Halocho #2397 - Fasting on Isru Chag?

The day after Pesach, Sukkoth and Shavuoth is called Isru-Chag.

That would be today (Tuesday) in Israel and Wednesday everywhere else.

On Isru Chag the custom is to eat a larger meal than usual. Nobody - not even a bride and groom on their wedding day, nor a Yahrzeit - may fast on Isru Chag.

One does not say Tachanun on Isru Chag - since we don't say it during the entire month of Nissan. Some communities don't say לַמְנַצֵּחַ (before וּבָא לְצִיּוֹן in Shacharit) on Isru Chag.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 22:8, 103:14

אֵין אוֹמְרִים תַּחֲנוּן לֹא בְּרֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ וְלֹא בַּחֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר בְּאָב, וְלֹא בַּחֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר בִּשְׁבָט וְלֹא בַּחֲנֻכָּה וְלֹא בְּפוּרִים גָּדוֹל בּ' יָמִים, וְלֹא בְּפוּרִים קָטָן בּ' יָמִים, וְלֹא בּל"ג בָּעֹמֶר, וְלֹא בְּכָל חֹדֶשׁ נִיסָן, וְלֹא בְּתִשְׁעָה בְּאָב, וְלֹא בַּיָּמִים שֶבֵּין יוֹם כִּפּוּר לְסֻכּוֹת, 

נוֹהֲגִין לְהַרְבּוֹת קְצָת בַּאֲכִילָה וּשְׁתִיָּה בְּיּוֹם שֶׁלְּאַחַר הֶחָג בְּכָל שָׁלֹשׁ רְגָלִים, וְהוּא אִסְרוּ חָג. וְנוֹהֲגִין שֶׁאֵין מִתְעַנִּין בּוֹ, אֲפִלּוּ חָתָן וְכַלָּה בְּיוֹם חֻפָּתָן, וְלֹא יָארְצֵייט 

- Danny, in Jerusalem

Tuesday, Isru-Chag Pessach, 22 Nissan 5784 - 7th day of the Omer

Halocho #2396 - Should one use a candle for Bedikat Chametz?

Tonight - Sunday night - one may not do any work, nor eat anything, until one has checked the house for Chametz.

Before one starts searching the house for Chametz the entire house needs to be cleaned, and the Chametz that one plans to use until mid-morning on Monday morning needs to be put in a secure place.

First one says the Bracha:

"...אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל בִּעוּר חָמֵץ"

"… to destroy Chametz", since the point of the search is to rid the house of Chametz.

After the search is complete one says “Kol Chamira” declaring:

All leaven or anything leavened which is in my possession, 

which I have neither seen nor removed and about which I am unaware, 

shall be considered nullified and ownerless as the dust of the earth.

This declaration constitutes a Halachic “destroying Chametz”, which is why one shouldn't interrupt between the Bracha, the searching and the Kol Chamira with anything unrelated to the search.

One may appoint other members of the household to help with the search, as long as they are over Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

The search is done using a single candle which provides the optimal light for searching. A torch (like a Havdala candle) is not allowed – as it’s a fire hazard and it gives a flickering light – and if it was used one needs to redo the search.

Search under all furniture, inside all closets, pockets of all clothes worn in the past year, school bags, purses, cars and anywhere else where Chametz could have been placed accidentally or purposely by adults, children or toddlers.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 111:1-10

בַּלַּיְלָה שֶׁלִּפְנֵי עֶרֶב פֶּסַח בּוֹדְקִין אֶת הֶחָמֵץ. וְחַיָּבִין לִבְדּוֹק מִיָּד בִּתְחִלַּת הַלָּיְלָה. וְאָסוּר לְהַתְחִיל לֶאֱכֹל אוֹ לַעֲשׂוֹת שׁוּם מְלָאכָה חֲצִי שָׁעָה קֹדֶם הַלָּיְלָה.

אֵין בּוֹדְקִין אֶלָּא בְּנֵר שֶׁל שַׁעֲוָה יְחִידִי, וְלֹא קְלוּעַ מִשּׁוּם דַּהֲוֵי כַּאֲבוּקָה. וּבִשְׁעַת הַדְּחַק שֶׁאֵין לוֹ נֵר שֶׁל שַׁעֲוָה, יִבְדֹּק בְּנֵר שֶׁל חֵלֶב.

בּוֹדֵק כָּל הַחֲדָרִים שֶׁיֵּשׁ לָחוּשׁ שֶׁמָּא הִכְנִּיסוּ בָּהֶם חָמֵץ, אֲפִלּוּ הַמַּרְתְּפִים וְהָעֲלִיּוֹת וְהַחֲנֻיּוֹת וּבֵית הָעֵצִים. כֹּל שֶׁיֵּשׁ לָחוּשׁ שֶׁמָּא הִכְנִיסוּ שָׁם חָמֵץ, צְרִיכִין לְבָדְקן. וְכֵן צְרִיכִין לִבְדּוֹק כָּל הַכֵּלִים שֶׁמַּחְזִיקִים בָּהֶם חָמֵץ. וְקֹדֶם הַבְּדִיקָה יְכַבְּדוּ הֵיטֵב כָּל הַמְּקוֹמוֹת וִינַקּוּ אוֹתָם מִכָּל חָמֵץ, לְמַעַן יְהֵא נָקֵל לוֹ אַחַר כָּךְ לְבָדְקָם.

