by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Haber | Jun 6, 2016
The custom in many communities is to recite Kiddush Levana (bless the New Moon) on the first possible Saturday night. Halachically it must be three days after the ‘birth’ of the new moon, but before the apex of the moon. (The exact calculations needed to determine the...
by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Haber | May 11, 2014
It is well known that there are two main customs regarding the mourning practices of Sefira. The Shulchan Aruch writes that it is from the second day of Pesach until Lag B’Omer, after which all mourning ceases; this is the “Minhag Sefard”. The Maharil (quoted by the...
by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Haber | Dec 31, 2013
“Hachodesh hazeh lechem rosh chadoshim”, this month shall be for you the first of months. In a beautiful essay Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch explains – כי הנה הסתיו עבר the winter has passed, the spring is coming and Shlomo Hamelech is describing the beauty of the coming...
by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Haber | Dec 12, 2012
Even though we usually light Chanukah candles once it’s dark, obviously that is impossible on Friday, we therefore have to light before dark. We will discuss some of the associated Halachos. The Shulchan Aruch rules (679) that one should first light Chanukah candles...
by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Haber | Feb 28, 2012
Mishenichnas Adar Marbim B’Simcha The oft sung phrase “Mishenichnas Adar Marbim B’Simcha”, When the month of Adar arrives we should increase our joy, is often taken at its simple meaning that we should act and be more joyous during the month of Adar. Let us look...
