When lighting candles for Yom Tov "Lhadlik ner shel Yom Tov" and "Shehecheyanu" are recited.

The days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are to be spent mainly in prayer, study of Torah, giving charity, and doing mitzvos.

One must not strike a match or ignite a fire on Yom Tov. This also applies to electricity. A fire can only be extended from an existing flame on Yom Tov.

On the second night, have a new fruit on the table or wear a new garment and have it in mind when reciting the "Shehecheyanu". Do not recite the Shehecheyanu again when eating the fruit.
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     The Rabbis declare both the righteous and the evil are judged immediately on Rosh Hashanah. The neither-here-nor-there are left in a temporal state of limbo. The Ten Days of Penitence are, therefore, a period of grace for self-examination and changing one's way. The Rambam suggests that true repentance calls for:

no further transgression of that sin;
sincere regret;
a firm decision for the future.

All work forbidden on Shabbos is forbidden on Yom Kippur.

It is forbidden to eat or drink anything on Yom Kippur. Children, as they approach adulthood, should be educated gradually to fast longer each year. Those who must take pills, medication or are unable to fast, please consult the Rav and he will be pleased to guide you.

Washing any part of the body is forbidden on Yom Kippur except when washing the hands in the morning (just the fingers) and if they get dirty. Applying any kind of ointments, hair tonics, etc. is forbidden on Yom Kippur.

Wearing shoes made wholly or partly of leather is forbidden.

The brachos for lighting candles are "Lhadlik ner shel Yom HaKippurim" and "Shehecheyanu." Yahrzeit candles should be lit before the candles of Yom Kippur. After reciting the bracha of Shehecheyanu one may not perform any forbidden action on Yom Kippur, e.g. travelling to Shul in a car.
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SUCCOS - The Feast of Tabernacles is observed from the fifteenth to the twenty-first day of Tishrei. Males are obligated to dwell in a Succah on these days. The Succah symbolizes the wandering of our ancestors in the wilderness of Sinai and our trust in the protection of G-d. Succos takes place at harvest time and is a festival of happiness and gratitude to G-d for the favours which He bestows upon us with a good harvest of crops. We are to procure for ourselves a Lulav (branch of a palm tree) and Esrog (a citron). To the Lulav we are to attach Hadassim (myrtles) and Aravos (willows). The Three species are bound together as one.

HALACHOS - The Torah requires us to reside in the Succah all seven days of Succos. Therefore, all meals during Succos should be eaten in the Succah. Whenever one eats in the Succah the required amount, after reciting the Bracha for food, he recites the Bracha "Leshev Ba'Succah".

On the first two nights of Succos, one should wait until nightfall to recite Kiddush and eat in the Succah.

A sick person who is in discomfort when eating in the Succah is exempt.

If it is raining enough to interfere with the normal use of the Succah as a room,
one may eat in the house. The exception to these rules is the first two nights of Succos when discomfort does not free one entirely from sitting in the Succah.

HOW TO BUILD A SUCCAH- A Succah consists of four walls and a roof. The requirements for the walls are simple. They can be made of any material such as ordinary lumber, plywood, or with poles and canvas covering. The walls must be strong enough to withstand the wind. The Succah should be wide enough to accommodate a table and chairs, so that your family can eat there. The building of the roof requires care. The covering of the Succah must be of a temporary nature. The material must be a production of the soil; branches of trees, reeds or bamboo sticks can be used.

SHEMINI ATZERES- The 22nd day of Tishrei, is Shemini Atzeres. Tradition tells us that on the seven days of Succos the Jews pray for all nations of the world but that on this day the Assembly is called as a personal day for the Jewish people alone. In Tefilas Musaf we commence mentioning rain reciting "Mashiv haruach umorid hagoshem."

SIMCHAS TORAH - On this day we complete the reading of the entire Torah and dance with great joy due to this occasion.
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CHANUKAH - celebrates the re-dedication of the Temple by the victorious Maccabees 167 B.C.E. in their struggle against the Syrian King Antiochus who had attempted to suppress the religion of our people.

