Updates
Looking after your health and possessions
The same way we are commanded to preserve our health and wellbeing – so too we are commanded to look after our possessions, not to lose, break or waste them.
Anybody who breaks vessels, tears clothes, wastes edible food, wastes money or throws away objects that other people could use has sinned.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 190:3
Rosh Chodesh
On Wednesday of this week is Rosh Chodesh Shevat (the 1st of the Jewish month of Shevat).
One may not fast on Rosh Chodesh.
It's a Mitzva to eat a bigger meal on Rosh Chodesh.
There is no obligation to eat bread on Rosh Chodesh.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 77:2
Whilst Rosh Chodesh is a "minor" Yom Tov (festival), all types of work are permitted on this day.
Some women have a family custom to not do certain types of work on Rosh Chodesh.
This is a valid custom and they may not disregard it.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:3
The Red String
The colour red is a colour that wards off Ayin Hara (the evil eye).
Regarding the red string that has gone around Kever Rochel (Rachel's Tomb), there are some authorities that balk at this "segulah - good luck charm" and claim it isn't of Jewish origin and should be avoided.
Others, including the Debreciner Rav (who writes that this is an ancient custom and according to the Rashba we should not dismiss ancient Jewish customs even if we don't understand them) and other Kabbalistic sources indeed say that a red string wrapped around Kever Rochel is indeed a segulah against pregnant women having miscarriages and against Ayin Hara in general.
Each person should follow their own heritage in regard to this (and other similar) Segulos.
Lighting Shabbos Candles
When lighting the Shabbos candles, it is best to light the candle that is closest to you first and then move on to the one behind that and continue to the ones further away until they have all been kindled.
The reason for this is due to the rule of "Ain Ma'avirin Al Hamitzvos", the obligation to not pass over any Mitzvah that is in front of you in order to do a different Mitzvah that is further away.
If, however, by lighting the front candles first it will be difficult or dangerous to then reach over the already lit candles and light the rear candles, the rear candles may be lit first.
Tenth of Teves
This coming Thursday, January 5, will be the Fast of the 10th of Teves. This is the second fast-day commemorating the destruction of the Beis Hamikdosh (Temple). The fast begins about 72 minutes before sunrise and concludes about 50 minutes after sunset.
Eating and drinking are prohibited, but should there be the need for an exemption due to illness or health related conditions contact your local Rabbi for possible consideration. Except for Yom Kippur which is Biblical, the other five fast-days are Rabbinically mandated. The Rabbis imposed the fast on all adults, both male and female. Contrary to popular thought, women are equally obligated to fast.
The Rest of the Story
Five tragic events occurred during the month of Teves.
1st of Teves: In the year 3319 - 442 b.c.e., Yichoniah and the great scholars and prophets were exiled to Bavel.
8th of Teves: In the year 3515 - 246 b.c.e., the Torah, as per the demand of Talmi, was translated into Greek (Septuagint) by 72 different Torah Scholars. His intention was to find inconsistencies that would undermine the power of the Rabbinic tradition. Instead, every one of the 72 translated the Torah in the exact same manner. The translation was completed on the 8th of Teves and Chazal (the Sages) compared it to the day on which the Golden Calf was worshipped.
9th of Teves: In the year 3448 - 313 b.c.e., the great Ezra Hasofer (Ezra the Scribe) died.
10th of Teves: In the year 3336 - 425 b.c.e., Nevuchadnetzar began the 2 and 1/2 year siege against Yerusholayim (Jerusalem) that ended in the destruction of the first Beis Hamikdosh.
23rd of Teves: In the year 5257 - 1497 c.e., the Jews of Portugal were expelled. Among those expelled was Rabbi Avrohom Zacuto who had been consulted on astronomy and navigation by the explorer Vasco da Gama before a trip to India. Rabbi Yitzchak Karo, Uncle of Rabbi Yoseph Karo, was also among the refugees.
Lighting the Chanukah Menorah
A Chanukah Menorah must be lit such that it could burn for the required half hour.
If it didn't have enough oil, or the location was windy, then one has not fulfilled the Mitzva, and one must fix the problem and light them again. No Bracha is said the second time.
