Halocho #2382 - The week of Chol Hamo'ed; Chol or Mo'ed?

The intermediary days of Pessach and Succoth are known as Chol Hamo'ed. Some types of work are permitted, others are forbidden.

In order to ensure that one does the laundry before the Mo'ed (Jewish Holiday), doing laundry is forbidden on Chol Hamo'ed, except in extenuating circumstances:

• If it was impossible to launder before the Mo'ed (e.g. one was locked up in jail) then one may launder on Chol Hamo'ed.
• Baby clothes that continuously get soiled and need to be changed many times a day may be laundered on Chol Hamo'ed.

When laundering on Chol Hamo'ed one must ensure it's done in private.

All medical procedures are allowed on Chol Hamo'ed.

If one has the opportunity to borrow money and there's reason to believe that after Yom Tov the money will no longer be available, then one may borrow the money on Chol Hamo'ed (even if it means writing an IOU), even if it's for a post-Yom Tov business deal.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 104:13, 14, 16

אָסוּר לְכַבֵּס שׁוּם דָּבָר, אֲפִלּוּ לְצֹרֶךְ הַמּוֹעֵד, אֶלָּא אִם לֹא הָיָה אֶפְשָׁר לוֹ בְּשׁוּם אֹפֶן לְכַבֵּס קֹדֶם יוֹם טוֹב. וְכֵן מִטְפָּחוֹת שֶׁמְלַפְּפִין בָּהֶן אֶת הַתִּינוֹקוֹת (חִתּוּלִים), כֵּיוָן שֶׁמַּשְׁתִּינִין תָּדִיר וּצְרִיכִין לָהֶם הַרְבֵּה, מֻתָּר לְכַבְּסָן, וְיִזָהֲרוּ לְכַבְּסָן בְּצִנְעָא.

כָּל דָּבָר שֶׁהוּא לְצֹרֶךְ רְפוּאָה, מֻתָּר לַעֲשׂוֹת, בֵּין לְאָדָם בֵּין לִבְהֵמָה.

מִי שֶׁצָּרִיךְ לְמָעוֹת אֲפִלּוּ שֶׁלֹּא לְצֹרֶךְ הַמּוֹעֵד, אֶלָּא שֶׁהוּא חוֹשֵׁשׁ פֶּן לֹא יִמְצָא לִלְווֹת לְאַחַר הַמּוֹעֵד, וְהַמַּלְוֶה אֵינוֹ רוֹצֶה לְהַלְווֹת לוֹ בְּלִי שְׁטָר, מֻתָּר לוֹ לִכְתֹּב אֶת הַשְּׁטָר.

- Danny Schoemann

Monday, 22 Adar-2 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #1008 - Preparing for Shabbat

From the Pasuk זָכוֹר אֶת-יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת - "Remember the day of Shabbat" ( שמות כ:ז) we learn that it's a Mitzva to keep Shabbat in mind all week; all special food should be reserved for Shabbat. 

On Friday it's a Mitzva to get up early to go shopping for Shabbat; this can even be done before Shacharit if need be (as long as you don't miss davening with a Minyan as a result). 

However, items that require preparation should be bought on Thursday already. 

Ezra already instituted doing laundry on Thursday in anticipation of Shabbat. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 72:4

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny, 7 Tevet 5773

Halocho #855 - Last chance for laundry

When the month of Av begins, one diminishes joy. From Rosh Chodesh Av until midday on 10th Av is the period known as the "9 days".

During the 9 days one does not do any laundry even if one only intends wearing the clothes after the 9 days.

One may not even give laundry to a non-Jew to wash during the 9 days, but a Jew may do laundry for non-Jews.

One does not wear freshly laundered clothes during the 9 days except on Shabbat. This does not apply to garments worn directly on the body; undergarments, socks, PJs and the like.
One may not change bed linens, tablecloths and towels during the 9 days.

The "9 days" starts on Sunday evening (11 July / Rosh Chodesh Av) and ends 10 days later on Wednesday after noon (21 July / 10 Av).

