Halocho #2394 - May one sew on Yom Tov?

All 39 categories of "creative work" that are forbidden to do on Shabbos are also forbidden on Yom Tov, with some notable exceptions:

• In order to prepare food for Yom Tov one may knead, cook, bake and shecht (ritually slaughter).
• One may carry outside - even without an Eruv - on Yom Tov, as long as it's for some purpose, even if it's not food-related.
• One may light a flame from an existing flame on Yom Tov if it's for some useful purpose, even if it's not food-related. However, one may not light a Yahrzeit candle on Yom Tov.
• One may grind those spices on Yom Tov that would lose their flavor if ground before Yom Tov.
• One may sew up stuffed chicken on Yom Tov, but the needle needs to be threaded before Yom Tov. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 98:1, 3, 15

כָּל מְלָאכָה שֶׁאֲסוּר לַעֲשׂוֹתָהּ בַּשַׁבָּת, אָסוּר לַעֲשׂוֹתָהּ בְּיוֹם טוֹב.

וְאֵין בֵּין יוֹם טוֹב לְשַׁבָּת אֶלָּא אֹכֶל נֶפֶשׁ בִּלְבָד, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, אַךְ אֲשֶׁר יֵאָכֵל לְכָל נֶפֶשׁ הוּא לְבַדּוֹ יֵעָשֶׂה לָכֶם, דְּהַיְנוּ, לִישָׁה, אֲפִיָּה, שְׁחִיטָה .וּבִשּׁוּל. וְהוֹצָאָה וְהַבְעָרָה מֻתָּרוֹת בְּיוֹם טוֹב גַּם שֶׁלֹּא לְצֹרֶךְ אֹכֶל נֶפֶשׁ, אֶלָּא לְצֹרֶךְ אַחֵר

תַּבְלִין שֶׁאִם יִטְחַן אוֹתָם קֹדֶם יוֹם טוֹב יָפִיגוּ טַעֲמָן, מֻתָּר לְדוּכָן בְּיוֹם טוֹב עַל יְדֵי שִׁנּוּי, כְּגוֹן שֶׁיַּטֶּה אֶת הַמַּכְתֶּשֶׁת לַצְּדָדִין אוֹ שֶׁיָּדוּךְ עַל הַשֻּׁלְחָן וְכַיּוֹצֵא בוֹ.

מֻתָּר לִתְפּוֹר עוֹפוֹת שֶׁמְמַלְּאִין אוֹתָן, אַךְ צָרִיךְ לִזָּהֵר לְהַכְנִיס אֶת הַחוּט בְּתוֹךְ הַמַּחַט בְּעֶרֶב יוֹם טוֹב. וְאִם לֹא הִכְנִיסוֹ מֵעֶרֶב יוֹם טוֹב, אָסוּר לְהַכְנִיסוֹ בְּיוֹם טוֹב. לְאַחַר שֶׁתְּפָרוֹ, מֻתָּר לִשְׂרוֹף אֶת הַחוּט הַנִּשְׁאָר

- Danny Schoemann

Wednesday, 9 Nissan 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2372 - Yahrzeit of our teacher Moses; Moshe Rabeinu

According to most opinions, 7 Adar is the Yahrzeit of our teacher Moses - Moshe Rabeinu. 

Many Jewish Burial Societies [Chevra Kadisha] have their annual meeting on that day, including fasting and special prayers.

During leap years the Yahrzeit for somebody who passed away in a regular year is observed in the first Adar, and Kaddish is said again (if possible) during the second Adar.

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 Luchot 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 218:2, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 165:10, 22:9, 215:1, 221:3

אֵלּוּ הַיָּמִים שֶׁאֵרְעוּ בָּהֶם צָרוֹת לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ וְרָאוּי לְהִתְעַנּוֹת בָּהֶם...בְּז' בַּאֲדָר מֵת מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ ע''ה.

מִיָד כְּשֶׁהַתִּינוֹק מַתְחִיל לְדַבֵּר, יְלַמְּדוֹ הַפָּסוּק תּוֹרָה צִוָּה לָנוּ משֶׁה מוֹרָשָׁה וְגוֹ', וְכֵן פָּסוּק שְׁמַע יִשְֹרָאֵל וְגוֹ' (רַק יִזָּהֵר מְאֹד שֶׁיְהֵא הַתִּינוֹק נָקִי בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁהוּא מְלַמֵּד אוֹתוֹ)

בְּשֵׁנִי וּבַחֲמִשִּׁי לְפִי שֶׁהֵם יְמֵי רָצוֹן, כִּי בְּאַרְבָּעִים יוֹם שֶׁל קַבָּלַת לוּחוֹת שְׁנִיּוֹת, עָלָה מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ בְּיוֹם ה', וְיָרַד בְּיוֹם בּ', לָכֵן מַרְבִּים בָּהֶם תַּחֲנוּנִים.

