Halocho #1018 – Bathing for Shabbat

It's a Mitzva to bathe on Friday with warm water; or at least to wash one's face, hands and feet. It's also a Mitzva to shampoo one's hair, cut one's 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 Shabbat. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 72:12, 14

This week is Shabbat Mevorchim; Rosh Chodesh Shevat will be on the following Shabbat.

Shabbat Shalom uMevorach

- Danny
Thursday, 21 Tevet 5773

Halocho #879 - Removing nails and hangnails on Shabbat

One may not cut off hangnails on Shabbat; not with an instrument, nor by hand and not even by biting it off.


(Hangnail: A small piece of dead skin at the side or the base of a fingernail that is partly detached from the rest of the skin.)


One may not cut nails on Shabbat. If a nail is partly disconnected it may not be detached on Shabbat.


If a nail is almost completely detached - and will eventually fall off - and it's causing discomfort, one can remove it by hand but not with an instrument.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:55

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 2 Elul 5771

Halocho #820 - Eating on Erev Yom Tov

Today - Tuesday - is Erev Shavuot.

In honor of Yom Tov one should bathe in warm water and cut one's hair and nails on Erev Yom Tov.

In order not to spoil one's appetite for the Yom Tov meal, one should not eat a meal during the second half of the afternoon, on Erev Yom Tov.

Outside of Israel this also applies to the first day of Yom Tov; so as not to spoil one's appetite for the evening meal of the 2nd day of Yom Tov one should not eat a meal during the second half of the afternoon on Wednesday.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 103:2

Chag Shavuoth Same'ach
- Danny
Tuesday, 5 Sivan 5771  - 49th day of the Omer - Erev Shavuoth

Halocho #774 - Chol Hamo'ed; Chol or Mo'ed?

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

Chazal (our Rabbis of blessed memory) have some harsh words for those who don't honor Chol Hamo'ed properly. Honoring Chol Hamo'ed includes eating meals and wearing clothes that are closer to Yom Tov standards than regular weekday standards.

On Chol Hamo'ed one may do all work needed to prevent a monetary loss.

Preparing food for other days of Chol Hamo'ed or for the last days of Yom Tov is allowed.

Gardening is forbidden besides for picking fruit for Chol Hamo'ed or Yom Tov, and to prevent plants dying, e.g. if they need to be irrigated. Planting is forbidden.

Cutting hair is forbidden on Chol Hamo'ed. Cutting nails is only allowed if one also cut them before Yom Tov.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 104.

- Danny
Sunday, 21 Adar II 5771

Halocho #714 - Foggy windows on Shabbat

Writing and drawing is forbidden on Shabbat - even if it's temporary.

One may not use one's finger to write or draw on the condensation a window.

One may not write or draw using the water that spilled on a table.

One may not use one's nail to make a mark on page, to enable one to find the place again, or for any other reason.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:62

Shabbat Shalom
- Danny
Thursday, 23 Tevet 5771

Halocho #631 - Removing nails and hangnails on Shabbat

One may not cut off hangnails on Shabbat; not with an instrument, nor by hand and not even by biting it off.

(Hangnail: A small piece of dead skin at the side or the base of a fingernail that is partly detached from the rest of the skin.)

One may not cut nails on Shabbat. If a nail is partly disconnected it may not be detached on Shabbat.

If a nail is almost completely detached - and will eventually fall off - and it's causing discomfort, one can remove it by hand but not with an instrument.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:55

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 2 Elul 5770

Please daven for the complete recovery of

Sara bat Hodda

who will be going for a bone marrow transplant today

Halocho #602 - Cutting nails during the 3 weeks?

One may cut one's nails during the 3 weeks, until the week in which 9 B'Av falls.

On each Shabbat of the "3 weeks" we read a Haftara in which the prophet warned about the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash.

The first week (this week) we read the first chapter of Yirmiyahu, which is the Haftara for "Matos" in most Chumashim.

The second week we read most of the second chapter of Yirmiyahu.

The third week we read the the first chapter of Yeshayahu - Chazon; most of it in the sad tune that Megilat Eicha is read.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:6, 5

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 19 Tamuz 5770

Halocho #394 - Haircuts and cutting nails on Rosh Chodesh

Tonight - Wednesday night - is Rosh Chodesh Elul. Rosh Chodesh Elul will be on Thursday and Friday. Many people follow the Tzava'a (last will) of Rabbi Yehuda Hachasid and do not cut their nails nor have haircuts on Rosh Chodesh. The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch follows this opinion. Those who do not cut nails nor have haircuts on Rosh Chodesh, should cut their nails and have hair cuts - today (Wednesday) in honor of Shabbat. Don't forget to add Ya'aleh Veyavo in the Amida and Birkat Hamazon on Rosh Chodesh. Chodesh Tov! Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 72:14 Chodesh Tov! - Danny Wednesday, 29 Av 5769

Halocho #366 - Can you cut nails during the 3 weeks?

You may cut your nails during the 3 weeks, until the week in which 9 B'Av falls. On each Shabbat of the "3 weeks" we read a Haftara wherein the prophet foretold the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash. The first week (this week) we read the first chapter of Yirmiyahu. The second week we read most of the second chapter of Yirmiyahu. The third week we read the the first chapter of Yeshayahu - Chazon; most of it in the sad tune that Megilat Eicha is read. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:6, 5 Have a meaningful fast and a Shabbat Shalom, - Danny Thursday, 17 Tamuz 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Yaakov Yitzchak ben Rus Nechama

Halocho #336 - Eating on Erev Yom Tov

Today - Thursday - is Erev Shavuot.

