Halocho #747 - Brit Mila - Stand Up!

The custom is for everybody to stand while a Brit Mila is taking place, except for the Sandek who is holding the baby.

This is learned from the verse וַיַּעֲמד כָּל הָעָם בַּבְּרִית - "and the entire nation stood at the Brit" (Melachim-II 23:4)

It is forbidden to circumcise a baby who is not 100% healthy; delaying a Brit Mila is better than risking a baby's life.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 160:2, 4

- Danny
Tuesday, 11 Adar-I 5771 

Halocho #672 - Achoo! Sneeze the Jewish way!

When a person sneezes, one blesses him with אֲסוּתָא - Be Healthy - Gesundheit - לַבְּרִיאוּת

The sneezer then responds with בָּרוּךְ תִּהְיֶה - Bless you.

After sneezing one should say 'לִישׁוּעָתְךָ קִוִּיתִי ה - for Your salvation do I hope, Hashem, since one who prays for somebody else is answered first.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 61:5

- Danny
Wednesday, 12 Marchesvan 5771

Halocho #661 - Staying healthy

It's a Mitzva to keep one's body in the best of health.

A person should continuously pray that he remain healthy, for if one gets sick one will need spiritual merits - repentance and good deeds - to fully recover.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch  190:3, 192:1

- Danny
Tuesday, 27 Tishrei 5771

Halocho #575 - Can one walk under a ladder?

The Torah forbids one to act based on superstitions. (Vayikra 19:26)

Saying "Because the bread fell out of my mouth / my walking stick fell / a deer crossed my path, therefore I will/won't do something" is forbidden.

Similarly, when being asked for a loan at the beginning of a week / month one is forbidden to answer "please don't make me start the week / month by lending money".

Refusing to walk under a ladder for fear of injury is a Mitzva; looking after your wellbeing.

Source Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 166:1, 33:13

- Danny
Tuesday, 12 Sivan 5770

Please daven for a complete recovery for

Chagai Yitzchak ben Pnina - חגי יצחק בן פנינה

Halocho # 480 - Looking after your health

The Torah gave permission to Doctors to heal and therefore someone ill may not rely on miracle, but must go see a doctor and follow his instructions.

Somebody who ignores medical advice is not only endangering his life but is also considered to be arrogant; rather he should use the top expert in the field.

That said, a person needs to realize that the actual cure comes from The One Above and should pray that his doctor be a successful messenger to heal him.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 192:3

- Danny
Monday, 11 Tevet 5770

Halocho #370 - Who must fast on 9 B'Av?

On 9 B'Av almost everybody needs to fast. Pregnant and nursing mothers need to fast on 9 B'Av even if it causes them discomfort, unless it's dangerous to their health. When in doubt, consult your LOR (Local Orthodox Rabbi). During the first 7 days after childbirth, a mother is not allowed to fast. Anybody who isn't healthy should only fast for a few hours. This includes a mother between 7 and 30 days after childbirth unless she feels up to fasting. When in doubt, consult your LOR. Children are not allowed to fast. Those who are not fasting should limit their food intake to the bare minimum; only bread and water if possible. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 124:6 - Danny Wednesday 23 Tamuz 5769

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

Halocho #248 - Wash your face daily

After washing Negel Vasser, one should wash ones face in honor of ones Maker, since the Pasuk says that man was created in Hashem's image.

One should be careful to dry ones hands and face, for health reasons.

One should also rinse ones mouth, in anticipation of saying Hashem's name during prayers. 

On fast-days one may not rinse ones mouth.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 2:3 , 121:10

- Danny 

  Wednesday, 18 Tevet 5769

Halocho #135 - No meat leftovers next week

From Rosh Chodesh Av until midday on 10th Av is the period known as the "9 days". The custom is not to eat meat and chicken and not to drink wine during the 9 days, except on Shabbat. Food cooked together with meat should not be eaten - even if one doesn't eat the meat. Those who need to eat meat (or drink wine) for health reasons may do so. If possible, even they should refrain (with the Doctor's permission) from the 7th of Av; the day the Romans entered the Holy Temple. At a Se'udat Mitzva (a Mitzva meal) - a Brit, Pidyon HaBen or Siyum - one may serve meat and wine. Besides for close family, one may invite up to 10 friends whom one normally invites. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:8 - Danny Thursday, 28 Tamuz 5768

Please daven for a little girl - TAMAR bat NAAMA - תמר בת נעמה

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Halocho #133 - sneakers on 9 B'Av

One may not wear leather shoes on 9 B'Av. Even if the shoe is only partially made of leather it's forbidden. One may wear footwear made of any other material. Those who must be among non-Jews and will be ridiculed if they are not wearing leather shoes, may wear them after putting some sand inside. Those who needs to walk long distances may wear leather shoes until they get close to their destination. One may wear leather jackets and belts, and any other clothing item made of leather on 9 B'Av. Wearing leather shoes for medical reasons is permissible. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 124:11. Halachos of the 3 weeks by Rav Shimon Eider zt"l page 22. - Danny Tuesday, 26 Tamuz 5768

Please daven for a little girl - TAMAR bat NAAMA - תמר בת נעמה

Halocho #132 - Who must fast on 9 B'Av?

On 9 B'Av almost everybody needs to fast. Pregnant and nursing mothers need to fast on 9 B'Av even if it causes them discomfort, unless it's dangerous to their health. When in doubt, consult your LOR (Local Orthodox Rabbi). During the first 7 days after childbirth, a mother is not allowed to fast. Anybody who isn't healthy should only fast for a few hours. This includes a mother between 7 and 30 days after childbirth unless she feels up to fasting. When in doubt, consult your LOR. Children are not allowed to fast. Those who are not fasting should limit their food intake to the bare minimum; only bread and water if possible. Before eating, one needs to make Havdala this year (and any other year when 9 B'Av is on Sunday). Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 124:6 - Danny Monday, 25 Tamuz 5768

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Halocho #118 - Can one walk under a ladder?

The Torah forbids one to act based on superstitions. (Vayikra 19:26) Saying "Because the bread fell out of my mouth / my walking stick fell / a deer crossed my path, therefore I will/won't do something" is forbidden. Similarly, when being asked for a loan at the beginning of a week / month it's forbidden to answer "please don't make me start the week/month by lending money". Refusing to walk under a ladder for fear of injury is a Mitzva; looking after your wellbeing. Source Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 166:1, 33:13 - Danny Wednesday, 6 Tamuz 5768

Please daven for a little girl - TAMAR bat NAAMA - תמר בת נעמה - who is undergoing chemotherapy