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
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Mitzvah #257 - Ploughing with an ox and a donkey
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
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.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Mitzvah #256 - Men cross-dressing
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
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
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Mitzvah #255 - Women cross-dressing
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
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
Rivka bat Tirtzel.
Tehillim signup at http://tehillim.mamash.com/?signup_id=13
Monday, October 25, 2010
Mitzvah #254 - Must a Jew have a beard?
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
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
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Mitzvah #253 - Payot; the Torah haircut
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
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
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Mitzvah #252 - The fake prophet
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
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
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Mitzvah #251 - Communicating with the dead
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
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
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Mitzvah #250 - Inquiring of a Yid'oni
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
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
Monday, October 18, 2010
Mitzvah #249 - Inquiring of an Ov
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
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
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Mitzvah #248 - Yid'oni; the bird fortune teller
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
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
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Mitzvah #247 - Ov, Hearing voices
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
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
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Mitzvah #246 - Witch Doctors as doctors
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
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
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Mitzvah #245 - Witches and Wizards
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
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
Monday, October 11, 2010
Mitzvah #244 - Soothsayer in a trance
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
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
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Mitzvah #243 - Auspicious times and illusions
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 :-)
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 :-)
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Mitzvah #242 - Divination
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
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
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Mitzvah #241 - Ripping out your hair
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
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
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Mitzvah #240 - Tattoos
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
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
Monday, October 4, 2010
Mitzvah #239 - Monuments
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
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
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Mitzvah #238 - Annihilating the wicked Amalek
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
