Eruv Tavshilin, Wednesday 26 September

Do not forget to make an Eruv Tavshilin today. For more details, see this post linked below but please ignore the times as they were for Rosh Hashana. Succot begins on Wednesday 26 September at 6.35pm which is the latest time for candle lighting. Also, dont forget to light a 48 hour candle

http://southhampsteadshiur.blogspot.com/2007/09/et-at-home-thats-eruv-tavshilin-showing.html

And here's another Succah showing.

The World's Fastest Succah. Safari & FAQ

pictures from http://www.sukkahmart.com/images/safarisukkah_anim.gif - is this the world's fastest Succah?

Here are some thoughts about the Mitzva of the Succah on Succot. For a review of the basic laws of the Succah, please skip to the conclusion below.

The Torah says, "You shall dwell in 'Succot' for 7 days, every person in Israel shall dwell in 'Succot'. In order that your generations shall know that I (G'd) housed the Children of Israel in 'Succot' when I took them out of the land of Egypt" (Vayikra 23:42-43).

I put the word 'Succot' in inverted commas deliberately. This is because the meaning of this word is crucial in appreciating the wonderful Mitzva of the Succah. The Talmud (Succot 11a) quotes a fascinating dispute between Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Eliezer. The former held that the Jewish people 'B&Qed it' by building real Succot (Succahs!) in the desert whilst the later held that the pasuk (verse) quoted above refers to the clouds of glory with which G-d protected the Jewish people in the midbar (desert) and not physical buildings.

What should we, about to perform the mitzva of the Succah, glean from this discussion?

Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein ( a Litvak - yes!), in his wondeful work Aruch Hashulchan steers a course for us which also helps us to understand the verses quoted above.

Rabbi Epstein writes that performing the mitzva of the Succah helps us to remember the great miracles that G-d performed for us when we left the land of Egypt, in particular how such a large group of people enjoyed comfortable, miraculous living conditions in the barren desert for forty years. Part of this was through the clouds of glory.

Whilst the people were in the desert, they lived in something approximating a Succah. Despite the apparent fragility of such a residence, the people still enjoyed the blessings which G'd bestowed upon them in the desert.

Rabbi Epstein's answer helps us to understand this dispute and should give us plenty to think about as we prepare for the Mitzva of the Succah. It should also make us grateful for the wonderful buildings that we live in and grateful to G'd for such comfort, never taking it for granted.

Conclusion - Succah FAQ

How should I build a Succah?

The Succah needs to have at least 2 and a bit walls (better to have at least 3 full walls). The walls can be made of anything. The most important part of the Succah is the schach, the roof.

Schach is a special word specifically refering to what can be the roof of the Succah. Schach consists of items which grew from the ground, including trees, have now been detached from the ground and are not mekabel tuma (dont worry if you dont recognise this last phrase. For our purposes in building a Succah, it is unlikely to be relevant). These items, which, for example, could be leaves or bamboo specially tied for the purpose, comprise the roof of the Succah. The Schach must be open to the sky and provide more shade than sun.

What do I do in the Succah?

The Talmud says that you should dwell in the Succah as you do at home. This means you should eat a meal in there and if you are eating any bread or grain in the meal, you can say the special beracha (blessing) for the Succah (Artscroll Siddur page 492, Green Siddur page 730). Try and do as many other activities as you can in the Succah. If your extension cable stretches, watch TV in there.

The one time when you must eat in the Succah if at all possible is on the first night of Succot. Look out for the special Kiddush (Artscroll Siddur page 722, Green Siddur page 660). Even if you just make Kiddush and Hamotzi in the Succah and have a couple of good slices of challa, that is enough minimally to fulfil the mitzva.

If you do not have a Succah at home, come to the Shul for both evenings of Succot. We will make Kiddush and Hamotzi in the Shul Succah for a few minutes. Rabbi Shlomo will tell stories and if you are really lucky, Cecil will give you Succot sour sticks!

In warmer climes than England, many people sleep in the Succah. There are some hardy people who even sleep in the Succah in England and other colder northern countries.

If you are uncomfortable, you are exempt from the Succah. This would apply when it rains or if it is too cold or dangerous for you to sleep in the Succah, for example

Where can I put the Sukkah?

The schach must be open to the sky so make sure that your Succah is not under a tree, a balcony or anything similar. Otherwise, just make sure that you put it somewhere that will not disturb your neighbours.

Can I decorate the Succah?

