What to do With Leftover Oil

What to do With Leftover Oil Day: Monday Date: December 10, 2018 Parshat: Vayigash Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 677 Sponsored by Skilled Moving and Storage. Professional and honest movers serving Los Angeles. www.SkilledMoving.com 323-746-3279 Oil that was used to light Hanukkah candles and is now left over is still considered to be set aside for a mitzvah even though the time for the mitzvah is over. It is therefore forbidden to use that oil for any personal benefit or enjoyment such as lighting a candle for its light or using the oil to cook with. Instead it should be gathered and burnt on its own. However, this is only true with regards to the oil that was actually used for the mitzvah. Extra oil that was put in the cups to make the lights last longer than the required half hour or remaining oil in a bottle that was purchased to be used in the hanukkiah is not considered to be set aside for a mitzvah and therefore may be subsequently used for any purpose. If when putting the oil in the cups one stipulated that he wants to be able to use the leftover oil he may do so and does not need to burn it. Daily Sephardic Halacha is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Hallel on Hanukkah

Hallel on Hanukkah Day: Tuesday Date: December 4, 2018 Parshat: Miketz Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 683 Sponsored by Skilled Moving and Storage. Professional and honest movers serving Los Angeles. www.SkilledMoving.com 323-746-3279 During shaharit everyday of Hanukkah we say the complete hallel with a beracha including the parts normally left out on Rosh Hodesh. After hallel is finished another beracha is said in closing. As is usually the case when starting and ending with a beracha, amen is answered to one's own beracha at the end of hallel. One who forgot to say the beracha before hallel can say it at any point during hallel that he remembers and continue from where he is up to. If he remembered to say the beracha but after finishing hallel realized that he forgot to add the two extra paragraphs he goes back and says it all again from the beginning without a new beracha. If he is not sure whether or not he said everything, he does not repeast anything. Even though women are also required to light the hanukkiah, they are not required to say hallel during Hanukkah just like they are not required to say hallel during other holidays. A woman who wants to say hallel even though she is not required, does not say a beracha. Generally Ashkenazi women say a beracha on mitzvot such as sukkah, lulav, and others even though they are not obligated. However, even they should not say a beracha on hallel since it involves speaking only and no action. Daily Sephardic Halacha is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

One Who Forgot to Say Sheheyanu When Lighting

One Who Forgot to Say Sheheyanu When Lighting Day: Monday Date: December 3, 2018 Parshat: Miketz Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 676 Sponsored by Skilled Moving and Storage. Professional and honest movers serving Los Angeles. www.SkilledMoving.com 323-746-3279 One who forgot to say the beracha of shehehyanu before lighting the candles on the first night of Hanukah may say it anytime within a half hour of lighting. If he remembered only after a half hour already passed, he may say it before lighting on the second night. If he forgot again he may say it within a half hour of lighting. If he forgot yet again, he may say it any night he remembers within a half hour of lighting the candles. One who was not home on the first night and had someone else light for him may say shehehyanu when he lights on the second night. Daily Sephardic Halacha is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Al Hanisim

Al Hanisim Day: Sunday Date: December 2, 2018 Parshat: Miketz Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 682 Sponsored by Skilled Moving and Storage. Professional and honest movers serving Los Angeles. www.SkilledMoving.com 323-746-3279 Beginning with the first night of Hanukah and continuing until the end of the holiday we add Al Hanisim to all of our amidot and to Birkat Hamazon. A person who forgot to say "Al Hanisim" in its proper place in the amida but remembered before saying "Baruch ata HaShem" to end off Modim goes back and says "Modim anahnu lach, Al Hanisim etc." and continues from there. Once he says the words "Baruch ata HaShem" however, he does not go back to Al Hanisim. Instead, it Al Hanisim is said at the end of Elokai Netzor. There also he says "Modim anahnu lach Al Hanisim.." A person who accidentally said the insert for Purim instead of Hanukkah has nevertheless fulfilled his obligation and does not go back. Al Hanisim is added to Birkat Hamazon just before "Al Hakol Amonai Elokeinu Anahnu Modim Lach." A person who forgot to say it at that point can go back and say it as long as he hasn't yet said Hashem's name at the end of that beracha. After that point, the proper procedure is to wait until the Harahamans and to say "Harahaman Hu Ya'Aseh Imanu Nisim Veniflaot Kemo She'asah La'Avoteinu Bayamim Hahem Baziman Hazeh, and then continue with "Bimey Matityah Ben Yohanan..." When saying Al Hamihyah, no mention of Hanukah is made. A person who added his own mention of Hanukah however, does not need to say the beracha again Daily Sephardic Halacha is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

