Halocho #1007 - Torah reading on a fast day

On Sunday will be the fast of the 10th of Tevet - עשרה בטבת.

On every fast-day there is Kri'at HaTorah (Torah Reading) at both Shacharit and Mincha. We call up 3 people and read וַיְחַל from Parshat כִּי תִשָּׂא.

At Mincha, the 3rd Aliya also reads the Haftarah (דִּרְשׁוּ from Yeshayahu 55:6). Only somebody who is fasting should be called up to the Torah on a fast day.

During the Mincha Amida, individuals add the "עֲנֵנוּ" prayer into the 16th Bracha; שְׁמַע קוֹלֵנוּ. If one forgot, one does not need to make amends.

The Chazzan adds עֲנֵנוּ during both Shacharit and Mincha, as a separate Bracha before רְפָאֵנוּ.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 23:15, 19:14, 20:8

- Danny
Wednesday, 6 Tevet 5773

Halocho #1006 - When does the fast start on Sunday?

On Sunday will be the fast of 10 B'Tevet.

No eating and drinking is allowed from dawn (4:54 in Jerusalem) to nightfall (16:57 in Jerusalem).

One may eat before dawn if one had the intention of doing so before going to sleep the night before.

If one always drinks when one gets up, then one can drink before dawn even of one didn't think about it when going to bed.

Pregnant and nursing mothers as well as people who aren't feeling well do not need to fast if fasting will cause them discomfort. 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 may eat, as well as children, should not indulge in food. If possible they should limit themselves to bread and water.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 121:8, 8

- Danny
Tuesday, 5 Tevet 5773

Halocho #1005 - Why will we fast on Sunday?

This coming Sunday - 10 Tevet - עשרה בטבת - we fast to commemorate the beginning of the siege against Jerusalem.

Almost 2,500 years ago the wicked King Nebuchadnezzar laid siege against Jerusalem which culminated in the destruction of the first Bet Hamikdash, a year and a half later.

This is the King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in whose court Daniel (who survived the lion's den) served.

The purpose of the fast is to awaken us to repent; if the Bet Hamikdash has not been rebuilt then we suffer from similar deficiencies that caused it to be destroyed.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 121:3

Trivia: This will be the second fast of Asara B'Tevet during 2012. :-)

- Danny
Monday, 4 Tevet 5773

Halocho #1004 - Leftover oil and wicks from Chanuka

Oil that was put in the Chanuka Menora and was not burnt, as well as wicks that were used and candles that didn't burn fully should be burnt after Chanuka.

Since they were set aside for the Mitzva of Chanuka they cannot be used for any other purpose.

If one had the explicit intention to use the leftovers, then they need not be burnt.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:20

Today is the last day of Chanuka; don't forget עַל הַנִּסִּים !

- Danny

Sunday, Zot Chaunka, 3 Tevet 5773

Halocho #1003 - When do we light the Menora on Erev Shabbat?

On Friday afternoon one lights the Chanuka Menora before lighting Shabbat candles. One can light as early as 75 Halachic minutes before sunset. (15:34 in Jerusalem, this year.)

If possible, one should daven an early Mincha so as to light the Menora after Mincha.

One must start lighting the Menora early enough to be able to light Shabbat candles at the regular time.

On Friday one needs longer candles or more oil to ensure the Menora will be lit until 30 minutes after dark.

If lighting near a doorway, one needs to ensure that opening the door will not extinguish the Menora. If needed one should put a non-flammable partition between the Menora and the door.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:17

Reminder: Thursday night and Friday is Rosh Chodesh; don't forget to add both יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא and עַל הַנִּסִּים to the Birkat HaMazon and the Amida.

On Shabbat we will take out 2 Sifrei Torah:
- In the first Sefer Torah we call up [at least] 7 people for the weekly portion - מִקֵּץ .
- Maftir is read from the 2nd Sefer Torah and is for Chanuka - בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי from Parshat נָשֹׂא .

The Haftara this week is the Chanuka one (רָנִּי וְשִׂמְחִי בַּת צִיּוֹן from Zecharia 2:14).

Review: On Motzai Shabbat - the last night of Chanuka this year - one first makes Havdalah and then lights the Chanuka Menora.

In Shul - on Motzai Shabbat - the Menora is lit after the full-Kaddish - before וְיִתֶּן לְךָ (after ensuring that it's already Motzai Shabbat if one started prayers early).
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:18

Some have the custom of lighting the Menora before making Havdala, since one already heard Havdala in shul. (Source: רמ"א 581:2)

Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom

- Danny,
Thursday, 5th day of Chanuka, Erev Rosh Chodesh Tevet 5773

Halocho #1002 - Friday: Rosh Chodesh and Chanuka

Friday - 6th day of Chanuka - is Rosh Chodesh Tevet.

