Halocho #758 - Shabbat Shekalim

This week is Shabbat Shekalim and 2 Torah Scrolls are taken out.

First we read the regular Torah Reading - Parshat Pekudai, after which we will say "Chazak" concluding Sefer Shemot.

We then read the beginning of Parshat  כי תשא (Shemot Ch. 30, Verses 11-16) in the second Sefer Torah.
This is followed by the Haftara for Shekalim from Melachim-2 Ch.11

 Shabbat Shekalim reminds us of the half-Shekel that everybody donated yearly to finance the daily sacrifices in the Bet Hamikdash, may we merit to see it rebuilt, speedily in our days.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:1

- Danny
Wednesday, 26 Adar-I 5771

Halocho #683 - Shabbat is Erev Rosh Chodesh Kislev

This Sunday and Monday is Rosh Chodesh Kislev.

When the 3rd Shabbat meal continues into the night, one still inserts Retzai – רצה during Birkas Hamazon (grace after meals).

When one starts a meal on Erev Rosh Chodesh and eats a Kezayit (the size of an olive – 27 cc) of bread after dark, one inserts Ya’aleh V’Yavo – יעלה ויבוא during Birkat Hamazon.

What happens when both of the above happen together?

If Rosh Chodesh is on Sunday and one eats a Kezayit of bread after dark during the 3rd Shabbat meal, then one inserts both Retzai – רצה and Ya’aleh V’Yavo – יעלה ויבוא during Birkat Hamazon.

However, some argue that mentioning both is a contradiction – since Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh aren’t on the same day.

Therefore one should be careful not to eat after dark at the 3rd Shabbat meal when Rosh Chodesh is on Sunday.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 44:17

Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov

- Danny
Thursday, 27 Marchesvan 5771

Halocho #406 - Yom Tov on Sunday

This year Rosh Hashana, Sukkoth and Shmini Atzret all start on Shabbat. The second day of Rosh Hashana will be on a Sunday. Outside Israel the second day of Sukkoth and Simchat Torah will also be on a Sunday. One may not prepare anything on Shabbat for Yom Tov - including setting the table and lighting candles. After the time for Motzai Shabbat - when the stars are visible - one can say המבדיל בין קודש לקודש and start dealing with the second day of Yom Tov. One should eat the 3rd Shabbat meal early in the afternoon so as not to spoil ones appetite for the Yom Tov meal. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 96:3, 103:2 Ktiva Vechatima Tova - Danny Sunday, 17 Elul 5769

Halocho #405 - Should children be given Yom Tov treats?

There's a Mitzvah to relish Jewish Holidays and therefore one must eat two Yom Tov meals; one at night and one during the day. (Se'udat Shlishi - the 3rd meal - is only eaten on Shabbat and is not required on Yom Tov.)

Each meal starts with Kiddush over wine and two Challot (loaves of bread) and should include meat and other delicacies.

It's also a Mitzvah to ensure that others are happy:

- Children should be given treats

- Wives should get new clothes and jewelry according to ones budget

- Men should be served meat and wine

In order to prove that the extra expenses are for Yom Tov and not simply for self-indulgence, one must ensure that the poor and needy are also supplied with their Yom Tov needs; invite some over for the meals and donate generously to reputable charity funds before Yom Tov.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 103:3, 5, 9

Ktiva Vechatima Tova; may you always be on the giving end

- Danny Thursday, 14 Elul 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery of Rafael Moshe Yisrael ben Shulamith Adina

Halocho #167 - Should one spend money on Jewelry or Charity?

There's a Mitzva to relish Jewish Holidays and therefore one must eat two Yom Tov meals; one at night and one during the day. (Se'udat Shlishi - the 3rd meal - is only eaten on Shabbat and is not required on Yom Tov.)

Each meal starts with Kiddush over wine and two Challot (loaves of bread) and should include meat and other delicacies.

