Fruit that was picked on Shabbat may not be eaten on that Shabbat - even if a non-Jew picked it for himself.
Even fruit that is lying under a tree is forbidden, since it may have fallen off on Shabbat.
Such fruit is Muktza and may not even be moved, until after Shabbat.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:8
Shabbat Shalom uMevorach
Shabat Mevorchim this week. Rosh Chodesh Sivan will be on Tuesday.
- Danny
Thursday, 25 Iyar 5779, 40th day of the Omer
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Halocho #2303- No fresh fruit on Shabbat
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Halocho #2302- How long is the Shavu'ot festival?
In the Torah, שָׁבוּעוֹת 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, so שָׁבוּעוֹת is always on 6 Sivan.
Outside Israel, שָׁבוּעוֹת is 2 days long and will be on Sunday 6 Sivan and Monday 7 Sivan. (June 9 & 10)
Source: Vaykira 23:15 - 19
- Danny
Wednesday, 24 Iyar 5779, 39th day of the Omer
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Halocho #2301 - 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 with honey since the Torah is compared to honey.
One should also eat meat, since - like every Yom Tov - there's a Mitzvah to eat 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
Tuesday, 23 Iyar 5779, 38th day of the Omer
Monday, May 27, 2019
Halocho #2300 - Firewood on Yom Tov
As we learned, one may light a fire from an existing flame on Yom Tov.
One may not chop wood on Yom Tov, not with an ax nor by hand.
On Yom Tov, one may not collect firewood that is scattered.
On Yom Tov one should not use bellows, however, the custom is to use non-commercial bellows by turning them upside-down.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 98:4
- Danny
Monday, 22 Iyar 5779, 37th day of the Omer
Sunday, May 26, 2019
Halocho #2299 - Butter, cheese and spices on Yom Tov
One is allowed to cook on Yom Tov for Yom Tov; though not on the first day of Yom Tov for the second day.
One is not allowed to make cheese or butter on Yom Tov.
Those spices that can be ground before Yom Tov without losing any of their taste should be ground before Yom Tov.
Spices that are better when fresh can be ground on Yom Tov; but not in the usual fashion. For example, one can grind onto the tabletop.
One may only grind what is needed for that day. This applies to grinding Matza as well.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 98: 2, 3
- Danny
Sunday, 21 Iyar 5779, 36th day of the Omer
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Halocho #2298 - Lag B'Omer is day 33 of the Omer
We mourn for 33 days between Pesach and Shavu'ot in memory of the 33 days during which Rabbi Akiva's students perished.
There are various customs as to which 33 days are kept as mourning-days. Everybody agrees that on the day of Lag B'Omer - the 33rd day of the Omer - there is no mourning, as a reminder that they stopped dying after 33 days.
Those who have the custom to mourn from Rosh Chodesh Iyar, resume the mourning customs after Lag B'Omer.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 120:6, 7
Note: Many Sefradim only stop the mourning on the 34th day of the Omer.
- Danny
Thursday, 18 Iyar 5779, 33rd day of the Omer
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Halocho #2297 - Tonight is Lag B'Omer
One does not say Tachanun on Lag B'Omer nor at Mincha the day before, i.e. this afternoon.
The mourning customs of the Omer apply to the night of Lag B'Omer as well.
Why wait for morning?
Because the students of Rabbi Akiva died during a period of 33 days. On the 33rd day, we use the concept of "mourning during part of the day is sufficient". Once the day begins we mourn for a few moments and then "life goes back to normal'.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 22:8, 120:6
- Danny
Wednesday, 17 Iyar 5779, 32nd day of the Omer
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Halocho #2296 - Do you need an Eruv to carry on Yom Tov?
One of the differences between Yom Tov and Shabbat is carrying.
On Shabbat, one may not carry outside unless there is an Eruv.
On Yom Tov, one may carry even without an Eruv.
One can carry anything - even if it's not related to food - as long as it has some purpose.
One should not carry large items that make it look the Yom Tov is a weekday; unless one needs to do so in order to feed a large crowd of people.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 98:34
- Danny Tuesday, 16 Iyar 5779, 31st day of the Omer
Monday, May 20, 2019
Halocho #2295 - Extinguishing fire on Yom Tov is forbidden
Extinguishing fire is forbidden on Shabbat and Yom Tov.
Even though one may light fire from an existing flame on Yom Tov, one may not extinguish fire on Yom Tov.
