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 #315 - Remembering miracles

If one experiences a miracle, one should celebrate the day of the miracle every year. On this day one should set aside time to thank Hashem for the miracle and to talk about the miracle. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 61:3 - Danny Wednesday, 5 Iyar 5769, 20th day of the Omer - יום העצמאות

Please daven for a complete recovery for Z'ev Eliezer ben Devorah who is undergoing a bone marrow transplant on Thursday

Halocho #220 - Remembering miracles

182 years ago on 10 Kislev the 2nd Lubavitcher Rebbe was released. You can read about him at http://www.answers.com/topic/dovber-schneuri.

Anytime a miracle happens to you, you should give charity and have in mind that it is instead of bringing a Thanksgiving sacrifice.

One should also fix or establish something for the public good.

On the yearly anniversary of the miracle one should seclude oneself and spend the day thanking Hashem for the miracle.

One should also publicize the miracle.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 61:3

- Danny Sunday, 10 Kislev 5769

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

Halocho #188 - It's a Mitzva to eat!

Tomorrow - Wednesday - is Erev Yom Kippour. It's a Mitzva to eat more than usual on on the day before Yom Kippour in order to have an easy fast the next day. Those people who find it easier to fast if they don't eat too much beforehand, do not need to eat more than usual. On Erev Yom Kippour one does not say Mizmor Lesoda in Shacharit. The reason being that Mizmor Lesoda parallels the Korban Toda (thanksgiving sacrifice) which was eaten for 2 consecutive days. Since a sacrifice brought on Erev Yom Kippour couldn't be eaten for 2 consecutive days, therefore one couldn't bring a Korban Toda on Erev Yom Kippour. On Erev Yom Kippour one also omits Tachanun, Lamenatze'ach and Avinu Malkeinu. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 131:2,3 Wishing everybody an easy and meaningful fast, - Danny Tuesday, 8 Tishrei 5769 This post was written in memory of my grandmother - Esther bas Kalman - who passed away on Yom Kippour afternoon

Halocho #80 - Do we make a Brocho on rain?

The Mishna in Ta'anis (3:4) tells us the fascinating story of a drought in Eretz Yisroel that ended when the great Choni drew a circle on the ground, stepped into it and informed Hashem that he wouldn't leave until it would rain. He continued refining his request until it rained properly. Thereafter he was named Choni Ham'agel (Choni the circle drawer). This happened today - 20th Adar, (according to Megilas Ta'anis Ch. 12). If there would be a drought to the extent that people suffer, then when it rains enough to make puddles one needs to make a brocho. One who doesn't own a field but sees the rain says "Modim"; thank You for every drop of rain, continues with Nishmas and ends with Baruch Ata Hashem Kel Rov Hahoda'ot. (Blessed are You Hashem, Almighty, deserving of many praises.)

מודים אנחנו לך ה' אלהינו על כל טפה וטפה שהורדת לנו

ואלו פינו מלא שירה כים וכו' - כמו שהוא בברכת נשמת - עד ויקדישו וימליכו את שמך מלכנו

ברוך אתה ה' א-ל רוב ההודאות ותשבחות

If one owns a field in the drought area - even if one only heard about the rain - says the brocho of "shehechiyanu" - שהחיינו. (Blessed are You Hashem, Almighty, King of the world for keeping us alive and sustaining us to the present.) If one owns the field in partnership with another Jews, one says the brocho of "Baruch... Hatov V'Hametiv" - הטוב והמטיב. (Blessed are You Hashem, Almighty, King of the world who is good and bestows good.) Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 61:9, 10. Mishna Megila 3:4

.מגילה פרק ג' משנה ד

מעשה שאמרו לו לחוני המעגל, התפלל שיירדו גשמים אמר להם, צאו והכניסו תנורי פסחים, בשביל שלא יימוקו

התפלל, ולא ירדו גשמים

עג עוגה, ועמד בתוכה ואמר

רבונו של עולם, בניך שמו פניהם עליי, שאני כבן בית לפניך

נשבע אני בשמך הגדול שאיני זז מכאן, עד שתרחם על בניך

התחילו הגשמים מנטפים

אמר, לא כך שאלתי, אלא גשמי בורות שיחין ומערות

ירדו בזעף; אמר, לא כך שאלתי, אלא גשמי רצון, ברכה ונדבה

ירדו כתקנן, עד שעלו ישראל מירושלים להר הבית מרוב הגשמים