Halocho #2416 - Is a firstborn donkey holy?

The Torah says that a firstborn male donkey has Kedusha (some holiness) and may not be used until it is redeemed. How? By giving a Cohen either a sheep or a goat in its stead. 

The result is a donkey for the owner, and a sheep (or goat) for the Cohen, both without any Kedusha. 

The "redeeming" sheep or goat can be male or female, of any age and any physical condition as long as it's alive. 

If one does not want to redeem the firstborn donkey, the Torah instructs one to chop off its head and bury it. It is preferable to redeem it rather than killing it. 

A firstborn male donkey belonging to a Cohen or Levite does not need to be redeemed. (As opposed to a firstborn Kosher animal that has Kedusha even if belonging to a Cohen or Levite.) 

One should not sell (part of) first-time pregnant donkeys to a non-Jew, as one would be exempting oneself from a Mitzva, of either redeeming or killing it. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 178

יִשְֹרָאֵל שֶׁיֵשׁ לוֹ חֲמוֹרָה וְיָלְדָה בְכוֹר, מִצְוָה לִפְדוֹתוֹ. וּבַמֶּה פּוֹדֶה אוֹתוֹ. בְּשֶׂה מִן הַכְּבָשִׂים אוֹ מִן הָעִזִּים, בֵּין זָכָר בֵּין נְקֵבָה, בֵּין גָּדוֹל בֵּין קָטָן, בֵּין תָּם בֵּין בַּעַל מוּם, וּבִלְבַד שֶׁלֹּא יְהֵא טְרֵפָה וְלֹא שָׁחוּט וְלֹא בֶּן פְּקוּעָה, וְיִתֵּן אֶת הַשֶּׂה לַכֹּהֵן. וּמֵאֵימָתַי חַיָב לִפְדוֹתוֹ. מִשֶׁיִוָּלֵד עַד שֶׁיָמוּת, אֶלָּא שֶׁמִּצְוָה לִפְדוֹתוֹ מִיָד, שֶׁלֹּא לְהַשְׁהוֹת אֶת הַמִּצְוָה. וּלְאַחַר שֶׁפָּדָה אוֹתוֹ, הֲרֵי הוּא בְּיַד הַיִשְֹרָאֵל חֻלִּין גְמוּרִים, וְגַם הַשֶּׂה הוּא בְיַד הַכֹּהֵן חֻלִּין גְמוּרִים.

מִיָּד כְּשֶׁהִפְרִישׁ אֶת הַטָּלֶה שֶׁיְהֵא תַּחַת פֶּטֶר הַחֲמוֹר, נַעֲשָׂה פֶּטֶר הַחֲמוֹר חֻלִין, אֲפִלּוּ קֹדֶם שֶׁנָּתַן אֶת הַטָּלֶה לַכֹּהֵן. לְפִיכָךְ מִיָד כְּשֶׁמַּפְרִישׁוֹ, מְבָרֵךְ אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל פִּדְיוֹן פֶּטֶר חֲמוֹר.

קֹדֶם שֶׁנִּפְדֶּה, אָסוּר בַּהֲנָאָה, וַאֲפִלּוּ נְתָנוֹ לַכֹּהֵן. גַּם הַכֹּהֵן אָסוּר לְהִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ בּוֹ, עַד שֶׁיִפְדֶּה אוֹתוֹ וְיִקַּח אֶת הַשֶּׂה לְעַצְמוֹ. וְאִם מֵת קֹדֶם שֶׁנִפְדָּה, יִקָּבֵר.

אִם אֵינוֹ רוֹצֶה לִפְדוֹתוֹ, מַכֵּהוּ בְּקופִיץ בְּעָרְפּוֹ עַד שֶׁיָמוּת וְיִקְבְּרֶנּוּ, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁאָסוּר בַּהֲנָאָה. וּמִצְוַת פְּדִיָה, קוֹדֶמֶת לְמִצְוַת עֲרִיפָה.

