Halocho #624 - May one say Tehillim by heart?

The Torah is divided into two parts: The written-law (Tanach) and the oral-law (Mishna and Gemara).

Even if one knows parts of the written-law by heart, one should be careful not say them without a text.

The exception being those verses that everybody knows by heart, like those Tehillim said often during prayers like אשרי

If possible, one should pray from a Siddur, since Davening includes many verses that not everybody knows by heart.

Blind people are allowed to say everything by heart.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 1:6

- Danny
Tuesday, 23 Menachem Av 5770

Halocho # 492 - Travel preparations

Before leaving on a trip one should give charity.

Since one should learn Torah or say Tehilim while traveling, one should remember to take along a Sefer.

One should never go on a trip - even a short one - without taking along food.

Men should also take along spare Tzitzit in case the one they are wearing rip and become Pasul (unfit), as well as their Tefillin if there's a chance they won't be back home before the morrow.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 68:6

- Danny
Wednesday, 27 Tevet 5770

Halocho #387 - A song of praise - Mizmor L'Thoda

During the week one says מִזְמוֹר לְתוֹדָה - Mizmor L'Thoda (Tehillim Ch. 100) after Hodu. One should stand up while reciting Mizmor L'Thoda. Mizmor L'Thoda should be said with joy - since it replaces the Korban Toda - the thanksgiving offering. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 14:4 Serve Hashem with gladness: come before Him with singing. (Tehillim 100:2) - Danny Monday, 20 Av 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה - a 12 year old whose cancer has spread to her lungs.

Halocho #245 - May one say Tehillim by heart?

The Torah is divided into two parts: The written-law (Tanach) and the oral-law (Mishna and Gemara).

Even if one knows parts of the written-law by heart, one should be careful not say them without a text.

The exception being those verses that everybody knows by heart, like those Tehillim said often during prayers like אשרי

If possible, one should pray from a Siddur, since Davening includes many verses that not everybody knows by heart. 

Blind people are allowed to say everything by heart.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 1:6

- Danny 

 Sunday, 15 Tevet 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for baby Moshe ben Esther  -  a 6 months old baby who had a heart surgery - משה בן אסתר

Halocho #243 - When to get up in the morning

If possible, one should awaken at midnight and say Tikun Chatzot; lamenting the Bet Hamikdash that was destroyed and the resultant loss of Torah learning as well as all the Mitzvos we can no longer do. If getting up at midnight is not an option, one should get up before dawn to say Tikun Chatzot.

After Tikun Chatzot one should learn some Torah; Mishna or Tehillim or Mussar. At the very latest one needs to awaken in time to get to shul before they start morning prayers.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 1:5

- Danny

 Wednesday, 11 Tevet 5769

Please daven for a Refu'a Shleimah Michael Meshulem ben Kaila - מיכאל משולם בן קיילא

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