On Sukkoth there's a Mitzvah to shake the four species; a Lulav, 3 Haddasim, 2 Aravot and an Etrog.
Each Haddas is a branch of a myrtle bush, and must be at least 3 Tefachim (24 cm - 10") long.
Myrtle leaves grow on stems 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, 14 Elul 5773
Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy recovering from lymphoma: יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Halocho #1165 - Tell me about the Haddas - Myrtle?
Monday, August 19, 2013
Halocho #1164 - Tell me about the Etrog
On Sukkoth there's a Mitzvah 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 one's 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
- Danny
Monday, 13 Elul 5773
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Halocho #1163 - Understanding one's prayers
During Elul one gets ready for the upcoming Days of Judgement (Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur) with a three-pronged approach:
•Teshuva; repenting. Improving one's Mitzva observance
•Tefilla; praying. Asking Hashem for help and praising and thanking Him for being good to us.
•Tzedaka; giving charity to those less fortunate than ourselves.
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 - talking - to the One Above. If one's thoughts wander during prayers one should pause and recollect one's thoughts.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 18: 3-4.
Ktiva Vechatima Tova; with wishes for a Happy New Year,
- Danny
Sunday, 12 Elul 5773
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Halocho #1162 - Kosher Vinegar ?
Vinegar made from non-Kosher wine or non-Kosher grape juice is not Kosher.
Vinegar made from Kosher wine or Kosher grape juice that was not boiled, can still become non-Kosher if a non-Jew touches it, unless the vinegar is so strong that it bubbles when poured onto the ground.
On Shabbat it is forbidden to add liquids into vinegar with the intent of making more vinegar.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:56, 47:10
Shabbat Shalom
- Danny
Thursday, 9 Elul 5773
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Halocho #1160 - Talking can kill you!
According to some opinions, today (7 Elul) the 10 spies died as a punishment for talking evil about the land of Israel.
Any speech - even if it's true - that can result in a person being harmed; emotionally, financially or otherwise, is usually forbidden.
When there's a real need for the information to be passed on - e.g. to prevent harm to others - it is often permitted to relay the information. One needs to learn the Halachot of when this applies, since sometimes it's forbidden to withhold the information, other times it's forbidden to relay the information.
Source: Orach Chaim 580:2, Chofetz Chaim, Hil. Shmiras Halashon, Intro.
Ktiva Vechatima Tova
- Danny
Tuesday, 7 Elul 5773
Monday, August 12, 2013
Halocho #1159 - Excel in one Mitzva
Doing Teshuva - repenting - is a Mitzva mentioned in the Torah.
Even though Hashem is prepared to accept our Teshuva all year round, the days from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Yom Kippour are an auspicious period for improving one's ways.
This dates back to when Moshe went up to Har Sinai to receive the second set of Luchot; Moshe went up on Rosh Chodesh Elul and returned 40 days later on Yom Kippour with the second set of Luchot.
At the very least one should choose one Mitzva or Halacho to improve on during this period.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128: 1
Ktiva Vechatima Tova
- Danny
Monday, 6 Elul 5773
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Halocho #1158 - Good year wishes
From the beginning of the month of Elul until after Yom Kippur, one should add seasonal greetings when writing to friends.
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
Ktiva Vechatima Tova; with wishes for a year full of blessings
- Danny
Sunday, 5 Elul 5773
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Halocho #1157 - Removing nails and hangnails on Shabbat
One may not cut off hangnails on Shabbat; not with an instrument, nor by hand and not even by biting it off.
(Hangnail: A small piece of dead skin at the side or the base of a fingernail that is partly detached from the rest of the skin.)
One may not cut nails on Shabbat. If a nail is partly disconnected it may not be detached on Shabbat.
If a nail is almost completely detached - and will eventually fall off - and it's causing discomfort, one can remove it by hand but not with an instrument.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:55
Shabbat Shalom
- Danny
Thursday, 2 Elul 5773
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Halocho #1156 - When do Selichot start?
This morning - Rosh Chodesh Elul - we started blowing the Shofar.
