Halocho #2380 - What color is a Red Heifer?

This Shabbat a second Sefer Torah is taken out for Maftir and the laws of פָּרָה אֲדֻמָּה – the Red Heifer – are read. (The first 22 verses of Parshat חֻקַּת in במדבר י"ט) 

There are opinions that there’s a Torah obligation to hear it being read, and people who don’t have access to a Minyan should find one this week. 

A Kosher פָּרָה אֲדֻמָּה is a (female) cow past its second birthday that is completely ginger-brown. Even two white or black hairs near each other would invalidate it. 

The non-brown part of its horns and hooves need to be filed down. Its eyes, teeth and tongue do not need to be ginger-brown. 

Using the פָּרָה אֲדֻמָּה for any work – even to carry something – would invalidate it. Birds and insects that land on its back do not invalidate it. 

The פָּרָה אֲדֻמָּה is slaughtered and burnt and the ashes mixed with spring water and sprinkled on people who come in contact with a corpse, on the third and seventh day of their purification process. 

This was a prerequisite for access to the בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּש (Temple). Since there’s a Mitzva to go into the בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּש on Pessach, we read this in anticipation of being able to implement it this year, or at least בִּמְהֵרָה בְיָמֵינוּ – soon in our lifetime. 

Sources: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:2-3, Mishna Masechet Para, Ch. 1, Rambam Hil. Para Ch. 1 

וְהַשַׁבָּת שֶׁלִּפְנֵי פָּרָשַׁת הַחֹדֶשׁ, הִיא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת פָּרָה.

יֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים, כִּי פָּרָשַׁת זָכוֹר וּפָרָשַׁת פָּרָה, חַיָבִים לִקְרוֹתָן מִדְּאוֹרַיְתָא, וְאֵין קוֹרִין בָּהֶם קָטֹן לַמַּפְטִיר. וּבְנֵי הַיִשׁוּבִים שֶאֵין לָהֶם מִנְיָן, צְרִיכִין שֶׁיָבוֹאוּ לְמָקוֹם שֶׁיֵשׁ בּוֹ מִנְיָן. וְאִם אִי אֶפְשָׁר לָהֶם, לְכָל הַפָּחוֹת יִקְרְאוּ אוֹתָן בִּנְגִינוֹת כָּרָאוּי.

מִצְוַת פָּרָה אֲדֻמָּה שֶׁתִּהְיֶה בַּת שָׁלֹשׁ שָׁנִים אוֹ בַּת אַרְבַּע. וְאִם הָיְתָה זְקֵנָה כְּשֵׁרָה אֶלָּא שֶׁאֵין מַמְתִּינִין לָהּ שֶׁמָּא תַּשְׁחִיר וְתִפָּסֵל.

הָיוּ בָּהּ שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת לְבָנוֹת אוֹ שְׁחוֹרוֹת בְּתוֹךְ גֻּמָּא אַחַת אוֹ בְּתוֹךְ שְׁנֵי כּוֹסוֹת וְהֵן מֻנָּחוֹת זוֹ עַל זוֹ פְּסוּלָה.

הָיוּ קַרְנֶיהָ אוֹ טְלָפֶיהָ שְׁחוֹרִים יָגוֹד. גַּלְגַּל הָעַיִן וְהַשִּׁנַּיִם וְהַלָּשׁוֹן אֵין מַרְאֵיהֶן פּוֹסְלִים בְּפָרָה.

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny Schoemann

Thursday, 18 Adar-2 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #773 - What color is a Red Heifer?

This Shabbat a second Sefer Torah is taken out for Maftir and the laws of Para Aduma – the Red Heifer – are read. (The beginning of Parshat Chukat, Numbers 19:1-22)

There are opinions that it’s a Torah obligation to hear it being read, and people who don’t have access to a Minyan should find one this week.

A Kosher Para Aduma is a (female) cow past its second birthday that is completely ginger-brown. Even two white or black hairs near each other would invalidate it.

The cow is slaughtered and burnt and the ashes mixed with spring water and sprinkled on people who come in contact with a corpse, on the third and seventh day of their purification process.

This was a prerequisite for access to the Bet Hamikdash (Temple).

