Halocho #2407 - Remembering miracles

If one experiences a miracle, one should celebrate the day of the miracle every year. 

On this day one should give charity and set aside time to thank Hashem for the miracle and talk about the miracle. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 61:3  

מִי שֶׁנַּעֲשָׂה לוֹ נֵס, יֵשׁ לוֹ לְהַפְרִישׁ לִצְדָקָה מָמוֹן כְּפִי הַשָּׂגַת יָדוֹ, וִיחַלֵּק לְלוֹמְדֵי תּוֹרָה. וְיֹאמַר: הֲרֵינִי נוֹתֵן מָעוֹת אֵלוּ לִצְדָקָה, וִיהִי רָצוֹן שֶׁיְהֵא נֶחְשָׁב כְּאִלּוּ הִקְרַבְתִּי תוֹדָה (וְעַיֵּן סֵדֶר אֲמִירַת קָרְבַּן תּוֹדָה בַּסֵּפֶר חַיֵּי אָדָם סוֹף חֵלֶק רִאשׁוֹן). 

וְטוֹב וְרָאוּי לוֹ לְתַקֵּן אֵיזֶה צָרְכֵי רַבִּים בָּעִיר, וּבְכָל שָׁנָה בַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה יִתְבּוֹדֵד לְהוֹדוֹת לַה' יִתְבָּרַךְ שְׁמוֹ וְלִשְׂמוֹחַ וּלְסַפֵּר אֶת הַנֵּס (סִימָן רי"ח ובחיי"א).

- Danny

Tuesday, 6 Iyar 5784 - 21st day of the Omer - Israel's 76th Independence Day

 Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

 מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּילָא 

לרפואה שלמה

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

Halocho #788 - 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 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

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 10 Nissan 5770

Halocho #668 - Ask for rain

In Israel, starting this this evening - Thursday evening - (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 7 weeks later - on Motzai Shabbat Miketz; the 4th night of Chanuka (5 Dec).

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, 6 Marchesvan 5771

Halocho #634 - Talking can kill you!

According to some opinions, today (7 Elul) the 10 spies died as a punishment for talking evil about the land of Israel.

Any speech that can result in a person being harmed - emotionally, financially or otherwise - even if it's true - is usually forbidden.

When there's a real need for the information to be passed on - e.g. to prevent harm to others - it is often permitted to relay the information. One needs to learn the Halachot of when this applies, since sometimes it's forbidden to withhold the information, other times it's forbidden to relay the information.

Source: Orach Chaim 580:2, Chofetz Chaim, Hil. Shmiras Halashon, Intro.

Ktiva Vechatima Tova

- Danny
Tuesday, 7 Elul 5770

Halocho #620 - 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 5770

Halocho #524 - Shushan Purim is tonight

Today - Sunday - Purim is celebrated in most of the world.

The Purim meal should begin with a Dvar-Torah. Since Purim is 30 days before Pessach, the following is an appropriate Purim-meal Dvar-Torah:

“The laws of Pessach in Shulchan Aruch begin with: One should start learning the laws of Pessach thirty days before Pessach.”

In Jerusalem - and other cities that were walled in the time Joshua-ben-Nun conquered the Holy Land - we celebrate Shushan-Purim a day later.

On both Purim and Shushan-Purim Tachanun, Kel-Erach-Apaim and Lamenatze'ach are not said and fasting is not allowed.

Don't forget to add עַל הַנִּסִּים during Amida and Birkat Hamazon.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 141:9

- Danny who celebrates Purim tomorrow.
Sunday, 14 Adar 5769

Next Halocho-a-day on Tuesday.

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

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

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

Halocho #383 - Is Tu B'Av the festival of love?

