In Israel, we started adding "וְתֵן טַל וּמָטָר לִבְרָכָה" - "and bless us with dew and rain" in the 9th Bracha of the weekday Amida - בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ - on the 7th Marcheshvan.
In the Diaspora we will start tonight - Monday night, 15 Kislev, the eve of Tuesday 5 December.
If you forget to add "וְתֵן טַל וּמָטָר לִבְרָכָה", then:
- If you remember before you finish the 9th Bracha - מְבָרֵךְ הַשָּׁנִים -, then you insert it and continue from there.
- If you already said "Baruch Ata HaShem" of the 9th Bracha, then you insert it into שְׁמַע קוֹלֵנוּ - the 16th Bracha - before "כִּי אַתָּה שׁוֹמֵעַ ".
- If you forget to say it in שְׁמַע קוֹלֵנוּ then you need to go back to the 9th Bracha - בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ.
- If you didn't remember until you finished the Amida (defined as saying "יִהְיוּ לְרָצוֹן אִמְרֵי פִי ") then you have to restart the entire Amida.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 19:5
- Danny
Monday, 16 Kislev 5778
Monday, December 4, 2017
Halocho #1955 - Ask for rain in the Diaspora tonight!
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Halocho #996 - Ask for rain tonight!
Since Mussaf on Shmini Atzeret we have been praising Hashem for the wonderful gift of rain, by adding מַשִּׁיב הָרוּחַ וּמוֹרִיד הַגֶּשֶׁם "He makes the wind blow and He causes the rain to fall" into אַתָּה גִּבּוֹר - the second Bracha of the Amida.
In Israel only, starting from 7th Cheshvan we started adding a prayer for rain - וְתֵן טַל וּמָטָר לִבְרָכָה - in the 9th Bracha of the weekday Amida - בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ. (Sefardim started saying בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ instead of בַּרְכֵנוּ as the 9th Bracha.)
Starting tonight - Tuesday night - we start praying for rain on weekdays, in the 9th Bracha of the Amida - בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ - all over the world.
If you forgot to add וְתֵן טַל וּמָטָר לִבְרָכָה - "and bless us with dew and rain", then:
- If you remember before you finish בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ then you insert it and continue from there.
- If you already said "Baruch Ata Hashem" of the בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ then you insert it into שְׁמַע קוֹלֵנוּ before כִּי אַתָּה שׁוֹמֵעַ.
- If you forget to say it in שְׁמַע קוֹלֵנוּ then you need to go back to the 9th Bracha - בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ .
- If you don't remember until you finished the Amida (defined as saying יִהְיוּ לְרָצוֹן אִמְרֵי פִי ) then you have to restart the entire Amida.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 19:5
- Danny
Jerusalem, Tuesday 20 Kislev 5773
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Halocho #869 - How do I know if fruit is Kosher?
Fresh fruit is always Kosher, however it may have an Orlo problem, as per yesterday and Sunday's Halocho.
When in doubt if the tree is less than 4 years old:
- In Israel the fruit from such a tree is forbidden. (This is one of the reasons that fruit needs Rabbinic Supervision in Israel. Other issues include Shmita, "Neta Revo'i" and the separation of Terumot and Ma'asrot.)
- Outside of Israel the fruit is allowed, as long as you don’t pick it yourself. This is the way Moshe was given the Halocho at Har Sinai.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 173:2, Mishna Orlo, 3:9
- Danny
Wednesday, 17 Menachem Av 5771
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Halocho #659 - Wind and rain
Since Mussaf on Shmini Atzeret (last Thursday) we have been praising Hashem for the wonderful gift of rain, by adding Mashiv HaRu'ach Umorid HaGeshem - משיב הרוח ומוריד הגשם - into the second Bracha of the Amida.
If one forgets to add this?
If one has not yet finished the 2nd Bracha then one adds it after any of the many phrases in this Bracha. If one wishes, one may restart the Bracha and say it in it's correct place.
