The custom is to say extra Selichot on the first "Monday, Thursday and Monday" in the month following Pessach and Sukkoth.
Some communities do this on the last "Monday, Thursday and Monday" of the month.
Since Monday is "Yom Sheni" or "Yom Bet - ב" and Thursday is "Yom Chamishi" or "Yom Heh - ה" these days are referred to as BeHaB - בה"ב
Some people have the custom to fast on BeHaB.
A special Mi-Sheberach was recited on Shabbat before the Torah was returned to the Aron Hakodesh to bless those who will fast.
Despite being a "private" (not communal) fast day, a person need not "declare his intention to fast" during the Mincha-Amida of the preceding day, if he answered Amen to the Mi-Sheberach.
Yet, answering Amen to the Mi-Sheberach does not oblige one to fast.
Even if one intended to fast when answering Amen and then on the designated day there was a Se'udat Mitzva (e.g. Brit Mila or Siyum or Pidyon HaBen) one should join the meal and not fast.
However, if one "declared his intention to fast" during the Mincha-Amida of the preceding day, then one needs to fast.
Tomorrow (Monday), and Thursday and next week Monday are BeHaB in most communities.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 127:3, 14
- Danny
Sunday, 4 Sivan 5771 - 19th day of the Omer
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Halocho #798 - BeHaB; another fast?
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Halocho #743 - Yahrzeit of our teacher Moses; Moshe Rabeinu
According to most opinions on 7 Adar (Friday) will be the Yahrzeit of our teacher Moses - Moshe Rabeinu.
Many Jewish Burial Societies [Chevra Kadisha] have their annual meeting that day, including fasting and special prayers.
Halachot related to Moshe Rabeinu:
When babies start talking one should teach them the verse "תּוֹרָה צִוָּה-לָנוּ, משֶׁה. מוֹרָשָׁה, קְהִלַּת יַעֲקב" and Shma Yisrael...", after ensuring that they are clean while being taught.
Moshe Rabeinu went up to Har-Sinai to get the 2nd set of tablets on a Thursday and came down on a Monday, which is why these 2 days are auspicious for praying - and we therefore add the long "Vehu Rachum" prayer before Tachanun on these 2 days.
There's a limit as to how long one may mourn a deceased - but even for a great Torah scholar one may not mourn longer than 30 days, as nobody can be greater than our teacher Moshe for whom it is stated "and they mourned Moshe for 30 days".
Sources: Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 58:2, KSA 165:10, 22:9, 215:1
- Danny
Wednesday, 5 Adar-I 5771
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Halocho #682 - Tomorrow is Yom Kippour Kattan
The day before Rosh Chodesh is called Yom Kippour Kattan.
If Rosh Chodesh is on Shabbat or Sunday then Yom Kippour Kattan is on Thursday.
In certain communities, Mincha (the afternoon prayers) on Yom Kippour Kattan includes prayers asking for repentance, so as to begin the new month with a "clean slate".
Some even have the custom to fast on Yom Kippour Kattan.
Tomorrow - Thursday - is Yom Kippour Kattan. Rosh Chodesh Kislev will be on Sunday and Monday.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:1, 128:1
- Danny
Wednesday, 26 Marcheshvan 5771
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Halocho #669 - BeHaB; another fast?
The custom is to say extra Selichot on the first "Monday, Thursday and Monday" in the month following Pessach and Sukkoth.
Some communities do this on the last "Monday, Thursday and Monday" of the month.
Since Monday is "Yom Sheni" or "Yom Bet - ב" and Thursday is "Yom Chamishi" or "Yom Heh - ה" these days are referred to as BeHaB - בה"ב
Some people have the custom to fast on BeHaB.
A special Mi-Sheberach was recited on Shabbat before the Torah was returned to the Aron Hakodesh to bless those who will fast.
Despite being a "private" (not communal) fast day, a person need not "declare his intention to fast" during the Mincha-Amida of the preceding day, if he answered Amen to the Mi-Sheberach.
Yet, answering Amen to the Mi-Sheberach does not oblige one to fast.
Even if one intended to fast when answering Amen and then on the designated day there was a Se'udat Mitzva (e.g. Brit Mila or Siyum or Pidyon HaBen) one should join the meal and not fast.