כֹּהֲנִים וּלְוִיִּם, פְּטוּרִים מִפֶּטֶר חֲמוֹר. וְכֵן בַּת כֹּהֵן וּבַת לֵוִי. אֲבָל בַּעֲלֵיהֶן, חַיָבִים בְּפֶטֶר חֲמוֹר שֶׁלָּהֶם. וְֹשֻתָּפוּת כֹּהֵן וְלֵוִי וְכֵן שֻׁתָּפוּת גּוֹי, גַּם כֵּן פוֹטֶרֶת. אֲבָל אָסוּר לְהִשְׁתַּתֵּף עִמָהֶם אוֹ לִמְכֹּר לָהֶם כְּדֵי לְהַפְקִיעַ קְדֹֻשָתוֹ, כֵּיוָן דְאֶפְֹשָר בִּפְדִיָה אוֹ בַעֲרִיפָה.

- Danny

Monday, 19 Iyar 5784 - 34th day of the Omer

 Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

 מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּילָא לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2412 - What's special about a firstborn Kosher animal?

If a Kosher animal that has never given birth - and belongs only to a Jew - gives birth to a male, the calf has Kedusha (some holiness) and needs to be given to a Cohen, even nowadays. 

This first-born animal may not be used for any work, and its wool may not be sheared, nor used if it fell off. 

In the time of the Bet Hamikdash (Temple) the animal would be brought as a sacrifice, with most of the meat being eaten by the Cohen. 

Nowadays the Cohen needs to keep it until it gets a permanent blemish, at which time anybody can help eat it. The Cohen may not blemish it. 

It's a Mitzva to sell part of all first-time pregnant kosher animals to a non-Jew so that the calf - if it's a male - will not have any Kedusha; avoiding the possibility of it not being treated properly. 

Source Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 177

הַבְּכוֹר בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה, צְרִיכִין לְהַשְׁהוֹתוֹ עַד שֶׁיִפּוֹל בּוֹ מוּם. וּכְשֶׁנָפַל בּוֹ מוּם, מַרְאִין אוֹתוֹ לִשְׁלשָׁה בַּעֲלֵי תוֹרָה, וְאֶחָד מֵהֶם יִהְיֶה בָקִי לָדַעַת אִם הוּא מוּם קָבוּעַ, וּמַתִּירִין אוֹתוֹ, וְאַחַר כָּךְ שׁוֹחֲטִין אוֹתוֹ. וְאִם הוּא כָּשֵׁר, אוֹכְלִין אוֹתוֹ, וּמֻתָּר גַם לְיִשְֹרָאֵל. אֲבָל אֵינוֹ נִמְכָּר בְּמָקוֹלִין, וְאֵינוֹ נִשְׁקָל בְּלִיטְרָא, וְאֵין נוֹתְנִין מִמֶּנוּ לַכְּלָבִים, וְאֵין מוֹכְרִין אוֹ נוֹתְנִין מִמֶּנוּ לַגּוֹי.

הַכֹּהֵן צָרִיךְ לְגַדֵל אֶת הַבְּכוֹר עַד שֶׁיִפֹּל בּוֹ מוּם. וְיָכוֹל לְמָכְרוֹ לְיִשְֹרָאֵל, בֵּין שֶׁיֵשׁ בּוֹ מוּם בֵּין שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ מוּם, רַק שֶׁהַיִשְֹרָאֵל יִנְהַג בּוֹ בִּקְדֻשַּׁת בְּכוֹרָה, וְגַם לֹא יִקְנֵהוּ לִסְחוֹרָה.

