Halocho #928- Being responsible to the last minute

When returning an object that you were asked to safeguard, or when returning a loan, it must be returned to the person who gave it to you.

Giving it to a member their household is not acceptable;  if something happens to the item you would be held responsible.

However, giving it to the owner's spouse is permitted, unless you were explicitly asked not to do so, since spouses trust each other to look after each other's property.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 188:5

- Danny
Sunday, 23 Marcheshvan 5772

Halocho #927 - Trees on Shabbat

Moving objects that are Muktza is not allowed on Shabbat. One may touch Muktza on Shabbat if it will not move.

However, one may not use a tree on Shabbat even if it is solid and will not move; one may not climb on it, nor hang from it.

One may not hang things onto trees on Shabbat, nor remove items hanging on trees.

One may not tie an animal by its leash to a tree on Shabbat.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:60

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 20 Marcheshvan 5772

Halocho #926 - Looking after other people's objects

If somebody gave you an object to look after, you have to safeguard it in the best possible way for that object; some items need to be locked away, others need to be aerated, etc.

Even if you are careless about looking after your own items, you still have to guard other people's items properly.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 188:3

- Danny
Wednesday, 19 Marchesvan 5772

Halocho #925 - May you use something you're safeguarding?

If somebody gave you an object to look after, then you may not use it without their explicit permission.

Even if you are certain that the owner does not mind, it's better not to use it.

This is forbidden even if the object will not suffer any wear and tear from being used.

Letting other people use the object is absolutely forbidden.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 188:2

- Danny
Tuesday, 18 Marchesvan 5772

Halocho #924 - Lending out borrowed money

Yesterday we learned that if you borrow or hire something, you are not allowed to let other people use it, without explicit permission from the original owner.

Money is different. You may lend out money that you borrowed, since the lender does not expect you to return the same coins and bills.

However, if you are expected to return those same bills and coins, then you may not lend them to others.

For example, if they are collector's items, or they are tied up and you are safeguarding them - not using them as a loan - them you may not let others use them.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 188:1

- Danny
Monday, 17 Marchesvan 5772

Halocho #923 - Borrowers can't be lenders

If you borrow, rent or hire something, you are not allowed to let other people use it, without explicit permission from the original owner.

If one knows for a fact that the owner allows this particular person use this item (or similar items) then one can lend or rent the item to that person.

Even though it's a Mitzva to let other people use your Sefarim (Torah related books), if you borrow a Sefer you may not let others use it.

If one borrows a Sefer and is given permission for others to also use it, only one person at a time may use it.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 185:1

- Danny
Sunday, 16 Marchesvan 5772

Halocho #922 - Breaking things on Shabbat

One should not break or cut items on Shabbat, with the exception of food.

Even items that are only fit for animals to eat may be cut or broken. Thus, one may break a piece of straw to make a toothpick.

One may rub or break spices in order to extract their fragrance, even if they are as hard as wood.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:59

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 13 Marchesvan 5772

Halocho #921 - Achoo! Sneeze the Jewish way!

When a person sneezes, one blesses him with אֲסוּתָא - Be Healthy - Gesundheit - לַבְּרִיאוּת

The sneezer then responds with בָּרוּךְ תִּהְיֶה - Bless you.

After sneezing one should say 'לִישׁוּעָתְךָ קִוִּיתִי ה - "for Your salvation do I hope, Hashem", since one who prays for somebody else is answered first.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 61:5

- Danny
Wednesday, 12 Marchesvan 5772

Halocho #920 - Breaking the glass cup

At an engagement party one breaks a plate, whereas under the Chuppa (wedding canopy) one breaks a glass vessel.

This is done in order to remember the destruction of Jerusalem and the Bet Hamikdash, even at the height of our joyous celebrations.

The glass cup broken under the Chuppa should be intact, whereas at the engagement one should break a damaged plate.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 126:2

- Danny
Tuesday, 11 Marchesvan 5772

Halocho #919 - The Bracha on medicine

Before taking medicine - or doing any medical procedure -  one should say:

יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלקֵינוּ וֵאֱלקֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ,
שֶׁיִּהְיֶה לִי עֵסֶק זֶה לִרְפוּאָה
כִּי רוֹפֵא חִנָּם אַתָּה

"May it be your will, Hashem,
 that this procedure should cure me,
for You are a Doctor who does not charge."

