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
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Halocho #578 - Talebearing is forbidden
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Halocho#494 - Seeing somebody off
It's appropriate to accompany somebody who is leaving on a trip - even if only for a few steps.
One should then wait until the person leaving is out of sight before returning home.
The farewell greeting is "לֵךְ לְשָׁלוֹם" and not "לך בשלום"
We learn this from Yithro who said to Moshe "לֵךְ לְשָׁלוֹם"" and he succeeded, whereas King David said to Avshalom "לך בשלום" and he got killed.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 68:6
- Danny
Sunday, 2 Shvat 5770
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Halocho #428 Rosh Chodesh is on Sunday and Monday
This Shabbat is "Shabbat Mevarchim".
Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan will be on Sunday and Monday
There's an ancient custom to bless the upcoming month on the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh, before Mussaf.
This is not to be confused with Sanctifying the Month that was done by the Sanhedrin when the new moon appeared.
Nevertheless, the custom is to stand when the Chazzan announces which day(s) will be Rosh Chodesh, since the sanctification of the month was done while standing.
Source: Mishna Brura 417:1
This week's Haftarah is "Machar Chodesh" - "And Jonathan says to him (David): tomorrow is Rosh Chodesh" from Shmuel-1 20:18
Previous Shabbat-related posts can be reviewed at http://halocho.blogspot.com/search/label/Shabbos
Shabbat Shalom uMevorach
- Danny,
Thursday, 27 Tishrei 5770
Monday, June 8, 2009
Halocho #343 - Why was Miriam (Moshe's sister) punished?
Friday, August 29, 2008
Halocho #158 - Rosh Chodesh is on Sunday and Monday
Rosh Chodesh Elul will be on Sunday and Monday.
Usually when Rosh Chodesh is on Sunday then the Haftara is changed to "Machar Chodesh"; and Jonathan says to David "Tomorrow is Rosh Chodesh" (from Shemuel-1, 20:12).
However, from 9 B'Av until Rosh Hashana we read the 7 Haftarot of Consolation, and they take precedence over the Haftara of "Machar Chodesh".
Therefore, on Shabbat we will read the regular Haftara for Parshat Re'e (Yeshayahu 54).
Since Rosh Chodesh starts on Motzai Shabbat, one should try finish eating Seudat Shlishi (the 3rd Shabbat meal) before sunset, so as to avoid a conflict between saying Retzei and Ya'aleh Veyavo.
See Halocho #85 - http://halocho.blogspot.com/2008/04/halocho-85-rosh-chodesh-on-sunday.html - for more details.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128:4, 44:17
Shabbat Shalom uMevorach and Chodesh Tov,
- Danny Erev Shabbat Re'eh, 28 Av 5768
Monday, June 30, 2008
Halocho #111 - Who was burnt to death with a Sefer Torah?
The Shulchan Aruch says that it's appropriate to fast today - Monday 27 Sivan - since about 2,000 years ago on this date, the Romans wrapped the great Rabbi Chanina ben Tradyon in a Sefer Torah, and burnt him to death. Rabbi Chanina ben Tradyon was one of the 10 martyrs. King David started Tehilim - Psalms - by declaring: Blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the gathering of the scornful. Rabbi Chanina ben Tradyon taught (Avot 3:3): - A gathering of the scornful is when Jews sit together and don't discuss Torah-related topics. - When Jews do discuss Torah then the Shechina - G-d's presence - is with them. - Even when a lone Jew learns Torah (like a Halocho a Day), Hashem takes note and rewards him. Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 580:2 Read about the 10 martyrs at http://www.answers.com/topic/ten-martyrs Read about Rabbi Chanina ben Tradyon at http://www.answers.com/topic/haninah-ben-teradion - Danny
Monday, June 16, 2008
Halocho #102 - 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.
