It's customary not to say the Bracha of שהחיינו - Shehechiyanu during the 3 weeks from 17 Tammuz until after 9 Av.
Therefore one should not buy nor wear new clothes during that period.
Since the "3 weeks" begin on Tuesday, one should finish one's shopping and wear all new clothes [at least for a short time] before then.
When eating a fruit for the first time in a season one says the Bracha of שהחיינו - Shehechiyanu. If possible, one should not wait for the "3 weeks" to eat those fruit for the first time.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:2
- Danny
Wednesday, 11 Tamuz 5773
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Halocho #1122 - 5 shopping days left
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Halocho #1121 - Why didn't we fast yesterday?
In the year 3,339, on 9th Tamuz, the city walls of Jerusalem were breached by the wicked King Nebuchadnezzar's army. Four weeks later - on 9th Av - the first Bet Hamikdash was destroyed.
For 70 years - until the second Bet Hamikdash was built - the 9th Tamuz was a fast-day.
At the time of the destruction of the second Bet Hamikdash the walls were breached a week later - on 17 Tamuz.
The Rabbis decided not to burden the Yidden with having to fast 2 weeks in a row.
Since the destruction of the second Bet Hamikdash is more relevant to us, the original fast-day was dropped.
The Talmud Yerushalmi (Ta'anit 4:5) is of the opinion that the walls were breached both times on 17 Tamuz, but due to the turmoil at the time of the first destruction, the date was wrongly recorded as 9 Tamuz.
Source: Tur Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 549
- Danny
Tuesday, 10 Tamuz 5773
Monday, June 17, 2013
Halocho #1120 - The tourists' Bracha guide
When seeing the ocean one says the Bracha of "Baruch... Oseh Ma'aseh Breishith" - "... Who makes the work of creation".
These Brachot can only be said if one hasn't seen the ocean or that specific mountain for 30 days; excluding the day one last saw it and excluding the day of the current sighting.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 60:5, 12
- Danny
Monday, 9 Tamuz 5773
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Halocho #1119 - Sky gazing
When seeing comets or falling stars one says the Bracha of "Oseh Ma'aseh Breishith" - "Who makes the work of creation".
One can only say the Bracha once per comet, unless 30 days have passed since one last saw it.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 60:2
- Danny
Sunday, 8 Tamuz 5773
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Halocho #1118 - Squeezing pimples on Shabbat
It is forbidden to draw blood on Shabbat even from one's own body.
One may not squeeze pimples or open up wounds or on Shabbat, as that would cause puss and/or blood come out.
One may remove scabs on Shabbat, if one is sure that no bleeding will occur.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:54, 91:14
Shabbat Shalom
- Danny
Thursday, 5 Tamuz 5773
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Halocho #1117 - Don't stare at the rainbow
When seeing a rainbow one says the Bracha "Baruch... Zocher Habrit Ven'eman Bivrito Vekayam Bema'amaro" - "...Who remembers the covenant, is trustworthy in His covenant and fulfills His word".
One should not stare at a rainbow for extended periods of time.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 60:4
The reason for not staring at the rainbow is explained in Chagiga (16:1). The prophet Yechezkel compares the appearance of the Glory of Hashem to a rainbow:
"As the appearance of the rainbow in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Hashem."(Ezekiel 1:28)
Staring at a rainbow is compared to staring at the Glory of Hashem, an impolite thing to do.
The Gemara states that as a punishment for staring at the rainbow, ones eyesight could suffer.
- Danny
Wednesday, 4 Tamuz 5773
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Halocho #1116 - 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, and Midrash.
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), will have the drive to do so (Midrash) and acquire the ability to overcome obstacles when trying to do (Mussar).
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 27:3
- Danny
Tuesday, 3 Tamuz 5773
Monday, June 10, 2013
Halocho #1115 - 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
Monday, 2 Tamuz 5773
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Halocho #1114 - What to do if one forgets יַעֲלֶה וְיָבוֹא?
On Rosh Chodesh one should add יַעֲלֶה וְיָבוֹא during the Amida and Birkat Hamazon.
If one forgot to add יַעֲלֶה וְיָבוֹא during the Amida at night one does not need to make amends. During the day one needs to go back to רצה.
If one forgot יַעֲלֶה וְיָבוֹא during Birkat Hamazon (during the day or night), and one remembers before starting the last Bracha, one can say:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר נָתַן רָאשֵׁי חֳדָשִׁים לְעַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל לְזִכָּרוֹן
If one only realizes after starting the last Bracha, or one does not have the above Bracha readily available, then one does not need to make amends.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 19:10, 44:14
Chodesh Tov!
- Danny
Sunday, 2nd day Rosh Chodesh Tamuz 5773
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Halocho #1113 - Shabbat Rosh Chodesh and Rosh Chodesh
The 2 days of Rosh Chodesh Tammuz start on Friday evening.
On Rosh Chodesh one adds יַעֲלֶה וְיָבוֹא into Birkat Hamazon and the Amida.
On Shabbat - first day Rosh Chodesh - 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 Korach.
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.
On Sunday - second day Rosh Chodesh - we will call up 4 people to read from the Torah, between Hallel and Mussaf.
Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 425
Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom
- Danny
Thursday, 28 Sivan 5773
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Halocho #1113 - Who was burnt to death with a Sefer Torah?
The Shulchan Aruch says that it's appropriate to fast today - Wednesday 27 Sivan - since about 2,000 years ago on this date, the Romans wrapped the great Rabbi Chanina ben Tradyon in a Sefer Torah, and burnt him to death.
Rabbi Chanina ben Tradyon was one of the 10 martyrs.
King David started Tehilim - Psalms - by declaring: Blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the gathering of the scornful.
Rabbi Chanina ben Tradyon taught (Avot 3:3): - A gathering of the scornful is when Jews sit together and don't discuss Torah-related topics.
When Jews do discuss Torah then the Shechina - G-d's presence - is with them.
Even when a lone Jew learns Torah (like a Halocho a Day), Hashem takes note and rewards him.
Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 580:2
Read about the 10 martyrs at http://www.answers.com/topic/ten-martyrs
Read about Rabbi Chanina ben Tradyon at http://www.answers.com/topic/haninah-ben-teradion
- Danny
Wednesday, 27 Sivan 5773
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Halocho #1112 - Should we fast on Thursday?
Monday, June 3, 2013
Halocho #1111 - Respecting Torah authority.
This week's Parsha - Korach - teaches us the bitter end of people who argue with Torah authorities.
A person has to respect and honor his Rav - his Torah teacher - more than his parents; his parents look after his needs in this world and his Rav is ensuring him a good place in Olam Habah (Heaven).
Degrading a Torah scholar is so severe that a person can loose his place in Olam Habah (Heaven) for it.
If a Torah scholar has goods to sell, he is given a monopoly until his stock runs out. This does not apply if the monopoly cannot be enforced.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 144:1, 4, 5
- Danny
Monday, 25 Sivan 5773
Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma:
יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Halocho #1110 - Who gets to separate Challa?
Yesterday's Parsha includes the Mitzva of separating Challa from dough made from any of the 5 types of grain: wheat, barley, oats, spelt or rye.
Challa should be separated before the dough is baked. If this was not done then the baked goods are forbidden to be eaten until Challa is separated from them.
The Mitzva of separating Challa rightfully belongs to the housewife. However, if waiting for the housewife would cause the dough to spoil, then anybody above Bar/Bat Mitzva take Challa.
The piece of Challa that was separated should be burnt. Since nowadays we don't have fires readily available, my Rabbi suggested we freeze the Challa (in a well marked container that nobody should eat from it) and whenever there's a bonfire (Lag B'Omer and Erev Pessach) we should burn the accumulated Challa.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 35
- Danny
Sunday, 24 Sivan 5773
Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma:
יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Halocho #1109 - Eating before Mussaf
If one makes Kiddush after Shacharit, before praying Mussaf, then one should eat no more than a Kezayit (size of an egg - 28cc) of bread or cake.
One can eat unlimited amounts of fruit. If one wants to eat only fruit, then one has to drink a mouthful of Kiddush wine and another Revi'it (86cc) of wine.
A Cohen who is going to do Birkat Cohanim (bless the congregation) in Mussaf, must hear Kiddush from another person, as he is not allowed to drink alcoholic beverages before Birkat Cohanim.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 77:15, 100:3
This week is Shabbat Mevorchim; Rosh Chodesh Tammuz will be the following Shabbat and Sunday.
Shabbat Shalom uMevorach,
- Danny
Thursday, 21 Sivan 5773
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Halocho #1108 - What Bracha does one make on Good News?
This Shabbat is the 23rd day of the month of Sivan.
Over 2,360 years ago on the 23rd of Sivan, Esther and Mordechai sent out the second royal decree informing the Jews that they may defend themselves against Haman's original decree of total annihilation.
When finding out joyous tidings or upon hearing good news from a reliable source, one says a Bracha. If it only affects oneself, then one says Shehechiyanu;
Even if the joyful event will probably cause one trouble at a later date, one still says the Bracha.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 59:1,3
- Danny
Wednesday, 20 Sivan 5773
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Halocho #1107 - Can one put a Mezuzah on the inside?
The Mezuzah belongs on the outside doorpost. In a wide door frame 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, though 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
Tuesday, 19 Sivan 5773
Monday, May 27, 2013
Halocho #1106 - Don't hang your Mezuzah
A Mezuzah is rolled-up from the left, so that a person opening it would see the word שְׁמַע.
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 its 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 readable 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
Monday, 18 Sivan 5773
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Halocho #1105 - Which side does the Mezuzah go on?
The 2 chapters written in a Mezuzah are the first two chapters of the Kriat Shma.
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
- Danny
Sunday, 17 Sivan 5773
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Halocho #1104 - Candles or Oil for Shabbat?
This Shabbat morning we will read the weekly portion of בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ which begins with the Mitzva of the Cohen lighting the Menora in the Bet Hamikdash every afternoon with pure olive oil.
The popular custom is to light Shabbat candles on Friday afternoon. However, a Hidur Mitzva (a "deluxe" way of performing the Mitzva) is to use olive oil.
Whatever one decides to use, it has to create a flame that burns steadily without flickering or spluttering and does not generate an unpleasant odor.
The Mishna lists wicks and oils that are disqualified, e.g. wicks from silk or seaweed as well as cottonseed oil.
We already learned that one may not use a 7 branched candelabra.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 75:3, Mishna Shabbat, Ch. 2
Shabbat Shalom,
- Danny
Thursday, 14 Sivan 5773
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Halocho #1103 - 0% interest on loans
The Torah prohibits charging interest and paying interest to fellow Jews. The Torah allows charging interest and paying interest to non-Jews.
A person who lends money to a Jew and charges interest, has transgressed six Torah commandments and - if he doesn't repent - will not awaken at Techiyat Hameitim - when the dead will be revived at the End of Days.
The person who borrows the money transgresses three Torah commandments.
The scribe, witnesses, co-signer and middle-man all transgress one Torah commandment.
In most cases, a person who received interest from a loan needs to return it. Even if the borrower - on his own accord - returns more than he borrowed or adds a gift, it is considered interest on the loan and the lender is not allowed to accept it.
Even non-monetary gain from a debtor is forbidden. For example:
- The creditor may not ask the debtor to inform him when somebody has arrived, unless he used to do this before giving him the loan.
- The debtor may not go out of his way to greet the creditor, unless he always used to do so.
- The debtor may not patronize the creditor's business, unless he used to do so before getting the loan.
- When doing a business deal with a fellow Jew, one needs to use a Heter Iska - the subject of a future posting.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 65:1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 10
- Danny
Wednesday, 13 Sivan 5773
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Halocho #1102 - Can one say Kiddush Levanah by a window?
Kiddush Levanah - (the sanctification of the new moon) - can be found in any Siddur; usually after the Maariv service.
Men have an obligation to say Kiddush Levanah every month. The custom is that women do not say Kiddush Levanah.
Kiddush Levanah cannot be said before the new moon is 3 days (72 hours) old. Some even wait until it's 7 days old.
Kiddush Levanah can only be said while the moon is waxing.
Kiddush Levanah should not be said while standing under a roof. However, if this is impossible or impractical, then it can be said inside by a window.
Source Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 77:7, 8, 10
- Danny
Tuesday, 12 Sivan 5773
Monday, May 20, 2013
Halocho #1101 - Can one walk under a ladder?
The Torah forbids one to act based on superstitions. (Vayikra 19:26)
For example: Saying "Because the bread fell out of my mouth / my walking stick fell / a deer crossed my path, therefore I will/won't do something" is forbidden.
Similarly, when being asked for a loan at the beginning of a week / month it's forbidden to answer "please don't make me start the week/month by lending money".
Refusing to walk under a ladder for fear of injury is a Mitzva; the Mitzva of looking after your wellbeing.
Source Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 166:1, 33:13
- Danny
Monday, 11 Sivan 5773
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Halocho #1100 - Talebearing is forbidden
This week's Torah reading - בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ - ends with Miriam's punishment for discussing her brother Moshe's life with their brother Aaron.
Next week's Torah reading - שְׁלַח - starts with the sin of the spies who spoke evil about the Holy Land.
The Torah prohibits us from talebearing; telling one person what another person did, or what they said, or where they went. Talebearing is forbidden even if the all the information is 100% true; the entire truth and nothing but the truth.
Talebearing is forbidden even if nothing derogatory is said. An extreme example of the destructive power of talebearing is found in Shmuel-1 (Ch. 21 and 22).
Do'eg told King Saul that Achimelech had given [future King] David supplies and a sword. Even though it was the truth - later Achimelech himself told King Saul about it - nevertheless King Saul ordered the city of Nov to be destroyed along with eighty five Cohanim and their families.
One can never know the consequences of passing along seemingly innocent information.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 30:1
- Danny
10 Sivan 5773
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Halocho #1100 - Eating on Erev Yom Tov
Today - Tuesday - is Erev Shavuot.
In honor of Yom Tov one should bathe in warm water and cut one's hair and nails on Erev Yom Tov.
In order not to spoil one's appetite for the Yom Tov meal, one should not eat a meal during the second half of the afternoon, on Erev Yom Tov.
Outside of Israel this also applies to the first day of Yom Tov; so as not to spoil one's appetite for the evening meal of the 2nd day of Yom Tov one should not eat a meal during the second half of the afternoon on Wednesday.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 103:2
Chag Shavuoth Same'ach
- Danny
Tuesday, 5 Sivan 5773 - 49th day of the Omer - Erev Shavuoth