אֵין בּוֹכִין עָלָיו יוֹתֵר מִשְּׁלשִׁים יוֹם, דְּלָא עָדִיף מִמּשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ, עָלָיו הַשָּׁלוֹם, דִּכְתִיב בּוֹ, וַיִבְכּוּ בְנֵי יִשְֹרָאֵל אֶת משֶׁה וְגוֹ'. שְׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם.

וְאִם מֵת בְּשָׁנָה פְשׁוּטָה, אֲזַי בְּשָׁנָה מְעֻבֶּרֶת, יִתְעַנֶּה בַּאֲדָר רִאשׁוֹן, וְגַם בַּאֲדָר שֵׁנִי יֹאמַר קַדִּישׁ, אַךְ אַל יַסִּיג גְּבוּל אֲחֵרִים.

- Danny Schoemann

Sunday, 7 Adar-2 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

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

Halocho #737 - When does one say Kaddish in a leap year?

This year - 5771 - is a Jewish leap year; the 12th month (starting on Shabbat) will be Adar-I and the 13th month will be Adar-II.

If a person dies during Adar in a non-leap year, then on leap years the Yahrzeit is observed during Adar-I.

However, Kaddish should be said in both Adar-I and Adar-II.

Nevertheless, in Adar-II he doesn't have the usual precedence given to a Yahrzeit; in places where only one person says Kaddish at a time, all other mourners get to say a Kaddish first, and if there are any left, he does too.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 221:3

- Danny
Tuesday, 27 Shvat 5771

Halocho #519 - Yahrzeit of our teacher Moses; Moshe Rabeinu

Today (according to most opinions), 7 Adar, is the Yahrzeit of our teacher Moses - Moshe Rabeinu - 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 "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
Sunday, 7 Adar 5770

Halocho #424 - The Isru Chag meal

The day after Pessach, Sukkoth and Shavuoth is called Isru Chag.

Today (Sunday) is Isru Chag in Israel and tomorrow (Monday) is Isru Chag everywhere else.

On Isru Chag the custom is to eat a larger meal than usual.

Nobody - not even a bride and groom on their wedding day, nor a Yahrzeit - may fast on Isru Chag.

Some communities don't say Lamenatze'ach (before Uvo L'zion in Shacharis) on Isru Chag.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 22:8, 103:14, 146:2

- Danny
Sunday, 23 Tishrei 5770

Halocho #421 - How to make a Kosher Sukka

The days between Yom Kippour and Sukkoth are joyous days, since Shlomo Hamelech (King Solomon) inaugurated the first Bet Hamikdash (Holy Temple) during this period.

One does not fast even for a Yahrzeit, nor does one say Tachanun on these days.

A Sukkah needs at least 3 walls that do not move in the wind.

The roof of the Sukkah is made of branches or bamboo that have not been used for any other purpose.

The covering must be thick enough to ensure that even on the last day of Sukkoth at midday there is more shade than sunshine.

The covering must not be so thick that rain cannot get through.

In rainy climates, one should make a Sukkah that can be covered, so that it can be used once it stops raining.

One must be careful to open the roof before using the Sukkah. On the fist night of Sukkoth the roof should be opened from candle-lighting until nightfall, if possible.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 133:30, 31, 134:1

- Danny Tuesday, 11 Tishrei 5770

Halocho #323 - Tonight is Lag B'Omer

One does not say Tachanun on Lag B'Omer, nor at Mincha the day before (this afternoon).

The mourning-customs of the Omer apply to the night of Lag B'Omer as well.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 22:8, 120:6

Traditionally Lag B'Omer is celebrated as the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.

- Danny Monday, 17 Iyar 5769, 32nd day of the Omer

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

Halocho #312 - Don't forget to count the Omer

If you forget to count the Omer at night, then you should count the next day - but without a Bracha. You then continue counting (at night) as usual with a Bracha. If you forgot to count during the night as well as the following day, then you should still continue counting the Omer, but you may no longer make the Bracha. If you're unsure if you counted the previous night, you may continue counting with a Bracha. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 120:2 - Danny Sunday, 2 Iyar 5769, 17th day of the Omer

Written in memory of my Opa Leo - דוד יהודה בן יעקב הלוי - whose 23rd Yahrzeit is today.

