A main theme of Rosh Hashanah is Hashem's reign over the entire world. This sovereignty is displayed by His ability to judge the world.
As a result, from Rosh Hashanah until Yom Kippour is over, we replace "Gcd" with "King" in various places in davening (prayers).
1. The ending of the 3rd Bracha of the Amida - אַתָּה קָדוֹשׁ - changes to הַמֶּלֶךְ הַקָּדוֹש. If you forget, you have to restart the Amida, unless you caught yourself immediately. (Immediately means: you didn't yet have time to say 3 words.) If you're not sure what you said, you also have to restart the Amida.
2. The end of the 11th Bracha in the weekday Amida - הָשִׁיבָה שׁוֹפְטֵינוּ - changes to הַמֶלֶךְ הַמִֹּשְפָט. If you forget or are not sure what you said then you continue. No correction is needed.
3. Friday night during מָגֵן אָבוֹת we replace "הָאֵ-ל הַקָּדוֹשׁ" with הַמֶּלֶךְ הַקָּדוֹש. If you forget, no correction is needed.
From Rosh Hashanah until after Yom Kippour we add four phrases to the Amida.
- During the 1st Bracha: זָכְרֵנוּ לְחַיִּים, מֶלֶךְ חָפֵץ בַּחַיִּים, וְכָּתְבֵנוּ בְּסֵפֶר הַחַיִּים, לְמַעַנְךָ אֱלֹהִים חַיִּים
- During the 2nd Bracha: מִי כָמוֹךָ אָב הָרַחֲמִים, זוֹכֵר יְצוּרָיו לְחַיִּים בְּרַחֲמִים
- After Modim: וּכְתֹב לְחַיִּים טוֹבִים כָּל בְּנֵי בְרִיתֶךָ
- Before the last Bracha: בְּסֵפֶר חַיִּים, בְּרָכָה וְשָׁלוֹם, וּפַרְנָסָה טוֹבָה וּגְזֵרוֹת טוֹבוֹת, יְשׁוּעוֹת וְנֶחָמוֹת, נִזָּכֵר וְנִכָּתֵב לְפָנֶיךָ, אֲנַחְנוּ וְכָל עַמְּךָ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, לְחַיִּים טוֹבִים וּלְשָׁלוֹם
If you only remember after concluding that Bracha, no correction is needed. Until saying "בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה" you should make amends.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 129:3, 4 5
Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a sweet and healthy year.
- Danny
Thursday, 26 Elul 5773
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Halocho #1793 - Warning! The King is arriving!
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Halocho #1655 - The symbolic Rosh Hashanah menu
At the רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה evening meal, it's customary to eat foods that symbolize a שָׁנָה טוֹבָה - a Good New Year. The bread from הַמּוֹצִיא is dipped in honey and after eating it the יְהִי רָצוֹן is said praying for a sweet new year.
Then one dips an apple in honey, says the Bracha בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָעֵץ on the apple and eats some. One then says the יְהִי רָצוֹן again.
There are various other foods that are eaten with their appropriate יְהִי רָצוֹן; one may even add new ones.
One tries to have only sweet items on the menu; no food cooked in vinegar, for example. The custom is to not eat nuts.
One should remember to learn some תּוֹרָה at the Yom Tov meals; some learn a chapter of מִשְׁנָיוֹת מַסֶּכֶת רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה, which has 4 chapters; one for each meal.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 129:9
Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a שָׁנָה טוֹבָה וּמְתוּקָּה
- Danny
Wednesday, 25 Elul 5776
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Halocho #1792 - What should I think about when hearing the Shofar?
The blast of the Shofar should remind us to awaken from our spiritual slumber and start taking our Torah study and Mitzvah observance seriously.
Hearing the Shofar being blown on Rosh Hashanah is a Torah commandment!
This crucial detail should not be forgotten when reflecting on the various symbolic reasons given for Shofar blowing.
One should not talk after hearing the Bracha on the Shofar until after hearing 100 blasts from the Shofar so as not to interrupt between the Bracha and fulfilling the Mitzvah as prescribed by Chazal. This means not talking until after Mussaf.
(As a general rule one shouldn't ever talk during prayer services. On Rosh Hashanah there's another reason why not to so.)
At a minimum, one should be careful not to talk after the Bracha until hearing the first set of 30 Shofar blasts.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 129:15
Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a year with lots of time to learn Torah,
- Danny
Tuesday, 24 Elul 5776
Monday, September 26, 2016
Halocho #1791 - Does one say Shehechiyanu on candle-lighting?
The blessing of שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ "... who has kept us alive, sustained us and enabled us to reach this occasion" - is recited during קִּדּוּשׁ on all nights of Yom Tov, except on the last days of פֶּסַח.
