Halocho #381 - Shabbat Nachamu

Usually the Haftara is connected to the weekly Torah Reading.

During the 7 weeks following the fast of 9 B'Av we read the Seven Haftarot of Consolation from Yeshayahu.

This Shabbat is named after the opening words of the first of the Seven Haftarot of Consolation: "Nachamu, Nachum Ami"; Hashem instructs Yeshayahu to "Console, console My people".

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128:4, 22:8,

- Danny Erev Shabbat Nachamu, 10 Menachem-Av 5769

Please daven that Dalia Rivka Bat Tamara should find her Shidduch soon

Halocho #380 - May one wear shoes at The Final Meal

The "Seudat Mafseket - final meal" before the fast of 9 B'Av - is eaten while seated on the floor. However, one may wear ones leather shoes during this meal. It typically consists of only a cold hard boiled egg and bread which is dipped into ashes. (One does not have to eat the ashes.) This meal must end before sunset. Before this meal one may eat a regular meal. One does not wear leather shoes on the fast of 9 b'Av, and therefor one must remove them before sunset - Wednesday afternoon this year. One may wear shoes that have no leather in them; cloth, rubber and wood are OK. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 123:3, 5 - Danny Wednesday, 8 Av 5769

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

Halocho #379- Why do we fast on Thursday?

Thursday is the fast of 9 B'Av which commemorates 5 tragedies that befell the Jewish people on that date:

- It was decreed that the generation which left Egypt would remain in the desert for 40 years and not enter the land of Israel, after believing the inaccurate report of 10 of the 12 spies in the year 2449.

- The first Bet Hamikdash (Holy Temple) was destroyed on 9 B'Av in the year 3339.

- The second Bet Hamikdash (Holy Temple) was destroyed on 9 B'Av about 1948 years ago.

- The city of Betar was captured and tens of thousands of Jews were killed in the year 3893.

- The wicked Turnus Rufus plowed the site of the Bet Hamikdash and its surroundings and renamed it Aelia Capitolina, also in the year 3893.

Since these tragedies occurred on 9 B'Av, it was decreed as a day of fasting and mourning.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 121:5

Other tragedies that happened on 9 B'Av:

- 4,000 Jews were expelled from England by King Edward I in the year 5050 (18 July 1290)

- 300,000 Jews were expelled from Spain by Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon in the year 5252 (2 August 1492)

- Word War 1 started in 5674 - 1 August 1914 - with Germany declaring war on Russia

- Danny Tuesday, 7 Av 5769

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

Halocho #378 - When do the "9 days" end?

We will mourn and fast on 9 B'Av (Thursday) since the Bet Hamikdash was burned to the ground. The fire was ignited on 9 B'Av in the afternoon and burned through the 10th of Av. Therefore the restrictions of "the 9 days" continue until after midday on the 10th of Av (Friday). Normally the custom is to refrain from eating meat and wine, saying Shehechiyanu, listening to music, bathing, doing laundry, shaving and haircuts, until after noon on the 10th of Av. However, in honor of Shabbat, one may bathe, do laundry and have haircuts on Friday morning already. One may make a Se'udat Mitzvah (like a Brit) on Friday morning, with meat and wine. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 124:20-22 Some Poskim allow one to do laundry on Thursday night. Source: Halachos of the 3 weeks by Rav Shimon Eider zt"l - Danny Monday 6 Av 5769

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

Halocho #377 - May one go to work on 9 B'Av?

One may do "minor" work on the fast of 9 B'Av, such as turning on lights and driving. Any work that takes times, as well as all business dealings, should not be done until noon, so as not to get distracted from mourning the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash - the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. While one may go to work and open ones business on 9 B'Av afternoon, it's commendable not to. One may have a non-Jew do ones work on 9 B'Av, and one may do any work needed to prevent a monetary loss. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 124:15 - Danny Sunday 5 Av 5769

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

Halocho #376 - Havdala without wine?

Yesterday we learnt that the custom is to not eat meat and chicken and to not drink wine during the 9 days except on Shabbat.

How does one make Havdala this week?

One makes Havdala as usual this week using wine (and spices and a candle).

