Question: Is a bal tokeah required to go to the mikvah? I am being treated for a heel injury and it is hand wrapped by the doctor once a week… Read more »
Category: The Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah)
Rosh Hashannah Simanim
Question: On rosh hashannah, how should the simanim be eaten? Assuming one has made hamotzie: Should they be bought in and eaten one by one? Or should they be incorporated… Read more »
Asking daughter to babysit so mother can go to shul on R”H
Question: My 12 year old daughter will probably spend most of the day in shul on R”H. Is it correct to ask her to stay home part of the time… Read more »
Interest from bank account on Rosh Hashanoh
Question: I’ve heard that there is a problem with interest from bank accounts over Rosh Hashanah and Shabbos before/after Yom Tov, as interest is calculated daily and there is no… Read more »
Greetings
Question: G’Mar Chasima Tova. May all of Klal Yisroel be Zoche to year of Brachos and Simchas and may we all increase our Limud Torah and Halakhic Observance. Answer: Thank… Read more »
Shofars for children. (?)
Question: Shofar for children At what age can a child be introduced to learning to blow a shofar? I have a non-orthodox family member who has introduced it to his… Read more »
shofar
Question: If one was spacing out during shofar (thinking of other matters), does he still fulfill the mitzvah? Answer: The halacha is that mitzvos mentioned in the Torah need intention (kavanah)… Read more »
Bracha in the middle of Shemoneh Esrei
Question: If someone did not hear tekias shofer yet and he is davening musaf with a minyan where tekias are blown in the middle of the silent shemoneh esrei, may… Read more »
Nut Cake during Aseres Yemei Hatshuva
Question: Permited? Answer: The prevalent custom not to eat nuts or sour food is only on Rosh Hashanah. If they are part of an ingredient in a cake to enhance the flavor… Read more »
Vinegar on Rosh Hashana
Question: Can you please tell me if salads which use vinegar (along with sugar and/or mayonnaise), like coleslaw or hearts of palm & avocado, is OK for Rosh Hashana? The… Read more »
Bracha on fruits on Rosh Hashana
Question: Can you please tell me if one should say “hoetz” on a fruit eaten near the beginning of the meal on Rosh Hashana, after already having made hamotzi? Should… Read more »
Guidlines for Hataras Nedarim
Question: I am spending R”H and Y”K in a small out-of-town community in America that does have a Rabbi but he is more of the “ceremonial” type, not a posek…. Read more »
Saying Tachanun when davening selichos after shacharis on Erev Rosh Hashana
Question: If Selichos are said after Shachris on Erev Rosh HaShannah, is Tachanun/Nefilat Apayim said? Thank You. Answer: Although we do say tachanun when saying selichos even if it already… Read more »
Saying 13 middos with a minyan
Question: In order for the minyan to say 13 middot, does there actually have to be 10 people saying it or 10 people in the room is enough? Is there… Read more »
Yom tov
Question: My wife goes to a French language class on Tuesday evenings. The class is for her pleasure. Although she travels to France somewhat frequently, taking the class is not… Read more »
Nuts on Rosh Hashana
Question: Is there any Torah source or basis for the minhag not to eat nuts on Rosh Hashana? Is it really preferable not to? What if the nuts are ground… Read more »
Crying on Rosh Hashana
Question: Are there some Torah opinions that say one should not move oneself to tears on Rosh Hashana, when praying? If so, why? Answer: Yes, this is the opinion of… Read more »
Kittel for Makrei
Shalom, In a community where the custom is for the only the baal tefillah and baal tokea to wear kittel, if there is a third person acting as makrei, should… Read more »
Nuts on Rosh Hashanah
Hi, Is one allowed to eat nuts on rosh Hashanah? Thanks. Answer: The general custom is to refrain from eating nuts on Rosh Hashanah. The reason is because the word… Read more »
Taking Cellphone to Shul
My wife is due to give birth on succot and could go into labor any moment. She is worried that she will go into labor when I am at shul… Read more »
Kiddush Early on Rosh HaShanah
Im having elderly people over for Rosh hashana. Can I make Kiddush early after Plag on the first night, second night, and this year Friday night? Please answer asap. Thank… Read more »
Shower on Yom Tov
What are the halachos regarding showering on a 3 day yom tov. Can one use hot water and liquid soap? Also what is the correct way to wash dishes on… Read more »
Tallis and Tefillin on Rosh Hashanah
Does one wear Tallis and Tefillin on Rosh Hashanah? Answer: Like other festival days (Yom Tov), on Rosh Hashanah we wear a tallis but not tefillin. [Yom Tov is also… Read more »
Round Challah for Rosh Hashanah
Why do we bake round challos for Rosh Hashanah? Answer: The challah of Rosh Hashanah is sweet, symbolizing the sweet year that we wish Hashem to give us. It is… Read more »
Visiting Graves on Rosh Hashanah
Should one visit graves on Rosh Hashanah? Answer: No, one should not visit graves on Rosh Hashanah, which is a Yom Tov (a joyous time – Hashem is close to… Read more »