If the medicine tastes good, one should then say the relevant Bracha (usually Shehakol) before taking the medicine.

After taking medicine - or doing any medical procedure - one says:

בָּרוּךְ רוֹפֵא חוֹלִים

"Blessed is the One who heals the ill."

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 61:4

- Danny
Monday, 10 Marchesvan 5772

Halocho #918 - BeHaB; another fast?

The custom is to say extra Selichot on the first "Monday, Thursday and Monday" in the month following Pessach and Sukkoth.

Some communities do this on the last "Monday, Thursday and Monday" of the month.

Since Monday is called "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 already answered Amen to the Mi-Sheberach on Shabbat.

Yet, 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.

However, 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, 9 Marchesvan 5772

Halocho #917 - Ask for rain

In Israel, starting this evening - Thursday evening - (7th Marcheshvan) we start praying for rain in the 9th Bracha of the weekday Amida - Barech-Aleinu - בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ.

In the Diaspora we will start 5 weeks later - on Monday night, 10 Kislev, the eve of Tuesday 6 December.

If you forgot to add "וְתֵן טַל וּמָטָר לִבְרָכָה" - "and bless us with dew and rain", then:

- If you remember before you finish the 9th Bracha -  מְבָרֵךְ הַשָּׁנִים -, then you insert it and continue from there.

- If you already said "Baruch Ata HaShem" of the 9th Bracha, then you insert it into שְׁמַע קוֹלֵנוּ - the 16th Bracha - before "כִּי אַתָּה שׁוֹמֵעַ ".

- If you forget to say it in שְׁמַע קוֹלֵנוּ then you need to go back to the 9th Bracha - בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ.

- If you didn't remember until you finished the Amida (defined as saying "יִהְיוּ לְרָצוֹן אִמְרֵי פִי ") then you have to restart the entire Amida.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 19:5

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 6 Marchesvan 5772

Halocho #916 - Are you bored? Do a Mitzvah!

It's a Mitzva to be aware of Hashem's presence all the time.

Any time one thinks of Hashem and the fact that He runs the world and that He is aware of our every movement and thought, one fulfills a Mitzva.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 1:1

- Danny
Wednesday, 5 Marchesvan 5772

Halocho #915 - Must medicine be Kosher?

In order to save a life, one must take medicine even if it's not Kosher. One must also transgress any other Mitzva needed to save one's life, with the exception of murder, adultery and idolatry.

In non-life threatening situations:
- One should not take non-Kosher medicine, if there's a Kosher alternative readily available.
- If only non-Kosher medicine is available, it may be used. However, if it has a pleasant taste, then one should spoil its taste, for example by adding something bitter to it, or wrapping it in tissue paper.
- If the medicine is a mixture of meat and milk, a Rabbi should be consulted, since normally meat and milk mixtures cannot be used as medicine. The same applies to Kil'ay Hakerem; grains and grapes that grew in close proximity.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 192:5, 6, 7

- Danny
Tuesday, 4 Marchesvan 5772

Halocho #914 - May one be a Doctor?

Even though illness is divinely decreed on a person; the Torah commands the Doctors to heal, as it says in Shmot 21:19 - וְרַפּוֹא יְרַפֵּא - and he shall be healed.

It's a Mitzva for experts in the medical field to heal people; there is no greater Mitzva than saving lives.

A Doctor who refuses to heal is considered a murderer - even if there are other doctors around, since some illnesses are decreed to leave only after a certain Doctor treats it.

However, somebody who is not trained to be a medical partitioner, should not try healing people, since mistreating illness is also considered murder.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 192:4

- Danny
Monday, 3 Marchesvan 5772

Halocho #913 - May one go to Doctors?

A person may not rely on miracles when it comes to health issues.

When one is not feeling well, one must consult a qualified medical practitioner.

Refusing to do so is a sign of arrogance, besides for the prohibition of endangering one's life.