However, if one "declared his intention to fast" during the Mincha-Amida of the preceding day, then one needs to fast.
Tomorrow (Monday), and Thursday and next week Monday are BeHaB in most communities.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 127:3, 14
- Danny
Sunday, 6 Marchesvan 5771
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Halocho #434 - What's BeHaB?
On the first "Monday, Thursday and Monday" in the month following Pessach and Sukkoth the custom is to say extra Selichot.
Some communities do this on the last "Monday, Thursday and Monday" of the month.
Since Monday is "Yom Sheni" or "Yom Bet - ב" and Thursday is "Yom Chamishi" or "Yom Heh - ה" these days are referred to as BeHaB - בה"ב
Some people have the custom to fast on BeHaB.
A special Mi-Sheberach was recited on Shabbat before the Torah was returned to the Aron Hakodesh to bless those who will fast.
Despite being a "private" (not communal) fast day, a person need not "declare his intention to fast" during the Mincha-Amida of the preceding day, if he answered Amen to the Mi-Sheberach.
Yet, answering Amen to the Mi-Sheberach does not oblige one to fast.
Even if one intended to fast when answering Amen and then on the designated day there was a Se'udat Mitzva (e.g. Brit Mila or Siyum or Pidyon HaBen) one should join the meal and not fast.
However, if one "declared his intention to fast" during the Mincha-Amida of the preceding day, then one needs to fast.
Tomorrow (Monday), and Thursday and next week Monday are BeHaB in most communities.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 127:3, 14
Don't forget to add "ותן טל ומטר לברכה" - as per Halocho #433
- Danny
Sunday, 7 Marcheshvan 5770
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Halocho #335 - Everybody has to do Eruv Tavshilin on Erev Shavu'ot
One may not prepare from Yom Tov to Shabbat unless one does Eruv Tavshilin before Yom Tov. Since the first day of Shavu'oth is on Friday, everybody needs to do Eruv Tavshilin on Thursday.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Halocho #329 - Tomorrow is Yom Kippour Kattan
The day before Rosh Chodesh is called Yom Kippour Kattan.
If Rosh Chodesh is on Shabbat or Sunday then Yom Kippour Kattan is on Thursday, so as not to fast on Friday.
In certain communities, Mincha (the afternoon prayers) on Yom Kippour Kattan includes prayers asking for repentance, so as to begin the new month with a "clean slate".
Some have the custom to fast on Yom Kippour Kattan.
Tomorrow - Thursday - is Yom Kippour Kattan. Rosh Chodesh Sivan will be on Sunday.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:1, 128:1
- Danny Tuesday, 25 Iyar 5769, 40th day of the Omer
Please daven for a complete recovery for Nachman ben Ita who is having a tumour removed from his kidney.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Halocho #317 - Should we fast tomorrow - BeHa"B?
As we learned in Halocho 316, on Shabbat a special Mi-Sheberach was recited for those fasting tomorrow (Monday), Thursday and next Monday - בה"ב. Even if one intended to fast when answering Amen and then on the designated day there was a Se'udat Mitzva (e.g. Brit Mila or Siyum or Pidyon HaBen) one should join the meal and not fast. Despite being a "private" (not communal) fast day, a person need not "declare his intention to fast" during the Mincha-Amida of the preceding day, if he answered Amen to the Mi-Sheberach. If one "declared his intention to fast" during the Mincha-Amida of the preceding day, then one needs to fast. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 127:3, 14 - Danny Sunday, 9 Iyar 5769, 24th day of the Omer
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Halocho #316 - Special "BeHaB Mi-Sheberach" this Shabbat
On the first "Monday, Thursday and Monday" in the month following Pessach (Iyar) and Sukkoth (Marcheshvan) the custom is to say extra Selichot during Shacharit. (Some communities do this on the last "Monday, Thursday and Monday" of the month. ) Since Monday is "Yom Sheni" or "Yom Bet - ב - and Thursday is "Yom Chamishi" or "Yom Heh - ה - these days are referred to as BeHaB - בה"ב BeHaB will be on this coming Monday, Thursday and again on Monday the following week. Some people have the custom to fast on BeHaB. A special Mi-Sheberach will be recited on Shabbat morning before the Torah is returned to the Aron Hakodesh to bless those who will fast. Answering Amen to the Mi-Sheberach does not oblige one to fast. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 127:3, 14 Shabbat Shalom, - Danny Thursday, 6 Iyar 5769, 21st day of the Omer
Monday, March 2, 2009
Halocho #281 - The shortest Torah Reading
At each Aliya during Torah Reading, at least 3 verses have to be read.
