Halocho #173 - Does the Haddas have berries?

On Sukkoth there's a Mitzva to shake the four species; a Lulav, 3 Haddasim, 2 Aravot and an Etrog. Each Haddas is a branch of a myrtle bush, and is at least 3 Tefachim (24 cm - 10") long. Myrtle leaves grow in groups of three or more. A Kosher Haddas needs to be Meshulash; with each group of leaves growing out of the branch at exactly the same height. Preferably the Haddas should be Meshulash its entire length, though it's Kosher if only the top half is Meshulash. The entire Haddas needs to be covered in leaves, the top of the lower leaves must reach the bottom of the higher ones. Myrtle bushes have berries growing on them. A Haddas should not have any berries on it; berries should be removed (with their stems) before Yom Tov. Make sure that the top of the Haddas is not cut off, it usually ends in a set of tiny leaves. Haddasim need to be kept fresh; dried out Haddasim are not Kosher. Source: Shulchan Aruch 646. Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a year full of good news, - Danny Tuesday, 16 Elul 5768

Halocho #172 - Is a grafted Etrog Kosher?

On Sukkoth there's a Mitzva to shake the four species; a Lulav, 3 Haddasim, 2 Aravot and an Etrog.

The Etrog is a citron; Citrus Medica.

It is held in ones left hand when shaking the four species, with the stem (where it was cut off the tree) facing downwards.

By nature the Etrog tree is very soft (mine buckled during a light Jerusalem snow storm), therefore it is often grafted onto other trees to make it stronger.

An Etrog from a grafted tree cannot be used when shaking the four species. (Grafted fruit is Kosher to eat, despite the prohibition against grafting trees.)

The Etrog needs to be whole; scratches and dents may invalidate it.

The Etrog should not have dark dots on it, though it may have light scabs that are a result of leaves and thorns brushing against it while it grows. (Etrog trees have thorns that grow to about 2" long.)

The "nose" of the the Etrog - from where it starts getting narrow - should be perfectly clean.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 174:2, Shulchan Aruch 648

Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you happy year to come

- Danny Monday, 15 Elul 5768

Written in memory of my grandfather - Yehuda ben Yissoschor - whose 21st Yahrzeit is today.

Halocho #171 - Why do we shake the Lulav?

On Sukkoth there's a Mitzva to shake the four species; a Lulav, 3 Haddasim, 2 Aravot and an Etrog. The Torah commands us to shake the four species on all 7 days of Sukkoth in the Bet Hamikdash (Holy Temple), and on the first day of Sukkoth everywhere else. After the Bet Hamikdash was destroyed, the Rabbis instituted shaking the four species during the entire Sukkoth, Zecher L'Mikdash; in memory of the Temple. One does not shake the four species on Shabbat. The Lulav is a palm branch that is still closed. Once the leaves start fanning out, it's no longer a Lulav. A Lulav has a spine from which the leaves protrude; this spine needs to be facing you when you shake the four species. The Lulav spine should be straight, a slight curvature towards you is allowed. The Lulav spine must be at least 4 Tefachim (32 cm - 13") long. This is measured from the bottom of the lowest "leaf" to the bottom of the highest "leaf". Each "leaf" is made of 2 parts that are connected (and will eventually open up into a V-shaped palm leaf). If these double-leaves start separating then the Lulav may no longer be Kosher. Special care should be taken that the highest leaves remain coupled. Source: Shulchan Aruch 645. Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a year with lots of time to learn Torah, - Danny Sunday, 14 Elul 5768

Halocho #170 - Parties, but no weddings?

The Minhag is to not get married during the 10 days-of-repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kipppour. The Minhag is to not get married on Chol Hamo'ed, so as not to mingle the joy of Yom Tov with ones private celebration. However, one may remarry ones divorcee on Chol Hamo'ed. (One may never again marry ones divorcee if she married somebody else, even if she subsequently got divorced or was widowed. A Cohen may never marry a divorcee; even his ex-wife.) One may make a Brit, Pidyon Haben and engagement party on the above days. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 104:17, 130:4, 145:12 Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a year full of good tidings Shabbat Shalom, - Danny Erev Shabbat Ki-Theitzei, 12 Elul 5768

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 #168 - Glad to be around; Shehechiyanu

The blessing of Shehechiyanu; - "... who has kept us alive, sustained us and enabled us to reach this occasion" - is recited during Kiddush on all nights of Yom Tov, except on the last days of Pessach.