Yes! Great idea. Thanks to Dani L for providing this Succah decoration which I think is great but my wife quite rightly is stopping me from hanging up! You can hang pictures on the walls, which can be fun for kids. Do not hang anything from the schach. If you have fruit for this purpose, make a fruit salad instead and get your 5-a-day.

Where can I buy a Succah?

If you like a wooden Succah, go to your local timber yard, hardware store etc. If you want an easier and hopefully quicker option, check out Sukkah Mart in Golders Green.

If you have any questions about the Succah, or Succot in general, please email me.

Chag Sameach!

Succot Species and FAQ

Image from http://adloyada.typepad.com/adloyada/images/59140036_1.JPG

image from http://fp.thebeers.f9.co.uk/images/sukkot%20kotel.jpg

The source for the Arba'ah Minim on Succot (4 species - lulav/palm, etrog/citron, hadasim/myrtle, aravot/willows) is in Vayikra (Levitcus) 23:40 - 'And you shall take for yourselves on the first day, a beautiful fruit of the tree branches of palm trees and boughs of trees, willows of the brook. And you shall rejoice before the Lord your G'd for 7 days'.

G-d gave Moses the Torah in two parts. The first part was the written Torah - in Hebrew, Torah Shebichtav - and the Oral Torah - in Hebrew Torah Shebe'al Peh. The two are indivisible and together make up one whole which is the Torah. Torah Shebe'al Peh sometimes works on the principle that a picture is worth 1000 words. For example, the Torah Shebichtav has minimal headline style information about what a Mezuza is,(those familiar lines of the Shema) whilst the Torah Sheba'al Peh describes what the Mezuza looks like, how it is to be placed and all of the other details that go into making Mezuzot what they are. Torah Shebe'al Peh is a much more effective instrument for this task than the written word. Torah Shebe'al Peh was passed down from teacher to student, parent to child until it was finally codified by Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi who preserved it in the Mishna to combat Roman persecution. This is but an introduction to Torah Shebe'al Peh. There is much more to say about Torah Shebe'al Peh and the process of Jewish law, but let's save that for another time, all being well.

The reason for this introduction is that Torah Shebe'al Peh tells us what the Arba'ah Minim actually are. It explains the verse quoted above to tell us how we perform the Mitzva that the verse describes and that we call Arab'ah Minim (or colloquially, lulav and etrog but I dont like that because what about the hadasim and aravot!!) See Talmud Tractate Sukkah pages 32 and 34 for examples.

How to choose a set

Here are a few very basic tips for choosing and using a set of Arba'ah Minim. If you did not order through the Shul, go to Golders Green Road. You wont get away without having purchased a set as there are loads of sellers!!

Lulav

• Make sure that it is not dry (ie not white and brittle).
• Make sure that the leaves are not split at the top.
• Make sure that it is at least 50cm long.

Etrog

• If the etrog grew with a Pitam, make sure it is still intact.
• Make sure that there are no disease-like growths or obvious black marks in the top third of the Etrog.

Hadasim

• Most vendors sell these pre-packeted so just pick up a Penguin, oops, I mean a packet of Hadasim. Each pack has 3 Hadasim, the minimum number of branches required.

Aravot

• Most vendors will sell these pre-packaged. Make sure that the leaves are not snapped. You need at least 2 branches. These should be about 32cm long minimally.

Here are some FAQ regarding the Arba'ah Minim.

How do I arrange the Arba'ah Minim?

You can assemble the Arba'ah Minim on the morning of Succot (Thursday this year) but make sure that you have opened the Hadasim and/or Aravot packs before Succot starts on Wednesday night. The spine/backbone of the Lulav (ie the green side which is the 'top' side if you were to lay the Lulav horizontally) should be facing you. Carefully put the Hadasim into the holders on the right hand side of the Lulav, taking care not to break any leaves. Then put the Aravot into the holders on the left hand side, also taking care not to break any leaves.

The Hadasim should be higher than the Aravot.

There should be at least 11cm between the top of the Hadasim and the top of the Lulav.

How do I use the Arba'ah Minim?

Turn to the appropriate page in your Succot Machzor (Festival Siddur) for taking the Arba'ah Minim (it is listed in the contents page). It is also on page 630 in Artscroll Siddur and page 616 in the Green Siddur.

