Halocho #123 - who needs to fast on Sunday?

Nearly everybody above Bar/Bat Mitzva needs to fast on this coming Sunday.

Pregnant and nursing mothers are exempt from fasting.

Anybody who isn't healthy shouldn't fast. When in doubt, consult your LOR (Local Orthodox Rabbi).

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 121:9

- Danny

Wednesday, 13 Tamuz 5768

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Halocho #122 - Why do we fast?

We fast on those days when misfortune happened to the Jewish people as a reminder to improve our ways. Those who treat a fast day as a semi-holiday and go on trips are missing the point. Fast days should be dedicated to introspection and figuring out which Mitzvot to take more seriously. On Sunday will be the fast of 17 Tammuz when 5 major misfortunes happened to the Jewish people:

1. Moshe Rabbeinu broke the luchot - the tablets - upon seeing the Golden Calf being worshiped
2. The daily Tamid sacrifice was suspended in the first Bet Hamikdash (temple) a result of the siege which led up to the destruction 3 weeks later.
3. At the time of the 2nd Bet Hamikdash the walls of Jerusalem were breached by the enemy, 3 weeks before the destruction
4. Apustumus the wicked [Roman] burned a Sefer Torah
5. An idol was placed in the Bet Hamikdash

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 121:1, 4 - Danny Tuesday, 12 Tammuz 5768

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Halocho #121 - 5 shopping days left

It's customary not to say the Bracha of שהחיינו - Shehechiyanu during the 3 weeks from 17 Tammuz until 9 Av. Therefore one should not buy nor wear new clothes during that period. Since the 3 weeks begin on this coming Sunday, one should finish ones shopping this week and wear all new clothes [at least for a short time]. When eating a fruit for the first time in a season one says the Bracha of שהחיינו - Shehechiyanu. One should not wait for the "3 weeks" to eat those fruit for the first time. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:2 - Danny Monday, 11 Tamuz 5768

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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

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Halocho #119 - Consulting wizards

The Parsha this week is Balak; all about Bilam the Wizard's failed attempts to curse the Jews. The Torah commands us to kill all witches and wizards. (Shmos 22:17) It's forbidden to consult with witches and wizards. To treat a life threatening situation that seems to be caused by the occult one may use a non-Jewish witch or wizard. (Whether witches and wizards really exist, or if they are simply muggles adept at sleight of hand, is a matter of dispute amongst Rabbinical authorities.) Source Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 166:5 - Danny Thursday, 7 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

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Halocho #117 - Don't behave like Bilam

The Parsha this week is Balak; all about Bilam the Wizard's failed attempts to curse the Jews. It's a Torah prohibition to curse a fellow Jew. E.g. Saying "Darn him!" is an sin. Cursing a fellow Jew using any reference to Hashem - in any language - would result in 39 lashes by Bet Din. E.g. Saying "The Almighty should punish Ploni" is a Torah prohibition for which one deserves 39 lashes by Bet Din. Using G-d's "real" name in any language (e.g. G-d, or Hashem as said during prayers) would add a second sin of saying His Name in vain. Even invoking the loss of a blessing - "The Merciful One shouldn't let Ploni succeed" - is a Torah prohibition. Source Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 6:3 Be Blessed! - Danny Tuesday 5th Tamuz 5768

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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

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Halocho #115 - Shabbat davening is different

On weekdays the Amida (silent prayer) of each of the 3 daily prayers consists of the same 19 Brachot. On Shabbat the Amida only has 7 Brachot, in order to shorten the prayer service. The middle Bracha changes for each of the 4 prayers; Ma'ariv (at night), Shacharit and Mussaf (morning) and Mincha (afternoon). If one switched between the Ma'ariv, Shacharit and Mincha versions and didn't notice until after finishing the middle Shabbat Bracha, then one continues, since all 3 versions refer to Shabbat. If one noticed before finishing the middle Bracha then one restarts the middle Bracha. During Mussaf one stops - even in the middle of a sentence - and switches to the Mussaf prayer. If one already finished the entire Amida then one has to daven Mussaf again. If one started the weekday Brachot during Ma'ariv, Shacharit or Mincha:

• If one hasn't yet started the last 3 Brachot (from Retzei onward) then one needs to complete the Bracha one started, and then continue with the Shabbat middle Bracha.
• If one already started the last 3 Brachot, one stops even in the middle of a sentence and starts the Shabbat middle Bracha.
• If one finished the entire weekday Amida, then one has to start the Shabbat Amida from the beginning.

