Halocho #198 - I don't remember if I prayed for rain...

Yesterday we learnt that we add a prayer for rain in the 9th Bracha of the Amida starting from 7th Cheshvan (today - Wednesday) in Israel. (From 5th December outside of Israel.) If you're unsure if you added "Vethen Tal Umatar Livracha" or not: - For the first 30 days you have to assume you left it out. (Yesterday's Halocho gave the rules for amending that). - After 30 days you can assume that you said it. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 19:8 Tip: If you practice adding it 90 times (starting from את השנה הזאת) then you can assume you said it correctly. Source: Shulchan Aruch 114:9 - Danny Wednesday 7 Marcheshvan 5769

Halocho #197 - More rain, please

In Israel, starting tonight (Tuesday night) we start praying for rain on weekdays, in the 9th Bracha of the Amida - Barech-Aleinu. Outside of Israel we will start on the evening before the 5th of December (this year. Some years it's the 6th December). If you forgot to add "Vethen Tal Umatar Livracha"; "and bless us with dew and rain", then: - If you remember before you finish the 9th Bracha then you insert it and continue from there. - If you already said "Baruch Ata Hashem" of the 9th Bracha then you insert it into Shma-Kolienu - the 16th Bracha - before "Ki Ata". - If you forget to say it in Shma-Kolienu then you need to go back to the 9th Bracha - Barech-Aleinu. - If you didn't remember until you finished the Amida (defined as saying "Yihyu Leratzon") then you have to restart the entire Amida. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 19:5, 6 - Danny Tuesday 6 Marcheshvan 5769

Halocho #196 What Torah should I learn?

A person should strive to learn the entire Torah. A partial list would include Tanach (Bible), Mishna, Talmud Bavli and Yerushalmi, Rambam, Tur, Shulchan Aruch, Midrash, Zohar. Somebody who cannot sit and learn Torah all day should learn practical Halachot as well as Midrashim and Mussar (ethics). This way one knows what to do (Halacha), has the drive to (Midrash) and the ability to overcome obstacles when trying to do (Mussar). Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 27:3 - Danny Monday, 5 Marcheshvan 5769

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Halocho #195 What's BeHaB?

On the first "Monday, Thursday and Monday" in the month following Pessach and Sukkoth the custom is to say extra Selichot. Some communities do this on the last "Monday, Thursday and Monday" of the month. Since Monday is "Yom Sheni" or "Yom Bet - ב" and Thursday is "Yom Chamishi" or "Yom Heh - ה" these days are referred to as BeHaB - בה"ב Some people have the custom to fast on BeHaB. A special Mi-Sheberach was recited on Shabbat before the Torah was returned to the Aron Hakodesh to bless those who will fast. Despite being a "private" (not communal) fast day, a person need not "declare his intention to fast" during the Mincha-Amida of the preceding day, if he answered Amen to the Mi-Sheberach. Answering Amen to the Mi-Sheberach does not oblige one to fast. Even if one intended to fast when answering Amen and then on the designated day there was a Se'udat Mitzva (e.g. Brit Mila or Siyum or Pidyon HaBen) one should join the meal and not fast. If one "declared his intention to fast" during the Mincha-Amida of the preceding day, then one needs to fast. Tomorrow - Monday, and Thursday and next week Monday are BeHaB in most communities. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 127:3, 14 - Danny Sunday, 4 Marcheshvan 5769

Halocho # 194 - Until when can one daven Mussaf?

Mussaf is added after the Torah Reading of Shacharit (morning prayers) on Shabbat, Yom Tov and Rosh Chodesh.

• Shacharit corresponds to the daily morning sacrifice offered in the Bet Hamikdash.
• Mussaf corresponds to the extra sacrifices offered on Shabbat, Yom Tov and Rosh Chodesh.
• Mincha corresponds to the afternoon daily sacrifice.