If there is a small child who can drink most of the cup of wine, then one gives it to him to drink. If not, then the person making Havdala drinks the wine.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:8

Some people have the custom of using beer for Havdala this week. If one uses beer for Havdala then the first Bracha needs to be "Shehakol" instead of "Borei Pri Hagofen".

Source: Halachos of the 3 weeks by Rav Shimon Eider zt"l page 7

My Rosh Yeshiva - Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt"l - always used wine for Havdala and always drank it himself.

Shabbat Shalom,

- Danny Thursday, 2 Av 5769

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

Halocho #375 - The sad milky days

Today - Wednesday - is Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av From Rosh Chodesh Av (today) one diminishes happiness. One also refrains from going to court. Eating meat and drinking wine is forbidden from today until 10th Av at midday with the exception of Shabbat. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:7 - Danny Wednesday 1 Av 5769

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

Halocho #374 - No more meat leftovers!

From Rosh Chodesh Av (Tuesday evening) until midday on 10th Av is the period known as the "9 days". The custom is to not eat meat and chicken and to not drink wine during the "9 days", except on Shabbat. Food cooked together with meat should not be eaten - even if one doesn't eat the meat. Those who need to eat meat (or drink wine) for health reasons may do so. If possible, even they should refrain (with the Doctor's permission) from the 7th of Av; the day the Romans entered the Bet Hamikdash. At a Se'udat Mitzva (a Mitzva meal) - a Brit, Pidyon HaBen or Siyum - one may serve meat and wine. Besides for close family, one may invite up to 10 friends whom one normally invites. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:8 - Danny Tuesday, 29 Tamuz 5769

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

Halocho #373 - Last chance for laundry

When the month of Av begins, one diminishes joy. From Rosh Chodesh Av until midday on 10th Av is the period known as the "9 days". During the 9 days one does not do any laundry even if one only intends wearing the clothes after the 9 days. One may not even give laundry to a non-Jew to wash during the 9 days, but a Jew may do laundry for non-Jews. One does not wear freshly laundered clothes during the 9 days except on Shabbat. This does not apply to garments worn directly on the body; undergarments, socks, PJs and the like. One may not change bed linens, tablecloths and towels during the 9 days. The "9 days" starts on Tuesday evening and ends 10 days later on Friday morning. --> Therefore it's advisable to prepare a week's supply of shirts, pants, skirts, etc. by wearing them for a short while before Rosh Chodesh. One can also prepare towels by using them once. Baby clothing that get dirty all the time and needs to be changed many times a day are exempt from the above and may be laundered and used during the 9 days. Anything halachically needed for her 7 clean days, a Niddah may launder and wear during the 9 days. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:9 - Danny Monday 28 Tamuz 5769

Mazal Tov to my sister Miriam and her husband Moshe Lewitan on the engagement of their eldest daughter Devora to Shmuli Klinger

Halocho #372 - Can we sit on chairs on 9 B'Av?

On the fast of 9 B'Av it is customary not to sit on chairs from the time the fast begins (next week, Wednesday afternoon before sunset) until noon the following day (Thursday). Instead, one sits on the floor. Anything within 3 Tefachim (about 9" - 24 cm) of the floor is considered as being on the floor. After noon one may sit on regular chairs. However, all other restrictions of the fast apply until the fast is over at night-fall. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 124: 16 - Danny Sunday 27 Tamuz 5769

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

Halocho #371 - Don't interrupt the voyage

This week we read the double Parsha of Matos-Mas'ay. Parshat מסעי begins by listing the 42 encampments the wandering Jews had during their 40 years in the desert. All 42 encampments should be read together during the same "Aliya". Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 78:4 See http://halocho.blogspot.com/search/label/Shabbos for more Shabbat related Halachot. Shabbat Shalom, - Danny Thursday, 24 Tamuz 5769

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

Halocho #370 - Who must fast on 9 B'Av?

