though after the fact the food is permitted.

Cooking fish and meat near each other without direct contact is permitted.

If fish falls into a meat dish, it is permitted if there is a ratio of sixty-to-one. One may even add more meat to achieve that ratio.

Water-Related Cautions

Water in a house of mourning should not be consumed due to spiritual concern.

Mezuzah When Moving

A renter may not remove mezuzot when leaving a home rented from another Jew. However, if they are valuable, they may temporarily remove them to check or transfer them, provided replacements are immediately installed.

Being Called to the Torah

One who is called to the Torah should not refuse, as this is considered spiritually harmful. Therefore, many communities avoid announcing names publicly and instead invite individuals privately.

Food Eaten by Animals

If an animal ate from food, one should remove the bitten part; the rest is permitted. Some avoid eating it entirely, but in need one may rely on leniency.

Home Renovations

One should not completely seal a window or opening; a small opening should remain.

Shidduch (Matchmaking) Considerations

Some avoid marrying someone with the same name as a parent. If the match is otherwise appropriate, one party may add an additional name and use it for thirty days before marriage.

Marriage between close relatives should be evaluated with medical and rabbinic guidance.

A daughter of a kohen should ideally marry a Torah scholar; otherwise, caution is advised.

A woman whose previous husbands died may have halachic restrictions on remarriage under certain conditions.

Extinguishing a Flame

One should avoid extinguishing a candle by blowing with the mouth, even from a distance.

People Who Require Extra Protection

The Talmud teaches that certain individuals require special protection: the sick, a bride and groom, a new mother, mourners, and Torah scholars at night.

These laws reflect a broad approach to daily life — combining physical safety, spiritual awareness, and practical wisdom. From how we handle food and home safety to relationships and personal conduct, Jewish law guides every aspect of life with care and intention.