Pick up the Lulav after you have inserted the Hadasim and Aravot as described above. Then turn pick up the Etrog, turning it upside down before you hold it together with the Lulav. Recite the beracha/blessing (say the 'Shehecheyanu' beracha the first time that you use the Arba'ah Minim). Then turn the Etrog the right way up and hold it so that it touches the Lulav. Gently shake the Lulav and Etrog 3 times in the following directions whilst holding them together: forward, right, over your right shoulder, left, up and down.

In Shul, there are more opportunities to shake during communal prayers. Rabbi Shlomo will explain these at the time.

Who can use the Arba'ah Minim

On the first two days of Succot in the Diaspora, you must own the set of Arba'ah Minim that you use. This is because the verse quoted above, which is the source for the mitzva of Arab'ah Minim, says that you must take the Arba'ah Minim for yourself, which the Talmud explains means that you must own them.

Do not worry if you do not have a set. You can accomplish this though somebody giving you their set as a 'matana al menat lechachzir' - a gift on condition that you return it. This means that you own the Arba'ah Minim when you use them but then ownership reverts back to the original owner.

This also applies to a family that only has one set of Arba'ah Minim.

As Barry C pointed out in Shul this morning, it's a bit like a loan transfer in football (thanks Barry!). A player goes from Club A to Club B on a season's loan. During that season, he is Club B's player completely but once the season ends, he becomes Club A's player completely once again.

Another option is to use a Shul set. Rabbi Shlomo will explain this in Shul. If you do not have a set, you are welcome to use mine in Shul as a matana al menat lechachzir.

What should I think about when I use the Arba'ah Minim

Remember that you are:

• fulfilling a Mitzva from the Torah
• thanking G-d for nature and nature's blessings
• concentrate on the importance of those blessings spreading in every direction, hence the waving of the Arba'ah Minim in the different directions described above.

How long are the Arba'ah Minim used for?

They are used every day of Succot other than Shabbat. The last day for using them is Hoshana Rabba.

What should I do with the Arba'ah Minim after Succot?

You can make jam from the etrog but dont ask me how. I think it tastes nice when you add lots of sugar! Some people cover their Etrog with cloves, to try and preserve some of the sweet smell of the Etrog. The Aravot are placed above the Aron Hakodesh (Ark) in the Shul. In some communities, they are stored there until before Pesach when they are used to heat the ovens for making Matzot.

The lulav and hadasim can be put in the garden. If necessary, they can be thrown out.

Chag Sameach!

Erev Yom Kippur - the day before Yom Kippur (this year, Thursday night and Friday day)

Cartoon from http://shabot6000.com/archive.php?id=79

Here are some laws and customs of Erev Yom Kippur. Thanks to those at the minyan this morning for their suggestions and questions. More details are also here:

• Erev Yom Kippur is a quasi Yom Tov. The reason for this is that Yom Kippur has a 'festive' element. This is expressed by the relief that we should feel that G-d provides us with the chance to start a new year afresh, that forgiveness exists.

It is also the time to mend fences with other people, but this requires us to make the effort to reach out to other people. Yom Kippur does not wipe that slate clean with regards to other people.

Since we do not express the 'festive' aspect of Yom Kippur by eating, we should instead eat well on Erev Yom Kippur and bear this in mind as well as the necessity to prepare ourselves for the fast. Eating well on Erev Yom Kippur is actually part of the Torah's instructions for observing Yom Kippur.

There is no Kiddush at the pre-Yom Kippur meal. It is good to eat bread, but you should eat foods you enjoy and will help you to fast well.

• The fast is there to concentrate our minds and to realise that physical needs are not always paramount.
• Some people have the custom of doing Kaparot/Kaporos. Please email me if you would like more information.
• Many people have the custom to wear white on Yom Kippur. This is one of the reasons that the Chazan wears a Kitel (a special white gown). Some individuals choose to as well.
• Men - remember to bring your Talit/Talis with you before Kol Nidrei and to put it on before the Kol Nidrei starts. Some also say the Tefila Zaka prayer which is found in most Machzorim, before Kol Nidrei.
• Erev Yom Kippur is also an auspicious time to give charity. If we would like a good year, we need to contribute towards that ourselves.