MENORAH - Chanukah lights are lit after nightfall and must burn for half an hour except on Friday evening when they are lit immediately before Shabbos candles. Extra oil must be added or extra-long candles used on Friday to be sure the lights will burn after nightfall for half an hour. It is proper to prepare oil and wicks on Erev Shabbos so that one can light at the conclusion of Shabbos without delay. For Motzoai Shabbos there are two Minhagim. Some recite Havdalah before lighting, while others light before Havdalah. Follow your family custom. If you have no custom, say Havdalah first and then light. The blessing "boray me'oray ho'aish" should not be said over the Chanukah lights, since it is forbidden to use their light for any purpose. On the first night three blessing are recited: Lehadlik Ner Shel Chanukah, Sheasa Nisim, etc., and Shehechayanu etc. On subsequent nights only the first two blessings are recited.

The Chanukah lights are lit in the Shul between Mincha and Ma'ariv. They are placed on the southern side in a prominent position as a remembrance of the Holy Temple where the Menorah was so located. As in the home, on the first night three blessings are recited; on subsequent nights only two blessings. The one who blesses and lights in the Shul must recite these blessings again and light at home because one does not fulfill his personal mitzvah by lighting in the Shul.

AL HANISSIM - "Al Hanissim, Bimai Matisyohu" etc., is added to the Shemoneh Esrei during all eight days of Chanukah. If you forget to say Al Hanissim and remind yourself before saying the Shem in the blessing "Hatov Shimcho," go back and say Al Hanissim continuing on from there as usual. If you remind yourself after yourself after saying the Shem in "hatov Shimcho" complete the blessing and do not go back. You may then add Al Hanissim as an extra prayer before Elokay netzor, saying, "Horachamon hu ya'aseh lonu nissim veniflo'os kemo she'osah la'avosainu ba'yomim hohaim bazman hazeh. Bimai..." In the Birkas Hamazon, say Al Hanissim before Ve'al hakol, If you forget to add Al Hanissim in Birkas Hamazon do not go back but add the above prayer beginning with "Horachamon" before "Horachamon hu yezakeinu limos hamoshiach..."

The Chanukah menorah is lit in the Shul in the morning without the blessings and remains lit throughout the service. After the Shemoheh Esrei, complete Hallel is said on all eight days of Chanukah. The Torah readings are in Parshat Naso, Bamidhar 7.

There is no Musaf on Chanukah. On Rosh Chodesh Teves which falls on Chanukah, say yaaleh v'yovo and Musaf. Two Sifrei Torah are used; the first one for Rosh Chodesh and the second one for Chanukah.

HALACHOS - It is forbidden to fast during the eight days of Chanukah. If you prepare a special festive meal on Chanukah and sing G-d's praises during this meal it is considered a se'uedah shel mitzvah.

MINHAGIM - It is customary to eat cheese on Chanukah to commemorate the miracle that was brought about through the cheese that Yehudis, daughter of Yochonon the High Priest, fed the leader of the oppressors to make him drowsy. She also got him drunk and then cut off his head, causing his army to flee.

ZOS CHANUKAH - is the name given to the last day of Chanukah. This name is derived from the portion of the Torah that is read on this day, "Zos Chanukas Hamizbeach."
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TAANIS ESTHER - (Fast of Esther) This day commemorates the time when the Jews of Persia fasted and prayed that they be spared the massacre planned by Haman.

PURIM - commemorates the day when through the intervention of Mordechai and Queen Esther, King Ahasuerus was prevailed upon to save the Jews of Persia from the fate that Haman had decreed upon them. Haman and his sons were hung on the gallows and thus, the Jews avenged themselves on their enemies who had designed to destroy them. It is for this reason that we are enjoined to read the Megillah (Book of Esther) on the eve of the 13th day of Adar, as well as on the morning of the 14th day of Adar.

MIKRA MEGILLAH - On the night of Purim before the reading of the Megillah it is customary for every male Jew over the age of 20 (some assume this obligation at age 13) to donate three coins zecher l'machtzis hashekel (remembrance of the half shekel donations given to the Temple.)

