Halocho #881 - Excel in one Mitzva

Doing Teshuva - repenting - is a Mitzva mentioned in the Torah.

Even though Hashem is prepared to accept our Teshuva all year round, the days from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Yom Kippour are an auspicious period for improving ones ways.


This dates back to when Moshe went up to Har Sinai to receive the second set of Luchot; Moshe went up on Rosh Chodesh Elul and returned 40 days later on Yom Kippour with the second set of Luchot.


At the very least one should choose one Mitzva or Halacho to improve on during this period.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128: 1

Ktiva Vechatima Tova

- Danny
Monday, 6 Elul 5771

Halocho #880 - Good year wishes

From the beginning of the month of Elul until after Yom Kippur, one should add seasonal greetings when writing to friends. 


This can be done at the start or end of the letter. 


One should wish them - or bless them - with a good year; to be inscribed in the book of good life. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128: 2

Ktiva Vechatima Tova; with wishes for a year full of blessings

- Danny
Sunday, 5 Elul 5771

Halocho #876 - Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul!

The 2 days of Rosh Chodesh Elul begin tonight - Monday night.


One needs to add Ya'a'leh VeYavo - יעלה ויבא -  into the 17th Bracha of the Amida - רצה. 


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 do so during Shacharit (morning prayers) or Mincha (afternoon prayers), then one has to return to the 17th Bracha of the Amida - רצה - and make amends.


If one already finished the Amida - by saying Yihyu leRatzon - יהיו לרצון - then one needs to restart the Amida.


One also needs to add Ya'aleh VeYavo - יעלה ויבא - into Birkat Hamazon

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 19:10

Chodesh Tov!

- Danny
Monday, 29 Menachem Av 5771

Halocho #637 - Understanding one's prayers

During Elul one gets ready for the upcoming Days of Judgement (Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur) with a three-pronged approach:

 

• Teshuva; repenting. Improving ones Mitzva observance
• Tefilla; praying. Asking Hashem for help and praising and thanking Him for being good to us.
• Tzedaka; giving charity to those less fortunate than ourselves.

 

In order to pray properly one needs to understand what one is saying. If one is not fluent in Hebrew, one should get a Siddur and Machzor with an English translation.

 

One should remember that one is praying - talking - to the One Above. If one's thoughts wander during prayers one should pause and recollect one's thoughts.

 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 18: 3-4.

 

Ktiva Vechatima Tova; with wishes for a Happy New Year,

 

- Danny
Sunday, 12 Elul 5770

Halocho #635 - Are your Mezuzot Kosher?

Some people have the custom to get their Tefillin and Mezuzot checked yearly during the month of Elul.

At the very least one should check ones Mezuzot twice every 7 years.

Tefillin that are used daily do not need to be checked unless they get wet. However, one should check them every few years since they do wear out eventually.

Tefillin that are only used occasionally should be checked twice every 7 years.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128:3, 11:25, 10:26

Ktiva Vechatima Tova

- Danny
Wednesday, 8 Elul 5770

Halocho #633 - Excel in one Mitzva

Doing Teshuva - repenting - is a Mitzva mentioned in the Torah.

Even though Hashem is prepared to accept our Teshuva all year round, the days from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Yom Kippour are an auspicious period for improving ones ways.

This dates back to when Moshe went up to Har Sinai to receive the second set of Luchot; Moshe went up on Rosh Chodesh Elul and returned 40 days later on Yom Kippour with the second set of Luchot.

At the very least one should choose one Mitzva or Halacho to improve on during this period.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128: 1

Ktiva Vechatima Tova

- Danny
Monday, 6 Elul 5770

Halocho #632 - Good year wishes

From the beginning of the month of Elul until after Yom Kippur, one should add seasonal greetings when writing to friends.

This can be done at the start or end of the letter.

One should wish them - or bless them - with a good year; to be inscribed in the book of good life.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128: 2

Ktiva Vechatima Tova; with wishes for a year full of blessings

- Danny
Sunday, 5 Elul 5770

Halocho #630 - When do Selichot start?

This morning - Rosh Chodesh Elul - we started blowing the Shofar.

Starting tomorrow - Thursday - Sefardim say Selichot before Shacharit and continue doing so the entire month of Elul until Erev Yom Kippour.

This year Selichot - for Ashkenazim - start on Sunday (26 Elul / 5 September), 4 days before Rosh Hashana.

Selichot should be said before Shacharit, towards the end of the night. The end of the night is an "Et Ratzon"; an auspicious time when Hashem is more receptive to listening to ones prayers.