• Mincha today is at 2.30pm in the Shul. The reason for the early Mincha is that we say the 'Vidui' prayers prior Yom Kippur (confessional prayers - see the relevant piece in this great article for more on Vidui and other seasonal stuff), in case anything happens before Yom Kippur. If you miss this, there will be Mincha at approximately 6.30pm at both the Shul and the hotel. Even though this is immediately prior to Yom Kippur's start, Vidui is still said even though the reason for saying it on Erev Yom Kippur would not seem to apply right before Yom Kippur starts. This is a question which the Poskim deal with.
• Some men have the practise to go to the Mikva, as noted in a previous post (see Customs and Laws of Yom Kippur (1) below). If you cannot get to the Mikva but would like to perform this practise, email me. The nearest Mikva is the Central London Mikva This Mikva is also the local Mikva for married women.
• Candles are lit for Yom Kippur. These should be lit before you leave to come to Shul. At the time of lighting, stipulate mentally that you are not ushering in Yom Kippur by lighting the candles. Rather, you are lighting the candles to provide light on Yom Kippur itself. Using this procedure means that you can drive to Shul/hotel and bring items with you. It is important to get to the Shul/hotel in good time (Yom Kippur starts at 6.47pm).

This year, when lighting candles, remember to include the extra phrase in the beracha (blessing) for Shabbat. Also say the Sh'hecheyanu prayer. These berachot (blessings) should be in your Machzor. Otherwise, look at Artscroll Siddur page 296 or Green Siddur page 644). Some parents have the custom to give the Friday night blessing to children at this point. Candles should not be lit after 6.47pm.

• Before lighting the Yom Kippur candles, light a 24 hour candle which you will use after Yom Kippur to say Havdala, if you did not hear Havdala in Shul.

If you are saying Yizkor for somebody on Yom Kippur, light a yartzeit candle for them before lighting Yom Kippur candles. One candle is enough even if you are saying Yizkor for more than one person. After Yom Kippur, if you do not hear Havdala in shul at the end of Yom Kippur, use this light to kindle the Havdla candle.

The end of Yom Kippur is also a quasi Yom Tov, as we rejoice at having been through the holiness and happiness of Yom Kippur (as previously explained), so enjoy that too.

What would Pink Floyd say?

Yes, details of the next term of South Hampstead's Adult Edu programme are now on the web.

Details from: http://www.southhampstead.org/?section=adult

Since the Floyd said 'oy, teacher, leave those kids alone', I hope they would approve of our programme for adults!!

Highlights of the programme include an environment course, cookery, Talmud, Hebrew, an evening with Howard Jacobson and much more.

Booking details are on the weblink above. Please email Diane or me if you have any questions about the programme or would like to book.

In the meantime, enjoy the Floyd and we look forward to seeing you.

Yom Kippur (1) - Customs and Laws

Here is a quick summary of some of the laws and customs of Yom Kippur. I hope this is a good refresher or adds to your knowledge repetoire and answers some of the questions that people have asked.


See here for more details:
The picture is from here.

1. On Yom Kippur, there is no eating/drinking, pleasure washing/bathing (other than for hygenic reasons), annointing with lotions, wearing leather shoes or marital relations. If your doctor tells you that you need to eat/drink, please speak to Rabbi Shlomo or to me via the Shul office for advice on how best to do this on Yom Kippur.



2. Yom Kippur has the same rules as Shabbat, other than eating! Therefore, please bring everything that you need for Shul/Britannia before the fast starts when you arrive for Kol Nidrei (which starts at 6.47pm). There is no need to bring your 'ticket' card. You can leave your belongings in the Shul or in the relevant rooms in the Britannia.


3. Men who wear a Talis should don their Talis before Kol Nidrei. Please make sure that anything you bring with you is marked with your name.


4. On the day before Yom Kippur, erev Yom Kippur (this year, erev Yom Kippur is Thursday night and Friday day prior to the start of Yom Kippur), try and have a somewhat festive meal as your last meal before the fast with special foods. The chazan's tip for the pre-fast meal is: brown pasta and grapes. Try it, you might like it!


5. If you do kaparot, follow the instructions in the Machzor and use money (email me if you want to know what this is).


6. If you are one of those men who has the custom of going to the Mikva on Erev Yom Kippur but cannot get there due to work pressures, email me for advice.


7. Mincha on Erev Yom Kippur has the special Vidu'i prayers. It is at 2.30pm in the Shul as it is preferable to daven Mincha before the pre-Yom Kippur meal. If you cannot make that, there is a second chance at 6.30pm at both the Shul and the Britannia.


8. Dont forget that Yom Kippur is a great time for mending fences with people who may deserve an apology from us or for warming up things which have cooled. It is a time to make amends and trying to move on. It is a time where we may wish to consider treating others in the way that we would like to be treated ourselves.