The Megillah is to be read both in the evening as well as in the morning. It is incumbent upon men, women and children to listen to the Megillah in the evening and morning.

PURIM SEUDAH- is to be eaten before sunset on Purim day. The meal may continue into the night but must be, at least, started before sunset.

MISHLOACH MANOS - Everyone is obligated to fulfill this mitzvah and send two edible foods to a friend. This mitzvah must be performed during the day of Purim.

MATONOS L'EVYONIM - Everyone is to distribute during Purim day gifts to fellow Jews in need. One must send at least two gifts to two people (one gift to each person). If you desire, you may give money to the Rav and he will have it distributed among poor people on Purim Day to fulfill the mitzvah of Matonos L'evyonim on Purim.

AL HANISIM - should be recited in the Shmoneh Esrei and in the Birchas Hamazon during Purim.
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SHABBOS HAGADOL - will be on March 23, Parshas Tzav. It directly precedes Pesach and derives its name from the importance of the approaching festival and from the Haftorah for the day which ends with an allusion to the "Great Day of the Lord". On this day, the 10th day of Nissan, the Jews in Egypt were told of the Pesach Lamb.

M'CHIRAS CHOMETZ - Anyone wishing to be included in the Shtar M'chira (Contract of Sale) for Chometz should contact the Rabbi no later than Wednesday, March 27 at 8:00 a.m. either at the Shul (416-782-8849) or at home (416-785-7470).

B'DIKAS CHOMETZ - Search for the Chometz takes place on Tuesday evening, March 26 after Ma'ariv with the appropriate Bracha. Say Kol Chamira after the Bedika.

SIYUM B'CHORIM - Siyum for the First Born will be held after Shacharis, Wednesday morning, March 27. Shacharis is at 6:45 a.m. The Shul sponsors a Seudas Mitzvah/breakfast following the siyum in the Horefeldt Social Hall.

EREV PESACH - is on Wednesday, March 27. Chometz may be eaten until 9:45a.m., after which all chometz should be removed from the house and premises no later than 11:08 a.m. The burning of chometz should be as well conducted before 11:08 a.m. and Kol Chamira should be said. Chatzos on Erev Pesach is at 12:23pm.

PESACH - commemorates the time when the Jewish people were redeemed from the land of Egypt. Pesach will be observed from Wednesday evening, March 27 until Thursday evening, April 4.

CHOL HAMOED - The first and second, seventh and eighth days of pesach are observed as holy days sanctified by refraining from all work, except preparation of meals. The intervening days are known as Chol Hamoed, the weekdays of the festival, when only necessary labour is permitted. Each day a special Torah reading dealing with some aspect of Pesach is included in the Synagogue service. On the days of Chol Hamoed after the morning prayer, we recite only part Hallel. Our rejoicing is not complete, our sages tell us, because the Egyptians, who are also creatures of G-d, were drowned in the Red Sea. On the Shabbos of Chol Hamoed Pesach, before the reading of the Torah, we read "Shir Hashirim", the Song of Songs. This beautiful idyll is interpreted as an allegory of the love of G-d for Israel which received its highest expression when G-d redeemed Israel from slavery and took us to be his Chosen People.

ACHARON SHEL PESACH - On the last day of the Festival, Thursday, April 4, we recite Yizkor in memory of our departed parents. At 8:00 a.m., we conduct a special Mishna class in memory of the Kedoshim and departed members of our Shul. Shacharis is at 9:00 a.m.