If it was not a windy place, and it unexpectedly blew out, the Mitzva has been fulfilled, though the Minhag is to light it again.
One cannot light one candle from another; one needs to use the Shamash or another source of fire.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:1
Going that extra mile ...
By Petey Parker
A cab driver taught me a million dollar lesson in customer satisfaction and expectation. Motivational speakers charge thousands of dollars to impart his kind of training to corporate executives and staff. It cost me a $12 taxi ride.
I had flown into Dallas for the sole purpose of calling on a client. Time was of the essence and my plan included a quick turnaround trip from the airport and back. A spotless cab pulled up. The driver rushed to open the passenger door for me and made sure I was comfortably seated before he closed the door. As he got in the driver's seat, he mentioned that the neatly folded Wall Street Journal next to me was for my use. He then showed me several tapes and asked me what type of music I would enjoy. Well! I looked around for a "Candid Camera!" Wouldn't you? I could not believe the service I was receiving! I took the opportunity to say, "Obviously you take great pride in your work. You must have a story to tell."
"You bet," he replied, "I used to be in Corporate America. But I got tired of thinking my best would never be good enough. I decided to find my niche in life where I could feel proud of being the best I could be. I knew I would never be a rocket scientist, but I love driving cars, being of service and feeling like I have done a full day's work and done it well. I evaluated my personal assets and ... wham! I became a cab driver. One thing I know for sure, to be “good” in my business I could simply just meet the expectations of my passengers. But, to be “GREAT” in my business, I have to EXCEED the customer's expectations! I like the sound of being “great” better than being just “good".
Did I tip him? You bet! Go an Extra Mile when providing any Service to others. There is no good or bad job. You can make any job good.
Chanukah
It is forbidden to utilise the "light" of the Chanukah candles for any purpose.
This applies to all the candles that were kindled for that night, e.g. on the fifth night, one may not "use" any of the 5 candles, even though according to strict law only one candle must be kindled each night.
The "uses" that are prohibited include mundane uses such as counting money by the lights of the menorah, as well as holy purposes, such as praying or learning Torah via the light of the menorah.
It is for this reason that the widespread custom is to add an extra candle, known as the "Shamash" to the menorah each night, this way when/if you "use" the light of the menorah it will be the light of that candle that we are using and not the lights of the menorah.
The "Shamash" should be placed a little higher than the other candles so it should be evident that it isn't one of the "Mitzvah candles".
All the menorahs that are being lit require their own "shamash", even if there is other light in the room.
Melochos within 30 minutes of lighting the Chanukah Lights
Doing Melochos (work or chores) within 30 minutes of lighting the Chanukah lights.
The Minhag (custom) is that women do not do "Melacha" (work or chores) for the first thirty minutes after the Chanukah menorah is lit.
Some have this Minhag on each of the eight nights of Chanukah. Others have this Minhag only on the first and last night of Chanukah.
According to some opinions, the type of "Melacha" that the women shouldn't do is any "Melacha" that is prohibited on any other Yom Tov (festival).
According to other opinions, however, only Melachos that women refrain from doing on Rosh Chodesh (the first day of each Hebrew month) and Chol HaMoed (the intermediary days of Passover and Tabernacle) are prohibited, such as sewing, laundry, ironing etc., but baking, cooking and the like is allowed.
Some Poskim (Halachik authorities) maintain that the minhag not to do Melacha applies to men as well.
Most Poskim however, maintain that this is a special Minhag for women only, as they had particularly harsh decrees targeting them (namely that all Jewish brides were required to spend the night with the Greek general before being allowed to be with their husbands) and they also had a special part in the miracle of Chanukah (referring to the story of Yehudis who slayed the Greek general, before he was able to defile her and through her heroic actions, the decree was abolished).
Being Responsible
When returning an object that you were asked to safeguard, or when returning a loan, it must be returned to the person who gave it to you.
Giving it to a member their household is not acceptable; if something happens to the item you would be held responsible.
However, giving it to the owner's spouse is permitted, unless you were explicitly asked not to do so, since spouses trust each other to look after each other's property.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 188:5