Halocho #2403 - May one work on Rosh Chodesh?

Rosh Chodesh is a "minor" Yom Tov - and after Shacharit one adds the abridged Hallel, Torah Reading and Mussaf.

All types of work are permitted on Rosh Chodesh.

Some women have a family custom to not do certain types of work on Rosh Chodesh. This is a valid custom and they may not disregard it.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:3

רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ, מֻתָּר בַּעֲשִׂיַּת מְלָאכָה. 

וְנָשִׁים נוֹהֲגוֹת שֶׁלֹּא לַעֲשׂוֹת בּוֹ מְלָאכָה, וּמִנְהָג הָגוּן הוּא וְאֵין לְהָקֵל לָהֶם.

Chodesh Tov

- Danny

Wednesday, 1st Day Rosh Chodesh Iyar 5784, 15th day of the Omer

 Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

 מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּילָא לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2385 - The 4th of the Four Weeks

This week we take out two Sifrei Torah. The Torah Reading starts with the weekly Parsha: שְּׁמִינִי. 

After Kaddish, the second Sefer Torah is used for Maftir to read Parshat הַחֹדֶשׁ in anticipation of the upcoming month of Nissan. 

The Haftara is from יְחֶזְקֵאל chapter 45 which discusses the dedication of the Temple starting on Rosh Chodesh Nissan as well as the Pessach sacrifice 2 weeks later. 

This week is also Shabbat Mevorchim the month of Nissan. Rosh Chodesh Nissan will be on Tuesday. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:2 

הַשַׁבָּת שֶׁלִּפְנֵי רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ נִיסָן, הִיא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת הַחֹדֶשׁ. 

Shabbat Shalom uMevorach

- Danny Schoemann

Thursday, 25 Adar-2 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2384 - Is January the first month?

This Shabbat for Maftir we will read Parshas HaChodesh (Exodus Ch. 12, Verses 1-20).

Parshas HaChodesh reminds us of the following upcoming Mitzvot:

• The month of Nissan (which begins on Tuesday) is the first month on the Jewish calendar, as the opening words of Parshat Hachodesh proclaim:

"הַחֹדֶשׁ הַזֶּה לָכֶם רֹאשׁ חֳדָשִׁים רִאשׁוֹן הוּא לָכֶם לְחָדְשֵׁי הַשָּׁנָה"

"This month is for you the first month".

• The laws of Korban Pessach: sacrificed on Erev Pessach in the afternoon, it had to be roasted whole and then eaten on the first night of Pessach with Matza and Marror (bitter herbs).

וְאָכְלוּ אֶת הַבָּשָׂר בַּלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה צְלִי אֵשׁ וּמַצּוֹת עַל מְרֹרִים יֹאכְלֻהוּ.

אַל תֹּאכְלוּ מִמֶּנּוּ נָא וּבָשֵׁל מְבֻשָּׁל בַּמָּיִם כִּי אִם צְלִי אֵשׁ רֹאשׁוֹ עַל כְּרָעָיו וְעַל קִרְבּוֹ.

• Leftovers had to be burnt on the first day of Chol Hamo'ed.

וְהַנֹּתָר מִמֶּנּוּ עַד בֹּקֶר בָּאֵשׁ תִּשְׂרֹפוּ.

• Matza needs to be made carefully to ensure it doesn't become Chametz (leaven).

וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם אֶת הַמַּצּוֹת

• The first and last days of Pessach are Yom Tov.

וּבַיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ וּבַיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ יִהְיֶה לָכֶם כָּל מְלָאכָה לֹא יֵעָשֶׂה בָהֶם אַךְ אֲשֶׁר יֵאָכֵל לְכָל נֶפֶשׁ הוּא לְבַדּוֹ יֵעָשֶׂה לָכֶם

• One may not own Chametz, nor eat it, during Pessach .

שִׁבְעַת יָמִים שְׂאֹר לֹא יִמָּצֵא בְּבָתֵּיכֶם כִּי כָּל אֹכֵל מַחְמֶצֶת וְנִכְרְתָה הַנֶּפֶשׁ הַהִוא מֵעֲדַת יִשְׂרָאֵל בַּגֵּר וּבְאֶזְרַח הָאָרֶץ.