It's also a Mitzva to ensure that others are happy:

- Children should be given treats

- Wives should get new clothes and jewelry according to ones budget

- Men should be served meat and wine

In order to prove that the extra expenses are for Yom Tov and not simply for self-indulgence, one must ensure that the poor and needy are also supplied with their Yom Tov needs; invite some over for the meals and donate generously to reputable charity funds before Yom Tov.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 103:3, 5, 9

Ktiva Vechatima Tova; may you always be on the giving end

- Danny Tuesday, 9 Elul 5768

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

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

Halocho #141 - When do we eat the Seudat Mafseket?

The fast of 9 B'Av begins at sunset; this year it starts at sunset slightly before Motzai Shabbat and lasts until Sunday night.

Usually the Seudat Mafseket - the "final meal" before the fast of 9 B'Av - is eaten while seated on the floor. It typically consists of a cold hard boiled egg and bread which is dipped into ashes.

Since the fast of 9 B'Av is on Sunday, there is no Seudat Mafseket this year.

One can eat a normal Se'udat Shlishit - 3rd Shabbat meal - however one needs to stop eating and drinking before sunset.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 125:1

- Danny Thursday 6 Menachem-Av 5768

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

Halocho #48 - Shabbos food preparation

The Minhag is to bake ones own bread for Shabbos, thereby allowing the housewife to separate "Challah". One should make 3 sizes: The medium sized loaf is eaten Friday night, the bigger one on Shabbos morning and the smaller one at the 3rd meal (Se'udas Shlishis). One should taste all Shabbos food on Friday to ensure it's tasty. One may not eat a meal after mid-afternoon on Friday, so as not to spoil ones appetite for the Friday night meal. Source: KSA 72:6, 7, 10

סימן עב – גודל קדושת שבת

סעיף ו - המנהג בכל ישראל לאפות בבתיהם לחמים לכבוד שבת. לא מבעיא אם אוכלים בימי החול פת פלטר עובד כוכבים שיש ליזהר לאכול ביום השבת קודש פת ישראל, אלא אפילו אם בחול אוכל פת פלטר ישראל, מכל מקום לכבוד שבת יאפו בביתו כדי שתקיים האשה מצות הפרשת חלה. כי אדם הראשון נברא בערב שבת והיה חלתו של עולם, והאשה בחטאה אבדתו, ועל כן צריכה היא לתקן דבר זה. ועושין שלש לחמים, גדול, ובינוני, וקטן. הבינוני לסעודת הלילה והגדול לסעודת היום להראות כי כבוד היום עדיף, והקטן לסעודה שלישית. סעיף ז - יכין בשר ודגים יפים ומטעמים ויין משובח כפי יכלתו, כי מצוה לאכול בכל סעודה מסעודת שבת דגים אם אינם מזיקים לו, אבל אם מזיקין לו או שאינם ערבים לו, לא יאכלם, כי השבת לעונג ניתן ולא לצער. וישחיז את הסכין שזהו גם כן מכבוד השבת, ויתקן את הבית ויציע את המטות, ויפרוס מפה על השלחן ותהא פרוסה כל יום השבת. ויש מדקדקין לפרוס שתי מפות, וישמח בביאת השבת, ויחשוב בדעתו אלו היה מצפה שיבוא אליו איזה אדם יקר וחשוב איך היה מתקן את הבית לכבודו, ומכל שכן לכבוד שבת מלכתא. בקצת מקומות עושין פשטידא או מולייתא לסעודת ליל שבת, זכר למן שהיה מונח כמו בקופסא, טל למטה וטל למעלה. יש לטעום בערב שבת את התבשילין שנעשו לשבת. סעיף י - מתשע שעות זמניות ולמעלה, מצוה למנוע מלקבוע סעודה, אפילו מה שהוא רגיל בחול, וסעודה שאינו רגיל בה בחול, אפילו היא סעודת מצוה, אם היה אפשר לעשותה ביום אחר, אסור לעשותה בערב שבת כל היום אפילו בבוקר. אך סעודת מצוה שזמנה קבוע היום, כגון מילה ופדיון הבן וכדומה מותר. ומכל מקום נכון להקדימה בבוקר ולא ירבה בה, ומכל שכן שלא לאכול אכילה גסה, כדי שיאכלו סעודת שבת לתיאבון.