This is also why it is a particularly auspicious time for good deeds and acts of tzedaka, charity.

If you have any further Yom Kippur questions, please email me

May we all make the most of Yom Kippur, a day which gives an unparalleled opportunity for self-appraisal, feeling part of a community, setting our ambitions for the year and moving on from aspects of the past. As one Chasidic rebbe said (paraphrasing), 'Yom Kippur for me is the happiest day of the year as it presents these opportunities and the chance for me to feel closer to my heritage and G-d. So how could I think of eating!'

Whilst we may not all attain such an attitude (!), this Rebbe should challenges us all to get more out of Yom Kippur than we may be happy to settle for.

May you all have a tzom kal ve'moil, a safe and meaningful fast and a gemar chatima tova (see the pre-Rosh Hashana post for what that means!)

Are Crocs in this Yom Kippur? Are socks?

Photo from here (see terms and conditions from the link)

Yom Kippur certainly produces a variety of footwear. Why do people settle for Converse, paladiums, Nike, Teva sandals and other such footwear? Is this appropriate? What about crocs?!

For a summary, skip to the conclusion below. Otherwise, here is a quick guide through the process of Jewish law to answer our question...

The Sources
The Torah teaches (Leviticus 16,29) that on Yom Kippur, we should 'afflict our souls' - in Hebrew 'te'anu et nafshotaychem'. What though does this actually mean, practically?

According to the Mishna, the great body of Jewish law, in section Yoma 8:1, this verse is the basis for five things that are proscribed on Yom Kippur. They are: 1. eating/ drinking - yes, this is where it comes from! -, 2. bathing, 3. annointing with oils 4. marital relations and 5...something called 'neilat hasandal' in Hebrew.

Today, we'll look at neilat hasandal. We will discuss the others in a forthcoming post. all being well.
Is neilat hasandal to be taken literally and specifically, meaning 'wearing of a shoe or sandal', baring in mind the shoes of the time? Or does it mean a general kind of shoe?

The Explanations
Enter the Rishonim to clarify matters (I am generally loath to use Wikipedia but this is a short Wiki piece that looks fairly accurate). The Rishonim were amongst the most important Rabbis and scholars in Jewish history, including household names like Rashi and Rambam (well, I hope they are household names!). Like lawyers and judges today, they took the primary legislation in the Talmud (the name for Mishna and the Gemara which comments on it), codifying the laws and applying them to everyday situations.

Here is how some of them line up:

1. Rosh, Rambam, Rif suggest that the prohibition is specific. It applies to a leather shoe.
2. Rashi suggests that the prohibition is specific but applies to a wooden shoe - tough one for any Dutch guys reading this!. (Ask me if you want to know why wood).
3. Tosafot and Ba'al Ha'maor suggest that the prohibition is general and applies to anything which is regarded as a shoe, whatever it is made of. This seems to be because on Yom Kippur we reduce our physical comforts.

The Shulchan Aruch, the major code of Jewish law, holds like Rosh, Rambam and Rif, so that leather shoes are not be worn on Yom Kippur, unless they are necessary for medical reasons.

Conclusion
The reason for the profusion of shoes is because leather shoes are proscribed on Yom Kippur. This is because they are considered to be the most elegant and comfortable, generally speaking. Since Yom Kippur is a day which demands self-introspection without external trappings, halacha (Jewish law) gently steers us away from some actions which may distract us from the aims and ambitions of Yom Kippur.

The differing opinions of the Rabbinic jurists also enlighten us as to the nature of this law. A person could wear Nike Air Max trainers on Yom Kippur, but if they do so to feel super comfortable or to avoid the message of Yom Kippur, then they have lost an opportunity that Yom Kippur presents.

Therefore, crocs are in for Yom Kippur as they are made of plastic...as long as they are not bright pink etc! I'm planning to wear mine (with socks, see the postcript).

Converse boots are also in.

Postcript - As a postcript, I think it is preferable to wear socks with crocs on Yom Kippur. Whilst this might be the biggest fashion faux pas of the year, Yom Kippur is not a day for fashion. Wearing socks to cover bare feet shows more respect for the day of Yom Kippur, the sanctuary that we pray in and also might move our comfort level down just a notch to help us get this Yom Kippur message better.
Ps- Yishar Koach (high fives, or 'shkoyach' if that means more to you!) to Rachel S for asking this questions and thanks to Menachem Kagan of http://cbey.org/aboutus.html for his ideas.