כָּל מַחְמֶצֶת לֹא תֹאכֵלוּ בְּכֹל מוֹשְׁבֹתֵיכֶם תֹּאכְלוּ מַצּוֹת.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:2

הַשַׁבָּת שֶׁלִּפְנֵי רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ נִיסָן, הִיא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת הַחֹדֶשׁ. וְאִם חָל רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ בַּשַׁבָּת, אָז הִיא פָּרָשַׁת הַחֹדֶשׁ, וְדִינָהּ כְּמוֹ רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ אֲדָר שֶׁחָל בַּשַׁבָּת. 

- Danny Schoemann
Wednesday, 24 Adar-2 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2380 - What color is a Red Heifer?

This Shabbat a second Sefer Torah is taken out for Maftir and the laws of פָּרָה אֲדֻמָּה – the Red Heifer – are read. (The first 22 verses of Parshat חֻקַּת in במדבר י"ט) 

There are opinions that there’s a Torah obligation to hear it being read, and people who don’t have access to a Minyan should find one this week. 

A Kosher פָּרָה אֲדֻמָּה is a (female) cow past its second birthday that is completely ginger-brown. Even two white or black hairs near each other would invalidate it. 

The non-brown part of its horns and hooves need to be filed down. Its eyes, teeth and tongue do not need to be ginger-brown. 

Using the פָּרָה אֲדֻמָּה for any work – even to carry something – would invalidate it. Birds and insects that land on its back do not invalidate it. 

The פָּרָה אֲדֻמָּה is slaughtered and burnt and the ashes mixed with spring water and sprinkled on people who come in contact with a corpse, on the third and seventh day of their purification process. 

This was a prerequisite for access to the בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּש (Temple). Since there’s a Mitzva to go into the בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּש on Pessach, we read this in anticipation of being able to implement it this year, or at least בִּמְהֵרָה בְיָמֵינוּ – soon in our lifetime. 

Sources: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:2-3, Mishna Masechet Para, Ch. 1, Rambam Hil. Para Ch. 1 

וְהַשַׁבָּת שֶׁלִּפְנֵי פָּרָשַׁת הַחֹדֶשׁ, הִיא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת פָּרָה.

יֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים, כִּי פָּרָשַׁת זָכוֹר וּפָרָשַׁת פָּרָה, חַיָבִים לִקְרוֹתָן מִדְּאוֹרַיְתָא, וְאֵין קוֹרִין בָּהֶם קָטֹן לַמַּפְטִיר. וּבְנֵי הַיִשׁוּבִים שֶאֵין לָהֶם מִנְיָן, צְרִיכִין שֶׁיָבוֹאוּ לְמָקוֹם שֶׁיֵשׁ בּוֹ מִנְיָן. וְאִם אִי אֶפְשָׁר לָהֶם, לְכָל הַפָּחוֹת יִקְרְאוּ אוֹתָן בִּנְגִינוֹת כָּרָאוּי.

מִצְוַת פָּרָה אֲדֻמָּה שֶׁתִּהְיֶה בַּת שָׁלֹשׁ שָׁנִים אוֹ בַּת אַרְבַּע. וְאִם הָיְתָה זְקֵנָה כְּשֵׁרָה אֶלָּא שֶׁאֵין מַמְתִּינִין לָהּ שֶׁמָּא תַּשְׁחִיר וְתִפָּסֵל.

הָיוּ בָּהּ שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת לְבָנוֹת אוֹ שְׁחוֹרוֹת בְּתוֹךְ גֻּמָּא אַחַת אוֹ בְּתוֹךְ שְׁנֵי כּוֹסוֹת וְהֵן מֻנָּחוֹת זוֹ עַל זוֹ פְּסוּלָה.

הָיוּ קַרְנֶיהָ אוֹ טְלָפֶיהָ שְׁחוֹרִים יָגוֹד. גַּלְגַּל הָעַיִן וְהַשִּׁנַּיִם וְהַלָּשׁוֹן אֵין מַרְאֵיהֶן פּוֹסְלִים בְּפָרָה.

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny Schoemann

Thursday, 18 Adar-2 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2376 - Destroy and remember

This Shabbat - the one before Purim - is Parshat Zachor, פָּרָשַׁת זָכוֹר.

A second Sefer Torah is taken out to read פָּרָשַׁת זָכוֹר and for Maftir we read about the obligation to annihilate the nation of Amalek and remember their wickedness. 

There is an opinion that it's a Torah obligation to hear Parshat Zachor being read in shul this week, and if you don't have a Minyan near home you need to go to a town with a Minyan for this Shabbat. 

