Halocho #1129 - May one get engaged during 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, 22 Tamuz 5773


Please daven for the complete recovery of little יוֹנָתָן בֶּן לֵאָה who will be operated on tomorrow.

Halocho #1128 - Cutting nails during the 3 weeks?

One may cut one's 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 in which the prophet warned about the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash. 

The first week (this week - פִּינְחָס) we read the first chapter of יִרְמְיָהוּ, which is the Haftara for מַּטּוֹת in most Chumashim. 

The second week we read most of the second chapter of יִרְמְיָהוּ. 

The third week we read the the first chapter of יְשַׁעְיָהוּ i.e. חֲזוֹן; most of it in the sad tune that Megilat אֵיכָה is read. 

 Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:6, 5

 Shabbat Shalom

 - Danny
 Thursday, 19 Tamuz 5773

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

יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה

Halocho #1127 - 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 one plays a musical instrument for a living, one 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
Wednesday, 18 Tamuz 5773

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

 יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה

Halocho #1126 - Why do we fast today - the 17th Tamuz?

Today - Tuesday - is the fast of 17 Tamuz which commemorates 5 major misfortunes which happened to the Jewish people on this date:

1. Moshe Rabbeinu broke the luchot - the tablets - upon seeing the Golden Calf being worshiped

2. The daily Tamid sacrifice was suspended in the first Bet Hamikdash as a result of the seige

3. At the time of the 2nd Bet Hamikdash the walls of Jerusalem were breached by the enemy, three weeks before the destruction

4. Apustumus the wicked [Roman] burned a Sefer Torah

5. An idol was placed in the Bet Hamikdash

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
Tuesday, 17 Tamuz 5773

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

Halocho #1125 - Who needs to fast on the 17th Tamuz?

Nearly everybody above Bar/Bat Mitzva needs to fast tomorrow - Tuesday. The fast starts at dawn and ends at nightfall.

Pregnant and nursing mothers are exempt from fasting.

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 are not fasting should limit their food intake to the bare minimum; only bread and water if possible. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 121:9

- Danny
Jerusalem, Monday, 16 Tamuz 5773

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

Halocho #1124 - 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 Tuesday - 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; i.e. 10 Av - July 21.

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

- Danny
Sunday, 15 Tamuz 5773

Please daven for the complete recovery of little יוֹנָתָן בֶּן לֵאָה who is being operated on tomorrow.

Halocho #1123 - 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 Tuesday, Sunday is the last chance to have a haircut.

It's a Mitzva to have a haircut on Friday in honor of Shabbat, if one needs one.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 72,:14, 122:3

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 12 Tamuz 5773

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

Halocho #1122 - 5 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 Tuesday, one should finish one's shopping and wear all new clothes [at least for a short time] before then.

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
Wednesday, 11 Tamuz 5773

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

Halocho #1121 - Why didn't we fast yesterday?

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) is of the opinion 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
Tuesday, 10 Tamuz 5773

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

Halocho #1120 - The tourists' Bracha guide

When seeing the ocean one says the Bracha of "Baruch... Oseh Ma'aseh Breishith" - "... Who makes the work of creation". 

ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם

עוֹשֶׂה מַעֲשֶׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית

When seeing mountains that are famous for their height one says the same Bracha. 

These Brachot can only be said if one hasn't seen the ocean or that specific mountain for 30 days; excluding the day one last saw it and excluding the day of the current sighting. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 60:5, 12

- Danny
Monday, 9 Tamuz 5773

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

 יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה

Halocho #1119 - Sky gazing

When seeing comets or falling stars one says the Bracha of "Oseh Ma'aseh Breishith" - "Who makes the work of creation".

 ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם

 עוֹשֶׂה מַעֲשֶׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית

The Bracha on falling stars can only be said once per night even if one sees different meteors every time. 

One can only say the Bracha once per comet, unless 30 days have passed since one last saw it.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 60:2

- Danny
Sunday, 8 Tamuz 5773

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

Halocho #1118 - Squeezing pimples on Shabbat

It is forbidden to draw blood on Shabbat even from one's own body.

One may not squeeze pimples or open up wounds or on Shabbat, as that would cause puss and/or blood come out.

One may remove scabs on Shabbat, if one is sure that no bleeding will occur.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:54, 91:14

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 5 Tamuz 5773

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

Halocho #1117 - Don't stare at the rainbow

When seeing a rainbow one says the Bracha "Baruch... Zocher Habrit Ven'eman Bivrito Vekayam Bema'amaro" - "...Who remembers the covenant, is trustworthy in His covenant and fulfills His word".

 ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם

זוֹכֵר הַבְּרִית וְנֶאֱמָן בִּבְרִיתוֹ וְקַיָּם בְּמַאֲמָרוֹ

This Bracha is said only once per rainbow. 

One should not stare at a rainbow for extended periods of time. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 60:4

The reason for not staring at the rainbow is explained in Chagiga (16:1). The prophet Yechezkel compares the appearance of the Glory of Hashem to a rainbow:

 "As the appearance of the rainbow in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Hashem."(Ezekiel 1:28) 

Staring at a rainbow is compared to staring at the Glory of Hashem, an impolite thing to do. 

The Gemara states that as a punishment for staring at the rainbow, ones eyesight could suffer.

- Danny
Wednesday, 4 Tamuz 5773

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

Halocho #1116 - What Torah should I learn?

A person should strive to learn the entire Torah. 

A partial list would include Tanach (Bible), Mishna, Talmud Bavli and Yerushalmi, Rambam, Tur, Shulchan Aruch, and Midrash. 

