Sunday, February 28, 2010

Mitzvah #104 - Sit in the Sukka during Sukkoth

It's a Mitzva to sit in a Sukka during Sukkoth.

One should eat, drink and live in the Sukka during the day and the night.

On the first night one has to eat at least a Kezayit (size of an olive) of bread in the Sukka. The rest of the time if you want to eat bread it needs to be in the Sukka, if you want to eat fruit you may do so out of the Sukka.

Children old enough to understand also need to eat in the Sukka, by Rabbinic decree.

Applies to males, always, everywhere.

Verse: "In booths you shall sit for seven days" (Vayikra 23:42)

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

- Danny, who celebrates Purim tomorrow.

Sunday, Purim, 14 Adar 5770

Next Mitzva-a-Day on Tuesday

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Mitzvah #103 - Perverting justice

One is prohibited from rendering incorrect judgements; acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent.

Included is the prohibition of delaying punishment once a ruling has been rendered.

Included is the prohibition of filibustering for the sake of delaying the ruling.

Applies to everybody, always, everywhere.

Verse: "Do not pervert justice" (Vayikra 19:35)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 69

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, Fast of Esther, 11 Adar 5770

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Mitzvah #102 - Converts and orphans in court

A judge who decides that a convert or orphan should win (or lose) their case simply because they are disadvantaged has transgressed twice.

Once for perverting justice and once for perverting the justice of the convert or orphan.

Applies to everybody, always, everywhere.

Verse: "Do not pervert the justice of the convert and orphan and widow" (Devarim 24:17)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 68

- Danny
Wednesday, 10 Adar 5770

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Mitzvah #101 - Refrain from work on first day of Sukkoth

It's a Mitzva to not do Melacha (certain types of work) on the first day of Sukkoth.

Work involving food preparation is allowed, within certain parameters.

Lighting fires from an existing flame as well as carrying without an Eruv is allowed.

Outside Israel this applies to the second day of Sukkoth as well, by Rabbinic decree.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "The first day shall be called Holy" (Vayikra 24:34)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Positive Mitzvah 34
- Danny
Tuesday, 9 Adar 5770

Monday, February 22, 2010

Mitzvah #100 - Having the wicked lose in court

A judge may not decide that a sinner deserves to lose the case simply because the other side is more righteous.

Applies to everybody, always, everywhere.

Verse: "Do not pervert the justice of the poor" (Shmot 23:6), where "poor" refers to the spiritually poor.

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 67

- Danny
Monday, 8 Adar 5770

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Mitzvah #99 - Favoring the poor in judgement

One may not give the poor preferential treatment in judgement.

A judge may not decide that since the rich person should support the poor, the poor person should win the case.

Applies to everybody, always, everywhere.

Verse: "Do not favor the poor in court" (Shemot 23:3) and (Vayikra 19:15)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 66

- Danny
Sunday, 7 Adar 5770

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Mitzvah #98 - Repent!

It's a Mitzva to repent from your sins, and to acknowledge them (privately to Hashem).

To fulfill this, one should say - in all honesty - something to the effect of "Please Hashem, I have sinned against you and done (mention the sin), and I regret doing so and am embarrassed, and I intend to never repeat the offense."

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Man and woman.... should acknowledge their sins" (Bemidbar 5:7)

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

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 4 Adar 5770

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Mitzvah #97 - Hearing only one side of the argument

A judge is prohibited from hearing one side of the case without both sides being present.

A person involved in judgement may not tell his side of the story to the judge without the other side being present.

Included in this verse is the prohibition of talking evil about others,and giving false testimony.

Applies to everybody, always, everywhere.

Verse: "Thou shalt not raise a false report" (Shmot 23:1)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 65

- Danny
Wednesday, 3 Adar 5770

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Mitzvah #96 - Appointing incompetent judges

One is prohibited from appointing incompetent judges to a Bet Din.

A judge needs to be chosen for his knowledge of the relevant areas in Torah learning, and his fear of Heaven.

Applies to everybody, always, everywhere.

Verse: "Do not show favor in judgement" (Devarim 1:17)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 64

- Danny
Tuesday, 2 Adar 5770

Please daven for newborn Noa Chaya bat Nava Yehudit, who is recovering from open heart surgery

Monday, February 15, 2010

Mitzvah #95 - Fast on Yom Kippour

It's a Mitzva to not eat and not drink from before sunset on Erev Yom Kippour until after the stars appear after Yom Kippour.

