Torah.org Home Subscribe Services Support Us
 
Print Version

Email this article to a friend

Chapter 128:15
The Month of Elul

15. We should wash our clothes and cut our hair (and shave) on Erev Rosh Hashana in honor of the festival. Hair should be cut before "Chatzos" ("midday") (1). One should also immerse in a mikveh (2).

We wear our Shabbos clothing (3) on Rosh HaShanah to show that we are confident of G-d's grace, and that he will judge us favorably (4).

FOOTNOTES:

(1) Halachic midday, "chatzos," is calculated by totaling the number of minutes from dawn ("alos ha'shachar") until the appearance of 3 stars ("tzeis ha'kochavim"), and then dividing it in half (some say from sunrise to sunset).

(2) One should not immerse until at least one hour before "Chatzos" (Mishna Berura 581:26).

(3) The Mishna Berura writes that one should tone down a little on what one would wear on another Yom Tov, so as to remain in awe of the gravity of the judgement that is taking place (Ibid. 581:25).

(4) Here is a quote from the Tur (O"H 581) based on the Midrash: "What other nation is like this one, that understands the personality of its God!...The accepted custom of one who faces judgement is to wear black, to wrap himself in mourning, neglect his hair and fingernails - for he dreads the unknown results of the judgement. But not Yisrael! They wear white, wrap themselves in white, groom their hair and fingernails, eat and drink and rejoice on Rosh Hashana, knowing that the Holy One will perform a miracle for them...

The Maharshal comments on the above Midrash: "Then why not wear embroidered and colorful clothing? ...That might imply that he does not fear the Day of Judgement at all and is insensitive, but wearing white demonstrates awareness of the day of death...

 

Back  Paragraph 14  Table of Contents  Paragraph 16 Next 

 

Halacha-Yomi, Copyright (c) 2003 Project Genesis, Inc.

Please Support TORAH.ORG
Print Version       Email this article to a friend

 

ARTICLES ON BEHAALOSCHA:

View Complete List

Sweet Memories
Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky - 5758

It's Summertime, And The Parshiyos Are Depressing
Rabbi Yissocher Frand - 5764

Israel: Our Destiny
Rabbi Berel Wein - 5770

ArtScroll

A Refreshing Look at the Menorah
Rabbi Eliyahu Hoffmann - 5764

More Than the Hand of Man
Rabbi Label Lam - 5766

Appreciate the Present
Rabbi Berel Wein - 5767

> A Mitzvah Gained is Eternity Gained
Rabbi Yisroel Ciner - 5758

Blowing Trumpets
Shlomo Katz - 5761

Bechor: That's My Firstborn!
Rabbi Osher Chaim Levene - 5767

Looking for a Chavrusah?

Is Silence Golden?
Shlomo Katz - 5771

The Repetitive Trap
Rabbi Naftali Reich - 5770

Torah Inspiration A Light Matter?
Rabbi Pinchas Winston - 5760

Frumster - Orthodox Jewish Dating

Eternal Light
Rabbi Yaakov Menken - 5758

Was Moshe Really Humble?
Rabbi Yaakov Menken - 5762

Setting the Example
Rabbi Aron Tendler - 5761

Daily Preparation
Rabbi Label Lam - 5769



Project Genesis

Torah.org Home


Torah Portion

Jewish Law

Ethics

Texts

Learn the Basics

Seasons

Features

TORAHAUDIO

Ask The Rabbi

Knowledge Base




Help

About Us

Contact Us



Free Book on Geulah!




Torah.org Home
Torah.org HomeCapalon.com Copyright Information