Monday, December 31, 2012

Halocho #1015 - How to behave when visiting the sick

When visiting the sick one may not sit on a chair if they are lying on the floor, in deference to the Shechina which is above the sick person's head. 


If they are in a bed, one may sit on a chair. 

The main point of visiting the sick is to find out if one can help them in anyway, so that they feel they have friends who care about them, and in order to pray for them. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 193:2-3

- Danny,
Monday, 18 Tevet 5773

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Halocho #1014 - Visiting the sick

It's a Mitzva to visit sick people irrelevant of the social standing of the visitor or the patient.

Close friends and family may visit immediately, but others should wait until the 4th day, so as not to aggravate his Mazal and give his the "sick" status.

However, if a person becomes very ill very suddenly then everybody may visit immediately.

One may visit numerous times a day - as long as it doesn't bother the patient.


Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 193:1

- Danny,
Sunday, 17 Tevet 5773


Thursday, December 27, 2012

Halocho #1013 - - Preparing the weekly Parsha

It's a Mitzva to review the weekly Torah Reading by reading it twice in the original and once with the (Aramaic) Onkelus translation.

One who doesn't understand (or appreciate) Onkelus may read Rashi instead or even an English translation.

One may start on Sunday already and one should finish before the Torah is read on Shabbat morning.


Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 72:11

Shabbat Shalom
- Danny

Thursday, 14 Tevet 5773

חייב כל אדם להשלים פרשיותיו עם הצבור, דהיינו שיקרא בכל שבוע פרשת השבוע שנים מקרא ואחד תרגום
ומיום ראשון ואילך חשוב עם הצבור, שכבר התחילו הצבור פרשה זו בשבת במנחה. אבל המצוה מן המבחר היא לקרתה בערב שבת אחר חצות היום

ויש לקרות כל פרשה, דהינו פתוחה או סתומה, שני פעמים, ואחר כך התרגום עליה, כן הסכים הגאון הרב רבי אליהו וילנא זכר צדיק לברכה ואפלו הפרשה מסימת באמצע פסוק, יפסיק שם. ובגמר יש לומר אחר התרגום פסוק אחד בתורה, כדי לסיים בתורה

 וטוב שלא יפסיק בשיחה בין הקריאה. ונוהגין לקרות גם ההפטרה. ויש נוהגין עוד לומר אחר כך שיר השירים

 ומי שהוא בדרך ואין לו רק חמש בלי תרגום, יקרא שתי פעמים מקרא. וכשיבוא למקום שיהיה לו תרגום, יקרא התרגום. גם יש לו לכל ירא שמים, ללמוד פרוש רש"י על הסדרה, ואם לאו בר-הכי הוא ילמד פרוש לועזי על הסדרה, כגון ספר "צאינה וראינה" וכדומה, שיבין ענין הסדרה



Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Halocho #1012 - Looking after your health and possessions – Bal Tashchis

The Torah gave permission to doctors to heal. Therefore someone who is not feeling well may not rely on a miracle, but must go see a doctor and follow his instructions.

One who ignores medical advice is not only endangering their life but is also considered to be arrogant; one should use the top expert in the field.

That said, a person needs to realize that the actual cure comes from The One Above and should pray that their doctor be a successful messenger to heal them.

The same way it’s a Mitzva to preserve one's health , so too it’s a Mitzva to look after one's possessions; not to lose, break or waste them.

One who breaks vessels, tears clothes, wastes edible food, wastes money or throws away objects that other people could use has done the Aveira of לֹא-תַשְׁחִית as it says in דְּבָרִים כ:יט:

כִּי-תָצוּר אֶל-עִיר יָמִים רַבִּים לְהִלָּחֵם עָלֶיהָ לְתָפְשָׂהּ, לֹא-תַשְׁחִית אֶת-עֵצָהּ לִנְדֹּחַ עָלָיו גַּרְזֶן--כִּי מִמֶּנּוּ תֹאכֵל, וְאֹתוֹ לֹא תִכְרֹת, כִּי הָאָדָם עֵץ הַשָּׂדֶה, לָבֹא מִפָּנֶיךָ בַּמָּצוֹר

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 192:3, 190:3

- Danny
Wednesday, 13 Tevet 5773

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Halocho #1011 - Be nice to the animals

It’s a Torah prohibition to cause pain to animals – and it's a Mitzvah to prevent such pain and to cure animals (even if they don’t belong to a Jew).

However, if an animal is causing harm to humans, or can be used to help cure humans then one may kill it (as humanely as possible) for we see that the Torah allows one to eat meat.

