Mitzvah a Day

Mitzvah #271 - Never forget Amalek's evil deeds

2010-11-17T04:00:00.007+02:00

We are commanded to never forget the evil that Amalek did for us when he ambushed us on our journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.

The Mitzva is to never forget our hatred and animosity towards them.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Remember what Amalek did to you... don't forget" (Devarim 25: 17-19)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 194

This ends the

77 positive and 194 negative

Torah commandments

that are applicable nowadays.

- Danny
Wednesday, 8 Kislev 5771

Mitzvah #270 - Ascending the Temple Mount

2010-11-16T04:00:00.005+02:00

Anybody who is Tameh (spiritually impure) is not allowed to go into the "Levite Camp" - which is the Har HaBayit; where the Bet HaMikdash stood.

Since nowadays we are all Tameh, (for example, having been under the same roof as a corpse,) and we cannot become ritually pure since we don't have the Para Aduma (Red Heifer) ashes, therefore this restriction applies to all of us.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "...who is impure, shall not come into the camp" (Devarim 23:11)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 193

- Danny
Tuesday, 7 Kislev 5771

Mitzvah #269 - Leaving Israel

2010-11-15T08:58:00.003+02:00

It's forbidden to live in Egypt; however one may go there temporarily for business.

It's forbidden to leave the Land of Israel ever, except to learn Torah, or to get married, or to escape from enemies or to do business.

To leave Eretz Yisrael to settle permanently in the Diaspora is forbidden - unless there's a serious famine in the land.

Whoever lives in Eretz Yisrael - his sins are forgiven. Even walking 4 cubits in Eretz Yisrael is a Mitzva.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "You shall not go back on that way again" (Devarim 17:16)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 192

- Danny
Monday, 6 Kislev 5771

--> Rare and hard to find sefarim about Eretz Yisrael available on VirtualGeula <--

Mitzvah #268 - Save the trees

2010-11-14T10:28:00.001+02:00

It is forbidden to destroy fruit trees - and one who does so deserves 39 lashes by Bet Din.

If a fruit tree is causing damage to other trees or nearby fields, it may be chopped down.

Non-fruit bearing trees, and fruit trees that no longer produce a significant amount of fruit can be chopped down without any special reason.

By Rabbinical decree it's forbidden to needlessly destroy any item, including vessels, clothes, buildings and food.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "when you besiege a city... do not destroy its trees" (Devarim 20:12)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 191

- Danny
Sunday, 5 Kislev 5771

Mitzvah #267 - Keep your house safe

2010-11-11T10:23:00.002+02:00

It is forbidden to have anything dangerous in one's house, like an unsafe fence (or no fence) around one's roof or pool, or owning dangerous dogs.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "..do not put dangerous objects in your house" (Devarim 22:8)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 190

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 4 Kislev 5771

Mitzvah #266 - Hunting birds

2010-11-10T08:44:00.000+02:00

If one finds a bird roosting on her eggs or hatchlings, it is forbidden to capture her.

(Compare to Mitzva 232 - http://mitzvoh.blogspot.com/2010/09/mitzvah-232-free-eggs.html)

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "...do not take the mother when she is roosting on the eggs" (Devarim 22:6)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 189

- Danny
Wednesday, 3 Kislev 5771

Mitzvah #265 - Let the animals eat while they work

2010-11-09T08:36:00.001+02:00

It is forbidden to prevent an animal from eating while it works - especially from the produce it is working with.

One may not muzzle the animal even before starting to work. One may not even yell at it to prevent it from eating.

This is true even if the animal belongs to a non-Jew.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Do not muzzle an ox while it's threshing" (Devarim 25:4)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 188

- Danny
Tuesday, 2 Kislev 5771

Mitzvah #264 - Feeding others while you work

2010-11-08T08:47:00.002+02:00

When allowed to eat during the final harvesting stages, a worker may not pick up (with the intention of eating) more than one mouthful at a time.

He may also not pick up anything and give it to others to eat.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "...and into your vessels do not put any" (Devarim 23:25)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 187

Chodesh Tov

- Danny

Monday, 2nd day Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5771

Mitzvah #263 - Eating while you work

2010-11-07T10:09:00.001+02:00

A worker may not eat from the food he is working with, except in a field during the final stages of harvesting. While reaping he may not yet eat from the crop.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "...do not lift a sickle onto your neighbors's crop" (Devarim 23:26)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 186

Chodesh Tov

- Danny
Sunday, 30 Marcheshvan - 1st day Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5771

Mitzvah #262 - Don't delay; keep your promise

2010-11-04T09:03:00.000+02:00

It's forbidden to delay the fulfillment of a promise.

One does not transgress "delaying" until all 3 festivals (Pessach, Shavuoth and Succoth) has gone by.

However, when pledging to give Tzedaka, one transgresses "delaying" as soon as one meets someone who deserves to get the charity, or a representative of the institution one pledged the money to.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "When you promise... do not delay its fulfillment" (Devarim 23:22)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 185

Shabbat Shalom uMevorah

- Danny
Thursday, 27 Marcheshvan 5771

Mitzvah #261 - Keep your promises

2010-11-03T08:47:00.002+02:00

It is forbidden to break a promise; if you promise something you have to keep to it.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "One who makes a promise... should not break his promise" (Bemidbar 30:3)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 184

- Danny
Wednesday, 26 Marcheshvan 5771

Mitzvah #260 - Ignoring animals in distress

2010-11-02T10:45:00.001+02:00

If one sees an animal that has collapsed under its burden, one may not ignore it and choose not to assist unloading it.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "When seeing the animal collapse under it's burden, you may not ignore it" (Devarim 22:4)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 183

- Danny
Tuesday, 25 Marcheshvan 5771

Mitzvah #259 - Lost property; don't ignore it

2010-11-01T11:14:00.000+02:00

It is forbidden to ignore lost property that belongs to a fellow-Jew; if you notice it, you must pick it up.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Do not ignore your friend's lost property..." (Devarim 22:1-3)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 182

- Danny
Monday, 24 Marcheshvan 5771

Mitzvah #258 - Kosher clothes

2010-10-31T11:05:00.002+02:00

It's forbidden to wear clothes that include both linen and wool from sheep. This mixture is called Sha'atnez.

Even if the wool and linen are tied to opposite ends of a clothing item, it is forbidden to wear the item.

One may not cover oneself with Sha'atnez; woolen blankets may not have linen threads or labels.

Even if the Sha'atnez item is not directly on one's skin it's forbidden; even if one is sleeping under a huge pile of blankets, the top one cannot contain Sha'atnez.