If a Minyan cannot be found, Parshat Zachor should be read even without a Minyan.

For the Haftara we read the story of King Saul's attempt to fulfill the Mitzva of annihilating Amalek. (Shmuel-1 Ch. 15) 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:2, 3

שַׁבָּת שֶׁלִפְנֵי פּוּרִים הוּא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת זָכוֹר. וְהַשַׁבָּת שֶׁלִּפְנֵי רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ נִיסָן, הִיא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת הַחֹדֶשׁ. וְאִם חָל רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ בַּשַׁבָּת, אָז הִיא פָּרָשַׁת הַחֹדֶשׁ, וְדִינָהּ כְּמוֹ רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ אֲדָר שֶׁחָל בַּשַׁבָּת. וְהַשַׁבָּת שֶׁלִּפְנֵי פָּרָשַׁת הַחֹדֶשׁ, הִיא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת פָּרָה.

יֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים, כִּי פָּרָשַׁת זָכוֹר וּפָרָשַׁת פָּרָה, חַיָבִים לִקְרוֹתָן מִדְּאוֹרַיְתָא, וְאֵין קוֹרִין בָּהֶם קָטֹן לַמַּפְטִיר. וּבְנֵי הַיִשׁוּבִים שֶאֵין לָהֶם מִנְיָן, צְרִיכִין שֶׁיָבוֹאוּ לְמָקוֹם שֶׁיֵשׁ בּוֹ מִנְיָן. וְאִם אִי אֶפְשָׁר לָהֶם, לְכָל הַפָּחוֹת יִקְרְאוּ אוֹתָן בִּנְגִינוֹת כָּרָאוּי.

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny Schoemann

Thursday, Fast of Esther, 11 Adar-2 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2365 - Shabbat Shekalim

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

After the regular Torah Reading - Parshat וַיַּקְהֵל - we say half-Kaddish and then read the beginning of last week's Parsha כִּי תִשָּׂא (Shemot Ch. 30, Verses 11-16) in the second Sefer Torah.

This is followed by the Haftara for Shekalim from Melachim-2. Some communities start at chapter11 verse 17 - וַיִּכְרֹת יְהוֹיָדָע אֶת הַבְּרִית, others start from chapter 12 - בֶּן שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים יְהוֹאָשׁ בְּמָלְכוֹ.

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.

Shabbat is also Shabbat Mevarchim of the upcoming month of Adar-Bet. Rosh Chodesh Adar-Sheini will be on Sunday and Monday.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:1

שַׁבָּת שֶׁלִּפְנֵי רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ אֲדָר הַסָּמוּךְ לְנִיסָן, הִיא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת שְׁקָלִים.

- Danny
Wednesday, 26 Adar-1 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2364 - Four special Shabbatot coming up

Four of the next 5 Shabbatot are referred to as the "4 Parshiot".

This year these are:

1. Shekalim - שְׁקָלִים coming up this Shabbat.
2. A "regular" week, sometimes called a Hafsaka - break during the "4 Parshiot".
3. Zachor - זָכוֹר, the Shabbat before Purim; Erev Purim this year.
4. Para - פָּרָה a week later, always a week before Hachodesh.
5. Hachodesh - הַחֹדֶשׁ the week after Para - the week before Rosh Chodesh Nissan

Each of these 4 weeks we take out a second Sefer Torah, and each of the 4 Parshiot has its own Haftara, as we will learn in future posts.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:1 - סדר ארבע פרשיות

שַׁבָּת שֶׁלִּפְנֵי רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ אֲדָר הַסָּמוּךְ לְנִיסָן, הִיא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת שְׁקָלִים.
שַׁבָּת שֶׁלִפְנֵי פּוּרִים הוּא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת זָכוֹר.
וְהַשַׁבָּת שֶׁלִּפְנֵי רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ נִיסָן, הִיא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת הַחֹדֶשׁ.
וְהַשַׁבָּת שֶׁלִּפְנֵי פָּרָשַׁת הַחֹדֶשׁ, הִיא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת פָּרָה.

- Danny
Tuesday, 25 Adar-1 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2254 - Destroy and remember

This Shabbat - the one before פּוּרִים - is שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת זָכוֹר.

A second סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה is taken out, and for מַפְטִיר we read about the obligation to annihilate the nation of עֲמָלֵק and remember their wickedness.