צְרִיכִין לִבְדֹּוֹק בְּכָל הַמְּקוֹמוֹת בַּחוֹרִין וּבִסְּדָקִין, כָּל מַה שֶּׁאֶפְשָׁר. וְגַם הַכִּיסִים שֶׁבִּבְגָדִים שֶׁלּוֹ וְשֶׁל תִּינוֹקוֹת, שֶׁלִּפְעָמִים נוֹתְנִים בָּהֶן חָמֵץ, צְרִיכִין בְּדִיקָה. וִינַעֲרֵם הֵיטֵב לְמַחַר בִּשְׁעַת הַבִּעוּר.

קֹדֶם שֶׁמַּתְחִיל לִבְדֹּק, יְבָרֵךְ אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל בִּעוּר חָמֵץ. וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁעַתָּה עֲדַיִן אֵינוֹ מְבַעֲרוֹ, מִכָּל מָקוֹם מְבָרֵךְ עַל בִּעוּר, לְפִי שֶׁמִּיָּד לְאַחַר הַבְּדִיקָה יְבַטֵּל אֶת הֶחָמֵץ שֶׁאֵינוֹ יָדוּעַ לוֹ, וְהוּא הַבִּעוּר לְחָמֵץ שֶׁאֵינוֹ יָדוּעַ לוֹ. וְלֹא יַפְסִיק בֵּין הַבְּרָכָה לִתְחִלַּת הַבְּדִיקָה. וְטוֹב שֶׁלֹּא יַפְסִיק עַד גְּמָר כָּל הַבְּדִיקָה, אֶלָּא בְּמַה שֶּׁהוּא מֵעִנְיַן הַבְּדִיקָה. וְיָכוֹל לִבְדֹּוֹק כַּמָּה בָתִים בִּבְרָכָה אֶחָת.

There is no need to turn off the electric lights while searching with a candle, since with more light it’s easier to find Chametz.

After searching with a candle in those places where it’s safe and convenient to do so, one should continue with a flashlight, so that one can search safely and calmly without fear of burning down the house.

Source: Rabbi Shimon Eider zt”l, Halachos of Pessach, Vol. 1, page 86

One does not say מִזְמוֹר לְתוֹדָה nor לַמְנַצֵּחַ from Erev Pessach until Isru Chag.

- Danny Schoemann

Sunday, 13 Nissan 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2395 - The great Shabbat Hagadol

Today, 10 Nissan, in the year 2449, the Jews in Egypt selected lambs for their Pessach sacrifice.

Forty years later, on 10 Nissan, the prophetess Miriam - sister of Aaron and Moshe - died.

A year later on 10 Nissan, the Jews crossed the Jordan river, as recorded in Joshua 3-4.

The Jews in Egypt were commanded to take home a lamb for their pre-Exodus Seder on 10 Nissan, four days before it was going to be sacrificed.

It was a miracle that the Egyptians didn't harm the Jews when they did this, since lambs were considered sacred objects in Egypt.

Since we left Egypt on Thursday 15 Nissan, this miracle happened on a Shabbat. To commemorate this miracle, the Shabbat before Pessach is called Shabbat Hagadol - the Great Shabbat - and a special Haftara is read; the last chapter in Malachi which predicts the future redemption, may we merit it speedily in our days.

The custom is to read the narrative section of the Haggada - from Avadim Hayinu (we were slaves) until (but not including) Rabban Gamliel's admonition to say "Pesach, Matza and Marror" - at Mincha on Shabbat Hagadol.

Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 430

 שַׁבָּת שֶׁלִפְנֵי הַפֶסַח קוֹרִין אוֹתוֹ שַׁבָּת הַגָּדוֹל, מִפְנֵי הַנֵּס שֶׁנַּעשָׂה בּוֹ. 

הגה: וְהַמִּנְהָג לוֹמַר בְּמִנְחָה הַהַגָּדָה, מִתְּחִלַּת עֲבָדִים הָיִינוּ עַד לְכַפֵּר עַל כָּל עֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ; וּפוֹסְקִים לוֹמַר בָּרְכִי נַפְשִׁי.

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny Schoemann

Thursday, 10 Nissan 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2394 - May one sew on Yom Tov?

