Daily Halacha

11 Tishrei 5769 - A solid roof over the sukkah renders the sukkah pasul, but what about a roof that opens? Is there a way to deal with a tree? Sources: OC 626:1-3; MB 626:1-2,18-19

9 Tishrei 5769 - On Erev Yom Kippur, selichot are brief, and other sections of shacharit are skipped as well.

8 Tishrei 5769 - A detailed look at the structure and content of the selichot for the 4th of the 10 days of teshuva.

4 Tishrei 5769 - Understanding the structure of selichot enhances our appreciation thereof.

26 Elul 5768 - The heart of the selichot service is the recitation of the 13 attributes, as given to Moshe on Mt. Sinai. Sources: Rosh HaShanah 17b

25 Elul 5768 - Though a true ba'al teshuva has great merits, nonetheless a ba'al teshuva has an inherent humility as an outgrowth of the teshuva process. Sources: MT Teshuva 7:7-8

24 Elul 5768 - Teshuva draws us closer to Hashem and brings us closer to geula. Sources: MT Teshuva 7:5-6

23 Elul 5768 - Much of teshuva is about the struggle to overcome the yetzer hara -- a struggle that has its own rewards. Sources: MT Teshuva 7:4

22 Elul 5768 - The Rambam emphasizes a whole new realm of teshuva: correcting improper thoughts and middot. Sources: MT Teshuva 7:1-3

19 Elul 5768 - The principle of performing mitzvot with a large group or community. Sources: Ch"A 68:11

18 Elul 5768 - There are times when an aveirah -- a misdeed -- accompanies a mitzvah. What do we do in such a case? Sources: Ch"A 68:22

17 Elul 5768 - Mitzvah HaBa'ah b'Aveira; spending significant amounts of money for the sake of a mitzvah aseh or of avoiding a lo ta'aseh. Sources: Ch"A 68:10,16,19

16 Elul 5768 - Sometimes we need Hashem's help to do teshuva. Sources: MT Teshuva 6:3-5

15 Elul 5768 - There are some actions so heinous that the consequence thereof is that we lose our ability to return to Hashem in teshuva. Sources: MT Teshuva 6:5,3

12 Elul 5768 - Our ability to draw closer to Hashem through teshuva is dependent on our free will. Just as free will allows us to do aveirot, so too it allows us to correct our aveirot with teshuva. Sources: MT Teshuva 6:1-2

11 Elul 5768 - When is a baal teshuva's return complete? Also: teshuva out of fear; teshuva out of love. Sources: MT Teshuva 2:1; Brachot 32b

10 Elul 5768 - We cannot bring a korban chatat, so what are we to do to make restitution with Hashem? Sources: Sotah 3a

9 Elul 5768 - Normally, one who accidentally commits an aveira like violating shabbos brings a korban chatat (special sacrifice) as a kapara (to make restitution). Does this obligation apply to today's baal teshuva? Sources: MT Shgagot 2:6; MT Shgagot 7:4

8 Elul 5768 - A child has no culpability for wrongdoings as he doesn't yet know better. What about an adult who doesn't (or didn't) know better? Sources: Shabb. 67b

5 Elul 5768 - What are a child's obligations with regard to Yom Kippur and the Teshuva process? Does an adult need to do teshuva for the indiscretions of his or her youth? What about a ba'al teshuva? Sources: OC 343:1 (Rama); MB 343:6; Ch"A 66; Yoma 8:4

4 Elul 5768 - The process of teshuva is incumbent upon all of us at all times. Sources: Sefer HaChinuch 364

3 Elul 5768 - A "Vidui" is not a confession. Just what is it, and what is its role in teshuva? Also: the first two steps toward teshuva. Sources: Sefer HaChinuch 364

2 Elul 5768 - The obligation of teshuva stems from our obligation to speak our hearts to Hashem. Sources: Sefer HaChinuch 364

28 Av 5768 - The halachot of permissible and forbidden interruptions in Hallel are parallel to those of Shema and Pesukei d'Zimra. Sources: OC 422:4-5; MB 422:21-25; Brachot 2:1

27 Av 5768 - It is preferable to recite Hallel with the community; when doing so, certain verses are repeated. Sources: OC 422:2-3; MB 422:14-20

26 Av 5768 - The blessings recited over Hallel; half- vs. full Hallel; reciting Hallel alone vs. with a minyan. Sources: OC 422:2; MB 422:14-16

24 Av 5768 - Part of proper kavanah includes enjoyment of the mitzvah as well as awareness of both love for and awe of Hashem. Sources: Ch"A 68:13,17,18

21 Av 5768 - Salt shakers, sugar shakers, drain filters, tea bags, and coffee presses. Sources: Ch"A Hil. Shabbos 18:3 Dedicated as a zechut for a refuah shleimah for Moshe Chaim ben Rivka.

20 Av 5768 - Principles, parameters, and examples of the malacha of tochen on shabbos. Sources: Ch"A Hil. Shabbos 18:1-2 Dedicated as a zechut for a refuah shleimah for Moshe Chaim ben Rivka.

19 Av 5768 - Proper orientation of tefillin straps; review and summary of halachot in the proper wearing of tefillin. Sources: OC 37:11; MB 37:37