הַבְּכוֹר, בֵּין תָּם בֵּין בַּעַל מוּם, אָסוּר בְגִזָּה וַעֲבוֹדָה. וַאֲפִלוּ נִתְלַשׁ מִמֶּנוּ צֶמֶר מֵעַצְמוֹ, אוֹתוֹ הַצֶמֶר, אָסוּר בַהֲנָאָה לְעוֹלָם. אֲבָל הַצֶּמֶר שֶׁעַל גּוּפוֹ, אִם נִשְׁחַט בְּמוּמוֹ, הַשְּׁחִיטָה מַתֶּרֶת גַּם אֶת הַצֶּמֶר, כְּמוֹ שֶׁהִיא מַתֶּרֶת אֶת הַבָּשָׂר וְאֶת הָעוֹר.

מִצְוָה לִמְכֹּר לַגּוֹי אֶת הַבְּהֵמָה הַטְּהוֹרָה אוֹ לְהִשְּׁתַּתֵּף עִמוֹ בָּהּ קֹדֶם שֶׁתֵּלֵד, כְּדֵי לְפָטְרָהּ מֵהַבְּכוֹרָה.

- Danny

Tuesday, 13 Iyar 5784 - 28th day of the Omer

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

 מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּילָא 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 #1017 – Who else get preferential treatment?

A Talmid Chacham (Torah scholar) has preference over a Cohen. Everybody else needs to give preference to the Cohen; he gets called first to the Torah and gets to speak first at functions. At meals the Cohen gets served first and leads the Zimun.

In a business partnership a Cohen does not get preferential treatment. 

One may not use a Cohen to run one's errands nor do other mundane tasks, unless the Cohen has agreed to relinquish his Cohen status for this purpose.
One must stand up for a Torah Scholar even if he's young. 

One must stand up for people over seventy even if they're not Torah Scholars, so long as they're not wicked. Even non-Jews over 70 deserve some show of respect. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 144:2, 8-9

To clarify: A Cohen always gets called to the Torah first, so as to prevent the unpleasantness of people arguing as to whether a specific person is a Talmid Chacham worthy of displacing the Cohen or not.

- Danny,
Wednesday, 20 Tevet 5773

Halocho #786 - Why do the firstborns fast?

Why don't 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, 115:2

- Danny
Tuesday, 8 Nissan 5770

Halocho #781 - Rosh Chodesh Nissan

Today - Tuesday - is the first day of the first month - Nissan.

Don't forget Hallel and יַעֲלֶה וְיָבא

Today - 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.

Today 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.
- Fasting for distressingly bad dreams.
- Couples getting married during Nissan. Even today - Rosh Chodesh - they fast, whereas on any other Rosh Chodesh the bride and groom do not fast.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 107:1,2

Chodesh Tov!

- Danny
Tuesday, Rosh Chodesh Nissan 5771

Halocho #753 - The Pidyon HaBen ceremony

[Comments in brackets are based on my observations,and are not in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch]

On day 31 of a firstborn's life (if he was born naturally and neither parent is a Cohen or Levi) the Pidyon HaBen ceremony is takes place - along with a festive meal.

The Cohen washes and says haMotzi over bread, starting the festive meal.

The father then holds the baby [bedecked in jewelry on a silver tray] and says to the Cohen:
"This is my firstborn son; he is the the first issue of his mother's womb and Hashem has commanded me to redeem him as it says in the Torah: "And those who must be redeemed, from the age of a month you are to redeem... five silver Shekel of the sanctuary..." (Numbers 18:16)

He then sets the baby down [on the table] in front of the Cohen, and the Cohen asks [rhetorically]:
"What do you prefer? Your firstborn son or the 5 Shekels you need to redeem him?"

The father then answers:
"I want to redeem my son, as we are commanded in the Torah, and here is the cost of his redemption"

While still holding the money [in Israel they have specially minted silver coins with the exact weight of a Biblical Shekel] the father says the Brachot:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' , אֱלקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל פִּדְיוֹן הַבֵּן

"...Who has sanctified us with His Mitzvot and commanded us regarding the redemption of a son"

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' , אֱלקֽינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָינוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה

"...Who has kept us alive, sustained us and brought us to this occasion"

The father then hands the money to the Cohen.