In honor of Yom Tov one should bathe in warm water and cut ones hair and nails on Erev Yom Tov.

In order not to spoil ones appetite for the Yom Tov meal, one should not eat a meal during the second half of the afternoon, on Erev Yom Tov.

This also applies to the first day of Yom Tov; so as not to spoil ones appetite for the evening meal of the 2nd day of Yom Tov - and the Friday-night Shabbat meal this year - one should not eat a meal during the second half of the afternoon on Friday.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 103:2

Do someone a favor: Call them and remind them to do ERUV TAVSHILIN!

Chag Same'ach and Shabbat Shalom

- Danny Thursday, 5 Sivan 5769, 49th day of the Omer - Erev Shavuoth

Please daven for a complete recovery for Michal bat Rachel - מיכל בת רחל who is undergoing a cardiac procedure (laser ablation) today

Halocho #294 - Working on Chol Hamo'ed

The intermediary days of Pessach and Sukkot are known as Chol Hamo'ed. Some types of work are permitted, others are forbidden. Chazal (our Rabbis of blessed memory) have some harsh words for those who don't honour Chol Hamo'ed properly. Honouring Chol Hamo'ed includes eating meals and wearing clothes that are closer to Yom Tov standards than regular weekday standards. On Chol Hamo'ed one may do all work needed to prevent a monetary loss. Preparing food for Chol Hamo'ed or the last days of Yom Tov is allowed. Gardening is forbidden besides for picking fruit for Chol Hamo'ed or Yom Tov, and to prevent plants dying, e.g. if they need to be irrigated. Planting is forbidden. Cutting hair is forbidden on Chol Hamo'ed. Cutting nails is only allowed if one also cut them before Yom Tov. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 104 - Danny Sunday, 26 Adar 5769 Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה

Halocho #131 - What Haftara do we read this week?

On each Shabbat of the "3 weeks" we read a Haftara wherein the prophet foretold the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash. The first week (this week) we read the first chapter of Yirmiyahu. The second week we read most of the second chapter of Yirmiyahu. This year the second week (next week) is also Rosh Chodesh, which has its own special Haftara. Most communities will read the second chapter of Yirmiyahu. Some communities will read the regular "Shabbat-Rosh-Chodesh" Haftara instead. A few will read both. The third week we read the the first chapter of Yeshayahu - Chazon; most of it in the tune that Megilat Eicha is read. BTW: You can cut your nails during the 3 weeks, until the week in which 9 B'Av falls. Since 9 B'Av is on Sunday this year, you can cut nails up to - and including - Erev Shabbat Chazon. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:6, 5 Shabbat Shalom - Danny Erev Shabbat Matos, 22 Tamuz 5768

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

Halocho #91 - Chol Hamo'ed; Chol or Mo'ed?

The intermediary days of Pessach and Sukkot are known as Chol Hamo'ed. Some types of work are permitted, others are forbidden. Chazal (our Rabbis of blessed memory) have some harsh words for those who don't honour Chol Hamo'ed properly. Honouring Chol Hamo'ed includes eating meals and wearing clothes that are closer to Yom Tov standards than regular weekday standards. On Chol Hamo'ed one may do all work needed to prevent a monetary loss. Preparing food for Chol Hamo'ed or the last days of Yom Tov is allowed. Gardening is forbidden besides for picking fruit for Chol Hamo'ed or Yom Tov, and to prevent plants dying, e.g. if they need to be irrigated. Planting is forbidden. Cutting hair is forbidden on Chol Hamo'ed. Cutting nails is only allowed if one also cut them before Yom Tov. Writing down information so that it won't be forgotten is allowed. Writing letters to friends and family is allowed. The custom is to write the first line at an angle as a reminder that writing is only partially permitted. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 104. - Danny 4 Nissan 5768

סימן קד – דיני חול המועד

סעיף א - חול המועד אסור בקצת מלאכות ומותר בקצתן, דהיינו כל מה שהוא לצורך אכילה לחול המועד או ליום טוב, וכן מלאכה בדבר האבד, דהיינו שאם לא יעשנה יבא לידי הפסד מותר לעשותה, וצריכין ליזהר מאד שלא לעשות בחול המועד מלאכה האסורה, כי אמרו רבותינו זכרונם לברכה המחלל את חול המועד כאלו עובד עבודה זרה. סעיף ב - עוד אמרו רבותינו זכרונם לברכה המבזה את חול המועד, אף על פי שיש בידו תורה ומעשים טובים אין לו חלק לעולם הבא, והמבזה היינו שאינו מכבדו במאכל ובמשתה ובכסות, ולכן כל אדם חייב לכבדו כפי כחו וללבוש בגדים מכובדים.

Halocho #84 - Buying jewelery for Yom Tov

There's a Mitzva to honor the Yom Tov: - One should bath, cut nails and get a haircut before Yom Tov. - One shouldn't eat a meal during the second half of the afternoon on Erev Yom Tov so as not to spoil ones appetite for the festive evening meal.

- Yom Tov clothes should be nicer than Shabbat clothes

There's a Mitzva to be joyous on Yom Tov. This includes having 2 meals; one in the evening and one during the day. The meals start with Kiddush and should include meat and delicacies and should be more elaborate than on Shabbat. One should also provide the Neshomo (soul) with Yom Tov joy by learning some Torah (e.g. Yom Tov related Halochos) at every meal. There's a Mitzva to make others happy on Yom Tov: - Children should be given nuts and other treats. - Women should be given new clothes and jewelery. - The poor and unfortunate should be invited or provided with financial support. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 103:2,3,4,7 =================================== Please daven for the full recovery of Bentzion ben Masha Yehudit =================================== - Danny

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