On 9 B'Av almost everybody needs to fast. Pregnant and nursing mothers need to fast on 9 B'Av even if it causes them discomfort, unless it's dangerous to their health. When in doubt, consult your LOR (Local Orthodox Rabbi). During the first 7 days after childbirth, a mother is not allowed to fast. Anybody who isn't healthy should only fast for a few hours. This includes a mother between 7 and 30 days after childbirth unless she feels up to fasting. When in doubt, consult your LOR. Children are not allowed to fast. Those who are not fasting should limit their food intake to the bare minimum; only bread and water if possible. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 124:6 - Danny Wednesday 23 Tamuz 5769

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

Halocho #369 - Why be sad when visiting the Kotel?

The Kotel ("Wailing wall") is the western retaining wall of the Temple Mount where the Bet Hamikdash (Temple) stood until it was destroyed over 1,900 years ago.

The Kotel "plaza" is outside the Temple Mount. Every prayer of ours - Amida and Birkat Hamazon - includes a supplication to once again be able to serve Hashem on the other side of the Kotel; from inside the rebuilt Bet Hamikdash.

When seeing the place where the Bet Hamikdash stood, one needs to do Kri'a; tear ones clothes in the same way that mourners do.

One only needs to tear Kri'a if one hasn't been in Jerusalem for 30 days or longer.

Source Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 561

The prevalent Yerushalmi custom is not to tear Kri'a on days one doesn't say Tachanun, including Friday afternoons.

- Danny Tuesday, 22 Tamuz 5769

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

Halocho #368 - Is all music forbidden in the 3 weeks?

The period between the fast of 17 Tammuz and the fast of 9 B'Av 3 weeks later is known as Bein Hametzarim, or "The 3 Weeks". Since the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash (Temple) started on 17 Tammuz with the breaching of the walls, and ended 3 weeks later when it was set alight, this period of 3 weeks has been set aside as a time of mourning. If a Jew plays a musical instrument for a living, he may continue to do so for non-Jews until Rosh Chodesh Av. Some have the custom of refraining from meat and wine during the entire 3 weeks, except on Shabbat and Mitzva-meals (like at a Brit Mila). Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:1 - Danny Monday 21 Tamuz 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Elinor Sara bat Rivka

Halocho #367 - May one get engaged in the 3 weeks?

We learned that the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash (Temple) started on 17 Tammuz with the breaching of the walls, and ended 3 weeks later when it was set alight. During this period of mourning we do not get married. Getting engaged is permitted during the 3 weeks. Until Rosh Chodesh Av one may even celebrate with a festive meal, but without music. After Rosh Chodesh Av one may not have a festive meal, but one may serve refreshments. One may even get engaged on a fast day, but no food may be served. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:1 - Danny Sunday, 20 Tamuz 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Rivka bat Teirtzel

Halocho #366 - Can you cut nails during the 3 weeks?

You may cut your nails during the 3 weeks, until the week in which 9 B'Av falls. On each Shabbat of the "3 weeks" we read a Haftara wherein the prophet foretold the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash. The first week (this week) we read the first chapter of Yirmiyahu. The second week we read most of the second chapter of Yirmiyahu. The third week we read the the first chapter of Yeshayahu - Chazon; most of it in the sad tune that Megilat Eicha is read. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:6, 5 Have a meaningful fast and a Shabbat Shalom, - Danny Thursday, 17 Tamuz 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Yaakov Yitzchak ben Rus Nechama

Halocho #365 - Why do we fast on the 17th Tamuz?

Tomorrow - Thursday - will be the fast of 17 Tamuz which commemorates 5 major misfortunes which happened to the Jewish people on this date: - Moshe Rabbeinu broke the luchot - the tablets - upon seeing the Golden Calf being worshiped - The daily Tamid sacrifice was suspended in the first Bet Hamikdash as a result of the siege - At the time of the 2nd Bet Hamikdash the walls of Jerusalem were breached by the enemy, three weeks before the destruction - Apustumus the wicked [Roman] burned a Sefer Torah - An idol was placed in the Bet Hamikdash The fast starts at dawn and ends at nightfall. On every fast day there is Kriat HaTorah (Torah Reading) at both Shacharit and Mincha. At Mincha, the 3rd Aliya also reads the Haftarah (from Yeshayahu 55:6). Only somebody who is fasting should be called up to the Torah on a fast day. During the Mincha Amida, individuals add the "Aneinu" prayer into the 16th Bracha; Shema Kolienu. If one forgot, one does not need to make amends. The Chazzan adds Aneinu during both Shacharit and Mincha, as a separate Bracha before Refo'enu. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 23:15, 19:14, 20:8 Have a meaningful fast, - Danny Jerusalem, Wednesday, 16 Tamuz 5769

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

Halocho #364 - Last chance for a haircut!

