Halocho #898 - Warning! The King is arriving!

A main theme of Rosh Hashanah is Hashem's reign over the entire world. This sovereignty is displayed by His ability to judge the world.

As a result, from Rosh Hashanah until Yom Kippour is over, we replace "Gcd" with "King" in various places in davening (prayers).

1. The ending of the 3rd Bracha of the Amida changes to HaMelech HaKadosh. If you forget, you have to restart the Amida, unless you caught yourself immediately. (Immediately means: you didn't yet have time to say 3 words.) If you're not sure what you said, you also have to restart the Amida.

2. The end of the 11th Bracha in the weekday Amida changes to HaMelech HaMishpat. If you forget or are not sure what you said then you continue. No correction is needed.

3. Friday night during the "Magen Avot" we replace "HakEl HaKodesh" with HaMelech HaKadosh. If you forget, no correction is needed.

From Rosh Hashanah until Yom Kippour is over we add four phrases to the Amida. If you forget after concluding that Bracha, no correction is needed. Until saying "Baruch Ata" you should make amends.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 129:3, 4 5

Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a sweet and healthy year.

- Danny
Wednesday, Erev Rosh Hashana, 29 Elul 5771

Clarification: Eruv Tavshilin can be done on bread or Matza.

==> Do a Mitzva: Call a friend and remind them to do Eruv Tavshilin.<==

Halocho #896 - The symbolic Rosh Hashanah menu

At the Rosh Hashanah evening meal it's customary to eat foods that symbolize a Good New Year. The bread from Motzi is dipped in honey and after eating it the Yehi Ratzon is said praying for a sweet new year.

יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְפָנֶיךָ שֶתְחַדֵש עָלֵינוּ שָנָה טוֹבָה וּמְתוּקָה

Then one dips an apple in honey, says the Bracha on the apple ("Borei Pri HaEtz") and eats some. One then says the Yehi Ratzon again.

There are various other foods that are eaten with their appropriate Yehi Ratzon; one may even add new ones.

One tries to have only sweet items on the menu; no food cooked in vinegar, for example. The custom is to not eat nuts.

One should remember to learn some Torah at the Yom Tov meals; some learn a chapter of Mishna-Rosh-Hashanah, which has 4 chapters; one for each meal.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 129:9

Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a sweet new year

- Danny
Monday, 27 Elul 5771

Halocho #895 - What should I think about when hearing the Shofar?

The blast of the Shofar should remind us to awaken from our spiritual slumber and start taking our Torah study and Mitzvah observance seriously.

Hearing the Shofar being blown on Rosh Hashanah is a Torah commandment!

This crucial detail should not be forgotten when reflecting on the various symbolic reasons given for Shofar blowing.

One should not talk after hearing the Brachah on the Shofar until after hearing 100 blasts from the Shofar so as not to interrupt between the Bracha and fulfilling the Mitzvah as prescribed by Chazal. This means not talking until after Mussaf.

(As a general rule one shouldn't ever talk during prayer services. On Rosh Hashanah there's another reason why not to so.)

At a minimum one should be careful not to talk after the Bracha until hearing the first set of 30 Shofar blasts.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 129:15

Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a year with lots of time to learn Torah,

- Danny
Sunday, 26 Elul 5771

Halocho #894 - Does one say Shehechiyanu on candle-lighting?

The blessing of Shehechiyanu; - "... who has kept us alive, sustained us and enabled us to reach this occasion" - is recited during Kiddush on all nights of Yom Tov, except on the last days of Pessach. There are two Minhagim (customs) regarding Shehechiyanu at candle-lighting on Yom Tov candles:

- Some women have the Minhag of saying Shehechiyanu when lighting Yom-Tov candles (except on the last days of Pessach)

- Others never say Shehechiyanu at candle-lighting

If a woman makes her own Kiddush she must be careful to only say Shehechiyanu once; either at candle-lighting or during Kiddush.

