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

Mitzvah #63 - Destroying Chametz on Erev Pessach

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

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

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

Applies to everybody, everywhere on 14 Nissan

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

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

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 14 Tevet 5770

Mitzvah #57 - Rest from work on Shabbat

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

This includes not having ones animals doing work.

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

Applies to everybody, everywhere, on Shabbat

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

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

- Danny
Wednesday, 6 Tevet 5770

Mitzvah #54 - Sanctify Shabbat with Kiddush and Havdala

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

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

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

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

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

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

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

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

- Danny
Sunday, 3 Tevet 5770

Mitzvah #10 - Do not do work on Shabbat

One may not do any of the 39 categories of forbidden work on Shabbat. (See http://www.answers.com/topic/39-categories-of-activity-prohibited-on-shabbat for a list.)


One also has to ensure that ones animals are not doing forbidden work.


Since the laws of Shabbat are numerous, complicated and are applicable every week, one should be sure to study them thoroughly and review them often.


Asking a non-Jew to do work for a Jew on Shabbat is forbidden by Rabbinic decree.


Saving lives takes precedence over Shabbat observance.


Shabbat is one of the bonds between Hashem and the Jewish people, and one who purposely transgresses the Shabbat publicly has the status of a non-Jew (for being counted in a Minyan or a Mezuman, touching wine, being a witness, etc.)


Applies to everybody, everywhere, every Shabbat.


Pasuk: Do not do any work (4th of the Ten Commandments, Shmot 20:10)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 6

- Danny

Monday, 2nd day Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan 5770

Mitzvah #11 - Don't walk too far outside the city on Shabbat

The Torah forbids one to walk more than 12 Meel (about 12 Km) beyond the city limit on Shabbat, (according to the Rambam and the Rif).


By Rabbinic decree one may only walk 2,000 Amot (about 2 Km) beyond the city limit on Shabbat, unless one extends it by another 2,000 Amot with an Eruv-Techumim.


Inside a city one may walk without limit.


Applies to everybody, everywhere, every Shabbat.

Pasuk: Nobody should leave their place on Shabbat (Shmot 15:23)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 7

- Danny

Tuesday, 2 Marcheshvan 5770

Written in memory of  Rivka bat Mordechai Ha-cohen