For the הַפְטָרָה we read the story of the attempt of שָׁאוּל הַמֶּלֶךְ to fulfill the Mitzvah of annihilating עֲמָלֵק. (Shmuel-1 Ch. 15)

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:2

- Danny
Wednesday, 6 Adar 5779

שַׁבָּת שֶׁלִפְנֵי פּוּרִים הוּא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת זָכוֹר. וְהַשַׁבָּת שֶׁלִּפְנֵי רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ נִיסָן, הִיא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת הַחֹדֶשׁ. וְאִם חָל רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ בַּשַׁבָּת, אָז הִיא פָּרָשַׁת הַחֹדֶשׁ, וְדִינָהּ כְּמוֹ רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ אֲדָר שֶׁחָל בַּשַׁבָּת. וְהַשַׁבָּת שֶׁלִּפְנֵי פָּרָשַׁת הַחֹדֶשׁ, הִיא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת פָּרָה

Halocho #2197 - Torah reading on a fast day

On every fast-day there is Kri'at HaTorah (Torah Reading) at both Shacharit and Mincha. We call up 3 people and read וַיְחַל from Parshat כִּי תִשָּׂא.

At Mincha, the 3rd Aliya also reads the Haftarah (דִּרְשׁוּ from Yeshayahu 55:6). Only somebody who is fasting should be called up to the Torah on a fast day.

During the Mincha Amida, individuals add the "עֲנֵנוּ" prayer into the 16th Bracha; שְׁמַע קוֹלֵנוּ. If one forgot, one does not need to make amends.

The Chazzan adds עֲנֵנוּ during both Shacharit and Mincha, as a separate Bracha before רְפָאֵנוּ.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 19:14, 23:15

- Danny
Tuesday, 10 Tevet 5779

בְּתַעֲנִית צִבּוּר כְּשֶׁקּוֹרִין וַיְחַל, אֵין קוֹרִין לַעֲלֹת לַתּוֹרָה אֶלָּא לְמִי שֶׁמִּתְעַנֶּה. וְאִם אֵין כָּאן כֹּהֵן אַחֵר אֶלָּא זֶה שֶׁאֵינוֹ מִתְעַנֶּה, אוֹ שֶׁאֵין בְּדַעְתּוֹ לְהַשְׁלִים, קוֹרִין לְיִשְֹרָאֵל אוֹ לְלֵוִי בִּמְקוֹמוֹ. וְטוֹב שֶׁיֵּצֵא הַכֹּהֵן מִבֵּית הַכְּנֶסֶת וְאִם יֵשׁ כֹּהֵן אַחֵר אֵינוֹ צָרִיךְ לָצֵאת, אֶלָּא יוֹדִיעַ שֶׁלֹּא יִקְרְאוּהוּ. וְאִם יִקְרְאוּהוּ לֹא יַעֲלֶה. וְאִם הוּא בְּשֵׁנִי וּבַחֲמִשִּׁי, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁקּוֹרִין וַיְחַל, מִכָּל מָקוֹם, כֵּיוָן שֶׁעַתָּה הוּא זְמַן קְרִיאַת הַתּוֹרָה, לָכֵן בְּדִיעֲבַד אִם לֹא יָצָא מִבֵּית הַכְּנֶסֶת וקְרָאוּהוּ יַעֲלֶה

בְּיוֹם הַתַּעֲנִית בֵּין בְּתַעֲנִית צִבּוּר בֵּין בְּתַעֲנִית יָחִיד, אוֹמְרִים בִּתְפִלַּת הַמִּנְחָה בְּבִרְכַּת שְׁמַע קוֹלֵנוּ, עֲנֵנוּ, וּכְשֶׁמַּגִּיעַ לִבְכָל עֵת צָרָה וְצוּקָה יְסַיֵּם כִּי אַתָּה שׁוֹמֵעַ וְכוּ'. וְאִם שָׁכַח מִלּוֹמַר עֲנֵנוּ, אִם לֹא נִזְכַּר עַד לְאַחַר שֶׁאָמַר אֵת הַשֵּׁם מִבִּרְכַּת שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלָּה, אֵינוֹ חוֹזֵר וְאוֹמְרוֹ, אֶלָּא לְאַחַר שֶׁגָּמַר כָּל הַתְּפִלָּה, לְאַחַר אֱלֹהַי נְצֹר קוֹדֶם שֶׁיַּעֲקֹר רַגְלָיו, אוֹמְרוֹ עַד בְּכָל עֵת צָרָה וְצוּקָה וּמְסַיֵּם יִהְיוּ לְרָצוֹן וְכוּ', וְאִם לֹא נִזְכַּר עַד לְאַחַר שֶׁעָקַר רַגְלָיו, אֵינוֹ אוֹמְרוֹ עוֹד כְּלָל 

Halocho #2189 - What comes first: Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh or Chanuka?