Somebody who cannot sit and learn Torah all day should learn practical Halachot as well as Midrashim and Mussar (ethics). This way one knows what to do (Halacha), will have the drive to do so (Midrash) and acquire the ability to overcome obstacles when trying to do (Mussar). 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 27:3

- Danny
Tuesday, 3 Tamuz 5773

Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy undergoing treatment for  lymphoma: 

יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה  

Halocho #1115 - When should one learn Torah?

After Shacharit (morning prayers) a person should have a fixed time to to learn Torah; at least one verse or a single Halacha. 

The Torah requires everybody to have a fixed time to learn Torah every day and every night. 

Somebody who does not know how to learn Torah, or cannot find the time to learn, should support others who do learn Torah and they share the reward. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 27:1-2

- Danny
Monday, 2 Tamuz 5773

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

Halocho #1114 - What to do if one forgets יַעֲלֶה וְיָבוֹא?

On Rosh Chodesh one should add יַעֲלֶה וְיָבוֹא during the Amida and Birkat Hamazon.

If one forgot to add יַעֲלֶה וְיָבוֹא 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 יַעֲלֶה וְיָבוֹא 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 only realizes after starting the last Bracha, or one does not have the above Bracha readily available, then one does not need to make amends.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 19:10, 44:14

Chodesh Tov!

- Danny
Sunday, 2nd day Rosh Chodesh Tamuz 5773

Halocho #1113 - Shabbat Rosh Chodesh and Rosh Chodesh

The 2 days of Rosh Chodesh Tammuz start on Friday evening.

On Rosh Chodesh one adds יַעֲלֶה וְיָבוֹא into Birkat Hamazon and the Amida.

On Shabbat  - first day Rosh Chodesh - we will will take out 2 Sifrei Torah after Hallel. In the first one we will call up at least 7 people to read from Parshat Korach. 
Then we call up the Maftir to read from the 2nd Sefer Torah: וּבְיוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת and וּבְרָאשֵׁי חָדְשֵׁיכֶם from Parshat Pinchas.

The Haftara this week is הַשָּׁמַיִם כִּסְאִי for Shabbat Rosh Chodesh, consisting of the last chapter in Sefer Yeshayahu.

For Mussaf one says the אַתָּה יָצַרְתָּ version (usually found at the bottom half of the Shabbat Mussaf pages) which includes both Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh.

On Sunday - second day Rosh Chodesh - we will call up 4 people to read from the Torah, between Hallel and Mussaf.

Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 425

Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 28 Sivan 5773

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

Halocho #1113 - Who was burnt to death with a Sefer Torah?

The Shulchan Aruch says that it's appropriate to fast today - Wednesday 27 Sivan - since about 2,000 years ago on this date, the Romans wrapped the great Rabbi Chanina ben Tradyon in a Sefer Torah, and burnt him to death. 

Rabbi Chanina ben Tradyon was one of the 10 martyrs. 

King David started Tehilim - Psalms - by declaring: Blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the gathering of the scornful. 

Rabbi Chanina ben Tradyon taught (Avot 3:3): - A gathering of the scornful is when Jews sit together and don't discuss Torah-related topics. 
When Jews do discuss Torah then the Shechina - G-d's presence - is with them. 

Even when a lone Jew learns Torah (like a Halocho a Day), Hashem takes note and rewards him. 

Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 580:2
Read about the 10 martyrs at http://www.answers.com/topic/ten-martyrs
Read about Rabbi Chanina ben Tradyon at http://www.answers.com/topic/haninah-ben-teradion 

- Danny
Wednesday, 27 Sivan 5773

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

יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה  

Halocho #1112 - Should we fast on Thursday?

Some people have the custom of adding the Yom Kippour Katan prayers during Mincha on the day before Rosh Chodesh. 

Some even fast on Erev Rosh Chodesh to atone for the sins of the past month. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:1 

When Rosh Chodesh is on Shabbat or on Sunday (this coming week it's both), then the custom is to have Yom Kippour Katan on Thursday. 

- Danny

Tuesday, 26 Sivan 5773

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

יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה  

Halocho #1111 - Respecting Torah authority.

This week's Parsha - Korach - teaches us the bitter end of people who argue with Torah authorities. 

A person has to respect and honor his Rav - his Torah teacher - more than his parents; his parents look after his needs in this world and his Rav is ensuring him a good place in Olam Habah (Heaven). 

Degrading a Torah scholar is so severe that a person can loose his place in Olam Habah (Heaven) for it. 

If a Torah scholar has goods to sell, he is given a monopoly until his stock runs out. This does not apply if the monopoly cannot be enforced. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 144:1, 4, 5

- Danny
Monday, 25 Sivan 5773

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

Halocho #1110 - Who gets to separate Challa?

Yesterday's Parsha includes the Mitzva of separating Challa from dough made from any of the 5 types of grain: wheat, barley, oats, spelt or rye. 

Challa should be separated before the dough is baked. If this was not done then the baked goods are forbidden to be eaten until Challa is separated from them. 

The Mitzva of separating Challa rightfully belongs to the housewife. However, if waiting for the housewife would cause the dough to spoil, then anybody above Bar/Bat Mitzva take Challa. 

The piece of Challa that was separated should be burnt. Since nowadays we don't have fires readily available, my Rabbi suggested we freeze the Challa (in a well marked container that nobody should eat from it) and whenever there's a bonfire (Lag B'Omer and Erev Pessach) we should burn the accumulated Challa. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 35

- Danny
Sunday, 24 Sivan 5773

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