Sunday, November 30, 2008

Halocho #215 - How many days are there in Marcheshvan and Kislev?

Some years the Jewish calendar has 12 months and some years (7 out of 19) are leap years with 13 months.

Jewish months alternate between being 29 and 30 days long.

However, the months of Marcheshvan and Kislev sometimes both have 30 days (a full year), sometimes both have 29 days (a missing year) and sometimes follow the regular order with Marcheshvan having 29 days and Kislev 30.

As a result, Chanuka (which starts on 25 Kislev and lasts 8 days) sometimes ends on 2 Tevet and sometimes on 3 Tevet.

This year is a "regular" year; Marcheshvan has 29 days, Kislev has 30 days and Chanuka ends on 2 Tevet.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 221:4

- Danny Sunday, 3 Kislev 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Halocho #214 - Tonight is Rosh Chodesh

Tonight (Thursday night) and tomorrow (Erev Shabbat) is Rosh Chodesh Kislev; the 9th month. On Rosh Chodesh one adds Ya'aleh Veyavo 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:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
אֲשֶׁר נָתַן רָאשֵׁי חֳדָשִׁים לְעַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל לְזִכָּרוֹן
Many Sidurim include this blessing. If one does not know this blessing, one may proceed as usual, omitting it. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 44:13 Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom, - Danny Thursday, 29 Marcheshvan 5769 Shabbat-related posts can be reviewed at http://halocho.blogspot.com/search/label/Shabbos
Please daven for a complete recovery for Avigayil bat Tamar who was hit by a car and is in a great deal of pain

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Halocho #213 - Yom Kippour Katan is tomorrow

Tomorrow - Thursday - is Erev Rosh Chodesh Kislev. Tachanun is not said at Mincha on Erev Rosh Chodesh. Some people have the custom of adding the Yom Kippour Katan prayers during Mincha. Some even fast on Erev Rosh Chodesh to atone for the sins of the past month. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:1 - Danny Wednesday, 28 Marcheshvan 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Halocho #212 - Not obeying ones parents

We learned yesterday that one may not contradict ones parents. However, if a parents requests one transgress a Halacha, one must not obey them. This is because both parents and children are required to obey Hashem. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 143:11 - Danny Tuesday, 27 Marcheshvan 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה

Monday, November 24, 2008

Halocho #211 - Correcting parents

One may not contradict ones parents. One may also not correct them. However, if a parent is doing something against Halacha, one should say to them "Doesn't it say in the Torah such-and-such". This should be said in a questioning manner and not as a rebuke. The parent will then understand how to correct their behavior. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 143:10 - Danny Monday, 26 Marcheshvan 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Halocho #210 - The first Mitzva and getting married

There's a Mitzva in the Torah to get married, in order to have children. Having children is the first Mitzva that Hashem instructed Adam HaRishon to do. This Mitzva only applies once a person turns 18. By age 20 one should try to be married unless getting married will interfere with ones full-time Torah learning. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 145:1 - Danny Sunday 25, Marcheshvan 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Halocho #209 - Blessing the month

This Shabbat is "Shabbat Mevarchim": 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 Av Bet Din 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 (1) Previous Shabbat-related posts can be reviewed at http://halocho.blogspot.com/search/label/Shabbos - Danny Thursday, 22 Marcheshvan 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Halocho #208 - Escorting parents

We learnt in Halocho #24 that honoring parents includes feeding them, clothing and covering them as well as accompanying them. Accompanying them includes escorting them when they go somewhere, picking them up from home and returning them back home. All this must be done cheerfully else one risks punishment instead of reward. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 143:3 Please invite your Jewish Facebook friends to join Halocho a Day - you can do so from this link: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2387884087#/groups/edit.php?members&gid=2387884087 - Danny Wednesday, 21 Marcheshvan 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Halocho #207 - Sky gazing

When seeing comets or falling stars one says the Bracha of "Baruch... Oseh Ma'aseh Breishith" - "... Who makes the work of creation". ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם עוֹשֶׂה מַעֲשֶׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית The Bracha on falling stars can only be said once per night even of one sees different meteors every time. One can only say the Bracha once per comet, unless 30 days have passed since one last saw it. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 60:2 - Danny Tuesday, 20 Marcheshvan 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה

Monday, November 17, 2008

Halocho #206 - The first murder

According to many opinions, Cain killed Hevel today - 19 Marcheshvan; 49 days after they were born. The Medrash tells us that Cain wounded Hevel numerous times until he found a spot that was fatal. Before burial, the Chevra Kadisha (Jewish Burial Society) do a "Tahara"; they wash the body and wrap it in white shrouds. If a person bled while being killed and the blood is on their body or clothes then no Tahara is done, though the body is wrapped in shrouds. If a person was murdered by Goyim - even if there was no bleeding - no Tahara is done, so as to invoke Divine Anger. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 197: 9, 12 Thanks, - Danny Monday, 19 Marcheshvan 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Halocho #205 - The tourists' Bracha guide

When seeing the ocean one says the Bracha of "Baruch... Oseh Ma'aseh Breishith" - "... Who makes the work of creation".

ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם
עוֹשֶׂה מַעֲשֶׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית
When seeing mountains that are famous for their height one says the same Bracha. These Brachot can only be said if one hasn't seen the ocean or that specific mountain for 30 days; excluding the day one last saw it and excluding the recent sighting. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 60:5, 12 - Danny Sunday, 18 Marcheshvan 5769
Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Halocho #204 - 3 meals; 6 loaves

Everybody has an obligation to eat 3 meals on Shabbat; one on Friday night, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. This is besides for the Melave Malka that is eaten on Motzai Shabbat. At each of the three Shabbat meals one should make Motzi on 2 complete loaves of bread. Kiddush is only said twice; at the first 2 meals. One should not overeat at Shabbat morning lunch -especially during the short winter days - so that one can eat a proper afternoon meal. In case of need one can eat cake at the 3rd meal instead of bread. If that's not possible then fish or meat. At the very least one should have some fruit. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 77:16, 17 Previous Shabbat-related posts can be reviewed at http://halocho.blogspot.com/search/label/Shabbos Shabbat Shalom - Danny Thursday, 15 Marcheshvan 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Halocho #203 - Thunder and lightning

When seeing lightning one says the Bracha of "Baruch... Oseh Ma'aseh Breishith" - "... Who makes the work of creation".

ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם עוֹשֶׂה מַעֲשֶׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית

This Bracha must be said immediately after seeing the lightning. Immediately is defined as the time needed to say 3 short words.

If one hears the thunder after saying the above mentioned Bracha, then on the thunder one says the Bracha of "Baruch... Shekecho Ugvurato Maleh Olam" - "...for His strength and His power fill the universe".

ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם שֶׁכּוֹחוֹ וּגְבוּרָתוֹ מָלֵא עוֹלָם

If the thunder boomed before one finishes saying the Bracha on the lightning, then it is included in the same Bracha, and one does not say a second Bracha on the thunder.

This Bracha must be said immediately after hearing the thunder. One can begin before the roll of the thunder ends.

These Brachot can only be said once per storm. The storm ends when the sky clears of clouds.

No Bracha is said on lightning that is caused by the heat and doesn't produce thunder (summer lightning)

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 60:2, 3

- Danny Wednesday, 14 Marcheshvan 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Halocho #202 - Don't stare at the rainbow

When seeing a rainbow one says the Bracha "Baruch... Zocher Habrit Ven'eman Bivrito Vekayam Bema'amaro" - "...Who remembers the covenant, is trustworthy in His covenant and fulfills His word". ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם זוֹכֵר הַבְּרִית וְנֶאֱמָן בִּבְרִיתוֹ וְקַיָּם בְּמַאֲמָרוֹ This Bracha is said only once per rainbow. One should not stare at a rainbow for extended periods of time. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 60:4 The reason for not staring at the rainbow is explained in Chagiga (16:1). The prophet Yechezkel compares the appearance of the Glory of Hashem to a rainbow: "As the appearance of the rainbow in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Hashem."(Ezekiel 1:28) Staring at a rainbow is compared to staring at the Glory of Hashem, an impolite thing to do. The Gemara states that as a punishment for staring at the rainbow, ones eyesight could suffer. - Danny Tuesday, 13 Marcheshvan 5769 Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה

Monday, November 10, 2008

Halocho #201 - How could I forget?