By Rabbinic decree it's also forbidden to sit on Sha'atnez.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Do not wear Sha'atnez; wool and linen together." (Devarim 22:11)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 181

- Danny
Sunday, 23 Marcheshvan 5771

Mitzvah #257 - Ploughing with an ox and a donkey

2010-10-28T11:32:00.001+02:00

It is forbidden to use an ox and a donkey, to pull a plough or a wagon together.

One who does any type of work using a Kosher and a non-Kosher animal at the same time, deserves 39 lashes by Bet Din.

Even one who sits in a wagon drawn by an ox and a donkey deserves 39 lashes by Bet Din.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Do not plough using an ox and a donkey" (Devarim 22:10)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 180

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 20 Marcheshvan 5771

Please daven for the complete recovery of Rivka bat Tirtzel.

Mitzvah #256 - Men cross-dressing

2010-10-27T09:21:00.001+02:00

Men are forbidden to wear clothing or jewelry that is specifically for women.

This Halacha is location-specific; the norm of the place you are in, defines what is feminine.

Included in this prohibition is grooming like women; to look younger than one's age. This includes removing or dyeing white hair from one's beard or head.

Applies to men, everywhere, always.

Verse: "...and men should not wear women's clothing" (Devarim 22:5)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 179

- Danny
Wednesday, 19 Marcheshvan 5771

Mitzvah #255 - Women cross-dressing

2010-10-26T08:44:00.003+02:00

Women are forbidden to wear clothing or jewelry that is specifically for men.

A woman may not have a "man's haircut".

This Halacha is location-specific; the norm of the place you are in, defines what is "masculine".

Applies to women, always, everywhere.

Verse: "A woman should not wear man's clothing" (Devarim 22:5)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 178

- Danny
Tuesday, 18 Marcheshvan 5771

Please daven for the complete recovery of
Rivka bat Tirtzel.
Tehillim signup at http://tehillim.mamash.com/?signup_id=13

Mitzvah #254 - Must a Jew have a beard?

2010-10-25T12:18:00.001+02:00

There are 5 sections of the beard that may not be shaved with a razor.

Since we no longer are sure where these 5 places are, it's forbidden to use a razor to shave any part of one's beard.

One who shaves his beard with a razor or knife has transgressed 5 times.

Trimming or cutting one's beard with scissors is permitted.

Applies to men, everywhere, always.

Verse: "...and do not destroy the corners of your beard" (Vayikra 19:27)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 177

- Danny
Monday, 17 Marcheshvan 5771

Please daven for

Rachel Rivka bat Aharona Zissel Sara (Lebetkin, 28)

who is missing since last Sunday.

Details at - http://tinyurl.com/Lebetkin

Mitzvah #253 - Payot; the Torah haircut

2010-10-24T12:38:00.002+02:00

One is forbidden to shave off the corners of the head of a Jewish male.

Even cutting them off with scissors is forbidden. Trimming them is allowed.

("The corners of the head" is the hair that grows in the triangular area from the top of the ear to the forehead to the sideburns all the way to the bottom of the skull near the hole in the ear.)

One who shaves off both corners has transgressed twice.

The one who does the shaving has transgressed; a woman's "corners" may be shaved, but a woman may not shave a man's "corners".

The one being shaved has not transgressed, unless he assists in the process.

It is also forbidden to shave a boy's "corners" - even if he is under Bar Mitzva.

Applies to everybody, on males only, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Do not round off the corners of your heads" (Vayikra 19:27)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 176

- Danny
Sunday, 16 Marcheshvan 5771

Mitzvah #252 - The fake prophet

2010-10-21T10:53:00.000+02:00

It is forbidden to prophecise falsely as a representative of Gcd.

One who claims - falsely - that Hashem spoke to him, and then informs us of Hashem's message, deserves to be put to death by Beth Din by strangulation.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "The prophet who purposely speaks in My Name things that I did not tell him to say..." Devarim (18: 20)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 175

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 13 Marcheshvan 5771

Mitzvah #251 - Communicating with the dead

2010-10-20T12:00:00.000+02:00

It is forbidden to communicate with those who are no longer alive.

For example, one who starves himself and then sleeps in a cemetery so that the deceased comes to him in a dream and answers his questions, has transgressed this Mitzva.

No matter what method is used to communicate with the dead, they are all forbidden.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: There shall not be among you... one who communicates with the dead" (Devarim 18:10-11)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 174

- Danny
Wednesday, 12 Marcheshvan 5771

Mitzvah #250 - Inquiring of a Yid'oni

2010-10-19T13:20:00.000+02:00

In Mitzvah #248 we described the forbidden Yid'oni ceremony; which gave the Yid'oni the ability to foretell the future.

It is forbidden to inquire from a Yid'oni about the future.

One who inquires from a Yid'oni about the future - and does an action during the Yid'oni ceremony - deserves 39 lashes by Beth Din.

If one does not do any action, one deserves Makat Mardut; lashes by Rabbinic decree.

Applies to everybody, always, everywhere.

Verse: "There shall not be found amongst you... those who inquire of... a Yid'oni" (Devarim 18:10 - 11)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 173

- Danny
Tuesday, 11 Marcheshvan 5771

Mitzvah #249 - Inquiring of an Ov

2010-10-18T10:03:00.000+02:00

In Mitzva 247 we described the forbidden Ov ceremony; which gave the Ov the ability to foretell the future.

It is forbidden to inquire from the Ov about the future.

One who inquires from the Ov about the future - and does an action during the Ov ceremony - deserves 39 lashes by Beth Din.

If one does no action, one deserves Makat Mardut; lashes by Rabbinic decree.

Applies to everybody, always, everywhere.

Verse: "There shall not be found amongst you... those who inquire of an Ov" (Devarim 18:10 - 11)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 172

- Danny
Monday, 10 Marcheshvan 5771

Mitzvah #248 - Yid'oni; the bird fortune teller

2010-10-17T09:41:00.001+02:00

A Yid'oni would take a bone from a certain bird and put it in his mouth and perform some ceremony, after which the bird would foretell the future.

It is forbidden to be a Yid'oni and do this ceremony.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "Do not consult with the... Yid'oni" (Vayikra 19:31)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 171

- Danny
Sunday, Marcheshvan 5771

Mitzvah #247 - Ov, Hearing voices

2010-10-14T12:57:00.003+02:00

Ov: A person who has the ability to hear voices coming from the ground, skulls or armpits, in response to questions one asks, using various means.

It is forbidden to become and act as an Ov.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Do not consult with an Ov" (Vayikra 19:31)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 170

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 6 Marcheshvan 5771

Mitzvah #246 - Witch Doctors as doctors

2010-10-13T11:29:00.002+02:00

Chanting gibberish in order to heal is forbidden.

Chanting gibberish as a protection from snakes and wasps is forbidden.

