Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Aveirot Ben Adam Lahavero

Aveirot Ben Adam Lahavero
Day: Tuesday
Date: September 30, 2014
Parshat: Vezot Haberacha
Yalkut Yosef: 606


Yom Kippur brings atonement for many sins. However, sins between man and fellow man are not forgiven by HaShem until one attains forgiveness from the one he sinned against first. This is true whether the offense involves withholding money that is owed, belittling the other person, or causing physical or monetary damage to the other person. Therefore a person who has in any way slighted another must right the wrong and beg for forgiveness on Erev Yom Kippur. If Reuven asks Levi for forgiveness and Levi refuses, he should return and ask again two more times in the company of three people. If after three times Levi still refuses, he need not ask again. He should declare in front of ten people that he did his best to attain forgiveness. If Levi taught him Torah he can not give up even if he needs to go back a thousand times. On the flip side, one who is asked forgiveness may not be stubborn. He must do his best to forgive his fellow with his full heart. It is a wonderful thing for everyone without being asked to declare that they forgive anyone who may have slighted them.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Monday, September 29, 2014

Kaparot

Kaparot
Day: Monday
Date: September 29, 2014
Parshat: Vezot Haberacha
Yalkut Yosef: 605


The custom to do Kaparot has been accepted among almost all sects of Jews. It is an ancient custom dating back to the days of the Geonim (approximately years 590-1040). Ideally white chickens should be used. A rooster is used for men and boys and a hen is used for women and girls. For a pregnant woman the custom is to use two hens and a rooster, one hen for herself, and the others so that whether she is having a boy or girl the child will be covered. One who cannot afford separate chickens for each person can use one chicken for entire family. If one is doing the Kaparot for others he should do it for himself first and afterward for the others. While doing the Kaparot it is important to think about Teshuva and that everything that will happen to the chicken should really happen to him but because he is doing Teshuva HaShem will save him. If one is keeping the animals at his home he must ensure to feed them daily before he himself eats.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Erev Yom Kippur

Erev Yom Kippur
Day: Sunday
Date: September 28, 2014
Parshat: Vezot Haberacha
Yalkut Yosef: 604


On Erev Yom Kippur we have a special mitzvah to eat in preparation for Yom Kippur. Our Hachamim explain that whoever eats on Erev Yom Kippur is considered to have fasted for both days, Erev Yom Kippur and Yom Kippur itself. The mitzvah to eat is so powerful that one should take time off of his Torah studies if necessary in order to have time to eat. Ideally one should have at least one meal complete with bread. The custom is to do hatarat nedarim after shaharit or after selichot.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

The Teshuva Process

The Teshuva Process
Day: Tuesday
Date: September 24, 2014
Parshat: Ha'azinu
Yalkut Yosef: 581/602


The most important part of teshuva is for a person to completely stop the sin he is doing teshuva for and decide to not return to his sinful ways. One should also feel regret for what he has done. Another component is verbally admitting to HaShem that one has sinned. More than anything, the constant study of Torah causes HaShem to forgive a person. The Midrash Raba tells us (Vayikra Parsha 25) "A person who has committed severe sins and is sentenced by the heavenly courts to death can save himself. What should he do? If he normally studies one page of Torah, he should study two. If he normally learns one chapter of Mishnayot, he should learn two chapters. If he is not able to study Torah, he should raise money for charity and in so doing he will live." Our Hachamim have taught us that one sinned and does teshuva is greater than a person who never sinned. The reason is since the one who sinned was confronted by an overbearing yetzer hara -and managed to break free. May HaShem grant all of Am Yisrael a year of life, happiness, health, and success in all our endeavors and may we merit to see the rebuilding of the Bet Hamikdash very soon and in our times!


