Wednesday, September 30, 2015

One Who Said the Wrong Amida on Hol Hamoed

One Who Said the Wrong Amida on Hol Hamoed
Day: Wednesday
Date: September 30, 2015
Parshat: Vezot Habiracha
Yalkut Yosef: O"H Hol Hamoed

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina.

If after finishing any of the amidot on Hol Hamoed one realized that he accidentally said the amida for the Holiday instead of the weekday one, he must say the proper weekday amida and add Ya'aleh Veyavo. One who forgot to say Ya'aleh Veyavo during Birkat Hamazon should not repeat it. Instead, if he remembered before he finished the Birkat Hamazon he should say it during the Harahamans. Our custom is to not wear Tefillin during Hol Hamoed. A person who's family's custom is to wear Tefillin during Hol Hamoed should nevertheless not wear them if he's in Eretz Yisrael. One who has this custom should also not say a beracha when putting them on.



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

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Putting the Lulav Into Water on Yom Tov

Putting the Lulav Into Water on Yom Tov
Day: Sunday
Date: September 27, 2015
Parshat: Vezot Habiracha
Yalkut Yosef: O"H 638

In memory of Adam Eliyahu ben Reina.

A person who keeps his lulav in a vase with water may put the lulav back in the water on Yom Tov. If necessary it is even permissible to add water to the vase. However, the water may not be changed on Yom Tov. On Hol Hamoed though, it is a mitzvah to change the water so that the lulav will stay fresh and nice. Even though women are not required to shake the lulav, it is still not considered to be muktzeh since the men do have a mitzvah to shake it.


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

Friday, September 25, 2015

The Succah Decorations

The Succah Decorations
Day: Friday
Date: September 25, 2015
Parshat: Ha'azinu
Yalkut Yosef: O"H 638


It is a mitzvah to decorate the Succah and make it look nice. Therefore one should hang nice drapes, posters, and fruits to make it nice. The more a person decorates the Succah the more praiseworthy he is. Decorations that were made to be used for non Jewish holidays such as xmas or others may be used for the sukkah. The hanging decorations must be entirely within four tefachim of the scach. There are just over three inches in a tefach which makes the total approximately 12 and a half inches. The paper chains that are commonly used in many sukkot as decoration, ideally should also be within the same space but if not it's still kosher and one still eat and sleep under that spot.


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

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Erev Yom Kippur

Erev Yom Kippur
Day: Tuesday
Date: September 22, 2015
Parshat: Ha'azinu
Yalkut Yosef: O"H 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.



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

Monday, September 21, 2015

The Seuda Hamafseket

The Seuda Hamafseket
Day: Monday
Date: September 21, 2015
Parshat: Ha'azinu
Yalkut Yosef: O"H 608


The Torah commands us to add time on to the fast of Yom Kippur. Therefore one should end the seuda hamafseket at least a few minutes before shekia. The mitzvah of adding onto the fast applies not just to eating, but to all aspects of the fast. Wearing leather shoes, washing, and so on should all be stopped a few minutes earlier than the time the fast actually starts. If one stopped eating early he can continue to eat until he verbally accepts the fast or until shekia if he is not accepting it early. One should not eat to the point that he is overly fully since doing so can cause haughtiness which is a grave sin. 


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

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Changes to the Amida During the Aseret Yeme Teshuva Part 2

Changes to the Amida During the Aseret Yeme Teshuva Part 2
Day: Thursday
Date: September 17, 2015
Parshat: Vayelech
Yalkut Yosef: O"H 602


During the Aseret Yeme Teshuva there are four 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 he remembered after finishing the beracha he should add the insert at the end of Elokai Netzor.


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

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Changes to the Amida During the Aseret Yeme Teshuva Part 1

Changes to the Amida During the Aseret Yeme Teshuva Part 1
Day: Wednesday
Date: September 15, 2015
Parshat: Vayelech
Yalkut Yosef: O"H 602


When saying the amidot during the Aseret Yemei Teshuva we end the blessing of Ata Kadosh with "hamelech hakadosh" instead of the usual "hakel hakadosh". We also change 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 and corrected it right away 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 is 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.


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

Sunday, September 13, 2015

The Simanim on Rosh Hashana

The Simanim on Rosh Hashana
Day: Sunday
Date: September 13, 2015
Parshat: Vayelech
Yalkut Yosef: O"H 583


The proper time to eat the Rosh Hashana Simanim is either just after hamotzi at the beginning of the meal, 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 Eretz Yisrael and also since they precede pomegranates in the order of the species . When saying the ha'etz one should have in mind that it is also for any other Simanim with the same beracha.


