Thursday, December 31, 2009

Mitzvah #63 - Destroying Chametz on Erev Pessach

It's a Mitzva to get rid of all Chametz in ones possession on Erev Pessach before midday.

This includes destroying all Chametz one is aware of, and renouncing ownership of all Chametz one isn't aware of.

By Rabbinic decree this includes searching for Chametz by candlelight the evening before Seder night, unless that is Friday night, in which case one searches on Thursday night.

Applies to everybody, everywhere on 14 Nissan

Verse: "By the first day you shall have destroyed all Chametz" (Shemot 12:15)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Positive Mitzvah 22

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 14 Tevet 5770

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Mitzvah #62 - Do not covet

One may not covet other people's possessions.

One transgresses whenever one thinks of ways to gain possession of the coveted article.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Do not covet (last of the 10 commandments.)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 41

- Danny
Wednesday, 13 Tevet 5770

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Mitzvah #61 - Do not force other to sell their possessions

One may not force other to part with their possessions.

One transgresses as soon as one tries to actively gain possession of the article; be it through threats, persuasion or asking others to intervene on one's behalf.

Even if one paid well above its worth one has still transgressed.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Do not force other to sell their possessions (last of the 10 commandments.)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 40

- Danny
Tuesday, 12 Tevet 5770

Monday, December 28, 2009

Mitzvah #60 - Be joyful on Festivals

It's a Mitzva to be happy on the 3 Jewish Festivals.

In the time of the Bet Hamikdash one was required to rejoice by eating meat from sacrifices.

Nowadays one has to eat meat and drink wine.

One has to make ones wife happy by buying her pretty clothes, the kids with treats and the poor with donations.

One should not get drunk, since this rejoicing should be conducive to doing Mitzvot and serving Hashem with joy, not simply to be merry.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, on Pessach, Shavuoth and Sukkoth.

Verse: "and be joyous on your festivals" (Devorim 16:14)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Positive Mitzvah 21

- Danny
Monday, 11 Tevet 5770

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Mitzvah #59 - Testifying falsely

One may not testify falsely.

Included in this prohibition is to testify based on what one heard from others - even if the source of information is reliable.

Hiring witnesses who weren't there (false witnesses) and refusing to testify are also forbidden.

Applies to all those fit to be witnesses, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Do not testify as a false witness against your neighbor" (9th of the 10 commandments.)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 39

- Danny
Sunday, fast of 10 Tevet 5770

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Mitzvah #58 - Paying wages on time

One may not delay paying wages.

A day worker needs to be paid before the next morning.

A night worker needs to be paid before the end of the following day.

An hourly worker who worked during the day needs to be paid on that day; if he worked during the night he needs to be paid during that night.

One only transgresses if the worker demanded his wages and one has the money to pay him.

Applies to wages as well as to rental fees for equipment.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Do not keep his wage to the morning" (Vayikra 19:13 and Devorim 24:15)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 38

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 7 Tevet 5770

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Mitzvah #57 - Rest from work on Shabbat

It's a Mitzva to desist from all 39 categories of forbidden work on Shabbat. (See a list at http://www.answers.com/topic/39-categories-of-activity-prohibited-on-shabbat)

This includes not having ones animals doing work.

By Rabbinic decree one may not request a non-Jew to do work on Shabbat.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, on Shabbat

Pasuk: "and on the 7th day you shall rest" (Shmot 23:14)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Positive Mitzvah 20

- Danny
Wednesday, 6 Tevet 5770

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Mitzvah #56 - Withholding another's property

If you rightfully received another's property, and refuse to give it to them, you have transgressed this Mitzva.

E.g.: refusing to repay a loan, or refusing to pay the rent, is prohibited.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Pasuk: "Do not withhold from your fellow man" (Vayikra 19:13)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 37

- Danny
Tuesday, 5 Tevet 5770

Monday, December 21, 2009

Mitzvah #55 - Denying a monetary claim

One is prohibited from denying one has somebody's property.