All 39 categories of "creative work" that are forbidden to do on Shabbos are also forbidden on Yom Tov, with some notable exceptions:

• In order to prepare food for Yom Tov one may knead, cook, bake and shecht (ritually slaughter).
• One may carry outside - even without an Eruv - on Yom Tov, as long as it's for some purpose, even if it's not food-related.
• One may light a flame from an existing flame on Yom Tov if it's for some useful purpose, even if it's not food-related. However, one may not light a Yahrzeit candle on Yom Tov.
• One may grind those spices on Yom Tov that would lose their flavor if ground before Yom Tov.
• One may sew up stuffed chicken on Yom Tov, but the needle needs to be threaded before Yom Tov. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 98:1, 3, 15

כָּל מְלָאכָה שֶׁאֲסוּר לַעֲשׂוֹתָהּ בַּשַׁבָּת, אָסוּר לַעֲשׂוֹתָהּ בְּיוֹם טוֹב.

וְאֵין בֵּין יוֹם טוֹב לְשַׁבָּת אֶלָּא אֹכֶל נֶפֶשׁ בִּלְבָד, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, אַךְ אֲשֶׁר יֵאָכֵל לְכָל נֶפֶשׁ הוּא לְבַדּוֹ יֵעָשֶׂה לָכֶם, דְּהַיְנוּ, לִישָׁה, אֲפִיָּה, שְׁחִיטָה .וּבִשּׁוּל. וְהוֹצָאָה וְהַבְעָרָה מֻתָּרוֹת בְּיוֹם טוֹב גַּם שֶׁלֹּא לְצֹרֶךְ אֹכֶל נֶפֶשׁ, אֶלָּא לְצֹרֶךְ אַחֵר

תַּבְלִין שֶׁאִם יִטְחַן אוֹתָם קֹדֶם יוֹם טוֹב יָפִיגוּ טַעֲמָן, מֻתָּר לְדוּכָן בְּיוֹם טוֹב עַל יְדֵי שִׁנּוּי, כְּגוֹן שֶׁיַּטֶּה אֶת הַמַּכְתֶּשֶׁת לַצְּדָדִין אוֹ שֶׁיָּדוּךְ עַל הַשֻּׁלְחָן וְכַיּוֹצֵא בוֹ.

מֻתָּר לִתְפּוֹר עוֹפוֹת שֶׁמְמַלְּאִין אוֹתָן, אַךְ צָרִיךְ לִזָּהֵר לְהַכְנִיס אֶת הַחוּט בְּתוֹךְ הַמַּחַט בְּעֶרֶב יוֹם טוֹב. וְאִם לֹא הִכְנִיסוֹ מֵעֶרֶב יוֹם טוֹב, אָסוּר לְהַכְנִיסוֹ בְּיוֹם טוֹב. לְאַחַר שֶׁתְּפָרוֹ, מֻתָּר לִשְׂרוֹף אֶת הַחוּט הַנִּשְׁאָר

- Danny Schoemann

Wednesday, 9 Nissan 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2393 - Why do the firstborns fast?

How do firstborns celebrate the fact that they were saved from the 10th plague - the smiting of Egyptian firstborns?

On Erev Pessach - this coming Monday - all firstborns will fast in memory of them fasting in Egypt on Erev Pessach, to ensure they wouldn't be punished along with the Egyptians in the 10th plague.

The Hallel said at the Seder includes praise for their delivery.

All firstborn males fast; even if they're only a firstborn to one of their parents.

Even firstborns who are exempt from Pidyon haBen - like Cohanim, Levites or being born after a stillborn - also have to fast.

The father of a young firstborn needs to fast for him.

Whether a firstborn (or his father) may attend a Se'udat Mitzva like a Siyum, Brit or Pidyon haBen and break his fast to participate in the meal, depends on local / family custom.

After breaking his fast, he can eat the rest of the day.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 113:6

הַבְּכוֹרִים בֵּין בְּכוֹר לְאָב בֵּין בְּכוֹר לְאֵם, מִתְעַנִּים בְּעֶרֶב פֶּסַח, אֲפִלּוּ חָל בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת. וְגַם הַבָּא אַחַר הַנְּפָלִים, צָרִיךְ לְהִתְעַנּוֹת. וְכַל זְמַן שֶׁהַבְּכוֹר קָטָן, הָאָב מִתְעַנֶּה תַּחְתָּיו. בִּסְעוּדַּת מִצְוָה אִם מֻתָּרִים לֶאֱכוֹל, תַּלְיָא בְּמִנְהַג הַמְּקוֹמוֹת.

- Danny Schoemann

Tuesday, 8 Nissan 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2392 - Selling Chametz to a non-Jew

Since most of us don't want to start selling Chametz on Erev Pessach, one can go to most local Rabbis and appoint them as a messenger to sell our Chametz.

The Rabbi will make a legal sale of the Chametz including a legal document and a deposit. Realize that this is a bona fide sale, and that the non-Jew is entitled to come to our homes and request we hand over our Chametz, as has occasionally happened.

