Halocho #2411 - Three years of Orla for trees

For 3 years after planting a tree, one may not eat its fruit, nor derive any benefit from the fruit, peels or pits. This is a Torah prohibition and applies to trees planted anywhere on the planet by anybody. 

How to count these 3 years: 

• Trees planted until Tu B'av (15th of the month of Av; 45 days before Rosh Hashana) have their first birthday on Rosh Hashana, and 2 years later turn "three years old". 
• Trees planted less than 45 days before Rosh Hashana need to count three years from their first Rosh Hashana. The laws of Orlo apply to trees grown from shoots or pits, and sometimes to trees that have been replanted. 

A tree that has was cut and its stump is less than 1 Tefach (about 9 cm) high becomes Orlo again. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 173:1,3,4

כָּל עֵץ מַאֲכָל, בֵּין שֶׁל יִשְֹרָאֵל בֵּין שֶׁל גּוֹי, וַאֲפִלּוּ בְּעָצִיץ שֶׁאֵינוֹ נָקוּב, שָׁלֹשׁ שָׁנִים הָרִאשׁוֹנוֹת מִנְּטִעָתוֹ, הַפֵּרוֹת וְהַגַּרְעִינִין וְהַקְּלִפּוֹת, הַכֹּל אָסוּר בַּהֲנָאָה. וְשָׁלֹשׁ שָׁנִים אֵלּוּ, אֵין מוֹנִים מִיּוֹם לְיוֹם, אֶלָּא אִם נָטַע קֹדֶם שִׁשָּׁה עָשָׂר בְּאָב, כֵּיוָן שֶׁיֵשׁ אַרְבָּעָה וְאַרְבָּעִים יוֹם עַד רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה, נֶחְשֶׁבֶת לוֹ הַשָּׁנָה, מִשּׁוּם דְּאַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר יוֹם הֵמָּה יְמֵי קְלִיטָה, וְאַחַר כָּךְ שְׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם בַּשָׁנָה נֶחְשָׁבִים שָׁנָה, וְשׁוּב מוֹנֶה שְׁתֵּי שָׁנִים מִתִּשְׁרֵי. אֲבָל אִם נָטַע מִיּוֹם שִׁשָּׁה עָשָׂר בְּאָב וְאֵילַךְ, לֹא נֶחְשֶׁבֶת שָׁנָה זֹאת לִכְלוּם, וּמוֹנֶה מִתִּשְׁרֵי שָׁלֹשׁ שָׁנִים.

אֶחָד הַנּוֹטֵעַ גַּרְעִין אוֹ עָנָף אוֹ שֶׁעָקַר אִילָן וּנְטָעוֹ בְּמָקוֹם אַחֵר, חַיָבִים בָּעָרְלָה. אֲבָל הַמַּרְכִּיב עָנָף בְּאִילָן אַחֵר, וְכֵן הַמַּבְרִיךְ, דְּהַיְנוּ שֶׁעוֹשֶׁה גּוּמָא בָּאָרֶץ וּמַשְׁפִּיל אֶחָד מֵעַנְפֵי הָאִילָן וּמַטְמִין אֶמְצָעוּתוֹ בָאָרֶץ וְרֹאשׁוֹ יוֹצֵא מִצַּד אַחֵר, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁחֲתָכוֹ מִֵעִקַּר הָאִילָן, בְּחוּץ לַאָרֶץ אֵין בּוֹ מְשׁוּם עָרְלָה.

אִילָן שֶׁנִּקְצַץ, אִם נִשְׁאַר גָבוֹהַּ מֵהָאָרֶץ טֶפַח, אֲזַי מַה שֶּׁגָּדַל אַחַר כָּךְ, אֵינוֹ חַיָב בָּעָרְלָה. אֲבָל אִם לֹא נִשְׁאַר טֶפַח, חַיָב בָּעָרְלָה. וּמוֹנִין הַשָּׁנִים מִשְּׁעַת הַקְּצִיצָה. וְאִילָן שֶׁנֶּעֶקַר וְנִשְּׁאַר מִשָּׁרָשָיו מְחֻבָר, אֲפִלּוּ רַק כָּעֳבִי הַמַּחַט שֶׁמּוֹתְחִין בָּהּ הַבֶּגֶד, לְאַחַר אֲרִיגָה, בְּיָדוּעַ שֶׁיָכוֹל לִחְיוֹת בְּלִי תוֹסֶפֶת עָפָר וּפָטוּר, וַאֲפִלּוּ הוֹסִיף עָלָיו עָפָר הַרְבֵּה.

