Halocho # 448 - Hair care on Shabbat

One may not braid hair on Shabbat.

One may not undo braids on Shabbat.

One may not use a brush that pulls out hair on Shabbat.

One may fix up ones hairdo using ones hands or a brush with soft hair.

Preferably one should have a Shabbat-brush; one that is soft and doesn't pull out hair, that one only uses on Shabbat and Yom Tov.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:31

This week is Shabbat Mevorchim. Rosh Chodesh Kislev will be on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Shabbat Shalom uMevorach,

- Danny
Thursday, 25 Marcheshvan 5770

Halocho # 447 - Don't drop the Sefer Torah

If - Gcd forbid - one drops a Sefer Torah, one needs to fast.

This is true even if the Sefer Torah was in its cover.

The Minhag is that those who saw the Sefer Torah fall, also fast.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 28:12

- Danny
Wednesday, 24 Marcheshvan 5770

Halocho # 446 - Retrieving stolen goods

 Yesterday we learned that one should buy certain religious items at their fair price, even of they were stolen.

As a general rule, one may not buy goods from a thief; whether he is Jewish or not, since non-Jews are also forbidden to steal.

Buying from a thief encourages him to steal, which is a sin in itself.

One may buy stolen goods to return them to their rightful owner, if there's no other way to retrieve them.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 182:8

- Danny
Tuesday, 23 Marcheshvan 5770

Halocho # 445 - Buying stolen goods

One should not buy stolen Sefer Torah, Tefillin or Mezuzot for more than their worth, so as not to encourage them to be stolen.

However, if one is offered them at market value, one must buy them, even if they are no longer Kosher.

If the thief is asking above market value then one should bargain with him to try get the price down; if he insists on a higher price, then one does not buy them.

One should not offer a ridiculously low price so as not to annoy the seller, lest he get angry and destroy the religious items.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 28:11

- Danny
Monday, 22 Marcheshvan 5770

Halocho #444 - Can one hide behind a Sefer?

One may not place a Sefer such that it blocks the sunlight to enable one to be more comfortable.

One may not place a Sefer such that ones friends cannot see what one is up to.

If the sun is disturbing ones ability to learn Torah, then one can use another Sefer to block the sun.

One may use a Sefer to prop up the Sefer one is learning, if that will help one learn better.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 28:9

- Danny
Sunday, 21 Marcheshvan 5770

Please daven for Marina bat Ludmila for a full recovery

Halocho #443 - Shabbat meals in the garden

Spilling water onto fertile soil is forbidden because of "Zore'a" - planting, since the water could help things grow.

Therefore one should refrain from eating in the garden, since it's almost impossible that something won't be spilt onto the floor.

This is besides the problem that one cannot always carry into the garden unless there's a proper Eruv.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:28

Shabbat Shalom,

- Danny
 Thursday, 18 Marcheshvan 5770

Halocho #442 - May one throw a Sefer?

One may not throw Sefarim.

One may not put Sefarim upside-down; not with the cover facing the table, and not in the bookshelf with the letters upside down.

If one sees a Sefer upside-down one has to turn it over.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 28:6

- Danny
Wednesday, 17 Marcheshvan 5770

Please daven for young Refoel Chaim Simcha Binyamin ben Devorah Aliza, who has been fighting Leukemia the past 18 months and is having terrible reactions to the bone marrow transplant

Halocho #441 - What can one put on a Sefer?

One may not put a Sefer on ones knees and then rest ones elbows on it.

One can put a Chumash (5 books of Moses) on top of a Nach, but one may not place a Nach or any other Sefer on top of a Chumash.

One may put a Nevi'im on a Ketubim, or Ketubim on top of Nevi'im.

One can put any other Sefarim on top of each other.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 28:4

- Danny
Tuesday, 16 Marcheshvan 5770

Halocho #440 - Treating Sefarim with respect

One may not sit in the same bench or chair as a Sefer (any book from which one can learn Torah-related subjects).

If the Sefer is placed on the bench on an item at least 1 Tefach (~10 cm) high, then one may sit on the bench.

One may not put a Sefer on the floor.

One may sit on a cupboard that has Sefarim inside, but not if there's a Sefer Torah inside.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 28:4

- Danny
Monday, 15 Marcheshvan 5770

Halocho #439 - Honoring a Sefer Torah

A Sefer Torah needs to be stored in its own special place which must be kept clean.

One may not spit in front of a Sefer Torah.

One may not touch the parchement of a Sefer Torah unless it is covered.

One who sees a Sefer Torah being carried must stand up.

If a Sefer Torah is carried past one, one should walk behind it.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 28:3

- Danny
Sunday, 14 Marcheshvan 5770

Halocho #438 - Being picky on Shabbat

One may not remove the inedible and unwanted pieces from ones food on Shabbat.

Rather one must remove the food from the inedible or the unwanted pieces.

This should only be done during the meal, or right before it.

(This is one of many Halachot of "Borer" - separating, one of the 39 forbidden categories of work on Shabbat.)

