The Customary Order of Rosh Hashanah It is customary to eat certain symbolic foods during the two nights of Rosh Hashanah which signify good fortune for the entire upcoming year. It is therefore customary to eat black-eyed peas, pumpkin, leek, spinach, dates, pomegranates, apples dipped in honey, and meat of a sheep’s head on the…
Tag: Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l’s
Eruv Tavshilin
The Eruv Tavshilin One Should Make this Year (Rosh Hashanah-5775) and the Laws of Showering on Yom Tov In the previous Halacha, we have explained the laws of candle-lighting on both days of Rosh Hashanah. We have mentioned that when Yom Tov coincides with Erev Shabbat (Friday), one should place an Eruv Tavshilin, as we…
“Fortunate is the Nation Which Knows the Shofar Blasts”
The Midrash Rabba (Parashat Emor Chapter 29, Section 4) states regarding the verse, “Fortunate is the nation which knows the Shofar blasts”: “Rabbi Yoshiya said: Do the nations of the world not know how to blow? They have so many horns and so many trumpets! Rather, ‘The nation which knows the Shofar blasts,’ refers to…
Blowing the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah
It is a positive Torah commandment to hear the Shofar blasts on the day of Rosh Hashanah, as the verse states, “It shall be a day of [Shofar] blasts for you.” One may not speak between the various sets of Shofar blasts and certainly not during the blasts themselves. The Poskim disagree regarding whether or…
The Custom of “Tashlich”
Following Mincha services of the first day of Rosh Hashanah, it is customary to go to a seashore, river, well, or pit in order to recite the order of “Tashlich.” If there is no river, lake, or pond in close proximity of one’s vicinity, it is likewise perfectly acceptable to recite the order of Tashlich…
The Greater the Talent the Greater the Responsibility
The Greater the Talent the Greater the Responsibility In the year 5733 (1973), Maran zt”l served as the Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv. On Shabbat Shuva (the Shabbat preceding Yom Kippur), many Yeshiva students gathered in the central Bet Midrash where Maran zt”l delivered the following address which we shall paraphrase: When one stands in…
Halacha Yomit
The Words of Maran zt”l During the Month of Elul-Maran’s Final Rosh Hashanah Every year during the month of Elul, Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”lwould travel from city to city across Israel in order to strengthen the ideas of Torah learning and fear of G-d among the nation. Even in his advanced age, Maran zt”l…
Chagigah Daf 4
Daf Notes is currently being dedicated to the neshamah of Tzvi Gershon Ben Yoel (Harvey Felsen) o”h May the studying of the Daf Notes be a zechus for his neshamah and may his soul find peace in Gan Eden and be bound up in the Bond of life. The Gemora cites a braisa: Who is…
“For You Remember All That Is Forgotten”
Excerpts From the Teachings of Maran Rabbeinu zt”l During the Month of Elul During the Mussaf prayer of Rosh Hashanah we recite, “For You remember all that is forgotten.” The sages of the Mussar Movement explain that this refers to one an individual who has sinned and remembers his sin all of his life…
Times for Torah Study
Establishing Times for Torah Study During the Days of Selichot We have already mentioned in previous Halachot the words of the great Acharonim as well as Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l that the main goal for us during the month of Elul and the Ten Days of Repentance in our generation is to repent for…
Tefillin and Mezuzot
Checking Tefillin and Mezuzot During the Month of Elul The month of Elul is meant as a time of self-introspection for the entire Jewish nation. It is therefore customary to pay attention to which Tefillin and Mezuzot need checking and to have them checked at this time. The Rambam writes: “If one writes Tefillin by…
The Chazzan-The Congregation’s Representative
Question: In the synagogue where we pray, the Gabbaim(synagogue officials) appointed a Chazzan who is not careful regarding Torah and Mitzvah observance to lead the High Holiday prayers. What should we do? Answer: The Chazzan who leads prayer services in the synagogue acts as the representative and agent of the entire congregation and must transfer…
Yeshua Centered Judaism 
You must be logged in to post a comment.