There are two Minhagim (customs) regarding שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ at candle-lighting on Yom Tov candles:
- Some women have the Minhag of saying שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ when lighting Yom-Tov candles (except on the last days of פֶּסַח).
- Others never say שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ at candle-lighting
If a woman makes her own קִּדּוּשׁ she must be careful to only say שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ once; either at candle-lighting or during קִּדּוּשׁ.
On the second night of רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה there's a Halachic debate if שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ is required. To be on the safe side, one should wear a new item of clothing, or see a new fruit (that one hasn't tasted yet this season) while saying שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ on the second night of רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה; both during קִּדּוּשׁ and during candle lighting (if applicable).
If one does not have a new item of clothing, nor a new fruit, on the second night of רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה, one still says שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 103:4, 129:23
K'tiva V'chatima Tova; wishing you a year full of happy tidings
- Danny
Monday, 23 Elul 5776
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Halocho #1790 - If it rains, does one sleep in the Sukkah?
Since the Mitzvah of Sukkah is to move out of the house and into the Sukkah for the duration of Sukkoth, one should really sleep in the Sukkah.
People who are meticulous about their Mitzvah observance will not even take a nap outside the Sukkah. Their entire family moves into the Sukkah; husband, wife and children.
There are numerous reasons why not to sleep in a Sukkah. However, if the Sukkah is not fit for sleeping (e.g. it's too dangerous) then the Sukkah is not Kosher even for eating in.
The slightest precipitation renders the Sukkah unfit for sleeping and one should then sleep indoors. Once one lies down inside one is exempt from returning to the Sukkah the entire night, even if the Sukkah subsequently dries.
Women are exempt from the Mitzvah of Sukkah, as it's a time-bound Mitzvah.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 135:8, 9, 10
Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a year with lots of time to learn Torah,
- Danny
Sunday, 22 Elul 5776
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Halocho #1789 - May one smell an Etrog?
One does not shake the four species on Shabbat.
The Lulav, Haddasim and Aravot are Muktza on Shabbat.
An Etrog is not Muktza and one may smell it on Shabbat, after making the Bracha that one makes upon smelling any pleasant smelling fruit (that one isn't about to eat):
On the other days of Sukkoth, one should not smell the Etrog.
One should not smell the Haddasim during the entire 7 days of Sukkoth.
An Etrog may be returned to its wrapping on Shabbat and Yom Tov, but may not be wrapped in a new wrapper, since the wrapper will absorb the aroma of the Etrog. One may not add aroma to materials on Shabbat and Yom Tov.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 137:7
Shabbat Shalom
- Danny
Thursday, 19 Elul 5776
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Halocho #1788 - Tell me about the Aravot
On Sukkoth there's a Mitzvah to shake the four species; a Lulav, 3 Haddasim, 2 Aravot and an Etrog.
The Arava comes from a known type of willow tree with long leaves, non-serrated edges, and its bough turns red when mature.
The Arava must be at least 3 Tefachim (24 cm - 10") long.
If possible one should get Aravot from a tree that grows alongside a river.
Willows dry up very quickly. A wilted Arava is not Kosher. Some say that once its leaves start drooping it is not fresh enough to be a Kosher Arava.
Many have the Minhag to get fresh Aravot every day of Chol Hamo'ed Sukkoth.
An Arava is no longer Kosher if most of its leaves have come off, or its tip is cut off.
This can happen if they are wilted, have been shaken too hard or while replacing them.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 136:5, 6
Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a healthy, wealthy year to come,
- Danny
Wednesday, 18 Elul 5776
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Halocho #1787 - Tell me about the Haddas - Myrtle?
On Sukkoth there's a Mitzvah to shake the four species; a Lulav, 3 Haddasim, 2 Aravot and an Etrog.
Each Haddas is a branch of a myrtle bush, and must be at least 3 Tefachim (24 cm - 10") long.
Myrtle leaves grow on the stem in groups of three or more. A Kosher Haddas needs to be Meshulash; with each group of leaves growing out of the branch at exactly the same height.
Preferably the Haddas should be Meshulash its entire length, though it's Kosher if only the top half is Meshulash.
The entire Haddas needs to be covered in leaves, the top of the lower leaves must reach the bottom of the higher ones.
Myrtle bushes have berries growing on them. A Haddas should not have any berries on it; berries should be removed (with their stems) before Yom Tov.
Make sure that the top of the Haddas is not cut off, it usually ends in a set of tiny leaves.
Haddasim need to be kept fresh; dried out Haddasim are not Kosher.
Source: Shulchan Aruch 646.
Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a year full of good news,
- Danny
Tuesday, 14 Elul 5776
Monday, September 19, 2016
Halocho #1786 - Tell me about the Etrog
On Sukkoth there's a Mitzvah to shake the four species; a Lulav, 3 Haddasim, 2 Aravot and an Etrog.
The Etrog is a citron; Citrus Medica.
It is held in one's left hand when shaking the four species, with the stem (where it was cut off the tree) facing downwards.
By nature the Etrog tree is very soft (mine buckled during a light Jerusalem snow storm), therefore it is often grafted onto other trees to make it stronger. An Etrog from a grafted tree cannot be used when shaking the four species.
(Grafted fruit is Kosher to eat, despite the prohibition against grafting trees.)
The Etrog needs to be whole; scratches and dents may invalidate it.
The Etrog should not have dark dots on it, though it may have light scabs that are a result of leaves and thorns brushing against it while it grows. (Etrog trees have thorns that grow to about 2" long.)
The "nose" of the Etrog - from where it starts getting narrow - should be perfectly clean.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 174:2, Shulchan Aruch 648
Ktiva Vechatima Tova
- Danny
Monday, 16 Elul 5776
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Halocho #1785 - Laws of somebody who doesn’t keep Shabbat
Keeping Shabbat is equivalent to keeping the entire Torah, and transgression it is equivalent to denying the entire Torah.
Somebody who transgresses Shabbat in public (i.e. 10 Jews know about it) is like a non-Jew in many aspects. E.g.: If he touches wine it becomes forbidden (Yayin Nesech), the foods he cooks or bakes are Bishul Akum.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 72:1-2
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Halocho #1784 - Using wool and linen
The Torah prohibits wearing clothes made of both wool and linen - this is known as Sha'atnez - שַׁעַטְנֵז.
Even a single woolen thread in a linen garment is שַׁעַטְנֵז, and a single linen thread in a woolen garment is שַׁעַטְנֵז.
Threads made of a mixture of linen and wool may not be used.
Woolen garments with linen patches are also forbidden.
However, clothes made of leather - even if the wool is still attached - can be sewn with linen.
One cannot cover oneself with שַׁעַטְנֵז.
One may not sit on שַׁעַטְנֵז. Hand towels, beach towels, tablecloths, pillows, blankets, slippers, mattresses and curtains all have to be שַׁעַטְנֵז-free.
The Parochet covering the Aaron HaKodesh can have שַׁעַטְנֵז, as nobody would warm themselves with it.
If a wagon or convertible has a שַׁעַטְנֵז cover then one has to be careful not to lean on the cover.
One may create, own and sell שַׁעַטְנֵז.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 176: 1, 2, 4-8
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Halocho #1783 - Understanding one's prayers
During Elul one gets ready for the upcoming Days of Judgement (Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur) with a three-pronged approach:
1. Teshuva; repenting. Improving one's Mitzva observance.
2. Tefilla; praying. Asking Hashem for help and praising and thanking Him for being good to us.
3. Tzedaka; giving charity to those less fortunate than ourselves.
In order to pray properly, one needs to understand what one is saying. If one is not fluent in Hebrew, one should get a Siddur and Machzor with an English translation.
One should remember that one is praying - talking - to the One Above. If one's thoughts wander during prayers one should pause and recollect one's thoughts.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 18: 3-4.
Ktiva Vechatima Tova; with wishes for a Happy New Year,
- Danny
Tuesday, 10 Elul 5776
Monday, September 12, 2016
Halocho #1782 - Are your Mezuzot Kosher?
Some people have the custom to get their Tefillin and Mezuzot checked yearly during the month of Elul.
At the very least one should check one's Mezuzot twice every 7 years.
Tefillin that are used daily do not need to be checked unless they get wet. However, one should check them every few years since they do wear out eventually.
Tefillin that are only used occasionally should be checked twice every 7 years.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128:3, 11:25, 10:26
Ktiva Vechatima Tova
- Danny
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Halocho #1781 - Talking can kill you!
According to some opinions, yesterday (7 Elul) the 10 spies died as a punishment for talking evil about the land of Israel.
Any speech that can result in a person being harmed - emotionally, financially or otherwise - even if it's accurate - is usually forbidden.
When there's a real need for the information to be passed along - e.g. to prevent harm to others - it is often permitted to relay the information. One needs to learn the Halachot of when this applies, since sometimes it's forbidden to withhold the information, other times it's forbidden to relay the information.
Source: Orach Chaim 580:2, Chofetz Chaim, Hil. Shmiras Halashon, Intro.
