Halocho #2403 - May one work on Rosh Chodesh?

Rosh Chodesh is a "minor" Yom Tov - and after Shacharit one adds the abridged Hallel, Torah Reading and Mussaf.

All types of work are permitted on Rosh Chodesh.

Some women have a family custom to not do certain types of work on Rosh Chodesh. This is a valid custom and they may not disregard it.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:3

רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ, מֻתָּר בַּעֲשִׂיַּת מְלָאכָה. 

וְנָשִׁים נוֹהֲגוֹת שֶׁלֹּא לַעֲשׂוֹת בּוֹ מְלָאכָה, וּמִנְהָג הָגוּן הוּא וְאֵין לְהָקֵל לָהֶם.

Chodesh Tov

- Danny

Wednesday, 1st Day Rosh Chodesh Iyar 5784, 15th day of the Omer

 Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

 מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּילָא לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #1039 - White hair

A man may not wear clothes nor jewelry that only women wear, nor may a woman wear men-only apparel. 

Who-wears-what is defined by local custom and may change over time. 

A man may not pluck out even a single white hair (unless all his hair has turned white) nor may he dye his white hair. A woman may. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 171:1,3

- Danny
Tuesday, 25 Shevat 5773

Halocho #793 - Work during the Omer

The custom is not do any work from sunset until after one has counted the Omer.

This applies to men and women.

This is hinted to in the verse (Shmot 23:15) which refers to the 7 weeks of the Omer-counting as "Sheva Shabbatot" - using the word "Shabbat" instead of weeks. 

 וּסְפַרְתֶּם לָכֶם, מִמָּחֳרַת הַשַּׁבָּת, מִיּוֹם הֲבִיאֲכֶם אֶת-עוֹמֶר הַתְּנוּפָה: שֶׁבַע שַׁבָּתוֹת, תְּמִימוֹת תִּהְיֶינָה

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 120:10

- Danny
Sunday, 27 Nissan 5771 - 12th day of the Omer

Halocho #766 - How do we publicize the miracle of Purim?

One of the Mitzvot of Purim is hearing Megilat Esther being read at night and again in the morning.

One needs to hear every single word to fulfill this Mitzva.

The Megila should be heard in a shul if possible; the bigger the crowd the bigger the publicity of the miracle.

Everybody needs to hear the Megila including men, women and children old enough to attend without disturbing.

The reading needs to be done from a Kosher Megila; one that is handwritten by a Sofer on parchment.

The entire Megila - some 20 columns in a standard edition - is unrolled and folded like a letter before it is read.

Three Brochos are recited before the Megila is read (both in the evening and the morning) and a single one after the reading.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 141:7, 9, 10, 11

- Danny
Monday, 8 Adar-II 5771

Halocho #556 - Cross-dressing

A man may not wear clothes or jewelry that only women wear - nor may a woman wear men-only apparel.

"Who-wears-what" is defined by local custom and may change over time.

A man may not pluck out even a single white hair (unless all his hair has turned white) nor may he dye his white hair. A woman may.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 171:1,3

- Danny
Tuesday, 13 Iyar 5770 - 28th day of the Omer

Halocho #549 - May one work on Rosh Chodesh?

Rosh Chodesh is a "minor" Yom Tov - and after Shacharit one adds the abridged Hallel, Torah Reading and Mussaf.

All types of work are permitted on Rosh Chodesh.

Some women have a family custom to not do certain types of work on Rosh Chodesh. This is a valid custom and they may not disregard it.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:3

Chodesh Tov

- Danny
Wednesday, 1st Day Rosh Chodesh Iyar 5770, 15th day of the Omer

Halocho #520 - How do we publicize the miracle of Purim?

One of the Mitzvot of Purim is hearing Megilat Esther being read at night and again in the morning.

One needs to hear every single word to fulfill this Mitzva.

The Megila should be heard in a shul if possible; the bigger the crowd the bigger the publicity of the miracle.

Everybody needs to hear the Megila including men, women and children old enough to attend without disturbing.

The reading needs to be done from a Kosher Megila; one that is handwritten by a Sofer on parchment.

The entire Megila - some 20 columns in a standard edition - is unrolled and folded like a letter before it is read.

