Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Halocho #2374 - How do we publicize the miracle of Purim?
Monday, March 18, 2024
Halocho #2373 - If you forget to say עַל הַנִּסִּים on Purim
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Halocho #2372 - Yahrzeit of our teacher Moses; Moshe Rabeinu
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Halocho #2371 - Purim gifts for your friends
One of the Mitzvot of Purim is Mishlo’ach Manot; sending at least two food items to one fellow Jew.
These 2 food items need to be ready to eat. For example fruit, wine, cake or cooked meat.
It’s commendable to send Mishlo’ach Manot to a lot of people, but it’s even better to spend more on Matanot La'Evyonim for the poor and needy.
Both men and women need to send Mishlo’ach Manot. Men should send to men, women should send to women.
A mourner (in the 12 months for parents or 30 days for siblings, spouse or child) also needs to send Mishlo’ach Manot. One does not send Mishlo’ach Manot to a mourner unless there are no other Jews around.
One may give Matanot La'Evyonim to a needy mourner.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 142:1, 2, 4, 7
- Danny Schoemann
Thursday, 4 Adar-2 5784
Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Halocho #2370 - Mourning the Beit HaMikdash in Adar
The second Beit HaMikdash was dedicated today - 3 Adar - some 2370 years ago. (Ezra 6:15)
ונשלם בית זה עד יום שלישי לירח אֲדָר בשנת שש למלכות דָּרְיָוֶשׁ המלך : (רלב"ג)
- At festive meals, one should leave out one serving dish.
- A woman should not wear all her jewelry at the same time.
- At the engagement a plate is broken - though it should be a damaged plate.
- At the wedding, a glass cup is broken.
- The bride's veil shouldn't have gold or silver threads.
- The groom has ashes placed on his hair (where he places his Tefillin) before the wedding.
Wednesday, 3 Adar-2 5784
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Halocho #2369 - Purim gifts for the poor
Monday, March 11, 2024
Halocho #2368 - Be happy! Adar is here
One increases joy when Adar begins because Adar and (next month) Nissan historically have been full of miracles, including the redemption from Egypt and (nearly a millennium later) the miracle of Purim.
Adar is considered an auspicious month for the Jews.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 141:1
Chodesh Tov
- Danny
Monday, 2nd day Rosh Chodesh Adar-2 5784
Sunday, March 10, 2024
Halocho 2367 - Forgot Ya'aleh Vayavoh on Rosh Chodesh?
Today (Sunday) and tomorrow (Monday) is Rosh Chodesh Adar-Bet.
On Rosh Chodesh one adds יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא in Birkat Hamazon (grace after meals); forgetting to do so (night or day) does not require amendment.
However, if one noticed the omission after finishing the third blessing - בּוֹנֶה בְּרַחֲמָיו יְרוּשָׁלָיִם - but before beginning the fourth blessing, there is a special blessing that is to be said before proceeding:
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 44:13
וּבְחֹל הַמּוֹעֵד אִם לֹא אָמַר יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא יֹאמַר בָּרוּךְ אַתָה ה' אֱ-לֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר נָתַן מוֹעֲדִים לְעַמּוֹ יִשְֹרָאֵל לְשָׂשׂוֹן וּלְשִׂמְחָה אֶת יוֹם חַג (פְּלוֹנִי) הַזֶּה, בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' מְקַדֵּשׁ יִשְֹרָאֵל וְהַזְּמַנִּים.
וּבְרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה אוֹמֵר, בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱ-לֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר נָתַן יָמִים טוֹבִים לְעַמּוֹ יִשְֹרָאֵל אֶת יוֹם הַזִּכָּרוֹן הַזֶּה, בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' מְקַדֵּשׁ יִשְֹרָאֵל וְיוֹם הַזִּכָּרוֹן.
וְאִם לֹא נִזְכַּר עַד לְאַחַר שֶׁהִתְחִיל הַבְּרָכָה שֶׁלְּאַחֲרֶיהָ אֵינוֹ חוֹזֵר לְרֹאשׁ מִשּׁוּם דִּבְרֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ וּבְחֹל הַמּוֹעֵד אֵינוֹ מְחֻיָּב לֶאֱכֹל פַּת דַּוְקָא.
Chodesh Tov
- Danny Schoemann
Sunday, 1st day Rosh Chodesh Adar-Sheini 5784
Thursday, March 7, 2024
Halocho #2366 - Rosh Chodesh on Sunday and Monday
This Sunday and Monday will be Rosh Chodesh Adar-Bet.
