Halocho #1109 - Eating before Mussaf

If one makes Kiddush after Shacharit, before praying Mussaf, then one should eat no more than a Kezayit (size of an egg - 28cc) of bread or cake. 

One can eat unlimited amounts of fruit. If one wants to eat only fruit, then one has to drink a mouthful of Kiddush wine and another Revi'it (86cc) of wine. 

A Cohen who is going to do Birkat Cohanim (bless the congregation) in Mussaf, must hear Kiddush from another person, as he is not allowed to drink alcoholic beverages before Birkat Cohanim. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 77:15, 100:3

This week is Shabbat Mevorchim; Rosh Chodesh Tammuz will be the following Shabbat and Sunday.

Shabbat Shalom uMevorach,

- Danny
Thursday, 21 Sivan 5773

Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma:

יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה  

Halocho #1108 - What Bracha does one make on Good News?

This Shabbat is the 23rd day of the month of Sivan. 

Over 2,360 years ago on the 23rd of Sivan, Esther and Mordechai sent out the second royal decree informing the Jews that they may defend themselves against Haman's original decree of total annihilation. 

When finding out joyous tidings or upon hearing good news from a reliable source, one says a Bracha. If it only affects oneself, then one says Shehechiyanu; 

"Blessed... who has kept us alive, sustained us and permitted us to reach this occasion."

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה', אֱ-לֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם

 שֶׁהֶחֱיָינוּ וקִיְּמָנוּ והִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמָן הַזֶּה

If it affects a group of people then one says Hatov Vehametiv; "..Who is Good, and bestows good."

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה', אֱ-לֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם

הַטּוֹב וְהַמֵּטִיב

If one cannot say the Bracha right away - due to an unclean location or unwashed hands - then one can say it later, as long as one still feels the joy. 

Even if the joyful event will probably cause one trouble at a later date, one still says the Bracha. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 59:1,3

- Danny
Wednesday, 20 Sivan 5773

Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma:

יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה  

Halocho #1107 - Can one put a Mezuzah on the inside?

The Mezuzah belongs on the outside doorpost. In a wide door frame it belongs in the Tefach (~8cm - 3 inches) closest to the outside.

The Minhag is to put it up at an angle, with the top leaning inwards. If there's not enough space, it can be affixed vertically.

If there is no space on the outside, then it can be affixed on the inside.

If one is worried about theft, then the Mezuzah can be put on the inside, though it's preferable to carve a hollow in the doorpost and affix the Mezuzah into the indent, rather than putting it inside the house.

When a Mezuzah is carved into the doorpost it must still be upright; one cannot drill a horizontal hole and put the Mezuzah into it. The indent cannot be more than a Tefach deep, and it cannot be totally hidden; it must be obvious that there's a Mezuzah on the door.

When a Mezuzah is affixed to the inside, care must be taken that it's affixed to the doorpost (and not to the wall, nor the door) and that it's within the Tefach (~8cm - 3 inches) of the door. The top should be slanted inwards.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:6, 9

- Danny
Tuesday, 19 Sivan 5773

** Please daven for the complete recovery of Yoni: יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה, a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma. **

Halocho #1106 - Don't hang your Mezuzah

A Mezuzah is rolled-up from the left, so that a person opening it would see the word שְׁמַע.

A Mezuzah is not allowed to hang; it should preferably be put into a tube which is nailed - top and bottom - to the doorpost. At the very least it should be glued along its entire length to the doorpost.

Care must be taken to ensure that the Mezuzah is not affixed upside-down. A Mezuzah has the 3 letters Shin-Daled-Yud (spelling one of Hashem's names) on the outside. If this is readable then the Mezuzah is the right way up.

A Mezuzah has 14 letters written upside-down along its upper edge. If these are on the bottom and right-way-up then the Mezuzah is upside down. Most Mezuzot are rolled tightly, so these letters are not visible.

These 14 letters are written behind the words "Hashem Elokeinu Hashem" of the first inside line, and are the letters following the letter they are behind; Kaf is behind the Yud, Vav is behind the Hey, etc. This is the way Mezuzot have always been written.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:6

- Danny
Monday, 18 Sivan 5773

Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma:

יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה  

Halocho #1105 - Which side does the Mezuzah go on?