This applies to money one has in ones possession as a result of taking a loan, receiving security on a loan, theft, robbery, or finding lost property.

One transgresses once the person requests the money, and one denies one has it.

Until a transgressor makes amends, he is not qualified to be a Kosher witness.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Pasuk: "Do not deny" (Vayikra 19:11)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 36

- Danny
Monday, 4 Tevet 5770

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Mitzvah #54 - Sanctify Shabbat with Kiddush and Havdala

It's a Mitzva to sanctify the Shabbat with words, when it starts and when it ends. This is known is Kiddush and Havdala.

It's also a Mitzva to bathe before Shabbat and to wear clean clothes.

It's a Mitzva to eat three meals on Shabbat, as well as a 4th on Motzai Shabbat.

There's also a Mitzva to remember Shabbat every day, which is why we say "Yom Rishon B'Shabbat" for Sunday, "Yom Sheni B'Shabbat" for Monday, etc.

Included in this Mitzva is to buy and keep special food for Shabbat, all week long.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Pasuk: "Remember the day of Shabbat to sanctify it" (Shemot 20:8)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Positive Mitzvah 19

- Danny
Sunday, 3 Tevet 5770

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Mitzvah #53 - Robbery is forbidden

One is forbidden from taking another person's possessions from them against their will, by force.

One who transgresses has a Mitzva of returning the robbery. (Vayikra 5:23)

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Pasuk: "Do not rob" (Vayikra 19:13)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 35

Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom,

- Danny
Thursday, 6th day Chanukah, 1st day Rosh Chodesh Tevet 5770

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Mitzvah #52 - Do not steal

One may not take another's possessions without his permission, even if one plans on paying him later.

This applies to possessions belonging to adults or kids, Jews and non-Jews.

Even taking another's possessions as a joke or prank is forbidden.

One who transgresses has a Mitzva of returning double the amount they stole (Shmos 22:8) unless it was an ox or a sheep for which one has to pay back 5 or 4 times the amount stolen.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Pasuk: "Do not steal" (Vayikra 19:11)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 34

- Danny
Wednesday, 5th day Chanukah, 29 Kislev 5770

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Mitzvah #51- Fear the Temple - Decorum in Shul

It's a Mitzva to be in awe of the Bet Hamikdash - the Holy Temple.

Our synagogues are considered to be miniature temples.

One may not make merry in them. Idle chatter is also forbidden.

One may not sleep in them.

It's a Mitzva to treat them with awe and respect.

Applies to everybody, always, everywhere

Pasuk: "and fear my sanctuary" (Vayikra 19:30)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Positive Mitzvah 18

- Danny
Tuesday, 4th day Chanukah, 28 Kislev 5770

Monday, December 14, 2009

Mitzvah #50 - Do not kidnap

One may not kidnap a Jewish person.

If one sells the abductee, one has also transgressed "do not sell him as a slave" (Vayikra 25:42).

One is put to death by strangulation by Bet Din for kidnapping only if one abducts somebody, brings them into ones property, makes them work for one and then sells them.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Pasuk: "Do not steal" (7th of the 10 commandments)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 33

- Danny
Monday, 3rd day Chanukah, 27 Kislev 5770

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Mitzvah #49 - Do not murder

One may not take another's life.

This prohibition includes hastening somebody's demise, including touching somebody in their death throes.

A murderer is killed by Bet Din by the sword.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Pasuk: "Do not murder" (6th of the 10 commandments)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 32

- Danny
Sunday, 2nd day Chanukah, 26 Kislev 5770

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Mitzvah #48 - Standing up for the elder and wise

It's a Mitzva to stand up when a person over 70 enters the room.

It's a Mitzva to stand up when a Torah scholar enters the room, even if he's not old.