While waving the money over the baby's head the Cohen says:
"This is instead of that; this is in exchange for that; this is pardoned because of that. May this son enter into life, into Torah and into fear of heaven. May it be Your will that just as he was redeemed so too shall he enter into Torah learning, marriage and doing good deeds."

The Cohen then adds the following classic blessings:

יְשִׂמְךָ אֱלקִים כְּאֶפְרַיִם וְכִמְנַשֶּׁה

(Genesis 48:20)

יְבָרֶכְךָ ה' וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ: יָאֵר ה' פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיחֻנֶּךָּ: יִשָּׂא ה' פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם

(Numbers 6:24-26)

כִּי אֹרֶךְ יָמִים וּשְׁנוֹת חַיִּים וְשָׁלוֹם יוֹסִיפוּ לָךְ

(Proverbs 3:2)

 ה' יִשְׁמָרְךָ מִכָּל רָע יִשְׁמֹר אֶת נַפְשֶׁךָ

(Psalms 127:7)

The Cohen then [hands the baby back to the father and] says the Bracha of HaGefen over a full cup of wine.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 163:4

- Danny
Wednesday, 19 Adar-I 5771

 

Halocho #752 - Who does a Pidyon HaBen at his Bar Mitzva?

Usually a firstborn baby boy whose father is a Cohen or Levi, or his mother is the daughter of a Cohen or Levi does not need a Pidyon HaBen.

If the firstborn's mother is Jewish but his father is not, then he does his own Piyon at his Bar Mitzva.

A daughter of a Cohen or Levi who slept with a non-Jew has lost her special status and does not exempt her firstborn son from a Pidyon HaBen, even if the firstborn's father is Jewish.

A firstborn who was orphaned from his father before his Pidyon HaBen, should get redeemed by Bet Din, not by his mother.

A firstborn who was not redeemed as a child, needs to do a Pidyon HaBen to himself as soon as he finds out; once he becomes Bar Mitzva.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 164:7, 8

- Danny
Tuesday, 18 Adar-I 5771

Halocho #751 - How much does a firstborn cost?

At the Pidyon HaBen ceremony the father has to give a Cohen 5 biblical Shekalim.

5 biblical Shekalim is about 117 grams of silver (3.77 troy ounces) with a value of about $123.- at yesterday's rate.

This value can be given in coins, or other goods.

Bank notes, checks, IOUs and property are not acceptable for a Pidyon HaBen.

If the Cohen wants, he can return the money to the father, after the ceremony, but he does not have to.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 164:1, 6

- Danny
Monday, 17 Adar-I 5771

Halocho #750 - When does one do a Pidyon HaBen?

All firstborn sons (born naturally) have to be "redeemed" by giving 5 biblical Shekalim to a Cohen; unless the baby's father is a Cohen or Levi, or his mother is the daughter of a Cohen or Levi.

The Mitzva is to be done on the 31st day of his life.

If day 31 is Shabbat or YomTov then the redemption is done at night on Motzai Shabbat or Motzai YomTov.

It is customary to have a Seuda - a festive meal - to celebrate this ceremony.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 164:1

More details tomorrow...

- Danny
Sunday, 16 Adar-I 5771

Halocho #746 - The Sandek only holds the baby once

The person who holds the baby during the Brit Mila is called a Sandek.

The custom is that the father never honors the same person twice with Sandeka'ut. (*)

On the other hand, the custom is to always use the same Mohel, if he is available.

Even if  it was assumed that the original Mohel would be out of town, and another Mohel was asked to officiate, the original Mohel has precedence, if he's back in town on time.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 163:1

(*) The reason  given is that being a Sandek is a Segula for prosperity, and we want to "spread the wealth". Similarly, each Cohen was only given one opportunity to bring the Ketoret (Incense) in the Bet Hamikdash, since it's a Segula for prosperity.