Rosh Chodesh Tevet is on Shabbat and Sunday. Remember to add both יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא and עַל הַנִּיסִּים

On Shabbat we will take out 3 Sifrei Torah:
- In the first Sefer Torah we call up 6 people for the weekly portion  Miketz
- The second Sefer Torah is for Rosh Chodesh, starting from "בְיוֹם הַשַׁבָּת", after which Kaddish is said.
- The 3rd Sefer Torah is for  Chanuka; ביום הששי from Parshat Naso.

The הַפְטָרָה is the Chanuka one (רָנִּי וְשִׂמְחִי from Zecharia 2:14)

On Sunday we will take out 2 Sifrei Torah:
- In the first Sefer Torah we call up 3 people while reading the regular Rosh Chodesh portion.
- The second Sefer Torah is for  Chanuka - ביום השביעי from Parshat Naso after which Kaddish is said.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:24, 25

Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
 Thursday, 4th day Chanuka, 28 Kislev 5779

בְּשַׁבָּת חֲנֻכָּה, מוֹצִיאִין שְׁנֵי סִפְרֵי תוֹרָה. בָּרִאשׁוֹן, קוֹרִין פָּרָשַׁת הַשָּׁבוּעַ. וּבַשֵּׁנִי, הַמַּפְטִיר בְּשֶׁל חֲנֻכָּה יוֹמוֹ, וּמַפְטִירִין רָנִּי וְשִׂמְחִי. וְאִם יֵשׁ עוֹד שַׁבָּת אַחַת, מַפְטִירִין בָּהּ בִּמְלָכִים, בַּנֵּרוֹת דִּשְׁלֹמֹה

בְּרֹאש חֹדֶשׁ טֵבֵת בַּחֹל, מוֹצִיאִין שְׁנֵי סִפְרֵי תוֹרָה

בָּרִאשׁוֹן קוֹרִין תְּלָתָא גַבְרֵי בְּשֶׁל רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ, וְאַחַר כָּךְ הָרְבִיעִי בְּסֵפֶר תּוֹרָה הַשֵּׁנִי בְּשֶׁל חֲנֻכָּה יוֹמוֹ, מִשׁוּם דְּרֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ תָּדִיר טְפֵי, וְקָיְמָא לָן תָּדִיר וְשֶׁאֵינוֹ תָּדִיר, תָּדִיר קוֹדֵם, וְלָכֵן מַקְדִימִין רֹאשׁ חֹדֶּשׁ

וְאִם טָעוּ וְהִתְחִילוּ לִקְרוֹת בְּשֶׁל חֲנֻכָּה, וַאֲפִלּוּ עֲדַיִן לֹא הִתְחִילוּ לִקְרוֹת, אֶלָּא שֶכְּבָר בֵּרַךְ הָעוֹלֶה, אֵין צְרִיכִין לְהַפְסִיק, אֶלָּא הָעוֹלֶה גּוֹמֵר קְרִיאָתוֹ, וְאַחַר כָּךְ קוֹרִין לַנִּשְׁאָרִים בְּשֶל רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ. אִם קָרְאוּ בָרִאשוֹנָה בְּשֶׁל רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ כָּרָאוּי, אֶלָּא שֶׁטָּעוּ וְקָרְאוּ גַּם אֶת הָרְבִיעִי בְּשֶׁל רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ, אֲפִלּוּ נִזְכְּרוּ מִיָד לְאַחַר שֶׁבֵּרַךְ הַקּוֹרֵא, אִם לֹא הוֹצִיאוּ רַק סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה אֶחָד, אֵין צְרִיכִין לִקְרוֹת יוֹתֵר. אֲבָל אִם הוֹצִיאו שְׁנֵי סִפְרֵי תוֹרָה, שֶׁיֵשׁ כָּאן חֲשָׁשׁ מִשּׁוּם פְּגָמוֹ שֶׁל סֵפֶר הַתּוֹרָה, שֶׁלֹּא יֹאמְרוּ פָּסוּל הוּא, צְרִיכִין לִקְרוֹת בּוֹ חֲמִישִׁי בְּשֶׁל חֲנֻכָּה, וְאַחַר הַחֲמִישִׁי יֹאמְרוּ חֲצִי קַדִּישׁ