There are two Minhagim (customs) regarding Shehechiyanu at candle-lighting on Yom Tov candles:

- Some women have the Minhag of saying Shehechiyanu when lighting Yom-Tov candles (except on the last days of Pessach)

- Others never say Shehechiyanu at candle-lighting

If a woman makes her own Kiddush she must be careful to only say Shehechiyanu once; either at candle-lighting or during Kiddush.

On the second night of Rosh Hashanah there's a Halachic debate if Shehechiyanu is required. To be on the safe side, one should wear a new item of clothing, or see a new fruit (that one hasn't tasted yet this season) while saying Shehechiyanu on the second night of Rosh Hashanah; both during Kiddush and during candle lighting (if applicable).

If one does not have a new item of clothing, nor a new fruit, on the second night of Rosh Hashanah, one still says Shehechiyanu.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 103:4, 129:23

See Halocho #109 - http://halocho.blogspot.com/2008/06/halocho-109-what-bracha-does-one-make.html for other uses of the Bracha of Shehechiyanu.

K'tiva V'chatima Tova; wishing you a year full of happy tidings

- Danny Wednesday, 10 Elul 5768

Please daven that Dalia Rivka Bat Tamar should find her Shidduch soon

Halocho #167 - Should one spend money on Jewelry or Charity?

There's a Mitzva to relish Jewish Holidays and therefore one must eat two Yom Tov meals; one at night and one during the day. (Se'udat Shlishi - the 3rd meal - is only eaten on Shabbat and is not required on Yom Tov.)

Each meal starts with Kiddush over wine and two Challot (loaves of bread) and should include meat and other delicacies.

It's also a Mitzva to ensure that others are happy:

- Children should be given treats

- Wives should get new clothes and jewelry according to ones budget

- Men should be served meat and wine

In order to prove that the extra expenses are for Yom Tov and not simply for self-indulgence, one must ensure that the poor and needy are also supplied with their Yom Tov needs; invite some over for the meals and donate generously to reputable charity funds before Yom Tov.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 103:3, 5, 9

Ktiva Vechatima Tova; may you always be on the giving end

- Danny Tuesday, 9 Elul 5768

Halocho #166 - Honoring Yom Tov

There's a Mitzva to honor each Yom Tov - Jewish Festival.

This Mitzva if fulfilled by:

- Getting a haircut before Yom Tov

- Having a warm shower/bath on Erev Yom Tov

- Baking fresh bread for Yom Tov

- Not eating on Erev Yom Tov afternoon so as not to spoil ones appetite for the evening meal. The details depend on each person's metabolism, but after mid-afternoon nobody may eat a meal (with bread). Even the first day of Yom Tov is considered "Erev Yom Tov" of the second day, in this regard.

- Ones Yom Tov clothes should be more expensive than ones Shabbat clothes.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 103:1, 2, 5

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

- Danny Monday, 8 Elul 5768

Please daven that Dalia Rivka Bat Tamar will find her Shidduch soon

Halocho #165 - When can one prepare for the 2nd day of Yom Tov?

Certain types of Melacha which are forbidden on Shabbat are permitted on Yom Tov, like cooking and carrying without an Eruv. One may also light a fire from an existing flame on Yom Tov. The above are only allowed if they are needed for that day of Yom Tov. One may not do Melacha on the first day Yom Tov for the second day. However, one may use a bigger pot for soup or meat and double the required quantity on first day Yom Tov, but one may not explicitly say that the extra food is for the second day. This "trick" only applies to food being prepared in a pot, since the more food being prepared the better it tastes. One may not light candles on the first day Yom Tov for the second day, unless one needs the extra light before sunset. One may not do Melacha on Yom Tov for after Yom Tov. (If Yom Tov is on Friday then these Halachot are slightly different. We'll hopefully discuss them before next Pessach and Shavu'ot when they become relevant) Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 98:1, 101:1, 6 K'tiva V'chatima Tova; wishing you a fantastic year to come - Danny Sunday, 7 Elul 5768

Halocho #164 - If Kiddush wine goes bad

If you make Kiddush and upon tasting the wine you discover it was water or vinegar: If you wash before Kiddush then you can make HaMotzi right away. No need to find and drink wine. If you wash after Kiddush, then you should find some good wine:

• If there is a bottle of good wine on the table during Kiddush then you should drink that, without further ado.
• If there is wine in the house (not on the table) that you plan on drinking during the meal, then use it to redo Kiddush (but without saying the Bracha of Hagafen again).
• Otherwise you will need to start Kiddush all over again from the beginning, with a cup of good wine.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 77:12 K'tiva V'chatima Tova; may you be inscribed for a year of health and happiness Shabbat Shalom, - Danny Erev Shabbat Shoftim, 5 Elul 5768

Halocho #163 - Why do I need to do Teshuva?

