Rosh Hashana Archives

Sometimes by Shluchim on Rosh Hashana or Yom Kippur when Chazoras Hashatz is really long, they tell the Chazzan to read it quietly while he gives a speech, and the Chazzan just says the end of the Brachah aloud. It that considered a Brachah Levatalah?

In Chazars Hashatz of (Shachris and Mussaf of) Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur there are two parts, the Tefilah and the Piyutim/Slichos. During the Tefilah, the Chazzan must say it…

אם מישהו עדיין לא עשה התרת נדרים, האם יש ענין לעשות את זה עכשיו

.כדאי Sources: אף שנהגו בער״ה - ובמט״א תקפא סמ״ט מהשל״ה מס׳ יומא לעשות בכל עשי״ת - מ״מ פשוט שנכון תמיד. ובפרט בחודש התשובה. והרי יש שנהגו ארבעים יום קודם ר״ה.…

האם אפשר לעשות התרת נדרים אם אחד מהשלש דיינים הוא לא דתי? מדובר במקרה על שליחות

נחלקו הפוסקים אם הפסולים מחמת עבירה כשרים להתרת נדרים. וכמובן, שבמקום שאי אפשר באופן אחר, ועושים כן מחמת המנהג ולא בכדי לעבור על נדרו ח״ו, אפשר להקל בלית ברירה …

I did Kaporos yesterday. I want to know if there is an Inyan at all of doing it again by Ashmores Haboker?

In my specific situation, a Jew will for sure not eat since the only person who is available doesn't have Hoda’ah (even though he learned and Shechted many chickens kosher,…

I will be traveling when Kaporos places are open. Aside from using money, can my parents purchase a chicken for me if I’m not present?

Yes. They should say "זה חליפת (your name) זה תמורת ... זה כפרת ... זה התרנגול ילך "למיתה ו... ילך לחיים טובים ולשלום. Sources: מובא בפסקי תשובות בשם שו"ת…

We don’t have any chickens. How do we do Kaporos with money or fish?

You do with money the same you would with a chicken, just instead of saying "ze hatarnegol yeleich l'misa" you say "eilu hamo'ois teilachna litzdoko" ("אלו המעות תלכנה לצדקה"). Of…

We only have a hen available for Kaporos this year. Should a man use a hen in this case or better do it with fish or money?

Being that no other chickens are available, the men should prefer the use of a hen over money or fish. If wanted, you can in addition do it on money…

Is it OK at the outset to do Tashlich at night?

Yes. Nonetheless, it is preferable to do it by day. Also, by day is an Eis Ratzon, an opportune time for this Tefillah. Sources: להעיר שאין מזכירין יגמה״ר בלילה.…

Are we just as Makpid to eat sharp foods until Hoshana Rabbah as we were on Rosh Hashanah itself? Can I use lemon in my food if it’s not strong tasting?

There are those who are careful not to eat sour or bitter foods until after Hoshana Rabbah or Simchas Torah. I am aware that the Rebbe had Chrein on Sukkos.…

Is eating pecans on RH included in Egozim which aren’t to be eaten?

Continued: If not: 1. Does it make a difference if it's mixed in salad and/or coated in something else? 2. Does it make a difference if it's after Davening so…

Can I use a drop of rice vinegar on Rosh Hashana in a recipe, if it’s taste will not be detected? It will be mixed in with other sweet foods and the food itself containing the vinegar will be sweet.

It is OK to add some vinegar to a dressing if its taste won’t be detectable. Sources: שו״ת רבבות אפרים חלק ו’ סימן ש”ח. פסקי תשובות סי' תקפג הע'…

If I learn/familiarize myself beforehand with Hataras Nedarim in the language I understand, can I say it in Loshon Hakodesh with the Minyan or do I still need to say it in the language I understand?

If you familiarize yourself with its concept and its meaning then you can say it in Loshon Hakodesh. Sources: פשוט שעיקר הענין שיהא פיו ולבו שוין - ראה חיי…

My son is becoming Bar Mitzvah in Aseres Yemei Teshuva. Does he have to do Hataras Nedarim, and if yes, when? Does he need 10 people there or is 3 enough?

The Minhag is that boys under Bar Mitzvah don not say Hataras Nedarim, even if they will become Bar Mitzvah within the year. Nonetheless, since his Bar Mitzvah is before…

There is a universal Nigun in the Nusach of Maariv of Yomim Noraim. It is often sung in middle of the Brocha between Boruch Ato Hashem and the Chasima of the Brocha. Is this a problem of Hefsek for the Chazan?

Singing during Davening, or even in middle of a Brocha, is not a Hefsek, as long as it is wordless, relevant and not overly lengthy. Indeed, this is the custom…

Are we allowed to use olives on Rosh Hashana? Also, I know we don’t use nuts, but almonds for example which are called Shkeidim and not officially Egozim, can we use?

There is no problem to eat regular olives. Olives in vinegar, however, should not be eaten. The Poskim mention not to eat nuts because they increase saliva and disturb our…

What time or from when to when is the best time to do Kaporos in NYC this year (I know it says Ashmores Haboker but I want to tell my students what time to do it)?

Ashmores Haboker is the last Mishmorah of the night. The 12 night hours - from sunset to sunrise - are divided into three Mishmaros of 4 Halachic hours each. It…

Do we follow the Alter Rebbe regarding Shevorim (a bit more than 3 Trumitin) or the Tzemach Tzedek (less than 3 Trumitin)?

In practice, this question has no practical bearing, as Minhag Chabad is to make a very specific type of Shevarim, which we all do the same way and in most…

There is a local Chabad house in my area where I frequently go to be Chazzan and Baal Koreh, because the Mekuravim in the Chabad house enjoy my voice very much, and they urge the Shliach to bring me for Shabbosim…

Continued: The Shliach does Selichos (on Motzai Shabbos Selichos) every year prior to Chatzos, because he feels that if he would do Selichos after Chatzos very few people would show…

For the first set of 4: tekia, shevarim-teruah, tekia , do we blow shevarim – teruah on a single breath or two breaths?

Halachically, it does not make a difference what we do during Elul. Generally, where there is no particular custom one breath is preferred. Sources: .ריטב"א רה כו, ב ד"ה…