One who eats more than usual on Erev Yom Kippour is considered to have fasted an extra day.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "However, on the 10th day of the month is Yom Kippour... and you shall afflict your souls" (Vayikra 23:27)

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

- Danny
Monday, 2nd day Rosh Chodesh Adar 5770

Please daven for newborn Noa Chaya bat Nava Yehudit, who is recovering from open heart surgery

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Mitzvah #94 - Cursing a judge

Besides for the prohibition of cursing any Jew, one may also not curse a Dayan - a judge in a Bet Din.

One who curses a Dayan with reference to Hashem gets two sets of 39 lashes by Bet Din.

Included in this verse is the prohibition of cursing Gcd; one who transgresses gets stoned to death by Bet Din.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Do not curse the judge" (Shemot 22:26)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 63

Chodesh Tov,

- Danny
Sunday, 1st day Rosh Chodesh Adar 5770

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Mitzvah #93 - Don't be unfeeling towards the needy

One is forbidden to ignore the plight of the poor and needy, and send them away empty handed.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Do not be unfeeling and do not shut your hand from your poor brother" (Devarim 15:7)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 62

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 27 Shvat 5770

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Mitzvah #92 - Withholding the collateral

One may not withhold the collateral that one took from a debtor, if he needs to use it.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Do not sleep with his collateral by you" (Devarim 24:12)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 61

- Danny
Wednesday, 26 Shvat 5770

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Mitzvah #91 - Desist from work on Yom Kippour

It's a Mitzva to not do Melacha (certain types of work) on the 10th day of the month of Tishrei.

Any work forbidden on Shabbat is forbidden on Yom Kippour.

One who does any of the 39 forbidden categories of work on purpose on Yom Kippour deserves Karet, if done accidental then he needs to bring a Chatat sacrifice.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "It shall be a Shabbat of rest for you" (Vayikra 23:32)

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

- Danny
Tuesday, 25 Shvat 5770

Monday, February 8, 2010

Mitzvah #90 - Taking collateral from a widow

One may never take collateral from a widow - whether she is rich or poor, and not even in Bet Din.

One who takes collateral from a widow is forced by Bet Din to return it.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Do not take a widow's property as collateral " (Devarim 24:17)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 60

- Danny
Monday, 24 Shvat 5770

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Mitzvah #89- Taking collateral by force

One may not take collateral by force. One should not take collateral without permission from a Bet Din.

Even Bet Din's messenger may not enter the debtor's home; he must wait outside and the collateral shall be brought to him.

A cosigner may take collateral from a defaulted debtor by force, and may even enter the debtor's home to do so.

Similarly, a worker who has not been paid can get permission from Bet Din to enter the employer's home and take collateral by force.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Do not enter his house to take collateral" (Devarim 25:10)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 59

- Danny
Sunday, 23 Shvat 5770

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Mitzvah #88 - Hearing the Shofar on Rosh Hashana

It's a Mitzva to hear the Shofar being blown on the first day of the month of Tishrei.

One has to hear 3 sets of "Tekia (long single sound), Teru'a (broken-up sound), Tekia".

Since there are 3 possibilities as to what constitutes a Teru'a, we need to blow a total of 9 sets to properly fulfil this Mitzva.

Applies to males, always, everywhere.

Verse: "It shall be a day of Teru'a-blowing for you" (Bemidbar 29:1)

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

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 20 Shvat 5770

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Mitzvah #87 - Taking kitchen utensils as collateral

One may not take as collateral any items that are used to prepare food.

This applies whether one takes the collateral at the time of the debt or afterwards, and even if Bet Din is taking the collateral.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "Do not take the nether nor the upper millstone as collateral" (Devarim 24:6)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 58

- Danny
Wednesday, 19 Shvat 5770

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Mitzvah #86 - Not to demand payment of loans after Shmita

Once the Shmita (7th year) has passed, one may not ask repayment of loans that became due before the end of Shmita.

Nowadays, since we don't have the Yovel (50 year) cycle, this Mitzva is Rabbinic.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Do not demand payment, since the Shmita year has passed" (Devarim 15:2)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 57

- Danny
Tuesday, 18 Shvat 5770

Monday, February 1, 2010

Mitzvah #85 - Refrain from work on Rosh Hashanah

It's a Mitzva to not do Melacha (certain types of work) on the first day of the month of Tishrei.

Work involving food preparation is allowed, within certain parameters.

Lighting fires from an existing flame as well as carrying without an Eruv is allowed.

By Rabbinic decree this applies to both day of Rosh Hashanah, worldwide.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "On the first of the seventh month shall be a rest day" (Vayikra 23:24)

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

- Danny
Monday, 17 Shvat 5770