There are other possible mistakes one can make, therefore it's recommended to pray from a Siddur on Shabbat, especially since it's considered a "Siman Ra" - a bad omen - to say the weekday prayers on Shabbat.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 76:16-22

Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom,

- Danny

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Halocho #114 - Tamuz is the 4th month

Today - Thursday - is the first of 2 days Rosh Chodesh Tamuz. It’s a mitzvah to eat a bigger meal on Rosh Chodesh. One may do work on Rosh Chodesh, but one may not fast nor eulogize. Some women have a family custom to not do some types of work on Rosh Chodesh. Remember to add Ya'aleh Veyavo in davening (prayers) and bentching (grace after meals). Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:2, 3, 6 Chodesh Tov, - Danny See the Halocho a Day on your profile as an RSS feed.Go to http://www.facebook.com/editnotes.php?import and import from http://halocho.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

Halocho #113 - When did the 12 spies leave?

Today (Wednesday 29 Sivan) is Erev Rosh Chodesh Tamuz. On 29 Sivan 2450 - some 3,318 years ago - the 12 spies left on their 40 days reconnaissance of the Promised Land. Tachanun is not said at Mincha on Erev Rosh Chodesh. Some people have the custom of adding the Yom Kippour Katan prayers during Mincha. Some even fast on Erev Rosh Chodesh to atone for the sins of the past month. Rosh Chodesh Tamuz is on Thursday and Friday. Tonight - Wednesday night - one starts adding Ya'aleh Veyavo into the davening (prayers) and bentching (grace after meals); forgetting to do so at night does not require amendment. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:1 - Danny See the Halocho a Day on profile as an RSS feed.Go to http://www.facebook.com/editnotes.php?import and import from http://halocho.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

Halocho #112 - 0% interest on loans

The Torah prohibits charging interest and paying interest to fellow Jews. The Torah allows charging interest and paying interest to non-Jews.

• A person who lends money to a Jew and charges interest, has transgressed six Torah commandments and - if he doesn't repent - will not awaken at Techiyat Hameitim - when the dead will be revived at the End of Days.
• The person who borrows the money transgresses three Torah commandments.
• The scribe, witnesses, co-signer and middle-man all transgress one Torah commandment.

In most cases, a person who received interest from a loan needs to return it. Even if the borrower - on his own accord - returns more than he borrowed or adds a gift, it is considered interest on the loan and the lender is not allowed to accept it. Even non-monetary gain from a debtor is forbidden. For example:

• The creditor may not ask the debtor to inform him when somebody has arrived, unless he used to do this before giving him the loan.
• The debtor may not go out of his way to greet the creditor, unless he always used to do so.
• The debtor may not patronize the creditor's business, unless he used to do so before getting the loan.

When doing a business deal with a fellow Jew, one needs to use a Heter Iska - the subject of a future posting.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 65:1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 10

I discovered the following two useful sites:

• Online Kitzur Shulchan Aruch with vowels:
• Online Kitzur with English translation - a work in progress

Halocho #111 - Who was burnt to death with a Sefer Torah?

The Shulchan Aruch says that it's appropriate to fast today - Monday 27 Sivan - since about 2,000 years ago on this date, the Romans wrapped the great Rabbi Chanina ben Tradyon in a Sefer Torah, and burnt him to death. Rabbi Chanina ben Tradyon was one of the 10 martyrs. King David started Tehilim - Psalms - by declaring: Blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the gathering of the scornful. Rabbi Chanina ben Tradyon taught (Avot 3:3): - A gathering of the scornful is when Jews sit together and don't discuss Torah-related topics. - When Jews do discuss Torah then the Shechina - G-d's presence - is with them. - Even when a lone Jew learns Torah (like a Halocho a Day), Hashem takes note and rewards him. Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 580:2 Read about the 10 martyrs at http://www.answers.com/topic/ten-martyrs Read about Rabbi Chanina ben Tradyon at http://www.answers.com/topic/haninah-ben-teradion - Danny

Halocho #110 - Why do we cover our eyes after candle lighting?