Aseret Yemei Hateshuva (1) / The Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur

Thanks to the community for great communal davening over Rosh Hashana and Shabbat Shuva.
Now that we are in the Aseret Yemei Hateshuva there are a few additions to the daily davening, all of which can be said even without a minyan. As requested, here is a summary of the changes to the prayers.

1. Psalm 130, Shir Hama'alot, mi-ma'a'makim kerat-icha HaShem, A song of ascents, from the depths have I callled you, G-d, is recited after Yishtabach.





2. In the Amida, the lines zochreinu lechayim and mi kamocha are recited.





3. 'Ha'eil hakadosh' is replaced by 'Hamelech Hakadosh', to show our extra awareness of G-d's sovereignty at this time as we discussed on Rosh Hashana. Of all the additions in the Amida, this is the only show-stopper...if you forget it, it's down the snake and back to the start.





4. 'Melech ohaiv tzedaka umishpat' is replaced by 'hamelech hamishpat'





5. 'Uchtov lechayim Tovim' is added after 've'al kulam'





6. At the end of Sim Shalom or Shalom Rav, don't forget the change to 'Besefer Chayim'





7. After the Amida at Shacharit and Mincha, say Avinu Malkeinu.





8. In every form of Kadish, 'le'ela' becomes 'le'ela ul'ela'





9. And of course, there are still Selichot in the morning.

Shacharit, preceeded by Selichot in South Hampstead is at 7am this week Monday-Friday. Mincha & Maariv is at 7pm Monday-Wednesday and at 6.55pm on Thursday.

Gemar vechatima tova (look at the previous post if you dont recognise this phrase!)

Talk the talk this Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur

There are a number of different greetings that Jews exchange at Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Here is a selection of greetings for you to use and recognise. You only need to use one of them.

Even if you have no idea what the person talking to you has said, you are unlikely to go wrong with any of these. Keep smiling too!:

1. Shana Tova (u'mtuka) = a good (and sweet) new year


2. Ketiva Vechatima Tova = a good writing and sealing (in the Book of Life)


3. Gemar Chatima Tova = a good end and sealing (in the Book of Like). This one is used after Rosh Hashana and until Yom Kippur


4. Leshana Tova tikateiv veteichateim (masc.) / tickateivi vetaychateimi (fem.) = be inscribed and sealed for a good year. This may be the favourite of Hebrew grammarians!


5. Chag Samei'ach = Good Yom Tov. This is the least specific but works for Rosh Hashana although not for Yom Kippur as Yom Kippur is definately not a 'Chag' (festival). This greeting is best used for the three Chagim (festivals/Yamim Tovim= plural of Yom Tov) of Pesach, Shavuot and Succot (including Shemini Atzeret).


6. A Gut, gebensht'd a yor = a good and blessed year. This is Yiddish. I know only a little more Yiddish than Mandarin. Yiddish speakers are requested to tell me if this is spelt rong, er, wrong.


7. The easiest response to any of these is the Aramaic phrase, 'Vechain le-mar' = and to you too!

Anyway, have a good one! May you and your families be blessed with all of these blessings listed above and all good things.

The South Hampstead Shul team

ET at home - that's Eruv Tavshilin, showing in your kitchen this Erev Rosh Hashana

The issue (briefly stated): This year, Rosh Hashana falls on Thursday and Friday leading directly into Shabbat. How do you prepare food for Shabbat?

Factors: (1) On Yom Tov (including Rosh Hashana), Halacha (Jewish law) prohibits preparing (hachana) for events after Yom Tov. This Talmudic prohibition is Rabbinic in origin, to make sure that we treat Yom Tov as such, rather than abandoning it's precious time for alternative pursuits. (2) Halacha also prohibits cooking on Shabbat, as it is one of the melachot, categories of creative labour that are proscribed on Shabbat so that we recognise G'd's control of the world and can appreciate, through abstaining, all of the creativity that we display in the week.

Yom Tov is a different kind of day with a different purpose. 'Half for G'd, half for you' (Talmud Pesachim 68b) http://www.e-daf.com/index.asp. As such, it has aspects of Shabbat and aspects which are unique to Yom Tov, which perhaps will be the subject of another post.

The solution?... Enter the 'Eruv Tavshilin' - ok, now you are on your chairs cheering, and here's why by way of a brief explanation explaining the why and how.

