1) Some people have the Minhag to fast on Erev Rosh Hashana. The primary reason for this fast is to bring a person to Teshuva.
Erev Rosh Hashana is the last day of the year, and Chazal tell us that one who does Teshuva on any one day throughout the year is considered as if he/she has done Teshuva for the entire year, therefore the Minhag is to rise early and fast on Erev Rosh Hashana and increase the amount of Selichos and Vidui etc., as this is the last chance to have a day of Teshuva in this year! (
Chayei Adam Klal 138:5)
It isn't necessary to accept this fast upon yourself on the previous day (as is usually the case when one wants to fast on a day that isn't a mandatory fast day) but one who is stringent and does in fact accept it upon him/herself is praiseworthy (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 562:2 and Kaf HaCahim Siman 562:63 quoting the Bach and Elya Rabbah)
2) Those who fast, should not do so for the entire day, as it isn't good to enter Yom Tov hungry, rather this fasting is only necessary until after davening Mincha (and saying the prayer of Aneinu) or until Chatzos. (Shulchan Aruch ibid.)
Nowadays, when the general public is a lot weaker [for sure spiritually] than they used to be, fasting on Erev Rosh Hashana is not prevalent. Many have a Minhag to instead partake in a Seudas Mitzvah such as a bris, Pidyon Haben, Siyum Mesecta and the like instead of fasting. (Chayei Adam Klal 138:1)
If one decides to indeed fast, it is best to stipulate [verbally or in their mind] that they are doing this "Bli Neder" (without a vow). If one didn't make this stipulation, and had in mind to do this from now on every year, or if one in fact did this for three consecutive years, Hataras Nedarim (unbinding of pledges) would be necessary to be able to stop fasting on this day. (Aruch HaShulchan Siman 581:10)
Reader's Question:
What is the reason that a Chuppah takes place outdoors?
Answer:
Having the Chuppah outdoors or at least under an open skylight is an old custom, mentioned in the Rama Even HaEzer Siman 61:1.
One reason to have it under the open sky is as a good "siman" for the new couple to be blessed with children like the stars of the sky. (See also Ezer M'Kodesh Siman 55:1 for another line of reasoning for this, which may be halachic and not only a minhag)
Some communities, including some Sephardim, do not have this custom.
If whatever reason it cannot be under an open sky, it is a valid Chuppah. Even if the Chuppah is indoors it is best that it not be inside of a Shul.
See Sdei Chemed; Choson V'kallah V'Chupah Siman 1, Shu"t Yabia Omer Vol. 3 Siman 10 and Igros Moshe Even HaEzer Vol. 1 Siman 93
CHIZUK CORNER
This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmas the late Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Yaakov ben Rav Binyomin Moshe Stein Zatzal.
We will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
זכר צדיק וקדוש לברכה
Question:
One person writes: Every year we make a Kabolo to change, but I am still the same schlepper as I always was!
Answer by HaRav Avigdor Miller Zatzal:
Let me tell you something, you're not the same, you're getting worse. As time goes on, "Ovar Avaira V'shono Bo Na'aseis Lo K'heter." When you make a Kabolo, Bli Neder, you have to have something specific, at least one thing, Tofasta Meruba Lo Tofasta.
To say in general, "I am going to be good this year," is better than nothing but not much better; you have to specify something clear cut.
Say, "This year, no matter how mean my wife is to me, and she'll bother me and criticize me and nag me, I won't say anything impolite to her. I'll keep my mouth closed."
"Toleh Eretz Al Blima," the world will hang on the person who keeps his mouth closed. The Zechus of keeping his mouth closed when people are insulting you is a very big Zechus, you should start with your wife. You can start with somebody else. Let's say you have an employer who insults you! Keep quiet. You want to keep your job, don't you? So keep quiet. Make it a Kabolo, "I'm going to keep quiet, I won't answer back."
A tremendous thing to do that, but you have to pinpoint it, something clear cut. Then you can carry it out. Don't talk in general, in general means nothing at all.
Or, you want to Daven with Kavana, make up your mind that you're going to fight to get that first Bracha, every word, Magen Avrohom, that first Bracha down clearly and don't let go of it. Tofasta Muat Tofasta, take a little bit at a time and hold on to it; Tofasta, you're holding on to it. Hold on to that little bit.
Let's say you made a Kabolo to learn, learn every night fifteen minutes, better than nothing. At home, take out a sefer, fifteen minutes. You want to learn an hour? Very good. A little bit, but every night learn fifteen minutes. Or go to a Shiur every night, even better. That's a Kabolo that is Dovor Sheyaish Bo Mamesh.
Now even though sometimes there are so many things that you should have done and you didn't do, at least one thing you're doing. Hashem sees you're headed in the right direction. Haboh L'tahier M'sayin Lo, He'll help you go further and further. But at least you have to do one thing, then you'll get Seyata Dishmaya to do more and more.
Important Numbers