We always make the Bracha before doing the Mitzva. The Bracha said on Shabbat candles ushers in the Shabbat, after which one cannot light candles. Therefore the candles are lit first, and then one hides them from sight by putting ones hands in front of ones face. One then says the Bracha and looks at the candles, seeing them for the first time on Shabbat. This is as close as one can get to saying the Bracha before "lighting" the Shabbat candles. Similarly, since one cannot make a Bracha with unwashed hands, one first washes, and then makes the Bracha of Al Netilat Yadayim and then dries ones hands. Since drying is an integral part of "washing", it's as close as one can get to saying the Bracha before washing. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 75:4, 40:5 Shabbat Shalom, - Danny

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Halocho #109 - What Bracha does one make on Good News

Today - Thursday - is the 23rd day of the month of Sivan. Today - 2,362 years ago - was the day that Esther and Mordechai sent the second royal decree informing the Jews that they may defend themselves against Haman's original decree of total annihilation. When finding out joyous tidings or upon hearing good news from a reliable source, one says a Bracha. If it only affects oneself, then one says Shehechiyanu; "... who has kept us alive, sustained us and permitted us to reach this occasion."

ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם

שהחינו וקימנו והגיענו לזמן הזה

If it affects a group of people then one says Hatov Vehametiv; "..Who is Good, and bestows good."

ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם

הטוב והמטיב

If one cannot say the Bracha right away - due to an unclean location or hands - then one can say it later, as long as one still feel the joy. Even if the joyful event will probably cause one trouble at a later date, one still says the Bracha. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 59:1,3 - Danny

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Halocho #108 - Repaying a debt is a Mitzva

Yesterday we learnt that it's a Mitzva to lend money to a fellow Jew. If you know that the borrower cannot pay back then you are not allowed to ask him to repay the loan. Even walking by him intentionally is forbidden. There's a Mitzva to repay a loan; if the borrower already has the ability to pay back then he's forbidden to ask the lender to come back another time. A person who does not repay a loan is called a Rasha - a wicked person. A borrower may not waste the money he borrowed if that will prevent him from repaying the loan. One should not lend money to people who have a reputation of not repaying their debts; since one transgresses every time one nudniks them to repay. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 179:4 - 6 - Danny

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Halocho #107 - Lending is a Mitzva

It's a Mitzva to lend money to a fellow Jew. Included in the Mitzva is providing moral support and giving sage advice. Even lending money to wealthy people - if they are short of cash - is a Mitzva. One should not lend money without witnesses, unless the borrower provides collateral. Even better is to have the lender sign an IOU - a promissory note. One may not demand collateral after the loan has been given to the borrower, except in a Bet Din (Jewish Court). One may not use the collateral, as that would be a form of interest. One may rent out the collateral and deduct the rental from the loan, under certain circumstances. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 179:1-3, 7-8. - Danny Please daven for a little girl - TAMAR bat NAAMA - תמר בת נעמה - who is undergoing chemotherapy

Halocho #106 - Respecting Torah authority

This week's Parsha - Korach - teaches us the bitter end of people who argue with Torah authorities. A person has to respect and honor his Rav - his Torah teacher - more than his parents; his parents look after his needs in this world and his Rav is ensuring him a good place in Olam Habah (Heaven). Degrading a Torah scholar is so severe that a person can loose his place in Olam Habah (Heaven) for it. If a Torah scholar has goods to sell, he is given a monopoly until his stock runs out. This does not apply if the monopoly cannot be enforced. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 144:1, 4, 5 - Danny ========================= Please daven for a little girl - TAMAR bat NAAMA - תמר בת נעמה - who is undergoing chemotherapy. =========================

Halocho #105 - Who gets to separate Challa?

In this weeks Parsha 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. If this was not done 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 take Challa. The piece of Challa that was separated should be burnt. 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. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 35 Shabbat Shalom - Danny

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Halocho #104 - Are my Tzitzis Kosher?

On each of the 4 corners of a Tallis there are 4 strings threaded through the hole. The resulting 8 strings are knotted and twisted one-third of their length and two-thirds is left as tassels. If one of the 8 tassels gets cut off - even completely - the Tzitzis are still Kosher. If two of the 8 tassels get cut off the Tzitzis may no longer be Kosher. A tassel shorter than 4 "thumbs" - about 8-10 cm is considered "cut off". Each tassel of the Tzitzis is made of multiple strands of wool twisted together. If Tzitzis start untwisting then the frayed section doesn't count as part of the minimal length. If the Tzitzis get ripped out of the hole they are hanging on, they cannot be put back in; they have to be untied and then re-tied after the hole is repaired. If a Tallis rips into 2 pieces - or a corner gets ripped off - then the Tzitzis on the smaller piece have to be re-tied after the pieces are sewn back together. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 9:13, 15. - Danny

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Halocho #103 - Who should wear Tzitzis?