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

Friday, September 11, 2015

Using an Overhang as a Succah

Using an Overhang as a Succah
Day: Friday
Date: September 11, 2015
Parshat: Netzavim
Yalkut Yosef: O"H 635/636


In order for a Succah to be kosher it does not need to have been made specifically to be a Succah. However it does at least need to have been made for the purpose of providing shade. A Succah that was made more than thirty days before Succot is not automatically considered to have been made for the purpose of a being Succah. Even though, as mentioned above, such a Succah is kosher, it is best to add something special for the holiday. A Succah that was made within thirty days of Succot is automatically considered to have been made for Succot and nothing further is needed. A Succah that was made specifically for Succot does not need anything new to be done to it even if it was made for a previous year. Therefore, a Succah that stays standing from year to year, or an overhang that had scach put on it for Succot a previous year may be used for Succot with no changes.


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

Thursday, September 10, 2015

What to do if Scach Falls off on Yom Tov

What to do if Scach Falls off on Yom Tov
Day: Thursday
Date: September 10, 2015
Parshat: Netzavim
Yalkut Yosef: O"H 635


If some scach fell off of the Succah during Yom Tov and now the Succah is no longer kosher, it is permissible to tell a non Jew to put the scach back on the Succah on Yom Tov. It is forbidden for a Jew to put it back on because of the issur of Boneh, or building. However it is unclear whether by doing so one would transgress an issur Derabanan or an issur De'oraita. Therefore, it is better to tell the non Jew to tell another non Jew to put it back on. Doing so constitutes a shvut deshvut according to both opinions and is permissible to do for a mitzvah. (See DSH from May 7, 2015 for more information on shvut deshvut). Ordinarily, if a Jew transgresses Shabbat it is forbidden to have any benefit from that transgression. However if a Jewish person put the scach back on the Succah on Yom Tov without knowing that it is not allowed, it is still permitted to eat in the Succah for number of reasons.


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

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

One Who Used Non Kosher Scach on the Succah

One Who Used Non Kosher Scach on the Succah
Day: Tuesday
Date: September 8, 2015
Parshat: Netzavim
Yalkut Yosef: O"H 632


If one used as scach on the Succah something that is not valid for use as scach, such as glass or plastic, the Succah is not kosher if the piece is four or more tefachim (approximately twelve inches) wide. If it is less than four but more than three tefachim wide (approximately nine inches) the Succah is kosher but one should not eat or sleep under that area. If the invalid scach is less than three tefachim wide it is even permissible to eat and sleep under it. If the invalid scach is at the side, against the wall, it does not invalidate the Succah unless the area it covers is wider than four amot (approximately 6 feet). A gap in scach wider than three tefachim will also invalidate the Succah if it runs from one side of the Succah all the way to the other. If it doesn't run all the way down it poses no problems at all.


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

Monday, September 7, 2015

The Required Thickness of the Scach

The Required Thickness of the Scach
Day: Monday
Date: September 7, 2015
Parshat: Netzavim
Yalkut Yosef: O"H 631


The layer of scach on the Succah needs to be thick enough that there is more shade than light. If the Succah has more sunlight than shade it is not kosher and no beracha may be made on it. Ideally the scach should still be thin enough that one can still see stars when looking up. However, even if the scach is so thick that the sun's rays don't penetrate through it is still kosher. There are some poskim who hold that if the scach is so thick that rain doesn't get through it is not kosher. Even though our custom is to allow such thick scach, it is still better to use a thinner layer of scach in deference to those opinions that don't allow it.


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

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Succah Walls That Will Move in the Wind

Succah Walls That Will Move in the Wind
Day: Sunday
Date: September 6, 2015
Parshat: Netzavim
Yalkut Yosef: O"H 629 - 630


Ideally the scach should not rest directly on anything that cannot itself be used as scach. However if one built his Succah in that way and only realized after it's too late to fix it, the Succah may still be used. Therefore a person who has a Succah with a metal frame may not put the schach directly on the frame since metal cannot be used as schach. Instead he should put a piece of wood on the frame and put the scach on the wood. A person who is nervous that the schach might blow away may tie it down using vines or reeds. A Succah that was made under telephone wires or clotheslines may be used.