Halocho #282 - Yahrzeit of our teacher Moses; Moshe Rabeinu

Today (according to most opinions), 7 Adar, is the 3,279th Yahrzeit of our teacher Moses - Moshe Rabeinu 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 "תּוֹרָה צִוָּה-לָנוּ, מֹשֶׁה. מוֹרָשָׁה, קְהִלַּת יַעֲקֹב" 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

- Danny

Tuesday, 7 Adar 5769

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

Halocho #216 - Yahrzeit on non-existing days

Yesterday we learned that the months of Marcheshvan and Kislev sometimes both have 30 days, sometimes both have 29 days and sometimes follow the regular order with Marcheshvan having 29 days and Kislev 30. The 30th day of the month as well as the first day of the month are Rosh Chodesh. If the month ending has only 29 days then there's only one day of Rosh Chodesh. If a person died on 30 Marcheshvan, do we say he died on the last day of Marcheshvan or on Rosh Chodesh Kislev? - If the year of the first anniversary also has a 30 Marcheshvan then the Yahrzeit will henceforth always be on the first day of Rosh Chodesh Kislev; be it 30 Marcheshvan or 1 Kislev. - If the year of the first anniversary does not have a 30 Marcheshvan then the Yahrzeit will henceforth always be on the last day of Marcheshvan; be it 30 Marcheshvan (1st day Rosh Chodesh) or 29 Marcheshvan (Erev Rosh Chodesh). In this last case, if possible Kaddish should also be said on Rosh Chodesh. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 221:4 - Danny Monday, 4 Kislev 5769

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

Halocho #189 - How many walls does a Sukka need

The days between Yom Kippour and Sukkoth are joyous days, since Shlomo Hamelech (King Solomon) inaugurated the first Bet Hamikdash (Holy Temple) during this period. One does not fast even for a Yahrzeit, nor does one say Tachanun on these days. A Sukkah needs at least 3 walls that do not move in the wind. The roof of the Sukkah is made of branches or bamboo that have not been used for any other purpose. The covering must be thick enough to ensure that even on the last day of Sukkoth at midday there is more shade than sunshine. The covering must not be so thick that rain cannot get through. In rainy climates, one should make a Sukkah that can be covered, so that it can be used once it stops raining. One must be careful to open the roof before using the Sukkah. On the fist night of Sukkoth the roof should be opened from candle-lighting until nightfall, if possible. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 133:30, 31, 134:1 Chag Same'ach - we'll be back after Sukkoth - Danny Sunday, 13 Tishrei 5769

--> The next Halocho a Day will be sent out a few days after Sukkoth.<--

Halocho #99 - What is Isru Chag?

The day after Pessach, Sukkoth and Shavuoth is called Isru Chag. That would be yesterday (Tuesday) in Israel and today (Wednesday) everywhere else. Various reasons are given for Isru Chag after Pessach and Sukkoth. Isru Chag of Shavuoth is of biblical origin; if Shavuoth is on Shabbat then the festive sacrifices (Chagiga and Re'iya) are brought to the Bet Hamikdash on the day after Shavuoth. On Isru Chag the custom is to eat a larger meal than usual. Nobody - not even a bride and groom on their wedding day, nor a Yahrzeit - may fast on Isru Chag. One does not say Tachanun on Isru Chag. Some communities don't say Lamenatze'ach (before Uvo L'zion in Shacharis) on Isru Chag. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 22:8, 103:14, 146:2 (I no longer can afford the hour a day to prepare the Halocho a Day; however I will try send it out periodically.) - Danny

========================= Please daven for a little girl TAMAR bat NAAMA who is undergoing chemotherapy ===========================

Halocho #83 - Can one sew on Yom Tov?

All 39 categories of "creative work" that are forbidden to do on Shabbos are also forbidden on Yom Tov, with some notable exceptions: - In order to prepare food for Yom Tov one may knead, cook, bake and shecht (ritually slaughter). - One may carry outside - even without an Eruv - on Yom Tov, as long as it's for some purpose, even if it's not food-related. - One may light a flame from an existing flame on Yom Tov if it's for some useful purpose, even if it's not food-related. However, one may not light a Yahrzeit candle on YomTov. - One may grind those spices on Yom Tov that would lose their flavor if ground before Yom Tov. - One may sew up stuffed chicken on Yom Tov, but the needle needs to be threaded before Yom Tov. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 98:1, 3, 15 ==================================================== Invite your friends to join Halocho a Day - here's a link to the invite page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/edit.php?members&gid=2387884087 ==================================================== - Danny

