Lighting Candles on Rosh Hashanah and Preparing on the First Day of Rosh Hashanah for the Second The Laws of Candle-Lighting on Rosh Hashanah On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Tov we customarily light candles before the onset of Yom Tov similar to the way we light them on Erev Shabbat. If the…
Tag: Sephardic
The Behavior of Maran zt”l
Customs Related to the Days of Rosh Hashanah-The Behavior of Maran zt”l It is customary to eat red meat and sweet foods on the days of Rosh Hashanah, as the verse in Nechemia states, “Go eat fatty foods and drink sweet beverages and sent gifts of food to those who do not have, for the…
“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…
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…
Educating Children Regarding the Mitzvah of Prayer
Question: Is there a halachic requirement for children to pray three times a day, namely, Shacharit, Mincha, and Arvit? Similarly, is it correct to bring children to the synagogue during the High Holidays? Answer: The Mishnah (Berachot 20b) tells us: “Women, slaves, and children are obligated to pray.” Rashi explains that since the purpose…
“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…
The Month of Mercy and Forgiveness
The Month of Mercy and Forgiveness We have already discussed in a previous Halacha the reason why we customarily recite Selichot prayers throughout the entire month of Elul which is an auspicious time for forgiveness and atonement. It is well-known that during these days we are closer to Hashem and he hears our prayers more…
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