Starting tomorrow - Thursday - Sefardim say Selichot before Shacharit and continue doing so the entire month of Elul until Erev Yom Kippour.
This year Selichot - for Ashkenazim - start on Sunday (26 Elul / 1 September), 4 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 Middot 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: Shulchan Aruch 581, 1
Ktiva Vechatima Tova; may all your prayers be answered,
Chodesh Tov
- Danny
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Halocho #1155 - Why do we blow the Shofar during Elul
Today - Tuesday - is the first day of Rosh Chodesh Elul. Today's date is 30 Av 5773.
Tomorrow - Wednesday - 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 Tuesday, 28 Elul (3 September) , as a reminder to start improving one's Torah observance and to repent for past misdeeds.
On Erev Rosh Hashana the Shofar is not blown, in order 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
Tuesday, 1st day Rosh Chodesh Elul 5773
Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy recovering from lymphoma:
יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה
Monday, August 5, 2013
Halocho #1154 - Erev Rosh Chodesh!
The 2 days of Rosh Chodesh Elul begins tonight - Monday night.
One needs to add Ya'a'leh VeYavo - יעלה ויבא in the 17th Bracha of the Amida - רצה.
If one forgot to do so during the Amida of Ma'ariv (evening prayers) - on either day - one does not need to make amends; since the Sanhedrin did not sanctify the month at night.
If one forgot to do so during Shachrit (morning prayers) or Mincha (afternoon prayers), then one has to return to the 17th Bracha of the Amida - רצה and make amends.
If one already finished the Amida - by saying Yihyu leRatzon - יהיו לרצון - then one needs to restart the Amida.
One also needs to add Ya'a'leh VeYavo - יעלה ויבא - in Birkat Hamazon
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 19:10
Chodesh Tov!
- Danny
Monday, 29 Menachem Av 5773
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Halocho #1153 - Tomorrow is Yom Kippour Kattan
The day before Rosh Chodesh is called "Yom Kippour Kattan".
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 - Monday - is Yom Kippour Kattan. Rosh Chodesh Elul will be on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:1, 128:1
- Danny
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Halocho #1152 - Watering meat on Shabbat
Meat has to Kashered (soaked, salted and rinsed to remove the blood) within 3 days of being slaughtered.
If this is not possible then the meat has to be hosed down every 3 days.
It is forbidden to hose down meat on Shabbat, however one may ask a non-Jew to do so, to prevent the meat from becoming forbidden.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:56
Shabbat Shalom
- Danny
Thursday, 25 Menachem Av 5773
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Halocho #1151 - Wash your face daily
Upon awakening one should wash one's hands from a cup, alternating between the right and left hand until each hand is washed 3 times.
Two reasons are given:
- You are starting a new day of serving Hashem; similar to a Cohen who had to wash his hands before serving in the Bet HaMikdash.
- Part of the soul leaves the body when one sleeps, therefore sleeping is considered a mini-death which generates impurity which needs to be washed away.
One should then wash one's face in honor of one's Maker, since the Pasuk says that man was created in Hashem's image.
One should be careful to dry one's hands and face, for health reasons.
One should also rinse one's mouth, in anticipation of saying Hashem's name during prayers.
On fast-days one may not rinse one's mouth.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 2:1, 3, 121:10
- Danny
Wednesday, 24 Menachem Av 5773
Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy recovering from lymphoma: יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Halocho #1150 - May one say Tehillim by heart?
The Torah is divided into two parts: The written-law (Tanach) and the oral-law (Mishna and Gemara).
Even if one knows parts of the written-law by heart, one should be careful not say them without a text.
The exception being those verses that everybody knows by heart, like those Tehillim said often during prayers like אשרי
If possible, one should pray from a Siddur, since Davening includes many verses that not everybody knows by heart.
Blind people are allowed to say everything by heart.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 1:6
- Danny
Tuesday, 23 Menachem Av 5773
Monday, July 29, 2013
Halocho #1149 - When to get up in the morning
If possible, one should awaken at midnight and say Tikun Chatzot; lamenting the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash and the resultant loss of Torah learning as well as the numerous Mitzvot we can no longer do.