When the 3rd Shabbat meal continues into the night, one still inserts רְצֵה during Birkat Hamazon.
When one starts a meal on Erev Rosh Chodesh and eats a Kezayit (the size of an olive) of bread after dark, one inserts יַעֲלֶה וְיָבוֹא during Birkas Hamazon.
What happens when both of the above happen together?
Some Poskim say that if Rosh Chodesh is on Sunday and one eats a Kezayit of bread after dark during the 3rd Shabbat meal, then one inserts both רְצֵה and יַעֲלֶה וְיָבוֹא during Birkas Hamazon.
However, other Poskim argue that mentioning both is a contradiction – since Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh aren't on the same day.
Therefore it's best to be careful not to eat bread after dark at the 3rd Shabbat meal when Rosh Chodesh is on Sunday - and then only רְצֵה is added.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 44:17
וְאִם אָכַל שֶׁהַתְחָלַת הַסְּעוּדָּה הָיְתָה בַּיּוֹם, צָרִיךְ לְהַזְכִּיר מֵעִנְיַן הַיּוֹם, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁמְבָרֵךְ בַּלַּיְלָה.
וְאִם אָכַל בְּעֶרֶב רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ וְנִמְשְׁכָה סְעוּדָּתוֹ גַּם תּוֹךְ הַלַּיְלָה, וְאָכַל גַּם בַּלַּיְלָה כַּזַּיִת פַּת, וּלְמָחָר הוּא רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ, אוֹמֵר רְצֵה וְגַם יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא. וְכֵן בַּחֲנֻכָּה וּפּוּרִים.
וְיֵשׁ חוֹלְקִין, מִשׁוּם דַּהֲוֵי כְּתַרְתֵּי דְּסָתְרֵי. עַל כֵּן יֵשׁ לִמְנוֹעַ שֶׁלֹּא לֶאֱכוּל אָז בַּלָיְלָה.
- Danny Schoemann
Thursday, 27 Adar-1 5784
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Halocho #2365 - Shabbat Shekalim
This week is Shabbat Shekalim and 2 Torah Scrolls are taken out.
After the regular Torah Reading - Parshat וַיַּקְהֵל - we say half-Kaddish and then read the beginning of last week's Parsha כִּי תִשָּׂא (Shemot Ch. 30, Verses 11-16) in the second Sefer Torah.
This is followed by the Haftara for Shekalim from Melachim-2. Some communities start at chapter11 verse 17 - וַיִּכְרֹת יְהוֹיָדָע אֶת הַבְּרִית, others start from chapter 12 - בֶּן שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים יְהוֹאָשׁ בְּמָלְכוֹ.
Shabbat Shekalim reminds us of the half-Shekel that everybody donated yearly to finance the daily sacrifices in the Bet Hamikdash, may we merit to see it rebuilt, speedily in our days.
Shabbat is also Shabbat Mevarchim of the upcoming month of Adar-Bet. Rosh Chodesh Adar-Sheini will be on Sunday and Monday.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:1
Wednesday, 26 Adar-1 5784
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Halocho #2364 - Four special Shabbatot coming up
Four of the next 5 Shabbatot are referred to as the "4 Parshiot".
This year these are:
שַׁבָּת שֶׁלִפְנֵי פּוּרִים הוּא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת זָכוֹר.
וְהַשַׁבָּת שֶׁלִּפְנֵי רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ נִיסָן, הִיא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת הַחֹדֶשׁ.
וְהַשַׁבָּת שֶׁלִּפְנֵי פָּרָשַׁת הַחֹדֶשׁ, הִיא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת פָּרָה.
Tuesday, 25 Adar-1 5784
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Halocho #2363 - Shabbat Rosh Chodesh and Rosh Chodesh
The 2 days of Rosh Chodesh Ellul start on Friday evening.
On Rosh Chodesh, one adds יַעֲלֶה וְיָבוֹא into Birkat Hamazon and the Amida.
On Shabbat - first day Rosh Chodesh - we will take out 2 Sifrei Torah after Hallel. In the first one, we will call up at least 7 people to read from Parshat רְאֵה.
Then we call up the Maftir to read from the 2nd Sefer Torah: וּבְיוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת and וּבְרָאשֵׁי חָדְשֵׁיכֶם from Parshat פִּינְחָס.