While Mussaf can be said until sunset, it preferably should be said before the "7th hour"; an hour after midday. If Mincha-time has already arrived (half hour after midday) and one has not yet said Mussaf then one should first pray Mincha then Mussaf. This applies when praying in private; a community should follow the regular order; Shacharit, Mussaf and then Mincha. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 76:11-12 Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom! - Danny Thursday, second day Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan 5769

Halocho #193 - Tefillin on Rosh Chodesh?

Men wear Tefillin (phylacteries) every day during Shacharit (morning prayers) except for Shabbat and Yom Tov.

Rosh Chodesh has some aspects of a Yom Tov, yet work is permitted. Tefillin are worn on Rosh Chodesh during Shacharit, Hallel and the Torah reading. They are removed before starting Mussaf.

(On Chol HaMo'ed there are 2 opinions. Every community should have a single Minhag as to whether Tefillin are/aren't put on during Chol HaMo'ed in that community. Where Tefillin are worn on Chol HaMo'ed they are usually removed before Hallel.)

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 10:19

Chodesh Tov!

- Danny Wednesday, first day Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan 5769

Halocho #192 - When should one learn Torah?

After Shacharit (morning prayers) a person should have a fixed time to to learn Torah; at least one verse or a single Halacha. The Torah requires everybody to have a fixed time to learn Torah every day and every night. Somebody who does not know how to learn Torah, or cannot find the time to learn, should support others who do learn Torah and they share the reward. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 27:1-2 - Danny Tuesday, 29 Tishrei 5769 Reminder: Tonight - Tuesday night - is the first day of Rosh Chodesh Marchesvan

Halocho #191 - Thanks for the rain

Since Mussaf of Shemini Atzeret (last Tuesday) we have been adding "Mashiv Haru'ach uMorid Hageshem" into the second Bracha of the Amida. The reason being that now is the rainy season and we praise Hashem for the rain. Since rain on Sukkoth is undesirable, we waited until after Sukkoth to start dealing with the rain. If one forgot to add "Mashiv Haru'ach": - If you have not ended the 2nd Bracha then you say it at the end of any phrase (at a comma in the Siddur) and continue. - If you already said "Baruch Ata Hashem" of "Mechaye Hameithim" then: -- If you said "Morid HaTal" then you continue as usual, since you have praised Hashem for precipitation; dew in this case. -- If your Nusach doesn't include "Morid HaTal" and you haven't yet started the 3rd Bracha - "Ata Kadosh" - then you say "Mashiv Haru'ach uMorid Hageshem" between the 2nd and 3rd Bracha. -- If your Nusach doesn't include "Morid HaTal" and you already started the 3rd Bracha then you need to start the Amida over again, since the first 3 Brachot are a set. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 19:1-3 - Danny Monday, 28 Tishrei 5769

Halocho #190 - Don't trample the S'chach

Since the S'chach (branches covering the Sukkah) was used for a Mitzva, it deserves some respect even after it's done its duty.

After Sukkoth when the S'chach is taken down, one should not trample on it.

One may throw them away, but one may not use them for disrespectful purposes like building an outhouse.

One may burn S'chach.

Care should be taken with decorations that have Torah verses written on them.

Preferably one shouldn't hang up such decorations, but if one did, then they need to go into Geniza or otherwise carefully looked after.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 134:13, 14

- Danny Sunday, 27 Tishrei 5769

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Halocho #189 - How many walls does a Sukka need

The days between Yom Kippour and Sukkoth are joyous days, since Shlomo Hamelech (King Solomon) inaugurated the first Bet Hamikdash (Holy Temple) during this period. One does not fast even for a Yahrzeit, nor does one say Tachanun on these days. A Sukkah needs at least 3 walls that do not move in the wind. The roof of the Sukkah is made of branches or bamboo that have not been used for any other purpose. The covering must be thick enough to ensure that even on the last day of Sukkoth at midday there is more shade than sunshine. The covering must not be so thick that rain cannot get through. In rainy climates, one should make a Sukkah that can be covered, so that it can be used once it stops raining. One must be careful to open the roof before using the Sukkah. On the fist night of Sukkoth the roof should be opened from candle-lighting until nightfall, if possible. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 133:30, 31, 134:1 Chag Same'ach - we'll be back after Sukkoth - Danny Sunday, 13 Tishrei 5769

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Halocho #188 - It's a Mitzva to eat!