In order for a Succah to be kosher it needs to have two complete walls and at least a partial third wall. The walls can be made out of anything rigid enough to withstand a normal wind without moving. A wall that will move in a normal wind invalidates the Succah and eating inside of such a Succah is the same as not eating in a Succah at all. Likewise, one may not say a beracha on such a Succah. Therefore, Succahs with cloth walls or tarps as walls should not be used unless they are secured extremely well and the Succah is in a place where it will be affected by wind.


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

Friday, September 4, 2015

The Width of the Scach

The Width of the Scach
Day: Friday
Date: September 4, 2015
Parshat: Ki Tavo
Yalkut Yosef: O"H 629


It is forbidden to use as scach on the Succah boards that are four or more tefachim, or about one foot, wide. Our Hachamim forbade this so a person won't mistakenly think that there is no difference between a regular roof and the roof of a Succah. Having a mistaken belief such as this will eventually lead a person to not fulfill the mitzvah of Succah altogether. However, the custom today has developed to use as scach branches or bamboo poles that are even thinner than one tefach. When covering the Succah with thin poles it is best to have some of the poles run perpendicular to the others. This way none of the gaps between the poles will run all the way from one end of the Succah to the other. However, if one did not do so, the Succah is still kosher as long as the gaps are less than one tefach, or three inches, wide.


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

Thursday, September 3, 2015

The Concept of Ta'aseh Velo Min Ha'asui

The Concept of Ta'aseh Velo Min Ha'asui
Day: Thursday
Date: September 3, 2015
Parshat: Ki Tavo
Yalkut Yosef: O"H 629


There is a concept in Halacha called "Ta'aseh Velo Min Ha'asui." This means the item in question needs to be physically made and can't already be made. For example, the scach put onto the Succah needs to be kosher for use as scach. It cannot be be put on and then made kosher after the fact. To explain: as previously mentioned, one of the conditions for scach to be acceptable for the Succah is that it needs to have grown from the ground but yet it cannot still be attached to the ground. Therefore, if one put as scach on the Succah branches that are still attached to the tree and then cut them from the tree, they are still not considered to be kosher scach. This is because at the time they were put on the Succah they were invalid as scach and only afterword an adjustment was made to make them usable. In other words, using such branches would be violating the condition of "Ta'aseh Velo Min Ha'asui."


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

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Requirements for Kosher Scach

Requirements for Kosher Scach
Day: Wednesday
Date: September 2, 2015
Parshat: Ki Tavo
Yalkut Yosef: O"H 629


In order for something to considered Kosher for use as scach on the Succah it needs to meet three conditions.
1. It has to have grown from the ground.
2. It needs to currently be detached from the ground.
3. It cannot be able to become tameh.
Therefore, one cannot use for the scach anyting made out of metal, leather, or even plastic since these have not grown from the ground. Vines and branches cannot be used unless they have been cut from their source. Fruits, utensils and furniture, even if made from wood, cannot be used either since they are able to become tameh. Plants who's leaves are used whole as spices are considered to be food and cannot be used either. What can be used is any branches or sticks of wood or leaves that are no longer attached to their source. Plants grown in a planter are considered to have been grown from the ground in this case and can be used as scach while still attached.


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

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

The Reason Why Succot is in Tishre

The Reason Why Succot is in Tishre
Day: Tuesday
Date: September 1, 2015
Parshat: Ki Tavo
Yalkut Yosef: O"H 625


HaShem gave us the mitzvah of Succah to commemorate the Ananeh Hakavod, the protective clouds that surrounded us in the Midbar after we left Egypt. The Tur (Rabbi Yaakov ben Asher, apprx. 1269-1343) explains the reason why we fulfill this mitzvah during the month of Tishre and not during Nissan when we actually left Mitzrayim. He points out that during Nissan, which is in the spring, the weather starts becoming warmer and more pleasant. It is very common during that time for people to spend more time outside their homes. If we were to celebrate Succot in the spring, it wouldn't be obvious that we are in the Succah because HaShem commanded us to be. It would seem as though we are there to enjoy the beautiful weather. However, Tishre is usually much colder and most people prefer to stay indoors during this time of year. Therefore it is obvious that we are in the Succah only because that is what we were commanded to do. Many people start building the Succah immediately after Yom Kippur in order to go directly from one mitzvah to another.


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