• Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Login

Local Jewish News

News, Info & Resources for the Cleveland Orthodox Jewish Community

  • Calendar
  • Classifieds
    • All Listings
    • Rides Needed
    • Rides Offered
    • Lost & Found
    • Create a Listing
  • Minyanim
  • Purim
  • Tehillim
  • Community Map
  • Contact Us

Pointers in Hilchos Rosh Chodesh

October 24, 2014 Leave a Comment

Rare Lunar Eclipse Cast Red Cast Over Moon(Hakhel) In honor of Rosh Chodesh tomorrow, we provide the following points and pointers relating to Hilchos Rosh Chodesh (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 217 et al.), as excerpted from the Dirshu edition of the Mishna Berurah:

  A.  One should wear better clothing than usual on Rosh Chodesh.  The Yesod V’Shoresh Ha’avodah writes that one should wear at least one article of clothing which is more chashuv.  The G’ra wore his Shabbos hat on Rosh Chodesh.

Notes:  (A) It is a ma’aleh to have special clothing for Rosh Chodesh/Chol HaMoed, as both have more Kedusha than a regular weekday as evidenced by thefour aliyos read on that day, as well as the Korban/Tefillas Mussaf of the day. (B) Fascinatingly, the Karbanos for Musaf on Rosh Chodesh match exactly the Karbanos for the Musaf of the Yom Tov of Pesach and of Shavuos [two parim, one ayil, seven kevasim and one seir].

 

 B.  The Mitzvah to be Marbeh B’Seudah on Rosh Chodesh applies to women equally as well, and applies to each day of Rosh Chodesh.  See Special Note Two for an important additional point relating to the Seudah. We add that the Steipeler Gaon, Z’tl, would drink a little wine on Rosh Chodesh, and would give the members of his household (including the women) a little wine to drink, explaining that we must honor the day–and that through drinking wine, we demonstrate that the day is a Yom Tov!

 

 C.  The Shelah HaKadosh writes that the reason we recite Hallel on Rosh Chodesh is because Dovid HaMelech instituted it B’Ruach HaKodesh regarding Yetziyas Mitzrayim (see also Pesachim 117A). Accordingly, it is recited on all of the Moadim (all of which are Zecher L’Yetziyas Mitzrayim), and on Rosh Chodesh by and through which the Moadim are established.  Hakhel Note:  We were also of course taught the Mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh–HaChodesh Hazeh Lachem Rosh Chadashim–in Mitzrayim itself!

 

 D.  Relating to Hallel: 

 

(1) One should not repeat any Pasuk that it is not the Minhag to repeat–so that it does not appear that one is adding on to Hallel.

  (2) If one is behind the tzibur, and they are reciting together either Hodu LaShem or Anah Hashem, HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, Shlita, rules that one should continue where he is and not answer together with the tzibur. 

 

 (3) HaRav Kanievsky, Shlita, also rules that although one is not permitted to answer Baruch U’Varuch Shemo while reciting Hallel, he can answer “Amen”; however, if one is in the bracha after Hallel of Yehalelucha and the Shatz or someone else finishes the bracha, one should not answer “Amen”, just as one who is in the middle of the bracha of Yishtabach should not answer “Amen” to the Shatz’s conclusion of the very same bracha (see Bi’ur Halacha to Orach Chaim 51:2, d’h Baruch).  However, if one completed the particular bracha of Melech Mehulal Batishbachos together with the Shatz, he does answer “Amen” over the Shatz’s bracha (ibid., Mishna Berurah, seif katan 3). 

 

E.  Regarding Kiddush Levana, the Mishna Berurah (Orach Chaim 426; seif katan 4) brings the following remarkable quote from the Sefer Magid Meisharim:  “Siman Zeh Yiheyeh BeYadecha– BaChodesh Shetevarechu Birkas HaLevana BeMotza’ei Shabbos Timtzeu Hatzlacha–Keep this as a Siman: In a month in which you recite Kiddush Levana on a Motza’ei Shabbos you will find Hatzlacha…!”

 

 

