Vol. LXV No. 2 5774
New York City
CANDLE LIGHTING TIME
January 10, 2014 – 9 Shevat 5774
4:28 p.m. NYC E.S.T.
Sabbath Ends: 5:34 p.m. NYC E.S.T.
Sabbath Ends: Rabbenu Tam 6:02 p.m. NYC E.S.T.
Weekly Reading: Beshalach
Weekly Haftara: U’Devorah Isha (Judges 4:4-5:31; Sefardim: Judges 5:1-31)
Daf Yomi: Yoma 63
Mishna Yomit: Avos 6:7-8
Halacha Yomit: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayyim 326:1-3
Rambam Yomi: Hakdama
Earliest time for Tallis and Tefillin: 6:24 a.m. NYC E.S.T.
Sunrise: 7:19 a.m. NYC E.S.T.
Latest Kerias Shema: 9:41 a.m. NYC E.S.T.
Sunset: 4:48 p.m. NYC E.S.T.
This Sabbath is referred to as Shabbos Shira – due to the Shira in Parashas Beshalach that we read this week. It is customary to stand for the Shira even in those congregations where one sits at Kerias HaTorah.
It is also customary to leave crumbs for the birds on (the eve of) this Sabbath as a remembrance of the manna, of which we read in this parasha.
This Thursday is Tu BiShevat, the New Year for trees, we do not say tachanun. There is an age-old custom (Ari’zal) to set a table with many fruits, especially of those species indigenous to Eretz Yisrael. This custom has become widely accepted today and we serve many new fruits such as figs, pomegranates and dates as well as other fruits upon which we can then recite the blessing of Shehecheyanu. We do so only on new fruits that are noticeably ripe and are suitable for eating. Since, nowadays, many fruits are available all year long, it is best to seek out a new fruit that one has not yet eaten. The rule of Shehecheyanu for a new fruit applies all year long as well (Rema, Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayyim 225:3 and Mishna Berura ad loc.).
The following chapters of Tehillim are being recited by many congregations and Yeshivos for our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael: Chapter 83, 130, 142. – Y.K.