It’s a Mitzvah to help horses that are pulling a wagon and are struggling due to the incline or the rough terrain – even if they don’t belong to Jew. One should prevent the rider from whipping them unnecessarily to try get them to pull more than they can.

One may not tie the legs of animals in such a way that they are in discomfort.

One may not force a bird to roost on eggs from a different type of bird.


Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 191:1,2,3

- Danny
Tuesday, 12 Tevet 5773


Monday, December 24, 2012

Halocho #1010 - Do a Mitzva: Keep your home safe

The Torah says in דברים פרק כב:ח:

 כִּי תִבְנֶה בַּיִת חָדָשׁ, וְעָשִׂיתָ מַעֲקֶה לְגַגֶּךָ; וְלֹא-תָשִׂים דָּמִים בְּבֵיתֶךָ, כִּי-יִפֹּל הַנֹּפֵל מִמֶּנּוּ

It's a Mitzvah to put a fence around one's roof to prevent people from falling off.

The fence must be at least 10 Tefachim high (80 cm, 2 feet 7½ inches) and must be strong enough that a person can lean on it and not fall. A roof that is never used does not need a fence.

Similarly, any life threatening danger needs preventive protection as appropriate. E.g. a well or pit needs a fence or a cover strong enough to ensure nobody falls in.

For the same reason one may not own a dangerous dog nor a shaky ladder.


Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 190:1,2

- Danny
Monday, 11 Tevet 5773

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Halocho #1009 - is today's fast (עשרה בטבת) mentioned in the Bible?

The prophet יְחֶזְקֵאל was told to record the 10th day of the 10th month (Tevet, counting from Nissan) as the day the the siege started:

 וַיְהִי דְבַר ה' אֵלַי בַּשָּׁנָה הַתְּשִׁיעִית, בַּחֹדֶשׁ הָעֲשִׂירִי, בֶּעָשׂוֹר לַחֹדֶשׁ, לֵאמֹר.   בֶּן-אָדָם, כְּתָב לְךָ אֶת-שֵׁם הַיּוֹם--אֶת-עֶצֶם, הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה: סָמַךְ מֶלֶךְ-בָּבֶל אֶל-יְרוּשָׁלִַם, בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה. 
 יְחֶזְקֵאל פרק כד:א-ב

The prophet זְכַרְיָה prophesied that the fast of the 4th month (Tammuz, counting from Nissan), the fast of the 5th month (Av) and the fast of the 10th month (Tevet) will be turned into days of joy.

 כֹּה-אָמַר ה'... צוֹם הָרְבִיעִי וְצוֹם הַחֲמִישִׁי וְצוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי וְצוֹם הָעֲשִׂירִי יִהְיֶה לְבֵית-יְהוּדָה לְשָׂשׂוֹן וּלְשִׂמְחָה, וּלְמֹעֲדִים, טוֹבִים; וְהָאֱמֶת וְהַשָּׁלוֹם, אֱהָבוּ. 
זְכַרְיָה פרק ח:יט

Today's Mincha consists of אַשְׁרֵי,  half-Kaddish and Torah reading. The 3rd Aliya also reads the Haftarah (דִּרְשׁוּ from יְשַׁעְיָהוּ) . Only somebody who is fasting should be called up to the Torah on a fast day.

After the 3 Brachot following the Haftara (until מָגֵן דָּוִד) , the Torah is returned to the Aaron HaKodesh followed by half-Kaddish and the Amida.

During the Mincha Amida, individuals add the "עֲנֵנוּ" prayer into the 16th Bracha; שְׁמַע קוֹלֵנוּ. If one forgot, one does not need to make amends.

The Chazzan adds עֲנֵנוּ during both Shacharit and Mincha, as a separate Bracha before רְפָאֵנוּ. 

Even at Mincha he adds Birkat Cohanim (or בָּרְכֵנוּ בַּבְּרָכָה הַמְשֻׁלֶּשֶׁת) after Modim.

The final Bracha is שִׂים שָׁלוֹם , since there was Torah reading.

The repetition of the Amida is followed by אָבִינוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ in most communities, followed by Tachanun, Kaddish and עָלֵינוּ .

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 23:15, 19:14, 20:8, Rambam הלכות תעניות פרק ה,

- Danny
Sunday, 10 Tevet 5773

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Halocho #1008 - Preparing for Shabbat

From the Pasuk זָכוֹר אֶת-יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת - "Remember the day of Shabbat" ( שמות כ:ז) we learn that it's a Mitzva to keep Shabbat in mind all week; all special food should be reserved for Shabbat. 