Tomorrow - Wednesday - is Erev Yom Kippour. It's a Mitzva to eat more than usual on on the day before Yom Kippour in order to have an easy fast the next day. Those people who find it easier to fast if they don't eat too much beforehand, do not need to eat more than usual. On Erev Yom Kippour one does not say Mizmor Lesoda in Shacharit. The reason being that Mizmor Lesoda parallels the Korban Toda (thanksgiving sacrifice) which was eaten for 2 consecutive days. Since a sacrifice brought on Erev Yom Kippour couldn't be eaten for 2 consecutive days, therefore one couldn't bring a Korban Toda on Erev Yom Kippour. On Erev Yom Kippour one also omits Tachanun, Lamenatze'ach and Avinu Malkeinu. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 131:2,3 Wishing everybody an easy and meaningful fast, - Danny Tuesday, 8 Tishrei 5769 This post was written in memory of my grandmother - Esther bas Kalman - who passed away on Yom Kippour afternoon

Halocho #187 - The 5 prohibitions of Yom Kippour

Any work that may not be done on Shabbat may not be done on Yom Kippour. In addition there are other Mitzvos for Yom Kippour only:

1. On Yom Kippour one may not eat nor drink. If fasting will affect your health, contact a doctor and a Rabbi for instructions.
2. On Yom Kippour one may not bathe; one may not even get wet unnecessarily. Upon awakening and after relieving oneself one can wash until the knuckles. Before Birkat Cohanim, the Cohanim wash until their wrists.
3. On Yom Kippour no anointing is allowed. This includes perfumes and deodorants.
4. On Yom Kippour one may not wear leather shoes. See Halocho #133 for details. (http://halocho.blogspot.com/2008/07/halocho-133-sneakers-on-9-bav.html)
5. On Yom Kippour one may not have marital relations.

All the above are forbidden from candle-lighting on Erev Yom Kippour until after Havdala some 25 hours later.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 133:1 Gmar Vechatima Tova; - Danny Monday, 7 Tishrei 5769

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Halocho #186 - Apologies

Yom Kippour does not atone for misdeeds done against ones fellow-Jew unless one first asks them for forgiveness. One should be careful to repay all overdue loans before Yom Kippour; after which one can beg for forgiveness for the delay. If one is being asked for forgiveness one should not be stubborn nor vengeful; rather one should be forgiving, the same way one hopes that Hashem will be forgiving of our sins. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 131:4 Gmar Chatima Tova; - Danny Sunday, 6 Tishrei 5769 Help me answer Judaism-related questions on WikiAnswers

Halocho #185 - When should we say Kiddush Levana this month?

Kiddush Levana (the monthly blessing on the waxing moon) should be said when one is happy, and the 10 days of repentance are solemn days of introspection. Some people delay saying Kiddush Levana until Motzai Yom Kippour. One can say Kiddush Levana on Motzai Yom Kippour while still fasting since one is happy with the knowledge the Hashem has forgiven ones sins. This is unlike Motzai 9 B'Av when one has to first eat and put on shoes so as to end the mourning, before saying Kiddush Levana. Others prefer to say Kiddush Levana before Yom Kippour since every Mitzva counts towards tipping the scales in our favor to be granted a good year. Along the same lines some people buy their 4 Minim (Lulav, etc) before Yom Kippour. This week's Shabbat is known as "Shabbat Shuva" in honor of its Haftara which starts with the words "Shuva Yisrael"; Repent O Israel! It's customary for the Rabbi or some other dignitary to be given the Haftara of Shuva. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 130:5, 6 Shabbat Shalom - Danny Friday, Erev Shabbat Vayelech-Shuva, 4 Tishrei 5769

