Chikrei Halachah U'Minhag Volumes 1 & 2 (Gurevitch)

By: Rabbi Nir Gurevitch Format: 7" x 10" Hardcover, 1210 Pages (2 Volumes) Language: Hebrew Chikrei Halachah Uminhag, by R. Nir Gurevitch, is a two-volume collection of essays on practical halachic matters. The genre of articles summarizing halachic discussion of contemporary issues is very popular, and many such volumes are published every year. These works of summary and analysis are enjoyed both by Rabbonim, who use them to help develop their own halachic positions, as well as laymen who wish to broaden their understanding of halachic issues they regularly encounter. Within Lubavitch as well, where authors naturally devote more attention to the opinions of our Rebbeim on the topics, many such works have been published in recent years. Chikrei Halachah Uminhag is a work in this broad category that stands out due to a number of unique features. Firstly, the chapters are more thorough and comprehensive than usual. These are not brief essays or articles summarizing the key points of the halachic discussion, but extensive monograph-length works, covering the topics from multiple angles and citing a broad range of opinions. The combined 1200 pages of the two volumes of this set cover 16 different topics. Biographical information about the lesser known authors cited is also provided, and the history and content of particular seforim are explained where relevant. The title page states prominently that this work is intended for study, and not to give definitive rulings. The author elaborates in the introduction on his goal: assembling sources and organizing, explaining, and clarifying them to make them easily understandable for informational purposes. Readers are cautioned not to pasken halachah from the book, but rather to consult its sources. The range of topics is quite broad and eclectic. Some are about specific halachic issues, such as the question of bishul Yisrael for coffee; others present all of the halachah, minhag, kabbalah, etc. discussion related to a general matter, such as the extensive article on all things related to teeth and dental care; and yet others focus on lighter topics, such as the rule of mesaymim betov, concluding on a positive note.