On Thursday night and Friday we add in both יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא and עַל הַנִּסִּים to the Birkat HaMazon and the Amida.

Rosh Chodesh Tevet is the only time the full-Hallel is said on Rosh Chodesh. After Hallel, the full Kadish תִּתְקַבַּל is recited.

Between Shacharit and Mussaf we will take out 2 Sifrei Torah. First we call up 3 people to the Torah for Rosh Chodesh. In the second Sefer Torah a fourth person is called up for Chanuka, then Half-Kadish is recited.

We then daven Mussaf for Rosh Chodesh, with עַל הַנִּסִּים .
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:24

- Danny
Wednesday, 4th day of Chanuka, 28 Kislev 5773

Please daven for a רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם לאֶפְרַיִם בֶּן מִרְיָם בְּתוֹךְ שְׁאָר חוֹלֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל

Halocho #1001 - What is Zot Chanuka?

The Torah Reading for Sunday - the last day of Chanuka - has 39 verses.

It starts from בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי in Parshat נָשֹׂא and continues all the way past the end of the Parsha and ends with the first paragraph of Parshat בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ which talks about the daily lighting the 7-branched Menora in the Mishkan and the Bet HaMikdash.

The last paragraph of Parshat נָשֹׂא starts with the words זֹאת חֲנֻכַּת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ- as a result the last day of Chanuka is often referred to as Zot Chanuka.

Don't forget עַל הַנִּסִּים !
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:23

- Danny
Tuesday, 3rd day Chanuka, 27th Kislev 5773

Please daven for a רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם לאֶפְרַיִם בֶּן מִרְיָם בְּתוֹךְ שְׁאָר חוֹלֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל

Halocho #1000 - Hallel and fasting on Chanuka

The entire Hallel is said on all 8 days of Chanuka. Chanuka is the only time that the entire Hallel is said on Rosh Chodesh. (Usually on Rosh Chodesh we leave out 2 half-paragraphs; לֹא לָנוּ and אָהַבְתִּי כִּי יִשְׁמַע.)

One does not fast on Chanuka, except for a Ta'anit Chalom (fasting after a worrisome dream).

No Tachanun is said on Chanuka, starting from Mincha the day before. א' אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם is not said before Kriat HaTorah on Chanuka.
לַמְנַצֵּחַ is not said after אַשְׁרֵי during Chanuka.

Don't forget עַל הַנִּסִּים !
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 22:8, 25:2, 139:2

- Danny
Monday, 2nd day of Chanuka, 26th Kislev 5773

Please daven for the רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה of אֶפְרַיִם בן מרים

Halocho #999 - Al HaNisim during Chanuka

During all 8 days (and nights) of Chanuka one adds עַל הַנִּסִּים to the Birkat Hamazon during the 2nd Bracha - נוֹדֶה לְךָ. If you forgot to add עַל הַנִּסִּים and you've already said 'בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה then you don't have to make amends.

However, if possible you should say the following during the HaRachaman's after the 4th Bracha:

הָרַחֲמָן הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה לָנוּ נִסִּים וְנִפְלָאוֹת, 

כְּמוֹ שֶׁעָשָׂה לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ

בַּיָּמִים הַהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה בִּימֵי מַתִּתְיָהוּ

...and then continue with the rest of the עַל הַנִּסִּים.

During every Amida of Chanuka (including Mussaf) one adds עַל הַנִּסִּים during מוֹדִים .

If you forgot to add עַל הַנִּסִּים and you've already said 'בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה then you don't have to make amends.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 44:16, 139: 21

- Danny
Sunday, 1st day Chanuka, 25 Kislev 5773

Halocho #998 - Shabbat Erev Chanuka

This week, Shabbat is also Erev Chanuka. Suggestion: Prepare your Menora before Shabbat!

Shabbat morning:
This Shabbat we read the regular Parsha - וַיֵּשֶׁב - and its regular Haftara (כֹּה אָמַר  from Amos Ch. 2.)

This week is Shabbat Mevorchim. Rosh Chodesh Tevet will be on Friday, the 6th day of Chanuka.

This week and next week we will omit אָב  הָרַחֲמִים  before Mussaf.

Mincha:
This week and next week we will omit צִדְקָתְךָ at Mincha.

Motzai Shabbat:

Motzai Shabbat:
Add אַתָּה חוֹנַנְתָּנוּ in the 4th Bracha of the Amida.
Add עַל הַנִּסִּים in the Amida during מוֹדִים and in Birkat haMazon during נוֹדֶה לְךָ.

In Shul the Menora is lit after the full-Kaddish - before וְיִתֶּן לְךָ (after ensuring that it's already Motzai Shabbat if prayers started early).

At home, on Motzai Shabbat, one first makes Havdalah and then lights the Chanukah Menorah.