After Pesach, the Rabbi goes to the non-Jew and asks to be paid the remainder of the debt and offers to buy back the Chametz from the non-Jew at a higher price. Since the non-Jew usually prefers to make a quick profit rather than paying for hundreds of items scattered throughout the city, he will sell the Chametz to the Rabbi.

One should only sell Chametz and not the containers it's in - especially not containers that require Tevila, like metal and glass, otherwise one would need to Toivel them in a Mikva after Pessach since they belonged to a non-Jew during Pesach.

Chametz that has been sold (via the Rabbi) must be locked away so that one doesn't accidentally use it, which would be a double problem: Chametz on Pessach and stealing from the non-Jew.

Even if one has no intention of keeping Chametz in one's home, one should still go to a Rabbi to appoint him to sell one's Chametz. Why?

A lot of products may be Chametz contrary to popular belief - depending on the latest production methods - like medications, creams, soaps or even food which one discovers later wasn't really Kosher for Pesach.

During Pessach one may discover Chametz that one wasn't aware of, or that one forgot to get rid of in the last-minute pre-Pessach rush.

If one sold all one's Chametz then one didn't own any during Pessach; a Torah prohibition.

Chametz that belonged to a Jew during Pessach may not be used after Pessach. This is a Rabbinical decree; a punishment for owning the Chametz.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 114

 מִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ הַרְבֵּה חָמֵץ שֶׁאֵינוֹ יָכוֹל לְבַעֲרוֹ מִן הָעוֹלָם, צָרִיךְ לְמָכְרוֹ לְאֵינוֹ יְהוּדִי קֹדֶם הַפֶּסַח בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁהוּא עֲדַיִן מֻתָּר בַּהֲנָאָה. 

וְלֹא יְהֵא עִנְיַן מְכִירַת חָמֵץ אֵצֶל הָאָדָם כְּמוֹ מִצְוַת אֲנָשִׁים מְלֻמָּדָה, אֶלָּא צָרִיךְ שֶׁיִּגְמוֹר בְּדַעְתּוֹ שֶׁהוּא מוֹכְרוֹ בֶּאֱמֶת לְהָאֵינוֹ יְהוּדִי מְכִירָה גְּמוּרָה וַחֲלוּטָה. וְלֹא יִמְכּוֹר בְּיֹקֶר מִן הַמְּחִיר הָרָאוּי. וּלְאַחַר הַפֶּסַח יְבַקֵּשׁ מֵאֵת הָאֵינוֹ יְהוּדִי שֶׁיְשַׁלֵּם לוֹ אֶת הַחוֹב. וְכַאֲשֶׁר יְשִׁיבֵהוּ שֶׁאֵין לוֹ כֶּסֶף, יְבַקֵּשׁ מִמֶּנּוּ שֶׁיַּחֲזוֹר וְיִמְכּוֹר לוֹ אֶת הֶחָמֵץ עִם (הַחֶדֶר) בְּעַד כָּךְ וְכָךְ. 

וְלֹא יְהֵא הַדָּבָר כְּחוֹכָא בְּעָלְמָא, אֶלָּא כְּדֶרֶךְ הַסּוֹחֲרִים מַמָש.

צְרִיכִין לִזָּהֵר שֶׁלֹּא לֵהָנוֹת לְאַחַר הַפֶּסַח מֵחֲמֵצוֹ שֶׁל יִשְֹרָאֵל שֶׁהוּא חָשׁוּד שֶׁלֹּא מְכָרוֹ כַּדָּת.

- Danny Schoemann

Monday, 7 Nissan 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2391 - Is burning Chametz wasteful?

The Torah forbids us to waste or destroy items that can still be used.

The Torah commands us to burn - or otherwise destroy - all Chametz in our possession on Erev Pessach morning.

Can we reconcile these 2 Halachot?

The Mitzva to destroy Chametz can be fulfilled with a bare minimum of Chametz; preferably with leftovers that nobody would be able to use. Usable Chametz can be donated to various charity organizations which will distribute it to the needy. 

That said, whatever Chametz is still in your possession mid-morning on Erev Pesach, needs to be burned.

Alternately, Chametz can be sold to a non-Jew. More about that tomorrow.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 114

יִשְֹרָאֵל שֶׁהָיָה לוֹ חָמֵץ שֶׁלּוֹ בִּרְשׁוּתוֹ בַּפֶּסַח, עוֹבֵר בְּכָל רֶגַע וְרֶגַע עַל בַּל יֵרָאֵה וּבַל יִמָּצֵא. וְהֶחָמֵץ אָסוּר בַּהֲנָאָה לְעוֹלָם, וַאֲפִלּוּ בִּטְּלוֹ קֹדֶם פֶּסַח. וְלָכֵן מִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ הַרְבֵּה חָמֵץ שֶׁאֵינוֹ יָכוֹל לְבַעֲרוֹ מִן הָעוֹלָם, צָרִיךְ לְמָכְרוֹ לְאֵינוֹ יְהוּדִי קֹדֶם הַפֶּסַח בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁהוּא עֲדַיִן מֻתָּר בַּהֲנָאָה.