The Torah was given to us at Sinai in 2 parts: The Written Law (Torah) and The Oral Law (Mishna). Until the Mishna was written down less than 2,000 years ago, it was studied by-heart. Each student was expected to memorize the entire Oral Law. Since memorizing lots of Torah is important, the Kitzur mentions some things that are bad for your memory: - Be careful to dry your hands properly - and don't dry them on your clothes as it's bad for your memory. - Putting on 2 items of clothing at the same time is bad for your memory. - Eating the heart of animals and birds, and eating from that part of the food that a cat or mouse ate from, is bad for your memory. - Reading the inscription on tombstones if the letters are elevated (as opposed to engraved or flat), is bad for your memory. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 40:6, 3:5, 32:9, 128:13 - Danny Monday, 12 Marcheshvan 5769

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Halocho #200 - Rachel Imeinu's Yahrzeit

Today, 3561 years ago, Rachel Imeinu died after giving birth to Binyamin. When a son is born, both the mother and father should say the Bracha of Hatov-VeHametiv - "...Who is Good, and bestows Good."

ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם
הטוב והמטיב
If the mother died during childbirth, then the father says the Bracha of Shehechiyanu; "... Who has kept us alive, sustained us and permitted us to reach this occasion" on the birth, and the Bracha of Dayan-HaEmeth - "... the True Judge" on the bad news.
ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם
שהחינו וקימנו והגיענו לזמן הזה
ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם
דיין האמת
If the father died before the child was born then the mother says the Bracha of Shehechiyanu on the birth. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 59:5 See Halocho #109 for more details about the Bracha on good news. - Danny Sunday 11 Marcheshvan 5769

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Halocho #199 - The morning Kiddush

After Shabbat morning prayers, both men and women have to make (or hear) Kiddush before eating or drinking. The morning Kiddush consists of the Bracha of HaGefen over a cup of wine. (The custom is to recite certain Shabbat-related verses before the Kiddush). If one prefers other alcoholic beverages more than wine, one may use them for the morning Kiddush, but one still has to use a full cup and immediately drink a mouth full. After Kiddush, one must immediately eat: - Either start the meal with HaMotzi on 2 loaves - Or make Mezonot on 2 whole pieces of Mezonot - Or else drink another Revi'is (86 cc) of wine (besides for the original mouth full) Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 77:13, 15, 17 Shabbat Shalom - Danny Thursday 8 Marcheshvan 5769

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Halocho #198 - I don't remember if I prayed for rain...

Yesterday we learnt that we add a prayer for rain in the 9th Bracha of the Amida starting from 7th Cheshvan (today - Wednesday) in Israel. (From 5th December outside of Israel.) If you're unsure if you added "Vethen Tal Umatar Livracha" or not: - For the first 30 days you have to assume you left it out. (Yesterday's Halocho gave the rules for amending that). - After 30 days you can assume that you said it. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 19:8 Tip: If you practice adding it 90 times (starting from את השנה הזאת) then you can assume you said it correctly. Source: Shulchan Aruch 114:9 - Danny Wednesday 7 Marcheshvan 5769

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Halocho #197 - More rain, please

In Israel, starting tonight (Tuesday night) we start praying for rain on weekdays, in the 9th Bracha of the Amida - Barech-Aleinu. Outside of Israel we will start on the evening before the 5th of December (this year. Some years it's the 6th December). If you forgot to add "Vethen Tal Umatar Livracha"; "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, 6 - Danny Tuesday 6 Marcheshvan 5769

Monday, November 3, 2008

Halocho #196 What Torah should I learn?

A person should strive to learn the entire Torah. A partial list would include Tanach (Bible), Mishna, Talmud Bavli and Yerushalmi, Rambam, Tur, Shulchan Aruch, Midrash, Zohar. Somebody who cannot sit and learn Torah all day should learn practical Halachot as well as Midrashim and Mussar (ethics). This way one knows what to do (Halacha), has the drive to (Midrash) and the ability to overcome obstacles when trying to do (Mussar). Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 27:3 - Danny Monday, 5 Marcheshvan 5769

Get other people to learn Torah as well; invite them to join this group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/edit.php?members&gid=2387884087

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Halocho #195 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. 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. 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 - Danny Sunday, 4 Marcheshvan 5769