Since there’s a Mitzva to go into the Bet Hamikdash on Pessach, we read this in anticipating of being able to implement it this year, or at least Bimhera Beyamainu – soon in our lifetime.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:2-3, Mishna Masechet Para, Ch. 1, Rambam Hil. Para Ch. 1

Shabbat Shalom
- Danny
Thursday, 18 Adar II 5771

Halocho #769 - Destroy and remember

This Shabbat - the one before Purim - is Parshat Zachor.

There is an opinion that it's a Torah obligation to hear Parshat Zachor being read in shul this week, and if you don't have a Minyan near home you need to go to a town with a Minyan for this Shabbat.

If a Minyan cannot be found, Parshat Zachor should be read even without a Minyan.

A second Sefer Torah is taken out; we read about the obligation to annihilate the nation of Amalek and remember their wickedness.

For the Haftara we read the story of King Saul's attempt to fulfill the Mitzva of annihilating Amalek. (Shmuel-1 Ch. 15)

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:2, 3

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, Ta'anit Esther, 11 Adar II 5771

Halocho #663 - Rosh Chodesh and Shabbat Rosh Chodesh

The 2 days of Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan start this evening - Thursday evening.

On Rosh Chodesh one adds  יַעֲלֶה וְיָבוֹא into Birkat Hamazon and the Amida.

On Friday we will call up 4 people to read from the Torah, between Hallel and Mussaf.

On Shabbat we will will take out 2 Sifrei Torah after Hallel. In the first one we will call up at least 7 people to read from Parshat Noah. Then we call up the Maftir to read from the 2nd Sefer Torah.

The Haftara this week is הַשָּׁמַיִם כִּסְאִי  for Shabbat-Rosh Chodesh, consisting of the last chapter in Sefer Yeshayahu.

For Mussaf one says the  אַתָּה יָצַרְתָּ version (usually found at the bottom half of the Shabbat Mussaf pages) which includes both Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh.

Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 425

Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 29 Tishrei, Erev Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan 5771

Halocho #527 - What color is a Red Heifer?

This Shabbat a second Sefer Torah is taken out for Maftir and the laws of Para Aduma – the Red Heifer – are read. (The beginning of Parshat Chukat, Numbers 19:1-22)

There are opinions that it’s a Torah obligation to hear it being read, and people who don’t have access to a Minyan should find one this week.

A Kosher Para Aduma is a (female) cow past its second birthday that is completely ginger-brown. Even two white or black hairs near each other would invalidate it.

The cow is slaughtered and burnt and the ashes mixed with spring water and sprinkled on people who come in contact with a corpse, on the third and seventh day of their purification process.

This was a prerequisite for access to the Bet Hamikdash (Temple).

Since there’s a Mitzva to go into the Bet Hamikdash on Pessach, we read this in anticipating of being able to implement it this year, or at least Bimhera Beyomainu – soon in our lifetime.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:2-3, Mishna Masechet Para, Ch. 1, Rambam Hil. Para Ch. 1

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 18 Adar 5770

Halocho #523 - Destroy and remember

This Shabbat - the one before Purim - is Parshat Zachor.

There is an opinion that it's a Torah obligation to hear Parshat Zachor being read in shul this week, and if you don't have a Minyan near home you need to go to a town with a Minyan for this Shabbat.

If a Minyan cannot be found, Parshat Zachor should be read even without a Minyan.
A second Sefer Torah is taken out and for Maftir we read about the obligation to annihilate the nation of Amalek and remember their wickedness.

For the Haftara we read the story of King Saul's attempt to fulfill the Mitzva of annihilating Amalek. (Shmuel-1 Ch. 15)

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:2, 3

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, Fast of Esther, 11 Adar 5770

Halocho #511 - Kaddish when there are 2 Torah scrolls

On a regular Shabbat, a Kaddish is said after reading the Parsha, before the Maftir is read.

When 2 Torah scrolls are used - like this coming week - then the second Torah scroll is put on the Bima next to the first one and the Kadish is said over both.

(This Thursday will be Yom Kippour Katan.)