- Danny
Monday, 10 Adar-I 5771

Halocho #578 - Talebearing is forbidden

Yesterday's Torah reading ended with Miriam's punishment for discussing her brother Moshe's life with their brother Aaron.

This week's Torah reading starts with the sin of the spies who spoke evil about the Holy Land.

The Torah prohibits us from talebearing; telling one person what another person did, or what they said, or where they went.

Talebearing is forbidden even if the all the information is 100% true; the entire truth and nothing but the truth.

Talebearing is forbidden even if nothing derogatory is said.

An extreme example of the destructive power of talebearing is found in Shmuel-1 (Ch. 21 and 22). Do'eg told King Saul that Achimelech had given [future King] David supplies and a sword. Even though it was the truth - later Achimelech himself told King Saul about it - nevertheless King Saul ordered the city of Nov to be destroyed along with eighty five Cohanim and their families.

One can never know the consequences of passing along seemingly innocent information.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 30:1

- Danny
Sunday, 17 Sivan 5770

 Please daven for a complete recovery for 

 Chagai Yitzchak ben Pnina - חגי יצחק בן פנינה

Halocho #574 - Can a donkey be holy?

The Torah says that a firstborn male donkey has Kedusha (some holiness) and may not be used until it is redeemed; by giving a Cohen a sheep or goat in its stead.

The result is a donkey for the owner and a sheep (or goat) for the Cohen, both without any Kedusha.

The sheep or goat can be male or female, of any age and any physical condition as long as it's alive.

If one does not want to redeem the firstborn donkey, the Torah instructs one to chop off its head and bury it. It is preferable to redeem it rather than killing it.

A firstborn male donkey belonging to a Cohen or Levite does not need to be redeemed. (As opposed to a firstborn Kosher animal that has Kedusha even if belonging to a Cohen or Levite.)

One should not sell (part of) first-time pregnant donkeys to a non-Jew, as one would be exempting oneself from the Mitzva of redeeming it.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 178

- Danny
Monday, 11 Sivan 5770

Halocho #573 - What's special about a firstborn Kosher animal?

If a Jew's Kosher animal that has never given birth gives birth to a male, the calf has Kedusha (some holiness) and needs to be given to a Cohen, even nowadays.

This first-born animal may not be used for any work, and its wool may not be sheared, nor used if it fell off.

In the time of the Bet Hamikdash (Temple) the animal is brought as a sacrifice, with most of the meat being eaten by the Cohen.

Nowadays the Cohen needs to keep it until it gets a permanent blemish, at which time anybody can help eat it. The Cohen may not blemish it.

It's a Mitzva to sell part of all first-time pregnant Kosher animals to a non-Jew so that the calf - if it's a male - will not have any Kedusha; avoiding the possibility of it not being treated properly.

Source Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 177

- Danny
Sunday, 10 Sivan 5770

Please daven for a complete recovery for

 Chagai Yitzchak ben Pnina - חגי יצחק בן פנינה

Halocho#497 - Sowing for the Omer

In the time of the Bet HaMikdash, they would sow barley today - 70 days before the Omer sacrifice - so as to have fresh barley to harvest for the Omer ceremony.

The barley was harvested on the 2nd night of Pessach - even if it was Shabbat.

On the 2nd day of Pessach a handful of the Omer sacrifice - barley flour with oil - was sacrificed on the Mizbe'ach (altar) and the rest was baked and eaten by the Cohanim.

In Israel it is forbidden to start harvesting before the Omer.

Grain that took root after the Omer-barley was harvested is Chodeosh and is forbidden until the following year, as we learned yesterday.

Source: Tosafot in Menachot 85., Rambam, Hilchot Temidim Ch. 7

- Danny
Wednesday, 5 Shvat 5770

Halocho # 461 - The Chanukah Torah Reading

On Chanukah, during Shacharit we have Torah Reading every day from Parshat Naso (Bemidbar 7) which talks about the Chanuka - inauguration - of the Mishkan.