If one does either of the above while waving one's hand or a stick, or while making any other motion, one deserves 39 lashes by Beth Din.

By Rabbinic decree it's forbidden to do the above even without any motions.

By Rabbinic decree it's forbidden to ask somebody else to do the above for one's own protection or convalescence.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "There shall be no... Witch Doctors amongst you" (Devarim 19:10-11)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 169

- Danny
Wednesday, 5 Marcheshvan 5771

Mitzvah #245 - Witches and Wizards

2010-10-12T10:23:00.002+02:00

One who does magic - using herbs, stones, potions or similar - deserves to be stoned to death by Beth Din.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "There shall be no... wizards amongst you" (Devarim 19:10)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 168

- Danny
Tuesday, 4 Marcheshvan 5771

Mitzvah #244 - Soothsayer in a trance

2010-10-11T11:50:00.003+02:00

A Kosem is somebody who beats the ground with his staff or belt while chanting gibberish until he goes into a trance; after which he starts to foretell the future.

One who puts himself into a trance to foretell the future - or to make decisions - has transgressed this Mitzva.

By Rabbinic decree one may not inquire about future events from a Kosem.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "You shall not have any ... thoughtful soothsayers in your midsts" (Devarim 18:10)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 167

- Danny
Monday, 3 Marcheshvan 5771

Mitzvah #243 - Auspicious times and illusions

2010-10-10T10:10:00.000+02:00

It is forbidden to declare certain times as auspicious or inauspicious. Thus it's forbidden to say "this time frame (hour, month, day, month) is a good time to do something" or "this time frame is NOT a good time to start some activity".

Whoever plans his activities based on auspicious or inauspicious times, has transgressed this Mitzva.

Also included in the Mitzva is the sin of magical illusions by sleight of hand; giving the impression one is doing something amazing, when in reality nothing is being done.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "Do not act on the basis of auspicious times" (Vayikra 19:26)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 166

- Danny
Sunday, 2 Marcheshvan 5771

Posted on 10-10-10 at 10:10 :-)

Mitzvah #242 - Divination

2010-10-07T10:31:00.002+02:00

Divination: The practice of discerning the hidden significance of events and foretelling the future. (Britannica Concise Encyclopedia)

Divinations - of both past and future events - is forbidden. Examples of forbidden divinations include:

- "My bread fell out of my hand - so I will not go shopping today"
- "I dropped my walking stick - so I will not travel today"
- "If such-and-such happens, I will do something-or-another"

If one acts based on one's divinations, one has transgressed this Mitzva.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "Do not practice divination (Vayikra 19:26)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 165

Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 29 Tishrei 5771

Mitzvah #241 - Ripping out your hair

2010-10-06T13:16:00.000+02:00

One may not rip out hair from one's head while grieving over a deceased person.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Do not make a bald spot... because of a death." (Devarim 14:1)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 164

- Danny
Wednesday, 28 Tishrei 5771

Mitzvah #240 - Tattoos

2010-10-05T09:27:00.000+02:00

It is forbidden to get a permanent tattoo.

One who punctures their skin and inserts die or coloring agents, deserves 39 lashes in Bet Din.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "... and do not get a tattoo." (Vayikra 19:28)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 163

- Danny
Tuesday, 27 Tishrei 5771

Mitzvah #239 - Monuments

2010-10-04T11:47:00.000+02:00

One may not erect a stone monument - where the multitudes gather - for the sake of worship; be it idol worship or even worshipping Hashem.

One who erects such a monument deserves 39 lashes by Bet Din.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "Do not erect any monuments" (Devarim 16:22)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 162

- Danny
Monday, 26 Tishrei 5771

Mitzvah #238 - Annihilating the wicked Amalek

2010-10-03T10:30:00.003+02:00

It's a Mitzva to wipe out all descendants of Amalek.

Since nowadays we do not know who is a pedigreed descendant of Amalek, we are awaiting the arrival of Eliyahu Hanavi to enlighten us, after which we will wipe them out.

May we live to see the arrival of Eliyahui Hanavi speedily in our days.

Verse: "Erase all traces of Amalek" (Devarim 25:19)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Positive Mitzvah 77

This completes the 77 positive Mitzvot which apply nowadays. For the full list go to http://mitzvoh.blogspot.com/search/label/Positive%20Mitzva?max-results=77

- Danny
Sunday, 25 Tishrei 5771

Mitzvah #237 - Remembering Amalek

2010-09-22T08:05:00.002+02:00

It's a Mitzva to remember what Amalek did to us on the way out of Egypt.

The Mitzva is to mention his evil deeds and how he ambushed us, in order that we realize that we have to hate the nation of Amalek.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Remember what Amalek did to you..." (Devarim 25:7)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Positive Mitzvah 76

Chag Same'ach; next Mitzva-a-Day after Sukkoth

- Danny
Wednesday, 14 Tishrei 5771

Mitzvah #236 - Kneeling

2010-09-21T10:53:00.000+02:00

It is forbidden to make a stone floor to be used for bowing down, even if one is bowing to Gcd.

One who fully prostrates himself to Gcd on a stone floor deserves 39 lashes by Bet Din.

Even simply kneeling on a stone floor to Gcd is forbidden.

On Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippour one has to cover the stone floors in the synagogue (e.g. with a carpet or towel or paper) before bowing down.

One who kneels or prostrates himself in front of an idol, deserves to be stoned to death by Bet Din.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "..and a stone floor do not put in your land to prostrate upon" (Vayikra 26:1)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 161

- Danny
Tuesday, 13 Tishrei 5771

==> If you don't live in Israel, add a reminder to your calendar for Eruv Tavshilin for tomorrow and for next week,.

Mitzvah #235 - Deleting Mitzvot

2010-09-20T11:22:00.003+02:00

It is forbidden to decide that a Mitzva is no longer applicable.

This applies to Mitzvot from the Written or the Oral law.

The Rabbis have permission to prevent people from doing a Mitzva under certain conditions, like forbidding to blow the Shofar on Shabbat to ensure that people will not transgress the Torah commandment of carrying in a public domain on Shabbat.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "...and do not remove from them" (Devarim 13:1)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 160

- Danny

Monday, 12 Tishrei 5771

Mitzvah #234 - Is your house safe?

2010-09-19T09:04:00.000+02:00

It's a Mitzva to put a fence around one's roof (if it's accessible) and to remove from one's property all possibility of anybody getting hurt.

Included is fencing-in pools, pits and reservoirs and not owning a dangerous dog.

The fence needs to be at least 10 Tefachim high (~80 cm - 32") and strong enough that people can lean on it safely.