Halocho #184 - Today is a fast day

On the 3rd of Tishrei Gedalya ben Achikam was killed. After the destruction of the first Bet Hamikdash, Nebuchadnezzar appointed him Governor over the remnants of the Jews in Land of Israel . Once Gedalya was killed then they too were exiled or murdered and the land became desolate. (Some say that Gedalya ben Achikam was killed on Rosh Hashanah and the fast was deferred till after Yom Tov.) This tragic event is the reason that today is a fast day. The fast begins at dawn and ends at nightfall (a few minutes before the time for Motzai Shabbat). 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 121:2, 9 Have a meaningful fast, - Danny Thursday, 3 Tishrei 5769

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Halocho #183 - Warning! The king is on the way

A main theme of Rosh Hashanah is Hashem's reign over the entire world. This sovereignty is displayed by His ability to judge the world. As a result, from Rosh Hashanah until Yom Kippour is over, we replace "G-d" with "King" in various places in davening (prayers). 1. The ending of the 3rd Bracha of the Amida changes to HaMelech Hakadosh. If you forget this, you have to restart the Amida, unless you caught yourself immediately. (Immediately means: you didn't yet have time to say 3 words.) If you're not sure what you said, you also have to restart the Amida. 2. The end of the 11th Bracha in the weekday Amida changes to HaMelech HaMishpat. If you forget or are not sure what you said then you continue. No correction is needed. 3. Friday night during the "Magen Avot" we replace "HakEl HaKodesh" with HaMelech Hakadosh. If you forget, no correction is needed. From Rosh Hashanah until Yom Kippour is over we add four phrases to the Amida. If you forget after concluding that Bracha, no correction is needed. Until saying "Baruch Ata" you should make amends. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 129:3, 4 5 Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a sweet and healthy year Reminder: Don't forget to write a Prozbul before Rosh Hashana - Danny Sunday, 28 Elul 5768

This post is written in memory of my late grandmother - Beila bas Nosson - who passed away on the 2nd night of Rosh Hashanah

Halocho #182 - The Rosh Hashanah menu

At the Rosh Hashanah evening meal it's customary to eat foods that symbolize a Good New Year. The bread from Motzi is dipped in honey and after eating it the Yehi Ratzon is said praying for a sweet new year. יהי רצון שתחדש עלינו שנה טובה ומתוקה Then one dips an apple in honey, says the Bracha on the apple ("Borei Pri HaEtz") and eats some. One then says the Yehi Ratzon again. There are various other foods that are eaten with their appropriate Yehi Ratzon; one may even add new ones. One tries to have only sweet items on the menu; no food cooked in vinegar, for example. The custom is to not eat nuts. One should remember to learn some Torah at the Yom Tov meals; some learn a chapter of Mishna-Rosh-Hashanah, which has 4 chapters; one for each meal. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 129:9 Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a sweet new year. Shabbat Shalom, - Danny Friday, Erev Shabbat Nitzavim, 26 Elul 5768 Please daven for Avrohom Yomtov Lipa ben Miriam for a Refuah Shleima - complete recovery. Help me answer Judaism-related questions on WikiAnswers

Halocho #181 - What should I have in mind when hearing the Shofar?

The blast of the Shofar should remind us to awaken from our spiritual slumber and start taking our Torah study and Mitzva observance seriously. Hearing the Shofar being blown on Rosh Hashanah is a Torah commandment! This crucial detail should not be forgotten when reflecting on the various symbolic reasons given for Shofar blowing. One should not talk after hearing the Brachah on the Shofar until after hearing 100 blasts from the Shofar so as not to interrupt between the Bracha and fulfilling the Mitzva as prescribed by Chazal. This means not talking until after Mussaf. (As a general rule one shouldn't ever talk during prayer services. On Rosh Hashanah there's another reason why not to so.) At a minimum one should be careful not to talk after the Bracha until hearing the first set of 30 Shofar blasts. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 129:15 Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a year with lots of time to learn Torah, - Danny Thursday, 25 Elul 5768

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 #179 - Must I sleep in the Sukkah?

Since the Mitzva 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 Mitzva 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 Mitzva of Sukkah, as it's a time-bound Mitzva. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 135:8, 9, 10 Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a year with lots of time to learn Torah, - Danny Tuesday, 23 Elul 5768

Halocho #178 - The traveler's Sukkah guide

People in transit are exempt from eating in a Sukkah if building one will delay them.

