Today's Halachos are dedicated by a daily reader, M.Z., in memory of her dear sister Rahmah Bas Ephraim A"H, whose Yahrtzeit is today 14 Teves.
May her Neshama climb higher and higher in Gan Eden. May she be a Meilitzah Yosher for her entire family. Please have in mind when learning today's Halachos that they be in her zechus.
To dedicate the learning of a day or more of HALACHA FOR TODAY, or to make a much appreciated donation to please CLICK BUTTON BELOW.
Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
If you are just joining us today, please see ARCHIVES so you can review the previous Halachos on this and other topics.
1) On Shabbos itself it is prohibited to insulate a hot food item with towels, blankets or other items, even if said items are not Mosif Hevel, do not increase the heat of the food. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 257:1)
However, on Erev Shabbos, it is permissible to insulate food with any items that are not Mosif Hevel. (ibid.)
Thus, as is common in Jewish households across the world, a pot of steaming hot chicken soup may be wrapped in towels right before the onset of Shabbos in order to keep it piping hot for the Friday night meal that will be eaten later on.
2) Of course, this insulated pot of food may not be maintained on the flame or other heat source (e.g. hot plate, urn etc.) as doing so will be considered Hatmana B'Davar Hamosif Hevel, insulating with an item that increases the heat, and thus prohibited. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 257:8)
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR FRIENDS AND SPONSORS!
******************
Mention "Halacha For Today" and get special pricing plus 5% of your order total will benefit Halacha For Today!
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
Do spices require a Hechsher (Kosher certification)?
Answer:
Spice blends, spices produced in Israel, and spices on Pesach surely need a Hechsher. Single Ingredient, pure spices, according to many Poskim do not need a Hechsher. However, it is best to be stringent, especially today when spices with reliable hechserim are readily available.
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
You know, I don't think the children have been doing their chores very well this week," says the father. "And little Moishy only got a C on his Mishnayos test, and the twins have been fighting with each other non-stop. I don't think I'll buy food for them this week."
This is a ridiculous scenario, to be sure. While a worker has to perform his tasks to earn his keep, and a tenant has to pay rent to keep the roof over his head, a child receives his sustenance simply because of his father's love.
In precisely this way, a Jew can rely on Hashem's constant care, even when he has no merit to show for himself.
Who Makes the Rules?
The cashier at the clothing store was very strict about the store's policies. No returns were permitted after 30 days, no matter what.
"But I've been in the hospital since the day after I bought this coat!" Miriam pleaded. "It's very expensive, it's never been worn and it doesn't fit my son. I want my money back!"
The cashier wouldn't budge. "I don't have the authority to take this back," she kept repeating with her best "customer service" tone of voice.
Finally, Miriam asked "Is the owner here? I would like to speak to her."
When the owner heard Miriam's story, she did not hesitate for a moment to take back the merchandise and return the purchase price. After all, it was her store. She made the rules, so certainly she could make an exception.
Likewise, Hashem's Ability to Treat His children with compassion stems from His power. Not only did He create the world with rules of operation; but also, He can bend those rules by integrating compassion in His judgment.
It is His will, not the rules He created, which dominates. Therefore, He can do whatever is necessary to express His love for us.
Our Father, Our King!
Ironically, the Father-child connection one builds with Hashem enhances, rather than diminishes, the sense of His Kingship and power, for in going beyond the bounds of judgment and showing mercy, Hashem illustrates that there are no limits to His power.
As a wise King, He must rule firmly over his subjects, but as a loving Father, He bears no restraints in showing boundless benevolence to His children.
To dedicate the learning of a day or more of HALACHA FOR TODAY, or to make a much appreciated donation to please CLICK BUTTON BELOW.
Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
If you are just joining us today, please see ARCHIVES so you can review the previous Halachos on this and other topics.
1) It is permissible to submerge a pot containing food or a baby bottle containing milk or another liquid into another utensil filled with hot water which has been removed from the flame or other heat source, on Erev Shabbos [and leave it there into Shabbos], as since the utensil with the water has been removed from the flame it is not considered Hatmana B'Davar Hamosif Hevel. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 258:1)
However, on Shabbos itself it is prohibited to do this, even if the water is in already in a Kli Sheini and thus not a problem of Bishul, as doing so will be considered Hatmana. (See Mishna Berura Siman 258:2)
If, however, the pot or the bottle is not totally submerged and a significant part remains uncovered by the water, it is permitted even on Shabbos itself as it is Hatmana B'Miktzas which is permitted [for Ashkenazim] (as long as it is in a Kli Sheini[for liquid foods] and no other Bishul prohibitions exist)
2) If the food is being submerged for the purposes of having the submerged food absorb the flavor of the food in the pot, e.g. A piece of Kugel or kishke wrapped in aluminum foil being submerged in a pot of Cholent, it is permitted on Erev Shabbos according to many Poskim, as this isn't being done for the purposes of Hatmana and thus isn't subject to the prohibition of Hatmana. (See Shu"t L'Horos Nosson Vol. 7 Siman 12 and Shu"t Az Nidberu Vol. 6 Siman 78.)
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR FRIENDS AND SPONSORS!
******************
Mention "Halacha For Today" and get special pricing plus 5% of your order total will benefit Halacha For Today!
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
Does eating parmesan cheese make one "milchig" for 6 hours?
Is there anything else, e.g., eating other cheese which would make one "milchig" for 6 hours?
Answer:
Eating "hard, aged" cheeses requires waiting 6 hours before eating meat, as they leave a taste in ones mouth, unlike other dairy.
