After the morning meal - and a nap, if needed - one should set aside time on Shabbat to learn Torah. This is especially important for people who do not spend much time learning Torah during the week. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 77:24 Shabbat Shalom, - Danny Thursday, 4 Shvat 5769
Men should make an effort to pray thrice daily with a minyan. Even when not praying with a minyan, it's appropriate to pray at the same time when a local minyan is praying. We learn this from the verse in Tehillim (69:14):
Before each of the daily prayers one should wash ones hands until the wrist. If one has touched a covered part of ones body or scratched ones head since last washing, one needs to wash again. If water is not readily available one should spend time finding some unless doing so would make one miss praying on time. In case of need one can clean ones hands with anything that cleans them including rubbing them with sand. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 12:5 - Danny Tuesday, 2 Shvat 5769
It's a Mitzva to eat a bigger meal on Rosh Chodesh.
There is no obligation to eat bread on Rosh Chodesh.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 77:2
Chodesh Tov!
- Danny Monday, Rosh Chodesh Shvat 5769
During the Amida and Birkat Hamazon on Rosh Chodesh one should add Ya'aleh Veyavo.
If one forgot to do so during the Amida at night one does not need to make amends. During the day one needs to go back to רצה.
If one forgot Ya'aleh Veyavo during Birkat Hamazon (during the day or night), and one remembers before starting the last Bracha, one can say:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
אֲשֶׁר נָתַן רָאשֵׁי חֳדָשִׁים לְעַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל לְזִכָּרוֹן
If one forgot after starting the last Bracha, or one does have the above Bracha handy, one does not need to make amends.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 19:10, 44:14
Chodesh Tov!
- Danny Sunday, 29 Tevet, Erev Rosh Chodesh Shvat 5769
Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה
After eating the Shabbat meal one may nap. However one may not say "I am going to nap in order to be able to do something on Motzai Shabbat". Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 77:23 This week is Shabbat M'vorchim of Chodesh Shvat. Rosh Chodesh Shvat will be on Monday. Shabbat Shalom, - Danny Thursday, 26 Tevet 5769
It's good to give Tzedaka - charity - before praying. This is hinted to in the verse (Psalms 17:5) "I will behold Your countenance with Tzedek"
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 12:2
- Danny Wednesday, 25 Tevet 5769
Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה
When renting an apartment outside of Israel, one need not affix the Mezuzot for the first 30 days.
If one buys an apartment one needs to affix the Mezuzot as soon as one moves in.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:21
- Danny Tuesday, 24 Tevet 5769
Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה
One may not go to a friend's house before Shacharit (morning prayers), even if one only plans on wishing them a "good morning".
If one happens to meet a friend before Shacharit one should not use the standard greeting, as a reminder to oneself not to get distracted before prayers.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 9:5
- Danny Monday, 23 Tevet 5769
Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה
Various times the Torah gives precedence to the right hand. As a result we usually give precedence to the right. When washing one first washes the right hand. When getting dressed one first puts on the right hand side. When putting on shoes one first puts on the right shoe. Regarding Tefillin the Torah requires us to tie them on the left hand. As a result we give precedence to the left when it comes to tying things. When tying ones shoes one first ties the left one. Summary: Put on right shoe, then left shoe, then tie the left then tie the right. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 3:4 - Danny Sunday, 22 Tevet 5769