This week's Parsha - Shlach - ends with the third paragraph of Shma which talk about the Mitzva of Tzitzis. Wearing Tzitzis is supposed to remind one of all 613 Mitzvos - as it says in this week’s Parsha "...make Tzitzis, and see them and thereby remember all the Mitzvos of Hashem and do them". Once a boy is toilet-trained he should wear a Tallis Katan - a 4-cornered garment with Tzitzis from the time he wakes up until he goes to sleep. This is besides the Tallis worn in shul. Women are exempt from the Mitzva of Tzitzis, as it's a time-bound Mitzva; it only applies during the day. When putting on Tzitzis 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 Tzitzis on all 4-cornered garments they wear, including ponchos. Bed sheets do not need Tzitzis. Tzitzis may be worn even when going into a bathroom, however the Tallis used for davening should not be taken into the bathroom. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 9:9-10 - Danny

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who is undergoing chemotherapy

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Halocho #102 - Talebearing is forbidden

Yesterday's Torah reading ended with Miriam's punishment for discussing her brother Moshe's life with their brother Aaron. This week's Torah reading starts with the sin of the spies who spoke evil about the Holy Land. The Torah prohibits us from talebearing; telling one person what another person did, or what they said, or where they went. Talebearing is forbidden even if the all the information is 100% true; the entire truth and nothing but the truth. Talebearing is forbidden even if nothing derogatory is said. An extreme example of the destructive power of talebearing is found in Shmuel-1 (Ch. 21 and 22).

Do'eg told King Saul that Achimelech had given [future King] David supplies and a sword. Even though it was the truth - later Achimelech himself told King Saul about it - nevertheless King Saul ordered the city of Nov to be destroyed along with eighty five Cohanim and their families.

One can never know the consequences of passing along seemingly innocent information.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 30:1 - Danny

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Halocho #101 - Candles or Oil for Shabbat?

This Shabbat morning we will read the weekly portion of Beha'aloscha which begins with the Mitzva of the Cohen lighting the Menora in the Bet Hamikdash every afternoon with pure olive oil. The popular custom is to use light Shabbat candles on Friday afternoon. However, a Hidur Mitzva (a "deluxe" way of performing the Mitzva) is to use olive oil. Whatever one decides to use, it has to create a flame that burns steadily without flickering or spluttering and does not generate an unpleasant odor. The Mishna lists wicks and oils that are disqualified, e.g. wicks from silk or seaweed as well as cottonseed oil. We already learned in Halocho #44 that one may not use a 7 branched candelabra. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 75:3, Mishna Shabbat, Ch. 2 Shabbat Shalom, - Danny

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Halocho #100 - What is a Chagiga?

In the time of the Bet Hamikdash (may it be rebuilt speedily in our days) all men above Bar Mitzva have a Mitzva to appear in the Bet Hamikdash thrice yearly; during the Yom Tov of Pessach, Shavuoth and Sukkoth. This Mitzva includes offering 2 sacrifices; a Korban Re'iya ("appearance sacrifice") which was completely burnt, and a Korban Chagiga ("festive sacrifice") which was eaten. These sacrifices cannot be offered on Shabbat. Preferably this Mitzva should be fulfilled on the first day of each Yom Tov. If the first day of Yom Tov is Shabbat, or if the person has other reasons to delay, then the Mitzva can be done during the remaining days of Sukkoth and Pessach. Even though Shavuoth is only one day long (in Israel) this Mitzva can be fulfilled during the 6 days following Shavuoth. This is the reason why some congregations do not say Tachanun during the entire week following Shavuoth. Source: The Book of our Heritage, Vol III, Page 50 - Danny

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Halocho #99 - What is Isru Chag?

The day after Pessach, Sukkoth and Shavuoth is called Isru Chag. That would be yesterday (Tuesday) in Israel and today (Wednesday) everywhere else. Various reasons are given for Isru Chag after Pessach and Sukkoth. Isru Chag of Shavuoth is of biblical origin; if Shavuoth is on Shabbat then the festive sacrifices (Chagiga and Re'iya) are brought to the Bet Hamikdash on the day after Shavuoth. On Isru Chag the custom is to eat a larger meal than usual. Nobody - not even a bride and groom on their wedding day, nor a Yahrzeit - may fast on Isru Chag. One does not say Tachanun on Isru Chag. Some communities don't say Lamenatze'ach (before Uvo L'zion in Shacharis) on Isru Chag. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 22:8, 103:14, 146:2 (I no longer can afford the hour a day to prepare the Halocho a Day; however I will try send it out periodically.) - Danny

========================= Please daven for a little girl TAMAR bat NAAMA who is undergoing chemotherapy ===========================