One can fulfill this Mitzva daily by inspecting one's property for anything dangerous that needs attention.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "You shall make a fence for your roof, and not have anything dangerous in the house" (Devarim 22:8)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Positive Mitzvah 75

- Danny
Sunday, 11 Tishrei 5771

Mitzvah #233 - Inventing a new Mitzva

2010-09-16T10:19:00.000+02:00

One may not add new Mitzvot to the existing 613 that Gcd commanded us.

Even declaring a Rabbinic-Mitzva to be Torah-ordained is forbidden.

If a Cohen adds a blessing to the 3-fold priestly blessing he has transgressed this Mitzva.

The Rabbis are allowed to add safeguards, decrees and thanksgiving Mitzvot (like Chanukah and Purim) - as long as they don't declare them to be Torah-ordained.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Do not add to it" (Devarim 13:1)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 159

Shabbat Shalom and have an easy and meaningful fast

- Danny
Thursday, 8 Tishrei 5771

Mitzvah #232 - Free eggs!

2010-09-15T09:10:00.000+02:00

If one chances upon a mother bird roosting on her eggs or her nestlings, and one wants to take the eggs or the nestlings, one has a Mitzva to first send away the mother bird.

The correct way to do this Mitzva is to pick up the bird and shoo her away.

If she returns and hovers over the nest before you take the eggs or nestlings, you have to send her away again and again - no matter how often she returns.

Only applies to Kosher birds that don't belong to anybody, eggs that are not yet fertilized and nestlings that cannot fly yet

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "You shall send away the mother bird, and take the offspring" (Devarim 22:7)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Positive Mitzvah 74

- Danny
Wednesday, 7 Tishrei 5771

Mitzvah #231 - Obey the Torah sages

2010-09-14T09:17:00.002+02:00

One is forbidden to stray from the rulings of the Bet Din HaGadol; the "supreme high court" that exists in the time of the Bet HaMikdash.

Judaism and the Mitzvoth are defined only by what Moshe wrote in the Torah and what how he explained it in the Oral Law; the Mishna and Talmud.

This includes everything our sages have taught us, as documented in the Talmud, as well as any rulings by qualified Rabbis

One who tries to change accepted Jewish law or customs against tradition, has transgressed this Mitzva.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Do not stray from what they tell you, neither right nor left" (Devarim 17:11)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 158

- Danny
Tuesday, 6 Tishrei 5771

Mitzvah #230 - Safeguarding holiness

2010-09-13T11:17:00.002+02:00

It is forbidden to destroy anything that has Kedusha (sanctity). This includes damaging - even slightly - buildings and furniture belonging to a synagogue or Yeshiva.

It is also forbidden to erase any of the 7 Hebrew names of Gcd.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Do not do so unto Hashem your Gcd" (Devarim 12:4)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 157

- Danny
Monday, 5 Tishrei 5771

Mitzvah #229 - Laws of inheritance

2010-09-12T13:14:00.002+02:00

It's a Mitzva to bequeath one's estate using the laws of inheritance as defined in the Torah.

In a nutshell: When there are sons the daughters have no share in the estate. If there are no sons - or descendants of the sons - then the order is: daughters and her descendants, father, brothers.

Part of the Mitzva is that a firstborn son gets a double portion of the estate.

By Rabbinic decree a husband inherits his wife's estate.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "If a man dies without sons, his estate gets inherited by his daughters" (Bemidbar 27:8)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Positive Mitzvah 73

- Danny
Sunday, 4 Tishrei 5771

Mitzvah #228 - Thinking the Jewish way

2010-09-08T07:21:00.000+03:00

One may not think thoughts that could cause one to reject Judaism, nor thoughts that are immodest.

Since worshipping Gcd requires a clear head, it's important to control one's thoughts.

Included in this Mitzva is pursuing pleasure for the sake of pleasure, as opposed to relaxing with the purpose of having renewed energy for doing Mitzvot..

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Do not stray after your eyes and after your minds" (Bemidbar 15:39)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 156

With wishes for a Ketiva Vechatima Tova

- Danny
Wednesday, Erev Rosh Hashana 5770

==> Do a Mitzva: Call a friend and remind them to do Eruv Tavshilin - details at http://tinyurl.com/EruvTav

Mitzvah #227 - Setting the record straight: Rebuke

2010-09-07T10:20:00.003+03:00

It's a Mitzva to rebuke a sinner by informing him which action was improper and that it's in his best interest to improve his ways, in order that he merit eternal bliss in Olam Haba - the world to come.

However, one may not embarrass the sinner, by rebuking them in the presence of other people.

One need only rebuke those people who might listen to the rebuke and stop sinning.

Conversely, it's a Mitzva to accept rebuke and to love the person doing the rebuking.

Applies to everybody, always, everywhere

Verse: "You shall surely rebuke your fellow man" (Vayikra 19:17)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Positive Mitzvah 72

- Danny
Tuesday, 28 Elul 5770

Please daven for a complete recovery for Chava Ahuva bas Glika

==> Add a reminder to your calendar to do Eruv Tavshilin tomorrow <==

Mitzvah #226 - Setting a good example

2010-09-06T11:27:00.000+03:00

Any behavior which causes a Chillul Hashem - a desecration of Gcd's name - is forbidden.

There are 3 aspects to this prohibition:

1. If one is being coerced to sin with the intention of profaning one's religion, then one has to be prepared to be killed rather than sin. In the case of idolatry, adultery and idol worship, even if the intention is not religiously oriented one has to be prepared to die rather than sin. One who sins rather than dies has done a Chillul Hashem.

2. One who does any sin merely for the sake of rebelling against Gcd, and not because he will benefit from the sin, has done a Chillul Hashem.

3. When a person who people look up to (like a Rabbi or teacher) does something which most people assume is wrong (even if technically it's permitted) then he has done a Chillul Hashem.

The sin of Chillul Hashem - desecrating Gcd's name - is so severe that Teshuva (repentance) and Yom Kippur are not sufficient to eradicate it; and only death completes the atonement.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Do not desecrate My Holy Name" (Vayikra 22:32)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 155

- Danny
Monday, 27 Elul 5770

Mitzvah #225 - Shmini Atzeret is not a work day

2010-09-05T10:53:00.002+03:00

One may not do any Melacha (work as defined by the Rabbis) on the 8th day of Sukkoth; Shmini Atzeret.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "And the 8th day... all work you shall not do" (Vayikra 23:36)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 154

- Danny
Sunday, 26 Elul 5770

Mitzvah #224 - Help reload the animal

2010-09-01T08:12:00.001+03:00

It's a Mitzva to help reload an animal - or porter - if their loads needs readjusting during transport.