Tehillim on Rosh Hashanah
Should one read Tehillim on Rosh Hashanah? Answer: Yes, this is a good practice. Reading Tehillim is always a positive practice, in petitioning Hashem with the holy words of David… Read more »
Smoking on Rosh Hashanah
Is it permitted to smoke on Rosh Hashanah? Answer: Although there are some who permit the practice, many rule that today it is forbidden to smoke on Rosh Hashanah (and… Read more »
Haircut Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
Is it permitted to take a haircut between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? Answer: Yes, there is no problem in taking a haircut during this period. However, there is a… Read more »
Why we celebrate Rosh Hashanah
Why do we celebrate Rosh Hashanah? Answer: Rosh Hashanah is far more than the non-Jewish concept of the New Year. As the first day of the year, Rosh Hashanah is… Read more »
Wearing White Clothes on Rosh Hashanah
Why do we wear white on Rosh Hashanah? Answer: Most people don’t wear white clothing on Rosh Hashanah, and these clothes are special for Yom Kippur. The reason for this… Read more »
Candles for Rosh Hashanah
Why do we light candles on Rosh Hashanah? Answer: The candles of Rosh Hashanah are similar to those of other holidays, and to those of Sahbbos. For the rationale behind… Read more »
why do we eat fish on rosh hashanah
why do we eat fish on rosh hashanah Answer: We eat fish on Rosh Hashanah for two reasons 1. Fish multiplies fast and we want to multiply like fish 2. Fish… Read more »
Why do we eat honey on rosh hashanah ?
Why do we eat honey on rosh hashanah ? Answer: We eat honey on rosh hashanah because honey is a sweet thing and we want a sweet year like sweet honey
why do we blow the shofar on rosh hashanah ?
why do we blow the shofar on rosh hashanah ? Answer: We blow the shofar for several reasons: Here are some 1. Shofar made from a deer’s horn reminds God… Read more »
how many days is rosh hashanah ?
how many days is rosh hashanah ? Answer: rosh hashanah is Usually 2 days. This year Rosh Hashanah finishes on Friday, so there three days
How long does rosh hashanah last
I wanted to ask How long does rosh hashanah last for ? Answer: rosh hashanah last for 48 hours they are two days Night Day Night Day. This year Rosh… Read more »
what is the greeting for rosh hashanah
what is the greeting for rosh hashanah? Answer: the greeting for rosh hashanah is: לשנה טובה תיכתב ותיחתם And the explanation is :will be written and signed for a good year
rosh hashanah food symbolism
What are rosh hashanah food symbolism ? Answer: Here are some examples for food symbolism on rosh hashanah : -Apples and honey : for a sweet year -Date : our… Read more »
when does rosh hashanah start
when does rosh hashanah start ? Answer: rosh hashanah Begins on Wednesday at 6:24 and ends on Saturday night. This year rosh hashanah is three days because it connects to Saturday.
rosh hashana 2013
when is rosh hashana 2013 ? Answer: this year rosh hashana falls on Thursday, the 5th of September and Friday, September 6,
when does selichot start
when does selichot start ? Answer: The custom is to begin on the Sunday before Rosh Hashanah. If the first day of Rosh Hashanah is on Monday or Tuesday, selichos… Read more »
selichot at kotel
Is it better to say Selichot at kotel ? Answer: Better to say Selichot at thekotel Shechinah resting place but if more difficult to concentrate better to say Selichot in a synagogue…. Read more »
selichot at night
I wanted to know If the best time to selichot is at night ? Answer: the ideal time is towards the end of the night before halachic dawn, when the Divine attribute of… Read more »
selichot alone
Is it permissible to say selichot alone ? Answer: Although it is preferable to do so, it is not essential. An individual may recite selichosbut should omit the thirteen attributes of mercy…. Read more »
when do you say slichot
When is the best time to say selichot? Answer: The ideal time is towards the end of the night before halachic dawn, when the Divine attribute of mercy is dominant. According to… Read more »
selichot prayers in hebrew
Hello I was wondering if I cannot understand the selichot prayers in hebrew Can I say it in English ? Answer: It’s best to say the Selichot in Hebrew if difficult… Read more »
selichot prayers
Hello I wanted to ask what special Selichot prayers ? Answer: Selichot prayers are Special Because it is an apology from ה on all the offenses we did during the year…. Read more »
selichot text
Hello I wanted to ask what is the text of selichot and Where to Find it ? Answer: The text of the Selichot is an apology from ה on all the… Read more »
selichot 2013
Hello I wanted to ask when starting to say the Selichot 2013? Answer: The custom is to begin on the Sunday before Rosh Hashanah. If the first day of Rosh… Read more »
Standing Up for Chazaras Ha-Shatz
By Chazoras haShatz on Rosh Hashana, I noticed 1 family (mother + 3 daughters) standing up for every Beracha (and then sitting again) Is that a (forgotten) Halacha, or just… Read more »