Halocho #57 - Mezuza checking

The Torah commands us to put a Mezuza on all our doorposts except for the washroom. The Mezuza needs to be affixed to the top third of the doorpost - but not in the top 1 Tefach (~9 cm; 3.5"). Every Mezuza needs to be checked twice in seven years. (Some have the custom of checking their Mezuzos in Adar-1; this is slightly more frequent than twice in seven years, but it's easy to remember.) A Mezuza on public buildings needs to be checked only twice in 50 years. Source: Kitzur SA 11:5,17,25

======================================== Written in memory of my Rosh Yeshiva HoRav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt"l who passed away 13 years ago on 20th Adar-1 ========================================

סעיף ה - מקומה מתחלת שליש העליון של גובה השער, קבעה למעלה מזה כשרה, והוא שירחיקנה מן המשקוף טפח. קבעה למטה משליש עליון צריך להסירה ולקבעה כראוי ובברכה, ואם קבעה בטפח העליון, יסירה גם כן ויקבעה כראוי אבל לא יברך, ויש לקבעה בטפח הסמוך לחוץ, ואם שינה בזו אינו מעכב. סעיף יז - בית המרחץ, בורסקי ובית הטבילה פטורין, מפני שאינן לדירת כבוד. אבל רפת בקר וחדר שמגדלין בו עופות, ובית התבן והעצים, ואוצרות של יין או של שאר משקין, אם יש להם שיעור בית, חייבין ויש פוטרין. סעיף כה - מזוזת היחיד נבדקת שתי פעמים בשבע שנים, ושל רבים (שאין להטריח עליהם) נבדקת שתי פעמים ביובל.

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

Halocho #41 - When is the "real" Adar?

One increases joy when Adar begins. Adar is a good time to deal with court cases involving non-Jews. (I have not been able to establish if during a leap year the above is valid for Adar 1 (being the "real" Adar; the 12th month) or it only refers to the Adar closest to our joyous month of redemption (Nissan), viz. Adar 2.) Since 13 years ago was also a leap year, boys born 13 years ago become Bar Mitzva this year during whichever Adar they were born in. Girls born 12 years ago during Adar will not become Bat Mitzva until next month – Adar 2. If a person dies during a non-leap year in Adar then on leap years the Yahrzeit fast should be observed on Adar 1, and Kaddish should be said in both Adar 1 and Adar 2. However in Adar 2 he doesn’t have the usual preference given to a Yahrzeit, and in places where only one person at a time says Kaddish, then all other mourners get to say a Kaddish, and if there are any left, he does too. Source: KSA: 141:1, 15:2 and 221:3

משנכנס אדר מרבים בשמחה, וישראל שיש לו דין ודברים עם אינו יהודי ישפוט עמו בחודש זה. גדול, היינו שעברו לו שלש עשרה שנה ונכנס לשנת י"ד, (וסומכין על החזקה דמסתמא הביא ב' שערות) כגון שנולד בראש חודש ניסן, אינו נעשה גדול עד ראש חודש ניסן דהיינו בתחלת הלילה של ראש חדש ניסן לאחר י"ג שנים נעשה גדול, מי שנולד בחודש אדר, כשהיתה שנה פשוטה, וכשנעשה גדול השנה מעוברת, אינו נעשה גדול עד אדר שני, אבל אם נולד בשנה מעוברת באדר ראשון, נעשה גדול גם כן באדר ראשון. ואם כשנולד היתה שנה מעוברת, וכשנעשה גדול היא שנה פשוטה, בין שנולד באדר ראשון, בין שנולד באדר שני, נעשה גדול ביום זה באדר של עתה. ונמצא, כי לפעמים נער שנולד קודם לחבירו, יתאחר יותר להיות גדול, מחבירו שנולד אחריו, כגון שנולדו בשנה מעוברת, זה בכ' לאדר ראשון וזה בי' לאדר שני והשנה אשר נעשים גדולים, היא שנה פשוטה. אם מת בשנה מעוברת באדר ראשון או באדר שני, אזי בשנה פשוטה מתענה כן באדר, ובשנה מעוברת מתענה בזה האדר שמת, אם בראשון בראשון, ואם בשני בשני. מת בשנה פשוטה, אזי בשנה מעוברת יתענה באדר ראשון, וגם באדר שני יאמר קדיש אך אל יסיג גבול אחרים.