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:15

Shabbat Shalom,

- Danny
Thursday, 11 Marcheshvan 5770

Halocho #437 - Buying Sefarim

Everybody has a Mitzva to buy Sefarim to learn from.

This should include the Chumash (5 books of Moses), Mishna, Talmud and Practical-Halachic works.

If one does not understand them in the original, one must buy them with a translation, since the point is to learn them.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 28:2

- Danny
Wednesday, 10 Marcheshvan 5770

Halocho #436 - Hiring a Sofer to write your Sefer Torah

Yesterday we learned that every male Jew has to write his own Sefer Torah.

If you cannot write your own Sefer Torah, you can hire a Sofer (scribe) to do it for you.

If you buy a Sefer Torah and correct a mistake in it, it's as if you wrote it.

Similarly if you buy an unfinished Sefer Torah and complete it, it's as if you wrote it.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 28:1

- Danny
Tuesday, 9 Marcheshvan 5770

Halocho #435 - Write a Sefer Torah

It's a Mitzva for every male Jew to write his own Kosher Sefer Torah.

Even if you inherited a Sefer Torah, you still needs to write your own copy.

You may not sell your Sefer Torah; in case of dire poverty, consult a Rabbinic authority.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 28:1

- Danny
Monday, 8 Marcheshvan 5770

Halocho #434 - What's BeHaB?

On the first "Monday, Thursday and Monday" in the month following Pessach and Sukkoth the custom is to say extra Selichot.

Some communities do this on the last "Monday, Thursday and Monday" of the month.

Since Monday is "Yom Sheni" or "Yom Bet - ב" and Thursday is "Yom Chamishi" or "Yom Heh - ה" these days are referred to as BeHaB - בה"ב

Some people have the custom to fast on BeHaB.

A special Mi-Sheberach was recited on Shabbat before the Torah was returned to the Aron Hakodesh to bless those who will fast.

Despite being a "private" (not communal) fast day, a person need not "declare his intention to fast" during the Mincha-Amida of the preceding day, if he answered Amen to the Mi-Sheberach.

Yet, answering Amen to the Mi-Sheberach does not oblige one to fast.

Even if one intended to fast when answering Amen and then on the designated day there was a Se'udat Mitzva (e.g. Brit Mila or Siyum or Pidyon HaBen) one should join the meal and not fast.

However, if one "declared his intention to fast" during the Mincha-Amida of the preceding day, then one needs to fast.

Tomorrow (Monday), and Thursday and next week Monday are BeHaB in most communities.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 127:3, 14

Don't forget to add "ותן טל ומטר לברכה" - as per Halocho #433

- Danny
Sunday, 7 Marcheshvan 5770

Halocho #433 - Pray for rain, or not?

In Israel, starting this Motzai Shabbat (7th Marcheshvan) we start praying for rain in the 9th Bracha of the weekday Amida - Barech-Aleinu - ברך עלינו.

In the Diaspora we will start 6 weeks later - on Motzai Shabbat Vayishlach - וישלח.

If you forgot to add "ותן טל ומטר לברכה"; "and bless us with dew and rain", then:

- If you remember before you finish the 9th Bracha then you insert it and continue from there.

- If you already said "Baruch Ata Hashem" of the 9th Bracha then you insert it into Shma-Kolienu - the 16th Bracha - before "Ki Ata".

- If you forget to say it in Shma-Kolienu then you need to go back to the 9th Bracha - Barech-Aleinu.

- If you didn't remember until you finished the Amida (defined as saying "Yihyu Leratzon") then you have to restart the entire Amida.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 19:5

Shabbat Shalom,

- Danny
Thursday, 4 Marcheshvan 5770

Halocho #432 - Nicknames

We learned yesterday that one may not embarrass anybody.

Even calling somebody by a name or nickname which they're embarrassed about, is forbidden.

One may not tell embarrassing stories about somebody in their presence; even if it doesn't entail Lashon Hara.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 29:17

- Danny
Wednesday, 3 Marcheshvan 5770

Halocho #431 - How often can one murder the same person?

Causing a person's blood to drain from his face is considered murder.


In Hebrew, embarrassing somebody is referred to as מלבין פני חברו - whitening a fellowman's face; since the blood drains from his face when embarrassed.


Embarrassing somebody is forbidden - whether verbally or otherwise - and could make one lose ones portion in Olam Haba - the world to come.


Embarrassing somebody is forbidden both in private and obviously in public.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 29:17

- Danny
Tuesday, 2 Marcheshvan 5770

Halocho #430 - Abridged Hallel on Rosh Chodesh

On Rosh Chodesh one says Hallel after the Amida - but one skips 2-half paragraphs.


Hallel must be said standing, and one may not interrupt the Hallel by talking.


If the congregation is saying Hallel while one is saying Psukei D'Zimra, one says Hallel with them, without its opening and closing Bracha. (This can only be done on days that one says the shortened "half"-Hallel.)

If one arrives late to shul and the congregation is already up to Hallel, one says Hallel with them, and then one starts ones morning prayers.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:4

Chodesh Tov,

- Danny
Monday, 2nd day Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan 5770

Written in memory of Rivka bat Mordechai Ha-cohen

Halocho #429 - Ya'aleh VeYavo - it's Rosh Chodesh!