During the 7 weeks following the fast of 9 B'Av we read the שִׁבְעָה דְּנֶחָמָתָא - the Seven Haftarot of Consolation from יְשַׁעְיָהוּ.
However, since it is Shabbat-Rosh Chodesh, Ashkenazi communities will read the regular Shabbat-Rosh-Chodesh Haftarah of הַשָּׁמַיִם כִּסְאִי - since it also talks about the consolation (consisting of the last chapter in Sefer יְשַׁעְיָהוּ).
In two weeks time - on Shabbat כִּי תֵצֵא - they will read the missed Haftara עֲנִיָּה סוֹעֲרָה together with the regular one רָנִי עֲקָרָה, as they are one chapter (Ch. 54) in יְשַׁעְיָהוּ.
For Mussaf this week one says the אַתָּה יָצַרְתָּ version (usually found on the bottom half of the Shabbat Mussaf pages) which includes both Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh.
On Sunday - second day Rosh Chodesh - we will call up 4 people to read from the Torah, between Hallel and Mussaf.
Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 425, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128:4
Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom
- Danny
Thursday, 28 Menachem Av 5779
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Halocho #2362 - Tomorrow is Yom Kippour Kattan
The day before Rosh Chodesh is called יוֹם כִּפּוּר קָטָן.
If Rosh Chodesh is on Shabbat or Sunday then יוֹם כִּפּוּר קָטָן is said earlier; on the Thursday before, so as not to fast on Friday.
Mincha (the afternoon prayers) on יוֹם כִּפּוּר קָטָן includes prayers asking for repentance, so as to begin the new month with a "clean slate". An online copy in PDF can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/YomKippKatan.
Some have the custom of fasting on יוֹם כִּפּוּר קָטָן.
In anticipation of the month of Elul and the upcoming High Holidays, most Ashkenazi communities say the יוֹם כִּפּוּר קָטָן prayers before Rosh Chodesh Elul, in order to get into the Teshuva (repentance) mood.
Tomorrow - Thursday - is יוֹם כִּפּוּר קָטָן. Rosh Chodesh Elul will be on Shabbat & Sunday.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:1, 128:1
- Danny
Wednesday, 27 Menachem Av 5779
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Halocho #2361 - Which side does the Mezuzah go on?
The 2 chapters written in a Mezuzah are the first two chapters of the Kriat Shema.
When entering a house or a room, the Mezuzah needs to be affixed on the right-hand doorpost. (On the way out you'll find it on the left-hand side.)
When there's a door between 2 homes, then the door-hinges are the deciding factor. The room with the hinges - the room where the door opens into - is the "inside", and the Mezuzah is put on the right-hand side when entering into that room.
The same would apply to any two inter-leading rooms that are equidistant from the front door.
A Mezuzah that is on the wrong doorpost needs to be taken down and affixed - with a Bracha - on the correct side.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:3-4
- Danny
Sunday, 24 Menachem Av 5779
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Halocho #2360 - Watering meat on Shabbat
Meat has to Kashered (soaked, salted and rinsed to remove the blood) within 72 hours of being slaughtered. Otherwise, the meat could become forbidden.
Sometimes it can be Kashered over an open flame, like we do for liver. (Refer to a competent halachic authority for details, if this ever becomes relevant.)
If it not possible to Kasher it within 72 hours then the meat has to be hosed down every 3 days.
It is forbidden to hose down meat on Shabbat. However one may ask a non-Jew to do so, to prevent the meat from becoming forbidden.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 36:27, 80:56
This week is Shabbat-Mevorchim Chodesh Elul. Rosh Chodesh Elul will be the following Shabbat and Sunday (Aug. 31 - Sep 1).
Shabbat Shalom
- Danny
Thursday, 21 Menachem Av 5779
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Halocho #2359- May one say Tehillim by heart?
The Torah is divided into two parts: The written-law (Tanach) and the oral-law (Mishna and Talmud).
Even if one knows parts of the written-law by heart, one should be careful not say them without a text.
The exception being those verses that everybody knows by heart, like those תְהִלִּים said often during prayers like אַשְׁרֵי.
If possible, one should pray from a Siddur, since Davening includes many verses that not everybody knows by heart.
Blind people are allowed to say everything by heart.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 1:6
- Danny
Tuesday, 19 Menachem Av 5779
Monday, August 19, 2019
Halocho #2358 - How do I know if a fruit is Kosher?