On the second night of Rosh Hashanah there's a Halachic debate if Shehechiyanu is required. To be on the safe side, one should wear a new item of clothing, or see a new fruit (that one hasn't tasted yet this season) while saying Shehechiyanu on the second night of Rosh Hashanah; both during Kiddush and during candle lighting (if applicable).

If one does not have a new item of clothing, nor a new fruit, on the second night of Rosh Hashanah, one still says Shehechiyanu.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 103:4, 129:23

K'tiva V'chatima Tova; wishing you a year full of happy tidings

- Danny
Thursday, 23 Elul 5771

Halocho #649 - Warning! The King is arriving!

A main theme of Rosh Hashanah is Hashem's reign over the entire world. This sovereignty is displayed by His ability to judge the world.

As a result, from Rosh Hashanah until Yom Kippour is over, we replace "Gcd" with "King" in various places in davening (prayers).

1. The ending of the 3rd Bracha of the Amida changes to HaMelech Hakadosh. If you forget, you have to restart the Amida, unless you caught yourself immediately. (Immediately means: you didn't yet have time to say 3 words.) If you're not sure what you said, you also have to restart the Amida.

2. The end of the 11th Bracha in the weekday Amida changes to HaMelech HaMishpat. If you forget or are not sure what you said then you continue. No correction is needed.

3. Friday night during the "Magen Avot" we replace "HakEl HaKodesh" with HaMelech Hakadosh. If you forget, no correction is needed.

From Rosh Hashanah until Yom Kippour is over we add four phrases to the Amida. If you forget after concluding that Bracha, no correction is needed. Until saying "Baruch Ata" you should make amends.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 129:3, 4 5

Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a sweet and healthy year.

- Danny
Wednesday, Erev Rosh Hashana, 29 Elul 5770

Clarification: Eruv Tavshilin can be done on bread or Matza.

==> Do a Mitzva: Call a friend and remind them to do Eruv Tavshilin.<==

Halocho #647 - The symbolic Rosh Hashanah menu

At the Rosh Hashanah evening meal it's customary to eat foods that symbolize a Good New Year. The bread from Motzi is dipped in honey and after eating it the Yehi Ratzon is said praying for a sweet new year.

יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְפָנֶיךָ שֶתְחַדֵש עָלֵינוּ שָנָה טוֹבָה וּמְתוּקָה

Then one dips an apple in honey, says the Bracha on the apple ("Borei Pri HaEtz") and eats some. One then says the Yehi Ratzon again.

There are various other foods that are eaten with their appropriate Yehi Ratzon; one may even add new ones.

One tries to have only sweet items on the menu; no food cooked in vinegar, for example. The custom is to not eat nuts.

One should remember to learn some Torah at the Yom Tov meals; some learn a chapter of Mishna-Rosh-Hashanah, which has 4 chapters; one for each meal.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 129:9

Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a sweet new year

- Danny
Monday, 27 Elul 5770

Halocho #646 - What should I have think about when hearing the Shofar?

The blast of the Shofar should remind us to awaken from our spiritual slumber and start taking our Torah study and Mitzvah observance seriously.

Hearing the Shofar being blown on Rosh Hashanah is a Torah commandment!

This crucial detail should not be forgotten when reflecting on the various symbolic reasons given for Shofar blowing.

One should not talk after hearing the Brachah on the Shofar until after hearing 100 blasts from the Shofar so as not to interrupt between the Bracha and fulfilling the Mitzvah as prescribed by Chazal. This means not talking until after Mussaf.

(As a general rule one shouldn't ever talk during prayer services. On Rosh Hashanah there's another reason why not to so.)

At a minimum one should be careful not to talk after the Bracha until hearing the first set of 30 Shofar blasts.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 129:15

Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a year with lots of time to learn Torah,


- Danny
Sunday, 26 Elul 5770

Halocho #645 - Does one say Shehechiyanu on candle-lighting?