On Friday it's a Mitzva to get up early to go shopping for Shabbat; this can even be done before Shacharit if need be (as long as you don't miss davening with a Minyan as a result). 

However, items that require preparation should be bought on Thursday already. 

Ezra already instituted doing laundry on Thursday in anticipation of Shabbat. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 72:4

Shabbat Shalom
- Danny, 7 Tevet 5773

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Halocho #1007 - Torah reading on a fast day

On Sunday will be the fast of the 10th of Tevet - עשרה בטבת.

On every fast-day there is Kri'at HaTorah (Torah Reading) at both Shacharit and Mincha. We call up 3 people and read וַיְחַל from Parshat כִּי תִשָּׂא.

At Mincha, the 3rd Aliya also reads the Haftarah (דִּרְשׁוּ 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 "עֲנֵנוּ" prayer into the 16th Bracha; שְׁמַע קוֹלֵנוּ. If one forgot, one does not need to make amends.

The Chazzan adds עֲנֵנוּ during both Shacharit and Mincha, as a separate Bracha before רְפָאֵנוּ.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 23:15, 19:14, 20:8

- Danny
Wednesday, 6 Tevet 5773

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Halocho #1006 - When does the fast start on Sunday?

On Sunday will be the fast of 10 B'Tevet.

No eating and drinking is allowed from dawn (4:54 in Jerusalem) to nightfall (16:57 in Jerusalem).

One may eat before dawn if one had the intention of doing so before going to sleep the night before.

If one always drinks when one gets up, then one can drink before dawn even of one didn't think about it when going to bed.

Pregnant and nursing mothers as well as people who aren't feeling well do not need to fast if fasting will cause them discomfort. Anybody who isn't healthy shouldn't fast. When in doubt, consult your LOR (Local Orthodox Rabbi).

Children are not allowed to fast.

Those who may eat, as well as children, should not indulge in food. If possible they should limit themselves to bread and water.


Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 121:8, 8

- Danny
Tuesday, 5 Tevet 5773


Monday, December 17, 2012

Halocho #1005 - Why will we fast on Sunday?

This coming Sunday - 10 Tevet - עשרה בטבת - we fast to commemorate the beginning of the siege against Jerusalem.

Almost 2,500 years ago the wicked King Nebuchadnezzar laid siege against Jerusalem which culminated in the destruction of the first Bet Hamikdash, a year and a half later.

This is the King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in whose court Daniel (who survived the lion's den) served.

The purpose of the fast is to awaken us to repent; if the Bet Hamikdash has not been rebuilt then we suffer from similar deficiencies that caused it to be destroyed.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 121:3

Trivia: This will be the second fast of Asara B'Tevet during 2012. :-)

- Danny
Monday, 4 Tevet 5773

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Halocho #1004 - Leftover oil and wicks from Chanuka

Oil that was put in the Chanuka Menora and was not burnt, as well as wicks that were used and candles that didn't burn fully should be burnt after Chanuka.

Since they were set aside for the Mitzva of Chanuka they cannot be used for any other purpose.

If one had the explicit intention to use the leftovers, then they need not be burnt.


Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:20

Today is the last day of Chanuka; don't forget עַל הַנִּסִּים !


- Danny
Sunday, Zot Chaunka, 3 Tevet 5773

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Halocho #1003 - When do we light the Menora on Erev Shabbat?

On Friday afternoon one lights the Chanuka Menora before lighting Shabbat candles. One can light as early as 75 Halachic minutes before sunset. (15:34 in Jerusalem, this year.)

If possible, one should daven an early Mincha so as to light the Menora after Mincha.

One must start lighting the Menora early enough to be able to light Shabbat candles at the regular time.

On Friday one needs longer candles or more oil to ensure the Menora will be lit until 30 minutes after dark.

If lighting near a doorway, one needs to ensure that opening the door will not extinguish the Menora. If needed one should put a non-flammable partition between the Menora and the door.


Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:17

Reminder: Thursday night and Friday is Rosh Chodesh; don't forget to add both יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא and עַל הַנִּסִּים to the Birkat HaMazon and the Amida.

On Shabbat we will take out 2 Sifrei Torah:
- In the first Sefer Torah we call up [at least] 7 people for the weekly portion - מִקֵּץ .
- Maftir is read from the 2nd Sefer Torah and is for Chanuka - בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי from Parshat נָשֹׂא .

The Haftara this week is the Chanuka one (רָנִּי וְשִׂמְחִי בַּת צִיּוֹן from Zecharia 2:14).

Review: On Motzai Shabbat - the last night of Chanuka this year - one first makes Havdalah and then lights the Chanuka Menora.

In Shul - on Motzai Shabbat - the Menora is lit after the full-Kaddish - before וְיִתֶּן לְךָ (after ensuring that it's already Motzai Shabbat if one started prayers early).

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:18

Some have the custom of lighting the Menora before making Havdala, since one already heard Havdala in shul. (Source: רמ"א 581:2)

Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom

- Danny,
Thursday, 5th day of Chanuka, Erev Rosh Chodesh Tevet 5773


Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Halocho #1002 - Friday: Rosh Chodesh and Chanuka

Friday - 6th day of Chanuka - is Rosh Chodesh Tevet.

On Thursday night and Friday we add in both יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא and עַל הַנִּסִּים to the Birkat HaMazon and the Amida.

Rosh Chodesh Tevet is the only time the full-Hallel is said on Rosh Chodesh. After Hallel, the full Kadish תִּתְקַבַּל is recited.

Between Shacharit and Mussaf we will take out 2 Sifrei Torah. First we call up 3 people to the Torah for Rosh Chodesh. In the second Sefer Torah a fourth person is called up for Chanuka, then Half-Kadish is recited.

We then daven Mussaf for Rosh Chodesh, with עַל הַנִּסִּים .

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:24

- Danny
Wednesday, 4th day of Chanuka, 28 Kislev 5773


Please daven for a רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם לאֶפְרַיִם בֶּן מִרְיָם בְּתוֹךְ שְׁאָר חוֹלֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Halocho #1001 - What is Zot Chanuka?

The Torah Reading for Sunday - the last day of Chanuka - has 39 verses.

It starts from בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי in Parshat נָשֹׂא and continues all the way past the end of the Parsha and ends with the first paragraph of Parshat בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ which talks about the daily lighting the 7-branched Menora in the Mishkan and the Bet HaMikdash.

The last paragraph of Parshat נָשֹׂא starts with the words זֹאת חֲנֻכַּת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ- as a result the last day of Chanuka is often referred to as Zot Chanuka.

Don't forget עַל הַנִּסִּים !

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:23

- Danny
Tuesday, 3rd day Chanuka, 27th Kislev 5773

Please daven for a רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם לאֶפְרַיִם בֶּן מִרְיָם בְּתוֹךְ שְׁאָר חוֹלֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל

Monday, December 10, 2012

Halocho #1000 - Hallel and fasting on Chanuka

The entire Hallel is said on all 8 days of Chanuka. Chanuka is the only time that the entire Hallel is said on Rosh Chodesh. (Usually on Rosh Chodesh we leave out 2 half-paragraphs; לֹא לָנוּ and אָהַבְתִּי כִּי יִשְׁמַע.)

One does not fast on Chanuka, except for a Ta'anit Chalom (fasting after a worrisome dream).

No Tachanun is said on Chanuka, starting from Mincha the day before. א' אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם is not said before Kriat HaTorah on Chanuka.
לַמְנַצֵּחַ is not said after אַשְׁרֵי during Chanuka.

Don't forget עַל הַנִּסִּים !

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 22:8, 25:2, 139:2

- Danny
Monday, 2nd day of Chanuka, 26th Kislev 5773


Please daven for the רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה of אֶפְרַיִם בן מרים

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Halocho #999 - Al HaNisim during Chanuka

During all 8 days (and nights) of Chanuka one adds עַל הַנִּסִּים to the Birkat Hamazon during the 2nd Bracha - נוֹדֶה לְךָ. If you forgot to add עַל הַנִּסִּים and you've already said 'בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה then you don't have to make amends.

However, if possible you should say the following during the HaRachaman's after the 4th Bracha:


הָרַחֲמָן הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה לָנוּ נִסִּים וְנִפְלָאוֹת, 
כְּמוֹ שֶׁעָשָׂה לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ
בַּיָּמִים הַהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה בִּימֵי מַתִּתְיָהוּ


...and then continue with the rest of the עַל הַנִּסִּים.

During every Amida of Chanuka (including Mussaf) one adds עַל הַנִּסִּים during מוֹדִים .

If you forgot to add עַל הַנִּסִּים and you've already said 'בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה then you don't have to make amends.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 44:16, 139: 21

- Danny
Sunday, 1st day Chanuka, 25 Kislev 5773

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Halocho #998 - Shabbat Erev Chanuka


This week, Shabbat is also Erev Chanuka. Suggestion: Prepare your Menora before Shabbat!

Shabbat morning:
This Shabbat we read the regular Parsha - וַיֵּשֶׁב - and its regular Haftara (כֹּה אָמַר  from Amos Ch. 2.)

