Halocho #98 – Should one use a candle for Bedikas Chometz?

Tonight- Thursday night - one may not do any work, nor eat anything, until one has checked the house for Chometz. (Firstborns who fasted may break their fast if needed, but may not eat a meal.) The entire house needs to be cleaned, and the Chometz that one plans to use until mid-morning on Shabbos needs to be put in a secure place, before one starts searching the house for Chometz. First one says the Brocho “… Al Bi’ur Chometz” – “… to destroy Chometz”, since the point of the search is to rid the house of Chometz. After the search is complete one says “Kol Chamiro” declaring that all Chometz one isn’t aware of to be “ownerless and worthless like dust”. This declaration constitutes a Halachic “destroying Chometz”, which is why one shouldn’t interrupt between the Brocho, the searching and the Kol Chamiro with anything not related to the search. One may appoint other members of the household to help with the search, as long as they are over Bar/Bat Mitzva. The search is done using a single candle which provides the optimal light for searching. A torch (like a Havdolo candle) is not allowed – as it’s a fire hazard and it gives a flickering light – and if it was used one needs to redo the search. Search under all furniture, inside all closets, pockets of all clothes worn in the past year, schoolbags, purses, cars and anywhere else where Chometz could have been placed accidentally or purposely by adults, children or toddlers. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 111:1-10 There is no need to turn off the electric lights while searching with a candle, since with more light it’s easier to find Chometz. After searching with a candle in those places where it’s safe and convenient to do so, one should continue with a flashlight, so that one can safely and calmly search without fear of burning down the house. Source: Rabbi Shimon Eider zt”l, Halachos of Pessach, Vol. 1, page 86 Wishing everybody a meaningful and enjoyable Pessach - Danny 12 Nissan 5768 P.S. The next Halocho a Day will be sent out soon after Pessach

Halocho #97 - Why do the firstborns fast?

Why don't firstborns celebrate the fact that they were saved from the 10th plague - the smiting of Egyptian firstborns? Tomorrow - Thursday - firstborns will fast in memory of them fasting in Egypt on Erev Pessach, to ensure they wouldn't be punished along with the Egyptians in the 10th plague. The Hallel said at the Seder includes praise for their delivery. The fast is usually on Erev Pessach; since we don't fast on Shabbat, and fasting on Friday is also not a pleasant way to greet Shabbat, so the fast was advanced to Thursday. All firstborns males fast; even if they're only a firstborn to one of their parents. Even firstborns who are exempt from Pidyon haBen - like Cohanim, Levites or being born after a stillborn - also have to fast. The father of a young firstborn needs to fast for him. Whether a firstborn (or his father) may attend a Se'udat Mitzva like a Siyum, Bris or Pidyon haBen and break his fast to participate in the meal, depends on local / family custom. Once he breaks his fast he can eat for the rest of the day. A firstborn may break his fast after nightfall, before doing Bedikas Chometz, if needed. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 113:6, 115:2 - Danny 11 Nissasn 5768

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Halocho #96 - Is burning Chometz wasteful?

Today, 10 Nissan, in the year 2449, the Jews in Egypt selected lambs for their Pessach sacrifice. Forty years later, on 10 Nissan, the prophetess Miriam - sister of Aaron and Moshe - died. A year later on 10 Nissan, the Jews crossed the Jordan river, as recorded in Joshua 3-4.

• The Torah forbids us to waste or destroy items that can still be used.
• The Torah commands us to burn - or otherwise destroy - all Chometz in our possession on Erev Pessach morning.

Can we reconcile these 2 Halochos? The Mitzva to destroy Chometz can be fulfilled with a bare minimum of Chometz; preferably with leftovers that nobody would be able to use. Usable Chometz can be donated to various charity organizations which will distribute it to the needy. Alternately Chometz can be sold to a non-Jew. Since most of us don't want to start selling Chometz on Erev Pessach, one can go to most local Rabbis and appoint them as a messenger to sell ones Chometz. The Rabbi will make a legal sale of the Chometz including a legal document and a deposit. Realize that this a a bona fide sale, and that the non-Jew is entitled to come to your house and request you hand over his Chometz, as has occasionally happened. After Pessach the Rabbi goes to the non-Jew and asks to be paid the remainder of the debt and offers to buy back the Chometz from the non-Jew at a higher price. Since the non-Jew usually prefers to make a quick profit rather than paying for hundreds of items scattered throughout the city, he will sell the Chometz to the Rabbi. One should only sell Chometz and not the containers it's in - especially not containers that require Tevila, like metal and glass, otherwise one would need to Toivel them in a Mikva after Pessach, since they belonged to a non-Jew during Pessach. Chometz that has been sold (via the Rabbi) must be locked away so that one doesn't accidentally use it, which would be a double problem: Chometz on Pessach and stealing from the non-Jew. Even if one has no intention of keeping Chometz in ones home, one should still go to a Rabbi to appoint him to sell ones Chometz. Why?