Even when only 3 people are called up (like on Mondays, Thursdays, and Shabbat afternoon) a total of 10 verses need to be read. The last Aliya should read 4 verses.
On Purim, because the Torah Reading only has 9 verses in the relevant section, therefore 3 verses are read in each Aliya for a total of 9 verses.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 23:19
- Danny
Monday, 6 Adar 5769
Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Halocho #195 What's BeHaB?
On the first "Monday, Thursday and Monday" in the month following Pessach and Sukkoth the custom is to say extra Selichot. Some communities do this on the last "Monday, Thursday and Monday" of the month. Since Monday is "Yom Sheni" or "Yom Bet - ב" and Thursday is "Yom Chamishi" or "Yom Heh - ה" these days are referred to as BeHaB - בה"ב Some people have the custom to fast on BeHaB. A special Mi-Sheberach was recited on Shabbat before the Torah was returned to the Aron Hakodesh to bless those who will fast. Despite being a "private" (not communal) fast day, a person need not "declare his intention to fast" during the Mincha-Amida of the preceding day, if he answered Amen to the Mi-Sheberach. Answering Amen to the Mi-Sheberach does not oblige one to fast. Even if one intended to fast when answering Amen and then on the designated day there was a Se'udat Mitzva (e.g. Brit Mila or Siyum or Pidyon HaBen) one should join the meal and not fast. If one "declared his intention to fast" during the Mincha-Amida of the preceding day, then one needs to fast. Tomorrow - Monday, and Thursday and next week Monday are BeHaB in most communities. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 127:3, 14 - Danny Sunday, 4 Marcheshvan 5769
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Halocho #157 - Tomorrow is Yom Kippour Kattan
The day before Rosh Chodesh is called Yom Kippour Kattan.
If Rosh Chodesh is on Shabbat or Sunday then Yom Kippour Kattan is on Thursday, so as not to fast on Friday.
Mincha (the afternoon prayers) on Yom Kippour Kattan includes prayers asking for repentance, so as to begin the new month with a "clean slate".
Some have the custom to fast on Yom Kippour Kattan.
In anticipation of the month of Elul and the upcoming High Holidays, most communities say the Yom Kippour Kattan prayers before Rosh Chodesh Elul, in order to get into the Teshuva (repentance) mood.
Tomorrow - Thursday - is Yom Kippour Kattan. Rosh Chodesh Elul will be on Sunday and Monday.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:1, 128:1
- Danny Wednesday, 26 Av 5768
Please daven for TAMAR bat NAAMA - תמר בת נעמה
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Halocho #146 - Last chance for Kiddush Levana
One can say Kiddush Levana (the blessing on a waxing moon) until the Full Moon; defined as half way between 2 Molads. (The Molad is the New Moon based on Halachic calculations.) The custom is to not say Kiddush Levana on Shabbat unless there's no other time to say it. This month [in Jerusalem] the Halachic full moon will be 10 minutes after sunset; minutes before Motzai Shabbat. Shabbat afternoon in the USA. This month there will be a [partial] moon eclipse on Friday night [around midnight in Israel]. Many Poskim [Halachic authorities] prefer not saying Kiddush Levana after a moon eclipse, since moon eclipses happen at Full Moon. Other Poskim allow saying Kiddush Levana until the Halachic Full Moon, even if it's obvious to everybody that the moon is already waning. If you didn't yet say Kiddush Levana this month, you should make sure to say it tonight - Thursday night. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:7, 10 ,12 - Danny Thursday, 13 Menachem-Av 5768
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Halocho #113 - When did the 12 spies leave?