When arising for Selichot one should wash ones hands even if it's still night, and make the Bracha "Al Netilat Yadayim".

One should say the 2 Brachot of Birkat haTorah before saying Selichot.

After Selichot one should wash ones hands again (if the first washing was pre-dawn), but one does not repeat the Bracha.

One should preferably stand during Selichot; during the "Kel Melech Yoshev", 13 Middot and the Viddui one must stand.

The Chazzan for Selichot should preferably be a Torah Scholar, well liked and if possible married with children and over 30 years of age. However, any Jew can be a Chazzan as long as the community approves. The same applies to the Chazzan for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippour as well as the person blowing the Shofar.

Selichot are not said on Shabbat.

Source: Shulchan Aruch 581, 1

Ktiva Vechatima Tova; may all your prayers be answered,

Chodesh Tov

- Danny
Wednesday, 2nd day Rosh Chodesh Elul 5770

Halocho #629 - Why do we blow the Shofar during Elul

Today - Tuesday - is the first day of Rosh Chodesh Elul. Today's date is 30 Av 5770.

Tomorrow - Wednesday - is the second day of Rosh Chodesh Elul, and first day of the month of Elul.

The next 40 days, starting tomorrow, correspond to the 40 days that Moshe spent on Har Sinai, to receive the 2nd set of Luchot (Tablets with the 10 commandments written on them).

Moshe came down with these Luchot on Yom Kippur. Ever since, these 40 days are especially auspicious for Teshuva; repenting.

The custom is to blow the Shofar after Shacharit (the morning prayers) from tomorrow, until Tuesday, 28 Elul (7 September) , as a reminder to start improving one's Torah observance and to repent for past misdeeds.

On Erev Rosh Hashana the Shofar is not blown, in order to create a break between the custom of blowing Shofar in Elul and the Torah-commandment to blow Shofar on Rosh Hashana.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128:1, 2

Chodesh Tov

- Danny
Tuesday, 1st day Rosh Chodesh Elul 5770

Halocho #627 - Tomorrow is Yom Kippour Kattan

The day before Rosh Chodesh is called "Yom Kippour Kattan".

Mincha (the afternoon prayers) on Yom Kippour Kattan includes prayers asking for repentance, so as to begin the new month with a "clean slate".

Some have the custom to fast on Yom Kippour Kattan.

In anticipation of the month of Elul and the upcoming High Holidays, most communities say the Yom Kippour Kattan prayers before Rosh Chodesh Elul, in order to get into the Teshuva (repentance) mood.

Tomorrow - Monday - is Yom Kippour Kattan. Rosh Chodesh Elul will be on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:1, 128:1

- Danny
Sunday, 28 Menachem Av 5770

Halocho #400 - Shabbat is a good time for Teshuva

During Elul one gets ready for the upcoming Days of Judgement (Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur) with a three-pronged approach:

• Teshuva; repenting.
• Tefilla; praying.
• Tzedaka; giving charity.

Learning Torah is a prerequisite for repenting; if one isn't aware of ones obligations, one cannot repent for not doing them, or for doing them incorrectly. Every person has a Mitzva to learn Torah every day and every night. One should concentrate on learning practical Halacha, to review what ones obligations are and to discover their finer details. People who are too busy all week should learn at least one Halacha every day, and one at night. On Shabbat one should spend as much time as possible learning Torah; the less Torah one learns during the week, the more time one should spend learning Torah on Shabbat. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 27:2, 77:24 K'tiva V'chatima Tova; wishing you a year with lots of time to learn Torah, Shabbat Shalom, - Danny Thursday, 7 Elul 5769

Halocho #399 - Understanding ones prayers

During Elul one gets ready for the upcoming Days of Judgement (Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur) with a three-pronged approach: - Teshuva; repenting. Improving ones Mitzva observance - Tefilla; praying. Asking Hashem for help and praising and thanking Him for being good to us. - Tzedaka; giving charity to those less fortunate than ourselves. In order to pray properly one needs to understand what one is saying. If one is not fluent in Hebrew, one should get a Siddur and Machzor with an English translation. One should remember that one is praying - talking - to the One Above. If ones thoughts wander during prayers one should pause and recollect ones thoughts. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 18: 3-4. Ktiva Vechatima Tova; with wishes for a Happy New Year, - Danny Wednesday, 6 Elul 5768

Halocho #398 - Are your Mezuzot Kosher?

Some people have the custom to get their Tefillin and Mezuzot checked yearly during the month of Elul.

At the very least one should check ones Mezuzot twice every 7 years.