• A lot of products may be Chometz contrary to popular belief- depending on the latest production methods - like medications, creams, soaps or even food which one discovers later wasn't really Kosher for Pessach.
• During Pessach one may discover Chometz that one wasn't aware of, or forgot to get rid of in the last-minute pre-Pessach rush.

If one sold all ones Chometz then one didn't own any during Pessach. Chometz that belonged to a Jew during Pessach may not be used after Pessach. This is a Rabbinical decree; a punishment for owning the Chometz. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 114 - Danny 10 Nissan 5768

Halocho #95 - Meals on Shabbos Erev Pessach

• One may not eat Matza on Erev Pessach.
• One may not eat bread after mid-morning on Erev Pessach.
• One should eat a Kezayis (olive's worth) of bread at all 3 Shabbos meals.

How does one reconcile the above? When Erev Pessach is on Shabbos - like this year, there are special considerations regarding the Shabbos meals. One may not cook Chometz food that sticks to the pot since one will not be able to clean the pots (because it's Shabbos) and one cannot leave them dirty (since one cannot own Chometz on Pessach). Shabbos Morning Services need to start early so that afterwards there will be enough time to eat Chometz, which becomes forbidden by a third of the day. Check your local luach (Jewish Calendar) for the correct time. Since one should eat bread at all 3 Shabbos meals - yet in the afternoon one cannot eat bread - it's proper to divide the morning meal into two. After making Kiddush and Motzi and eating something one should say Grace after Meals and then go for a short walk, then make Motzi again to fulfill eating the third Shabbos meal. One needs to stop eating bread by a third of the day, after which one destroy all remainder Chometz (e.g. by flushing it down the toilet) and says Kol Chamiro annulling all Chometz still in one's possession. One can then continue eating the meal. Source Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 77:16, 115:3-4 There are opinions that one should eat the third Shabbos meal as usual, in the afternoon, using fruit, meat and fish. If one eats before mid-afternoon (before the halachic "10th hour" of the day) one can also eat food made from cooked Matza, like kneidelach. One may not eat baked food made from Matza on Erev Pessach. Those who have the custom of eating Matza Ashira ("Egg Matza") on Pessach can use them for Motzi for the 3rd meal, before mid-afternoon. Ashkenazim usually do not eat Egg Matza on Pessach. Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 444:1 The Chofetz Chaim suggests that one do both: Divide the morning meal into two, as well as eating fruit, meat and fish (and kneidelach) in the afternoon. However one should be careful not to eat too much and spoil ones appetite for the evening festive meal. Source: Mishna Brura (8) ibid. If one doesn't want to eat Chometz inside, one can make Kiddush and Motzi and eat a Kezayis (olive's worth) of bread outside, and then eat the rest of the meal inside, as long as everyone is aware of the arrangement before starting Kiddush. If possible, one should see the dining room from where one makes Kiddush. Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 178:2, 273:1 - Danny 9 Nissan 5768

Halocho #94 - Schedule for Erev Pessach on Shabbos

This year Erev Pessach is on Shabbos. This happened 3 years ago and will happen again in 13 years time (2021/תשפ"א - 5781). Since Erev Pessach is on Shabbos, the standard pre-Pessach schedule is different. Here are some highlights in chronological order: - The Fast of the Firstborns is on Thursday. In case of need, the firstborn may break his fast before doing Bedikas Chometz. - Bedikas Chometz (searching the house for leaven) is done on Thursday evening. - The first Kol Chamiro (annulling all Chometz that one isn't aware of) is said after Bedikas Chometz on Thursday night. - Burning all Chometz (besides what is needed for the next 24 hours) is done on Friday morning - check your local luach (Jewish calendar) for the correct time. No Kol Chamiro is said. - The sale of Chometz should be organized with your local Rabbi by Friday morning. He'd probably appreciate if you come by earlier in the week. - In order to prevent complicated halachic situations one should do the following on Friday:

• Prepare the Salt Water for the Seder.
• Roast the Egg and Bone.
• Make the Charoset.
• Light a 26 hour (Yahrzeit) candle from which to light Yom Tov candles on Saturday night, unless one will have another flame available, like a gas range.
• Prepare wicks for the Yom Tov oil-candles, as one may not re-use the Shabbos wicks.
• Prepare candles for the Yom Tov candles, as one may not melt candles nor trim them on Yom Tov.
• Open the boxes of Matza, so as not to tear writing on Yom Tov.
• Ensure the wine bottles can be opened on Yom Tov without tearing any writing; else open them beforehand.