Ktiva Vechatima Tova
- Danny
Sunday, 8 Elul 5776
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Halocho #1780 - Prepare for Shabbos
From the verse "זָכֹר אֶת יוֹם הַשַׁבָּת" - "remember the day of Shabbos" we learn to keep Shabbos in mind all week; special food (that remain fresh) should be reserved for Shabbos.
On Friday it's a Mitzva to get up early to go shopping for Shabbos; this can even be done before Shacharis if need be, as long as you don't miss your Minyan.
However, items that require preparation should be bought on Thursday already. Ezra already instituted doing laundry on Thursday in anticipation of Shabbos.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 72:4
Shabbat Shalom
- Danny
Thursday, 5 Elul 5776
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Halocho #1779 - Excel in one Mitzva
Doing Teshuva - repenting - is a Mitzva mentioned in the Torah.
Even though Hashem is prepared to accept our Teshuva all year round, the days from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Yom Kippour are an auspicious period for improving one's ways.
This period dates back to when Moshe went up to Har Sinai to receive the second set of Luchot; Moshe went up on Rosh Chodesh Elul and returned 40 days later on Yom Kippour with the second set of Luchot.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128: 1
At the very least one should choose one Mitzva or Halacha to improve on, during this period.
Ktiva Vechatima Tova
- Danny
Wednesday, 4 Elul 5776
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Halocho #1778 - Good year wishes
From the beginning of the month of Elul until after Yom Kippur, one should add seasonal greetings when writing to friends.
This can be done at the start or end of the letter.
One should wish them - or bless them - with a good year; to be inscribed in the book of good life.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128: 2
כְּתִיבָה וְחֲתִימָה טוֹבָה; with wishes for a year full of blessings
- Danny
Tuesday, 3 Elul 5776
Monday, September 5, 2016
Halocho #1777 - When do Selichot start?
Starting today - Monday - Sephardim started saying סְלִיחוֹת before שַׁחֲרִית and will continue doing so the entire month of אֱלוּל until עֶרֶב יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים.
This year סְלִיחוֹת - for Ashkenazim - starts on Sunday (22 Elul / 25 September), 9 days before רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה.
סְלִיחוֹת usually start the Sunday before רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה, however, we need at least 4 days of סְלִיחוֹת. So this year - since רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה is on Monday-Tuesday, we start a week earlier.
סְלִיחוֹת should be said before Shacharit, towards the end of the night. The end of the night is an עֵת רָצוֹן; an auspicious time when Hashem is more receptive to listening to one's prayers.
When arising for סְלִיחוֹת one should wash one's hands even if it's still night, and make the Bracha עַל נְטִילַת יָדַיִם.
One should also say the 2 Brachot of בִּרְכַּת הַתּוֹרָה before saying סְלִיחוֹת.
After Selichot one should wash one's hands again (if the first washing was pre-dawn), but one does not repeat the Bracha.
One should preferably stand during סְלִיחוֹת. During the "Kel Melech", 13 Middot and the Viddui one must stand.
The Chazzan for סְלִיחוֹת should preferably be a Torah Scholar, well liked, and if possible married with children and over 30 years of age. However, any Jew can be a Chazzan as long as the community approves. The same applies to the Chazzan for רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה and Yom Kippur as well as the person blowing the Shofar.
On Shabbat, סְלִיחוֹת are not said.
Source: Shulchan Aruch 581, 4, 5, 6
Ktiva Vechatima Tova; may all your prayers be answered,
Chodesh Tov
- Danny
Monday, 2 Elul 5776
Sunday, September 4, 2016
Halocho #1776 - Why do we blow the Shofar during Elul?
Today - Sunday - is the second day of Rosh Chodesh Elul; the first day of the month of Elul.
The coming 40 days, starting today, correspond to the 40 days that Moshe spent on Har Sinai, to receive the 2nd set of Luchot (Tablets with the 10 commandments written on them).
Moshe came down with these Luchot on Yom Kippur. Ever since, these 40 days are especially auspicious for Teshuva; repenting.
The custom is to blow the Shofar after Shacharit (the morning prayers) from today, until Friday, 27 Elul (30 September), as a reminder to start improving one's Torah observance and to repent for past misdeeds.
On Erev Rosh Hashana, the Shofar is not blown, in order to create a division between the custom of blowing Shofar in Elul and the Torah-commandment to blow Shofar on Rosh Hashana.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128:1, 2
Starting tomorrow - Monday - Sefardim say Selichot before Shacharit and continue doing so the entire month of Elul until Erev Yom Kippur.
Chodesh Tov
- Danny
Sunday, 2nd day Rosh Chodesh Elul 5776
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Halocho #1775 - Shabbat Rosh Chodesh and Rosh Chodesh