If getting up at midnight is not an option, one should get up before dawn to say Tikun Chatzot.
After Tikun Chatzot one should learn some Torah; Mishna or Tehillim or Mussar.
At the very latest one needs to awaken in time to get to shul before they start morning prayers.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 1:5
- Danny
Monday, 22 Menachem Av 5773
Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma: יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Halocho #1148 - Are you bored? Do a Mitzvah!
There's a Mitzvah 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 Mitzvah.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 1:1
- Danny
Sunday, 21 Menachem Av 5773
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Halocho #1147 - Smearing on Shabbat
Smearing non-edibles on Shabbat is forbidden, including wax, plaster, tar, putty, clay and creams.
One may not put wax or similar into holes on Shabbat, to seal them.
One may not dab a small amount of the above on a book or wall as a placeholder.
One may smear food; butter onto bread for example.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:58, Orach Chaim 321:19
Shabbat Shalom
- Danny
Thursday, 18 Menachem Av 5773
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Halocho #1146 - How do I know if fruit is Kosher?
Fresh fruit is always Kosher, however it may have an Orlo problem, as per yesterday and Sunday's Halocho.
When in doubt if the tree is less than 4 years old:
- In Israel the fruit from such a tree is forbidden. (This is one of the reasons that fruit needs Rabbinic Supervision in Israel. Other issues include Shmita, "Neta Revo'i" and the separation of Terumot and Ma'asrot.)
- Outside of Israel the fruit is allowed, as long as you don’t pick it yourself. This is the way Moshe was given the Halocho at Har Sinai.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 173:2, Mishna Orlo, 3:9
- Danny
Wednesday, 17 Menachem Av 5773
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Halocho #1145 - What comes after Orlo?
Orlo is the Torah prohibition of eating fruit from tress less than 3 years old, as per Sunday's Halocho.
In the 4th year the fruit is called "Neta Revo'i" and needs to be "redeemed" by transferring its status onto a coin. The coin needs to be worth at least a "peruta" (0.025 grams of pure silver; currently less than 2 US pennies.)
One says "I am redeeming the Neta Revo'i into this coin". The coin is then destroyed and disposed of. Instead of a coin one can use fruit worth 2 pennies, which then needs to be destroyed.
After redeeming them, the "Neta Revo'i" (4th year fruit) can be eaten, anywhere by anybody.
Sources: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 173:2, Mishna Orlo, 3:9
- Danny
Tuesday, 16 Menachem Av 5773
Monday, July 22, 2013
Halocho #1144 - Why is Tu B'Av a joyous day?
A number of joyous events happened over the years on Tu B'Av.
- It was the day the Generation-of-the-Wilderness realized that the sin of the spies had been forgiven, in the year 2488.
- It was the day that the tribes were allowed to intermarry, including orphaned daughters (as per Bemidbar 36:8) once all those who conquered the Land had passed away.
- On the same day the tribe of Binyamin were allowed to intermarry with other tribes, after the scandal of Give'ah (as per Shoftim 19 - 21), around the year 2524.
- It was the day that King Hoshea ben Elah removed the blockades that the wicked King Yerav'am ben Nevat had placed on the roads, preventing the Jews from going to Jerusalem for the Festivals about 75 years earlier, around the year 3040.
- It was the day the Romans allowed those massacred by the wicked Hadrian in Beitar to be buried, some time after he died in 138 (C.E).
- It was the day they stopped chopping wood for the altar in the Bet Hamikdash every year, as it marks the end of "summer" (as per Rashi on Breishis 8:22) and the start of the 2 months of "heat". The wood had to be worm free to be used on the altar, and had to be fully dried before the rainy season.
This gave everybody more time for learning Torah - and therefore Tu B'Av is the Joyous Day of Increased Torah Learning (and one does not say Tachanun on Tu B'Av.)
Source: The Book of our Heritage, Vol 3 page 307-313
- Danny
Monday, ט"ו באב - 15 Menachem Av 5773
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Halocho #1143 - Three years of Orlo for trees For 3 years after planting a tree, one may not eat its fruit, nor derive any benefit from the fruit, peels or pits. This is a Torah prohibition and applies to trees planted anywhere on the planet by anybody. How to count these 3 years: - Trees planted until Tu B'av (tomorrow - 15th of the month of Av; 45 days before Rosh Hashana) have their first birthday on Rosh Hashana, and 2 years later they turn "three years old". - Trees planted less than 45 days before Rosh Hashana need to count three years from their first Rosh Hashana. The laws of Orlo apply to trees grown from shoots or pits, and sometimes to trees that have been replanted. A tree that has was cut and its stump is less than 1 Tefach (about 9 cm) high becomes Orlo again. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 173:1,3,4 One does not say Tachanun on Tu B'Av, nor at Mincha the afternoon before. The bride and groom do not fast on their wedding day if it's on Tu B'Av. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 22:8, 146:2 - Danny Sunday, 14 Menachem Av 5773 Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma: יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה
For 3 years after planting a tree, one may not eat its fruit, nor derive any benefit from the fruit, peels or pits. This is a Torah prohibition and applies to trees planted anywhere on the planet by anybody.
How to count these 3 years:
- Trees planted until Tu B'av (tomorrow - 15th of the month of Av; 45 days before Rosh Hashana) have their first birthday on Rosh Hashana, and 2 years later they turn "three years old".
- Trees planted less than 45 days before Rosh Hashana need to count three years from their first Rosh Hashana.
The laws of Orlo apply to trees grown from shoots or pits, and sometimes to trees that have been replanted. A tree that has was cut and its stump is less than 1 Tefach (about 9 cm) high becomes Orlo again.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 173:1,3,4
One does not say Tachanun on Tu B'Av, nor at Mincha the afternoon before. The bride and groom do not fast on their wedding day if it's on Tu B'Av.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 22:8, 146:2
- Danny
Sunday, 14 Menachem Av 5773
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Halocho #1141 - Tish'a B'Av isn't over yet
We mourn and fast on 9 B'Av since the Bet Hamikdash was burned to the ground. The fire was ignited on 9 B'Av in the afternoon and burned throughout the 10th of Av.
Therefore the restrictions of "the 9 days" continue until after midday on the 10th of Av (today - Wednesday).
The custom is to refrain from eating meat and wine, bathing, doing laundry, shaving and haircuts, saying Shehechiyanu and listening to music until Wednesday after noon.
One may make a Se'udat Mitzvah (like a Brit) in the morning, with meat and wine.
(When 9 B'Av is on Thursday - as will happen in 7 years time if the Bet Hamikdash is not yet rebuilt - then these Halalchot are slightly different.)
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 124:20-22
- Danny
Wednesday, 10 Menachem Av 5773
Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma: יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה
Monday, July 15, 2013
Halocho #1140 - Who must fast on 9 B'Av?
On 9 B'Av (from sunset today - Monday afternoon - until nightfall on Tuesday evening) almost everybody needs to fast.
Pregnant and nursing mothers need to fast on 9 B'Av even if it causes them discomfort, unless it's dangerous to their health.
When in doubt, consult your LOR (Local Orthodox Rabbi).
During the first 7 days after childbirth, a mother is not allowed to fast.
Anybody who isn't healthy should only fast for a few hours. This includes a mother between 7 and 30 days after childbirth unless she feels up to fasting. When in doubt, consult your LOR.
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 124:6
- Danny
Monday, 8 Menachem Av 5773
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Halocho #1139 - Can we sit on chairs on 9 B'Av?
On the fast of 9 B'Av it is customary not to sit on chairs from the time the fast begins (Monday afternoon before sunset) until noon the following day (Tuesday).
Instead, one sits on the floor. Anything within 3 Tefachim (about 9" - 24 cm) off the floor is considered as being on the floor.
After noon one may sit on regular chairs. However, all other restrictions of the fast apply until the fast is over at night-fall.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 124: 16
- Danny
Sunday, 7 Menachem Av 5773