- Ensure Challa has been separated from the bread to be used on Shabbos as well as from the Matza to be used on Yom Tov. - On Shabbos morning one must finish eating Chometz by a third of the day - check your local luach for the correct time. More details about this tomorrow. - After one finishes eating Chometz on Shabbos morning, one disposes of the leftover Chometz and says the second Kol Chamiro - annulling all Chometz still in one's possession. - One may not make any Seder preparations on Shabbos. One must wait until the time for Motzai Shabbos - check your local luach for the correct time. One can then say "Boruch Hamavdil ben Kodesh L'Kodesh" - ברוך המבדיל בין קודש לקודש - "Blessed is He who separates between the Holiness of Shabbos and the [lesser] Holiness of Yom Tov", and then light Yom Tov candles from an existing flame and start cooking and preparing the table for the Seder. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 96:5, 110:6, 115

Halocho #93 - When is Shabbos Hagodol this year?

The Jews in Egypt were commanded to take home a lamb for the pre-Exodus Seder on 10 Nissan, four days before it was going to be sacrificed. It was a miracle that the Egyptians didn't harm the Jews when they did this, since lambs were considered sacred objects in Egypt. Since we left Egypt on Thursday 15 Nissan, this miracle happened on a Shabbos. To commemorate this miracle, the Shabbos before Seder Night is called Shabbos Hagodol - the Great Shabbos and a special Haftara is read; the last chapter in Malachi which predicts the future redemption, may we merit it in our days. Typically on Shabbos Hagodol the Rabbi's Drasha (lecture) is a refresher course of Pessach laws. When Pessach starts on Sunday - like this year - then the Shabbos Hagodol Drasha is given a week early, so as to make it useful. The custom is to read the narrative section of the Haggada - from Avadim Hayinu (we were slaves) until (but not including) Rabban Gamliel's admonition to say "Pesach, Matza and Marror" at Mincha on Shabbos Hagodol. The yearly Shabbos Hagodol Drasha will be tomorrow - Shabbos Parshat Metzora, 7 Nissan, whereas Shabbos Hagodol (with its special Haftarah and Haggada reading) is actually next week, Erev Pessach. Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 430 Shabbat Shalom - Danny

Halocho #92 - Can Matza be folded?

Matza is made from flour and water. Nothing else. The water is drawn the night before it is used. The water for Sunday's baking is drawn on Thursday night. One can draw water for many days in advance, but it's preferable to do it one day at a time. The water is stored in a closed room to ensure that no flour-dust falls into it. The flour is ground from wheat that was harvested while still slightly green; once wheat is fully ripe it can become chametz (leaven) even before being harvested if it comes into contact with water. The wheat is carefully stored to ensure it remains dry. The wheat needs to be ground into flour at least 24 hours before it is used, to give it time to cool down. 18 minute after water is added to flour the dough becomes chametz. Matza baking runs in 18 minute batches after which all equipment is thoroughly cleaned to remove all traces of dough. Matza needs to be produced away from direct sunlight - and the room should be cool, as dough becomes chametz sooner in a warm room. Once the dough is put into the oven it may not be removed until it is fully baked. Matza used at the Seder needs to be made with the intention of it being used for a Mitzva; everybody involved in its production says "L'shem Mitzvos Matza" (for the purpose of the Mitzva of Matza) before all activities. This is know as Shmura Matza. If a Matza has a fold in it, or a bubble more than a finger high (2.5 cm), then the fold or bubble are considered chametz and need to be broken off and disposed of. the rest of the Matza can be eaten. It is recommended to check ones Matzot before Pessach to ensure there are no folds or bubbles. One is forbidden to eat Matza on Erev Pessach. Most people have the custom to stop eating Matza from Rosh Chodesh Nissan already. Some don't eat Matza an entire month before Pessach. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 108, 109, 110 - Danny

Halocho #91 - Chol Hamo'ed; Chol or Mo'ed?