One does not have to help unless one will be paid for one's effort.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "..you shall surely help him reload" (Devarim 22:4)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Positive Mitzvah 71

- Danny
Thursday, 23 Elul 5770

Mitzvah #223- First day Sukkoth is not a work day

2010-08-31T08:11:00.006+03:00

One may not do any Melacha (work as defined by the Rabbis) on the first day of Sukkoth.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "And on first day... all work you shall not do" (Vayikra 23:36)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 153

- Danny
Wednesday, 22 Elul 5770

Mitzvah #222 - Abstaining from food and drink on Yom Kippour

2010-08-29T13:30:00.005+03:00

It is forbidden to eat or drink on Yom Kippour.

By Rabbinic decree it is also forbidden to wash, anoint, wear leather shoes and have marital relations on Yom Kippour.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "for who ever does not fast... will be cut off" (Vayikra 23:29)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 152

- Danny
Monday, 20 Elul 5770

Mitzvah #221 - When is it a Mitzva to unload a donkey?

2010-08-29T07:49:00.002+03:00

If one sees a donkey collapsed under it's heavy load, it's a Mitzva to help the donkey-driver unload the animal.

Even if the load was excessive it's a Mitzva to help.

Unloading the animal must be done without asking for remuneration.

If - after reloading the donkey - it again collapses, it's a Mitzva to help unload again, and again.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "When you see your fellow man's donkey collapsing under its load... you shall surely help him" (Shmot 23:5)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Positive Mitzvah 70

- Danny
Sunday, 19 Elul 5770

Mitzvah #220 - Yom Kippour is not a work day

2010-08-26T09:54:00.002+03:00

One may not do any Melacha (work as defined by the Rabbis) on Yom Kippour.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "..and all work you shall not do" (Vayikra 23:28)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 151

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 16 Elul 5770

Mitzvah #219 - Rosh Hashana is not a work day

2010-08-25T10:10:00.001+03:00

One may not do any Melacha (work as defined by the Rabbis) on the first day of Rosh Hashana.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "And on first day of the seventh month... all work you shall not do" (Vayikra 23:24)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 150

- Danny
Wednesday, 15 Elul 5770

Mitzvah #218 - Lost property

2010-08-24T10:32:00.000+03:00

It's a Mitzva to return a fellow Jew's lost property.

If one found an item that is below one's dignity to pick up - and even if it was one's own property one would leave it on the street - then one need not deal with it. However, it's appropriate to anyway deal with it.

Since it's a Mitzva to return a person's earthly property, then it's definitely a Mitzva to return a person's spiritual property; the Torah which is our heritage.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "...you shall surely return them your fellow man" (Devarim 22:1)

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

- Danny
Tuesday, 14 Elul 5770

Mitzvah #217 - Shavuoth is not a work day

2010-08-23T11:06:00.002+03:00

One may not do any Melacha (work as defined by the Rabbis) on Shavuoth.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "And on the 15th of the first month... all work you shall not do" (Vayikra 23:21)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 149

- Danny
Monday, 13 Elul 5770

Mitzvah #216 - Last day Pessach is not a work day

2010-08-22T11:51:00.000+03:00

One may not do any Melacha (work as defined by the Rabbis) on the last day of Pessach.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "And on the 7th day... all work you shall not do" (Vayikra 23:8)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 148

- Danny
Sunday, 12 Elul 5770

Erratum: A Peruta is only 0.025 grams of pure silver; currently less than 2 US pennies.

Mitzvah #215 - First day Pessach is not a work day

2010-08-19T10:40:00.002+03:00

One may not do any Melacha (work as defined by the Rabbis) on the first day of Pessach.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "And on the 15th of the first month... all work you shall not do" (Vayikra 23:6)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 147

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 9 Elul 5770

Mitzvah #214 - Returning stolen objects

2010-08-18T09:29:00.004+03:00

Items that one stole need to be returned to their rightful owners, if their worth is more than a Peruta. (0.025 grams of pure silver; currently less than 2 US pennies.)

If the person one stole from died, one returns the objects to their Halachic heirs.

If the stolen objects are no longer in one's possession, one returns their value.

Included on this Mitzva is returning money that one overcharged.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "and he should return the stolen objects that he stole" (Vayikra 5:23)

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

- Danny
Wednesday, 8 Elul 5770

Mitzvah #213 - Replicating the Ketoret incense

2010-08-17T12:10:00.002+03:00

One may not produce incense using the recipe used to make the Ketoret used twice daily in the Bet HaMikdash (Temple).

It is forbidden to make ¼, ½ or ¾ or any other ratio of the recipe.

If it is made for its aroma, it's forbidden even if it was not subsequently used. One is permitted to make Ketoret for study-purposes only.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "..and the Ketoret incense... do not make for yourself" (Shmot 20:37, 38)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 146

- Danny
Tuesday, 7 Elul 5770

Mitzvah #212 - Replicating the Anointing Oil

2010-08-16T10:52:00.002+03:00

It's forbidden to make scented oil using the recipe used for the Anointing Oil as described in Shemot Ch. 30, which was used by Moshe Rabbeinu to anoint the Mishkan and the Cohanim.

This is forbidden only if one intends to use the oil as lotion. If one simply wants to learn how the Anointing Oil was made, then it's permitted to make it.

Applies to everybody, always, everywhere

Verse: "..and it's recipe do not replicate" (Shemot 30:32)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 145

- Danny
Monday, 6 Elul 5770

Mitzvah #211 - Adjudicate the Torah way

2010-08-15T10:22:00.001+03:00

It's a Mitzva to adjudicate business disputes using the Halachot set down by the Torah.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "When you buy from fellow man or sell to him..." (Vayikra 25:14)

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

- Danny
Sunday, 5 Elul 5770

Mitzvah #210 - Graven images

2010-08-12T11:41:00.002+03:00

Making sculptures of the human head (with or without the body) is forbidden and is punishable by 39 lashes from Bet Din.

Drawing and engravings of heads are permitted.

Rings with seals of human heads:

- If the image is engraved, one may own it, but one may not affix a seal with it, since the seal will have an embossed head on it.

- If the image is embossed, one may not own it, but one may affix a seal with it, since the seal will have an engraved image on it.

One may not draw, engrave or emboss the likeness of the sun or moon.

One is permitted to draw, engrave and emboss animals, trees and plants.

One may not build a building with the same measurements as the Bet HaMikdash.

One may not make a table identical to the one used in the Bet Hamikdash.

One may not make a 7-branched Menorah out of any metal.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "You shall not make..." (Shmos 20:23)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 144

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 2 Elul 5770

Please daven for the complete recovery of Sara bat Hodda who will be going for a bone marrow transplant today

Mitzvah #209 - Birth control

2010-08-11T11:06:00.000+03:00

Any procedure that prevents a male from reproducing is forbidden.

