Daily Halacha - Laws of Rosh Hashanah, 19 Elul 5777

Is it permissible to set the table on the first day of Yom Tov for the second night of Yom Tov?

One Yom Tov may not prepare for another, therefore it is forbidden to cook or set the table on the first day of Yom Tov for the second day of Yom Tov [Yalkut Yosef Siman 503].

Is there an obligation to recite Tehillim (Psalms) on Rosh Hashanah?

It is customary to read Tehillim on Rosh Hashanah, and on each day of Rosh Hashanah to complete one book of Tehillim so that over the two days the number of chapters will total three hundred, corresponding to the numerical value of "kapar" (atonement). However, this is not an obligation, and Torah scholars may continue with their regular studies [Yalkut Yosef Siman 584, Yechaveh Da'at 3, 44].

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