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 79:1

- Danny
Tuesday, 25 Shvat 5770

Halocho #311 - Rosh Chodesh Iyar

Rosh Chodesh Iyar is on Friday (tomorrow) and on Shabbat. On Shabbat we will take out 2 Sifrei Torah; the first for the double-Parsha "Tazria-Metzora" and the second for Rosh Chodesh. In the second Sefer Torah we will read Maftir from Pinchas (B'midbar 28:9-15) - וביום בשבת - one of the rare occasions when we read about the Shabbat sacrifice on Shabbat. The Haftara is the one for "Shabbat-Rosh Chodesh" - הַשָּׁמַיִם כִּסְאִי - from Yeshayahu Ch. 66. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 79:7 Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom - Danny Thursday, Erev Rosh Chodesh Iyar 5769, 14th day of the Omer Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה

Halocho #293 - A long Shabbat morning service

This week we take out two Sifrei Torah. The Torah Reading starts with a double Parsha: Vayakel-Pekudei. After Kaddish the second Sefer Torah is used for Maftir to read Parshat Hachodesh in anticipation of the upcoming month of Nissan. The Haftara is from Ezekiel 45 which discusses the dedication of the Temple starting on Rosh Chodesh Nissan as well as the Pessach sacrifice 2 weeks later. This week is also Shabbat Mevorchim the month of Nissan. Rosh Chodesh Nissan will be on Thursday next week. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:2 Shabbat Shalom uMevorach - Danny Thursday, 23 Adar 5769 Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה

Halocho #292 - Is January the first month?

This Shabbat for Maftir we will read Parshas Hachodesh (Exodus Ch. 12, Verses 1-20).

Parshas Hachodesh reminds us of the following upcoming Mitzvot:

- The month of Nissan (which begins the following Thursday) is the first month on the Jewish calendar, as the opening words of Parshat Hachodesh proclaim: "This month is for you the first month".

- The laws of Korban Pessach; sacrificed on Erev Pessach in the afternoon, it had to be roasted whole and then eaten on the first night of Pessach with Matza and Marror (bitter herbs).

- Leftovers had to be burnt on the first day of Chol Hamo'ed.

- Matza needs to be made carefully to ensure it doesn't become Chametz (leaven).

- The first and last days of Pessach are Yom Tov.

- One may not own Chametz, nor eat it, during Pessach .

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:2

- Danny Wednesday, 22 Adar 5769

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

Halocho #283- Destroy and remember

This Shabbat - the one before Purim - is Parshas Zachor.

A second Sefer Torah is taken out and for Maftir we read about the obligation to annihilate the nation of Amalek and remember their wickedness.

For the Haftara we read the story of King Saul's attempt to fulfill the Mitzva of annihilating Amalek. (Shmuel-1 Ch. 15)

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:2

- Danny Wednesday, 8 Adar 5769

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

Halocho #72 - Three-fold Purim

This year Purim is on Friday (21 March) and Shushan-Purim is on Shabbos, so cities that celebrate Shushan-Purim - like Jerusalem and Shushan (Susa, Iran) - will celebrate in 3 parts: 1. Friday:

• Megila reading is on Thursday night and Friday morning, like everybody else
• Matonos L'evyonim is given to the needy on Friday.

2. Shabbos:

• Al-Hanisim is added to Bircas Hamozon and the Amida.
• The Torah Reading for Purim (Shmos 17:8-16) is read as Maftir. (The same Haftoro is read as the previous week - Shmuel-1 Ch. 15.)
• One should learn some Halochos of Purim.

3. Sunday:

• Mishloach Monos is sent.
• The Purim feast is eaten.

This is the opinion of the Shulchan Oruch. Some people also do #3 on Shabbos. Others send Mishloach Monos on Friday. Source: Shulchan Oruch, Orach Chaim 688:6, Mishna Brura ibid. Shmos 17:8-16 8 : Then came Amolek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9 : And Moshe said to Joshua: "Choose men, and go fight with Amlek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of G-d in my hand". 10 : So Joshua did as Moshe had said to him, and fought with Amolek: and Moshe, Aaron, and Chur went up to the top of the hill. 11 : And it came to pass, when Moshe held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amolek prevailed. 12 : But Moshe's hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Chur supported up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 : And Joshua weakened Amolek and his people with the the sword. 14 : And the Hashem said to Moshe: "Write this for a memorial in the book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly wipe out the remembrance of Amolek from under heaven. 15 : And Moshe built an altar, and called the name of it "Hashem did miracles": 16 : And he said, "Because the Hashem has sworn that Hashem will have war with Amolek from generation to generation."