Note Two: There is a Halacha relating to Rosh Chodesh (found in Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, 188:7), which is not well-known.  That is, if one is reciting Birchas HaMazon on Rosh Chodesh and realized that he forgot to recite Ya’aleh V’Yavo after he has already recited the brocha of Bonei Yerushalayim, but prior to reciting the brocha of HaTov V’Hameitiv, he is entitled to (and should) add a new, complete bracha to his Birkas Hamazon, which is: “Baruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Melech Haolam Asher Nosan Roshei Chodoshim L’Amo Yisroel L’Zikaron–Blessed are You Hashem…Who gave New Moons to His People Israel as a remembrance.”  This incredible Halacha (based upon Chazal–Brachos 49A), allows for a fifth brocha in Birkas HaMazon if it is timed just right.  Of course, it is better not to forget Yaaleh V’Yavo, but Chazal do allow for one to mend the situation in this way.  In fact, there are similar instances where an additional, similar brocha is recited at this point in Birkas HaMazon (between the third and fourth brocha)–for example, if one forgot Retzei on Shabbos, Yaaleh V’Yavo on Yom Tov, etc.  The exact text of these Brachos are found in most siddurim at the end of Birkas HaMazon, but the page is typically skipped over as we move through the Siddur.  For example, see page 196 of the Artscroll English Siddur (Ashkenaz). From this Halacha relating to Rosh Chodesh, we get a sense of the importance of eating a Seudas Rosh Chodesh–a meal on Rosh Chodesh for which Birkas HaMazon is recited–after all, a new brocha is provided for Rosh Chodesh, just as a new brocha is provided in a similar situation on Shabbos and Yom Tov!  In honor of this Halacha, may we suggest that you partake of a fine Rosh Chodesh meal tonight–but remember Ya’aleh V’Yavo!

 (Sign up for Hakhel’s daily emails at Hakhel.info.)

 

Filed Under: News

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Zmanim

Zmanim for Cleveland
May 13 - ט״ו אייר
  Dawn    4:29  
  Earliest talis    5:11  
  Sunrise    6:09  
  Latest shema    9:45  
  Latest shacharis     10:58  
  Midday    1:22  
  Earliest mincha    2:00  
  Plag hamincha    7:06  
  Sunset    8:36  
  Nightfall    9:25  
  72 minutes    9:49  
( Click for more )
שבת פרשת אמור
May 16 - י״ח אייר
  Candle lighting    8:21  
  Shabbos ends    9:30  
  72 minutes    9:53  
 
Get Sefirah Alerts!
© MyZmanim.com · Embed
Look up another location

Community Calendar

Contact calendar@localjewishnews.com to add or edit your event.

Recent Classifieds

small office room for rent

Homeschooling

Nanny position

Folding Knife Found at HAC Oakwood

Missing black cat with pink collar

Beautiful home in University Heights

Are you looking for Childcare for your Baby?

Cleveland Heights’ Excellent Location Corner of Shannon and Janette

Offering Home Improvement Services

Wireless Dominion Has Arrived in the CLE Jewish Community!

Responsible Teen Girl ready to assist you

Solon 5 BR 30 Minute Walk to Solon Chabad

Housing Search – University Heights/Beachwood

Beachwood House for Rent

Music for Your Next Simcha by Yaakov Katz

Recent Comments

  • Rivka on Beachwood Home Rental: “Hello, What is the contact info for to rent this home?” May 29, 00:30
  • Eric on Important Documents Every Adult Needs: “Please note that the phone number and address are incorrect on this version of the flyer. The phone number for…” Jan 1, 15:48
  • RS on Important Documents Every Adult Needs: “BRING YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE OR PASSPORT, YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE DOCUMENTS NOTARIZED OTHERWISE.” Jan 1, 09:18
  • J on Jewish Cleveland Heights Teen Attacked: “Good for him! Need more like him.” Nov 14, 15:11
  • Chaya Tabak on Susan’s Suggestions for the Election on Tuesday, November 7, 2023: “Steve, she is Susan Efroymson, who meets with candidates and has extensive conversations with them to determine their positions. She…” Nov 6, 18:49
  • Steve Kaplan on Susan’s Suggestions for the Election on Tuesday, November 7, 2023: “Well written, but who is Susan?” Nov 3, 08:31
  • bonnie and lenny goldfarb on Chaviva High School’s 6th Annual 5K! Sunday, November 5th!: “such a great effort and hoping it will be very successful! have a nice run!” Nov 2, 13:38
  • Phylis Pomerantz on Baruch Dayan Ha’Emes: “We are so sorry to hear of your loss. We hope that your wonderful memories of good times will help…” Oct 30, 14:41
  • D. on Jewish Cleveland Heights Teen Attacked: “Why did nobody stop and help him?! Cars passed and went on. Oy !! So scary. Hashem yishmor!” Oct 27, 17:21
  • Todd Rogers on Jewish Cleveland Heights Teen Attacked: “Headbutt with helmet usually works well. Jews need to be known as tougher targets, or this will start to become…” Oct 27, 10:40

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Check your inbox now for an email from us and follow the instructions.

Search

Categories

  • Announcements
    • Alerts
    • Mazal Tovs
    • Tehillim
    • Passing
    • Kashrus
  • Deals
  • Events
  • Jobs
  • Lists
  • News
    • Israel
  • Photos
  • Site News
  • Torah
    • Classes
    • Halacha

Copyright © 2025 · Metro Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in