The 2 chapters written in a Mezuzah are the first two chapters of the Kriat Shma. 

When entering a house or a room, the Mezuzah needs to be affixed on the right-hand doorpost. (On the way out you'll find it on the left-hand side.) 

When there's a door between 2 homes, then the door-hinges are the deciding factor. The room with the hinges - the room where the door opens into - is the "inside", and the Mezuzah is put on the right-hand side when entering into that room. The same would apply to any two inter-leading rooms that are equidistant from the front door. 

A Mezuzah that is on the wrong doorpost needs to be taken down and affixed - with a Bracha - to the right side. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:3-4

- Danny
Sunday, 17 Sivan 5773

Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma:

יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה  

Halocho #1104 - Candles or Oil for Shabbat?

This Shabbat morning we will read the weekly portion of בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ which begins with the Mitzva of the Cohen lighting the Menora in the Bet Hamikdash every afternoon with pure olive oil. 

The popular custom is to light Shabbat candles on Friday afternoon. However, a Hidur Mitzva (a "deluxe" way of performing the Mitzva) is to use olive oil. 

Whatever one decides to use, it has to create a flame that burns steadily without flickering or spluttering and does not generate an unpleasant odor. 

The Mishna lists wicks and oils that are disqualified, e.g. wicks from silk or seaweed as well as cottonseed oil. 

We already learned that one may not use a 7 branched candelabra. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 75:3, Mishna Shabbat, Ch. 2

Shabbat Shalom,

- Danny
Thursday, 14 Sivan 5773

Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma:

יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה  

Halocho #1103 - 0% interest on loans

The Torah prohibits charging interest and paying interest to fellow Jews. The Torah allows charging interest and paying interest to non-Jews.

A person who lends money to a Jew and charges interest, has transgressed six Torah commandments and - if he doesn't repent - will not awaken at Techiyat Hameitim - when the dead will be revived at the End of Days.

The person who borrows the money transgresses three Torah commandments.

The scribe, witnesses, co-signer and middle-man all transgress one Torah commandment.

In most cases, a person who received interest from a loan needs to return it. Even if the borrower - on his own accord - returns more than he borrowed or adds a gift, it is considered interest on the loan and the lender is not allowed to accept it. 

Even non-monetary gain from a debtor is forbidden. For example:

• The creditor may not ask the debtor to inform him when somebody has arrived, unless he used to do this before giving him the loan.
• The debtor may not go out of his way to greet the creditor, unless he always used to do so.
• The debtor may not patronize the creditor's business, unless he used to do so before getting the loan.
• When doing a business deal with a fellow Jew, one needs to use a Heter Iska - the subject of a future posting.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 65:1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 10

- Danny
Wednesday, 13 Sivan 5773

Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma:

יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה  

Halocho #1102 - Can one say Kiddush Levanah by a window?

Kiddush Levanah - (the sanctification of the new moon) - can be found in any Siddur; usually after the Maariv service. 

Men have an obligation to say Kiddush Levanah every month. The custom is that women do not say Kiddush Levanah. 

Kiddush Levanah cannot be said before the new moon is 3 days (72 hours) old. Some even wait until it's 7 days old. 

Kiddush Levanah can only be said while the moon is waxing. 

Kiddush Levanah should not be said while standing under a roof. However, if this is impossible or impractical, then it can be said inside by a window. 

Source Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 77:7, 8, 10

- Danny
Tuesday, 12 Sivan 5773

Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma:

יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה  

Halocho #1101 - Can one walk under a ladder?

The Torah forbids one to act based on superstitions. (Vayikra 19:26)

For example: Saying "Because the bread fell out of my mouth / my walking stick fell / a deer crossed my path, therefore I will/won't do something" is forbidden. 

Similarly, when being asked for a loan at the beginning of a week / month it's forbidden to answer "please don't make me start the week/month by lending money". 

Refusing to walk under a ladder for fear of injury is a Mitzva; the Mitzva of looking after your wellbeing. 