During Elul one gets ready for the Days of Judgement (Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur) with a three-pronged approach:

• Teshuva; repenting.
• Tefilla; praying.
• Tzedaka; giving charity.

Learning Torah is a prerequisite for repenting. If one isn't aware of ones obligations, one cannot repent for not doing them. Every person has a Mitzva to learn Torah every day and every night. One should concentrate on learning practical Halacha, to review what ones obligations are and to discover their finer details. People who are too busy all week should learn at least one Halacha every day, and one at night. On Shabbat one should spend as much time as possible learning Torah; the less Torah one learns during the week, the more time one should spend learning Torah on Shabbat. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 27:2, 77:24 K'tiva V'chatima Tova; wishing you a year with lots of time to learn Torah, - Danny Thursday, 4 Elul 5768

Halocho #162 - Understanding your prayers

During Elul one gets ready for the Days of Judgement (Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur) with a three-pronged approach: - Teshuva; repenting. - Tefilla; praying. - Tzedaka; giving charity.

In order to pray properly one needs to understand what one is saying.

If one is not fluent in Hebrew, one should get a Siddur and Machzor with an English translation.

One should remember that one is praying to the One Above.

If ones thoughts wander during prayers one should pause and recollect ones thoughts.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 18: 3-4.

Ktiva Vechatima Tova; with wishes for a Happy New Year,

- Danny Wednesday, 3 Elul 5768

Halocho #161 - When can one eat blood?

Last week's Torah Reading included numerous warnings against eating blood.

Kosher meat and fowl is kashered with coarse salt in order to remove as much blood as possible.

Since liver is full of blood, salting it is ineffective. Liver needs to be roasted over an open flame to remove as much blood as possible.

Blood spots in eggs may not be eaten, and usually the entire egg is discarded if it has a blood spot.

If a fish has fins and scales then it is Kosher, and its blood may be eaten. However, if the blood has separated from the fish and cannot be distinguished from non-fish blood then it's forbidden.

If a bowl of fish-blood has fish-scales floating in it, then it's permitted.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 46:1,2

With wishes for a year of health, happiness and success

- Danny Tuesday, 2 Elul 5768

Please daven for ESTHER DEVORA bat MINDEL RUTH - אסתר דבורה בת מינדל רות

Halocho #160 - Regards from Elul

From the beginning of the month of Elul until after Yom Kippur, when writing to friends, one should add seasonal greetings. This can be done at the start or end of the letter. One should wish them - or bless them - with a good year; to be inscribed in the book of good life. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128: 2 Chodesh Tov and Ktiva Vechatima Tova - Danny Monday, 2nd day Rosh Chodesh Elul 5768

Halocho #159 - Why do we blow the Shofar during Elul

Today - Sunday - is the first day of Rosh Chodesh Elul. Today's date is 30 Av 5768. Tomorrow - Monday - is the second day of Rosh Chodesh Elul, and first day of the month of Elul. The next 40 days, starting tomorrow, correspond to the 40 days that Moshe spent on Har Sinai, to receive the 2nd set of Luchot (Tablets with the 10 commandments written on them). Moshe came down with these Luchot on Yom Kippur. Ever since, these 40 days are especially auspicious for Teshuva; repenting. The custom is to blow the Shofar after Shacharit (the morning prayers) from tomorrow, until Sunday, 28 Elul (28 September) , as a reminder to start improving ones Torah observance and to repent for past misdeeds. On Erev Rosh Hashana the Shofar is not blown, so as to create a break between the custom of blowing Shofar in Elul and the Torah-commandment to blow Shofar on Rosh Hashana. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128:1, 2 Chodesh Tov, - Danny Sunday, 1st day Rosh Chodesh Elul 5768

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Halocho #158 - Rosh Chodesh is on Sunday and Monday

Rosh Chodesh Elul will be on Sunday and Monday.

Usually when Rosh Chodesh is on Sunday then the Haftara is changed to "Machar Chodesh"; and Jonathan says to David "Tomorrow is Rosh Chodesh" (from Shemuel-1, 20:12).

However, from 9 B'Av until Rosh Hashana we read the 7 Haftarot of Consolation, and they take precedence over the Haftara of "Machar Chodesh".

Therefore, on Shabbat we will read the regular Haftara for Parshat Re'e (Yeshayahu 54).