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

How to Take Advantage of the Aseret Yemei Teshuva

How to Take Advantage of the Aseret Yemei Teshuva
Day: Tuesday
Date: September 23, 2014
Parshat: Ha'azinu
Yalkut Yosef: 581/602


The Aseret Yemei Teshuva is a time for introspection and for repentance for our sins. It is especially important during these days for one to do extra mitzvot and give extra charity. The Gemara tells us that a person should always view himself as having an equal amount of sins and good deeds. He should realize that every deed he does has the power to tip the scales in his favor or Gd forbid against him. It is even more important during these days when the scale is in HaShem's hands so to speak. Teshuva always helps a person but during the Aseret Yemei Teshuva it is even more helpful and is accepted by HaShem immediately. The seven days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur correspond to each day the year. Therefore on Sunday one should to teshuva for any sin he may have done on any Sunday during the previous year. On Monday he should to teshuvah for all the Mondays, and so on all the days of the week.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Monday, September 22, 2014

Additional Inserts to the Amida During the Aseret Yemei Teshuva

Additional Inserts to the Amida During the Aseret Yemei Teshuva
Day: Monday
Date: September 22, 2014
Parshat: Ha'azinu
Yalkut Yosef: 602


During the Aseret Yemei Teshuva there are four additional inserts added to the amida. They are:
1. "Zochrenu lihayim..." At the end of the first beracha.
2. "Mi chamocha av harachaman..." At the end of the second beracha.
3. "Uchtov lihayim..." During Modim.
4. "Uvisefer hayim..." During Sim Shalom
If one forgot to say Zochrenu lihayim (the first insert) and remembered before saying the name of HaShem at the end of the beracha he should go back and say the insert and continue from there. If he remembered only after saying HaShem's name he should not go back and he should not insert it at the point. Instead he may say it during Shema Kolenu, before the words "ki ata shome'a tefilat kol peh". If he forgot to say it at that point he can say it at the end of the amida. If he forgot to say the second insert he can not insert it later on since it is a praise of HaShem and not a request. If he forgot either of the last two inserts and remembered before saying HaShem's name at the end of the beracha he must go back to the insert and continue from there. However if remembered after finishing the beracha he should add the insert at the end of Elokai Netzor.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Hamelech Hakadosh & Hamelech Hamishpat

Hamelech Hakadosh & Hamelech Hamishpat
Day: Sunday
Date: September 21, 2014
Parshat: Ha'azinu
Yalkut Yosef: 602


When saying the amidot during the Aseret Yemei Teshuva we end off the blessing of Ata Kadosh by saying "hamelech hakadosh" instead of the usual "hakel hakadosh". We also amend the beracha of Hashiva by ending off with the words "hamelech hamishpat" instead of the usual "melech ohev tzedaka umishpat". If one accidentally said hakel hakadosh instead of hamelech hakadosh he must start the amida again. However if he realized his mistake immediately and right away corrected it by saying hamelech hakadosh he does not need to begin again. If he is not sure whether or not he said hamelech hakadosh he must start the amida again since he most probably did not say it.

If one forgot to say hamelech hamishpat at the end of Hashiva, as long as he hasn't finished the amida yet he must go back to the beginning of the beracha of Hashiva. Even if he already bowed for Modim and then he remembered or he was unsure whether or not he said hamelech hamishpat he stops where he is and goes back to Hashiva. If he only remembered after finishing he amida that he didn't say hamelech hamishpat he should say "if I am required to repeat the amida, this will be my repetition. If I am not required, this will be a nedava" and then he should repeat the amida. Outside of Eretz Yisrael the custom of most Ashkenazim is to not go back to Hashiva if they remember during the amida. If they remember afterward they follow the procedure above.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Friday, September 19, 2014

The Second Night of Rosh Hashana

The Second Night of Rosh Hashana
Day: Friday
Date: September 19, 2014
Parshat: Netzavim Vayelech
Yalkut Yosef: 600


On the second night of Rosh Hashana we say shehehyanu during kiddush just like on the first night. If possible one should try to have a new fruit on the table or wear a new garment and have that in mind when saying the beracha. However if that is not an option he should still say shehehyanu. On the second we do the Simanim again the same way as the first night.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Thursday, September 18, 2014

