Daily Halacha - Laws of Bein HaMetzarim, 7th of Tammuz 5777

Is there an obligation nowadays to leave a square cubit without plaster in one's home?

Currently, since it is common to mix sand with lime, there is no obligation to leave a square cubit unplastered, and similarly, one who purchases a plastered house is not obligated to scrape off any plaster [Chazon Ovadia on the Laws of Fasts, p. 430].

Should a glass be broken at a wedding even though the public rejoices when it breaks?

The custom is to break a glass cup at weddings in remembrance of the destruction of the Temple, and because of the ignorant people who fill their mouths with laughter at the breaking of the glass, there were authorities who wanted to abolish this custom.

Nevertheless, one should maintain the custom, and it is good to explain to the public that the reason for this custom is to commemorate the destruction [ibid].

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