Halocho #2376 - Destroy and remember

This Shabbat - the one before Purim - is Parshat Zachor, פָּרָשַׁת זָכוֹר.

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

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.

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

שַׁבָּת שֶׁלִפְנֵי פּוּרִים הוּא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת זָכוֹר. וְהַשַׁבָּת שֶׁלִּפְנֵי רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ נִיסָן, הִיא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת הַחֹדֶשׁ. וְאִם חָל רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ בַּשַׁבָּת, אָז הִיא פָּרָשַׁת הַחֹדֶשׁ, וְדִינָהּ כְּמוֹ רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ אֲדָר שֶׁחָל בַּשַׁבָּת. 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.

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny Schoemann

Thursday, Fast of Esther, 11 Adar-2 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #1008 - Preparing for Shabbat

From the Pasuk זָכוֹר אֶת-יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת - "Remember the day of Shabbat" ( שמות כ:ז) we learn that it's a Mitzva to keep Shabbat in mind all week; all special food should be reserved for Shabbat. 

On Friday it's a Mitzva to get up early to go shopping for Shabbat; this can even be done before Shacharit if need be (as long as you don't miss davening with a Minyan as a result). 

However, items that require preparation should be bought on Thursday already. 

Ezra already instituted doing laundry on Thursday in anticipation of Shabbat. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 72:4

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny, 7 Tevet 5773

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 #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 #430 - Abridged Hallel on Rosh Chodesh

On Rosh Chodesh one says Hallel after the Amida - but one skips 2-half paragraphs.


Hallel must be said standing, and one may not interrupt the Hallel by talking.


If the congregation is saying Hallel while one is saying Psukei D'Zimra, one says Hallel with them, without its opening and closing Bracha. (This can only be done on days that one says the shortened "half"-Hallel.)

If one arrives late to shul and the congregation is already up to Hallel, one says Hallel with them, and then one starts ones morning prayers.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:4

Chodesh Tov,

- Danny
Monday, 2nd day Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan 5770

Written in memory of Rivka bat Mordechai Ha-cohen

Halocho #284 - Remember: Come to shul this week!

There is an opinion that it's a Torah obligation to hear Parshas 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, Parshas Zachor should be read even without a Minyan. Here is the English translation of the verses read for Parshas Zachor, from Dvarim 25:17-19 (the last 3 verses in Parshas Ki-Tzeizei): Remember what Amalek did to you on the way, when you were coming out of Egypt. How he met you on the way, and smote the feeble behind you, when you were faint and weary; and he feared not G-d. Therefore it shall be, when Hashem your G-d has given you rest from all your enemies round about, in the land which Hashem your G-d is giving you for an inheritance to possess, that you shall blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; do not forget. This is from http://www.answers.com/topic/deuteronomy-25 and slightly edited to remove the archaic English. Each verse has a multitude of explanations and interpretations. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:3 Shabbat Shalom - Danny (who works at Answers.com) Thursday, 9 Adar 5769

יז זָכוֹר, אֵת אֲשֶׁר-עָשָׂה לְךָ עֲמָלֵק, בַּדֶּרֶךְ, בְּצֵאתְכֶם מִמִּצְרָיִם

יח אֲשֶׁר קָרְךָ בַּדֶּרֶךְ, וַיְזַנֵּב בְּךָ כָּל-הַנֶּחֱשָׁלִים אַחֲרֶיךָ--וְאַתָּה, עָיֵף וְיָגֵעַ; וְלֹא יָרֵא, אֱלֹקִים

יט וְהָיָה בְּהָנִיחַ ה' אֱלֹקֶיךָ לְךָ מִכָּל-אֹיְבֶיךָ מִסָּבִיב, בָּאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר ה-אֱלֹקֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ נַחֲלָה לְרִשְׁתָּהּ--תִּמְחֶה אֶת-זֵכֶר עֲמָלֵק, מִתַּחַת הַשָּׁמָיִם; לֹא, תִּשְׁכָּח

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

Halocho #261 - You must come to Minyan

Members of a (small) Jewish community may force each other to come to shul (synagogue) daily so as to ensure there is always a Minyan - a quorum of 10 over-Bar-Mitzvah males - for thrice-daily prayers.

If needed, they may impose fines on those who don't come.

Making a Minyan takes precedence over Torah learning; there's a time to learn and a time to pray.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 12:15

- Danny Monday, 8 Shvat 5769

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

Halocho #258 - Praying with a minyan

Men should make an effort to pray thrice daily with a minyan. Even when not praying with a minyan, it's appropriate to pray at the same time when a local minyan is praying. We learn this from the verse in Tehillim (69:14):

וַאֲנִי תְפִלָּתִי לְךָ ה' עֵת רָצוֹן

My prayer to You Hashem, in an acceptable time.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 12:7,12 - Danny Wednesday, 3 Shvat 5769

Halocho #227 - Freed from prison

Today - 19 Kislev - 236 years ago, the first Lubavitcher Rebbe was freed from prison. You can read about him at http://www.answers.com/topic/shneur-zalman-of-liadi. When a person is released from prison he needs to say the HaGomel blessing:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלוֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם

הַגּוֹמֵל לַחַיָּבִים טוֹבוֹת

שֶׁגְּמָלַנִי כָּל טוֹב

Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the Universe,

Who does good to the undeserving,

for having dealt kindly with me.