The intermediary days of Pessach and Sukkot are known as Chol Hamo'ed. Some types of work are permitted, others are forbidden. Chazal (our Rabbis of blessed memory) have some harsh words for those who don't honour Chol Hamo'ed properly. Honouring Chol Hamo'ed includes eating meals and wearing clothes that are closer to Yom Tov standards than regular weekday standards. On Chol Hamo'ed one may do all work needed to prevent a monetary loss. Preparing food for Chol Hamo'ed or the last days of Yom Tov is allowed. Gardening is forbidden besides for picking fruit for Chol Hamo'ed or Yom Tov, and to prevent plants dying, e.g. if they need to be irrigated. Planting is forbidden. Cutting hair is forbidden on Chol Hamo'ed. Cutting nails is only allowed if one also cut them before Yom Tov. Writing down information so that it won't be forgotten is allowed. Writing letters to friends and family is allowed. The custom is to write the first line at an angle as a reminder that writing is only partially permitted. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 104. - Danny 4 Nissan 5768

סימן קד – דיני חול המועד

סעיף א - חול המועד אסור בקצת מלאכות ומותר בקצתן, דהיינו כל מה שהוא לצורך אכילה לחול המועד או ליום טוב, וכן מלאכה בדבר האבד, דהיינו שאם לא יעשנה יבא לידי הפסד מותר לעשותה, וצריכין ליזהר מאד שלא לעשות בחול המועד מלאכה האסורה, כי אמרו רבותינו זכרונם לברכה המחלל את חול המועד כאלו עובד עבודה זרה. סעיף ב - עוד אמרו רבותינו זכרונם לברכה המבזה את חול המועד, אף על פי שיש בידו תורה ומעשים טובים אין לו חלק לעולם הבא, והמבזה היינו שאינו מכבדו במאכל ובמשתה ובכסות, ולכן כל אדם חייב לכבדו כפי כחו וללבוש בגדים מכובדים.

Halocho #90 - Storytelling is a Mitzva

Seder night consists of food and talk. Food: - On Seder night there's a Mitzva in the Torah to eat a piece of Korban Pessach on Matza with Marror (bitter herbs). Until the Bet Hamikdash (temple) is rebuilt we only have the Matza and Marror. The minimum Torah requirement is to eat a Kezayit (an olive's worth) of Matza, which is approximately one-third of a square machine-Matza. At a typical Seder it's customary to eat 2 Kezeitim for Motzi-Matza, a 3rd for the Hillel-sandwich and a fourth for the Afikomen. - On Seder night there's also a Rabbinic requirement to drink 4 cups of wine. All the above - besides for the Marror - must be eaten while leaning on ones left side. Talk: The rest of the Seder consists of reading the entire Haggada. However, there's no Mitzva per se, to read the Haggada. There's a Mitzva in the Torah to tell ones children the story of the Exodus from Egypt in Question-Answer format on Seder night. The Haggada gives a framework so that one covers all required parts of the story, which is why it's important to understand and explain all those parts of the Haggada that recount the slavery, 10 plagues and deliverance in a language that all participants understand. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 119:4, 5, 7 May we merit to eat the Korban Pessach soon, in our lifetime. - Danny 3 Nissan 5768

Halocho #89 - Bless the blossoms

Nissan is the time of year when trees start to blossom (in the Northern hemisphere). The first time a year that one sees edible fruit trees blossoming one says:

ברוך אתה ה' אלהינו מלך העולם - Blessed are you Hashem, our G-d, King of the universe, שלא חיסר בעולמו כלום - for nothing is lacking in His universe, וברא בו בריות טובות ואילנות טובים - and He created in it good creatures and good trees, ליהנות בהם בני אדם - to cause mankind pleasure with them.