Source Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 166:1, 33:13

- Danny
Monday, 11 Sivan 5773

Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma:

יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה  

Halocho #1100 - Talebearing is forbidden

This week's  Torah reading -  בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ - ends with Miriam's punishment for discussing her brother Moshe's life with their brother Aaron. 

Next week's Torah reading - שְׁלַח - starts with the sin of the spies who spoke evil about the Holy Land. 

The Torah prohibits us from talebearing; telling one person what another person did, or what they said, or where they went. Talebearing is forbidden even if the all the information is 100% true; the entire truth and nothing but the truth. 

Talebearing is forbidden even if nothing derogatory is said. An extreme example of the destructive power of talebearing is found in Shmuel-1 (Ch. 21 and 22).

Do'eg told King Saul that Achimelech had given [future King] David supplies and a sword. Even though it was the truth - later Achimelech himself told King Saul about it - nevertheless King Saul ordered the city of Nov to be destroyed along with eighty five Cohanim and their families.

One can never know the consequences of passing along seemingly innocent information.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 30:1

- Danny
10 Sivan 5773

Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma:

יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה  

Halocho #1100 - Eating on Erev Yom Tov

Today - Tuesday - is Erev Shavuot.

In honor of Yom Tov one should bathe in warm water and cut one's hair and nails on Erev Yom Tov.

In order not to spoil one's appetite for the Yom Tov meal, one should not eat a meal during the second half of the afternoon, on Erev Yom Tov.

Outside of Israel this also applies to the first day of Yom Tov; so as not to spoil one's appetite for the evening meal of the 2nd day of Yom Tov one should not eat a meal during the second half of the afternoon on Wednesday.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 103:2

Chag Shavuoth Same'ach

- Danny
Tuesday, 5 Sivan 5773  - 49th day of the Omer - Erev Shavuoth

Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma:

יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה  

Halocho #1099 - Ruth and Shavu'ot

This year - 5773 - Shavu'ot will start on Tuesday evening at sundown and end on Wednesday evening after dark. Outside of Israel, Shavu'ot will end on Thursday evening after dark.

It is customary to read Megilat Ruth on Shavu'ot morning, between Hallel and the Torah Reading. 

In Israel, Megilat Ruth will be read on Wednesday and in the Diaspora most places will read Megilat Ruth on Thursday.

Outside of Israel one has to remember to leave a flame burning (like a Yahrzeit candle or gas range) from before Yom Tov (Tuesday afternoon) so that one can light the 2nd day's Yom Tov candles.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 75, Orach Chaim 490:9

- Danny
Monday, 4 Sivan 5773 - 48th day of the Omer

Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma:

יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה  

Halocho #1098 - Eating milk, honey and meat on Shavu'ot

The Minhag is to eat food made from milk products on the first day of Shavu'ot, for various reasons. 

One should also eat foods made with honey since the Torah is compared to honey. 

One should also eat meat, since - like every Yom Tov - there's a Mitzva to eat to meat on a Chag. 

One needs to plan the meals carefully since one may not eat milk after meat, and one may not eat both together at the same meal.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 103:7

- Danny
Sunday, 3 Sivan 5773 - 47th day of the Omer

Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma:

יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה  

Halocho #1097 - Special days coming up: Yom Hameyuchas

On the 2nd day of Sivan in they year 2449 - a few days before Matan Torah - Hashem informed us that we're a Chosen Nation:

 וִהְיִיתֶם לִי סְגֻלָּה מִכָּל-הָעַמִּים, כִּי-לִי כָּל-הָאָרֶץ 

(Shmoth 19:5)

As a result, 2 Sivan is often referred to as the Pedigree-Day; Yom-Hameyuchas.

No Tachanun is said during the first part of Sivan; until Isru-Chag Shavu'ot (or a week later - depending on local custom).

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 22:8, 198:14

Rosh Chodesh Sivan will be tomorrow (Thursday night and Friday). Shabbat will be Yom Hameyuchas.

Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 29 Iyar 5773 - 44th day of the Omer

Halocho #1096 - The Kotel is in our hands

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 one's 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 those days when one doesn't say Tachanun, including Friday afternoons.

- Danny
Wednesday, 28 Iyar 5773 - Yom Yerushalayim - 43rd day of the Omer

Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma:

יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה  

Halocho #1095 - When is the Shavu'ot festival?