Fresh fruit is always Kosher, however, it may have an עָרְלָה (tree less than 3 years old) problem, as we've learned in the past few days.
When in doubt if the tree is less than 4 years old:
- In Israel, the fruit from such a tree is forbidden.
- This is one of the reasons that fruit needs Rabbinic Supervision in Israel.
- Other issues include Shmita, נֶטַע רְבָעִי - the 4th year fruit - and the separation of Terumot and Ma'asrot.
- Outside of Israel, the fruit is allowed, as long as you don’t pick it yourself.
- This is the way Moshe was given the Halocho at Har Sinai.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 173, Mishna Orlo, 3:9
- Danny
Monday, 18 Menachem Av 5779
Sunday, August 18, 2019
Halocho #2357 - What comes after Orlo?
Orlo - עָרְלָה - is the Torah prohibition of eating fruit from trees less than 3 years old, as per last Wednesday's Halocho.
In the 4th year, the fruit is called נֶטַע רְבָעִי and needs to be "redeemed" by transferring its status onto a coin. The coin needs to be worth at least a "Peruta" (0.025 grams of pure silver; about 1 US penny at today's rate.)
In Israel one makes a Bracha when redeeming נֶטַע רְבָעִי:
One then says "I am redeeming the נֶטַע רְבָעִי into this coin". The coin is then destroyed and disposed of. Instead of a coin, one can use fruit worth about 1 penny, which then needs to be destroyed.
After redeeming them, the נֶטַע רְבָעִי - the 4th year fruit - can be eaten, anywhere by anybody.
Sources: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 173:2
- Danny
Sunday, 17 Menachem Av 5779
Thursday, August 15, 2019
Halocho #2356 - Shabbat Nachamu
Usually the Haftara is connected to the weekly Torah Reading.
During the 7 weeks following the fast of Tish'a b'Av we read the שִׁבְעָה דְּנֶחָמָתָא - the Seven Haftarot of Consolation from Yeshayahu.
In 2 week's time, Shabbat will be Shabbat-Rosh Chodesh Elul, we will read the regular Shabbat-Rosh-Chodesh Haftarah of הַשָּׁמַיִם כִּסְאִי, because it also talks about the consolation.
Two weeks later - on Shabbat כִּי תֵצֵא - we will read the missed Haftara - עֲנִיָּה סוֹעֲרָה - after the regular one - רָנִי עֲקָרָה - as together they are a single chapter (Ch. 54) in יְשַׁעְיָהוּ.
Shabbat Nachamu - this week - is named after the opening words of the first of the Seven Haftarot of Consolation: נַחֲמוּ נַחֲמוּ עַמִּי - Hashem instructs the prophet Yeshayahu to "Console, console My people". (Isaiah Ch. 40)
Shabbat Shalom
- Danny
Thursday, 14 Menachem Av 5779
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Halocho #2355 - Three years of Orlo for trees
For 3 years after planting a tree, one may not eat its fruit, nor derive any benefit from the fruit, peels or pits. This is a Torah prohibition and applies to trees planted anywhere on the planet by anybody.
How to count these 3 years:
- Trees planted until Tu B'av (Friday - 15th of the month of Av; 45 days before Rosh Hashana) have their first birthday on Rosh Hashana, and 2 years later they turn "three years old".
- Trees planted less than 45 days before Rosh Hashana need to count three years from their first Rosh Hashana.
- The laws of Orlo apply to trees grown from shoots or pits, and sometimes to trees that have been replanted. A tree that was cut and its stump is less than 1 Tefach (about 9 cm - 3.5 inches) high becomes Orlo again.
One does not say Tachanun on Tu B'Av (Friday) nor at Mincha the afternoon before (Thursday afternoon). A bride and groom do not fast on their wedding day if it's on Tu B'Av.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 22:8, 146:2, 173:1,3,4
- Danny
Wednesday, 13 Menachem Av 5779
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Halocho #2354 - Why is Tu B'Av a joyous day?
Tu B'Av will be on this Friday, Erev Shabbat.
- It was the day the Generation-of-the-Wilderness realized that the sin of the spies had been forgiven, in the year 2488.
- It was the day that the tribes were allowed to intermarry, including orphaned daughters (as per בְּמִדְבַּר Ch. 36:8) once all those who conquered the Land had passed away.
- On the same day the tribe of Binyamin was allowed to intermarry with other tribes, after the scandal of Giv'ah (as per שֹׁפְטִים Ch. 19 - 21), around the year 2524.
- It was the day that King הוֹשֵׁעַ בֶּן אֵלָה removed the blockades that the wicked King יָרָבְעָם בֶּן נְבָט had placed on the roads, preventing the Jews from going to Jerusalem for the Festivals about 75 years earlier, around the year 3040.
- It was the day the Romans allowed those massacred by the wicked Hadrian in Beitar to be buried, some time after he died in 138 (C.E).
- It was the day they stopped chopping wood for the altar in the Bet Hamikdash every year, as it marks the end of "summer" (as per Rashi on בְּרֵאשִׁית Ch. 8:22) and the start of the 2 months of "heat". The wood had to be worm free to be used on the altar, and had to be fully dried before the rainy season.
- Danny
Tuesday, 12 Menachem Av 5779
Monday, August 12, 2019
Halocho #2353 - Tikun Chatzot
If possible, one should awaken at midnight and say תִּקּוּן חֲצוֹת; lamenting the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash and the resultant loss of Torah learning as well as the numerous Mitzvot we can no longer do.
If getting up at midnight is not an option, one should get up before dawn to say Tikun Chatzot.
After תִּקּוּן חֲצוֹת one should learn some Torah; Mishna or Tehillim or Mussar.
At the very latest one needs to awaken in time to get to shul before they start morning prayers.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 1:5
- Danny
Monday, 11 Menachem Av 5779
Thursday, August 8, 2019
Halocho #2352 - Havdala this week
Since the fast has already begun once it's מוֹצָאֵי שַׁבָּת, one cannot make הַבְדָּלָה on מוֹצָאֵי שַׁבָּת, this week.
What one does, once it's מוֹצָאֵי שַׁבָּת:
- Before removing one's shoes and doing any work one says בָּרוּךְ הַמַּבְדִּיל בֵּין קֹדֶשׁ לְחֹל.
The Kitzur recommends one says the longer version:
- Upon seeing a flame, one says the Bracha of בּוֹרֵא מְאוֹרֵי הָאֵשׁ.
Typically this will be done in shul after the Amida; somebody will light a Havdala candle.
If one is not going to shul, one can light one's own Havdala candle for this purpose. - In the Amida one says אַתָּה חוֹנַנְתָּנוּ like on every Motzai Shabbat. If one forgets, one does not make amends.
However, if one didn't say אַתָּה חוֹנַנְתָּנוּ then one cannot eat after the fast until one has heard הַבְדָּלָה. - Havdala is done on Sunday night, after the fast.
No candle and no spices. Only wine.
Only בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן and the long הַמַּבְדִּיל Bracha are said.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 125:6, 96:5
BTW: Those who need to break their fast also have to make הַבְדָּלָה (just the Bracha on the grape juice and the long הַמַּבְדִּיל) before they eat.
Danny
Thursday, 7 Av 5779
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
Halocho #2351 - When can I do laundry & have a haircut?
The (deferred) fast of Tish'a B'Av will be on Sunday.
On Sunday night - after the fast - one may not eat meat nor drink wine. It's inappropriate to go from mourning to feasting.
Music and dancing are also still forbidden on Sunday night.
Laundry, shaving and haircuts are allowed on Sunday night after the fast.
Once Monday morning dawns, all forms of "3-weeks" mourning are suspended.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 125:7 (and "Halachos of the 3 weeks" by Rav Shimon Eider זצ"ל)
Danny
Wednesday, 6 Av 5779
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Halocho #2350 - Who must fast on 9 B'Av?
On Tisha B'Av (from sunset on Shabbat afternoon - until nightfall on Sunday evening) almost everybody needs to fast.
Pregnant and nursing mothers need to fast on 9 B'Av even if it causes them discomfort, unless it's dangerous to their health.
When in doubt, consult your LOR (Local Orthodox Rabbi).
During the first 7 days after childbirth, a mother is not allowed to fast.
Anybody who isn't healthy should only fast for a few hours. This includes a mother between 7 and 30 days after childbirth unless she feels up to fasting. When in doubt, consult your LOR.
Children are not allowed to fast.
Those who are not fasting should limit their food intake to the bare minimum; only bread and water if possible.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 124:6
Danny
Tuesday, 5 Av 5779