One may not even lower a flame on Yom Tov (nor on Shabbat).
One may lower a flame during cooking, but only to prevent the food from burning - and only if the food is going to be eaten that day, not if it is meant to be eaten after nightfall or on the following day.
On Yom Tov (and on Shabbat) one may not put a candle in a windy place so that it will blow out.
(Yom Kippur has the same status as Shabbat; one may not light nor extinguish a fire on either.)
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 98:25, 26
- Danny
Monday, 15 Iyar 5779, 30th day of the Omer
Sunday, May 19, 2019
Halocho #2294 - Today is Pessach Sheni
Today, Sunday, is Pesach Sheni, the 2nd [or minor] Pessach.
In the time of the Bet Hamikdash, if a person can't bring the Korban Pesach on Erev Pesach, they have a 2nd chance a month later.
In the afternoon of 14th Iyar, they would bring the Korban Pesach and roast it. After nightfall, they would eat it with Matza and Marror. The leftovers were burnt the next morning.
Unfortunately this year we again missed both chances to bring the Korban Pessach.
Source: Bamidbar 9:9-12
- Danny in Jerusalem
Sunday, 14 Iyar 5779 - 29th day of the Omer
Thursday, May 16, 2019
Halocho #2293 - Flowerpots on Shabbat
Picking fruit or flowers that are growing in a flowerpot is forbidden on Shabbat; no different from plants growing in the ground.
Moving a flowerpot from the floor to an elevated surface is forbidden on Shabbat, since the plant draws nourishment from the floor, and this would be similar to uprooting it, which is forbidden.
Similarly, moving a flowerpot from a table or other surface to the floor would be similar to planting which is forbidden on Shabbat.
The above applies to flowerpot made of any material, and irrespective of whether or not it has a hole on the bottom.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:61
Shabbat Shalom
- Danny
Thursday, 11 Iyar 5779, 26th day of the Omer
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Halocho #2292 - Is Yom Tov like Shabbat, regarding work?
With some exceptions, the laws of work on Shabbat and Yom Tov are identical. These exceptions are:
- Some aspects of food preparation
- Carrying in the public domain
- Lighting fires from an existing flame
We will go into more detail in the coming days.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 98:1
- Danny
Wednesday, 10 Iyar 5779, 25th day of the Omer
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Halocho #2291 - Sideburns and Payot
The Torah - in Parshat Kedoshim - prohibits men from removing their פֵּאוֹת.
The Payot-area is the hair in the triangular area from the top of the ear to the top "corner" of the forehead to the bottom of the ear.
According to some opinions, even cutting one's פֵּאוֹת very close to the skin with scissors is forbidden.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 170:1
- Danny
Tuesday, 9 Iyar 5779 - 24th day of the Omer
Monday, May 13, 2019
Halocho #2290 - Putting colored medication on wounds?
The Torah explicitly forbids tattooing; coloring the skin permanently.
Both puncturing the skin and filling the holes with ink as well as putting ink on the skin and then injecting it are forbidden.
However, one may put colored medication on wounds even if it will cause a permanent discoloring, as the wound will leave a scar making it obvious that it's not a tattoo.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 169:1
- Danny
Monday, 11 Iyar 5779, 23rd day of the Omer
Sunday, May 12, 2019
Halocho #2289 - Do I need to fast because I answered Amen to the MiSheberach?
Some people have the custom to fast on BeHaB. A special מִּי שֶׁבֵּרַךְ was recited on Shabbat morning before the Torah was returned to the Aron Hakodesh to bless those who will fast.
Having answered אָמֵן to the מִּי שֶׁבֵּרַךְ does not oblige one to fast.
What is BeHaB?
On the first "Monday, Thursday and Monday" in the month following Pessach (Iyar) and Sukkoth (Marcheshvan) the custom is to say extra Selichot during Shacharit. (Some communities do this on the last "Monday, Thursday and Monday" of the month. )
Since Monday is "Yom Sheni" or "Yom Bet - ב - and Thursday is "Yom Chamishi" or "Yom Heh - ה - these days are referred to as BeHaB - בֵּהַ"ב.͏
BeHaB will be this week on Monday & Thursday and again on Monday next week.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 127:3, 14
- Danny
Sunday, 7 Iyar 5779, 22nd day of the Omer
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Halocho #2288 - What day of the Omer is it today?
Before making the Bracha on counting the Omer one should know which day one is going to count.
