Calculation of Shemitah

The Shemitah calculation for today’s calendar: The cycle first began when the Jews entered Eretz Yisrael and settled the lands. This occurred 14 years after the entrance into Eretz Yisrael, as it took 7 years to conquest the land and another 7 to settle it. They then counted Shemitahs and […]

Introduction to Shemitah

Introduction-The Torah verses: The Torah[1] commands us that every seventh year one must sanctify the year as Shemitah. The Shemitah year entails a number of laws and regulations that relate to one’s land, ground produce, and loans. One is commanded to rest the land.[2] One may not sow the field […]

Blessing over Hallel

The blessing over Hallel:[1] Some Poskim[2] rule that whenever half Hallel is recited, it is to be said without saying a blessing before or after.[3] Other Poskim[4] however rule that if the Hallel is being recited with a Minyan[5] then a before and after blessing is to be recited[6], however […]

Yaleh Veyavo by Shemoneh Esrei

Yaleh Veyavo in Shemoneh Esrei:[1] A. The general laws: On Rosh Chodesh one adds the paragraph of Yaleh Viyavo within Shemoneh Esrei of Maariv, Shacharis and Mincha. It is recited after Ritzei [prior to Modim].[2] Announcing Yaleh Veyavo before Shemoneh Esrei:[3] One may not announce prior to Shemoneh Esrei of […]

Hair/Nails on Rosh Chodesh

Cutting hair and nails on Rosh Chodesh:[1] One may[2] not cut the hair of his head[3] or his nails[4] on Rosh Chodesh.[5] This applies to both men and women. When Rosh Chodesh falls on Erev Shabbos:[6]  Even when Rosh Chodesh falls on Erev Shabbos some communities are accustomed not to […]

Melacha on Rosh Chodesh #2

Reminders:   Rosh Chodesh reminders No laundry No cutting nails, hair Eat festive meal Yaleh Veyavo in Davening Yaleh Veyavo in Bentching Tehilim with commentary   Elul Reminders Blow the Shofar Tashrat-Tashat-Tarat after Shacharis. Recite the three extra Kapitlach of Tehillim per day, after Davening. Recite Ledavid Hashem Ori in […]

Melacha on Rosh Chodesh

  Reminders:   Rosh Chodesh reminders No laundry No cutting nails, hair Eat festive meal Yaleh Veyavo in Davening Yaleh Veyavo in Bentching Tehillim with commentary   Elul Reminders Blow the Shofar on the first day of Rosh Chodesh for practice. Every day thereafter blow Tashrat-Tashat-Tarat after Shacharis. Recite the […]

Shavuos checklist

Shavuos Checklist 5775/2015: *The laws provided below are based on the upcoming Sefer “The Laws and Customs of Shavuos”. To browse online the content of the Sefer, including footnotes and sources, or to download a summary edition of the laws, please visit our Shavuos section provided on Shulchanaruchharav.com   1. […]