Bentching
It is a mitzvah to enhance today’s meal in honor of Rosh Chodesh.
Say Yaaleh Viyavo and the Harachaman for Rosh Chodesh. Additionally, replace the word Magdil (in the possuk Magdil yeshuos malko) with Migdol.
See below, “Hosafos,” for more on bentching and for the laws that apply if you forgot to say Yaaleh Viyavo.
When saying a Berachah Acharonah Mei’ein Shalosh (e.g., Al Hamichyah), add the addition for Rosh Chodesh. (However, there is no need to repeat the berachah if it was omitted.)
Minhagei Rosh Chodesh
It is customary for women to refrain from performing certain types of work on Rosh Chodesh (see note).
It is customary to refrain from taking a haircut and cutting nails on Rosh Chodesh.
The Frierdiker Rebbe cites an “ancient custom” to study a possuk from the kapitel corresponding to one’s age each Rosh Chodesh, along with Rashi’s explanation (and additional commentaries). For Tehillim with Rashi, visit www.chabad.org/16222.
If there are less than twelve pesukim in your kapitel (or less than thirteen in a leap year), when you finish the kapitel, learn it a second time. If there are more than twelve (or thirteen) pesukim in your kapitel, study enough pesukim each Rosh Chodesh to finish the kapitel over the course of the year.
The Rebbe encouraged arranging farbrengens (in shul) on Rosh Chodesh.
The sefirah of Wednesday night is 46 days of the omer.
