Halocho #404 - Must the Aravot come from a riverside?

On Sukkoth there's a Mitzvah to shake the four species; a Lulav, 3 Haddasim, 2 Aravot and an Etrog. The Arava comes from a known type of willow tree with long leaves, non-serrated edges, and its bough turns red when mature. The Arava must be at least 3 Tefachim (24 cm - 10") long. If possible one should get Aravot from a tree that grows alongside a river. Willows dry up very quickly. A wilted Arava is not Kosher. Some say that once its leaves start drooping it is not fresh enough to be a Kosher Arava. Many have the Minhag to get fresh Aravot every day of Chol Hamo'ed Sukkoth. An Arava is no longer Kosher if most of its leaves have come off, or its tip is cut off. This can happen if they are wilted, have been shaken too hard or while replacing them. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 136:5, 6, 7 and 137:6 Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a healthy, wealthy year to come, - Danny Wednesday, 13 Elul 5769

Please daven for Rachamim ben Charlotte Jacqueline

Halocho #180 - Tashlich, the Rosh Hashanah outing

After Mincha (afternoon prayers) on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, the Minhag is to walk to a river to say Tashlich; verses about Hashem's willingness to forgive those who repent. Preferably the river should have fish and be outside the city. If this is impractical one can even use a well which doesn't flow and is without fish. One then symbolically shakes out ones pockets as a reminder to shake off ones sins and to start the new year with a fresh attitude towards Mitzvoth. After Tashlich one should go to shul and spend the rest of the time before Maariv (evening prayers) learning Torah, Mussar or saying Tehillim. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 129:21, 22 Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a year with lots of time to learn Torah, - Danny Wednesday, 24 Elul 5768

Halocho #35 – Washing with Snow

If no cup is available for washing ones hands, one can immerse them into a river or into snow, if there's enough snow on the ground to fill a mikve. (About 350 litres/90 gallons.) This applies to washing three times after arising as well as before eating bread. Sources: KSA 2:6, 40:7