This applies to male humans and to male animals, both Kosher and non-Kosher animals.

The prohibition includes using medication as well as surgical procedures done by either males and females.

One may not even ask a non-Jew to neuter one's animal, though one may buy a neutered animal.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "that which is bruised, or crushed, or broken, or cut... and don't do so in your land." (Vayikra 22:24)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 143

- Danny
Wednesday, 2nd day Rosh Chodesh Elul 5770

Mitzvah #208 - Pay wages on time

2010-08-10T08:50:00.000+03:00

It's a Mitzva to pay a worker's wages on the day they are due.

To fulfill this Mitzva:

- 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.

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

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "Pay wages on that day" (Devorim 24:15)

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

- Danny
Tuesday, 1st day Rosh Chodesh Elul 5770

Mitzvah #207 - Crossbreeding animals

2010-08-09T08:41:00.002+03:00

It is forbidden to crossbreed different species of animals or birds.

Applies to everybody, always, everywhere

Verse: "Your animals you may not crossbreed" (Vayikra 19:19)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 142

- Danny
Monday, 29 Av 5770

Erratum: A Cohen is NOT allowed to become ritually impure - except for his parents, his father's sons and unmarried daughters, his own children and his wife.

Mitzvah #206 - Keep the Cohen away from corpses

2010-08-08T13:31:00.001+03:00

A Cohen is not allowed to become ritually impure - except for his parents, his father's sons and unmarried daughters, his own children and his wife.

He may not touch nor carry corpses, nor be under the same roof nor hover over a corpse.

The same applies to body parts as well as to blood from a corpse.

A Cohen who becomes ritually impure deserves 39 lashes by Bet Din.

A Cohen may help in the burial of a מת מצוה - if the burial will not happen without his assistance.

Applies everywhere, always, to Kosher male Cohanim, but not to a Chalal

Verse: "He may not become impure for a non relative" (Vayikra 21:1)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 141

- Danny
Sunday, 28 Av 5770

Mitzvah #205 - A Cohen cannot marry a divorcee

2010-08-05T10:36:00.000+03:00

A Cohen is not allowed to marry a divorcee; if he does then their children are Chalalim and he deserves 39 lashes by Bet Din.

By Rabbinic decree a Cohen is prohibited from marrying a widow whose husband died without offspring and she underwent Chalitza by a surviving brother.

Applies to Cohanim, everywhere, always

Verse: "And a woman divorced from her husband he may not marry" (Vayikra 21:7)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 140

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 25 Av 5770

Mitzvah #204 - Eat and work?

2010-08-04T10:32:00.002+03:00

It's a Mitzva for the farmer to allow his workers to eat from the fruit they are picking.

This applies to any work being done on produce, fruit and vegetables that have not been picked yet.

The worker may eat from the tree or from the fruit he already picked - as long as it hasn't been processed to the point where one would need to separate Trumot and Maasrot.

A watchman may not eat from the fruit he is guarding, as his job does not directly involve the fruit on the tree.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "When coming into your friends' vineyard, you may eat..." (Devarim 23:25-26)

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

- Danny
Wednesday, 24 Av 5770

Mitzvah #203 - Can a Cohen marry a Chalala?

2010-08-03T09:08:00.000+03:00

If a Cohen has a daughter from a woman he is not allowed to marry, that daughter has the status of Chalala. (The sons have the status of Chalal.)

Any woman who may not marry a Cohen yet has relations with a Cohen gets the status of Chalala.

A Cohen is not allowed to marry a Chalala.

Applies to Cohanim, everywhere, always.

Verse: "A Chalala... they [the Cohanim] may not marry" (Vayikra 21:7)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 139

- Danny
Tuesday, 23 Av 5770

Mitzvah #202 - Who can a Cohen marry?

2010-08-02T09:15:00.000+03:00

A Cohen may not marry a Zonah.

A Zonah being defined as:

- A woman who was not born Jewish, or

- A woman who had relations with a man she may not marry, or

- A woman who had relations with a Challal; a child born from a Cohen marrying a Zonah

A child born out of wedlock may marry a Cohen if her parents were permitted [by Halacha] to get married.

Applies to Cohanim ,everywhere, always

Verse: "A Zonah... they [the Cohanim] may not marry" (Vayikra 21:7)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 138

- Danny
Monday, 22 Av 5770

Mitzvah #201 - Shmita cancels debts

2010-08-01T13:50:00.002+03:00

If a loan was not repaid during the Shmita (7 year cycle) year, then it's a Mitzva for the creditor to forgo his debt.

If the debtor does return the debt after Shmita, the creditor may not accept it. He must say "I forgo the debt because of Shmita".

If the debtor insists and says "nevertheless", the creditor may accept the money.

Applies to everybody, everywhere. From the Torah only when the Yovel (50 year) cycle is being counted, by Rabbinic decree always.

Verse: "All creditors shall release their debt" (Devorim 15:1)

One may write a Prozbul to prevent having to forfeit the loan because of Shmita. (See Halocho-a-Day for details.)

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

- Danny
Sunday, 21 Av 5770

Mitzvah #200 - Who can a Mamzer marry?

2010-07-29T10:50:00.001+03:00

A Mamzer may marry another Mamzer or a convert - and their children will be Mamzerim - but they may not marry a regular Jew.

A Mazer is defined as:

- a child born from a forbidden relationship where the punishment is Karet, with the exception of Niddah.

- a child who has a parent who is a Mamzer.

A child found in the market whose parentage is unknown, or the child of an unmarried mother who doesn't know who the father is or she refuses to tell us who he is, is considered a Safek Mamzer and the child may only marry a convert.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "A Mamzer may not marry into the congregation..." (Devarim 23:3)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 137

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 18 Av 5770

Mitzvah #199 - Who can a castrated male marry?

2010-07-28T03:49:00.000+03:00

If a male who's reproductive system has been injured - such that he can no longer beget children - marries a regular Jewess, they both get 39 lashes by Beth Din.

Such a person is allowed to marry a convert - even if he is a Cohen.

A man who was born with a non-functional reproductive system is not included in the above prohibition.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not marry into the congregation..." (Devarim 23:2)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 136

- Danny
Wednesday, 17 Av 5770

Mitzvah #198 - Returning collateral

2010-07-27T09:01:00.000+03:00

It's a Mitzva to return the collateral to the borrower , if and when he needs it.

Items needed at night - like bedding - must be returned at night and can be taken back in the morning.

Tools needed for his trade must be returned in the morning and can be taken back at night.

