Sunday, July 22, 2007

Halocho #9 - work on 9 B'Av

While one may do work on 9 B'Av, any work that takes times, as well as all business should not be done from sunset until after noon, so as not to get distracted from mourning 1960 years of being without the Beit Hamikdash - the temple in Jerusalem. Source KSA 124:15

Friday, July 20, 2007

Halocho #8 - no leather shoes on 9 b'Av

One does not wear leather shoes on 9 b'Av, and therefor one must remove them before sunset - Monday afternoon this year. One may wear shoes that have no leather in them; cloth, rubber and wood are OK. Source KSA 124:11

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Halocho #7 - The "Final Meal" on Erev 9 b'Av

The "final meal" is eaten while seated on the floor. It typically consists of a cold hard boiled and bread which is dipped into ashes. This meal must end before sunset. Before this meal one may eat a regular meal. Source: KSA 123:3

Help me answer Judaism-related questions on WikiAnswers

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Halocho #6 - Erev 9 Av

If a Bris happens on Erev 9 Av then the festive meal is held in the morning. One does not go on hikes or pleasure trips on Erev 9 Av. One davens an early Mincha on Erev 9 Av so as to have time to have the "final meal" after Mincha and before sunset. Source: KSA 123:1-2.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Halocho #5 - No laundry in the 9 days

In the first 9 days of Av one does not (usually) do laundry or even wear clothes that have not been worn before. This does not apply to undergarments. Similarly one does not use fresh towels, linen or tablecloths. All the above does not apply to Shabbos. Source: KSA 122:8-9

Monday, July 16, 2007

Halocho #4 - Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av

From Rosh Chodesh Av (today) one diminishes happiness. One also refrains from going to court. Eating meat & drinking wine is forbidden until 10th Av at midday with the exception of Shabbos. Source: KSA 122:7

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Halocho #3 - Erev Rosh Chodesh

Some people have the custom to fast on Erev Rosh Chodesh. One says the "Yom Kipour Kotton" order at Mincha to atone for the sins of the past month; similar to the Rosh Chodesh Mussaf sacrifice that was offered in the time of the Beis Hamikdash. Source :KSA 77:1

Friday, July 13, 2007

Halocho #2 - Prepare for Shabbos

From the posuk "zochor es yom haShabbos" - "remember the day of Shabbos" we learn to keep Shabbos in mind all week; all special food should be reserved for Shabbos. On Friday it's a mitzva to get up early to go shopping for Shabbos; this can even be done before Shacharis if need be (as long as you don't miss your minyan). However, items that require preparation should be bought on Thursday already. Ezra already instituted doing laundry on Thursday in anticipation of Shabbos. KSA 72:4

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Halocho #1 - Learn some Torah every day

After daily davening Shacharis you should have an immutable fixed time to learn some Torah. Even the potential of earning a lot of money should not void this fixed time. In an emergency, at the very least you should learn one Posuk or one Halocho, and catch up on your daily quota when you free up. KSA 27:1 KSA is short for Kitzur Shulchan Aruch

סימן כז – הלכות תלמוד תורה
סעיף א - אחר התפלה יקבע עת ללמוד תורה, וצריך שאותו העת תהיה קבוע, שלא יעבירנו אף אם סבר להרויח הרבה. ואם צריך לעשות איזה דבר נחוץ מאד, ילמוד מקודם לכל הפחות פסוק אחד או הלכה אחת, ויעשה מה שנחוץ לו ואחר כך ישלים חקו. ובקצת קהלות קדושות נתיסדו חברות קדושות, ללמוד תורה ברבים מיד לאחר התפלה, ויש לכל ירא שמים להתחבר אליהם.