On the first night we say 3 Brachot before lighting: 

 בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ... מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁלַחֲנֻכָּה

 בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ... מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה

 בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ... מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 22:8, 139

Some have the custom of lighting the Menora before making Havdala at home, since one already heard Havdala in shul. (Source: רמ"א 581:2)

Shabbat Shalom uMevorach

- Danny
Thursday,22 Kislev 5773

Halocho #997 - 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  - בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ  - starting from 7th Cheshvan in Israel, and from the 5th December outside of Israel.

If you're unsure if you added וְתֵן טַל וּמָטָר לִבְרָכָה 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 saying it 90 times (starting from אֶת הַשָּׁנָה הַזֹּאת) then you can assume you said it correctly.: 

אֶת הַשָּׁנָה הַזֹּאת וְאֶת כָּל מִינֵי תְּבוּאָתָהּ לְטוֹבָה וְתֵן טַל וּמָטָר לִבְרָכָה עַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה

Source: Shulchan Aruch 114:9

- Danny
Wednesday 21 Kislev 5773

Halocho #996 - Ask for rain tonight!

Since Mussaf on Shmini Atzeret 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.

In Israel only, starting from 7th Cheshvan we started adding a prayer for rain - וְתֵן טַל וּמָטָר לִבְרָכָה - in the 9th Bracha of the weekday Amida - בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ. (Sefardim started saying בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ  instead of בַּרְכֵנוּ as the 9th Bracha.)

Starting tonight - Tuesday night - we start praying for rain on weekdays, in the 9th Bracha of the Amida - בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ - all over the world.

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

• If you remember before you finish בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ then you insert it and continue from there.
  
• If you already said "Baruch Ata Hashem" of the בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ then you insert it into שְׁמַע קוֹלֵנוּ 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 don'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

- Danny
Jerusalem, Tuesday 20 Kislev 5773

Halocho #995 - Using the light of the Chanuka Menora

Each night of Chanuka we add an extra light, starting at 1 and ending at 8.

Besides for the nightly number, the custom is to add an extra candle each night - known as the Shamash.

This is ensure that one doesn't accidentally use the light from the actual Chanuka lights, which is forbidden.

After the Chanuka Menora has been burning for half an hour after nightfall, one may derive benefit from the lights of the Chanuka Menora.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:14

- Danny

19 Kislev 5773 - י"ט כסלו ה'תשע"ג

Halocho #994 - The Chanuka Menora in shul

In order to publicize the miracle of Chanuka, the Menora is lit - with the correct Brachot - in the synagogue, between Mincha and Ma'ariv.

The person who lit the Menora in shul has to light again at home, with the correct Brachot.

A mourner should not light the Menora in shul on the first night of Chanuka, since it's inappropriate for him to say שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ in public. At home a mourner does say שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ on the first night.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:15

- Danny

18 Kislev 5773

Halocho #993 - No fresh fruit on Shabbat

Fruit that was picked on Shabbat may not be eaten on that Shabbat - even if a non-Jew picked it for himself.

Even fruit that is lying under a tree is forbidden, since it may have fallen off on Shabbat.

Such fruit is Muktza and may not even be moved, until after Shabbat.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:9

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 15 Kislev 5773

Halocho #992 - How early can one light the Chanuka Menora?

Chanuka lights can already be lit from Plug HaMincha, with the Brachot.

Plug HaMincha is 75 Halachic-minutes before sunset. In Winter this is closer to 60 minutes; on the first day of Chanukah this year in Jerusalem, Plug HaMincha is at 15:32 which is 63 minutes before sunset.

When lighting early, the Menora has to burn until 30 minutes after nightfall.

(As we already learned: there are 2 opinions regarding nightfall: Some say it refers to dusk, other say it refers to 3 stars appearing (like Motzai Shabbat). Everybody should follow their family custom.)

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:1, 10

- Danny
Wednesday, 14 Kislev 5773

Halocho #991 - Who should light the Chanukah Menorah?

Since both men and women were included in the miracle of Chanukah, 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
Tuesday, 13 Kislev 5773

Halocho #990 - What time does one light the Chanuka Menora?

On Motzai Shabbat - the first and last nights of Chanuka this year - one lights the Chanuka Menora after Shabbat ends.

• The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch says one should first make Havdala and then light the Chanuka Menora.
  
• Some have the custom of lighting the Chanuka Menora before making Havdala, since one already heard Havdala in shul. (Source: רמ"א 581:2)

On weekdays - Sunday through Thursday - the Chanuka Menora should be lit at nightfall.

• There are 2 opinions regarding nightfall: Some say it refers to dusk, other say it refers to 3 stars appearing (like Motzai Shabbat). Everybody should follow their family custom.

On Friday afternoon one lights the Chanuka Menora before lighting Shabbat candles.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139

- Danny

12 Kislev 5773

Halocho #989 - When is Chanukah this year?