- Danny Schoemann

Sunday, 6 Nissan 5770

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2390 - The second day of Pesach

On the second night of Pesach we start counting the 49 days of Sefirat Ha'Omer; culminating with Shavuoth.

On the second day of Pesach one should do something at the meal to commemorate Queen Esther's second feast, which ended with the wicked Haman being hanged on that day.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 103:6

בְּיוֹם שֵׁנִי שֶׁל פֶּסַח, יֵשׁ לַעֲשׂוֹת בַּסְּעוּדָּה אֵיזֶה דָּבָר, לְזֵכֶר סְעוּדַּת אֶסְתֵּר שֶׁהָיְתָה בְּיוֹם זֶה, שֶׁבּוֹ בַּיּוֹם נִתְלָה הַמָּן.

Shabbat Shalom,

- Danny Schoemann

Thursday, 3 Nissan 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2389 - May one soak Matzah?

At the Seder,  Matzah should preferably be eaten "dry". However, if one has trouble chewing it, one may soak it in water.

The elderly and the unwell who cannot eat Matza soaked in water, can soak it in wine or other drinks.

Either way, one must be careful that the soaked Matza doesn't fall apart, and one may not soak it for 24 hours.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 119:6

מִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ יָכוֹל לִלְעֹס מַצָּה, מֻתָּר לִשְׁרוֹתָהּ בְּמַיִם לְרַכְּכָהּ, וּבִלְבַד שֶׁלֹּא תְהֵא נִמְחָה לְגַמְרֵי. 

וּמִי שֶׁהוּא זָקֵן אוֹ חוֹלֶה וְאֵינוֹ יָכוֹל לְאָכְלָהּ שְׁרוּיָה בְּמַיִם, יָכוֹל לִשְׁרוֹתָהּ בְּיַיִן אוֹ בִּשְׁאָר מַשְׁקִים. 

כְּשֶׁשּׁוֹרִין אֶת הַמַּצָּה לָצֵאת בָּהּ, צְרִיכִין לִזָּהֵר שֶׁלֹּא לִשְׁרוֹתָהּ מֵעֵת לְעֵת כִּי אָז נֶחְשֶׁבֶת כִּמְבֻשֶׁלֶת וְאֵין יוֹצְאִין בָּהּ. וְגַם צְרִיכִין לִזָּהֵר בִּשְׁאָר דְּבָרִים, שֶׁלֹּא יַפְסִיד דִּין לֶחֶם.

- Danny Schoemann

Wednesday 2 Nissan 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2388 - Storytelling is a Mitzva

At the Seder one reads the entire Haggada.

However, there's no Mitzva per se, to read the Haggada.

There's a Mitzva in the Torah to tell one's children the story of the Exodus from Egypt in Question-Answer format on Seder night.

The Haggada gives a framework so that one covers all required parts of the story, which is why it's important to understand and explain all those parts of the Haggada that discuss the slavery, the 10 plagues and the redemption, in a language that all participants understand.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 119:4

אַחַר כָּךְ מוֹזְגִין כּוֹס שֵׁנִי, וְהַתִּינוֹק שׁוֹאֵל מַה נִשְׁתַּנָּה. וְאִם אֵין תִּינוֹק, יִשְׁאַל בֵּן אַחֵר, אוֹ בִּתּוֹ, אוֹ חֲבֵרוֹ אוֹ אִשְׁתּוֹ, וְאַחַר כָּךְ אוֹמְרִים, עֲבָדִים הָיִינוּ וְכוּ'. 

וְהַנָּכוֹן לְפָרֵשׁ לִבְנֵי בֵיתוֹ דִּבְרֵי הַהַגָּדָה בְּלָשׁוֹן שֶׁמְּבִינִים. 

וְאִם גַּם בְּעַצְמוֹ אֵינוֹ מֵבִין לְשׁוֹן הַקֹּדֶשׁ, יֹאמַר מִתּוֹךְ הַהַגָּדָה, שֶׁהוּא עִם פֵּרוּשׁ אַשְׁכְּנָז (לוֹעֲזִי), וּלְאַחַר כָּל פִּסְקָא, יֹאמַר בִּלְשׁוֹן אַשְׁכְּנַז (לוֹעֲזִי), וּמִכָּל שֶׁכֵּן הַמַּאֲמָר רַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל הָיָה אוֹמֵר וְכוּ', שֶׁצְּרִיכִין לְהָבִין אֶת הַטַּעַם שֶׁל פֶּסַח מַצָּה וּמָרוֹר.