Today (Wednesday 29 Sivan) is Erev Rosh Chodesh Tamuz. On 29 Sivan 2450 - some 3,318 years ago - the 12 spies left on their 40 days reconnaissance of the Promised Land. Tachanun is not said at Mincha on Erev Rosh Chodesh. Some people have the custom of adding the Yom Kippour Katan prayers during Mincha. Some even fast on Erev Rosh Chodesh to atone for the sins of the past month. Rosh Chodesh Tamuz is on Thursday and Friday. Tonight - Wednesday night - one starts adding Ya'aleh Veyavo into the davening (prayers) and bentching (grace after meals); forgetting to do so at night does not require amendment. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:1 - Danny See the Halocho a Day on profile as an RSS feed.Go to http://www.facebook.com/editnotes.php?import and import from http://halocho.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Halocho #97 - Why do the firstborns fast?
Why don't firstborns celebrate the fact that they were saved from the 10th plague - the smiting of Egyptian firstborns? Tomorrow - Thursday - firstborns will fast in memory of them fasting in Egypt on Erev Pessach, to ensure they wouldn't be punished along with the Egyptians in the 10th plague. The Hallel said at the Seder includes praise for their delivery. The fast is usually on Erev Pessach; since we don't fast on Shabbat, and fasting on Friday is also not a pleasant way to greet Shabbat, so the fast was advanced to Thursday. All firstborns males fast; even if they're only a firstborn to one of their parents. Even firstborns who are exempt from Pidyon haBen - like Cohanim, Levites or being born after a stillborn - also have to fast. The father of a young firstborn needs to fast for him. Whether a firstborn (or his father) may attend a Se'udat Mitzva like a Siyum, Bris or Pidyon haBen and break his fast to participate in the meal, depends on local / family custom. Once he breaks his fast he can eat for the rest of the day. A firstborn may break his fast after nightfall, before doing Bedikas Chometz, if needed. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 113:6, 115:2 - Danny 11 Nissasn 5768
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Halocho #94 - Schedule for Erev Pessach on Shabbos
This year Erev Pessach is on Shabbos. This happened 3 years ago and will happen again in 13 years time (2021/תשפ"א - 5781). Since Erev Pessach is on Shabbos, the standard pre-Pessach schedule is different. Here are some highlights in chronological order: - The Fast of the Firstborns is on Thursday. In case of need, the firstborn may break his fast before doing Bedikas Chometz. - Bedikas Chometz (searching the house for leaven) is done on Thursday evening. - The first Kol Chamiro (annulling all Chometz that one isn't aware of) is said after Bedikas Chometz on Thursday night. - Burning all Chometz (besides what is needed for the next 24 hours) is done on Friday morning - check your local luach (Jewish calendar) for the correct time. No Kol Chamiro is said. - The sale of Chometz should be organized with your local Rabbi by Friday morning. He'd probably appreciate if you come by earlier in the week. - In order to prevent complicated halachic situations one should do the following on Friday:
- Prepare the Salt Water for the Seder.
- Roast the Egg and Bone.
- Make the Charoset.
- Light a 26 hour (Yahrzeit) candle from which to light Yom Tov candles on Saturday night, unless one will have another flame available, like a gas range.
- Prepare wicks for the Yom Tov oil-candles, as one may not re-use the Shabbos wicks.
- Prepare candles for the Yom Tov candles, as one may not melt candles nor trim them on Yom Tov.
- Open the boxes of Matza, so as not to tear writing on Yom Tov.
- Ensure the wine bottles can be opened on Yom Tov without tearing any writing; else open them beforehand.
- Ensure Challa has been separated from the bread to be used on Shabbos as well as from the Matza to be used on Yom Tov. - On Shabbos morning one must finish eating Chometz by a third of the day - check your local luach for the correct time. More details about this tomorrow. - After one finishes eating Chometz on Shabbos morning, one disposes of the leftover Chometz and says the second Kol Chamiro - annulling all Chometz still in one's possession. - One may not make any Seder preparations on Shabbos. One must wait until the time for Motzai Shabbos - check your local luach for the correct time. One can then say "Boruch Hamavdil ben Kodesh L'Kodesh" - ברוך המבדיל בין קודש לקודש - "Blessed is He who separates between the Holiness of Shabbos and the [lesser] Holiness of Yom Tov", and then light Yom Tov candles from an existing flame and start cooking and preparing the table for the Seder. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 96:5, 110:6, 115
Friday, April 11, 2008
Halocho #93 - When is Shabbos Hagodol this year?