If one already finished the 2nd Bracha?
If you have the custom of adding "Morid haTal" - מוריד הטל - during the summer, then continue as usual. No amendment is required.
If you do NOT have the custom of adding "Morid haTal" - מוריד הטל - during the summer, then you have to restart the Amida from the beginning. This is because the first 3 Brachot of the Amida are considered a single entity.
One continues saying V'Then Bracha - ותן ברכה - in the 9th Bracha of the Amida until the 7th Marcheshvan in Israel and the 5th December in the Diaspora.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 19:1, 2, 5
- Danny
Sunday, 25 Tishrei 5771
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Halocho #658 - Eruv Tavshilin again and again - or not?
One may not prepare from Yom Tov to Shabbat unless one does Eruv Tavshilin before Yom Tov.
Since (outside of Israel) Sukkoth is on Thursday & Friday, people living outside of Israel need to do Eruv Tavshilin on Wednesday - both this week and next week for Shmini Atzeret & Simchat Torah.
One takes a loaf of bread and a cooked or baked food that will be eaten on Shabbat and one says the Bracha:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנו בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל מִצְוַת עֵרוּב
One continues with the following, which must be said in a language one understands:
בַּהֲדֵין עֵרוּבָא
יְהֵא שָׁרֵא לָנָא לַאֲפוּיֵי, וּלְבַשּׁוּלֵי, וּלְאַטְמוּנֵי, וּלְאַדְלוּקֵי שְׁרָגָא, וּלִמֶעְבֵּד כָּל צָרְכָּנָא מִיּוֹמָא טָבָא לְשַׁבְּתָא.
"With this Eruv we are permitted to bake, cook, keep things warm and light fire and do all that is needed from Yom Tov to Shabbat".
The bread and food should be kept in a safe place; it they are eaten before Shabbat, a Rabbi should be consulted how to proceed.
Even those who don't have to cook for Shabbat, still need to do Eruv Tavshilin in order to light Shabbat candles (from an existing flame.)
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 102
==> Add a reminder to your calendar for Eruv Tavshilin for next week, if you don't live in Israel.
Chag Same'ach; next Halocho-a-Day after Sukkoth
- Danny
Wednesday, Erev Sukkoth, 14 Tishrei 5771
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Halocho#496 - What's new? Chodosh and Yoshon
The "five grains" are wheat, barley, spelt, oats and rye.
Grain that was planted and started taking root before the first day Chol Hamoed Pessach may be eaten immediately - and is called "Yoshon" (old).
Grain that took root thereafter is "Chodosh" (new) and may not be eaten until after the 2nd day Chol Hamoed Pessach of the coming year.
In Israel, Chol Hamoed Pessach starts on 16th Nissan, in the Diaspora on the 17th Nissan.
The Torah prohibition of eating Chodosh applies to grain grown on Jewish land, according to all opinions. There is a minority opinion that Chodosh does not apply to grain grown in the Diaspora on non-Jewish land; the custom is to rely on this opinion in emergency.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 172:1-3
- Danny
Tuesday, 4 Shvat 5770
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Halocho #433 - Pray for rain, or not?
In Israel, starting this Motzai Shabbat (7th Marcheshvan) we start praying for rain in the 9th Bracha of the weekday Amida - Barech-Aleinu - ברך עלינו.
In the Diaspora we will start 6 weeks later - on Motzai Shabbat Vayishlach - וישלח.
If you forgot to add "ותן טל ומטר לברכה"; "and bless us with dew and rain", then:
- If you remember before you finish the 9th Bracha then you insert it and continue from there.
- If you already said "Baruch Ata Hashem" of the 9th Bracha then you insert it into Shma-Kolienu - the 16th Bracha - before "Ki Ata".
- If you forget to say it in Shma-Kolienu then you need to go back to the 9th Bracha - Barech-Aleinu.