The blessing of Shehechiyanu; - "... who has kept us alive, sustained us and enabled us to reach this occasion" - is recited during Kiddush on all nights of Yom Tov, except on the last days of Pessach. There are two Minhagim (customs) regarding Shehechiyanu at candle-lighting on Yom Tov candles:

- Some women have the Minhag of saying Shehechiyanu when lighting Yom-Tov candles (except on the last days of Pessach)

- Others never say Shehechiyanu at candle-lighting

If a woman makes her own Kiddush she must be careful to only say Shehechiyanu once; either at candle-lighting or during Kiddush.

On the second night of Rosh Hashanah there's a Halachic debate if Shehechiyanu is required. To be on the safe side, one should wear a new item of clothing, or see a new fruit (that one hasn't tasted yet this season) while saying Shehechiyanu on the second night of Rosh Hashanah; both during Kiddush and during candle lighting (if applicable).

If one does not have a new item of clothing, nor a new fruit, on the second night of Rosh Hashanah, one still says Shehechiyanu.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 103:4, 129:23

K'tiva V'chatima Tova; wishing you a year full of happy tidings

- Danny
Thursday, 23 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 #415 - Warning! The King is arriving!

A main theme of Rosh Hashanah is Hashem's reign over the entire world. This sovereignty is displayed by His ability to judge the world. As a result, from Rosh Hashanah until Yom Kippour is over, we replace "Gcd" with "King" in various places in davening (prayers). 1. The ending of the 3rd Bracha of the Amida changes to HaMelech Hakadosh. If you forget, you have to restart the Amida, unless you caught yourself immediately. (Immediately means: you didn't yet have time to say 3 words.) If you're not sure what you said, you also have to restart the Amida. 2. The end of the 11th Bracha in the weekday Amida changes to HaMelech HaMishpat. If you forget or are not sure what you said then you continue. No correction is needed. 3. Friday night during the "Magen Avot" we replace "HakEl HaKodesh" with HaMelech Hakadosh. If you forget, no correction is needed. From Rosh Hashanah until Yom Kippour is over we add four phrases to the Amida. If you forget after concluding that Bracha, no correction is needed. Until saying "Baruch Ata" you should make amends. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 129:3, 4 5 Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a sweet and healthy year - Danny Thursday, 28 Elul 5769

Halocho #414 - The symbolic Rosh Hashanah menu

At the Rosh Hashanah evening meal it's customary to eat foods that symbolize a Good New Year. The bread from Motzi is dipped in honey and after eating it the Yehi Ratzon is said praying for a sweet new year.

יהי רצון שתחדש עלינו שנה טובה ומתוקה

Then one dips an apple in honey, says the Bracha on the apple ("Borei Pri HaEtz") and eats some. One then says the Yehi Ratzon again. There are various other foods that are eaten with their appropriate Yehi Ratzon; one may even add new ones. One tries to have only sweet items on the menu; no food cooked in vinegar, for example.The custom is to not eat nuts. One should remember to learn some Torah at the Yom Tov meals; some learn a chapter of Mishna-Rosh-Hashanah, which has 4 chapters; one for each meal. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 129:9 Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a sweet new year. - Danny Wednesday, 27 Elul 5769

Please daven for Dana bat Shulamit who is undergoing radiation therapy

Halocho #413 - - What should I have think about when hearing the Shofar?

The blast of the Shofar should remind us to awaken from our spiritual slumber and start taking our Torah study and Mitzvah observance seriously. Hearing the Shofar being blown on Rosh Hashanah is a Torah commandment! This crucial detail should not be forgotten when reflecting on the various symbolic reasons given for Shofar blowing. One should not talk after hearing the Brachah on the Shofar until after hearing 100 blasts from the Shofar so as not to interrupt between the Bracha and fulfilling the Mitzvah as prescribed by Chazal. This means not talking until after Mussaf. (As a general rule one shouldn't ever talk during prayer services. On Rosh Hashanah there's another reason why not to so.) At a minimum one should be careful not to talk after the Bracha until hearing the first set of 30 Shofar blasts. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 129:15 Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a year with lots of time to learn Torah, - Danny Tuesday, 26 Elul 5769

Please daven for a month old baby diagnosed with congenital CMV - Evan Yair ben Rut Bayla

Halocho #412 - Shofar vs. Shabbat

The Torah commanded us to blow the Shofar on Rosh Hashana - even if it's Shabbat!