SEFIRAS OMER - Beginning with the second night of Pesach and continuing for forty-nine nights, we count the Omer in accord with the Biblical injunction: "From the morrow of Pesach, from the day of your bringing the Omer, you shall count seven full weeks." The Omer was a special offering of barley gathered from the newly ripened grain which permitted the use of the spring harvest. In temple times, the harvesting of the Omer on the Second night of Pesach was an occasion for great celebration. The counting of the Omer must take place after nightfall.Immediately before stating the daily and weekly number in the Omer, we recite the benediction "Al Sefiras HaOmer". If the services on Friday evening take place at an early hour, count Sefirah at home after nightfall. These forty-nine days link the festival of Pesach, the celebration of our physical redemption, with the festival of Shavuos, which occurs on the fiftieth day, when we celebrate our spiritual redemption, the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.
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LAG B'OMER - In the second century of the Common Era, Eretz Yisrael was visited by plaque. Thousands of the disciples of Rabbi Akiva perished at that time during the period between Pesach and Shavuos. Many of them died in Bar Kochva's abortive rebellion against Roman rule. In their memory, this period is observed with partial mourning. During the weeks of the Omer we do not make a wedding feast, nor listen to music, nor do we cut hair. Since th plague is said to have stopped on the thiry-third day of the Omer (Lag B'Omer) these restrictions are suspended for that day. Lag B'Omer will be Tuesday, April 30.
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SHAVUOS - The Feast of Weeks is so called because it completes seven weeks from the second day of Passover on which the Omer (a measure) of new barley was brought at the Temple. This holiday celebrates the early wheat harvest in Israel. It also commemorates the giving of the Torah and the Covenant at Sinai between G-d and Israel. Therefore it is also named "Zeman Matan Torah" - The time of the Giving of the Torah. It is not called Zeman Kabalos Hatorah - the time for receiving the Torah, because we are to receive the Torah everyday, explains the Chidushei Harim. The giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai is what took place on Shavuos. Shavuos is the only festival for which no date is given in the Torah. The Torah merely says that the holiday is to be observed on the fiftieth day after beginning the count of the Omer on the second day of Pesach. While the Hellenists named it "Pentecost" which means fifty in Greek, the Rabbis called it "Atzeres" the concluding Feast, thereby implying that the relationship between Sukkos and Shemini Atzeres. The Jewish view has always been and will forever be that the freedom of Pesach will have no meaning if cut off from its source of G-d's law given on Shavuos. It is customary to decorate the Shul and home with branches, leaves and flowers, although the Vilna Gaon ZT"L objected to using trees. The candles are lit and the two brochos are recited: Lehadlik Ner Shel Yom Tov & Shehecheyanu. Shavuos will be observed on Friday, May 17 and Shabbos, May 18.

AKDOMOS - A poem written in Aramaic by Mier ben Yitzhak which tells of the mission of Israel and its greatness. The poem is recited on the first day of Shavuos prior to the reading of the Torah.

MEGILAS RUTH - The Book of Ruth is read on the second day of Shavuos. This story recalls the time of harvest in ancient Israel as well as the acceptance of the Torah by Ruth. Shavuos is traditionally known as the day when King David was born and the day when he died. We therefore read the Book of Ruth which records his birth and ancestry.

SHAVUOS NIGHT STUDY CLASS - It is customary to remain awake the first night of Shavuos and spend the hours in the study of the Torah or reading "Tikun". Our Bais Hamedrash will stay open for those who wish to come. An early Minyan for Shacharis will be held, followed by a Kiddush. There will be shiurim through the night for anyone who wishes to attend.
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ROSH CHODESH AV - Rosh Chodesh Av will be observed on Wednesday, July 10. During the nine days from Rosh Chodesh Av to Tishah B'Av with the exception of Shabbos, we abstain from eating meat, drinking wine and from frivolity of any kind.

SHABBOS CHAZON - The Shabbos before Tishah B'Av will be observed on July 13. This Shabbos derives its name from the haftorah of the day which begins with the word Chazon - Vision. This chapter contains a denunciation of Israel's sins. Since the destruction of the Temple was regarded as punishment for sin we read this portion on the Shabbos before Tishah B'Av.

TISHAH B'AV (Ninth Day of Av) - Tishah B'av will be observed on Thursday, July 18. It commemorates the destruction of the First Temple in 586 B.C.E. by the Babylonians, as well as the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 C.E. by the Romans.
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