Three Brochos are recited before the Megila is read (both in the evening and the morning) and a single one after the reading.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Oruch 141:7, 9, 10, 11

- Danny
Monday, 8 Adar 5770

Halocho # 478 - Makeup on Shabbat

Coloring is one of the 39 forbidden categories of work on Shabbat.

One may not color anything on Shabbat even if the color is not permanent.

One may not apply rouge, lipstick or eye-shadow on Shabbat.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:42

Shabbat Shalom,

- Danny
Thursday, 7 Tevet 5770

Reminder: Sunday will be the fast of Asara B'Tevet.

Please daven for Yerucham Dovid ben Rochel Leah - he was in a car accident and is at the hospital in the intensive care unit.

Halocho # 460 - Who should light the Chanukah Menorah?

Since both men and women were included in the miracle of Chanukah, they both need to light the Chanukah Menorah.

At least one person per household must light.

The custom is for everybody to light, including children under Bar Mitzva. However, married couples share one Chanukah Menorah that either the husband or wife lights.

Even blind people should light, if they live by themselves.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:16

- Danny
Monday, 13 Kislev 5770

Halocho #407 - If it rains, does one sleep in the Sukkah?

Since the Mitzvah of Sukkah is to move out of the house and into the Sukkah for the duration of Sukkoth, one should really sleep in the Sukkah.

People who are meticulous about their Mitzvah observance will not even take a nap outside the Sukkah. Their entire family moves into the Sukkah; husband, wife and children.

There are numerous reasons why not to sleep in a Sukkah. However, if the Sukkah is not fit for sleeping (e.g. it's too dangerous) then the Sukkah is not Kosher even for eating in.

The slightest precipitation renders the Sukkah unfit for sleeping and one should then sleep indoors. Once one lies down inside one is exempt from returning to the Sukkah the entire night, even if the Sukkah subsequently dries.

Women are exempt from the Mitzvah of Sukkah, as it's a time-bound Mitzvah.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 135:8, 9, 10

Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a year with lots of time to learn Torah,

- Danny Monday, 18 Elul 5769

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 #354 - May one work on Rosh Chodesh?

Rosh Chodesh is a "minor" YomTov - and after Shacharit one adds Hallel, Torah Reading and Mussaf.

All types of work are permitted on Rosh Chodesh.

Some women have a family custom to not do certain types of work on Rosh Chodesh.

This is a valid custom and they may not disregard it.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:3

Chodesh Tov,

- Danny Tuesday, 2nd day Rosh Chodesh Tamuz 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Bracha Elisheva bat Kayla. She has cancer and it has spread.

Halocho #346 - Can a husband separate Challa?

In Parshat Shlach (the Torah Reading this week in Israel, next week in the Diaspora) we learn about the Mitzva of separating Challa from dough made from any of the 5 types of grain: wheat, barley, oats, spelt or rye.

Challa should be separated before the dough is baked; one may not eat the dough before separating Challa.

If Challa was not separated before the dough is baked, then the baked goods are forbidden to be eaten until Challa is separated from them.

The Mitzva of separating Challa rightfully belongs to the housewife.

However, if waiting for the housewife would cause the dough to spoil, then anybody above Bar/Bat Mitzva may separate Challa.

The piece of Challa that was separated should be burnt.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 35

Since nowadays we don't have fires readily available, my Rabbi suggested we freeze the Challa (in a well marked container that nobody should eat from it) and whenever there's a bonfire (Lag B'Omer and Erev Pessach) we should burn the accumulated Challa.

Shabbat Shalom,

- Danny Thursday, 19 Sivan 5769

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

Halocho #344 - Do bed sheets need Tzitzit?

Parshat Shlach ends with the third paragraph of Shma which talks about the Mitzva of Tzitzit.

Wearing Tzitzit is supposed to remind one of all 613 Mitzvoth - as it says "...make Tzitzit, and see them and thereby remember all the Mitzvoth of Hashem and do them".

Once a boy is toilet-trained he should wear a Tallit Katan - a 4-cornered garment with Tzitzit from the time he wakes up until he goes to sleep. This is besides the Tallit worn in shul.

Women are exempt from the Mitzva of Tzitzit, as it's a time-bound Mitzva; it only applies during the day.

When putting on Tzitzit in the morning, the Bracha cannot be made until it is light enough outside to recognize a casual acquaintance from 4 Amos (2 meters) away. This is about an hour before sunrise in Israel.