When to Light the Hanukiah Before and After Shabbat

When to Light the Hanukiah Before and After Shabbat Day: Friday Date: November 30, 2018 Parshat: Vayeshev Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 679/680 Sponsored by Skilled Moving and Storage. Professional and honest movers serving Los Angeles. www.SkilledMoving.com 323-746-3279 On Erev Shabbat the hanukkiah should ideally be lit before the Shabbat candles. If the Shabbat candles were lit first, Sepharadim may still light the hanukkiah as long Shabbat hasn't yet started. Ashkenazi women, who consider Shabbat to start at the time the candles are lit, may not subsequently light the hanukkiah. However, anyone in the Ashkenazi household who didn't light Shabbat candles may still light the hanukkiah. The Hanukkah candles on Erev Shabbat must remain lit until a half hour after tzet hakochavim just like on the other nights. One must make sure to put enough oil when lighting the hanukkiah to last that long so the berachot will not have been said in vain. If one can easily find a minyan it is best to pray Minha early and light the candles after. If there is no early minyan, it is better to light before Minha and pray Minha with a minyan. After Shabbat, when one is saying havadala at home, he should first say havadala and then light the menorah. Daily Sephardic Halacha is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

When to Light the Hanukkah Candles

When to Light the Hanukkah Candles Day: Thursday Date: November 29, 2018 Parshat: Vayeshev Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 671 Sponsored by Skilled Moving and Storage. Professional and honest movers serving Los Angeles. www.SkilledMoving.com 323-746-3279 The ideal time to light the hanukkiah is at tzet hakochavim. The candles need to be big enough or contain enough oil to stay lit for the next half hour. If one did not light at that time he may still light all the way until amud hashahar at the end of that night. A person who lit less than a half hour before amud hashahar still says a beracha on the lighting, even though the candles will have been lit for less than a half hour before amud hashahar. Beginning from a half hour before the candle lighting time it is forbidden to start a meal. In this case a meal refers to eating more than about two ounces of bread, cake, or cookies. Less than this amount of bread and cake, or any amount of other foods, may be eaten within that half hour. A person who is waiting for someone else to light on his behalf may eat if he needs to. One may also not start working or learning Torah before lighting the candles. However, with regards to learning Torah the prohibition starts from the time of candle lighting, not from a half hour before. Daily Sephardic Halacha is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Where to put the Hanukkiah

Where to put the Hanukkiah Day: Wednesday Date: November 28, 2018 Parshat: Vayeshev Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 671 Sponsored by Skilled Moving and Storage. Professional and honest movers serving Los Angeles. www.SkilledMoving.com 323-746-3279 Ideally the flames of the Hanukkah candles should be within three and ten tefachim (about 5 and 32 inches) from the floor. The candles themselves may be lower than three tefachim. One who put the flames higher than ten tefachim has nevertheless fulfilled his obligation as long as they are less than twenty amot (32 feet) from the ground. If the flames of the candles are higher than 20 amot from the ground they must be extinguished and relit at an acceptable height with no beracha. The hanukkiah should be placed on the left side of the front doorway opposite the mezuzah so that when people pass through the doorway they are surrounded by mitzvot on either side. Daily Sephardic Halacha is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

One Who Lit Too Few or Too Many Candles

One Who Lit Too Few or Too Many Candles Day: Tuesday Date: November 27, 2018 Parshat: Vayeshev Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 671 Sponsored by Skilled Moving and Storage. Professional and honest movers serving Los Angeles. www.SkilledMoving.com 323-746-3279 In order to fulfill the mitzvah of lighting the menorah it is only necessary to light one candle per night. More commonly done and a much more desirable way of fulfilling the mitzvah is to start the first night with one candle and add an additional candle every night. If one accidentally lit an extra candle on any of the nights of Hanukkah, he does not need to relight when he realizes his mistake. In fact, if he does light again and says another beracha it is considered to be a beracha levatala. If one lit fewer candles than necessary and then later realized his error, he may light the missing ones, but without a beracha. It is permissible to use a round menorah as long as the flame from each candle is an inch or so away from the flame of the next candle. Daily Sephardic Halacha is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