חָל רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ טֵבֵת בַּשַׁבָּת, מוֹצִיאִין שְׁלֹשָׁה סִפְרֵי תוֹרָה

בָּרִאשׁוֹן קוֹרִין שִׁשָׁה גַבְרֵי בְּפָרָשַׁת הַשָׁבוּעַ

בַּשֵּׁנִי, שְׁבִיעִי בְּשֶׁל רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ, וּמַתְחִילִין וּבְיוֹם הַשַׁבָּת  וְאוֹמְרִים חֲצִי קַדִּישׁ

וּבַשְּׁלִישִׁי מַפְטִיר בְּשֶׁל חֲנֻכָּה יוֹמוֹ, וּמַפְטִירִין רָנִּי וְשִמְחִי

וְאַף עַל גַּב דְּתָדִיר קוֹדֵם, זֶהוּ בַּקְּרִיאָה, שֶׁקּוֹרִין שְׁנֵיהֶם. אֲבָל בְּהַפְטָרָה שֶׁאֵין מַפְטִירִין אֶלָּא אַחַת, דּוֹחִין שֶל רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ וְקוֹרִין שֶׁל חֲנֻכָּה, מִשּׁוּם פִּרְסוּמֵי נִסָּא.

Halocho #1023 - Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Shevat

Rosh Chodesh of Tevet is on Shabbat. Remember to add יַעֲלֶה וְיָבוֹא into Birkat Hamazon and the Amida.

On Shabbat we will will take out 2 Sifrei Torah after Hallel. In the first one we will call up at least 7 people to read from the weekly Parsha; וָאֵרָא.

Then - after Kaddish - we call up the Maftir to read from the 2nd Sefer Torah: וּבְיוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת and וּבְרָאשֵׁי חָדְשֵׁיכֶם from Parshat פִּינְחָס.

The Haftara this week is הַשָּׁמַיִם כִּסְאִי for Shabbat-Rosh Chodesh, consisting of the last chapter in Sefer יְשַׁעְיָהוּ.

For מוּסַף one says the אַתָּה יָצַרְתָּ version (usually found at the bottom half of the Shabbat מוּסַף pages) which includes both Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh.

Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 425

Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 28 Tevet 5773

Halocho #1013 - - Preparing the weekly Parsha

It's a Mitzva to review the weekly Torah Reading by reading it twice in the original and once with the (Aramaic) Onkelus translation.

One who doesn't understand (or appreciate) Onkelus may read Rashi instead or even an English translation.

One may start on Sunday already and one should finish before the Torah is read on Shabbat morning.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 72:11

Shabbat Shalom
- Danny

Thursday, 14 Tevet 5773

חייב כל אדם להשלים פרשיותיו עם הצבור, דהיינו שיקרא בכל שבוע פרשת השבוע שנים מקרא ואחד תרגום

ומיום ראשון ואילך חשוב עם הצבור, שכבר התחילו הצבור פרשה זו בשבת במנחה. אבל המצוה מן המבחר היא לקרתה בערב שבת אחר חצות היום

ויש לקרות כל פרשה, דהינו פתוחה או סתומה, שני פעמים, ואחר כך התרגום עליה, כן הסכים הגאון הרב רבי אליהו וילנא זכר צדיק לברכה ואפלו הפרשה מסימת באמצע פסוק, יפסיק שם. ובגמר יש לומר אחר התרגום פסוק אחד בתורה, כדי לסיים בתורה

 וטוב שלא יפסיק בשיחה בין הקריאה. ונוהגין לקרות גם ההפטרה. ויש נוהגין עוד לומר אחר כך שיר השירים

 ומי שהוא בדרך ואין לו רק חמש בלי תרגום, יקרא שתי פעמים מקרא. וכשיבוא למקום שיהיה לו תרגום, יקרא התרגום. גם יש לו לכל ירא שמים, ללמוד פרוש רש"י על הסדרה, ואם לאו בר-הכי הוא ילמד פרוש לועזי על הסדרה, כגון ספר "צאינה וראינה" וכדומה, שיבין ענין הסדרה

Halocho #1003 - When do we light the Menora on Erev Shabbat?