- If you didn't remember until you finished the Amida (defined as saying "Yihyu Leratzon") then you have to restart the entire Amida.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 19:5
Shabbat Shalom,
- Danny
Thursday, 4 Marcheshvan 5770
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Halocho #426 - Wind and rain
Since Mussaf on Shmini Atzeret (last Shabbat) we have been praising Hashem for the wonderful gift of rain, by adding Mashiv HaRu'ach Umorid HaGeshem - משיב הרוח ומוריד הגשם - into the second Bracha of the Amida.
If one forgets to add this?
If one has not yet finished the 2nd Bracha then one adds it after any of the many phrases of this Bracha. If one wishes, one may restart the Bracha and say it in it's correct place.
If one already finished the 2nd Bracha?
If you have the custom of adding "Morid haTal" - מוריד הטל - during the summer, then continue as usual. No amendment is required.
If you do NOT have the custom of adding "Morid haTal" - מוריד הטל - during the summer, then you have to restart the Amida from the beginning. This is because the first 3 Brachot of the Amida are considered as a single entity.
One continues saying V'Then Bracha - ותן ברכה - in the 9th Bracha of the Amida until the 7th Marcheshvan in Israel and the 5th December in the Diaspora.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 19:1, 2, 5
- Danny,
Tuesday, 25 Tishrei 5770
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Halocho #424 - The Isru Chag meal
The day after Pessach, Sukkoth and Shavuoth is called Isru Chag.
Today (Sunday) is Isru Chag in Israel and tomorrow (Monday) is Isru Chag 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.
Some communities don't say Lamenatze'ach (before Uvo L'zion in Shacharis) on Isru Chag.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 22:8, 103:14, 146:2
- Danny
Sunday, 23 Tishrei 5770
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Halocho #406 - Yom Tov on Sunday
This year Rosh Hashana, Sukkoth and Shmini Atzret all start on Shabbat. The second day of Rosh Hashana will be on a Sunday. Outside Israel the second day of Sukkoth and Simchat Torah will also be on a Sunday. One may not prepare anything on Shabbat for Yom Tov - including setting the table and lighting candles. After the time for Motzai Shabbat - when the stars are visible - one can say המבדיל בין קודש לקודש and start dealing with the second day of Yom Tov. One should eat the 3rd Shabbat meal early in the afternoon so as not to spoil ones appetite for the Yom Tov meal. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 96:3, 103:2 Ktiva Vechatima Tova - Danny Sunday, 17 Elul 5769
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Halocho #361- We're back in sync
As we learnt in Halocho 338, for the past 5 weeks the Parsha being read in Israel was one ahead of the one being read in the Diaspora.
This week in Israel we will read Parshat Balak - בלק, while in the Diaspora they will read the double Parsha of Chukath-Balak - חוקת-בלק.
Henceforth we will be once again be reading the same Parsha again for almost 3 years, until after Pessach 2012 - ה'תשע"ב when we will diverge again for 6 weeks. (Pessach will end on Friday on Israel, and on Shabbat in the Diaspora.)
This week's Haftara includes one of the admonitions to remember: עַמִּי, זְכָר-נָא מַה-יָּעַץ בָּלָק מֶלֶךְ מוֹאָב, וּמֶה-עָנָה אֹתוֹ, בִּלְעָם בֶּן-בְּעוֹר O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Bilam the son of Beor answered him... (Micha 6:5)
Shabbat Shalom,
- Danny Thursday, 10 Tamuz 5769
Written L'Ilui Nishmas Reuven Ben Shlomo Dov
Monday, June 1, 2009
Halocho #338 - The missing Parsha
In the Diaspora, Shavouth was on Friday and Shabbat. This coming week will be Parshat Naso - נשא. In Israel, Shavouth was on Friday; on Shabbat we already read Parshat Naso. This coming week we will read Parshat Beha'alotcha - בהעלותך. This divergence continues for the next 5 weeks, at which time in Israel we will read Parshat Balak - בלק, while in the Diaspora they will read the double Parsha of Chukath-Balak - חוקת-בלק. From then on we will be reading the same Parsha again for almost 3 years, until after Pessach 2012 - ה'תשע"ב when we will diverge again for 6 weeks. (Pessach will end on Friday on Israel, and on Shabbat in the Diaspora.) - Danny Monday, 9 Sivan 5769
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Halocho #334 - Ruth and Shavu'ot
This year - 5759 - Shavu'ot will be on Friday.