Once the flowers have fallen off and the fruit is visible then one can no longer say this Brocho. One only makes this Brocho once a year. It's an ancient custom to provide the needy with money for their Pessach needs, during the early part of Nissan, up and above ones regular charity contributions. Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, 226:1, 429:1

- Danny

2 Nissan 5768

Halocho #88 - Rosh Chodesh Nissan

Today - Sunday - is the first day of the first month - Nissan. Don't forget Hallel and Ya'aley V'yavo. Today - 1 Nissan - was the last of the 8 inaugural days of the Mishkan (tabernacle) and the first day that Aaron served as Cohen Gadol (high priest) and his 4 sons as Cohanim. That same day, two of them - Nadav and Avihu - brought an offering not in accordance with Halocho and were killed by a heavenly fire. Today the heads of the 12 tribes started bringing their inaugural sacrifices - one prince each day. Some people have the custom of reading that days sacrifice during the first 12 days of Nissan. This can be found in the Siddur as the Torah Reading for Chanuka. One does not say Tachanun during the entire month of Nissan. One may not fast during Nissan, with the following exceptions: - Firstborns fast on Erev Pessach (or the Thursday before, this year). - Fasting for distressingly bad dreams. - Couples getting married during Nissan. Even today - Rosh Chodesh - they fast, whereas on any other Rosh Chodesh the bride and groom do not fast. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 107:1,2 Chodesh Tov! - Danny

Halocho #87 - Bris Mila on Shabbat

This week’s Parsha - Tazria – begins with the Mitzva of circumcising all healthy baby boys on the 8th day of their life.

Even babies born on Shabbos get circumcised eight days later on Shabbos. However, whatever can be prepared beforehand cannot be done on Shabbos; the Mohel has to prepare his instruments, salves and bandages before Shabbos.

Babies born during twilight on Friday afternoon or Shabbos afternoon get circumcised on Sunday.

Babies born by C-section cannot be circumcised on Shabbos.

Source: Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah 266

Reminder: Shabbos is “Parshat Hachodesh” and Sunday is Rosh Chodesh Nissan.

Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov,

- Danny Erev Shabbat “Hachodesh” - 28 Adar-2 5768

Halocho #86 - Is January the first month?

This Shabbos we take out 2 Sifrei Torah. In the first we will read Parshas Tazria and in the second we will read Parshas Hachodesh (Exodus Ch. 12, Verses 1-20). Parshas Hachodesh reminds us of the following upcoming Mitzvos: - The month of Nissan (which begins on Sunday) is the first month on the Jewish calendar, as the opening words of Parshat Hachodesh proclaim: "This month is for you the first month". - The laws of Korban Pessach; sacrificed on Erev Pessach in the afternoon, it had to be roasted whole and then eaten on the first night of Pessach with Matza and Marror (bitter herbs). - Leftovers had to be burnt on the first day of Chol Hamo'ed. - Matza needs to be made carefully to ensure it doesn't become Chometz (leaven). - The first and last days of Pessach are Yom Tov. - One may not own Chometz, nor eat it, during Pessach . Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:2

שמות פרק יב

א ויאמר ה' אל-משה ואל-אהרן, בארץ מצרים לאמר

ב החדש הזה לכם, ראש חדשים: ראשון הוא לכם, לחדשי השנה

ג דברו, אל-כל-עדת ישראל לאמר, בעשר, לחדש הזה: ויקחו להם, איש שה לבית-אבת--שה לבית

ד ואם-ימעט הבית, מהיות משה--ולקח הוא ושכנו הקרב אל-ביתו, במכסת נפשת: איש לפי אכלו, תכסו על-השה

ה שה תמים זכר בן-שנה, יהיה לכם; מן-הכבשים ומן-העזים, תקחו

ו והיה לכם למשמרת, עד ארבעה עשר יום לחדש הזה; ושחטו אתו, כל קהל עדת-ישראל--בין הערבים

ז ולקחו, מן-הדם, ונתנו על-שתי המזוזת, ועל-המשקוף--על, הבתים, אשר-יאכלו אתו, בהם

ח ואכלו את-הבשר, בלילה הזה: צלי-אש ומצות, על-מררים יאכלהו

ט אל-תאכלו ממנו נא, ובשל מבשל במים: כי אם-צלי-אש, ראשו על-כרעיו ועל-קרבו

י ולא-תותירו ממנו, עד-בקר; והנתר ממנו עד-בקר, באש תשרפו

יא וככה, תאכלו אתו--מתניכם חגרים, נעליכם ברגליכם ומקלכם בידכם; ואכלתם אתו בחפזון, פסח הוא לה

יב ועברתי בארץ-מצרים, בלילה הזה, והכיתי כל-בכור בארץ מצרים, מאדם ועד-בהמה; ובכל-אלהי מצרים אעשה שפטים, אני ה

יג והיה הדם לכם לאת, על הבתים אשר אתם שם, וראיתי את-הדם, ופסחתי עלכם; ולא-יהיה בכם נגף למשחית, בהכתי בארץ מצרים