However, the Rabbis decreed that one not blow the Shofar on Shabbat out of fear that somebody may transgress the Shabbat by carrying the Shofar outside, in a city that does not have an Eruv.

Therefore this year we will only hear the Shofar on the second day of Rosh Hashana - next Sunday.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 129:23

Ktiva Vechatima Tova

- Danny Monday, 25 Elul 5769

Please daven for Nechama Malya bas Chana Machla; her doctors have given up and only our Tefilot can help.

Halocho #411 - Tashlich when Rosh Hashanah is on Shabbat

This year, because of Shabbat, Tashlich is said on the 2nd day of Rosh Hashana.

After Mincha (afternoon prayers) on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, the Minhag is to walk to a river to say Tashlich; verses about Hashem's willingness to forgive those who repent.

Preferably the river should have fish and be outside the city. If this is impractical one can even use a well which doesn't flow and is without fish.

One then symbolically shakes out ones pockets as a reminder to shake off ones sins and to start the new year with a fresh attitude towards Mitzvoth. (Feeding the fish is forbidden according to many Halachic authorities.)

After Tashlich one should go to shul and spend the rest of the time before Maariv (evening prayers) learning Torah, Mussar or saying Tehillim.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 129:21, 22

Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a year with lots of time to learn Torah,

- Danny Sunday, 24 Elul 5769

Please daven for Menashe ben Shlomit

Halocho #410 - When do we start saying Selichot?

This year Selichot start on Sunday (24 Elul, 13 September), a week 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 Middos 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: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128:5, 6, 7 [Sefardim say Selichot the entire month of Elul.] Ktiva Vechatima Tova; may all your prayers be answered, Shabbat Shalom, - Danny Thursday, 21 Elul 5769

Please daven for little Leiba Shmuel ben Sara who is undergoing an operation today.

Halocho #409 - Glad to be around? Say Shehechiyanu!

The blessing of Shehechiyanu; - "... who has kept us alive, sustained us and enabled us to reach this occasion" - is recited during Kiddush on all nights of Yom Tov, except on the last days of Pessach. There are two Minhagim (customs) regarding Shehechiyanu at candle-lighting on Yom Tov candles: - Some women have the Minhag of saying Shehechiyanu when lighting Yom-Tov candles (except on the last days of Pessach) - Others never say Shehechiyanu at candle-lighting If a woman makes her own Kiddush she must be careful to only say Shehechiyanu once; either at candle-lighting or during Kiddush. On the second night of Rosh Hashanah there's a Halachic debate if Shehechiyanu is required. To be on the safe side, one should wear a new item of clothing, or see a new fruit (that one hasn't tasted yet this season) while saying Shehechiyanu on the second night of Rosh Hashanah; both during Kiddush and during candle lighting (if applicable). If one does not have a new item of clothing, nor a new fruit, on the second night of Rosh Hashanah, one still says Shehechiyanu. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 103:4, 129:23 See Halocho #109 - http://halocho.blogspot.com/2008/06/halocho-109-what-bracha-does-one-make.html for other uses of the Bracha of Shehechiyanu. K'tiva V'chatima Tova; wishing you a year full of happy tidings - Danny Wednesday, 20 Elul 5769

Please daven for Daniel Menashe ben Mas'uda who has been diagnosed with cancer.