Today (Sunday) and tomorrow are Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan.


One needs to add Ya'a'leh VeYavo - יעלה ויבא in the 17th Bracha of the Amida - רצה.


If one forgot to do so during the Amida of Ma'ariv (evening prayers) - on either day - one does not need to make amends; since the Sanhedrin did not sanctify the month at night.


If one forgot to do so during Shachrit (morning prayers) or Mincha (afternoon prayers), then one has to return to the 17th Bracha of the Amida - רצה and make amends.


If one already finished the Amida - by saying Yihyu leRatzon - יהיו לרצון - then one needs to restart the Amida.

One also needs to add Ya'a'leh VeYavo - יעלה ויבא - in Birkat Hamazon

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 19:10

Chodesh Tov

- Danny

Sunday, 1st day Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan 5770

Halocho #428 Rosh Chodesh is on Sunday and Monday

This Shabbat is "Shabbat Mevarchim".

Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan will be on Sunday and Monday

There's an ancient custom to bless the upcoming month on the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh, before Mussaf.

This is not to be confused with Sanctifying the Month that was done by the Sanhedrin when the new moon appeared.

Nevertheless, the custom is to stand when the Chazzan announces which day(s) will be Rosh Chodesh, since the sanctification of the month was done while standing.

Source: Mishna Brura 417:1

This week's Haftarah is "Machar Chodesh" - "And Jonathan says to him (David): tomorrow is Rosh Chodesh" from Shmuel-1 20:18

Previous Shabbat-related posts can be reviewed at http://halocho.blogspot.com/search/label/Shabbos

Shabbat Shalom uMevorach

- Danny,
 Thursday, 27 Tishrei 5770

Halocho #427 - Eat an early Se'udat Shilishit

If one starts or finishes a meal on Shabbat, one needs to add Retzei - רצה - during the 3rd Bracha of Birkat HaMazon.


If one starts or finishes a meal on Rosh Chodesh or Yom Tov, one adds Ya'a'leh VeYavo - יעלה ויבא - during the 3rd Bracha of Birkat HaMazon.


This week on Motzai Shabbat will be the first of 2 days of Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan.


If the third Shabbat meal continues into the night, one says both Retzei - רצה and Ya'a'leh VeYavo - יעלה ויבא.


However, some are opinions that saying both would be self-contradictory. It is therefore recommended to not continue eating the third Shabbat meal after dusk, this week.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 44:17

Erratum: One continues saying V'Then Bracha - ותן ברכה - in the 9th Bracha of the Amida until the 7th Marcheshvan in Israel and the 5th December in the Diaspora.


- Danny,
 Wednesday, 26 Tishrei 5770

Halocho #426 - Wind and rain

Since Mussaf on Shmini Atzeret (last Shabbat) we have been praising Hashem for the wonderful gift of rain, by adding Mashiv HaRu'ach Umorid HaGeshem - משיב הרוח ומוריד הגשם - into the second Bracha of the Amida.

If one forgets to add this?

If one has not yet finished the 2nd Bracha then one adds it after any of the many phrases of this Bracha. If one wishes, one may restart the Bracha and say it in it's correct place.

If one already finished the 2nd Bracha?

If you have the custom of adding "Morid haTal" - מוריד הטל - during the summer, then continue as usual. No amendment is required.

If you do NOT have the custom of adding "Morid haTal" - מוריד הטל - during the summer, then you have to restart the Amida from the beginning. This is because the first 3 Brachot of the Amida are considered as a single entity.

One continues saying V'Then Bracha - ותן ברכה - in the 9th Bracha of the Amida until the 7th Marcheshvan in Israel and the 5th December in the Diaspora.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 19:1, 2, 5

- Danny,
 Tuesday, 25 Tishrei 5770

Halocho #425 - May one throw out Sukkah decorations?

Since the S'chach (branches covering the Sukkah) were used for a Mitzvah, they deserve some respect even after having done their duty.

After Sukkoth when the S'chach is taken down, one should not trample on it.
 One may throw them away, but one may not use them for disrespectful purposes like building an outhouse.

One may burn S'chach.

Care should be taken with decorations that have Torah verses written on them.

Preferably one shouldn't hang up such decorations, but if one did, then they need to go into Geniza or otherwise carefully looked after.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 134:13, 14

- Danny
Monday, 24 Tishrei 5770

Join my Mitzva-a-Day group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=140905878541

Halocho #424 - The Isru Chag meal

The day after Pessach, Sukkoth and Shavuoth is called Isru Chag.

Today (Sunday) is Isru Chag in Israel and tomorrow (Monday) is Isru Chag everywhere else.

On Isru Chag the custom is to eat a larger meal than usual.

Nobody - not even a bride and groom on their wedding day, nor a Yahrzeit - may fast on Isru Chag.

Some communities don't say Lamenatze'ach (before Uvo L'zion in Shacharis) on Isru Chag.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 22:8, 103:14, 146:2

- Danny
Sunday, 23 Tishrei 5770