One should use the best doctors one can find; yet pray to Hashem that this doctor should be His successful messenger.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 192:3

- Danny
Sunday, 2 Cheshvan 5772

Halocho #912 - Rosh Chodesh and Shabbat Rosh Chodesh

The 2 days of Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan start this evening - Thursday evening.

On Rosh Chodesh one adds יַעֲלֶה וְיָבוֹא into Birkat Hamazon and the Amida.

On Friday we will call up 4 people to read from the Torah, between Hallel and Mussaf.

On Shabbat we will will take out 2 Sifrei Torah after Hallel. In the first one we will call up at least 7 people to read from Parshat Noah. Then we call up the Maftir to read from the 2nd Sefer Torah: וּבְיוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת and וּבְרָאשֵׁי חָדְשֵׁיכֶם from Parshat Pinchas.

The Haftara this week is הַשָּׁמַיִם כִּסְאִי for Shabbat-Rosh Chodesh, consisting of the last chapter in Sefer Yeshayahu.

For Mussaf one says the אַתָּה יָצַרְתָּ version (usually found at the bottom half of the Shabbat Mussaf pages) which includes both Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh.

Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 425

Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 29 Tishrei, Erev Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan 5772

Halocho #911 - First Aid

"When a member of one's household is unwell, one should go to a Rabbi and ask him to pray for mercy" is what Rav Pinchas bar Chama taught us in Bava Basra (116a) based on the verse in Mishlei (16:14):

"חֲמַת מֶלֶךְ מַלְאֲכֵי מָוֶת וְאִישׁ חָכָם יְכַפְּרֶנָּה"

"The wrath of the King are messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it."

It's customary to also give charity to the poor, since "Repentance, Prayer and Charity abolish evil decrees".

The custom is to make a special "Mi Sheberach" prayer in the synagogue for the patient; even on Shabbat, if the condition is life threatening.

In extreme cases, the patient's name is changed (usually by adding another name), as this is another effective way of abolishing evil decrees against a person.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 192:2

- Danny
Wednesday, 28 Tishrei 5772

Halocho #910 - Staying healthy

It's a Mitzva to keep one's body in the best of health.

A person should continuously pray that they remain healthy, since once one gets sick, one needs spiritual merits - repentance and good deeds - to fully recover.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch  190:3, 192:1

- Danny
Tuesday, 27 Tishrei 5772

Halocho #909 - May one throw out Sukkah decorations?

Since the S'chach (branches covering the Sukkah) were used for a Mitzvah, they deserve some respect even after having done their 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
Monday, 26 Tishrei 5772

Halocho #908 - Wind and rain

Since Mussaf on Shmini Atzeret (last Thursday) we have been praising Hashem for the wonderful gift of rain, by adding - מַשִּׁיב הָרוּחַ וּמוֹרִיד הַגֶּשֶׁם - "He makes the wind blow and He causes the rain to fall"  into - אַתָּה גִּבּוֹר - the second Bracha of the Amida.

If one forgets to add מַשִּׁיב הָרוּחַ וּמוֹרִיד הַגֶּשֶׁם, what does on do?

If one has not yet finished the 2nd Bracha - בָּרוּךְ... מְחַיֵּה הַמֵּתִים - then one adds it after any of the many phrases in this Bracha. If one wishes, one may restart the Bracha and say it in it's correct place.
If one already finished  - מְחַיֵּה הַמֵּתִים - the 2nd Bracha?

If you have the custom of adding "Morid haTal" - מוֹרִיד הַטָּל - during the summer, then continue as usual. No amendment is required.

If you do NOT have the custom of adding "Morid haTal" - מוֹרִיד הַטָּל - during the summer, then you have to restart the Amida from the beginning. This is because the first 3 Brachot of the Amida are considered a single entity.

One continues saying V'Then Bracha - וְתֵן בְּרָכָה - in the 9th Bracha of the Amida  - בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ - until the 7th Marcheshvan in Israel and the 6th December in the Diaspora.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 19:1, 2, 5

- Danny
Sunday, 25 Tishrei 5772


Please daven for the recovery of 4 month old Dovid-Yehuda ben Chaya who is recovering from serious surgery.