One who does not return the collateral when required loses this Mitzva and has also transgressed a prohibition, as per Mitzva #92 - http://mitzvoh.blogspot.com/2010/02/mitzvah-92-withholding-collateral.html

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "You shall surely return to him the collateral" (Devarim 24:13)

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

- Danny
Tuesday, 16 Av 5770

Erratum to Mitzva #197: If a person dies without children, his widow is NOT allowed to marry anybody except for one of her late husband's brothers.

Mitzvah #197 - Marrying a childless widow

2010-07-26T11:41:00.005+03:00

If a person dies without children, his widow is not allowed to marry anybody except for one of her late husband's brothers.

If somebody other than a brother marries her, they have both transgressed.

The prohibition applies until she does Chalitza with one of the brothers, as per positive Mitzvah #140 - Chalitza, an alternative to Yibum.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "...the widow shall not be allowed to marry a non-brother..." (Devarim 25:5)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 135

- Danny
Monday, 15 Av 5770

Mitzvah #196 - Remarrying one's divorcee

2010-07-25T13:08:00.000+03:00

One may not remarry one's divorcee if she was married to somebody else since the divorce.

If they do get remarried, Bet Din force them to get divorced.

If she had an affair after the divorce, the original couple are allowed to get remarried.

(A Cohen may not marry a divorcee; even his own divorcee.)

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "Her first husband make not remarry her... since she was wed to another" (Devarim 24, 4)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 134

- Danny
Sunday, 14 Av 5770

Mitzvah #195 - Prostitution

2010-07-22T09:10:00.002+03:00

It is forbidden to have relations with an unmarried woman who is promiscuous, unless one marries her; both him and her transgress.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel" (Devarim 23:18)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 133

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 11 Av 5770

Mitzvah #194 - Lending money

2010-07-21T09:10:00.000+03:00

It's a Mitzva to lend money to the poor.

This Mitzva is greater than giving charity.

If one has the money and refuses to lend it to the needy, one has sinned. (as per Devarim 15:9)

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "When you lend money to the poor..." (Shemot 22:24)

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

- Danny
Wednesday, 10 Av 5770

Mitzvah #193 - Niddah

2010-07-19T10:19:00.000+03:00

It is forbidden to have relations with a Niddah until she has gone to the Mikveh.

Included in Niddah are women who have given birth, had a period or are staining. The Niddah phase continues for 7 days after no blood is seen, and until she dips in a Mikveh under supervision of a trained Mikveh-lady.

The laws of Niddah are one of the few Mitzvot for which one should give up one's life rather than transgress.

A couple may not get married until they have studied the Halachot of Niddah.

Applies to everybody, always, everywhere

Verse: "Do not draw close to a woman when she is a Niddah..." (Vayikra 18:19)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 132

For an overview of the laws of Niddah, try http://www.answers.com/topic/niddah. For some of the detailed Halachot, try http://www.beingjewish.com/cycle/niddah.html.

- Danny
Monday, 8 Av 5770

Mitzvah #192 - Love the convert

2010-07-18T12:14:00.000+03:00

Even though converts are full fledged Jews, it's a Mitzva to love converts up and above the Mitzva to love all Jews.

Included in this Mitzva is the Mitzva to love strangers; those who arrived recently from other countries or cities.

"Love" being defined as "treating them the way you would like to be treated in similar circumstances".

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "And you shall love the convert" (Devarim 10:18 & 19)

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

- Danny
Sunday, 7 Av 5770

Mitzvah #191 - Wife's sister

2010-07-15T08:57:00.000+03:00

As long as one's wife is alive, one may not marry her sister.

This applies even to a divorcee's sister.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "And a woman and her sister you may not marry in her lifetime" (Vayikra 18:18)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 131

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 4 Av 5770

Mitzvah #190 - Mother's sister

2010-07-14T11:31:00.000+03:00

It is forbidden to marry one's mother's sister.

One who has relations with his mother's sister gets punished with Karet.

This includes a mother's half sisters.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "...mother's sister you may not..." (Vayikra 18:12)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 130

- Danny
Wednesday, 3 Av 5770

Mitzvah #189 - Love the Jews

2010-07-13T11:03:00.002+03:00

It's a Mitzva to love all Jews.

As a result, one has to be as careful with other people's money and honor as with one's own.

Helping people get along with each other is included in this Mitzva

One who makes himself important by degenerating others, loses his portion in the World to Come.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "Love your fellow Jew as yourself" (Vayikra 19:18)

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

- Danny
Tuesday, 2 Av 5770

Mitzvah #188 - Father's sister

2010-07-12T08:35:00.000+03:00

It is forbidden to marry one's father's sister.

One who has relations with his father's sister gets punished with Karet.

This includes a father's half sisters.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "...father's sister you may not..." (Vayikra 18:12)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 129

- Danny
Monday, Rosh Chodesh Av 5770

Mitzvah #187 - Stepsister

2010-07-11T10:28:00.002+03:00

One may not marry one's stepmother's daughter if one shares the same father.

One who has relationships with his father's daughter (even if she is not one's mother's daughter) gets punished by Karet.

One may marry one's stepsister if one doesn't share any biological parents.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "...your father's wife's daughter..." (Vayikra 18:9)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 128

- Danny
Sunday, 29 Tamuz 5770

Mitzvah #186 - Sister

2010-07-08T12:08:00.000+03:00

One may not marry one's sister, nor one's half sister, nor a sister who was born out of wedlock.

One who has relationships with his sister gets punished by Karet.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "...your sister..." (Vayikra 18:9)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 127

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 26 Tamuz 5770

Mitzvah #185 - Brother's wife

2010-07-07T13:26:00.000+03:00

One may not marry one's bothers's wife, even if he's only a half-brother.

One who has relationships with his brother's wife gets put to death by Beth Din by strangulation, like any adulterer.

If the brother divorced her or died, one gets punished by Karet.

However, if the brother died childless, there's a Mitzva of Yibum to marry his widow.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "And your brother's wife you may not..." (Vayikra 18:16)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 126

- Danny
Wednesday, 25 Tamuz 5770

Mitzvah #184 - Cohen to become ritually unclean

2010-07-06T13:38:00.000+03:00

Even though a Cohen is not usually allowed to become Tameh - ritually impure - by being in contact or under the same roof as a corpse, it's a Mitzva for him to do so for his close relatives.

The close relative are: parents, his father's sons and unmarried daughters, his own children and his wife.
Applies to male Cohanim, everywhere, always

Included in this Mitzva is the obligation for all Jews to "sit Shiva" and mourn their close relatives for a day.

By Rabbinic decree "Shiva" is extended to 7 days, 30 days for lesser mourning and 12 months of mourning for parents.

