Mondays & Wednesdays

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Starting a new activity on Mondays and Wednesdays:[1]

It is accustomed not to begin a new activity on Mondays and Wednesdays.[2] [Some[3] rule that this only applies for mundane matters and not for matters that involve a Mitzvah. Practically so is the custom.[4] One may thus get married on Mondays and Wednesdays without worry. One is to however avoid moving on Mondays and Wednesdays.[5] If this is unavoidable then one is to at least move some items into the home the day before.[6] Alternatively one is to bring Sifrei Torah and/or have a Chassidic gathering at the home on that day.[7] Some[8] rule that one may be completely lenient regarding starting activities on Monday’s and one is only to be careful on Wednesdays. The custom of the world today is to be completely lenient in this regard[9] although some segments of Jewry are stringent even today.[10]]

 


[1] Michaber 179/2 based on Teshuvas Ramban 282 [104] which states “Those that do not begin on ב”ד [Mondays or Wednesdays]…”, Based on Zohar p. 273

[2] The reason: As on Mondays the Mazal of the moon shines and the Mazal of the moon is not good omen. [Ramban ibid; Shabbos 156a “One who is born by Mazal Levana” will have difficulties-Banaiy Vesoser”] On Wednesday the Mazal of Shabsai Kochav shines which is also not a good omen. [Ramban ibid] The Mazal that shines on that day or night rules over everything of that entire day. [Pirkei Direbbe Eliezer 6]

[3] Ruach Chaim brought in Darkei Teshuvah 179/11

[4] ibid

[5] Igros Kodesh 15/390 [brought in Shulchan Menachem 6/237]

[6] Dvar Eliyahu 37 brought in Darkei Teshuvah 179/13

[7] Ruach Chaim ibid

The reason: As then it is considered done for the sake of a Mitzvah, and is hence allowed.

[8] Birkeiy Yosef 179 in Shiyurei Bracha 3 in name of Derech Chaim brought in Darkei Teshuvah 179/12

[9] Heard from Rav Asher Lemel Hacohen

[10] The custom in Belz is to be very particular regarding this matter. They hence do not marry, get engaged or even start the learning semester on Mondays or Wednesdays.

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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