If one has not yet counted the Omer, and somebody wants to know which day we're up to, one should tell them "yesterday was such-and-such".
If, instead, one replied "today we are counting such-and-such" one may not be allowed to make a Bracha on that night's count, since one has already counted.
However, one should still count "properly" (without a Bracha) since one has to mention the weeks as well.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 120:3, 4
- Danny
Wednesday, 3 Iyar 5779, 18th day of the Omer; 2 weeks and 4 days
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Halocho #2287 - If you forgot to count the Omer
If you forget to count the Omer at night, then you should count the next day - but without a Bracha. You then continue counting (at night) as usual with a Bracha.
If you forgot to count during the night as well as the following day, then you should still continue counting the Omer, but you may no longer make the Bracha.
If you're unsure if you counted the previous night, you may continue counting with a Bracha.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 120:2
- Danny
Tuesday, 2 Iyar 5779, 17th day of the Omer
Monday, May 6, 2019
Halocho #2286 - Must one eat on Rosh Chodesh?
Today is the 2nd day of Rosh Chodesh Iyar.
One may not fast on Rosh Chodesh.
It's a Mitzvah to eat a bigger meal on Rosh Chodesh.
There is no obligation to eat bread or meat on Rosh Chodesh.
Don't forget יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא in Birkat HaMazon and the Amida.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:2, 6
- Danny
Monday, 2nd day Rosh Chodesh Iyar 5779, 16th day of the Omer
Sunday, May 5, 2019
Halocho #2285 - Forgot to add Ya'aleh VeYavo on Rosh Chodesh?
Today - Sunday - and tomorrow - Monday - are Rosh Chodesh Iyar.
One needs to add יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא - into the 17th Bracha of the Amida - רְצֵה.
If one forgets to do so during the Amida of Ma'ariv (evening prayers) - on either day - one does not need to make amends, since the Sanhedrin did not sanctify the month at night.
If one forgets to add יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא during Shacharit (morning prayers) or Mincha (afternoon prayers), then one has to return to the 17th Bracha of the Amida - רְצֵה - and make amends.
If one forgets יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא during Shacharit and then prayed Mussaf, one still has to make amends for Shacharit. Even if one already prayed Mincha one has to make amends for Shacharit.
If one already finished the Amida - by saying יִהְיוּ לְרָצוֹן אִמְרֵי פִי - then one needs to restart the Amida.
One also needs to add יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא - into Birkat Hamazon.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 19:10
Chodesh Tov!
- Danny
1st day Rosh Chodesh Iyar 5779 - 15th day of the Omer
Thursday, May 2, 2019
Halocho #2284- Rosh Chodesh on Sunday and Monday
This Sunday and Monday will be Rosh Iyar.
When the 3rd Shabbat meal continues into the night, one still inserts רְצֵה during Birkat Hamazon.
When one starts a meal on Erev Rosh Chodesh and eats a Kezayit (the size of an olive) of bread after dark, one inserts יַעֲלֶה וְיָבוֹא during Birkas Hamazon.
What happens when both of the above happen together?
If Rosh Chodesh is on Sunday and one eats a Kezayis of bread after dark during the 3rd Shabbat meal, then one inserts both רְצֵה and יַעֲלֶה וְיָבוֹא during Birkas Hamazon.
However, some argue that mentioning both is a contradiction – since Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh aren't on the same day.
Therefore one should be careful not to eat bread after dark at the 3rd Shabbat meal when Rosh Chodesh is on Sunday - and then only רְצֵה is added.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 44:17
Shabbat Shalom uMevorach
- Danny Schoemann
Thursday, 27 Nissan 5575, 12th day of the Omer.
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Halocho #2283 - Mourning during the Omer. Why?
During the Omer period, the great sage Rabbi Akiva (who lived during and after the destruction of the second Temple) lost almost all of his thousands of Torah students; reducing Torah Scholars to a handful.
As a result, 33 days of the Omer are customarily observed as days of mourning during which weddings and haircuts are forbidden.
These 33 days of mourning are either observed from day 1 of the Omer, or from Rosh Chodesh Iyar; depending on local/family custom.
One may get engaged during the entire Omer period and even celebrate with a meal, but dancing and music are not allowed during the 33 days of mourning.
The Sandek, Mohel and father of the newborn may take haircuts the day before the Brit even during the 33 days of mourning.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 120:6 - 9
- Danny
Wednesday, 26 Nissan 5779, 11th day of the Omer