Removing Tefillin on Rosh Chodesh

Hi,

We remove our tefillin before the Musaf amidah on Rosh Chodesh. That amidah focusses on the korbanot which make Rosh Chodesh a yom tov (holiday), and we don't wear tefillin on yom tov.

There is some debate as to when, precisely, to remove tefillin; some suggest during UVa l'Tzion, others suggest after the kaddish that precedes Musaf. The prevalent Ashkenazi practice is to remove tefillin after that kaddish, because of a view that one should answer a certain number of kaddish-recitations while wearing tefillin.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 423:4; Magen Avraham 423:6; Mishneh Berurah 423:10)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Barchi Nafshi for Rosh Chodesh

Hi,

As part of shacharit on Rosh Chodesh, we recite the 104th chapter of Tehillim, ברכי נפשי. This chapter is linked to Rosh Chodesh, the day of the new moon, through 104:19, which states, "Gd created the moon, by which the holidays are set."

(Tur Orach Chaim 423)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Kaddish at Shacharit on Rosh Chodesh

Hi,

Yesterday we explained why there is a Kaddish after Hallel. In addition, we recite a half-Kaddish after Kriat haTorah to end that section, and then we recite another half-Kaddish after Ashrei/Uva l’Tzion to end that section.

(Mishneh Berurah 423:4)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The role of Kaddish

Hi,

After Hallel on Rosh Chodesh, the chazan recites a full Kaddish.

This Kaddish, like certain others in davening, serves as a terminator - it indicates that Hallel is part of Shacharit, and that we have now concluded Shacharit.

Therefore, a shul which does not achieve a minyan until after Hallel does not recite this Kaddish.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 423:1; Mishneh Berurah 423:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Late to shul on Rosh Chodesh?

Hi,

We have said that Hallel is meant to be recited on Rosh Chodesh with a minyan, to the point that some question whether one who recites Hallel alone should recite a berachah upon Hallel or not.

Therefore, one who comes to shul on Rosh Chodesh just before Hallel should recite Hallel with the minyan before reciting the rest of davening. Further, one who is in the middle of psukei d’zimra when Hallel begins should recite Hallel, without a berachah, before continuing psukei d’zimra.

(Mishneh Berurah 422:16, Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 422:8)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

A 'minyan' for Hallel on Rosh Chodesh

Hi,

We have mentioned the preference for a minyan for Hallel on Rosh Chodesh.

In truth, the requirement is not for a minyan, per se; even having three people present, so that one leads "Hodu" and the others respond, may suffice.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 422:2; Mishneh Berurah 422:18)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The berachah for Hallel on Rosh Chodesh

Hi,

We have noted that the practice of reciting Hallel on Rosh Chodesh is a minhag, rather than a requirement of the day. Therefore, there is some debate as to whether one recites a berachah for this recitation.

General Ashkenazi practice is to recite a berachah for Hallel on Rosh Chodesh, as we do for various other minhagim. However, one should make sure to do this with a minyan, or at least several other people, to satisfy the view that one only recites the berachah for a communal recitation of Hallel.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 422:2; Mishneh Berurah 422:15-16)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Half-Hallel for Rosh Chodesh

Hi,

Rosh Chodesh does not technically warrant recitation of Hallel; Hillel is reserved for days with special sanctity, when acts of melachah are prohibited.

Nonetheless, by custom we do recite Hallel. To distinguish between this customary Hallel and other, obligatory recitations, we omit two paragraphs from this Hallel, creating what we term חצי הלל, Half-Hallel.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 422:2; Mishneh Berurah 422:12)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

When does the amidah end?

Hi,

Yesterday, we noted that one who omits "Yaaleh v'Yavo" in the Rosh Chodesh amidah (at shacharit or minchah), and realizes his error before stepping out of the amidah, returns to "Retzeh" and continues from there.

The Mishneh Berurah clarifies that even if one has not physically stepped out of the amidah, he is deemed to have concluded the amidah once he has decided not to say anything further, even if he has not actually stepped away.

(Mishneh Berurah 422:9)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Remembering "Yaaleh v'Yavo" before the end of the amidah

Hi,

We have mentioned that one who omits “Yaaleh v’Yavo” at shacharit or minchah on Rosh Chodesh must repeat the amidah. However, one who remembers “Yaaleh v’Yavo” before stepping out of the amidah should return to the beginning of “Retzeh,” say “Yaaleh v’Yavo” and go from there.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 422:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Repeating shacharit if one forgot "Yaaleh v'Yavo"

Hi,

We have said that one must include “Yaaleh v’Yavo” in the amidah for Rosh Chodesh. One who forgets to recite “Yaaleh v’Yavo” at shacharit or minchah must repeat the amidah.

Some contend that one who missed “Yaaleh v’Yavo” at shacharit, but then recited musaf, need not repeat shacharit, because he has now mentioned the special status of Rosh Chodesh in an amidah. We do not follow this view, but one who repeats shacharit after having recited musaf should keep in mind that if this amidah is unnecessary, it should be counted as a voluntary amidah.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 422:1; Mishneh Berurah 422:4)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Forgetting Yaaleh v'Yavo

Hi,

We have said that one inserts the special "Yaaleh v'Yavo" paragraph in the amidah of Rosh Chodesh.

One who forgets to say "Yaaleh v'Yavo" in the maariv amidah, and remembers after saying "Baruch Atah HaShem" in the following "v'techezenah" paragraph, does not go back.

(Mishneh Berurah 422:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Announcing "Yaaleh v'Yavo"

Hi,

We insert a special paragraph, "Yaaleh v'Yavo," in the Rosh Chodesh amidah.

One may announce this in shul at maariv after the kaddish that precedes the amidah, and it is not considered a forbidden interruption, because the announcement is for the sake of the community's amidah.

(Mishneh Berurah 422:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

A special insertion for shacharit on Rosh Chodesh

Hi,

On Rosh Chodesh mornings, we include the Torah's passage about the special korban (offering) of Rosh Chodesh (Bamidbar 28:11-15) in the "korbanot" section of shacharit.

This is meant to publicize the fact that it is Rosh Chodesh. Although people who come to shul will know this from the Torah reading, this is important for those who will not daven in shul.

(Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 281:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai