Halacha For Today: Erev Shabbos Kodesh, 21 Tishrei 5787, October 2, 2026
Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh, Hoshana Rabbah
1) After davening on Hoshana Rabba, after using the Lulav and Esrog for the last time, many have the custom to place the Lulav (with the Hadasim and Aravos still bound to it) on top of the door, on top of the Aron Kodesh, or in another safe place and save it for Erev Pesach when it can be burned together with the Chametz.
The purpose of doing this is to use something that was used for a Mitzvah (the Lulav) in conjunction with yet another Mitzvah (burning the Chametz) (See Kaf HaChaim Siman 664:60. Based on a Talmud Yerushalmi Eiruvin Perek 6:7, quoted in Tur Siman 297:4. See also Orchos Rabbeinu from the Steipler Zatzal Vol. 2 Page 316)
2) Some have the custom to make a jelly/jam out of the Esrogim that were used for a Mitzvah. This jelly/jam is given to pregnant women to eat while they are in labor, as eating this Mitzvah jelly/jam is a Segulah for an easy birth and for the child to be healthy.
Many people also have the custom to taste this Esrog jelly/jam on the eve of Tu B’Shvat. (See Kaf HaChaim ibid. and Orchos Rabbeinu ibid.)
[It is proper to pray on the eve of Tu B'Shvat that one merit having a nice Esrog on the next Sukkos. See Bnei Yissoscher Chodesh Sh'vat Ma'amar 2. See also Sefer Lashon Chachamim Vol. 1 Siman 38]
It is a Segulah for pregnant women to bite off the Pitum of the Esrog on Hoshana Rabbah, and to give Tzedakah and daven for an easy labor. (See Likutei Mahariach Sukkos page 106a. See also Elef Hamagen Siman 660:6 and Sefer Moed L’Kol Chai Siman 24:25 where a special Tefilah text is printed for the woman to say)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh, Shemini Atzeres
1) When dancing with the Torah on Simchas Torah, it is a mitzvah to rejoice as best as one can; this Simcha should be L’Shem Shomayim, in honor of Hashem and His holy Torah, and not simply an unstructured “party” or “good time” and surely one must be careful to avoid any levity or lightheadedness (S’Chok V’kalus Rosh) (See Tur and Rama Siman 669. See also Ben Ish Chai Parshas V’Zos HaBracha, year one, Siman 18 and Kaf HaChaim Siman 669:23. See also Mishna Berura Siman 669:11 and Rambam Hilchos Lulav Perek 8:15)
2) M’Ikar HaDin (according to the letter of the law) one must stand the entire time that the Sifrei Torah are out for the hakafos, in respect of the Torah. (Rav Bentzion Abba Shaul Zatzal was extremely stringent with this and didn’t sit down the entire Hakafos and ruled this way for all who were with him that were healthy and able bodied)
However, if it is difficult for one to stand, the Poskim are lenient and allow sitting down, besides for the first time around the Bimah of each hakafa when everyone must stand. (See Halichos Shlomo Perek 12:9 for the reasoning behind this leniency)
Some have the custom to only sit while holding a Sefer Torah in their hands. (This was the minhag of the Steipler Zatzal and Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Zichronam L'vracha)
Halachos for Sunday, Simchas Torah (Isru Chag in Eretz Yisroel)
1) Shmini Atzeres/Simchas Torah is an extremely opportune time, an Eis Ratzon, for one’s Tefillos to be accepted by HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
Therefore it is proper to daven with extreme Kavanah. (See Sefer Moed L’Kol Chai Siman 25:1. This is based on a Zohar HaKadosh Parshas Noach and Parshas Tzav where it basically says that all that one asks for (in earnest) will be given to them! See also Sefer Seder HaYom Seder Simchas Torah Dibur Hamaschil U’Bsefer HaZohar)
2 )It is customary to bid on and try to purchase the Aliyos known as “Choson Torah” (The aliyah where the Torah is “finished”) and “Choson Bereishis” (The Aliyah where the Torah is once again begun) for large amounts of money, which goes to support Talmidei Chachamim or the needs of the Shul where people daven and learn.
If possible, it is best to try and have these Aliyos go to Talmidei Chachamim or at least to respected people in the Tzibbur. (See Mishna Berura Siman 669:1)
The custom is for those who received the two aforementioned aliyos to make a Kiddush (on an upcoming Shabbos over the next few weeks) to celebrate their receiving these exalted Aliyos, as they are a celebration of the completion [and re-starting] of Torah. (Tur Siman 669. See also Beis Yosef there and Kaf HaChaim 669:24 and Rama Yoreh Deah Siman 246:26)
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other topics, and Answers. These Q&A are taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from, or based upon, the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to Ben@HalachaForToday.com
Reader's Question:
Is it permissible to clap on shabbos? and furthermore, is one allowed to make a beat on shabbos to sing to (like bang and clap) as many shabbaton activities do?
Answer:
The Shulchan Aruch Siman 339:3 rules that it is forbidden to clap ones hands together or ones hand against their thigh on Shabbos and it is also forbidden to dance on Shabbos.
This ruling is based on the Mishna in Beitza 36b where Chazal forbade these activities, which are usually done in the presence of musical instruments, lest one come to fix an instrument that breaks.
The Rama, ibid. (based on Tosefos Beitza 30a Dibur Hamaschil T’nan) in his second opinion, rules that nowadays it is permitted to clap and dance as most people don’t know how to fix broken instruments.
The Mishna Berura S”K 10 maintains that even nowadays it is only acceptable if the clapping/dancing is done for purposes of a Mitzvah. See also Shu”t Minchas Elazar Orach Chaim Vol. 1 Siman 29 where he defends the Minahag of many holy Tzadikim who danced and clapped on Shabbos.
Bottom line, when dancing and clapping for a Mitzvah, such as during Zemiros on Shabbos, we are lenient and allow it. otherwise, it is best to avoid it. According to many Poskim, the same applies for banging on a table to a beat etc.
Regarding applauding on Shabbos, see Shu”t Az Nidberu Vol. 13 Siman 14:2, where he allows it as this has nothing to do with singing.
For halacha L'ma'aseh, of course, a Rav must be consulted.
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