- Danny Schoemann

2 Nissan 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2387 - Rosh Chodesh Nissan

Tonight - Monday night - begins the first day of the first month - Nissan.

Don't forget Hallel and יַעֲלֶה וְיָבא

1 Nissan was the last of the 8 inaugural days of the Mishkan (tabernacle) and the first day that Aaron served as Cohen Gadol (high priest) and his 4 sons as Cohanim.

That same day, two of them - Nadav and Avihu - brought an offering not in accordance with Halacha and were killed by a heavenly fire.

On that day the heads of the 12 tribes started bringing their inaugural sacrifices - one prince each day. Some people have the custom of reading that day's sacrifice during the first 12 days of Nissan. This can be found in the Siddur as the Torah Reading for Chanuka.

One does not say Tachanun during the entire month of Nissan.

One may not fast during Nissan, with the following exceptions:

• Firstborns fast on Erev Pessach (today in 2 weeks).
• Fasting for distressingly bad dreams.
• Couples getting married during Nissan, even on Rosh Chodesh, whereas on any other Rosh Chodesh the bride and groom do not fast.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 107:1,2

כָּל חֹדֶשׁ נִיסָן אֵין אוֹמְרִים תַּחֲנוּן, וְלֹא צִדּוּק הַדִּין, וְאֵין אוֹמְרִים צִדְקָתְךָ בַּשַׁבָּת בְּמִנְחָה. 

נוֹהֲגִין מֵרֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ וָאֵילֵךְ לִקְרוֹת בְּכָל יוֹם פָּרָשַׁת הַנָּשִׂיא שֶׁהִקְרִיב בּוֹ בַּיּוֹם, וּבְיוֹם שְׁלשָׁה עָשָׂר קוֹרִין פָּרָשַׁת בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ, עַד כֵּן עָשָׂה אֶת הַמְּנוֹרָה, שֶׁהִיא כְּנֶגֶד שֵׁבֶט לֵוִי.

אֵין מִתְעַנִּין בּוֹ אֲפִלּוּ תַּעֲנִית יַארְצַיְיט (יוֹם זִכָּרּוֹן לְהוֹרָיו). אֲבָל תַּעֲנִית חֲלוֹם, מִתְעַנִּין. 

וְחָתָן וְכַלָּה גַּם כֵּן מִתְעַנִּין בּוֹ, וַאֲפִלּוּ בְּרֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ נִיסָן.

Chodesh Tov!

- Danny Schoemann

Monday, 29 Adar-2 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2386 - Can Matza be folded?

Matza is made from flour and water. Nothing else.

The water is drawn from a well or spring at twilight the evening before it is used. The water for Sunday's baking is drawn on Thursday evening.

The flour is ground from wheat that was harvested while still slightly green; once wheat is fully ripe it can become Chametz (leaven) even before being harvested, if it comes into contact with water.

The wheat needs to be ground into flour at least 24 hours before it is used, to give it time to cool down.

18 minutes after water is added to flour the dough becomes Chametz. Matza baking happens in 18-minute batches after which all equipment is thoroughly cleaned to remove all traces of dough.

Matza used at the Seder needs to be made with the intention of it being used for a Mitzva; everybody involved in its production says "L'shem Mitzvat Matza" (for the purpose of the Mitzva of Matza) before all activities. This is know as Shmura-Matza.

If a Matza has a fold in it, or a bubble more than a finger high (2.5 cm), then the fold or bubble is considered Chametz and needs to be broken off and disposed of. The rest of the Matza can be eaten.

One is forbidden to eat Matza on Erev Pesach. Most people have the custom to stop eating Matza from Rosh Chodesh Nissan already - that's on Tuesday. Some don't eat Matza an entire month before Pessach.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 108, 109, 110

וְרָאוּי לְדַקְדֵּק שֶׁלֹּא יַעַמְדוּ הַשִּׁבָּלִים בִּמְחֻבָּר עַד שֶׁיִּתְיַבְּשׁוּ כָּל צָרְכָּן וְיַלְבִּינוּ, כִּי אָז אִם יֵרְדוּ עֲלֵיהֶן גְּשָׁמִים, יַחְמִיצוּ אֲפִלּוּ בִּמְחֻבָּר, כֵּיוָן שֶׁאֵינָן צְרִיכוֹת עוֹד לַקַּרְקַע. עַל כֵּן רָאוּי וְנָכוֹן לִקְצוֹר בְּעוֹד שֶׁיֶשׁ בָּהֶן עוֹד קְצָת מַרְאֵה יַרְקוּת.

בַּיּוֹם שֶׁטָּחֲנוּ אֶת הַקֶּמַח, אָסוּר לֶאֱפוֹתוֹ, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁאָז הַקֶּמַח הוּא חַם וּמְמַהֵר לְהַחְמִיץ כְּשֶׁנּוֹתְנִים בּוֹ אֶת הַמַּיִם, עַל כֵּן יִשְׁהֶה אַחַר הַטְּחִינָה לְכָל הַפָּחוֹת מֵעֵת לְעֵת.