==> Therefore it's advisable to prepare a week's supply of shirts, pants, skirts, etc. by wearing them for a short while before Rosh Chodesh. One can also prepare towels by using them once.

Baby clothing that get dirty all the time and needs to be changed many times a day are exempt from the above and may be laundered and used during the 9 days.

Anything halachically required for her 7 clean days, a Niddah may launder and wear during the 9 days.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:9

To see a chart (in Hebrew in PDF) with the differences between Ashkenazi and Sefardi customs in the 3 weeks, goto http://tinyurl.com/Halocho9days

- Danny
Wednesday, 25 Tamuz 5771

Halocho #606 - Last chance for laundry

When the month of Av begins, one diminishes joy. From Rosh Chodesh Av until midday on 10th Av is the period known as the "9 days".

During the 9 days one does not do any laundry even if one only intends wearing the clothes after the 9 days. One may not even give laundry to a non-Jew to wash during the 9 days, but a Jew may do laundry for non-Jews.

One does not wear freshly laundered clothes during the 9 days except on Shabbat. This does not apply to garments worn directly on the body; undergarments, socks, PJs and the like.

One may not change bed linens, tablecloths and towels during the 9 days.

The "9 days" starts on Sunday evening (11 July / Rosh Chodesh Av) and ends 10 days later on Wednesday after noon (21 July / 10 Av).

==> Therefore it's advisable to prepare a week's supply of shirts, pants, skirts, etc. by wearing them for a short while before Rosh Chodesh. One can also prepare towels by using them once.

Baby clothing that get dirty all the time and needs to be changed many times a day are exempt from the above and may be laundered and used during the 9 days.

Anything halachically required for her 7 clean days, a Niddah may launder and wear during the 9 days.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:9

To see a chart (in Hebrew) with the differences between Ashkenazi and Sefardi customs in the 3 weeks, goto http://tinyurl.com/Halocho9days


- Danny
Wednesday, 25 Tamuz 5770

Halocho #378 - When do the "9 days" end?

We will mourn and fast on 9 B'Av (Thursday) since the Bet Hamikdash was burned to the ground. The fire was ignited on 9 B'Av in the afternoon and burned through the 10th of Av. Therefore the restrictions of "the 9 days" continue until after midday on the 10th of Av (Friday). Normally the custom is to refrain from eating meat and wine, saying Shehechiyanu, listening to music, bathing, doing laundry, shaving and haircuts, until after noon on the 10th of Av. However, in honor of Shabbat, one may bathe, do laundry and have haircuts on Friday morning already. One may make a Se'udat Mitzvah (like a Brit) on Friday morning, with meat and wine. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 124:20-22 Some Poskim allow one to do laundry on Thursday night. Source: Halachos of the 3 weeks by Rav Shimon Eider zt"l - Danny Monday 6 Av 5769

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

Halocho #373 - Last chance for laundry

When the month of Av begins, one diminishes joy. From Rosh Chodesh Av until midday on 10th Av is the period known as the "9 days". During the 9 days one does not do any laundry even if one only intends wearing the clothes after the 9 days. One may not even give laundry to a non-Jew to wash during the 9 days, but a Jew may do laundry for non-Jews. One does not wear freshly laundered clothes during the 9 days except on Shabbat. This does not apply to garments worn directly on the body; undergarments, socks, PJs and the like. One may not change bed linens, tablecloths and towels during the 9 days. The "9 days" starts on Tuesday evening and ends 10 days later on Friday morning. --> Therefore it's advisable to prepare a week's supply of shirts, pants, skirts, etc. by wearing them for a short while before Rosh Chodesh. One can also prepare towels by using them once. Baby clothing that get dirty all the time and needs to be changed many times a day are exempt from the above and may be laundered and used during the 9 days. Anything halachically needed for her 7 clean days, a Niddah may launder and wear during the 9 days. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:9 - Danny Monday 28 Tamuz 5769

Mazal Tov to my sister Miriam and her husband Moshe Lewitan on the engagement of their eldest daughter Devora to Shmuli Klinger

Halocho #363 - How long are the "3 weeks"?