יד והיה היום הזה לכם לזכרון, וחגתם אתו חג לה': לדרתיכם, חקת עולם תחגהו

טו שבעת ימים, מצות תאכלו--אך ביום הראשון, תשביתו שאר מבתיכם: כי כל-אכל חמץ, ונכרתה הנפש ההוא מישראל--מיום הראשן, עד-יום השבעי

טז וביום הראשון, מקרא-קדש, וביום השביעי, מקרא-קדש יהיה לכם: כל-מלאכה, לא-יעשה בהם--אך אשר יאכל לכל-נפש, הוא לבדו יעשה לכם

יז ושמרתם, את-המצות, כי בעצם היום הזה, הוצאתי את-צבאותיכם מארץ מצרים; ושמרתם את-היום הזה, לדרתיכם--חקת עולם

יח בראשן בארבעה עשר יום לחדש, בערב, תאכלו, מצת: עד יום האחד ועשרים, לחדש--בערב

יט שבעת ימים--שאר, לא ימצא בבתיכם כי כל-אכל מחמצת, ונכרתה הנפש ההוא מעדת ישראל--בגר, ובאזרח הארץ

כ כל-מחמצת, לא תאכלו; בכל, מושבתיכם, תאכלו, מצות

- Danny Thursday, 27 Adar-2 5758

Halocho #85 – Rosh Chodesh on Sunday

This Sunday is Rosh Chodesh Nissan 5768 – ה'תשס"ח When the 3rd Shabbos meal continues into the night, one still inserts Retzai – רצה during Birkas Hamazon (grace after meals). When one starts a meal on Erev Rosh Chodesh and eats a Kezayis (the size of an olive – 27 cc) of bread after dark, one inserts Ya’aleh V’Yavo – יעלה ויבוא during Birkas Hamazon. What happens when both of the above happen together? If Rosh Chodesh is on Sunday and one eats a Kezayis of bread after dark during the 3rd Shabbos meal, then one inserts both Retzai – רצה and Ya’aleh V’Yavo – יעלה ויבוא during Birkas Hamazon. However, some argue that mentioning both is a contradiction – since Shabbos and Rosh Chodesh aren’t on the same day. Therefore one should be careful not to eat after dark at the 3rd Shabbos meal when Rosh Chodesh is on Sunday. The same concept applies when Chanuka, Purim or Yom Tov start on Sunday. Since this Sunday is Rosh Chodesh, the Yom Kipour Kotton prayers that some people say on Erev Rosh Chodesh are said tomorrow – Thursday. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 44:17 - Danny

סימן מד, סעיף יז - היה אוכל בשבת וחשכה לו, כיון שעדיין הוא לא התפלל ערבית אומר רצה

וכן ביום טוב, ראש חדש, חנוכה ופורים, כיון שהתחלת הסעודה היתה ביום, צריך להזכיר מענין היום אף על פי שמברך בלילה

ואם אכל בערב ראש חדש ונמשכה סעודתו גם תוך הלילה, ואכל גם בלילה כזית פת צריך לומר יעלה ויבא, וכן בחנוכה ובפורים

ואם התחיל לאכול בשבת ונמשכה סעודתו תוך הלילה, ואכל גם בלילה כזית פת ולמחר הוא ראש חדש, אומר רצה וגם יעלה ויבא, וכן בחנוכה ופורים

ויש חולקין משם דהוי כתרתי דסתרי, על כן יש למנוע שלא לאכול אז בלילה

Halocho #84 - Buying jewelery for Yom Tov

There's a Mitzva to honor the Yom Tov: - One should bath, cut nails and get a haircut before Yom Tov. - One shouldn't eat a meal during the second half of the afternoon on Erev Yom Tov so as not to spoil ones appetite for the festive evening meal.

- Yom Tov clothes should be nicer than Shabbat clothes

There's a Mitzva to be joyous on Yom Tov. This includes having 2 meals; one in the evening and one during the day. The meals start with Kiddush and should include meat and delicacies and should be more elaborate than on Shabbat. One should also provide the Neshomo (soul) with Yom Tov joy by learning some Torah (e.g. Yom Tov related Halochos) at every meal. There's a Mitzva to make others happy on Yom Tov: - Children should be given nuts and other treats. - Women should be given new clothes and jewelery. - The poor and unfortunate should be invited or provided with financial support. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 103:2,3,4,7 =================================== Please daven for the full recovery of Bentzion ben Masha Yehudit =================================== - Danny