אֵין לָשִׁין אֶת הַמַּצוֹת אֶלָּא בְּמַיִם שֶׁלָּנוּ הַלַּיְלָה, דְּהַיְנוּ שֶׁיִּשְׁאַב אוֹתָם בֵּין הַשְּׁמָשׁוֹת וְיַעַמְדוּ בְּתָלוּשׁ כָּל הַלַּיְלָה, וַאֲפִלּוּ אִם הַלַּיְלָה אָרֹךְ יוֹתֵר מִשְּׁנֵים עָשָׂר שָׁעוֹת, אָסוּר לָלוּשׁ בָּהֶן עַד אוֹר הַיּוֹם. וְאִם הַלַּיְלָה קָצָר וְאֵין שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁעוֹת עַד אוֹר הַיּוֹם, צְרִיכִין לְהַמְתִּין עַד שֶׁיַּעַבְרוּ שְׁתֵּים עֶשׂרֵה שָׁעוֹת מִשָּׁעָה שֶׁנִּשְׁאָבוּ.

כְּשֶׁאוֹפִין בְּיוֹם רִאשׁוֹן, צְרִיכִין לִשְׁאוֹב בְּיוֹם חֲמִישִּׁי בָּעֶרֶב.

- Danny Schoemann

Sunday, 28 Adar-2 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2385 - The 4th of the Four Weeks

This week we take out two Sifrei Torah. The Torah Reading starts with the weekly Parsha: שְּׁמִינִי. 

After Kaddish, the second Sefer Torah is used for Maftir to read Parshat הַחֹדֶשׁ in anticipation of the upcoming month of Nissan. 

The Haftara is from יְחֶזְקֵאל chapter 45 which discusses the dedication of the Temple starting on Rosh Chodesh Nissan as well as the Pessach sacrifice 2 weeks later. 

This week is also Shabbat Mevorchim the month of Nissan. Rosh Chodesh Nissan will be on Tuesday. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:2 

הַשַׁבָּת שֶׁלִּפְנֵי רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ נִיסָן, הִיא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת הַחֹדֶשׁ. 

Shabbat Shalom uMevorach

- Danny Schoemann

Thursday, 25 Adar-2 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2384 - Is January the first month?

This Shabbat for Maftir we will read Parshas HaChodesh (Exodus Ch. 12, Verses 1-20).

Parshas HaChodesh reminds us of the following upcoming Mitzvot:

• The month of Nissan (which begins on Tuesday) is the first month on the Jewish calendar, as the opening words of Parshat Hachodesh proclaim:

"הַחֹדֶשׁ הַזֶּה לָכֶם רֹאשׁ חֳדָשִׁים רִאשׁוֹן הוּא לָכֶם לְחָדְשֵׁי הַשָּׁנָה"

"This month is for you the first month".

• The laws of Korban Pessach: sacrificed on Erev Pessach in the afternoon, it had to be roasted whole and then eaten on the first night of Pessach with Matza and Marror (bitter herbs).

וְאָכְלוּ אֶת הַבָּשָׂר בַּלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה צְלִי אֵשׁ וּמַצּוֹת עַל מְרֹרִים יֹאכְלֻהוּ.

אַל תֹּאכְלוּ מִמֶּנּוּ נָא וּבָשֵׁל מְבֻשָּׁל בַּמָּיִם כִּי אִם צְלִי אֵשׁ רֹאשׁוֹ עַל כְּרָעָיו וְעַל קִרְבּוֹ.

• Leftovers had to be burnt on the first day of Chol Hamo'ed.

וְהַנֹּתָר מִמֶּנּוּ עַד בֹּקֶר בָּאֵשׁ תִּשְׂרֹפוּ.

• Matza needs to be made carefully to ensure it doesn't become Chametz (leaven).

וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם אֶת הַמַּצּוֹת

• The first and last days of Pessach are Yom Tov.

וּבַיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ וּבַיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ יִהְיֶה לָכֶם כָּל מְלָאכָה לֹא יֵעָשֶׂה בָהֶם אַךְ אֲשֶׁר יֵאָכֵל לְכָל נֶפֶשׁ הוּא לְבַדּוֹ יֵעָשֶׂה לָכֶם

• One may not own Chametz, nor eat it, during Pessach .

שִׁבְעַת יָמִים שְׂאֹר לֹא יִמָּצֵא בְּבָתֵּיכֶם כִּי כָּל אֹכֵל מַחְמֶצֶת וְנִכְרְתָה הַנֶּפֶשׁ הַהִוא מֵעֲדַת יִשְׂרָאֵל בַּגֵּר וּבְאֶזְרַח הָאָרֶץ.