The woes of the Churban - the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash - began on 17th Tamuz and ended with the Bet Hamikdash being set alight on the afternoon of 9 B'Av.

The fire burnt until sunset the following day.

This period of 23 days - which start on Thursday - is know as "the 3 weeks" or Bein Hametzarim - בין המצרים.

As we then approach the 9th of Av - 3 weeks later - the laws of mourning intensify, as we will learn in the coming days.

The mourning continues until the day after the fast of 9 B'Av; however, since this year the 10th of Av is a Friday, bathing, laundry and haircuts are allowed from early morning of 10 Av - in honour of Shabbat.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:1, 124:20

- Danny Monday, 14 Tamuz 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Sarah Shira bat Leah Malka

Halocho #296 - The week of Chol Hamo'ed; Chol or Mo'ed?

The intermediary days of Pessach and Succoth are known as Chol Hamo'ed. Some types of work are permitted, others are forbidden.

In order to ensure that one does the laundry before the Mo'ed (Jewish Holiday), doing laundry is forbidden on Chol Hamo'ed, except in extenuating circumstances:

- If it was impossible to launder before the Mo'ed (e.g. one was locked up in jail) then one may launder on Chol Hamo'ed

- Baby clothes that continuously get soiled and need to be changed many times a day may be laundered on Chol Hamo'ed

When laundering on Chol Hamo'ed one must ensure it's done in private.

All medical procedures are allowed on Chol Hamo'ed.

If one has the opportunity to borrow money and there's reason to believe that after Yom Tov the money will no longer be available, then one may borrow the money on Chol Hamo'ed (even if it means writing an IOU), even if it's for a post Yom Tov business deal.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 104:13, 14, 16

- Danny Tuesday, 28 Adar 5769

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

Halocho #169 - The week of Chol Hamo'ed; Chol or Mo'ed?

The intermediary days of Pessach and Succoth are known as Chol Hamo'ed. Some types of work are permitted, others are forbidden.

In order to ensure that one does the laundry before the Mo'ed (Jewish Holiday), doing laundry is forbidden on Chol Hamo'ed, except in extenuating circumstances:

- If it was impossible to launder before the Mo'ed (e.g. one was locked up in jail) then one may launder on Chol Hamo'ed

- Baby clothes that continuously get soiled and need to be changed many times a day may be laundered on Chol Hamo'ed

When laundering on Chol Hamo'ed one must ensure it's done in private.

All medical procedures are allowed on Chol Hamo'ed.

If one has the opportunity to borrow money and there's reason to believe that after Yom Tov the money will no longer be available, then one may borrow the money on Chol Hamo'ed (even if it means writing an IOU), even if it's for a post Yom Tov business deal.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 104:13, 14, 16

For more on Chol Hamo'ed see Halocho #91 - http://halocho.blogspot.com/2008/04/halocho-91-chol-hamoed-chol-or-moed.html

K'tiva V'chatima Tova; wishing you a year full of happiness,

- Danny Thursday, 11 Elul 5768

Halocho #134 - Last chance for laundry

When the month of Av begins, one diminishes joy. From Rosh Chodesh Av until midday on 10th Av is the period known as the "9 days". During the 9 days one does not do any laundry even if one only intends wearing the clothes after the 9 days. One may not even give laundry to a non-Jew to wash during the 9 days, but a Jew may do laundry for non-Jews. One does not wear freshly laundered clothes during the 9 days except on Shabbat. This does not apply to garments worn directly on the body; undergarments, socks, PJs and the like. One may not change bed linens, tablecloths and towels during the 9 days. The 9 days start this Shabbat and end 10 days later on Monday afternoon. --> Therefore it's advisable to prepare a week's supply of shirts, pants, skirts, etc. by wearing them for a short while this week. One can also prepare towels by using them once. Baby clothing that gets dirty all the time and needs to be changed many times a day are exempt from the above and may be laundered and used during the 9 days. Anything halachically needed for her 7 clean days, a Niddah may launder and wear during the 9 days. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:9 - Danny Wednesday, 27 Tamuz 5768

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