The Hiyuv to Hear the Shofar

The Hiyuv to Hear the Shofar
Day: Thursday
Date: September 18, 2014
Parshat: Netzavim Vayelech
Yalkut Yosef: 584


All men are required to hear the shofar blowing on Rosh Hashana. Women are not required to hear it since this is a time bound mitzvah. It is customary for women to come to the synagogue anyways to hear the shofar blowing and answer amen to its berachot. A woman who has small children who will disturb the congregants is better off relying on the Halacha and not going to shul. Anyone who is not required to do a mitzvah may not fulfill another person's requirement. Therefore, a person who is completely deaf may not blow the shofar for others since he himself is not required to hear it. However, a person who wears hearing aids is required and therefore can blow for others as well.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Tashlich

Tashlich
Day: Wednesday
Date: September 17, 2014
Parshat: Netzavim Vayelech
Yalkut Yosef: 584


After mincha on the first day of Rosh Hashana we do tashlich. The tashlich service should be recited next to a river, stream, or the ocean etc. The reason we say it next to water is as a remembrance to the midrash regarding the Akedat Yitzchak. The midrash tells us that when Avraham and Yitzchak were on there way to the Akeda the satan caused a river to flow directly in their path to stop them. Avraham and Yitzchak were undeterred and walked into the river until the water was up to their necks. At that point Avraham prayed to HaShem and HaShem instructed the satan to remove the river. The Zohar tells us that this happened on Rosh Hashana. Therefore, in order to invoke the merit if the Akedat Yitzchak, we recite tashlich next to a body of water. If one did not say tashlich on the first day of Rosh Hashana he should say it on the second day.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Thursday, September 11, 2014

One Should Refrain From Sleeping on Rosh Hashana

One Should Refrain From Sleeping on Rosh Hashana
Day: Thursday
Date: September 11, 2014
Parshat: Ki Tavo
Yalkut Yosef: 584


It is proper not to sleep during the day on Rosh Hashana. After midday one who is very tired may take a small nap so that he will have more energy to study Torah. After shaharit and the Yom Tov meal one should study Torah, or if that's not feasible he should read Tehillim. It is better for one to read a little bit and understand what he's reading than to read a lot without understanding


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Crying During the Rosh Hashana Prayers

Crying During the Rosh Hashana Prayers
Day: Wednesday
Date: September 10, 2014
Parshat: Ki Tavo
Yalkut Yosef: 583


Even though Rosh Hashana is our day of judgement, nevertheless it is holiday and should be treated as such. Therefore during the prayers one should not try to summon tears. Instead one should be happy and trust that HaShem in his infinite kindness has written him and his family in the book of life. One should try with all his might not to let his anger get the better of him on Rosh Hashana, as it says in Pirkei Avot "better an imperturbable person than a strong one, and better one who controls himself than one who conquers a city." If possible one should also study the mishnayot of masechet Rosh Hashana at the holiday meals.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

The Procedure for the Simanim on Rosh Hashana

The Procedure for the Simanim on Rosh Hashana
Day: Tuesday
Date: September 9, 2014
Parshat: Ki Tavo
Yalkut Yosef: 583


When doing the Simanim service, the proper way is to first say the beracha on the item, take a bite, and then say the Yehi Ratzon and eat the rest. If one has not partaken of the fruit since the previous season he should say shehehyanu as well. When saying shehehyanu the following procedure should be used. First the beracha on the fruit should be said. Afterward one should say shehehyanu. Only after both berachot have been said should the fruit be enjoyed. One should make sure that the new fruit is not on the table when he says shehehyanu during kiddush or at the very least he should cover it and have in mind that the shehehyanu during kiddush should not cover the new fruit. One should answer amen to the Yehi Ratzons.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org


Monday, September 8, 2014

The Simanim on Rosh Hashana Night

The Simanim on Rosh Hashana Night
Day: Monday
Date: September 8, 2014
Parshat: Ki Tavo
Yalkut Yosef: 583