This should be said in the presence of a Minyan (besides for the one making the blessing). Those present then respond:

מִי שֶׁגּמָלְךָ טוֹב

הוּא יִגְמָלְךָ כָּל טוֹב סֶלָה

He who has shown you kindness,

should deal kindly with you forever.

If possible, this should be said within 3 days of being released. While it is customary to say this after the Torah Reading, if this would require delaying it past the 3rd day, then it should be said before. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 61:1, 2 - Danny Tuesday, 19 Kislev 5769

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

Halocho # 194 - Until when can one daven Mussaf?

Mussaf is added after the Torah Reading of Shacharit (morning prayers) on Shabbat, Yom Tov and Rosh Chodesh.

• Shacharit corresponds to the daily morning sacrifice offered in the Bet Hamikdash.
• Mussaf corresponds to the extra sacrifices offered on Shabbat, Yom Tov and Rosh Chodesh.
• Mincha corresponds to the afternoon daily sacrifice.

While Mussaf can be said until sunset, it preferably should be said before the "7th hour"; an hour after midday. If Mincha-time has already arrived (half hour after midday) and one has not yet said Mussaf then one should first pray Mincha then Mussaf. This applies when praying in private; a community should follow the regular order; Shacharit, Mussaf and then Mincha. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 76:11-12 Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom! - Danny Thursday, second day Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan 5769

Halocho #70 - Destroy and remember

This Shabbos - the one before Purim - is Parshas Zochor. A second Sefer Torah is taken out and for Maftir we read about the obligation to annihilate the nation of Amolek and remember their wickedness. (Read it in English at the bottom of this post). For the Haftoro we read the story of King Saul's attempt to fulfill the mitzva of annihilating Amolek. (Shmuel-1 Ch. 15) There is an opinion that it's a Torah obligation to hear Parshas Zochor being read in shul, and if you don't have a minyan near home you need to go to a town with a minyan for this Shabbos. If a minyan cannot be found, Parshas Zochor should be read even without a Minyan. Here is the English translation of the verses read for Parshas Zochor, from Dvorim 25:17-19 (the last 3 verses in Parshas Ki-Tzeizei): Remember what Amolek did to you on the way, when you were coming out of Egypt. How he met you on the way, and smote the feeble behind you, when you were faint and weary; and he feared not G-d. Therefore it shall be, when Hashem your G-d has given you rest from all your enemies round about, in the land which Hashem your G-d is giving you for an inheritance to possess, that you shall blot out the remembrance of Amolek from under heaven; do not forget. This is from http://www.answers.com/topic/deuteronomy-25 and slightly edited to remove the archaic English. Each verse has a multitude of explanations and interpretations. - Danny (who works at Answers.com) Source: KSA 140:2-3

סעיף ב - שבת שלפני פורים הוא פרשת זכור והשבת שלפני ראש חדש ניסן הוא פרשת החדש, ואם חל ראש חדש בשבת אז הוא פרשת החדש, ודינו כמו ראש חדש אדר שחל בשבת. והשבת שלפני פרשת החדש הוא פרשת פרה. סעיף ג - יש אומרים כי פרשת זכור ופרשת פרה חייבים לקרותם מדאורייתא, ואין קורין בהם קטן למפטיר, ובני הישובים שאין להם מנין צריכין שיבאו למקום שיש מנין, ואם אי אפשר להם, לכל הפחות יקראו אותן בנגינות כראוי. יז זָכוֹר, אֵת אֲשֶׁר-עָשָׂה לְךָ עֲמָלֵק, בַּדֶּרֶךְ, בְּצֵאתְכֶם מִמִּצְרָיִם. יח אֲשֶׁר קָרְךָ בַּדֶּרֶךְ, וַיְזַנֵּב בְּךָ כָּל-הַנֶּחֱשָׁלִים אַחֲרֶיךָ--וְאַתָּה, עָיֵף וְיָגֵעַ; וְלֹא יָרֵא, אֱלֹהִים. יט וְהָיָה בְּהָנִיחַ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ לְךָ מִכָּל-אֹיְבֶיךָ מִסָּבִיב, בָּאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה-אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ נַחֲלָה לְרִשְׁתָּהּ--תִּמְחֶה אֶת-זֵכֶר עֲמָלֵק, מִתַּחַת הַשָּׁמָיִם; לֹא, תִּשְׁכָּח.

Halocho #40 – Hallel on Rosh Chodesh

Today (Wednesday) is the first day of Rosh-Chodesh Adar 1. Hallel is recited on Rosh Chodesh and Mo'adim during Shacharit between the chazzan's repetition of the Amida and Reading the Torah. One needs to stand during recitation of Hallel, which preferably should be recited with a minyan. If one comes to shul late, one joins the minyan in their recitation of Hallel, even if it's before one has prayed. If one already started Psukay D'Zimra and the minyan begins Hallel one joins them, however one doesn’t say the bracha before and after Hallel, relying instead on Baruch-She'amar and Yishtabach. This applies only to days like Rosh Chodesh (excluding Tevet) when one says the "half"-Hallel. One should not interrupt the recitation of Hallel. Source: KSA 97:4

Halocho #2 - Prepare for Shabbos

From the posuk "zochor es yom haShabbos" - "remember the day of Shabbos" we learn to keep Shabbos in mind all week; all special food should be reserved for Shabbos. On Friday it's a mitzva to get up early to go shopping for Shabbos; this can even be done before Shacharis if need be (as long as you don't miss your minyan). However, items that require preparation should be bought on Thursday already. Ezra already instituted doing laundry on Thursday in anticipation of Shabbos. KSA 72:4