- Danny

Monday, 12 Iyar 5784 - 27th day of the Omer

 Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

 מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּילָא לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #857 - No more meat leftovers!

From Rosh Chodesh Av (tonight - Sunday evening) until midday on 10th Av (10 August) is the period known as the "9 days".

The custom is to not eat meat and chicken and to not drink wine during the "9 days", except on Shabbat.

Food cooked together with meat should not be eaten - even if one doesn't eat the meat.

Those who need to eat meat (or drink wine) for health reasons, may do so. If possible, even they should refrain (with the Doctor's permission) from the 7th of Av; the day the Romans entered the Bet Hamikdash.

At a Se'udat Mitzva (a Mitzva meal) - a Brit, Pidyon HaBen or Siyum - one may serve meat and wine.

Besides for close family, one may invite up to 10 friends whom one normally invites.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:8

Chodesh Tov

- Danny
Sunday, 29 Tamuz 5771

Halocho #616 - Shabbat Nachamu

Usually the Haftara is connected to the weekly Torah Reading.

During the 7 weeks following the fast of 9 B'Av we read the Seven Haftarot of Consolation from Yeshayahu.

This Shabbat is named after the opening words of the first of the Seven Haftarot of Consolation: נַחֲמוּ נַחֲמוּ עַמִּי  - Hashem instructs the prophet Yeshayahu to "Console, console My people". (Isaiah Ch. 40)

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128:4, 22:8,

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 11 Menachem Av 5770

Halocho #608 - No more meat leftovers!

From Rosh Chodesh Av (tonight - Sunday evening) until midday on 10th Av (21 July) is the period known as the "9 days".

The custom is to not eat meat and chicken and to not drink wine during the "9 days", except on Shabbat.

Food cooked together with meat should not be eaten - even if one doesn't eat the meat.

Those who need to eat meat (or drink wine) for health reasons, may do so. If possible, even they should refrain (with the Doctor's permission) from the 7th of Av; the day the Romans entered the Bet Hamikdash.

At a Se'udat Mitzva (a Mitzva meal) - a Brit, Pidyon HaBen or Siyum - one may serve meat and wine. Besides for close family, one may invite up to 10 friends whom one normally invites.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:8

Chodesh Tov

- Danny
Sunday, 29 Tamuz 5770

Please daven for a complete recovery for

Chagai Yitzchak ben Pnina - חגי יצחק בן פנינה

Halocho #606 - Last chance for laundry

When the month of Av begins, one diminishes joy. From Rosh Chodesh Av until midday on 10th Av is the period known as the "9 days".

During the 9 days one does not do any laundry even if one only intends wearing the clothes after the 9 days. One may not even give laundry to a non-Jew to wash during the 9 days, but a Jew may do laundry for non-Jews.

One does not wear freshly laundered clothes during the 9 days except on Shabbat. This does not apply to garments worn directly on the body; undergarments, socks, PJs and the like.

One may not change bed linens, tablecloths and towels during the 9 days.

The "9 days" starts on Sunday evening (11 July / Rosh Chodesh Av) and ends 10 days later on Wednesday after noon (21 July / 10 Av).

==> Therefore it's advisable to prepare a week's supply of shirts, pants, skirts, etc. by wearing them for a short while before Rosh Chodesh. One can also prepare towels by using them once.

Baby clothing that get dirty all the time and needs to be changed many times a day are exempt from the above and may be laundered and used during the 9 days.