Halocho #907 - Eruv Tavshilin again and again - or not?

One may not prepare from Yom Tov to Shabbat unless one does Eruv Tavshilin before Yom Tov.

Since (outside of Israel) Sukkoth is on Thursday & Friday, people living outside of Israel need to do Eruv Tavshilin on sometime on Wednesday before candle lighting - both this week (Erev Sukkoth) and next week (Hoshana Rabba) for Shmini Atzeret & Simchat Torah.

One takes a loaf of bread and a cooked or baked food that will be eaten on Shabbat and one says the Bracha:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנו בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל מִצְוַת עֵרוּב

One continues with the following, which must be said in a language one understands:

בַּהֲדֵין עֵרוּבָא יְהֵא שָׁרֵא לָנָא לַאֲפוּיֵי, וּלְבַשּׁוּלֵי, וּלְאַטְמוּנֵי, וּלְאַדְלוּקֵי שְׁרָגָא, וּלִמֶעְבֵּד כָּל צָרְכָּנָא מִיּוֹמָא טָבָא לְשַׁבְּתָא.

"With this Eruv we are permitted to bake, cook, keep things warm and light fire and do all that is needed from Yom Tov to Shabbat".

The Eruv Tavshilin  food should be kept in a safe place; it they are eaten before Shabbat, a Rabbi should be consulted how to proceed.

Even those who don't have to cook for Shabbat, still need to do Eruv Tavshilin in order to light Shabbat candles (from an existing flame.)

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 102

==> Add a reminder to your calendar for Eruv Tavshilin for next week, if you don't live in Israel.

Chag Same'ach; next Halocho-a-Day after Sukkoth

- Danny
Wednesday, Erev Sukkoth, 14 Tishrei 5772


Please daven for the recovery of 4 month old Dovid-Yehuda ben Chaya who is recovering from serious surgery.

Halocho #906 - The 4 minim; putting it all together!

On Sukkoth there's a Mitzvah to shake the four species; a Lulav, 3 Haddasim, 2 Aravot and an Etrog, as the Torah says:

וּלְקַחְתֶּם לָכֶם בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן פְּרִי עֵץ הָדָר כַּפּוֹת תְּמָרִים וַעֲנַף עֵץ עָבוֹת וְעַרְבֵי נָחַל

When shaking them on Sukkoth, the Lulav, 3 Haddasim and 2 Aravot are tied together and held in one's right hand, and the Etrog in the 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 (8 cm - 3") of the Lulav should not have any ties on it.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 136:8

Wishing everybody a Chag Same'ach!

- Danny
Tuesday, 13 Tishrei 5772

==> Add a reminder to your calendar for Eruv Tavshilin for tomorrow and again next week, if you don't live in Israel. <==


Please daven for the recovery of 4 month old Dovid-Yehuda ben Chaya who is recovering from serious surgery.

Halocho #905 - What to bring into the Sukka

The Torah commands us to live in the Sukka for the duration of Sukkoth. Seven days in Eretz Yisrael, eight days in the Diaspora.

One should move into the Sukka and bring along one's creature comforts; one's comfortable chairs and favorite dishes.

The Mitzvah of Sukka is one of the few where the Torah explicitly gives us a reason:

"לְמַעַן יֵדְעוּ דוֹרוֹתֵיכֶם כִּי בַסֻּכּוֹת הוֹשַׁבְתִּי אֶת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּהוֹצִיאִי אוֹתָם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם"

"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 these "reasons" in mind when fulfilling the Mitzvah of Sukka.

One should treat the Sukka with respect and not bring in items one wouldn't tolerate at the Shabbat table.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 135:1, 2

- Danny
Monday, 12 Tishrei 5772


Please daven for the recovery of 4 month old Dovid-Yehuda ben Chaya who is recovering from serious surgery.

Halocho #904 - How to make a Kosher Sukka

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 will be 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 first night of Sukkoth the roof should be opened from candle-lighting until nightfall, if possible.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 133:30, 31, 134:1

- Danny
Sunday, 11 Tishrei 5772


Please daven for the recovery of 4 month old Dovid-Yehuda ben Chaya who is recovering from serious surgery.