If they can locate a Sukkah to eat in, and it won't delay them, then they must do so.

Travelers who rest by night need to build a Sukkah for night-time use, if the expense is reasonable. If not, they should try return home every night, if possible.

A Shli'ach Mitzva - a Mitzva emissary - is exempt from the Mitzva of Sukka, even when not traveling, if building / locating / using a Sukkah will delay them or cause them to be exhausted the following day.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 135:18, 19

Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you prosperous year

- Danny Monday, 22 Elul 5768

Halocho #177 - Why do we sit in a Sukka?

The Torah command us to live in the Sukka for the duration of Sukkoth. 7 days in Eretz Yisrael, 8 days in the Diaspora. One should move into the Sukka and bring along ones creature comforts; ones comfortable chairs and favorite dishes. The Mitzva of Sukka is one of the few where the Torah explicitly gives us a reason to accompany the Mitzva: Sit in the Sukka for seven days in order that your descendants should be aware that the Yidden dwelled in Sukkoth during their journey out of Egypt. Sukkoth could be referring to the Clouds of Glory that surrounded and protected the entire Jewish encampment (as per R' Eliezer) or actual Sukkah-huts that individual families lived in (as per R' Akiva). One should keep this "reason" in mind when fulfilling the Mitzva of Sukka. One should treat the Sukka with respect and not bring in items one wouldn't tolerate at a Shabbat table. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 135:1, 2 Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a year with lots of time to learn Torah, - Danny Sunday, 21 Elul 5768

Halocho #176 - When do Selichot start?

This year Selichot start on Sunday (21 Elul/September), 10 days before Rosh Hashana.

Selichot should be said before Shacharit, towards the end of the night. The end of the night is an "Et Ratzon"; an auspicious time when Hashem is more receptive to listening to ones prayers.

When arising for Selichot one should wash ones hands even if it's still night, and make the Bracha "Al Netilat Yadayim".

One should say the 2 Brachot of Birkat haTorah before saying Selichot.

After Selichot one should wash ones hands again (if the first washing was pre-dawn), but one does not repeat the Bracha.

One should preferably stand during Selichot; during the "Kel Melech Yoshev", 13 Middos and the Viddui one must stand.

The Chazzan for Selichot should preferably be a Torah Scholar, well liked and if possible married with children and over 30 years of age. However, any Jew can be a Chazzan as long as the community approves. The same applies to the Chazzan for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippour as well as the person blowing the Shofar.

Selichot are not said on Shabbat.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128:5, 6, 7

[Sefardim say Selichot the entire month of Elul.]

Ktiva Vechatima Tova; may all your prayers be answered,

Shabbat Shalom,

- Danny Friday, 19 Elul 5768

Halocho #175 - The 4 minim - tie them right!

On Sukkoth there's a Mitzva to shake the four species; a Lulav, 3 Haddasim, 2 Aravot and an Etrog. The past 4 Halochot have discussed the individual species. When shaking them on Sukkoth, the Lulav, 3 Haddasim and 2 Aravot are tied together and held in ones right hand, and the Etrog in ones left hand. (Lefties hold the Lulav in their left, Etrog in the right.) All 6 branches must be facing upwards, with the side where they were cut off the tree facing down. The spine of the Lulav must be facing you. The 3 Haddasim are tied to the right of the Lulav. The 2 Aravot are tied to the left of the Lulav. The Lulav is first bound with 3 ties typically made of palm leaves. The 3 Haddasim and 2 Aravot are then bound to it with another 2 ties. The Haddasim should be slightly higher than than the Aravot. The spine of the the Lulav must protrude at least 1 Tefach (8 cm - 3") above the Haddasim and Aravot. The top Tefach of the Lulav should not have any ties on it. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 136:8 Ktiva Vechatima Tova; wishing you a year with lots of time to learn Torah, - Danny Thursday, 18 Elul 5768

Halocho #174 - How long must the Aravot be?

On Sukkoth there's a Mitzva 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, 17 Elul 5768