One does not say Tachanun on Tu B'Av, nor at Mincha the afternoon before. The bride and groom do not fast on their wedding day if it's on Tu B'Av. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 22:8, 146:2 This Wednesday will be Tu B'Av, the day girls went to dance in the vineyards in the hope of attracting a future husband. The only other day this was done was on Yom Kippour, the day Hashem forgave the sin of the Golden Calf. The 15th of Av was the day Hashem forgave the Generation-of-the-Wilderness for the sin of the spies talking evil about the Promised Land. To quote The Book of our Heritage: "Since these 2 days were days of purification from sin, the earlier generations did not hesitate to regard them as days of festivity and dancing for the daughters of Israel... and there was no apprehension lest they breach the fence of chastity and modesty." Source: The Book of our Heritage, Vol 3 page 307 King Saul called his son Yehonathan "Ben N'avat Hamardut", son of the rebellious outgoing one, because Achinoam noticed that Saul was too shy to approach any of the girls dancing, so she approached him. Source: Rashi on Shmuel-1, 20:30 - Danny Monday, 13 Av 5769

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

Halocho #379- Why do we fast on Thursday?

Thursday is the fast of 9 B'Av which commemorates 5 tragedies that befell the Jewish people on that date:

- It was decreed that the generation which left Egypt would remain in the desert for 40 years and not enter the land of Israel, after believing the inaccurate report of 10 of the 12 spies in the year 2449.

- The first Bet Hamikdash (Holy Temple) was destroyed on 9 B'Av in the year 3339.

- The second Bet Hamikdash (Holy Temple) was destroyed on 9 B'Av about 1948 years ago.

- The city of Betar was captured and tens of thousands of Jews were killed in the year 3893.

- The wicked Turnus Rufus plowed the site of the Bet Hamikdash and its surroundings and renamed it Aelia Capitolina, also in the year 3893.

Since these tragedies occurred on 9 B'Av, it was decreed as a day of fasting and mourning.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 121:5

Other tragedies that happened on 9 B'Av:

- 4,000 Jews were expelled from England by King Edward I in the year 5050 (18 July 1290)

- 300,000 Jews were expelled from Spain by Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon in the year 5252 (2 August 1492)

- Word War 1 started in 5674 - 1 August 1914 - with Germany declaring war on Russia

- Danny Tuesday, 7 Av 5769

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

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

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 #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

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

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

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

Halocho #314 - Come to Israel!

Living in Eretz Yisrael is a Mitzva. Walking 4 Amot (~2 m.) in Eretz Yisrael is a Mitzva. Even moving to Eretz Yisrael is considered part of the Mitzva. One may not leave Eretz Yisrael except to learn Torah, get married, to escape from danger or for business trips. Source: - Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 248:4 - ספר המצות הקצר - מצות לא תעשה קצב - Danny Tuesday, 4 Iyar 5769, 19th day of the Omer

Please daven for a complete recovery for Yosef Ben Rachel who ruptured his colon and will be undergoing a second surgery in July.

Halocho #309 - 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, 27 Nissan 5769, 12th day of the Omer Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה

Halocho #144 - Is Tu B'Av the festival of love?

This Shabbat is Tu B'Av, which is famous for being the day girls went to dance in the vineyards in the hope of attracting a future husband. The only other day this was done was on Yom Kippour, the day Hashem forgave the sin of the Golden Calf. The 15th of Av was the day Hashem forgave the Generation-of-the-Wilderness for the sin of the spies talking evil about the Promised Land. To quote The Book of our Heritage: "Since these 2 days were days of purification from sin, the earlier generations did not hesitate to regard them as days of festivity and dancing for the daughters of Israel... and there was no apprehension lest they breach the fence of chastity and modesty." Source: The Book of our Heritage, Vol 3 page 307 King Saul called his son Yehonathan " Ben N'avat Hamardut", son of the rebellious outgoing one, because Achinoam saw that Saul was too shy to approach any of the girls dancing, so she approached him. Source: Rashi on Shmuel-1, 20:30 - Danny Tuesday, 11 Menachem Av 5768

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