- Halacha
- General Questions
Nail Filing
Question
What is the proper way to file ones nails. Is there a specific order? where should it be done? in a garbage? over the sink? over the toilet? anywhere? does it have the same requirements of disposal as does the actual cut piece of nails?
Answer
The Rema (שו"ע אורח חייים סי' רס) says in the name of the Abudraham that one should not cut the finger nails in order rather one should start with the left hand and the order of cutting should be as follows:
The ring finger, index finger, pinky, middle, and finally the thumb. On the right hand the order should be: The index finger, ring finger, thumb, middle, and finally the pinky.
As far as their disposal the poskim emphasized mainly that they should not be dropped where women walk.
However, the Chida (ברכי יוסף סי' רס) says that the Ari z"l was not cautious with this issue and if the Ari z"l was not concerned with it then there is no doubt and one need not be concerned. This is the opinion of Sefardi poskim while the Magen Avraham and Mishna B'rura said that the proper custom is to follow the order of cutting.

Different Types of Netilat Yedayim
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Adar II 19, 5774

Lag B’Omer
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 11, 5772

Bithiah, Pharoah and baby Moshe
Rabbi Ari Shvat |

Use of the expression ’Todah L’Kail’
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Iyyar 15, 5772

Rabbi Yoel Lieberman

Kashiring a Kettle
Av 30, 5769

L’Dovid Hashem Ori
Elul 11, 5769

Yerushalmi
Av 27, 5769

is a cruise ship considered its own domain
Elul 4, 5769
Genesis 24: 2-9 – Put your hand under my thigh
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Tevet 26, 5770

Jews murdering prophets
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tammuz 2, 5780

Mezzuzah for Non Jew
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 18, 5773
Is a Boy Jewish without a Brit Milah?
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Adar 21, 5781

Hugging a woman without sexual connotations
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Kislev 15, 5784

Children of a Converted Reform Woman
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Kislev 10, 5784