On Friday afternoon one lights the Chanuka Menora before lighting Shabbat candles. One can light as early as 75 Halachic minutes before sunset. (15:34 in Jerusalem, this year.)

If possible, one should daven an early Mincha so as to light the Menora after Mincha.

One must start lighting the Menora early enough to be able to light Shabbat candles at the regular time.

On Friday one needs longer candles or more oil to ensure the Menora will be lit until 30 minutes after dark.

If lighting near a doorway, one needs to ensure that opening the door will not extinguish the Menora. If needed one should put a non-flammable partition between the Menora and the door.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:17

Reminder: Thursday night and Friday is Rosh Chodesh; don't forget to add both יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא and עַל הַנִּסִּים to the Birkat HaMazon and the Amida.

On Shabbat we will take out 2 Sifrei Torah:
- In the first Sefer Torah we call up [at least] 7 people for the weekly portion - מִקֵּץ .
- Maftir is read from the 2nd Sefer Torah and is for Chanuka - בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי from Parshat נָשֹׂא .

The Haftara this week is the Chanuka one (רָנִּי וְשִׂמְחִי בַּת צִיּוֹן from Zecharia 2:14).

Review: On Motzai Shabbat - the last night of Chanuka this year - one first makes Havdalah and then lights the Chanuka Menora.

In Shul - on Motzai Shabbat - the Menora is lit after the full-Kaddish - before וְיִתֶּן לְךָ (after ensuring that it's already Motzai Shabbat if one started prayers early).
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:18

Some have the custom of lighting the Menora before making Havdala, since one already heard Havdala in shul. (Source: רמ"א 581:2)

Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom

- Danny,
Thursday, 5th day of Chanuka, Erev Rosh Chodesh Tevet 5773

Halocho #1000 - Hallel and fasting on Chanuka

The entire Hallel is said on all 8 days of Chanuka. Chanuka is the only time that the entire Hallel is said on Rosh Chodesh. (Usually on Rosh Chodesh we leave out 2 half-paragraphs; לֹא לָנוּ and אָהַבְתִּי כִּי יִשְׁמַע.)

One does not fast on Chanuka, except for a Ta'anit Chalom (fasting after a worrisome dream).

No Tachanun is said on Chanuka, starting from Mincha the day before. א' אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם is not said before Kriat HaTorah on Chanuka.
לַמְנַצֵּחַ is not said after אַשְׁרֵי during Chanuka.

Don't forget עַל הַנִּסִּים !
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 22:8, 25:2, 139:2

- Danny
Monday, 2nd day of Chanuka, 26th Kislev 5773

Please daven for the רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה of אֶפְרַיִם בן מרים

Halocho #856 - Don't interrupt the voyage

This week we read the Parsha of Mas'ay. Parshat מסעי begins by listing the 42 encampments the wandering Jews had during their 40 years in the desert.

All 42 encampments should be read together during the same "Aliya".

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 78:4

After the last Aliya the congregation says "חֲזַק חֲזַק וְנִתְחַזַּק" in honour of finishing the 4th Chumash - Bemidbar.

The Haftara this week is שמעו - the 2nd chapter of Yirmiyahu.

See http://halocho.blogspot.com/search/label/Shabbos for more Shabbat related Halachot.

This week is Shabbat Mevarchim Chodesh Menachem-Av, with Rosh Chodesh Av being on Monday.

Shabbat Shalom
- Danny
Thursday, 26 Tamuz 5771

Halocho #849 - Why do we fast on the 17th Tamuz?

Today - Tuesday - is the fast of 17 Tamuz which commemorates 5 major misfortunes which happened to the Jewish people on this date:

• Moshe Rabbeinu broke the Luchot - the tablets - upon seeing the Golden Calf being worshiped
• The daily Tamid sacrifice was suspended in the first Bet Hamikdash as a result of the siege
• At the time of the 2nd Bet Hamikdash the walls of Jerusalem were breached by the enemy, three weeks before the destruction
• Apustumus the wicked [Roman] burned a Sefer Torah
• An idol was placed in the Bet Hamikdash

On every fast-day there is Kriat HaTorah (Torah Reading) at both Shacharit and Mincha.

At Mincha, the 3rd Aliya also reads the Haftarah (דִּרְשׁוּ from Yeshayahu 55:6). Only somebody who is fasting should be called up to the Torah on a fast day.