It's also a Mitzva to honor ones Torah teachers.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Pasuk: "Stand up for the elder and respect the wise" (Vayikra 19:32)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Positive Mitzvah 17

Shabbat Shalom,

- Danny
Thursday, 23 Kislev 5770

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Mitzvah #47 - Broken promises

One is prohibited from making promises that one does not keep; whether past or future.

One may not promise one did or didn't do something, if it's not true. E.g.: I did/didn't eat something or talk to somebody.

One may not promise to do or not do something that one has no intention fulfilling. E.g.: I will/won't throw a stone.

Relevant to actions one can physically accomplish: Talk, eat, drink, sleep, etc.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Pasuk: "do not swear falsely in My name" (Vayikra 19:12)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 31

- Danny
Wednesday, 22 Kislev 5770

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Mitzvah #46 - Denying the existence of a debt

One is prohibited from taking a false oath denying one owes money, when one actually does owe the money.

This is besides for the general prohibition against swearing falsely.

One who transgresses has to pay a 25% penalty, besides for the original debt.

Applies to everybody, always, everywhere

Pasuk: "Do not lie one unto another" (Vayikra 19:11)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 30

- Danny
Tuesday, 21 Kislev 5770

Monday, December 7, 2009

Mitzvah #45 - Stick with the Rabbi

It's a Mitzva to keep company with Torah scholars and their students.

Therefore one should try marry into Rabbinical families, and eat with them.

It's also a Mitzva to give Torah scholars gifts and other benefits.

One should endeavor to learn from their ways and their teachings.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Pasuk: "and stick with Him" (Devarim 10:20), from which we learn that keeping company with Rabbis is equivalent to keeping company with Hashem.

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Positive Mitzvah 16

- Danny
Monday, 20 Kislev 5770

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Mitzvah #44 - Swearing in vain

One is prohibited from swearing in vain. This includes 4 types of oaths:

- Swearing to change a fact. E.g.: that a boy is a girl, or a stone is gold

- Swearing for no reason. E.g.: that a stone is a stone

- Swearing to not a do a Mitzva that one is obligated to do

- Swearing to do the impossible. E.g.: To not sleep for 72 hours, or to not eat nor drink for a week.

One who swears in vain on purpose deserves 39 lashes by Bet Din.

One who makes an unnecessary Bracha has also transgressed this Mitzva.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Pasuk: "Do not take Gcd's name in vain" - 3rd of the 10 commandments

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 29

- Danny
Sunday, 18 Kislev 5770

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Mitzvah #43 - Injuring oneself / cliques

One may not scratch or otherwise injure oneself "in honor" of an idol, nor as a sign of grief over the death of a beloved one.

This is forbidden whether done by hand or with an instrument.

Included in this Mitzva is the prohibition of dividing oneself into groups with different Minhagim, in the same location.

Applies to everybody, always ,everywhere.

Pasuk: "Lo Thisgodedu" (Devorim 14:1) which can mean "Do not scratch" and "do not create groups"

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 28

Shabbat Shalom,

- Danny
Thursday, 16 Kislev 5770

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Mitzvah #42 - Write your own Sefer Torah

All men have a Mitzva to write to their own Sefer Torah.

If he cannot write one himself, he can buy a Sefer Torah, or have a Sofer write one for him.

Even somebody who inherited a Sefer Torah, needs to write his own copy.

Nowadays (according to the Rosh) there is a Mitzva to buy a Chumash, Mishna and Talmud with commentaries, so that one can learn them.

Applies to males, everywhere, always.

Pasuk: "Write for yourselves this song" (Devarim 31:19)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Positive Mitzvah 15

- Danny
Wednesday, 15 Kislev 5770

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Mitzvah #41- Do not prophesies in the name of idols

One may not utter prophecies in the name of idols, even if the intent is to have people follow correct Halacha.

A transgressor gets killed by strangulation.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Pasuk: "and the name of other gods do not mention" (Shmot 23:13)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 27

- Danny
Tuesday, 14 Kislev 5770