Since Rosh Chodesh starts on Motzai Shabbat, one should try finish eating Seudat Shlishi (the 3rd Shabbat meal) before sunset, so as to avoid a conflict between saying Retzei and Ya'aleh Veyavo.

See Halocho #85 - http://halocho.blogspot.com/2008/04/halocho-85-rosh-chodesh-on-sunday.html - for more details.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128:4, 44:17

Shabbat Shalom uMevorach and Chodesh Tov,

- Danny Erev Shabbat Re'eh, 28 Av 5768

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

Halocho #157 - Tomorrow is Yom Kippour Kattan

The day before Rosh Chodesh is called Yom Kippour Kattan.

If Rosh Chodesh is on Shabbat or Sunday then Yom Kippour Kattan is on Thursday, so as not to fast on Friday.

Mincha (the afternoon prayers) on Yom Kippour Kattan includes prayers asking for repentance, so as to begin the new month with a "clean slate".

Some have the custom to fast on Yom Kippour Kattan.

In anticipation of the month of Elul and the upcoming High Holidays, most communities say the Yom Kippour Kattan prayers before Rosh Chodesh Elul, in order to get into the Teshuva (repentance) mood.

Tomorrow - Thursday - is Yom Kippour Kattan. Rosh Chodesh Elul will be on Sunday and Monday.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:1, 128:1

- Danny Wednesday, 26 Av 5768

Please daven for TAMAR bat NAAMA - תמר בת נעמה

Halocho #156 - What's a Prozbul?

In Halocho #154 we learnt that when Shmita ends, so does the ability to request payment of certain loans.

However, if loans are handed over to a Bet Din (Jewish court of law) to collect, they may be collected even after Shmita.

Hillel Hazaken (the founder of Bet Hillel, 2,000 years ago) institutionalized handing over ones debts to a Bet Din, using a document called a Prozbul. (Prozbul is a Greek word.)

With a Prozbul one may collect debts even after Shmita ends.

A Prozbul is written and signed in the presence of 3 Torah-learning Jews. A Prozbul needs to be written before Shmita ends to be affective.

Money (or items) loaned after the Prozbul is written are not covered by the Prozbul.

Make sure to calenderize a Prozbul-writing session with your local Orthodox Rabbinate sometime before Rosh Hashana. The last time to write a Prozbul (for this Shmita cycle) is on September 29, 2008.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 180:15

- Danny Tuesday, 25 Av 5768

Please daven for ESTHER DEVORA bat MINDEL RUTH - אסתר דבורה בת מינדל רות

Halocho #155 - Repaying debts after Shmita

As we learnt yesterday, this year (5768) is a Shmita year. When Shmita ends on Rosh Hashana, so will the ability to request payment of certain loans. During Shmita one may collect ones debts. After Shmita ends one can no longer request the repayment of any loan that came due before the Shmita year ended. If the debtor repays the debt after Shmita, the creditor must say to him "I have forfeited the debt and you no longer owe me anything". If the debtor responds that he nevertheless wants to repay the creditor, then the creditor may accept the payment. If the debtor explicitly states that he wants to repay the loan, then the creditor may not accept the payment. A creditor may ask people to intercede on his behalf to ensure the debtor returns the loan as a gift. This applies to loans of money as well as items. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 180:13, 14 More about this tomorrow, - Danny Monday, 24 Av 5768

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

Halocho #154 - Loans after Shmita

We already learned in Halocho# 107 that lending money to a Jew, and paying back a loan are both Mitzvot. This year (5768 - ending on Rosh Hashana) is a Shmita year. During Shmita there's a Mitzva to suspend all land-related work. This week's Parsha - Re'eh - teaches us that when Shmita ends, so does the ability to request payment of certain loans. This does not apply to:

• Loans that were given against collateral.
• Loans that are only due after Shmita (until after the following Shmita).
• Loans that were handed over to a Bet Din (Jewish court of law), so that Bet Din become the collection agency.
• Credit extended by a shopkeeper or rent due to a landlord, until they declare it an outstanding debt.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 180:1, 3, 8, 9, 13 More about this tomorrow, - Danny Sunday, 23 Av 5768

Please daven for ESTHER DEVORA bat MINDEL RUTH - אסתר דבורה בת מינדל רות

Halocho #153 - Kiddush wine

Wine that is turning sour is not Kosher for Kiddush.

Even if it's not yet vinegar - and it still deserves the Bracha of Hagefen - but it smells sour, then it cannot be used for Kiddush.

Kiddush wine should not be left uncovered for long periods of time.