During the Mincha Amida, individuals add the "עֲנֵנוּ" prayer into the 16th Bracha; שְׁמַע קוֹלֵנוּ. If one forgot, one does not need to make amends.

The Chazzan adds עֲנֵנוּ during both Shacharit and Mincha, as a separate Bracha before רְפָאֵנוּ.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 23:15, 19:14, 20:8

Have a meaningful fast,

- Danny
Tuesday, 17 Tamuz 5771

Halocho #836 - - Shabat Rosh Chodesh

Rosh Chodesh Tamuz will be on Shabbat and Sunday.

Remember to add יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא into the Amida and Birkat Hamazon.

One should add an extra dish to the Shabbat meals in honor of Rosh Chodesh.

After Hallel on Shabbat we will read from 2 Sifrei Torah; the second one for Rosh Chodesh, followed by the Shabbat-Rosh-Chodesh Haftara.

In Mussaf one says the "Ata Yetzarta - אַתָּה יָצַרְתָּ" version which talks about both the Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh sacrifices.

יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא is not said in Mussaf.

Source: Shulchan Aruch 525:3, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:3

Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov
- Danny
Thursday, 28 Sivan 5771

Halocho #781 - Rosh Chodesh Nissan

Today - Tuesday - is the first day of the first month - Nissan.

Don't forget Hallel and יַעֲלֶה וְיָבא

Today - 1 Nissan - was the last of the 8 inaugural days of the Mishkan (tabernacle) and the first day that Aaron served as Cohen Gadol (high priest) and his 4 sons as Cohanim.

That same day, two of them - Nadav and Avihu - brought an offering not in accordance with Halacha and were killed by a heavenly fire.

Today the heads of the 12 tribes started bringing their inaugural sacrifices - one prince each day. Some people have the custom of reading that day's sacrifice during the first 12 days of Nissan. This can be found in the Siddur as the Torah Reading for Chanuka.

One does not say Tachanun during the entire month of Nissan.

One may not fast during Nissan, with the following exceptions:
- Firstborns fast on Erev Pessach.
- Fasting for distressingly bad dreams.
- Couples getting married during Nissan. Even today - Rosh Chodesh - they fast, whereas on any other Rosh Chodesh the bride and groom do not fast.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 107:1,2

Chodesh Tov!

- Danny
Tuesday, Rosh Chodesh Nissan 5771

Halocho #778 - Is January the first month?

This Shabbos we take out 2 Sifrei Torah. In the first we will read weekly Parsha of Tazria, in the second we will read Parshat HaChodesh (Exodus Ch. 12, Verses 1-20).

Parshat HaChodesh reminds us of the following upcoming Mitzvot:

- The month of Nissan (which begins on Tuesday) is the first month on the Jewish calendar, as the opening words of Parshat HaChodesh proclaim: "This month is for you the first month".

- The laws of Korban Pessach; sacrificed on Erev Pessach in the afternoon; it has to be roasted whole and then eaten on the first night of Pessach with Matza and Marror (bitter herbs).

- Korban Pessach leftovers have to be burnt on the first day of Chol Hamo'ed.

- Matza needs to be made carefully to ensure it doesn't become Chametz (leaven).

- The first and last days of Pessach are Yom Tov.

- One may not own Chometz, nor eat it, during Pessach.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:2

Shabbat Shalom uMevorach
- Danny
Thursday, 25 Adar II 5771

Halocho #773 - What color is a Red Heifer?

This Shabbat a second Sefer Torah is taken out for Maftir and the laws of Para Aduma – the Red Heifer – are read. (The beginning of Parshat Chukat, Numbers 19:1-22)

There are opinions that it’s a Torah obligation to hear it being read, and people who don’t have access to a Minyan should find one this week.

A Kosher Para Aduma is a (female) cow past its second birthday that is completely ginger-brown. Even two white or black hairs near each other would invalidate it.

The cow is slaughtered and burnt and the ashes mixed with spring water and sprinkled on people who come in contact with a corpse, on the third and seventh day of their purification process.

This was a prerequisite for access to the Bet Hamikdash (Temple).

Since there’s a Mitzva to go into the Bet Hamikdash on Pessach, we read this in anticipating of being able to implement it this year, or at least Bimhera Beyamainu – soon in our lifetime.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:2-3, Mishna Masechet Para, Ch. 1, Rambam Hil. Para Ch. 1

Shabbat Shalom
- Danny
Thursday, 18 Adar II 5771