Halocho #183 - Warning! The king is on the way

A main theme of Rosh Hashanah is Hashem's reign over the entire world. This sovereignty is displayed by His ability to judge the world. As a result, from Rosh Hashanah until Yom Kippour is over, we replace "G-d" with "King" in various places in davening (prayers). 1. The ending of the 3rd Bracha of the Amida changes to HaMelech Hakadosh. If you forget this, you have to restart the Amida, unless you caught yourself immediately. (Immediately means: you didn't yet have time to say 3 words.) If you're not sure what you said, you also have to restart the Amida. 2. The end of the 11th Bracha in the weekday Amida changes to HaMelech HaMishpat. If you forget or are not sure what you said then you continue. No correction is needed. 3. Friday night during the "Magen Avot" we replace "HakEl HaKodesh" with HaMelech Hakadosh. If you forget, no correction is needed. From Rosh Hashanah until Yom Kippour is over we add four phrases to the Amida. If you forget after concluding that Bracha, no correction is needed. Until saying "Baruch Ata" you should make amends. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 129:3, 4 5 Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a sweet and healthy year Reminder: Don't forget to write a Prozbul before Rosh Hashana - Danny Sunday, 28 Elul 5768

This post is written in memory of my late grandmother - Beila bas Nosson - who passed away on the 2nd night of Rosh Hashanah

Halocho #182 - The Rosh Hashanah menu

At the Rosh Hashanah evening meal it's customary to eat foods that symbolize a Good New Year. The bread from Motzi is dipped in honey and after eating it the Yehi Ratzon is said praying for a sweet new year. יהי רצון שתחדש עלינו שנה טובה ומתוקה Then one dips an apple in honey, says the Bracha on the apple ("Borei Pri HaEtz") and eats some. One then says the Yehi Ratzon again. There are various other foods that are eaten with their appropriate Yehi Ratzon; one may even add new ones. One tries to have only sweet items on the menu; no food cooked in vinegar, for example. The custom is to not eat nuts. One should remember to learn some Torah at the Yom Tov meals; some learn a chapter of Mishna-Rosh-Hashanah, which has 4 chapters; one for each meal. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 129:9 Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a sweet new year. Shabbat Shalom, - Danny Friday, Erev Shabbat Nitzavim, 26 Elul 5768 Please daven for Avrohom Yomtov Lipa ben Miriam for a Refuah Shleima - complete recovery. Help me answer Judaism-related questions on WikiAnswers

Halocho #181 - What should I have in mind when hearing the Shofar?

The blast of the Shofar should remind us to awaken from our spiritual slumber and start taking our Torah study and Mitzva observance seriously. Hearing the Shofar being blown on Rosh Hashanah is a Torah commandment! This crucial detail should not be forgotten when reflecting on the various symbolic reasons given for Shofar blowing. One should not talk after hearing the Brachah on the Shofar until after hearing 100 blasts from the Shofar so as not to interrupt between the Bracha and fulfilling the Mitzva as prescribed by Chazal. This means not talking until after Mussaf. (As a general rule one shouldn't ever talk during prayer services. On Rosh Hashanah there's another reason why not to so.) At a minimum one should be careful not to talk after the Bracha until hearing the first set of 30 Shofar blasts. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 129:15 Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a year with lots of time to learn Torah, - Danny Thursday, 25 Elul 5768

Halocho #180 - Tashlich, the Rosh Hashanah outing

After Mincha (afternoon prayers) on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, the Minhag is to walk to a river to say Tashlich; verses about Hashem's willingness to forgive those who repent. Preferably the river should have fish and be outside the city. If this is impractical one can even use a well which doesn't flow and is without fish. One then symbolically shakes out ones pockets as a reminder to shake off ones sins and to start the new year with a fresh attitude towards Mitzvoth. After Tashlich one should go to shul and spend the rest of the time before Maariv (evening prayers) learning Torah, Mussar or saying Tehillim. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 129:21, 22 Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a year with lots of time to learn Torah, - Danny Wednesday, 24 Elul 5768