The 8 days of Chanukah always start on the 25th of Kislev; the first candle being lit on the evening before.

This year Chanukah starts on Sunday, 9th December 2012. We will light the first flame on Motzai Shabbat VaYeshev.

A week later - (Motzai Shabbat Miketz, 15th Dec) we will light all 8 flames for the 8th day of Chanuka.

On Motzai Shabbat one first makes Havdalah and then lights the Chanukah Menorah.

In Shul - on Motzai Shabbat - the Menorah is lit after the full-Kaddish - before וְיִתֶּן לְךָ (after ensuring that it's already Motzai Shabbat if one started prayers early).

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:18

Some have the custom of lighting the Menorah before making Havdala, since one already heard Havdala in shul. (Source: רמ"א 581:2)

- Danny
11 Kislev 5773

Halocho #988 - Your life or your Shabbat

Saving lives takes precedence over Shabbat. (Saving lives takes precedence over all sins besides for idolatry, adultery and murder.)

Even if the danger is not certain, one must transgress Shabbat - if needed - and take care of the potential danger.

When a potential life threatening situation arises on Shabbat, one first takes care of the danger - and later one can ask questions for future reference.

Even if a non-Jew is available, one desecrates Shabbat and does not waste time trying to get the non-Jew to avert the danger.

Even if many people desecrated Shabbat to avert a danger, and they unnecessarily duplicated each others efforts, they all get rewarded for their efforts to save a life.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 92:1

Shabbat Shalom,
- Danny
8 Kislev 5773

Halocho #987 - Come to Israel!

Living in Eretz Yisrael is a Mitzva. Walking 4 Amot (~2 m.) in Eretz Yisrael is a Mitzva. Even moving to Eretz Yisrael is considered part of the Mitzva.

One may not leave Eretz Yisrael except to learn Torah, get married, to escape from danger or for business trips.

Source: Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 248:4 - ספר המצות הקצר - מצות לא תעשה קצב

- Danny

7 Kislev 5773

Halocho #986 – Cohen gets preferential treatment

A Talmid Chacham (Torah scholar) has preference over a Cohen.

Everybody else needs to give preference to the Cohen; he gets called first to the Torah, gets to speak first at functions, at meals gets served first and leads the Zimun.

In a business partnership a Cohen does not get preferential treatment.

One may not use a Cohen to run ones errands or do other mundane tasks, unless the Cohen has agreed to relinquish his Cohen status for this purpose.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 144:8-9

To clarify: A Cohen always gets called to the Torah first, so as to prevent the unpleasantness of people arguing as to whether a specific person is a Talmid Chacham worthy of displacing the Cohen or not.
- Danny Schoemann
Monday 20 Shevat 5772

Halocho #985 – Honoring other family members

Everybody has to honor the following people:
- One's father's wife and one's mother's husband.

- One's father-in-law and one's mother-in-law.

- One's grandparents, though one's parents' honor has priority.

- One's older brother; even if he's a half-brother.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 143:19-20

- Danny
Sunday, 19 Shvat 5772

סעיף יט - חייב אדם לכבד אשת אביו אף על פי שאינה אמו כל זמן שאביו קיים. וכן חייב לכבד בעל אמו כל זמן שאמו קיימת, ודבר הגון הוא לכבדם גם לאחר מיתת אביו ואמו. סעיף כ - חייב אדם בכבוד אחיו הגדול ממנו בין שהוא אחיו מן האב בין מן האם, וחייב אדם בכבוד חמיו וחמותו (כדמצינו בדוד המלך עליו השלום שחלק כבוד לשאול המלך שהיה חמיו קראו אבי, שאמר לו אבי ראה גם ראה) וחייב בכבוד אבי אביו, אלא שכבוד אביו גדול מכבוד אבי אביו

Halocho #984 – Bathing for Shabbat

It's a Mitzvah to bathe on Friday with warm water; or at least to wash one's face, hands and feet.

It's also a Mitzvah to shampoo ones hair, cut ones nails and have a haircut if needed.

One should not cut finger and toe nails on the same day. One doesn’t cut [finger] nails on Thursday as then they begin growing (and looking unkempt) on Shabbat.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 72:12, 14

Shabbat Shalom,

- Danny
Thursday, 16 Shvat 5772

Halocho #983 - What happens on Tu B'Shvat?

Our Sages have designated the 15th of Shvat - Tu B'Shvat- as the boundary between one year and another, since (in most years) most of the rain of the winter has already fallen by then.

Any new growth of fruit after this day, is the result of the blessing of the new year.

It is customary to pray for a beautiful Kosher Etrog on Tu B'Shvat.
Source: The Book of our Heritage, Vol I, page 346-349

- Danny
Wednesday, 15 Shvat 5771