The Miracle of Hanukkah

The Miracle of Hanukkah Day: Monday Date: November 26, 2018 Parshat: Vayeshev Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 670 Sponsored by Skilled Moving and Storage. Professional and honest movers serving Los Angeles. www.SkilledMoving.com 323-746-3279 During the time of the second Bet Hamikdash the Greeks enacted harsh and evil decrees against us Jews. Putting it very mildly, among other atrocities, they put us through a lot of suffering, did not allow us to study Torah, and they defiled the Bet Hamikdash. Ultimately Hashem had mercy on us and through a series of miraculous wars the Hashmonai family overcame the Greeks on the twenty fifth day of Kislev. When the Jews went back to the Bet Hamikdash to clean up the defilement that had occurred there they only found enough pure oil for the Menorah to stay lit for one day. Hashem in his kindness performed a miracle and the small amount of oil actually lasted for eight days until they were able to produce new oil. To commemorate these momentous events we celebrate Hanukkah. Daily Sephardic Halacha is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Motzei Tish'a Be'av That Falls on Sunday

Motzei Tish'a Be'av That Falls on Sunday Day: Sunday Date: July 22, 2018 Parshat: Vaet’hanan Ohr Hahalacha: Tish’a Be’av Sponsored by Skilled Moving and Storage. Professional and honest movers serving Los Angeles. www.SkilledMoving.com 323-746-3279 The fast of Tish'a Be'av ends 20 minutes after shekia. There is no reason to be strict and wait for the Rabenu Tam time since that is only done on days with Torah prohibitions such as Shabbat. This year, before eating, havdala must be said since it was not said after Shabbat. Only the baracha of hagefen and the last beracha, hamavdil, are said. The pesukim normally said before havadala are omitted. The prohibitions against cutting one’s hair, shaving, washing, and bathing are lifted with the end of the fast whether the fast falls on Shabbat and is pushed to Sunday or even if it is observed on the proper day. When the fast is observed on the ninth of Av the prohibitions against eating meat, drinking wine, saying shehehyanu, and listening to music stay in effect until sunset the following day. This year however since the fast is observed on the tenth of Av, all of these prohibitions are lifted with end of the fast just like the other prohibitions. May this be the last year we observe Tish'a Be'av as a day of mourning. May we merit to see it become a day of celebration soon as the Navi tells us it will be. DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

The 5 Prohibitions of Tish'a Be'av

The 5 Prohibitions of Tish’a Be’av Day: Friday Date: July 20, 2018 Parshat: Devarim Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 551 Sponsored by Skilled Moving and Storage. Professional and honest movers serving Los Angeles. www.SkilledMoving.com 323-746-3279 There are five main prohibitions that apply on Tish'a Be'av. These prohibitions begin at sundown on the night of the 9th of Av and continue until sundown the following night. They are: 1. Washing and bathing are forbidden whether with hot or cold water. This prohibition extends even to washing ones hands. In the morning and after using the restroom one may wash only his fingers. It is permissible to wash with soap dirt off of oneself from any part of the body. Washing for hygiene is also allowed. 2. Putting creams and oils onto oneself for enjoyment is also forbidden. However, these items may be used for medical reasons such as for acne or to soothe cracked skin. Ointments may be used as well to prevent infection of cuts and bruises. 3. It is also forbidden to wear leather shoes. Cloth or rubber shoes may be worn instead. Shoes that have a strip of leather for decoration or leather shoelaces are also fine to wear. 4. Intimacy between a husband and wife is forbidden, however the harchakot do not need to be observed. 5. Eating and drinking is also not allowed. However, a woman who gave birth within thirty days and a person who is sick - even if it's not life threatening - does not need to fast. There are other exemptions and conditions that apply, and therefore anybody with a doubt should be sure to discuss their situation with their Rabbi. Children under Bar/Bat Mitzvah do not need to fast. We do not even train them for future years because we know that the Mashiach will come and this fast will no longer be observed. A child who is not fasting should nevertheless not be given treats and special things to eat. May Hashem answer our prayers soon and may we not suffer in this exile any longer. DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Shabbat Hazon

Shabbat Hazon Day: Wednesday Date: July 18, 2018 Parshat: Devarim Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 551 Sponsored by Skilled Moving and Storage. Professional and honest movers serving Los Angeles. www.SkilledMoving.com 323-746-3279 There is no public display of mourning allowed on Shabbat and therefore the Shabbat before Tish’a Be’av is a regular Shabbat. Some Ashkenazim have a custom not to wear special clothing for Shabbat and they have what to rely on, however that is not the Sephardic custom. For the same reason we also do not say any of the kinot that some congregations say on Shabbat Hazon. It is also permissible to eat meat and have wine on Shabbat including for seuda shelishit as long as one finishes before shekia. It is not permissible to refrain from having these things unless one generally doesn’t eat them. This is true even when the ninth of of Av falls out on Shabbat as it does this year. DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Visit us online at sephardichalacha.org