Wine that isn't clear should preferably be strained before Shabbat before being used for Kiddush. If it has a white "skin" on it then it cannot be used for Kiddush as it's probably going sour.

One may use grape juice for Kiddush.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 77:5

Shabbat Shalom,

- Danny Erev Shabbat Eikev, 21 Av 5768

Please daven for ESTHER DEVORA bat MINDEL RUTH - אסתר דבורה בת מינדל רות

Halocho #152 - Don't hang your Mezuzah

A Mezuzah is rolled-up from the left, so that a person opening it would see the word "Shma".

A Mezuzah is not allowed to hang; it should preferably be put into a tube which is nailed - top and bottom - to the doorpost. At the very least it should be glued along it's entire length to the doorpost.

Care must be taken to ensure that the Mezuzah is not affixed upside-down. A Mezuzah has the 3 letters Shin-Daled-Yud (spelling one of Hashem's names) on the outside. If this is visible then the Mezuzah is the right way up.

A Mezuzah has 14 letters written upside-down along its upper edge. If these are on the bottom and right-way-up then the Mezuzah is upside down. Most Mezuzot are rolled tightly, so these letters are not visible.

These 14 letters are written behind the words "Hashem Elokeinu Hashem" of the first inside line, and are the letters following the letter they are behind; Kaf is behind the Yud, Vav is behind the Hey, etc. This is the way Mezuzot have always been written.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:6

- Danny Thursday, 20 Av 5768

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

Halocho #151 - Can one put a Mezuzah on the inside?

The Mezuzah belongs on the outside doorpost. In a wide doorframe it belongs in the Tefach (~8cm - 3 inches) closest to the outside.

The Minhag is to put it up at an angle, with the top leaning inwards. If there's not enough space, it can be affixed vertically.

If there is no space on the outside, then it can be affixed on the inside.

If one is worried about theft, then the Mezuzah can be put on the inside.

It's preferable to carve a hollow in the doorpost and affix the Mezuzah into the indent, rather than putting it inside the house.

When a Mezuzah is carved into the doorpost it must still be upright; one cannot drill a horizontal hole and put the Mezuzah into it. The indent cannot be more than a Tefach deep, and it cannot be totally hidden; it must be obvious that there's a Mezuzah on the door.

When a Mezuzah is affixed to the inside, care must be taken that it's affixed to the doorpost (and not to the wall, nor the door) and that it's within the Tefach (~8cm - 3 inches) of the door. The top should be slanted inwards.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:6, 9

- Danny Wednesday, 19 Av 5768

Please daven for ESTHER DEVORA bat MINDEL RUTH - אסתר דבורה בת מינדל רות

Halocho #150 - Which side does the Mezuzah go on?

The 2 chapters written in a Mezuzah are the first two chapters of the Kriat Shma. The first chapter - Shma Yisrael (Devarim 6:5-9) - was in last week's Torah Reading. The second chapter - Vehaya (Devarim 11:13-21) - is in this week's Torah Reading. When entering a house or a room, the Mezuzah needs to be affixed on the right-hand doorpost. (On the way out you'll find it on the left-hand side.) When there's a door between 2 homes, then the door-hinges are the deciding factor. The room with the hinges - the room where the door opens into - is the "inside", and the Mezuzah is put on the right-hand side when entering into that room. The same would apply to any two inter-leading rooms that are equidistant from the front door. A Mezuzah that is on the wrong doorpost needs to be taken down and affixed - with a Bracha - to the right side. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:3-4 Other aspects of Mezuzah were discussed in Halocho a Day #57 - http://halocho.blogspot.com/2008/02/halocho-57-mezuza-checking.html - Danny Tuesday, 18 Av 5768

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

Halocho #149 - The day the Western Lamp was extinguished

In the Bet Hamikdash, a Cohen would light the Menorah every afternoon. Its 7 lamps would burn until morning. Miraculously, the Ner Ma'aravi - the Western Lamp - would burn all day, even though it was identical to the other 6 lamps. One of the reasons most Shuls have a Ner-Tamid always burning, is to commemorate this miracle. 40 years before the destruction of the first Bet Hamikdash (Holy Temple), in the days of the wicked King Achaz, (father of King Hezekiah), this miracle stopped. This happened on the 17th of Av (some say on the 18th). As a result, this day was declared as one of the tragic days in our history and is included in the list of days on which it would be appropriate to fast. Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 580:1-2, Yoma 39. - Danny Monday, 17 Av 5768

Please daven for ESTHER DEVORA bat MINDEL RUTH - אסתר דבורה בת מינדל רות