Half Hallel on Rosh Chodesh

This morning at Tefila, we skipped two paragraphs in Hallel, just as we do on every Rosh Chodesh and during Pesach after the first two days. The question is why do we skip those two paragraphs?

The Gemara tells us that the reason we do this is in order to differentiate those days on which we are obligated to say Hallel from those that it is just customary.

Rosh Chodesh is recorded in the Gemara as a time when we say Hallel as a custom.

The entire holiday of Pesach is really just a single holiday that lasts for seven days. There is one holiness that is spread throughout the entire holiday. During Sukkot, however, each day has its own, distinct holiness. Therefore, the Rabbis instituted an obligation to say Hallel to celebrate each holiness.

Mazal Tov - Mazal Tov

This week, we have been blessed to have three students who put on their Tefillin for the first time.

Swift as a deer, strong like a lion and light as eagle...

The code of Jewish law continues to give us metaphors of how one must be when getting up in the morning...

As swift as a deer:

Walk towards Mitzvos and good deeds: One is to be as swift as a deer. This means that one’s feet should only walk towards Mitzvot and good deeds.

As strong as a lion:

Overcome one’s inclinations: One should be strong like a lion. The main character of might is found within the heart. This means that one is to overcome his inclination and prevail it just like a warrior subdues his enemy and wrestles him to the ground. Therefore in the morning every person is required to strengthen himself like a lion and overcome his desire [to continue sleeping] by awaking some time prior to dawn.

As light as an eagle:

Control ones sight: One is to be as light as an eagle. This refers to ones sight, that one should close his eyes to avoid viewing evil. Just like the eagle changes his glance very swiftly when he flies across the heavens, so too one should swiftly close ones eyes when seeing evil. 

Can you give some example of how you can apply one of the characteristics to your morning?