Practical Halakha: Shabbat, Kashrut, and Daily Mitzvot Step by Step

Knowledge of halachic theory becomes meaningful when it connects to practice. This course focuses on three domains that shape Jewish daily life most visibly — Shabbat, kashrut, and daily ritual mitzvot — and provides structured, source-based guidance for understanding what each area involves, why specific practices developed as they did, and how to navigate common questions that arise in real households and communities. By the end of this course you will be able to describe the thirty-nine categories of prohibited Shabbat labor and their modern applications, explain the basic structure of a kosher kitchen including meat/dairy separation and the role of bishul akum, identify the daily mitzvot that structure morning, afternoon, and evening practice, and work through common practical scenarios using a systematic question-and-answer framework drawn from the halachic sources. What you will learn: - The thirty-nine avot melachot (primary categories) of Shabbat labor and their modern derivatives (toladot) - Shabbat time: calculation of candle lighting, havdalah, and rabbinic additions (tosefet Shabbat) - Kashrut fundamentals: the prohibition of mixing meat and dairy, the status of pareve foods, and the kosher kitchen setup - Checking and preparing food: leafy vegetables, dried fruits, and common problematic ingredients - The role of a mashgiach and kosher certification systems — what they do and do not guarantee - Daily prayer structure: Shacharit, Mincha, Ma'ariv, and the mitzvot associated with each - Tefillin: the halacha of wearing, checking, and the meaning behind the practice - How to use a basic halachic reference (e.g., Kitzur Shulchan Aruch) for self-study Each unit centers on a practical domain and provides structured worksheets: first a summary of the underlying principles, then a series of case scenarios (ranging from simple to more nuanced), each followed by an annotated explanation. Checklists provide a practical reference for Shabbat preparation and kosher kitchen setup. Reflection prompts encourage you to consider how these practices connect to broader halachic values and communal identity. This course is educational in nature and does not substitute for guidance from a qualified rabbinic authority for personal halachic decisions. This course is written for adults who observe or are considering observing traditional Jewish practice and want a structured, source-based introduction to the practical dimensions of daily halacha. It is suitable for those new to observance as well as those who have been practicing informally and want to ground their routine in a clearer understanding of the sources. No prior talmudic background is required.