כָּל מַחְמֶצֶת לֹא תֹאכֵלוּ בְּכֹל מוֹשְׁבֹתֵיכֶם תֹּאכְלוּ מַצּוֹת.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:2

הַשַׁבָּת שֶׁלִּפְנֵי רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ נִיסָן, הִיא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת הַחֹדֶשׁ. וְאִם חָל רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ בַּשַׁבָּת, אָז הִיא פָּרָשַׁת הַחֹדֶשׁ, וְדִינָהּ כְּמוֹ רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ אֲדָר שֶׁחָל בַּשַׁבָּת. 

- Danny Schoemann
Wednesday, 24 Adar-2 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2383 - Kashering from meat to milk

When needed, one can Kasher utensils that are not Kosher. E.g. if one puts a Milky spoon in a hot bowl of meat it cannot be used until it is Kashered.

One cannot Kasher a utensil that has been used in the past 24 hours with hot Chametz.

Before Pessach one can Kasher certain Chametz utensils to make them Kosher for Pessach.

Kashering must be done under the supervision of somebody who has learned all the intricate laws of Kashering, when possible.

When utensils are Kashered, they become Kosher and Parev; neither milky nor meaty.

The custom is to refrain from Kashering Milky utensils to use them subsequently for Meaty, or Meaty utensils to use them for Milky.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 46:15, 116:16, 18

נוֹהֲגִין שֶׁלֹּא לְהַגְעִיל כְּלִי חָלָב לְהִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ בּוֹ בְּבָשָׂר אוֹ אִפְּכָא.

אִם אֶפְשָׁר יֵשׁ לְהַגְעִיל בִּפְנֵי בַּעַל תּוֹרָה הַבָּקִי בְּדִינֵי הַגְעָלָה 

אֵין לְהַגְעִיל אֶלָּא כְּלִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ בֶּן יוֹמוֹ, דְּהַיְנוּ שֶׁכְּבָר עָבַר מֵעֵת לְעֵת, מִשָּׁעָה שֶׁבִּשְׁלוּ בּוֹ חָמֵץ. וְכֵן הַיּוֹרָה שֶׁמַּגְעִילִין בָּהּ לֹא תְהֵא בַּת יוֹמָהּ.

- Danny Schoemann

Tuesday, 23 Adar-2 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2382 - The week of Chol Hamo'ed; Chol or Mo'ed?

The intermediary days of Pessach and Succoth are known as Chol Hamo'ed. Some types of work are permitted, others are forbidden.

In order to ensure that one does the laundry before the Mo'ed (Jewish Holiday), doing laundry is forbidden on Chol Hamo'ed, except in extenuating circumstances:

• If it was impossible to launder before the Mo'ed (e.g. one was locked up in jail) then one may launder on Chol Hamo'ed.
• Baby clothes that continuously get soiled and need to be changed many times a day may be laundered on Chol Hamo'ed.

When laundering on Chol Hamo'ed one must ensure it's done in private.

All medical procedures are allowed on Chol Hamo'ed.

If one has the opportunity to borrow money and there's reason to believe that after Yom Tov the money will no longer be available, then one may borrow the money on Chol Hamo'ed (even if it means writing an IOU), even if it's for a post-Yom Tov business deal.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 104:13, 14, 16

אָסוּר לְכַבֵּס שׁוּם דָּבָר, אֲפִלּוּ לְצֹרֶךְ הַמּוֹעֵד, אֶלָּא אִם לֹא הָיָה אֶפְשָׁר לוֹ בְּשׁוּם אֹפֶן לְכַבֵּס קֹדֶם יוֹם טוֹב. וְכֵן מִטְפָּחוֹת שֶׁמְלַפְּפִין בָּהֶן אֶת הַתִּינוֹקוֹת (חִתּוּלִים), כֵּיוָן שֶׁמַּשְׁתִּינִין תָּדִיר וּצְרִיכִין לָהֶם הַרְבֵּה, מֻתָּר לְכַבְּסָן, וְיִזָהֲרוּ לְכַבְּסָן בְּצִנְעָא.

כָּל דָּבָר שֶׁהוּא לְצֹרֶךְ רְפוּאָה, מֻתָּר לַעֲשׂוֹת, בֵּין לְאָדָם בֵּין לִבְהֵמָה.

מִי שֶׁצָּרִיךְ לְמָעוֹת אֲפִלּוּ שֶׁלֹּא לְצֹרֶךְ הַמּוֹעֵד, אֶלָּא שֶׁהוּא חוֹשֵׁשׁ פֶּן לֹא יִמְצָא לִלְווֹת לְאַחַר הַמּוֹעֵד, וְהַמַּלְוֶה אֵינוֹ רוֹצֶה לְהַלְווֹת לוֹ בְּלִי שְׁטָר, מֻתָּר לוֹ לִכְתֹּב אֶת הַשְּׁטָר.

- Danny Schoemann

Monday, 22 Adar-2 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה