tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13433228642804983712012-03-01T16:37:56.324-05:00<i>Daily insights in Halakha and Jewish History</i>Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comBlogger4931100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-50902936814177141432012-03-01T10:30:00.001-05:002012-03-01T10:30:25.699-05:00

Approximately 2450 years ago, the Persian Empire was ruled by King Achashverosh. It extended from India to Ethiopia, one of the largest empires in ancient history. Roughly one million Jews lived in the empire, including 40,000 in the land of Israel, trying to rebuild the Bet haMiqdash, under the leadership of Ezra and Nechemia. In the capital of the empire, Shushan haBira, King Achashverosh

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-11703687943399666362012-02-29T13:33:00.002-05:002012-02-29T13:33:41.604-05:00

One of the 613 Mitzvot of the Tora is lending money, without interest, to a fellow Jew who needs it (Shemot 22:24). Helping a needy person through a free loan is a form of Tzedaqa. However, harassing a needy person into paying back the loan when one knows he/she lacks the money at the moment, is a very grave transgression which is explicitly forbidden in the Tora.    ILLUSTRATION: David,

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-19696549658590222012-02-28T11:14:00.003-05:002012-02-28T11:14:54.123-05:00

Many people think of a prophet as any person who sees the future. While the gift of prophecy certainly includes the ability to see the future, a prophet is far more than just a person with that ability (see here ). A prophet was basically a spokesman for  God. A person chosen by God to speak to people on God's behalf and convey a message or teaching. Moshe, Yirmiyiahu (Jeremiah) and others,

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-80161504154673129632012-02-27T11:54:00.000-05:002012-02-27T11:54:33.073-05:00

Our Tora is very strict with the prohibition of lying. In Shemot 23:7 the Pasuq says:midebar sheqer tirchaq "Keep yourself away from lying".  There are exceptional cases, however, in which lying might be justified. The rabbis mentioned the case in which one would lie to promote or keep peace in the family. Provided this lie will only prevent harm, and it won't cause harm to anyone else. 

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-61329825757006779542012-02-24T10:33:00.002-05:002012-02-24T10:33:31.090-05:00

"A core predictor of which families produce children who grow up to be described as "mentchen" (=decent and good) children is the amount and quality of time spent by parents with their children. In a fascinating series of studies that have recently received media attention, researchers have found a direct correlation between the number of times a week parents eat dinner with their children

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-76452960708633829612012-02-23T11:27:00.003-05:002012-02-23T11:27:49.479-05:00

In the time of the Bet haMiqdash, the Temple of Jerusalem, daily communal sacrifices (qorbanot) were offered on behalf of all the Jewish people.  This national representation was not just theoretical or depending only in the right intention of those in charge of performing the sacrifices, i.e., the Kohanim. It was also conveyed in a very practical way: Every year in the month of Adar a

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-72330660567561997522012-02-22T11:15:00.000-05:002012-02-22T11:15:01.668-05:00

Previously we explained (see here) that Rabbi Yehuda Bibas served as the chief rabbi of the island of Corfu (today's Greece) from the year 1831 to 1850. The influence of rabbi Bibas, however, was not restricted just to his own communjty. During those years he traveled to numerous Jewish communities in Europe and North Africa with a clear message: We, Jews, must come back to Zion. But why now

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-39025324864752949972012-02-21T10:36:00.000-05:002012-02-21T10:36:01.374-05:00

Last week we explained what were the three prerequisites for a person to be a candidate for prophecy (see here). Besides being a God fearing Jew, the prophet had to adjust his mind to God's reality, leaving aside his worldly reality. Being "behaviorally" wealthy, for example, meant that a person had to reach a level of complete lack of interest for material possessions. Obviously, a mind that

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-84073569185682925522012-02-20T11:04:00.001-05:002012-02-20T11:10:19.897-05:00

The Tora is very strict about our obligation to say the truth and our duty to keep away from falsehood.  Speaking the truth and acting with truthfulness is seen in Judaism as one of the highest religious imperatives. So much so that our Rabbis asserted that upon our arrival to the World to Come (=the afterlife) we are faced with three questions, aimed to asses the spiritual level we have

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-55512092909315918802012-02-18T22:33:00.001-05:002012-02-18T22:33:09.035-05:00

Can a Jewish mother undergo during her pregnancy prenatal screening tests. In other words, all those routine tests aimed to detect certain genetic conditions or birth defects in her baby(chas veshalom)? The answer to this question relates directly with the differences of opinion among the rabbis on the status of abortion (see here) and the timeline when abortion will be authorized or not

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-58888218283320243142012-02-16T11:57:00.000-05:002012-02-16T11:57:40.463-05:00

 Technically, the Jewish wedding ceremony consists of two different steps. 1. kiddushin (a.k.a. irusin) and 2. Chupa (a.k.a.nisu-in).    Today we will describe the kiddushin.    There is no perfect translation for the word kiddushin in this context, but the closest will be "formal engagement".   A brief historical background will help.     In ancient times, the kiddushin use to be done

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-31937367581210774662012-02-15T11:22:00.005-05:002012-02-15T11:22:54.383-05:00

Previously (see here) we mentioned that Rabbi Yehuda Bibas served as the Rabbi of the Island of Corfu (today, Greece) from 1831 to 1850. Rabbi Bibas' activity and vision was not limited to the Jews of Corfu.  He traveled through Europe and North Africa visiting Turkey, the Balkans, Vienna, London, Germany, Hungary and Prague and many more Jewish communities. The main message that he preached

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-59209734297182964822012-02-14T10:52:00.000-05:002012-02-14T10:52:02.109-05:00

The Prophets of Israel were exceptional human beings, called by God to rebuke the Jewish people. In order to be credible preachers, the Prophets had to be role models individuals, possessing an extremely refined character.  Maimonides explains that not every person could become a prophet. There were three key character-traits which were a prerequisite to become a candidate to prophecy and

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-287152976742126072012-02-13T11:07:00.000-05:002012-02-13T11:07:50.333-05:00

Question: A car seller agreed over the phone to sell to Mr. A a car for 5000 dollars. Mr. A will come to buy the car in the afternoon. At noon Mr. B comes and offers 6000 dollars for the car. Can the seller sell the car to Mr. B since no papers were signed with Mr. A?    According to Jewish Law, the seller has to sell the car for Mr. A because he has already given his word, and a Jew is

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-29878147788224485122012-02-10T11:01:00.003-05:002012-02-10T11:04:22.684-05:00

Previously (see here) we explained that the modern rabbis have very different opinions on the issue of abortion, when facing a congenital disease. We presented three main schools and we also warned the readers that this information should be used just as educational material. If chas veshsalom a couple faces such a situation, they have to consult with a doctor and a rabbi.   This

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-21949497373919583532012-02-09T10:38:00.000-05:002012-02-09T10:38:06.560-05:00

Previously, we've explained that we should pray exclusively and directly to God (see here ) and communicate with Him only by means of prayer. Sometimes, in their desperation to have their prayers answered, people would use tricks, amulets or formulas which, they think, will help to fulfill their needs and desires. The Tora, however, is not a book of magic written to teach us how to make God do

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-51868298761166981672012-02-08T12:35:00.002-05:002012-02-08T13:34:37.323-05:00

READ: The New Year for Trees, By Rav Yair Kahn    VERY IMPORTANT!   I would like to ask the readers of Halakha of the Day to watch this 5 minutes video  clip.  It is done by  Naftali Bennett, a former Chief of Staff to Benjamin Netanyahu, today a successful businessman, who very eloquently shares his assessment of the situation Israel will be facing with a nuclear Iran.   I would like to

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-42125136542346644312012-02-07T10:42:00.002-05:002012-02-07T10:42:59.628-05:00

Tonight BH we will celebrate the fifteenth day (in Hebrew= tu) of the month of Shebat, the new year - Rosh haShana- of the trees.  tu bishbat is considered the new year of the trees. In this date the trees (and more specifically, their fruits) are considered one year older, independently of when they were planted (See ou.org article below for details). This in an important fact for many Mitzvot

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-87950174855164708782012-02-06T10:38:00.002-05:002012-02-06T10:38:22.117-05:00

In the Tora it is written: (vayiqra 19:36) "You shall have just balances, just weights, a just epha, and a just hin; I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from the land of Egypt."  Ephaand hin are Biblical units of measurements (like pounds or ounces today).  The Tora instructs the seller to keep the scales balanced (=just) and well adjusted, so there is no dishonesty in trade and

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-81040134128987165062012-02-03T10:32:00.004-05:002012-02-07T14:42:24.967-05:00

As we previously explained (see here) the fact that a case is not dealt with in Talmudic and early Rabbinic sources, virtually warrants a lack of consensus among modern rabbis.   Contemporary Rabbis differ in their views on to the classification of abortion as murder, mutilation, etc.  (see here) and those views will determine their opinion in cases where a congenital disorder was detected

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-61631607931646370582012-02-02T11:21:00.000-05:002012-02-22T11:16:46.052-05:00

Today, I would like to start writing about one of the most prominent Sephardic rabbis of modern Jewish history, Rabbi Yehuda Bibas. His thoughts and ideas have strongly influenced the history of the nation of Israel in ways that affects us today and hopefully for ever.  The irony is that so little (virtually nothing) has been written about him.  Barely, a few lines in the Jewish encyclopedias

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-73035237359126523722012-02-01T10:52:00.003-05:002012-02-02T11:21:59.853-05:00

You are sitting at someone's table in a party or at a reception when people start speaking negatively about somebody else. In Judaism talking bad about other people is considered a very serious sin known as lashon hara'(the wicked's tongue). What do you do in that situation? You tell yourself: I won't say a word. But listening to leshon hara' is as bad as speaking leshon hara', because by

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-3210198634047978712012-01-31T10:58:00.002-05:002012-01-31T10:58:32.300-05:00

The Fifth Principle says that it is proper to pray only to God, and one may no pray to any one else besides Him. We should not pray to an angel, to a star, a constellation or to a dead person (see here ), even if he was a great Tzadiq. We should not pray to any other element, entity or idea. We should pray exclusively and directly to God. Praying otherwise will be considered a form of

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-82381449943151713002012-01-30T11:36:00.002-05:002012-01-30T11:36:34.857-05:00

In the Talmud Yebamot 63a the Rabbis gave many advices on the issue of shidukhim (=finding your spouse. See here).  One of them is: "nachit chad darga unsib iteta." Descend one step to find a wife". What did they mean by that?  I will present two interpretations.    The first, based on Rashi's commentary, views these 'steps' as socio-economic steps and focuses on one aspect of married

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-78526754929863045382012-01-27T11:48:00.001-05:002012-01-27T11:48:44.686-05:00

The issue of abortion in case of a congenital disorder could not have been directly addressed in older rabbinic sources. Only today we have the means for such diagnosis. As we explained last week (see here) the fact that there are no Talmudic precedents makes this issue open to radical differences among modern rabbis.  1. The stricter opinion considers abortion within the category of murder,

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-23223096221365242512012-01-26T12:35:00.002-05:002012-01-26T12:35:17.096-05:00

The Tora instructs us to judge people giving them the benefit of the doubt. By doing this, we fulfill a very important Mitzva:betzedeq tishpot amitekha (Vayiqra 19:18) and we also prevent one of the main triggers of Lashon haRa.  Many times, we might be misjudging people's actions or attitudes toward us.  The Mitzvah of giving the benefit of the doubt consists in stopping our own negative

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-65170678558010862392012-01-25T11:28:00.005-05:002012-01-25T11:29:15.926-05:00

Shebat is the eleventh month of the Hebrew year counting from Nisan. Rosh Chodeh Shebat consists always of one day, because the preceding month, Tebet, is always incomplete (29 days). Shebat itself has 30 days. Therefore, the coming Rosh Chodesh Adar, will be a two-days Rosh Chodesh (see more here). On the first day of the month of Shebat, Moshe Rabbenu began to recite the words of the Book

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-72851137484243963142012-01-24T15:09:00.001-05:002012-01-24T15:09:04.639-05:00

Jews never believed in the eternity of the universe. The Fourth principle of our faith asserts that only God is eternal. The 13 Principles were formulated by Maimonides (1165-1204) early in his life in the commentary to the Mishna Sanhedrin, Tenth Chapter. At first, the Fourth principle, which asserts that God is first and last, did not include anything related to the belief in the beginning of

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-84252039997380264342012-01-23T11:09:00.002-05:002012-01-23T15:10:46.787-05:00

The real test of integrity takes place when someone is faced between keeping his word and suffering a financial loss. King David expressed this idea in Tehillim: nishba lehara' velo yamir... The honest man would keep his promise even at the cost of losing his money. Illustration: Mr. A promised to sell an item to Mr. B for 100 dollars. But later on Mr. C offers Mr. A 110 dollars! If Mr. A

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-76277754772019946702012-01-20T11:55:00.000-05:002012-01-20T11:55:06.584-05:00

Other than for medical reasons (see for example, here) abortion is forbidden by Jewish Law.  However, Jewish Law does not considered abortion as murder, i.e., a crime which deserved a capital punishment at the times when Jewish courts applied execution.  Similarly, a case in which a person accidentally caused a pregnant woman to miscarry her baby (such a case is explicit in the Tora, Shemot 21:

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-46234711241784855422012-01-19T11:00:00.002-05:002012-01-19T11:01:37.544-05:00

Normally, every family expects the older daughter or son to get married first. In most Jewish communities this is the accepted Minhag (=tradition). There are two sources for it. One is an allusion (remez) to this ancient custom from the words of Laban to Ya'aqob, when Laban refused to give his younger daughter Rachel in marriage before Leah. He said: "In our place, this will not be done, giving

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-9784999694102200012012-01-18T10:54:00.002-05:002012-01-18T10:54:41.564-05:00

Rabbi Isaac Cantarini was born in Padua, Italy, in 1644. He was a rabbi, poet, writer and physician.  He studied Talmud with Rabbi Salomon Marini, and Hebrew with the poet Moses Catalano. His instructor in the secular studies was Bernardo de Laurentius. Cantarini received his diploma as physician in 1664 from the University of Padua--which unlike other universities in Europe, was open to Jews.

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-44746478202037089412012-01-17T10:50:00.001-05:002012-01-17T10:51:09.246-05:00

As we discussed last week (see here) since God is not a body, nothing associated with the physical realm can apply to Him. Sleep, wakefulness, anger and laughter, joy and sadness, do not apply to Him. Whenever the Tora or the Prophets speak about God in this way, they do so in a metaphorical way and allegorical manner, or as a prophetic visualization. Similarly, we cannot apply to God concepts

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-3903972944713271332012-01-16T10:45:00.001-05:002012-01-16T22:36:28.124-05:00

In our community it is customary to name the newborn with an Hebrew name and an English name.  Sometimes these two names are related, like Rebecca and Ribka. Sometimes both names are identical in English and in Hebrew, like: Daniel or Gabriel. And sometimes there is no relationship between them. While the choosing of the English name is done more or less arbitrarily, the Hebrew name is

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-31662110309896737392012-01-13T11:09:00.000-05:002012-01-15T02:33:51.876-05:00

In the matter of Shidukhim --finding the future spouse-- the Shulchan Arukh (eben ha'ezer 2:2) writes that one should be mindful of certain red flags in the family of the prospective candidates. 1. It mentions that it is not a good sign if a family is always fighting within themselves or with another family. One should look for a spouse that comes from a peace-loving family.   2. It

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-40179451778136659862012-01-12T11:21:00.000-05:002012-01-12T11:21:05.831-05:00

"And you shall bind them [the words which declare our love for God] for a sign upon your hand and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes". We are commanded to bind the words "And you shall love HaShem your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might" upon our hands and between our eyes. This means that love for God must influence what we do with our hands--

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-73440029810789573662012-01-11T12:19:00.002-05:002012-01-12T11:31:25.207-05:00

Yosef Delmedigo was born in Candia (Crete, Republic of Venice). He was a rabbi, philosopher, mathematician, physician and astronomer.  The author of works whose number is estimated by some authorities at 30, by others at over 60.  At the age of 15, he was admitted to the University of Padua, where he studied astronomy and mathematics under Galileo Galilei. He also studied medicine and at the

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-80861781976673826322012-01-10T11:13:00.000-05:002012-01-10T11:13:24.656-05:00

The name-giving of the daughter --known in Sephardic communities as Zebed haBat and in some Ashkenazi communities as Shabua haBat-- takes place usually during the first Shabbat or within the first month after the birth of a girl.      As to the ceremony, there are many different traditions. I describe the ceremony according to Siddur bene tzion (there are no talmudic sources for it). 1.

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-25433967309254028412012-01-09T12:41:00.004-05:002012-01-10T11:15:34.266-05:00

Previously, we explained that God does not have a body or any resemblance to humans (see here).  So different is God from us that we cannot even express with words anything about God himself on our own. We cannot say, for example "God is big" . Why? Because in our limited human language, the idea of 'big' might be used to refer to a 'big' cake, or a 'big' building, etc. How would we were

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-37587026519956864982012-01-06T11:19:00.000-05:002012-01-06T11:19:16.470-05:00

The Rabbis of the Talmud (=chazal) have given a few practical advices on Shidukhim, i.e., looking for the right spouse. The decision should be made based on two factors, which must be in agreement: our emotions and our mind. In other words, if we have feelings toward a person but the mind says that is not a good idea, or if the mind says 'yes', but there are negative feelings toward that person

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-72762755063899990362012-01-05T11:08:00.002-05:002012-01-05T11:27:01.472-05:00

Today is a fast day. We remember the siege of the hoy City, Yerushalaim, in the year 586 BCE, at the time of our first Bet haMiqdash (see  here ). On the 10th of Tebet there are only two prohibitions: eating and drinking. NO additional limitations apply, such as the prohibition of wearing leather shoes, working, driving, washing the body, etc. Most contemporary Rabbis (R. E. Melamed, Rab O.

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-42163029554684689672012-01-04T11:24:00.004-05:002012-01-04T17:23:46.991-05:00

Yesterday we mentioned two of the three events that are remembered in 'asara betebet (see here). It is important to clarify that the main reason we fast on this day is specifically because of the siege of Yerushalaim. The other two tragedies are brought to our national memory because they roughly coincide on the same date.      3. Approximately in the year 300 BCE, on the 8th of Tebet

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-33719542327455164942012-01-03T11:08:00.001-05:002012-01-03T11:09:53.855-05:00

This coming Thursday, January 5th 2012, corresponds to the 10th. of Tebet, a fast day, which commemorates three tragedies that happened to the Jewish people. 1. The main tragedy we remember in this day is the onset of the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylonia. The siege of the city signaled the beginning of the battle that ultimately destroyed Yerushalayim and

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-42414444311230831662011-12-30T11:13:00.002-05:002011-12-30T11:13:51.342-05:00

We have written in previous HOTD about the various views of modern orthodox rabbis regarding the celebration of different American holidays (see here). All orthodox rabbis are very strict in forbidding, for example, the celebration of Halloween in any way, while most would not oppose the celebration of Thanksgiving. The question is: to what extent a particular Holiday is considered 'a religious

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-29815882744667899342011-12-29T12:07:00.000-05:002011-12-29T12:07:21.188-05:00

(1)And you shall teach (these words) to your children, and you shall speak of them (2) when you are sitting in your house and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up. In this pasuq the Tora commands us to express our love for God with our words and speech.     In the first part of this pasuq (=verse) we learn about the duties of the parents to teach their

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-62868016154768298492011-12-28T10:58:00.001-05:002011-12-28T10:58:31.410-05:00

In the year 169 BCE (3591, Hebrew calendar), Antiochus Epiphanes launched his reign of terror against the Jewish people. Impatient with the slow results of the Hellenization process of the Jews, after trying for 150 years to assimilate them,  Antiochus led his armies to Jerusalem. He canceled the sacrifices and desecrated the Temple.  In the year 167 BCE, practicing Judaism was forbidden under

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-2899048848772847612011-12-27T10:58:00.004-05:002011-12-27T10:58:53.509-05:00

The decrees of Antiochus Epiphanes forbidding the practice of Judaism in 170 BCE, was the straw that broke the camel's back, and what triggered the rebellion of the Jews (or the Macabeem) against the Greek army.  The tensions between the Jews and the Greek empire started long before that. Around the year 320 BCE Alexander the Great conquered Israel (and the rest of the civilized world). At

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-36020857946174708832011-12-26T15:38:00.002-05:002011-12-26T15:38:39.722-05:00

Besides Chanukka, today we also celebrate Rosh Chodesh Tebet. In the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) the name of this month is Chodesh ha-Asiri, the tenth month, counting from Nisan. In the Torah the months are named numerically (first, second, etc). The name Tebet was coined in Babylonia, same as the other commonly used names of the Hebrew months (Nisan, Iyar, Cheshvan, etc.). Some years Rosh

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-11337288165273020532011-12-23T10:04:00.003-05:002011-12-25T20:54:24.680-05:00

Third day of Chanukka. Today before sunset we light the fourth candle                                   Every night we light Chanukka candles after sunset, but today, Friday, we should light the Chanukka candles 20-25 minutes BEFORE sunset: approximately at 4:10 PM (NY time). Why? Because at 4:14 PM we light Shabbat candles (see here), and Chanuka candles must be lit before that.

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-1561429095509618692011-12-22T12:29:00.000-05:002011-12-22T12:29:35.227-05:00

Second day of Chanukka. Tonight we light the third candle During the eight days of Chanukka, we read the Tora in the morning.  Now, what Biblical text was chosen by the Rabbis to be read on Chanukka and why?  Let me first explain the question. On every Jewish Holiday we read in the Tora a portion corresponding to that specific Holiday. During the eight days of Pesach, for example, we

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-83116877392895727662011-12-21T11:42:00.001-05:002011-12-23T04:35:47.553-05:00

There are no major differences between the Sephardic and the Ashkenazi traditions in the order of candle lighting, just a few minor variations.  Some of them are: 1. The Ashkenazi tradition is to say the Berakha: Lehadlik ner shel Chanukka, while Sepharadim say: Lehadlik ner Chanukka, without the word "shel." (In our community, however, some families still add the word 'shel' following

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-71587416994882479302011-12-20T10:38:00.000-05:002011-12-23T04:36:49.245-05:00

In our community, we light one Chanukkia per family, not per individual. Other communities have the custom to allow or encourage children and other family members to light their own Chanukkia.  The father or the person in charge of the family, recites the following three blessings before he lights the candle. (On all subsequent nights, only blessings number 1 and 2 are recited).

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-61400495311227395002011-12-19T10:40:00.004-05:002011-12-19T10:41:15.904-05:00

Unlike most Mitzvot (Jewish religious commandments), Chanukah is not an individual Mitzva like Tefila or Tzedaka, but a family Mitzva. In some ways, similar (but not identical) to the Mitzva of lighting Shabbat candles, which is not done individually by each member of the family.   Illustrations: If one's son (or daughter) lives overseas, and he is financially dependent on his parents, he

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-82933735717498811972011-12-16T15:02:00.004-05:002011-12-22T09:58:40.231-05:00

1. The Chanuka candles are kindled in the evening preceding each of the eight days of Chanuka. The custom of many communities is to light the Chanukia shortly after sunset, which is approximately 4.30 PM, in NYC. Other communities light it at nightfall (approximately 5.00 PM). In either case, the candles must contain enough fuel at the time of the lighting to burn for 30 minutes after nightfall

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-24375496315239012302011-12-15T11:09:00.001-05:002011-12-15T11:09:30.432-05:00

In the days of the second bet haMiqdash (Holy Temple in Jerusalem),  there were many holidays, besides Chanuka, that celebrated the military victories of the Macabeem (or Chashmonayim) over the powerful Greek army. Some of them were: the 13th of Adar, when the Jews celebrated "Yom Niqanor", because in that day the Macabeem defeated the large army of the Greek general Niqanor. The 14th of Nisan,

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-8644556118330561862011-12-14T10:59:00.001-05:002011-12-14T10:59:34.763-05:00

The word Chanuka means 'dedication' and it is widely used in this sense in phrases like 'Chanukat haBayit', dedication of one's home. So, what 'dedication' are we referring to in our holiday "Chanuka"? During the Second century BCE the Jews in Israel lived under the rule of the Syrian-Greek army of Antiokhus Epiphanies. They were not permitted to practice their religion and at one point,

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-49308153998038537142011-12-13T10:40:00.004-05:002011-12-13T10:50:01.400-05:00

Lashon haRa, i.e, telling something negative about somebody else, is one of the most serious prohibitions in our Tora and its effects could be devastating. Yet, there are a few instances in which we are allowed or even required to speak up to and reveal certain negative information to prevent someone else's damage, for example, in the world of business (see here ).  In the area of Shiddukhim

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-81983313404539078292011-12-12T11:28:00.000-05:002011-12-12T11:28:09.747-05:00

The case of abortion primarily discussed by the Talmud refers to what we call today "therapeutic abortion", i.e., when the life of the pregnant mother is in danger, and the doctors estimate that the only way to save her life is by taking out/killing the unborn baby.  Independently of how Jewish Law considers the status of an unborn baby--we will analyze that later on--in this case, the early

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-41840517453335302712011-12-09T11:01:00.001-05:002011-12-09T11:03:21.234-05:00

In previous weeks we've learned from Verse One the principles of Jewish faith (see here) and from Verse Two our duty to love our God (see here). Today we will analyze Verse Three.   "And these words which I command you this day, shall be upon your heart". The words which are to be upon our hearts are the words: "You shall love HaShem your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-60536048806077820902011-12-08T11:06:00.001-05:002011-12-08T12:03:38.513-05:00

Rabbi Isaac Lampronti was born in Ferrara, Italy.  He studied Torah under the great Italian rabbis of his generation: Manoach Provençal and Isaac Chayim Cantarini. In addition, he studied philosophy and medicine at the University of Padua.  Padua was an important center for Hebrew studies by virtue of its rabbinical academies and the fact that Jews were drawn there from all over Europe to study

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-57182555634184374642011-12-07T11:40:00.001-05:002011-12-07T15:35:53.875-05:00

"The Creator, blessed be His name, has no bodily form, and bodily conditions cannot affect Him; He cannot be compared to nothing whatsoever." Attributing to God a human image, figure or condition is called: "anthropomorphism" and it is one of the most characteristic features of pagan religions. The pagan gods are born and die, have desires, fight with other gods, and have bodies. They are

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-34090933781739580122011-12-06T11:03:00.001-05:002011-12-13T08:57:07.200-05:00

The Mitzva of peryia veribyia "be fruitful and multiply" is achieved when one has a son and daughter (see here) but it is fully completed only when we have grandchildren: a grandson and a granddaughter from two of our children (shulchan 'arukh, eben ha'ezer, 1:6).  Part of the Mitzva of peryia veribyia, therefore, consists in the parents helping their children to get married. In this way the

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-30195317667573612032011-12-05T10:37:00.001-05:002011-12-07T12:42:23.437-05:00

On Shemini Atzeret, we begin reciting in the Amida "mashib ha-ruach umorid ha-geshem" praising HaShem for creating and directing the mechanism of precipitation (=rain). But we still refrain from asking haShem to give us rain for our plants.  Why?   In Israel, because although, after Shemini Atzeret it is a time for rain, we postpone the prayer for rain until the travelers who had made the

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-32624232843554290342011-12-02T11:46:00.001-05:002011-12-17T18:48:30.135-05:00

Rabbi Yehuda Aryeh (Leon) mi-Modena was born in Venice in 1571. A prodigious child, he studied Bible, Hebrew language, poetry, letter writing, voice, music, dancing, Italian, and Latin. At the age of 13, he wrote a short book, sur me-ra', on compulsive gambling and its destructive power.  Modena was commissioned to write for James I a description of Judaism, the Riti Ebraica, the first

Daniel Nabaviannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-4130208525098799212011-12-01T11:25:00.001-05:002011-12-29T10:12:39.889-05:00

The words of the Shema Israel are so important that we say them three times a day, every day of our lives.  The first thing we are taught in the Shema is to love God.  "You shall love HaShem your God with all your heart, with all your sold and with all your might."  Our love for God is a reflection of His love for us. Because He loves us we love Him in return and we must inspire others

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-77657854180417732822011-11-30T11:30:00.001-05:002011-11-30T11:32:01.760-05:00

The first Mitzva mentioned in the Torah is Peryia veRibyia, the commandment (and God's first blessing!) to get married and bring children to this world (see here).   Two thousand years ago, in Pirke Abot, the Rabbis said that a boy should get married when he reaches 18 years old. They said that God himself 'watches him and waits for him' from 18 to 20 to see him getting married.  However,

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-35771032023340880832011-11-29T11:26:00.001-05:002011-11-29T11:27:17.966-05:00

The following lines are quotes from the  book " The Jewish religion ethically presented" written by Rabbi Hayim (Henry) Pereira Mendes in New York, 1904.  "You shalt not have any other gods before Me. "This commandment teaches us that there is only one God. He is our God and we do not believe that there are any other gods. Therefore to worship any being except the one and only God, is a

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-66227996861018553822011-11-28T11:07:00.001-05:002011-11-29T11:28:02.574-05:00

In the previous weeks (see here), I explained the opinions of the Rabbis regarding living organ donation, and the differences on opinion over the determination of the moment of death, which affects the Rabbis' ruling on cadaveric organ donation. In our days, the willingness to donate one's organs is stated in the driver license or in a card that one carries in his or her wallet.  The

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-34520858162836019632011-11-24T16:45:00.001-05:002011-11-24T16:47:33.797-05:00

"WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God; to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and,      "WHEREAS both Houses of Congress have by their joint committee requested me to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public Thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-48064242517680419142011-11-23T11:04:00.001-05:002011-12-08T03:32:37.094-05:00

Rabbi Hayim (Henry) Pereira Mendes was born in England on April 13, 1852. Coming from a long line of Sephardic rabbis, including his father, Abraham Pereira Mendes, and his maternal grandfather, David Aaron de Sola.  At the age of twelve he began his studies at London's Northwick College, a boarding school which combined secular and religious studies, founded and directed by his father. From

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-33103400560626219702011-11-22T10:54:00.001-05:002011-11-22T10:57:02.568-05:00

And you shall love, HaShem your God, with all your heart... (Debarim 6:5) Loving, in the Hebrew mind, is voluntary. Otherwise, it would not have been mandatory (You "shall" love...). Love is not the spontaneous feeling of affection that is there or disappears at the will of cupid or a magic potion, but the product of a series of elective actions and thoughts.   "Loving someone" at the

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-67653268198192695512011-11-21T10:51:00.001-05:002012-01-10T11:14:18.229-05:00

Pidyon haBen is the ceremony by which the father redeems his first born son from the Cohen. The Pidyon takes place after 30 days from the day of birth. As we have explained, there are certain conditions that need to be met in order to perform the Pidyon ( see here).  If possible, one should arrange to have a Minyan for the Pidyon. The parents dress themselves and their son as they

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-33889752177811480192011-11-18T11:00:00.001-05:002011-11-24T16:48:07.308-05:00

As we explained last week, the issue of cadaveric organ donation in Jewish Law depends directly on the criteria applied to define death. First of all, as we said, there is a practical issue. Vital organs like the heart cannot be removed for transplant unless the heart is beating. And according to certain Rabbinical criteria, while the heart is beating, the patient is still alive, even if he is

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-1851701870836424962011-11-17T16:18:00.001-05:002011-11-28T20:28:52.605-05:00

The second principle of our faith is that God is One. Last week we explained that monotheism, is not just an arithmetic reduction of the numbers of gods.  It is, above all, a moral declaration. If only one God exist, then there is only one clear and exclusive set of moral values. The existence of numerous gods, on the other hand, justifies, or requires, moral relativism (see here).    

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-51462644521667611392011-11-16T10:39:00.001-05:002011-11-17T10:42:54.360-05:00

Abraham de Sola (1825-1882) was a Canadian Rabbi, an orientalist and a scientist.  De Sola was recognized as one of the most influential leaders of Orthodox Judaism in America during the second half of the nineteenth century, at a time when the struggle between the Orthodox and Reform wings of the community was at an acute stage. His father was rabbi David Aaron de Sola, and his mother

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-64967920699664185322011-11-15T10:51:00.001-05:002011-11-15T10:52:52.777-05:00

After we say the first pasuq "HaShem is our God, HaShem is one", we read a sentence which is not part of the Biblical text of the Shema Israel:  "barukh shem kebod malkhuto le'olam va'ed".  "May the Glorious Name of His Kingship be blessed forever".  We dare to utter God's Name, in the same way we pronounce any name. That is why we disclaim by this phrase that the understanding of His Name

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-80347432848248827702011-11-14T11:12:00.001-05:002012-01-10T11:14:41.668-05:00

Previously, we explained the Mitzva of Pidyon haBen (redeeming the first born male) and in which circumstances is done.   Today we will discuss when does the ceremony of Pidyon takes place?  In the Tora says: (Numbers 18:16) ufduyav miben chodesh tifde... ( from a month old, you shall redeem them...), which means that the Pidyon is done only after the baby is one-month old.

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-24108972277597986622011-11-11T14:32:00.001-05:002011-11-17T23:57:06.548-05:00

Last week we explained organ donation. We started from the situation in which the donor is alive. This type of organ donation includes bone marrow, blood transfusion and kidney transplant (see here ). The most common form of organ donation, however, and the most controversial one is the cadaveric organ donation, i.e. donating the organs after one's death. This is the organ donation which is

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-9096763968727758602011-11-10T10:48:00.001-05:002011-11-10T10:51:11.042-05:00

Last week we explained the First Principle: God's existence. The second principle of Jewish faith asserts that "God is One". Maimonides explains: "He is not "one", like a species (=category) which comprises many individual", as when we say "one" book. "He is not like a physical thing, which can be divided into parts and dimensions", like a book, which is comprised of pages, cover, ink, etc. "

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-60033733635284999652011-11-09T11:33:00.004-05:002011-12-17T18:48:53.796-05:00

Raphael Meldola (1754-1828), was the son of Moses Hezekiah Meldola (1725-1791), professor of Oriental languages in Paris. Raphael was born in Leghorn (Livorno), Italy in 1754. He received a thorough university training, both in theological and in secular branches, and displayed such remarkable talents that when only fifteen years old he was permitted to take his seat in the rabbinical college

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-3426307024861781912011-11-08T11:08:00.001-05:002011-12-29T10:14:59.655-05:00

Last week we explained the first word "Shema". Which in Hebrew means, listening while paying attention and understanding what you are told. Elsewhere, I have shared with the readers a derasha on the second word: "Israel", and how it hints to the names of our three patriarchs and four matriarchs. These two words are announcing that a very important message will be delivered to the members of

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-60026477486722218202011-11-07T12:12:00.003-05:002012-01-10T11:15:02.473-05:00

Last week we explained the Mitzva of Pidyon haBen, and why the first born males have to be redeemed from a Cohen. The Pidyon HaBen applies only to males (women were not bound to the service of the Tabernacle and Bet haMiqdash). To be redeemed, the baby must be a bekhor, a natural-born-first-born-boy, who "opened his mother's womb" (peter rechem). Therefore, if his mother have previously given

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-51268254506709198202011-11-04T10:30:00.002-04:002011-11-04T10:32:39.183-04:00

In today's Halakha we will focus exclusively on living donors. The cases under this category are, for example, kidney donation; bone marrow and blood donation. It is a consensus among modern orthodox rabbis that one should be willing to undergo a minor risk in order to save someone else's life. In the past, many rabbis, among them Rabbi Yitzchak Weiss and Rabbi Eliezer Yehuda Waldenberg z'"l,

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-57314158256800344062011-11-03T11:23:00.001-04:002011-11-16T13:43:31.145-05:00

Rabbi David Nieto (1654- 1728) was born in Venice, Italy in 1654. He practiced as a physician and officiated as a Jewish preacher in the city Livorno, Italy. There he wrote in Italian a work entitled Paschologia in which he dealt with the differences of calculation between the Hebrew and the Roman calendars, demonstrating the errors which had crept into the Roman calendar from the first council

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-90713456408761336442011-11-02T11:35:00.002-04:002011-11-02T11:38:53.027-04:00

In his Perush haMishanyot, Maimonides (1135-1204) formulated the principles of the Jewish faith. "The first principle involves the belief in the existence of God". God is our Creator, the Creator of the universe and the Creator of life. "The ultimate foundation and the pillar of wisdom is the realization that there is a Being, a first cause, who brought everything into existence." In Mishne

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-59025855237182465392011-11-01T12:45:00.002-04:002011-11-01T12:49:02.806-04:00

The Shulchan Arukh clearly writes that the kavana (usually translated as attention, or focus) we are required to have when we pray consists primarily in understanding the meaning of the words we are pronouncing. If we are not fluent in Hebrew, we should make the effort to understand the meaning of the words we pronounce. In the following weeks, B'H, we are going to explain the words of the

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-8495946793393024952011-10-31T11:23:00.002-04:002011-11-16T20:39:01.112-05:00

In Biblical times, the first-born males would be consecrated to the service of God, assisting the priests (similar to what Channa did with his son Shemuel). That was the tradition among the Jews and even among other nations, like the Egyptians, Babylonians. etc. Once the Tora was given to Am Israel, Aharon and his descendants were granted the Priesthood. They serve HaShem in the Mishkan (mobile

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-16401491206712432662011-10-27T10:39:00.003-04:002011-12-29T21:43:38.141-05:00

Rabbi Jacob Abendana was born in Spain in 1630. At some point in time, his family moved to Amsterdam where he studied at the De los Pintos famous Rabbinical academy. In 1655 he was appointed as the Rabbi of the city of Rotterdam. In 1660 he published the Biblical commentary Mikhlal Yofi by Rabbi Shelomo ben Meleklh including his own commentary, Lekket Shikcha. in 1663, in response to

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-60400496073513540282011-10-26T11:11:00.001-04:002011-11-27T19:44:29.568-05:00

The berit mila is one of the most important and joyous events in the life of the parents and family of the newborn baby. The ceremony is always followed by a se'uda: a festive meal or banquet. This banquet is considered a se'udat mitzva, i.e. by taking part of this meal, we fulfill a Mitzva. The Rabbis indicated, therefore, that the participation in this meal is not optional but

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-76705680699984704572011-10-25T11:07:00.005-04:002011-10-27T10:38:49.466-04:00

Yesterday we explained that at the end of Sukkot, the first day of Shemini Atzeret, we begin reciting the prayer mashib harucah morid hageshem, in which we mention that God is the ultimate source of rain and livelihood (see here). We also explained that mashib haruach is a prayer in which we do not ask for rain, but rather, we acknowledge God as the One who controls rain and the weather system at

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-69935589208063048002011-10-24T13:01:00.002-04:002011-10-24T13:04:51.153-04:00

The Mishna explains that in Rosh haShana God Almighty examines, based on our deeds and merits, if He would grant us another year of life. We have a window of opportunity from Rosh haShana to Yom Kippur to admit our mistakes and appeal an eventual negative decree, confessing, asking for forgiveness, etc.At the time of the Neila, the decree is sealed and hopefully we were sealed for life. Assuming

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-30109124677267402192011-10-19T13:22:00.002-04:002011-10-19T16:30:52.411-04:00

The day after the seventh day of Sukkot (also known as hoshana rabba) we have another Holiday: Shemini Atzeret which, technically, is a different holiday,independent from sukkot. During Shemini Atzeret we do not have anymore the Mitzva of Lulab and Etrog. As for the sukka, in Israel, during shemini atzeret the sukka should not be used. The meals should take place at home (lo tosif!). In the

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-69890818198996131142011-10-18T10:51:00.004-04:002011-10-18T14:39:35.809-04:00

Tonight and tomorrow is Hoshanna Rabba. The days of Sukkot were days of a special happiness in the Bet haMikdash (Temple of Jerusalem). In addition to the Biblical commandment of taking the four species, there weretwo other Mitzvot fulfilled in the Temple to celebrate Sukkot. These two practices are included in what is called halakha leMoshe miSinai (religious traditions taught to Moses at Mount

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-71487221727512105982011-10-17T11:19:00.001-04:002011-10-18T14:40:33.771-04:00

"During seven days you must live in huts (sukkot), all Israelites must live in thatched huts. This is so that your future generations will know that I 'accommodated/hosted' the children of Israel in huts when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God." (Vayikra 23:44). The rabbis explained that to fulfill this Mitzva we should leave our residences and settle in the Sukka. They said in

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-17035980321039492522011-10-12T10:55:00.001-04:002011-10-12T10:58:30.141-04:00

We hold the lulab, the hadasim, and arabot in our right hand and the etrog in our left hand to perform the Mitzva of netilat lulab (see here ). When we hold the four species together, they must be held in the direction they grow on the tree (see video below). Since every Mitzva has to be performed necessarily after we say the blessing, some people hold the Etrog upside down and turn it back

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-61983258237300913432011-10-11T13:18:00.002-04:002011-10-11T13:22:29.081-04:00

"And, you shall take, on the first day (of Sukkot) a fruit of a citric tree (etrog), branches of palm trees (lulab), branch of myrtle (hadas) and willows of the brook (araba), and you shall rejoice before HaShem, your G-d, for seven days". (vaikra 23). We are commanded to take four species during the seven days of Sukkot. Two blessings are said the first day, 'al netilat lulab and

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-41481905714608987552011-10-10T10:24:00.003-04:002011-10-10T14:53:50.992-04:00

Immediately after Yom Kippur ends, that same night, we start building a Sukka. The Sukka is a 'hut' consisting of four walls and a very fragile covering or 'sekhakh' (from this word comes the name ‘sukka’). The Torah says: 'In Sukkot you shall dwell seven days... so your descendants shall know, that in Sukkot I hosted the children of Israel, when I brought them forth from the land of Egypt.. (

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-73936036273890384422011-10-07T09:54:00.003-04:002011-10-07T09:57:13.802-04:00

TSEDAQA: It is customary to give extra charity on the eve of Yom Kippur. Practicing charity is one of the best ways to show our renewed commitment to kindness and righteousness (See Kapparot, below). EATING: In the eve of Yom Kippur, we should eat and drink more than usual,in preparation for the fast. Eating more than usual will give us strength to endure the fast and according to some Rabbis,

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-1860783112282056592011-10-06T17:57:00.002-04:002011-10-07T09:58:14.161-04:00

There are five prohibitions on Yom Kippur. All learned from the biblical verse: (Vaikra 23:27): 'On the 10th of Tishri, you should deprive yourselves..." The five prohibitions are: (1) Eating and drinking, (2) washing our body (3) anointing our body (4) having marital relations and (5) wearing leather shoes. Everyone has to fast on Yom Kippur, except: 1. Minors: a boy or a girl

Halakha of the daynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1343322864280498371.post-76871381454597578702011-10-05T11:27:00.005-04:002011-10-06T21:25:58.132-04:00

The following information is intended as an educational guideline for normal and healthy pregnancies. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical advice. A pregnant woman should observe the fast normally, provided she and her baby are in good health. Nevertheless, if during Yom Kippur she feels sick (especially if she is vomiting or having other symptoms of

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