Men must put Tzitzit on all 4-cornered garments they wear, including ponchos. Bed sheets do not need Tzitzit.

Tzitzit may be worn even when going into a bathroom, however the Tallit used for Davening should not be taken into the bathroom.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 9:9-10

- Danny Tuesday, 17 Sivan 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Miryam bat Esther and her baby boy - a preemie - Tinok ben Miryam

Halocho #308 - Work during the Omer

The custom is not do any work from sunset until one has counted the Omer. This applies to men and women. This is hinted in the verse which refers to the 7 weeks of the Omer-counting as "Sheva Shabbatot" - using the word "Shabbat" instead of weeks. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 120:10 - Danny Monday, 26 Nissan 5769, 11th day of the Omer Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה

Halocho #275 - Purim gifts for your friends

One of the Mitzvot of Purim is Mishlo’ach Manot; sending at least two food items to one fellow Jew. These 2 food items need to be ready to eat. For example fruit, wine, cake or cooked meat. It’s commendable to send Mishlo’ach Manot to a lot of people, but it’s even better to spend more on Matonos L’evyonim to the poor and needy. Both men and women need to send Mishlo’ach Manot. Men should send to men, women should send to women. A mourner (in the 12 months for parents or 30 days for siblings, spouse or child) also needs to send Mishlo’ach Manot. One does not send Mishlo’ach Manot to a mourner unless there are no other Jews around. One may give Matonos L’evyonim to a needy mourner. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 142:1, 2, 4, 7 - Danny Sunday, 28 Shvat 5769 Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה

Halocho #228 - Working on Chanukah

All work is permitted on Chanukah, however women have a custom not to do any work during the first half-hour after lighting. The reason being that the women were oppressed by the enemy even more than the men, with the law of jus primae noctis. Another reason being that the miracle was done by a woman; a daughter of Yochanan the High Priest cut off their king's head after making him drowsy with wine and cheese. This is also the reason some have the custom to eat dairy on Chanukah. Erratum: The earliest time for lighting is Plag HaMincha which is 75 Halachic minutes before nightfall. (And not 90 minutes as mentioned last week.) Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:2 - Danny Wednesday, 20 Kislev 5769

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

Halocho #129 - What is a Zecher L'Churban?

After the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash (Temple) certain types of joy were forbidden and certain acts of mourning were instituted "Zecher L'Churban" - as a reminder of the destruction. One may not plaster ones entire house; a square Ama (~50 cm x 50 cm) of wall opposite [or above] the front door should be left bare to recall the destruction. The reason many people don't do so nowadays is unclear. A woman should never wear all her jewelery at the same time. Some ashes are put on a groom's head before the Chuppa (wedding ceremony) on the spot he usually wears his Tefilin. A bride's veil should not have gold nor silver threads. A plate is broken at the engagement, and a cup under the Chuppa. All these [and more] are done Zecher L'Churban - as a reminder of the destruction. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 126:1,2 - Danny Wednesday, 20 Tamuz 5768

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

Halocho #120 - Can children make Kiddush?

The 4th of the 10 commandments is to remember the Shabbat to sanctify it. This is done by marking the start of Shabbat with Kiddush and its end with Havdala. Women also have to make Kiddush, or hear it from somebody over the age of Bar-Mitzva. If one doesn't know how to make Kiddush and an under-Bar-Mitzva is making Kiddush then one has to say along word for word. The person making Kiddush must drink a mouthful of the Kiddush wine immediately after those present say Amen after Kiddush. It's a Mitzva for all present to drink some of the Kiddush wine. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 77:4, 9 Shabbat Shalom, - Danny Erev Shabbat Balak, 8 Tamuz 5768

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

Halocho #116 - Can one say Kiddush Levanah by a window?

Kiddush Levanah - (the sanctification of the new moon) - can be found in any Siddur; usually after the Maariv service. Men have an obligation to say Kiddush Levanah every month. The custom is that women do not say Kiddush Levanah. Kiddush Levanah cannot be said before the new moon is 3 days (72 hours) old. Some even wait until it's 7 days old. Kiddush Levanah can only be said while the moon is waxing. Kiddush Levanah should not be said while standing under a roof. However, if this is impossible or impractical, then it can be said inside by a window. Source Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 77:7, 8, 10 - Danny Monday 4th Tamuz 5768

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