Verse: "To his mother, father, son, daughter, bother and unmarried sister... he shall become ritually impure" (Vayikra 21:2-3)

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

- Danny
Tuesday, 24 Tamuz 5770

Mitzvah #183 - Aunt

2010-07-05T11:13:00.001+03:00

One may not marry the wife of one's father's brother - if father and uncle have the same father.

One who has relationships with his uncle's wife gets put to death by Beth Din by strangulation, like any adulterer.

If the father's brother already died, he gets punished by Karet.

By Rabbinic decree this includes the wife of one's father's half brother - if father and uncle share the same mother

By Rabbinic decree this includes one's mother's brother's wives.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "...and to his wife do not get close, she is your aunt" (Vayikra 18:14)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 125

- Danny
Monday, 23 Tamuz 5770

Mitzvah #182 - Adultery

2010-07-04T13:41:00.000+03:00

It is forbidden to have relations with somebody else's wife.

The punishment for both him and her is strangulation by Beth Din, unless her father is a Cohen, in which case she gets burned to death.

If she is betrothed (i.e. only had Kidushin; the first part of the Jewish marriage ceremony) and she is still living at her father's home, then they both get stoned to death.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "Thou shalt not commit adultery" (7th of the 10 commandments - Shemos 20:13) and "With somebody else's wife you shall not" (Vayikra 18:10)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 124

- Danny
Sunday, 22 Tamuz 5770

Mitzvah #181 - Bless the nation

2010-07-01T13:02:00.002+03:00

Every Cohen has a Mitzva to bless the Jews with the blessing:

יְבָרֶכְךָ ה' וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ: יָאֵר ה' פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיחֻנֶּךָּ: יִשָּׂא ה' פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם

"May Hashem bless you, and guard you: May Hashem shine His face on you, and be gracious to you: May Hashem lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace." (Bemidbar 6:24 - 26)

If a Cohen does not go to up to bless the congregation when the leader calls out "Cohanim" (before the last Bracha in the Amida) he has missed doing this Mitzva.

Applies to Cohanim, always, everywhere.

Verse: "So shall you bless the children of Israel..." (Bemidbar 6:22)

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

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 19 Tamuz 5770

Mitzvah #180 - Mother and her daughter's daughter

2010-06-30T11:00:00.000+03:00

One may not marry and woman and her daughter's daughter.

One who marries a woman and then has relationships her mother's mother or her daughter's daughter gets burned to death by Beth Din.

If his wife died and he then has relationships her mother's mother or her daughter's daughter, he gets Karet.

By Rabbinic decree it's forbidden to have such relations even if neither are married to him.

By Rabbinic decree this applies to great-grandchildren as well.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "...her son's daughter..." (Vayikra 18:17)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 123

- Danny
Wednesday, 18 Tamuz 5770

Mitzvah #179 - Mother and her son's daughter

2010-06-29T08:56:00.000+03:00

One may not marry a woman and her son's daughter.

One who marries a woman and then has relationships her father's mother or her son's daughter gets burned to death by Beth Din.

If his wife died and then then has relationships with her father's mother or her son's daughter he gets Karet.

By Rabbinic decree it's forbidden to have such relations even if neither women are married to him.

By Rabbinic decree this applies to great-grandchildren as well.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "...her son's daughter..." (Vayikra 18:17)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 122

- Danny
Tuesday, 17 Tamuz 5770

Please daven for a complete recovery of Pinchas ben Luba and his daughter Luba bat Ruth

Mitzvah #178 - Separating Challah

2010-06-28T08:45:00.000+03:00

It's a Mitzva to separate Challah from dough and give it to a Cohen. (Nowadays, since the dough is impure, the Challah is burned, and not given to a Cohen.)

Applies to dough made of the 5 types of grains: wheat, barley, oats, spelt or rye.

Applies to dough the size of at least 43 1/5 eggs. (Opinions vary between 1.2 Kg and 2.5 Kg)

Applies to everybody, always, in Israel, and by Rabbinic decree outside of Israel, where it is burned.

Verse: "The first of your dough you should separate " (Bemidbar 15:20)

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

- Danny
Monday, 16 Tamuz 5770

Mitzvah #177 - Mother and daughter

2010-06-27T11:46:00.002+03:00

One may not marry and woman and her daughter.

One who marries a woman and then has relationships her mother or daughter gets burned to death by Beth Din.

If his wife died and then then has relationships her mother or daughter he gets Karet.

By Rabbinic decree it's forbidden to have relations with a mother and daughter even if neither are married to him.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "The nakedness of a woman and her daughter you shall not uncover" (Vayikra 18:17)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 121

- Danny
Sunday, 15 Tamuz 5770

Mitzvah #176 - Daughter

2010-06-24T13:24:00.000+03:00

One may not marry one's daughter.

One who has relationships with his daughter - even if he never married her mother - deserves to be burned to death by Beth Din.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

There is no explicit verse for this sin, it's deduced by Kal-Vachomer and Gezeira-shava (Sanhedrin 76a)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 120

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 12 Tamuz 5770

Mitzvah #175 - Grandchildren

2010-06-23T10:35:00.000+03:00

One may not marry the daughter of one's sons or daughters.

One who has relationships with his grandchildren deserves to be burned to death by Beth Din.

By Rabbinical decree this includes great-grandchildren.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "The nakedness of your son's daughter or your daughter's daughter you shall not uncover" (Vayikra 18:10)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 119

- Danny
Wednesday, 11 Tamuz 5770

Mitzvah #174 - Chop off its head

2010-06-22T11:23:00.003+03:00

One who does not want to redeem their firstborn male donkey with a sheep (as we learned in Mitzva #171), has a Mitzva to chop off it's head.

The Mitzva is to use an axe and chop the back of the neck until it dies.

Even after it's dead, it may not be used for anything and has to be buried.

Applies everywhere, always, to Israelites, since a donkey which belongs to a Cohen or Levi need not be redeemed.

Verse: "and if you don't redeem it then chop off its head" (Shemot 34:20)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Positive Mitzvah 56

- Danny
Tuesday, 10 Tamuz 5770

Mitzvah #173 - Bestiality - Women

2010-06-21T09:14:00.002+03:00

A woman who has sexual relations with an animal or bird gets stoned to death by Bet Din.

The animal or bird also gets stoned to death by Bet Din.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "...neither shall any woman give herself to a beast to lie with it" (Vayikra 18:23)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 118

- Danny
Monday, 9 Tamuz 5770

Mitzvah #172 - Bestiality - Men

2010-06-20T14:13:00.002+03:00

A man who has sexual relations with an animal or bird gets stoned to death by Bet Din.

The animal or bird also gets stoned to death by Bet Din.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always

Verse: "And you shall not lie with any beast and defile yourself with it" (Vayikra 18:23)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 117

- Danny
Sunday, 8 Tamuz 5770