First day of Rosh Chodesh Teves and sixth day of Chanukah
Shacharis, Krias Hatorah, and Musaf
Bentching
Minhagei Rosh Chodesh
Say Yaaleh Viyavo in Shemoneh Esrei (in addition to Ve’al Hanissim). After Shemoneh Esrei, the whole Hallel is recited, followed by Ve’Avraham Zakein and Kaddish Shalem. Next, say Shir Shel Yom and Barchi Nafshi.
This is followed by krias hatorah. Two Sifrei Torah are removed from the aron kodesh. From the first Sefer Torah, three aliyos are read in the parshah of Rosh Chodesh, instead of the regular four (the first aliyah begins with Vayedaber and continues until revi’is hahin, combining what is usually two aliyos). This is followed by hagbah and gelilah of the first Sefer Torah. (Chatzi Kaddish is not said before hagbah.)
From the second Sefer Torah, Bayom hashishi is read (Bamidbar 7:42–47), followed by Chatzi Kaddish, hagbah and gelilah.
Next, say Ashrei and Uva Letzion. The chazzan concludes Uva Letzion quietly, and the Sifrei Torah are returned to the aron kodesh.
Next, remove Rashi’s tefillin, don Rabbeinu Tam’s tefillin, and say Shema, Kadesh li chol bechor, and the Sheish Zechiros. After removing Rabbeinu Tam’s tefillin, say the Musaf of Rosh Chodesh. The chazzan should recite a chapter of Tehillim before saying the Chatzi Kaddish that precedes Musaf.
If you are wearing tefillin when the minyan reaches Kesser, cover the shel rosh when responding.
It is a mitzvah to increase in today’s meal in honor of (Chanukah and) Rosh Chodesh.
Say Yaaleh Viyavo and the Harachaman for Rosh Chodesh (in addition to Ve’al Hanissim). Additionally, replace the word Magdil (in the possuk Magdil yeshuos malko) with Migdol.
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.)
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.