Anything halachically required for her 7 clean days, a Niddah may launder and wear during the 9 days.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:9

To see a chart (in Hebrew) with the differences between Ashkenazi and Sefardi customs in the 3 weeks, goto http://tinyurl.com/Halocho9days


- Danny
Wednesday, 25 Tamuz 5770

Halocho #603 - 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 5770

Halocho #149 - The day the Western Lamp was extinguished

In the Bet Hamikdash, a Cohen would light the Menorah every afternoon. Its 7 lamps would burn until morning. Miraculously, the Ner Ma'aravi - the Western Lamp - would burn all day, even though it was identical to the other 6 lamps. One of the reasons most Shuls have a Ner-Tamid always burning, is to commemorate this miracle. 40 years before the destruction of the first Bet Hamikdash (Holy Temple), in the days of the wicked King Achaz, (father of King Hezekiah), this miracle stopped. This happened on the 17th of Av (some say on the 18th). As a result, this day was declared as one of the tragic days in our history and is included in the list of days on which it would be appropriate to fast. Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 580:1-2, Yoma 39. - Danny Monday, 17 Av 5768

Please daven for ESTHER DEVORA bat MINDEL RUTH - אסתר דבורה בת מינדל רות

Halocho #136 - The teetotaler 9 days and Havdala

Rosh Chodesh Av is tomorrow - Shabbat. When the month of Av begins, one diminishes joy. Yesterday we learnt that the custom is not to eat meat and chicken and not to drink wine during the 9 days except on Shabbat. How does one make Havdala this week? One makes Havdala as usual this week using wine (and spices and a candle). If there is a small child who can drink most of the cup of wine, then one gives it to him to drink. If not, then the person making Havdala drinks the wine. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:8 Some people have the custom of using beer for Havdala this week. If one uses beer for Havdala then the first Bracha needs to be "Shehakol" instead of "Borei Pri Hagofen". Source: Halachos of the 3 weeks by Rav Shimon Eider zt"l page 7 My Rosh Yeshiva - Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt"l - always used wine for Havdala and always drank it himself. Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom, - Danny Erev Rosh Chodesh Av, Shabbat Mas'ei, 29 Tamuz 5768 --> Don't forget to say Ya'ale Veyavo tonight and tomorrow during Amida and Birkat Hamazon!

Review Halocho #131 to find out which Haftara we read this week.

Please daven for a little girl - TAMAR bat NAAMA - תמר בת נעמה

Halocho #135 - No meat leftovers next week

From Rosh Chodesh Av until midday on 10th Av is the period known as the "9 days". The custom is not to eat meat and chicken and not to drink wine during the 9 days, except on Shabbat. Food cooked together with meat should not be eaten - even if one doesn't eat the meat. Those who need to eat meat (or drink wine) for health reasons may do so. If possible, even they should refrain (with the Doctor's permission) from the 7th of Av; the day the Romans entered the Holy Temple. At a Se'udat Mitzva (a Mitzva meal) - a Brit, Pidyon HaBen or Siyum - one may serve meat and wine. Besides for close family, one may invite up to 10 friends whom one normally invites. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:8 - Danny Thursday, 28 Tamuz 5768

Please daven for a little girl - TAMAR bat NAAMA - תמר בת נעמה

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Halocho #134 - Last chance for laundry

When the month of Av begins, one diminishes joy. From Rosh Chodesh Av until midday on 10th Av is the period known as the "9 days". During the 9 days one does not do any laundry even if one only intends wearing the clothes after the 9 days. One may not even give laundry to a non-Jew to wash during the 9 days, but a Jew may do laundry for non-Jews. One does not wear freshly laundered clothes during the 9 days except on Shabbat. This does not apply to garments worn directly on the body; undergarments, socks, PJs and the like. One may not change bed linens, tablecloths and towels during the 9 days. The 9 days start this Shabbat and end 10 days later on Monday afternoon. --> Therefore it's advisable to prepare a week's supply of shirts, pants, skirts, etc. by wearing them for a short while this week. One can also prepare towels by using them once. Baby clothing that gets dirty all the time and needs to be changed many times a day are exempt from the above and may be laundered and used during the 9 days. Anything halachically needed for her 7 clean days, a Niddah may launder and wear during the 9 days. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:9 - Danny Wednesday, 27 Tamuz 5768

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Halocho #128 - Can one get engaged in the 3 weeks?

We learned yesterday 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 Tuesday, 19 Tamuz 5768

Please daven for a little girl - TAMAR bat NAAMA - תמר בת נעמה