In the Torah, Shavu'ot does not have a fixed date, but happens on the day after finishing counting 7 full weeks - 49 days - of the Omer.

Since we currently have a fixed Jewish calendar, with Nissan always 30 days long and Iyar always 29 days long, Shavu'ot is always on 6 Sivan. 

In the time of the Bet HaMikdash - may it be speedily rebuilt in our time - any month could be either 29 or 30 days long, depending on when the new moon was first sighted.

Outside Israel, Shavu'ot is 2 days long, on the 6th and 7th of Sivan (15th and 16th May, this year).

- Danny
Tuesday, 27 Iyar 5773 - 42nd day of the Omer

Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma:

יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה  

Halocho #1094 - Repaying a debt is a Mitzva

Yesterday we learnt that it's a Mitzva to lend money to a fellow Jew. 

If you know that the borrower cannot pay back then you are not allowed to ask him to repay the loan. Even walking by him intentionally is forbidden. 

There's a Mitzva to repay a loan; if the borrower already has the ability to pay back then he's forbidden to ask the lender to come back another time. 

A person who does not repay a loan is called a Rasha - a wicked person. 

A borrower may not waste the money he borrowed if that will prevent him from repaying the loan. 

One should not lend money to people who have a reputation of not repaying their debts; since one transgresses every time one nudniks them to repay. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 179:4 - 6

- Danny
Monday, 26 Iyar 5773 - 41st day of the Omer

Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma:

יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה  

Halocho #1093 - Lending is a Mitzva

It's a Mitzva to lend money to a fellow Jew. 

Included in the Mitzva is providing moral support and giving sage advice. 

Even lending money to wealthy people - if they are short of cash - is a Mitzva. 

One should not lend money without witnesses, unless the borrower provides collateral. Even better is to have the lender sign an IOU - a promissory note. 

One may not demand collateral after the loan has been given to the borrower, except in a Bet Din (Jewish Court). One may not use the collateral, as that would be a form of interest. One may rent out the collateral and deduct the rental from the loan, under certain circumstances. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 179:1-3, 7-8.
- Danny

Sunday, 25 Iyar 5773 - 40th day of the Omer

Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma:

יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה  

Halocho #1092 - Shabbos needs to be bright

Shabbos candles should be lit in the room one eats the Friday night meal. 

It's the housewife's privilege to light the Shabbos candles. If she cannot do so then the husband can light. 

All rooms in the house that will be used on Friday night should have sufficient light that one can see where one is walking. 

Bedrooms that one wants to be dark for sleeping, can have the light shine in from the hallway or even from outside, until one is ready for bed. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 75:8,9

This week we finish Sefer Vayikra. This week is also Shabbat MeVarchim Chodesh Sivan. Rosh Chodesh Sivan will be in 9 days time on Friday Erev Shabbat BeMidbar.

Shabbat Shalom uMevorach,
- Danny

Thursday, 22 Iyar 5773 - 37th day of the Omer

Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma:

יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה  

Halocho #1091 - What is a Chagiga?

In the time of the Bet Hamikdash (may it be rebuilt speedily in our days) all men above Bar Mitzva have a Mitzva to appear in the Bet Hamikdash thrice yearly; during the Yom Tov of Pessach, Shavuoth and Sukkoth.

This Mitzva includes offering 2 sacrifices; a Korban Re'iya ("appearance sacrifice") which was completely burnt, and a Korban Chagiga ("festive sacrifice") which was eaten. 

These sacrifices cannot be offered on Shabbat. 

Preferably this Mitzva should be fulfilled on the first day of each Yom Tov. If the first day of Yom Tov is Shabbat, or if the person has other reasons to delay, then the Mitzva can be done during the remaining days of Sukkoth and Pessach. 

Even though Shavuoth is only one day long (in Israel) this Mitzva can also be fulfilled during the 6 days following Shavuoth. This is the reason why some congregations do not say Tachanun during the entire week following Shavuoth. 

Source: The Book of our Heritage, Vol III, Page 50

- Danny
Wednesday, 21 Iyar 5773 - 36th day of the Omer

Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma:

יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה