Excerpt from the “Laws and Customs of Rosh Hashanah” soon to be published!   On which day of Rosh Chodesh does one begin to blow?[1] Some Poskim[2] rule one is to begin to blow the Shofar from the first day of Rosh Chodesh which is the 30th of Av. Other […]

Excerpt from the upcoming Sefer on the Laws of Rosh Hashanah   Blowing the Shofar in Elul:[1]   It is the custom of Ashkenazi[2] Jewry to blow Shofar throughout the month if Elul.   Background: The Rosh in his conclusion of Tractate Rosh Hashanah records the Pirkei Direbbe Eliezer 46 […]

The Thirteen Attributes of Mercy: It is forbidden to recite the thirteen attributes without proper concentration.[1] [It is to be recited slowly and carefully.[2] It is to be recited aloud.[3] Some are accustomed to count the Middos with their fingers.[4] Some are accustomed to picture each letter of each word […]

Wishing each other a sweet new year:[1] We begin to wish each other a “Kesiva Vachasima Tovah”[2]  starting from Rosh Chodesh Elul. [Some[3] are accustomed to begin doing so from the 15th of Menachem Av.]                                                                          Sparks of Chassidus The blessing affects oneself and the person being blessed:[4] The […]