It's customary not to have a haircut during the 3 weeks from 17 Tammuz until after 9 Av. This includes haircuts and shaving. Since the "3 weeks" begin on Thursday, tomorrow is the last chance to have a haircut. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:3 - Danny Tuesday, 15 Tamuz 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Sara bas Yael - שרה בת יעל

Halocho #363 - How long are the "3 weeks"?

The woes of the Churban - the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash - began on 17th Tamuz and ended with the Bet Hamikdash being set alight on the afternoon of 9 B'Av.

The fire burnt until sunset the following day.

This period of 23 days - which start on Thursday - is know as "the 3 weeks" or Bein Hametzarim - בין המצרים.

As we then approach the 9th of Av - 3 weeks later - the laws of mourning intensify, as we will learn in the coming days.

The mourning continues until the day after the fast of 9 B'Av; however, since this year the 10th of Av is a Friday, bathing, laundry and haircuts are allowed from early morning of 10 Av - in honour of Shabbat.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:1, 124:20

- Danny Monday, 14 Tamuz 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Sarah Shira bat Leah Malka

Halocho #362 - 4 shopping days left

It's customary not to say the Bracha of שהחיינו - Shehechiyanu during the 3 weeks from 17 Tammuz until after 9 Av.

Therefore one should not buy nor wear new clothes during that period.

Since the "3 weeks" begin on this coming Thursday, one should finish ones shopping in the coming days and wear all new clothes [at least for a short time] before Thursday.

When eating a fruit for the first time in a season one says the Bracha of שהחיינו - Shehechiyanu. If possible, one should not wait for the "3 weeks" to eat those fruit for the first time.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:2

- Danny Sunday, 13 Tamuz 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Elinor Sara bat Rivka who was in a terrible car accident

Halocho #361- We're back in sync

As we learnt in Halocho 338, for the past 5 weeks the Parsha being read in Israel was one ahead of the one being read in the Diaspora.

This week in Israel we will read Parshat Balak - בלק, while in the Diaspora they will read the double Parsha of Chukath-Balak - חוקת-בלק.

Henceforth we will be once again be reading the same Parsha again for almost 3 years, until after Pessach 2012 - ה'תשע"ב when we will diverge again for 6 weeks. (Pessach will end on Friday on Israel, and on Shabbat in the Diaspora.)

This week's Haftara includes one of the admonitions to remember: עַמִּי, זְכָר-נָא מַה-יָּעַץ בָּלָק מֶלֶךְ מוֹאָב, וּמֶה-עָנָה אֹתוֹ, בִּלְעָם בֶּן-בְּעוֹר O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Bilam the son of Beor answered him... (Micha 6:5)

Shabbat Shalom,

- Danny Thursday, 10 Tamuz 5769

Written L'Ilui Nishmas Reuven Ben Shlomo Dov

Halocho #360- Why don't we fast tomorrow?

In the year 3,339, on 9th Tamuz, the city walls of Jerusalem were breached by the wicked King Nebuchadnezzar's army. Four weeks later - on 9th Av - the first Bet Hamikdash was destroyed.
For 70 years - until the second Bet Hamikdash was built - the 9th Tamuz was a fast-day.
At the time of the destruction of the second Bet Hamikdash the walls were breached a week later - on 17 Tamuz.
The Rabbis decided not to burden the Yidden with having to fast 2 weeks in a row.
Since the destruction of the second Bet Hamikdash is more relevant to us, the original fast-day was dropped.
The Talmud Yerushalmi (Ta'anit 4:5) claims that the walls were breached both times on 17 Tamuz, but due to the turmoil at the time of the first destruction, the date was wrongly recorded as 9 Tamuz.
Source: Tur Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 549
- Danny Wednesday, 9 Tamuz 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Mazi bat Cha- num