This week is Shabbat Mevorchim. Rosh Chodesh Tevet will be on Friday, the 6th day of Chanuka.

This week and next week we will omit אָב  הָרַחֲמִים  before Mussaf.

Mincha:
This week and next week we will omit צִדְקָתְךָ at Mincha.

Motzai Shabbat:

Motzai Shabbat:
Add אַתָּה חוֹנַנְתָּנוּ in the 4th Bracha of the Amida.
Add עַל הַנִּסִּים in the Amida during מוֹדִים and in Birkat haMazon during נוֹדֶה לְךָ.

In Shul the Menora is lit after the full-Kaddish - before וְיִתֶּן לְךָ (after ensuring that it's already Motzai Shabbat if prayers started early).

At home, on Motzai Shabbat, one first makes Havdalah and then lights the Chanukah Menorah.


On the first night we say 3 Brachot before lighting: 

 בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ... מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁלַחֲנֻכָּה
 בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ... מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה
 בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ... מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה


Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 22:8, 139

Some have the custom of lighting the Menora before making Havdala at home, since one already heard Havdala in shul. (Source: רמ"א 581:2)

Shabbat Shalom uMevorach

- Danny
Thursday,22 Kislev 5773

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Halocho #997 - 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  - בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ  - starting from 7th Cheshvan in Israel, and from the 5th December outside of Israel.

If you're unsure if you added וְתֵן טַל וּמָטָר לִבְרָכָה 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 saying it 90 times (starting from אֶת הַשָּׁנָה הַזֹּאת) then you can assume you said it correctly.: 

אֶת הַשָּׁנָה הַזֹּאת וְאֶת כָּל מִינֵי תְּבוּאָתָהּ לְטוֹבָה וְתֵן טַל וּמָטָר לִבְרָכָה עַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה

Source: Shulchan Aruch 114:9

- Danny
Wednesday 21 Kislev 5773

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Halocho #996 - Ask for rain tonight!


Since Mussaf on Shmini Atzeret we have been praising Hashem for the wonderful gift of rain, by adding מַשִּׁיב הָרוּחַ וּמוֹרִיד הַגֶּשֶׁם  "He makes the wind blow and He causes the rain to fall"  into אַתָּה גִּבּוֹר - the second Bracha of the Amida.

In Israel only, starting from 7th Cheshvan we started adding a prayer for rain - וְתֵן טַל וּמָטָר לִבְרָכָה - in the 9th Bracha of the weekday Amida - בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ. (Sefardim started saying בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ  instead of בַּרְכֵנוּ as the 9th Bracha.)

Starting tonight - Tuesday night - we start praying for rain on weekdays, in the 9th Bracha of the Amida - בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ - all over the world.

If you forgot to add וְתֵן טַל וּמָטָר לִבְרָכָה - "and bless us with dew and rain", then:


  • If you remember before you finish בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ then you insert it and continue from there.
  • If you already said "Baruch Ata Hashem" of the בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ then you insert it into שְׁמַע קוֹלֵנוּ before כִּי אַתָּה שׁוֹמֵעַ.
  • If you forget to say it in שְׁמַע קוֹלֵנוּ  then you need to go back to the 9th Bracha - בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ .
  • If you don't remember until you finished the Amida (defined as saying יִהְיוּ לְרָצוֹן אִמְרֵי פִי ) then you have to restart the entire Amida.


Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 19:5

- Danny
Jerusalem, Tuesday 20 Kislev 5773

Monday, December 3, 2012

Halocho #995 - Using the light of the Chanuka Menora

Each night of Chanuka we add an extra light, starting at 1 and ending at 8.

Besides for the nightly number, the custom is to add an extra candle each night - known as the Shamash.

This is ensure that one doesn't accidentally use the light from the actual Chanuka lights, which is forbidden.

After the Chanuka Menora has been burning for half an hour after nightfall, one may derive benefit from the lights of the Chanuka Menora.


Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:14

- Danny

19 Kislev 5773 - י"ט כסלו ה'תשע"ג

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Halocho #994 - The Chanuka Menora in shul

In order to publicize the miracle of Chanuka, the Menora is lit - with the correct Brachot - in the synagogue, between Mincha and Ma'ariv.

The person who lit the Menora in shul has to light again at home, with the correct Brachot.

A mourner should not light the Menora in shul on the first night of Chanuka, since it's inappropriate for him to say שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ in public. At home a mourner does say שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ on the first night.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:15


- Danny
18 Kislev 5773