The Why (If you just want the 'how', skip to the conclusion below)

We can cook food on Yom Tov for consumption on Yom Tov. This is one of the main differences between Shabbat and Yom Tov and is called 'Ochel Nefesh' (see Shemot 12:16 http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0212.htm). As the Mishna http://www.ucalgary.ca/~elsegal/TalmudMap/Mishnah.html puts it, (Megila 1:5) 'ein bein Shabbat veYom Tov ela ochel nefesh bilvad' - the only difference between Shabbat and Yom Tov (regarding melacha/prohibited labour) is ochel nefesh.

Or, as the Egged bus company puts it, 'Ein bein Yerushalayim u'Bnei Brak ela shemona esrei shekalim bilvad! (The only thing beween Jerusalem and Bnei Brak is 18 shekels!)

Paranthetically, Ochel Nefesh is also the important in understanding why carrying items from one domain to the other, such as from your house into the street ('carrying'), is permitted on Yom Tov even in a place that has no 'Eruv' (the Eruv that allows carrying is an Eruv Chatzeirot, colloquially called an 'Eruv').

Anyway, back at the ranch...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/de/J.R..JPG

sorry, I could not resist that!

...whilst the Rabbis applied the prohibition of hachana, they could also set its paramaters. They ruled that if you begin to prepare a meal before Yom Tov, then it is clear that you are simply continuing to prepare that meal on Yom Tov Friday afternoon for Shabbat. The Rabbis felt that this gave people sufficient notice to realise that Yom Tov was not being infringed since the preparations for Shabbat had already started prior to Yom Tov.

In addition, this helps us fulfill the reqirement to eat well on both Yom Tov and Shabbat, while not wasting the sanctity of both, especially as food prepared on Wednesday is unlikely to be as good as it should be if it remains uneaten until Friday night. Eruv Tavshilin allows us to honour both Yom Tov and Shabbat.

The name 'Eruv Tavshilin' alludes to this, as it means a mixture of foods, for both Yom Tov and Shabbat. (See Raivid's comments to, Hilchot Yom Tov 6:2). To complete the circle, the Eruv Tavshilin food is eaten on Shabbat. As we will see below, it makes sense to use food which will keep until Shabbat.

(For a fuller summary, see Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Zevin's Moadim beHalacha, also available in English as The Festivals in Halacha (It's in the Shul library) http://www.artscroll.com/Books/fesh.html whose presentation I found very useful. There is lots more to say on this, as anybody who learnt Masechet Betiza in the Talmud will tell you).

Conclusion: The How (see Artscroll Siddur page 654, Green Siddur page 643)

• Some time on Wednesday afternoon, the eve (erev - again, nearly the same word! Why that's the case, we'll examine another time all being well!) of Rosh Hashana, take a challa or matza along with another piece of cooked food, such as egg, meat, or fish. Hold the foods up (on a plate if necessary) and recite the beracha (blessing) and declaration in the Siddur. You can say this declaration in English if you like but why not challenge yourself with the Aramaic if necessary. The declaration was originally in Aramaic to help people understand, just like a Ketuba...!!


• Make sure that you make the Eruv Tavshilin before you light candles. The latest time for lighting candles is 7.08pm.


• Eat the Eruv Tavshilin foods on Shabbat.

Ps - make sure that you have a 48 or longer candle to light before you light the Yom Tov lights on Wednesday. On Thursday and Friday, take a long match or taper, set it alight fromthe 48 hour candle and use the match or taper to light your Yom Tov candles on Thursday (after 8.07pm) and your Shabbat candles on Friday (before 7.03pm).

Shana Tova! /Good new year

Navigating the Selichot

Selichot are special prayers said in the run-up to Rosh Hashana and between Yom Kippur. They are recited after midnight (according to halachic time which divides nightime in half from nightfall to dawn to get midnight) or in the morning before Shacharit. For more basic information about Selichot, look at this www.ou.org/chagim/elul/selichotbasic.htm
The edition pictured on the left is the standard Utd. Syn. edition. Copies are available for use in the Shul. It was edited by Rabbi Abraham Rosenfeld. Copies are available for purchase in Jewish bookstores. This picture is from Nehora.com bookstore.

Sometimes, Selichot are said very fast which can cause difficulty for those with limited time, limited Hebrew or limited lungpower. Here are some pointers which I hope will help you make the most out of the selichot. Although most of the selichot can be said alone (see below for details), you get a much richer experience in Shul. This week, Tuesday morning selichot start at 7am. On Wednesday, when the selichot are much longer, we start at 6.45am followed by breakfast. On both days, the selichot are followed by the regular Shacharit service.