Each day of the first 12 days of Nissan, another of the 12 tribes brought the identical set of Korbanot (sacrifices).

Each day of Chanuka we read the 6 verses corresponding to that day of the inauguration, for the Cohen and Levi, and the "next" day for the Yisrael.

On the first day we read from the beginning of the chapter - and since it's also Shabbat this year, we first read the Parsha (Vayeshev).

We will learn about Rosh Chodesh and the last day soon.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:23

- Danny
Tuesday, 14 Kislev 5770

Halocho #418 - The Yom Kippour Mitzva

Any work that may not be done on Shabbat may not be done on Yom Kippour. In addition there is a Mitzva in the Torah unique to Yom Kippour: afflicting oneself. To fulfill this Mitzva properly one should keep in mind that the Yom Kippour restrictions are a fulfillment of this 25-hour long Mitzva. This Mitzva includes the following prohibitions: - On Yom Kippour one may not eat nor drink. If fasting will affect your health, contact a doctor and a Rabbi for instructions. - On Yom Kippour one may not bathe; one may not even get wet unnecessarily. Upon awakening and after relieving oneself one can wash until the knuckles. Before Birkat Cohanim, the Cohanim wash until their wrists. - On Yom Kippour no anointing is allowed. This includes perfumes and deodorants. - On Yom Kippour one may not wear leather shoes. See Halocho #133 for details. (http://halocho.blogspot.com/2008/07/halocho-133-sneakers-on-9-bav.html) - On Yom Kippour one may not have marital relations. All the above are forbidden from candle-lighting on Erev Yom Kippour until after Havdala some 25 hours later. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 133:1 Gmar Vechatima Tova - Danny Wednesday, 5 Tishrei 5770

Halocho #385 - 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.

Forty 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.

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny Erev Shabbat, 17 Av 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה

Halocho #343 - Why was Miriam (Moshe's sister) punished?

In the end of Parshat Beha'alotcha we learn how Miriam-the-prophetess was punished for discussing her brother Moshe's life with her other brother; Aaron. Miriam was punished with Tzara'at (something similar to leprosy), and she had to remain outside the Israelite camp for a week until she was cured. The next Parsha - Shelach - starts with the sin of the spies who spoke evil about the Holy Land. The Torah prohibits us from talebearing; telling one person what another person did, or what they said, or where they went. Talebearing is forbidden even if the all the information is 100% true; the entire truth and nothing but the truth. Talebearing is forbidden even if nothing derogatory is said. An extreme example of the destructive power of talebearing is found in Shmuel-1 (Ch. 21 and 22). Do'eg told King Saul that Achimelech had given [future King] David supplies and a sword. Even though it was the truth - later Achimelech himself told King Saul about it - nevertheless King Saul ordered the city of Nov to be destroyed along with eighty five Cohanim and their families. One can never know the consequences of passing along seemingly innocent information. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 30:1 - Danny Monday, 16 Sivan 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה

Halocho #339 - Birkat Cohanim; the priestly blessing - who gets to wash the Cohen?

Parshat Naso includes the Mitzva of the priestly blessing; it's a Mitzva for the Cohanim to bless the Jews with the Bracha as written in the Torah:

יְבָרֶכְךָ ה', וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ יָאֵר ה' פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ, וִיחֻנֶּךָּ יִשָּׂא ה' פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ, וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם

Before giving the blessing, the Cohanim remove their shoes.

Then they wash their hands - up to their wrists - from a cup, but do not say a Bracha on the washing.

It's the Levi's privilege to pour the water over the hands of the Cohanim.

If no Levi is present, a firstborn (from his mother; one who qualifies for Pidyon Haben) may wash the Cohanim's hands.

If no Levi and no firstborn is present, the Cohanim wash their own hands.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 100:1, 5-6 - Danny Tuesday, 10 Sivan 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Yosef Zalman ben Tamar Yael - יוסף זלמן בן תמר יעל who has meningitis.