Outside of Israel Shavu'ot will also be on Shabbat.
It's customary to read Megilat Ruth on Shavu'ot, between Hallel and the Torah Reading.
In Israel Megilat Ruth will be read on Friday and in the Diaspora most places will read Megilat Ruth on Shabbat.
One has to remember to leave a flame burning (like a Yahrzeit candle or gas range) from before Yom Tov (Thursday afternoon) so that one can light Shabbat candles on Friday afternoon.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 75, Orach Chaim 490:9
On Shavu'ot we celebrate the giving of the Torah. Help spread Torah learning by inviting your Jewish friends to our Halocho a Day group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2387884087
- Danny Wednesday, 4 Sivan 5769, 48th day of the Omer, 2nd day of Shloshet Yemei Hagbala
Please daven for a complete recovery for Michal bat Rachel - מיכל בת רחל who is undergoing a cardiac procedure (laser ablation) on Thursday
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Halocho #330 - How long is the Shavu'ot festival?
In the Torah, Shavu'ot 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 Shavu'ot is always on 6 Sivan.
Outside Israel it's 2 days long - 6 and 7 Sivan.
Source: Vaykira 23:15 - 19
On Shavu'ot we celebrate the giving of the Torah. Help spread Torah learning by inviting your Jewish friends to our Halocho a Day group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/edit.php?members&gid=2387884087
- Danny Wednesday, 26 Iyar 5769, 41st day of the Omer
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Halocho #55 - What comes after Orlo?
Orlo is the Torah prohibition of eating fruit from tress less than 3 years old. In the 4th year the fruit is called "Neta Revo'i" and needs to be "redeemed" by transferring its status onto a coin.
The coin needs to be worth at least a "peruta" (0.025 grams of pure silver; currently less than 2 US pennies.)
One says "I am redeeming the Neta Revo'i into this coin".
The coin is then destroyed and disposed of. Instead of a coin one can use fruit worth 2 pennies, which then needs to be destroyed.
After redeeming them, the "Neta Revo'i" (4th year fruit) can be eaten, anywhere by anybody.
When in doubt if the tree is less than 4 years old:
- In Israel the fruit is forbidden. (This is one of the many reasons that fruit needs Rabbinic Supervision in Israel)
- Outside of Israel the fruit is allowed, as long as you don’t pick it yourself. This is the way Moshe was given the Halocho at Har Sinai.
Sources: Kitzur SA 173:2, Mishna Orlo, 3:9
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Halocho #53 - Three years of Orlo 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: KSA 173:1,3,4
Monday, February 18, 2008
Halocho #50 - What's new? Chodosh and Yoshon
The "five grains" are wheat, barley, spelt, oats and rye. Grain that was planted and started taking root before the first day Chol Hamoed Pessach may be eaten immediately - and is called "Yoshon" (old). Grain that took root thereafter is "Chodosh" (new) and may not be eaten until after the 2nd day Chol Hamoed Pessach of the coming year. In Israel, Chol Hamoed Pessach starts on 16th Nissan, in the Diaspora on the 17th Nissan. The Torah prohibition of eating Chodosh applies to grain grown on Jewish land, according to all opinions. There is a minority opinion that Chodosh does not apply to grain grown in the Diaspora on non-Jewish land; the custom is to rely on this opinion in emergency. Source: KSA 172:1-3
