Search results for: ""Omer""
Chol HaMoed: Exceptions for Shaving
It is best not to shave during chol ha'moed. You MAY shave if:
Note You may shave during omer if not shaving might cause you to lose your job or otherwise incur financial loss. A large financial loss is subjective to the individual's actual wealth and also to that person's perception of what is a large loss.
- You normally shave every day, and
- You shaved before the Jewish festival began.
Note You may shave during omer if not shaving might cause you to lose your job or otherwise incur financial loss. A large financial loss is subjective to the individual's actual wealth and also to that person's perception of what is a large loss.
When Haircuts and Shaving Are Forbidden
Here are the times when men and women are forbidden to get haircuts and men are forbidden to shave, including their necks (from most severe restrictions to least):
Most Severe Restrictions
Shiv'asar B'Tamuz (17th of Tamuz) until the evening after the Shabbat preceding Tish'a B'Av.
Least-Severe Restrictions
During 33 of the 49 days of counting the omer (sefirat ha'omer); that is, either from the second day of Passover until Lag Ba'Omer (33rd day of the omer) OR from Rosh Chodesh Iyar until the day before Shavuot, according to your custom.
Most Severe Restrictions
-
Mourner for parents (no shaving for the first 30 days and no haircut until three months after his or her previous haircut).
Note If mourning for other relatives, you may get a haircut after 30 days.
- From Saturday night before Tish'a B'Av until the evening after Tish'a B'Av.
- Chol ha'moed.
Shiv'asar B'Tamuz (17th of Tamuz) until the evening after the Shabbat preceding Tish'a B'Av.
Least-Severe Restrictions
During 33 of the 49 days of counting the omer (sefirat ha'omer); that is, either from the second day of Passover until Lag Ba'Omer (33rd day of the omer) OR from Rosh Chodesh Iyar until the day before Shavuot, according to your custom.
Note Conditions that may allow leniency are if you might lose your job or otherwise lose a large sum of money.
Sheva Brachot: Over Which Cups To Bless
- Birkat ha'mazon is made on one cup of wine at sheva brachot.
- The first six sheva brachot blessings are made on the second cup.
- Borei pri ha'gafen is made on the first cup.
Women: Blessings over Torah
Women are required to say the blessings over the Torah (birchot haTorah) before studying Torah or before praying.
Fore-Blessings over Fruit Cocktail
For fruit cocktail, say fore-blessings of borei pri ha'eitz (for tree fruits) AND borei pri ha'adama (for pineapple, etc.).
Reason Fruit cocktail does not have a main ingredient.
Reason Fruit cocktail does not have a main ingredient.
Birkat Cohanim: Talit over Child's Head
It is a custom for fathers to cover their sons' heads with their talit while the priests/cohanim bless the congregation.
Reason So the boys do not to look at the Divine Presence (shechina) present at the priests'/cohanim's fingertips at that time.
Note The priests'/cohanim's hands should be covered by a talit anyway.
Note This custom applies to ANYTIME the priests/cohanim say birkat cohanim, whether on:
Note The priests'/cohanim's hands should be covered by a talit anyway.
Note This custom applies to ANYTIME the priests/cohanim say birkat cohanim, whether on:
- Jewish festivals (the only time the priests/cohanim say this blessing outside of Eretz Yisrael), or
- Daily (as is done in Eretz Yisrael).
Why Two Blessings over Matza
We say two blessings over the matza: ha'motzi lechem min ha'aretz and al achilat matza.
Reason The blessing on motzi is one of enjoyment (nehenin); the blessing on matza is a blessing on a commandment (mitzva).
Reason The blessing on motzi is one of enjoyment (nehenin); the blessing on matza is a blessing on a commandment (mitzva).
Talit Gadol: Blessing over Public Talit
You may say the blessing on a public talit gadol available at the synagogue, even though it is not your talit.
Reason It is assumed that the talitot at synagogues are there to be used by anyone.
Reason It is assumed that the talitot at synagogues are there to be used by anyone.
When To Say Blessing over New Fruit Blossoms
The first time each year that you see blossoms on an edible-fruit tree, say the blessing “shelo chisar ba'olamo davar….” It may be anytime throughout the year, not only in Nisan. If you live in a region in which fruit trees blossom all year round, you should say “shelo chisar”... in Nisan after you see some new blossoms.
Note You may say the blessing on a single tree, even though the blessing says “trees” (plural).
Women: How To Bless over Shabbat Candles
For questions about the Shabbat candle lighting blessing, see Shabbat: Candles: How To Do Blessing: Women.
Fore-Blessing (Bracha Rishona) over Cholent
Cholent blessing (if the cholent is not eaten as part of a meal) follows the most important ingredient and is somewhat subjective to the eater.
- German cholent —A variety of wheat is primary; say borei minei mezonot.
- Hungarian cholent—Barley is primary; say borei minei mezonot.
- Polish cholent —Beans are primary; say borei pri ha'adama.
- Russian cholent —Potatoes are primary; say borei pri ha'adama.
- If meat is most important, say she'hakol.
Note You may need to say more than one blessing (bracha rishona) if there is no one preeminently important ingredient in a mixture of food types in one utensil, such as a casserole or cholent, but only if:
- You especially like more than one ingredient, and
- Both (or more than two) of the ingredients can be eaten distinctly.
Shacharit: Earliest Time for Blessings over Tefilin and Tzitzit
Earliest time to say blessings over tefilin and tzitzit/talit is mi'sheyakir (in New York, 36-40 minutes before sunrise).
SheHecheyanu: Acquisitions: When To Bless over New Home
If you buy a house, condominium, apartment, or other accommodation, say she'hecheyanu:
- When you buy it, if it is ready to move in when you buy it (if you will live there by yourself).
- When you move in, if it is not ready to move in when you buy it (if you will live there by yourself).
Note If you are married, say ha'tov v'ha'meitiv instead of she'hecheyanu.
How To Calculate When Orla Is Over
You may eat tree fruit if the tree's buds appeared after Tu B'Shvat of the fourth year. This may be a span of only 2.5 years if the tree was planted on or before Tu B'Av (at least 45 days before Rosh Hashana):
1st Year Tu B'Av to Rosh Hashana #1
2nd Year Rosh Hashana #1 to Rosh Hashana #2
3rd Year Rosh Hashana #2 to Rosh Hashana #3
4th Year Rosh Hashana #3 to Tu B'Shvat
Example A fruit tree planted on Tu B'Av, Aug. 15, 2011, will be one year old 6 weeks later, on Rosh Hashana, Sept. 29, 2011. By Rosh Hashana, Sept. 5, 2013, the tree will have completed three years and it enters its fourth year. Buds that appear on or after Tu B'Shvat, Jan. 15, 2014, and turn into fruit will be neta revai and may be redeemed and eaten.
Fore-Blessing: Crackers
Over crackers, say the fore-blessing borei minei mezonot (after-blessing, al ha'michya).