The proper time to eat the Simanim is either at the beginning of the meal after hamotzi, or at the end of the meal after birkat hamazon. When doing the Simanim during the meal, no blessing is said on any cooked vegetables since cooked vegetables are routinely eaten as part of a meal. One of the Simanim is dates. The beracha should be said on dates first since dates are part of the seven species of Erez Yisrael and also since in the order of the species they precede pomegranates. When saying the ha'etz one should have in mind that it is also for any other Simanim with the same beracha.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Lighting the Rosh Hashana Candles

Lighting the Rosh Hashana Candles
Day: Sunday
Date: September 7, 2014
Parshat: Ki Tavo
Yalkut Yosef: 583


The proper text to say when lighting the candles before Rosh Hashana is "lehadlik ner shel Yom Tov." One should not mention Yom Hazikaron. As always, when lighting the candles one should first say the blessing and then light the candles. Not the other way around. The beracha of shehehiyanu should not be said at the time of lighting. Instead, everyone should listen and fulfill their obligation with the shehehyanu that is said during kiddush.

The accepted custom is to eat various specific fruits and vegetables on both nights of Rosh Hashana called "Simanim." Before eating each Siman we say a short prayer (a Yehi Ratzon) for the new year into which the Hebrew name of the item has been worked. A theoretical example would be to eat a raisin and some celery and to say "may we have a raise in salary." Among the Simanim are an apple dipped in sugar, squash, and the head of a lamb.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Customs for Erev Rosh Hashana

Customs for Erev Rosh Hashana
Day: Wednesday
Date: September 3, 2014
Parshat: Ki Tetze
Yalkut Yosef: 581


Some people have a custom to go to the cemetery on Erev Rosh Hashana and pray at the graves of tzadikim. One who does this must ensure that he does not pray to, or make requests of, the deceased. Rather, he should pray to HaShem to have mercy on him in the merit of the tzadik buried there. Obviously Kohanim are forbidden from going to the cemetery to pray. The accepted custom is to get a haircut on Erev Rosh Hashana and to wear nice fresh clothing on Rosh Hashana itself. The reason for this is to show that we are confident that HaShem, in his infinite kindness, will grant us a favorable judgement. Our custom is for men to go to the mikvah before Rosh Hashana. A man who is unable to go may pour 9 kav (about 3 1/4 gallons) of water over himself instead. A three minute shower would suffice.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Customs During the Month of Elul

Customs During the Month of Elul
Day: Tuesday
Date: September 2, 2014
Parshat: Ki Tetze
Yalkut Yosef: 581


The Ashkenazi custom is to blow the shofar every day of Elul after shaharit. The purpose is to remind and encourage ourselves to do teshuva and mend our ways. There is a also a nice custom to say the mizmor "leDavid HaShem ori veyish'i" (Tehillim chapter 27) every day after shaharit from Rosh Hodesh Elul until the end of Sukkot. The reason is because this mizmor references the holidays of Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. During these days it is proper when saying the beracha Hashivenu to pray for the return of all those who have fallen from the ways of Torah, especially relatives. These days are days of special consideration and must be appreciated and taken advantage of to their fullest.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Monday, September 1, 2014

One Who is Saying the Selihot Without a Minyan

One Who is Saying the Selihot Without a Minyan
Day: Monday
Date: September 1, 2014
Parshat: Ki Tetze
Yalkut Yosef: 581


One who is saying the selihot on his own without a minyan should omit the parts in Aramaic. The reason is because when no minyan is present our prayers are brought to HaShem by angels and since the angels don't understand Aramaic they don't bring those prayers to HaShem. However when there is a minyan the Shechina of HaShem is present and the assistance if angels is unnecessary. Obviously this is a very deep concept not to be taken at face value. When saying the thirteen midot one should not count them on his fingers as is done when saying the ingredients in the ketoret. This is because it is not quite clear which words in the pasuk are separate midot.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org