The Jews in Egypt were commanded to take home a lamb for the pre-Exodus Seder on 10 Nissan, four days before it was going to be sacrificed. It was a miracle that the Egyptians didn't harm the Jews when they did this, since lambs were considered sacred objects in Egypt. Since we left Egypt on Thursday 15 Nissan, this miracle happened on a Shabbos. To commemorate this miracle, the Shabbos before Seder Night is called Shabbos Hagodol - the Great Shabbos and a special Haftara is read; the last chapter in Malachi which predicts the future redemption, may we merit it in our days. Typically on Shabbos Hagodol the Rabbi's Drasha (lecture) is a refresher course of Pessach laws. When Pessach starts on Sunday - like this year - then the Shabbos Hagodol Drasha is given a week early, so as to make it useful. The custom is to read the narrative section of the Haggada - from Avadim Hayinu (we were slaves) until (but not including) Rabban Gamliel's admonition to say "Pesach, Matza and Marror" at Mincha on Shabbos Hagodol. The yearly Shabbos Hagodol Drasha will be tomorrow - Shabbos Parshat Metzora, 7 Nissan, whereas Shabbos Hagodol (with its special Haftarah and Haggada reading) is actually next week, Erev Pessach. Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 430 Shabbat Shalom - Danny
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Halocho #85 – Rosh Chodesh on Sunday
This Sunday is Rosh Chodesh Nissan 5768 – ה'תשס"ח When the 3rd Shabbos 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 Kezayis (the size of an olive – 27 cc) of bread after dark, one inserts Ya’aleh V’Yavo – יעלה ויבוא during Birkas Hamazon. What happens when both of the above happen together? If Rosh Chodesh is on Sunday and one eats a Kezayis of bread after dark during the 3rd Shabbos meal, then one inserts both Retzai – רצה and Ya’aleh V’Yavo – יעלה ויבוא during Birkas Hamazon. However, some argue that mentioning both is a contradiction – since Shabbos and Rosh Chodesh aren’t on the same day. Therefore one should be careful not to eat after dark at the 3rd Shabbos meal when Rosh Chodesh is on Sunday. The same concept applies when Chanuka, Purim or Yom Tov start on Sunday. Since this Sunday is Rosh Chodesh, the Yom Kipour Kotton prayers that some people say on Erev Rosh Chodesh are said tomorrow – Thursday. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 44:17 - Danny
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Halocho #46 - Yahrzeit of our teacher Moses; Moshe Rabeinu
Today, 7 Adar, is the 3,279th Yahrzeit of our teacher Moses - Moshe Rabeinu (according to most opinions) and is a Ta'anis Tzadikim. (Many Jewish Burial Societies [Chevra Kadisha] have their annual meeting today, including fasting and special prayers.) Halachot related to Moshe Rabeinu: When babies start talking one should teach them the verse "Torah Tziva Lanu Moshe..."* and Shma Yisrael...", after ensuring that they are clean while being taught. Moshe Rabeinu went up to Har-Sinai to get the 2nd set of tablets on a Thursday and came down on a Monday, which is why these 2 days are auspicious for praying - and we therefore add the long "Vehu Rachum" prayer before Tachanun on these 2 days. There's a limit as to how long one may mourn a deceased - but even for a great Torah scholar one may not mourn longer than 30 days, as nobody can be greater than our teacher Moshe for whom it is stated "and they mourned for Moshe for 30 days" Sources: Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 58:2, KSA 165:10, 23:9, 215:1 *תורה צוה לנו משה, מורשה קהלת יעקב
Friday, January 25, 2008
Halocho #31 – Bathing for Shabbos
It's a mitzvah to bathe on Friday with warm water; or at least to wash ones face, hands and feet. It's also a mitzvah to shampoo ones hair, cut ones nails and have a haircut if needed. One should not cut finger and toe nails on the same day. One doesn’t cut [finger] nails on Thursday as then they begin growing (and looking unkempt) on Shabbos. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 72:12, 14 Shabbat Shalom