• The most important parts of the Selichot are the 13 principles of G-d's mercy, which start with the double recitation of G-d's Name. These, like Kaddish, are said only with a Minyan.
• The sections in between these principles are either Selicha prayers or the Pizmon, a prayer with a chorus for which the Aron Hakodesh (ark) is opened and ends the selicha section. All of the selicha prayers can be said in English. Whether you say them in Hebrew or in English, when the Chazan reaches the 13 principles, skip to say those with him and continue on with the Chazan. The 13 principles should be said in Hebrew but if you prefer to say the selicha prayers in English, it is fine to do so.
• Although it is preferable to stand for all of the Selichot prayers, you may sit if you are tired except for when the Aron Hakodesh is open, or for the 13 principles or for the vidu'i (confessional) prayers.
• Shema Koleinu, a well-known feature of the Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur prayers, appears in the Selichot. Repeat the lines after the Chazan or just say them yourself if you are not with a Minyan.
• The Vidu'i prayers come towards the end of the selichot. At the passages starting 'Ashamnu', the custom is to beat your chest lightly upon reciting each word. Our custom is to recite this paragraph three times. If however you run out of time, it is sufficient to say it once, which was the opinion of the great Vilna Gaon, for example www.ou.org/about/judaism/rabbis/gaon.htm
• The Selichot prayers have a similar model to Mincha, starting with Ashrei, and concluding with Tachanun-style prayers at the end. If you are reciting Selichot with a Minyan immediately prior to Shacharit and the Chazan recites full Kadish (Kadish Titkabail) thus finishing Selichot before you, go straight to Shacharit with the Chazan.
• In conculsion, the main things to recite are the 13 principles (only with a minyan), the Pizmon, Shema Koleinu and Ashamnu. The other sections can be said in English. You should skip from the other sections to any of the main things mentioned in the previous sentence when the Chazan reaches them. When the Chazan starts Shacharit, so should you.
• A big yishar koach (high fives) to Harvey for being a tremendous Chazan for selichot and shaliach tzibbur (leader of communal prayer/Chazan) at South Hampstead in general.

Ps - There is breakfast after Shacharit on Wednesday morning. Thanks to Jon and Iz for sponsoring breakfast today. Happy birthday to Jon and, lehavdil, chayim aruchim to Iz.

Rosh Hashana (1)

Rosh Hashana (1) - the greengrocer's favourite!

Make sure that you do not forget to get some fruit for Rosh Hashana. Perhaps the best known custom is dipping apple in honey, but different Jewish communities have incorporated a whole plantation worth of different fruits into their Rosh Hashana evening meals (see the Artscroll Rosh Hashana machzor p96-98 and feel good about yourself if you can identify fenugreek, for example, let alone have it at your table!)

Why though do we eat these fruits? From the perspective of the laws of blessings, it is unusual to make a beracha (blessing) on bread and then almost immediately make another blessing on apple, since we avoid making unnecessary berachot (blessings).

Rashi http://www.ou.org/about/judaism/rashi.htm, the premier commentator on the Talmud http://www.ucalgary.ca/~elsegal/TalmudMap/Gemara.html explains (Tractate Keritut 6a) that there are two primary reasons for eating specific kinds of fruits.

We eat fruits that either (a) ripen quickly indicating increased merit through doing so or (b) are sweet tasting and so symbolise our hopes for a sweet year.

Rav Hai Gaon, http://www.ou.org/about/judaism/rabbis/haigaon.htmone of the famous group of Rabbis called the Ga'onim http://www.chabad.org/library/article.htm/aid/115539/jewish/The-Age-of-Scholarship.html
enacted the recitation of a specific short prayer before each fruit, in addition to the beracha made on the apple. (For those of you who like to delve into the texts - ok, it might only be me! - look at Beit Yosaif, Orach Chayim, 583 quoting the Mordechai). These recitations alert us as to the significance of each fruit, why we are eating them and the prayers that they represent. See the Artscroll machzor as quoted above for the prayers.

Conclusion
Rav Hai Gaon gets to the heart of the matter. Eating the fruits is designed to make us think. Understanding what they represent and using them to enhance our internalisation of Rosh Hashana are the real reasons for eating the fruit.

And yes, it's good they also count for your 5-a-day!

Ps - I raised the question earlier of saying an unnecessary beracha. Since the fruits are not really 'part' of the meal, since they are eaten for their symbolic value, they require a separate beracha.