Tefillin that are used daily do not need to be checked unless they get wet. However, one should check them every few years since they do wear out eventually.

Tefillin that are only used occasionally should be checked twice every 7 years.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128:3, 11:25, 10:26

Ktiva Vechatima Tova
- Danny Tuesday, 5 Elul 5769

Halocho #397 - Forty special days

Doing Teshuva - repenting - is a Mitzva mentioned in the Torah.

Even though Hashem is prepared to accept our Teshuva all year round, the days from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Yom Kippour are an auspicious period for improving ones ways.

This dates back to when Moshe went up to Har Sinai to receive the second set of Luchot; Moshe went up on Rosh Chodesh Elul and returned 40 days later on Yom Kippour with the second set of Luchot.

At the very least one should choose one Mitzva or Halacho to improve on during this period.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128: 1

Ktiva Vechatima Tova

- Danny Monday, 4 Elul 5769

Halocho #396 - Seasonal greetings in Elul

When writing to friends from the beginning of the month of Elul until after Yom Kippur, one should add seasonal greetings. This can be done at the start or end of the letter. One should wish them - or bless them - with a good year; to be inscribed in the book of good life. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128: 2 Ktiva Vechatima Tova; with wishes for a year full of blessings - Danny Sunday, 3 Elul 5769

Halocho #395 - Why do we blow the Shofar during Elul

Today - Thursday - is the first day of Rosh Chodesh Elul. Today's date is 30 Av 5769. Tomorrow - Friday - will be the second day of Rosh Chodesh Elul, and first day of the month of Elul. The custom is to blow the Shofar after Shacharit (the morning prayers) from tomorrow, until Thursday , 28 Elul (17 September) , as a reminder to start improving ones Torah observance and to repent for past misdeeds. On Erev Rosh Hashana the Shofar is not blown, so as to create a break between the custom of blowing Shofar in Elul and the Torah-commandment to blow Shofar on Rosh Hashana. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128:1, 2 Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom - Danny Thursday, 30 Av, 1st day Rosh Chodesh Elul 5769

Halocho #393 - Tomorrow is Yom Kippour Kattan

The day before Rosh Chodesh is called Yom Kippour Kattan. Mincha (the afternoon prayers) on Yom Kippour Kattan includes prayers asking for repentance, so as to begin the new month with a "clean slate". Some have the custom to fast on Yom Kippour Kattan. In anticipation of the month of Elul and the upcoming High Holidays, most communities say the Yom Kippour Kattan prayers before Rosh Chodesh Elul, in order to get into the Teshuva (repentance) mood. Tomorrow - Wednesday - is Yom Kippour Kattan. Rosh Chodesh Elul will be on Thursday and Friday. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:1, 128:1 Chodesh Tov! - Danny Tuesday, 28 Av 5769

Halocho #163 - Why do I need to do Teshuva?

During Elul one gets ready for the Days of Judgement (Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur) with a three-pronged approach:

• Teshuva; repenting.
• Tefilla; praying.
• Tzedaka; giving charity.

Learning Torah is a prerequisite for repenting. If one isn't aware of ones obligations, one cannot repent for not doing them. Every person has a Mitzva to learn Torah every day and every night. One should concentrate on learning practical Halacha, to review what ones obligations are and to discover their finer details. People who are too busy all week should learn at least one Halacha every day, and one at night. On Shabbat one should spend as much time as possible learning Torah; the less Torah one learns during the week, the more time one should spend learning Torah on Shabbat. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 27:2, 77:24 K'tiva V'chatima Tova; wishing you a year with lots of time to learn Torah, - Danny Thursday, 4 Elul 5768

Halocho #162 - Understanding your prayers

During Elul one gets ready for the Days of Judgement (Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur) with a three-pronged approach: - Teshuva; repenting. - Tefilla; praying. - Tzedaka; giving charity.

In order to pray properly one needs to understand what one is saying.

If one is not fluent in Hebrew, one should get a Siddur and Machzor with an English translation.

One should remember that one is praying to the One Above.

If ones thoughts wander during prayers one should pause and recollect ones thoughts.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 18: 3-4.

Ktiva Vechatima Tova; with wishes for a Happy New Year,

- Danny Wednesday, 3 Elul 5768

Halocho #160 - Regards from Elul

From the beginning of the month of Elul until after Yom Kippur, when writing to friends, one should add seasonal greetings. This can be done at the start or end of the letter. One should wish them - or bless them - with a good year; to be inscribed in the book of good life. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128: 2 Chodesh Tov and Ktiva Vechatima Tova - Danny Monday, 2nd day Rosh Chodesh Elul 5768