According to the Star K Kashrus agency, on their website:
"Parmesian cheese is considered hard if it has been aged for six months. Romano may also be a hard cheese (but is not readily available as kosher). Swiss, Cheddar, Muenster, and Mozzarella are not hard cheeses. Cottage and cream cheese are certainly not hard cheeses either. If a hard cheese is cooked, it does not lose its status as a hard cheese."
I know many Rabbanim do consider Cheddar cheese as a hard cheese, yet the Star K doesnt feel this way.
A Rav should be consulted for Halacha L'Ma'aseh.
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
"People question Hashem but are certain of themselves. They should rather be certain of Hashem, and question themselves."
Rav Yisrael Salanter Zatzal quoted in Sefer Torah Tavlin
To dedicate the learning of a day or more of HALACHA FOR TODAY, or to make a much appreciated donation to please CLICK BUTTON BELOW.
Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
If you are just joining us today, please see ARCHIVES so you can review the previous Halachos on this and other topics.
1) According to some Poskim (including HaRav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal and YBLC"T Maran HaRav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita) using a Crockpot on Shabbos [without modifications] presents a problem of Hatmana.
Even though the pot with the food is only insulated from below and from the sides, yet is totally open from on top, these Poskim maintain, that since this is the normal way to cook with this appliance, and it is also Mosif Hevel, increasing the heat, it will not be subject to the leniency of "Hatmana B'Miktzas, and will still be prohibited.
Other Poskim (including Rav Shmuel Wosner Shlita) maintain that although there is room for stringency, it cannot be prohibited as the opening on top deems it Hatmana B'Miktzas which is permitted.
2) There are various ways around this problem, including placing some stones or other items between the base of the Crockpot and the pot containing the food, which will lessen the insulation.
Also, on the type of Crockpots where the heating element is only on the bottom and not throughout the walls of the base, even Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal was lenient.
The various other details of this Halacha are complex and not easily detailed in this forum. It would be best for each individual to show their specific Crockpot to their Rav for a Psak regarding Hatmana (as well as SheHiya and Chazara which can also be problematic sometimes in certain Crockpots)
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR FRIENDS AND SPONSORS!
******************
Mention "Halacha For Today" and get special pricing plus 5% of your order total will benefit Halacha For Today!
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
Is it permitted to speak Lashon Hara about a non-Jew?
Answer:
There is no distinct prohibition about speaking Lashon Hara about a non Jew. However, if by doing so it can lead to a Chilul Hashem, then it should be avoided. Also, if by doing so often it will cause us to become lax in Lashon Hara as regards to Jews, or otherwise ruin our charachter, it should also be avoided.
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
What is the best way for a woman to feel good while dealing with the pressures of child rearing and house work?
Answer by HaRav Avigdor Miller Zatzal:
Now that's an important question because a great deal of time and effort are invested in that, and it pays to utilize it. First and foremost, to do whatever you do and say, "I am doing it for the service of Hashem". That sounds queer, people never thought of that. As you pick up a squalling baby, say I am doing it because Hashem says V'ohavtah L'raiacho Kamocha. I love my fellow man, it's my fellow man, the baby. It's a Mitzvas Asai; your fellow man is sad, he's distressed, he's shrieking, and you try to calm him, V'ohavtah L'raiacho Kamocha, think about that.
When you're handing food to the table, your family is sitting at the table, they say, Ma, give us some bread, and you think Nosain Lechem L'chol Bosor Ki L'olam Chasdo, I am a Shaliach of Hashem, they want bread: Here's bread. When you're baking: Nosain Lechem L'chol Bosor. When you're doing anything in the kitchen preparing food, you're doing the Midah of Hakadosh Baruch Hu. And what's His Midah, what's Hakadosh Baruch Hu doing? Yoshaiv V'zun, He's sitting and feeding the world, Meikarnai R'eimim V'aad Beitzei Kinim, from the biggest animal to the smallest insects, Hashem is feeding the world. And it's a model for mothers who stand and labor in the kitchen; they're feeding their little world. That's how a person can think.
Whatever you do in the house, you're washing diapers, it's L'shem Shamayim, you're serving Hakadosh Baruch Hu. And therefore, a women if she has the right preparation, with a little thought, she can transform all these menial tasks that a servant girl can also do, and she transforms into Avodas Hashem, and let me tell you, it's not less then the Kohain in the Bais Hamikdash.
Anybody who serves Hakadosh Baruch Hu with a Laiv Shaleim, La'asos Retzono Ulovdo B'laivov Shaleim, you serve him with a whole heart, L'maan Lo Niga Larik, the labor shouldn't be in vain, Lo Nailaid Labeholo, it's a pity to waste our lives in taking care of children, in cleaning the house, when we could have done it as people who are working in the Bais Hamikdash, and you're Meshamesh like Leviem who are sweeping up in the Azoro and you're serving Hakadosh Baruch Hu, and everything is transformed into gold, whereas otherwise it remains nothing but tin and waste and a lost life.
To subscribe to the weekly "A Moment with Rabbi Miller" email CLICK HERE
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Vayechi; Fast Day of Asara B'Teves
10 Teves 5771
December 17 2010
To See Today's Yahrtzeit's CLICK HERE
Today's halachos are dedicated by a daily reader, A.G., L'Zecher Nishmas his dear mother Chaya Golda Bas Boruch A"H, whose Yahrtzeit is on Shabbos Kodesh 11 Teves.
May her Neshama continue to climb higher and higher in Gan Eden and may she be a Meilitza Yosher for her entire family and for all of Klal Yisroel. Please have in mind when learning today's Halachos that they be in her merit.
To dedicate the learning of a day or more of HALACHA FOR TODAY, or to make a much appreciated donation to please CLICK BUTTON BELOW.
Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
If you are just joining us today, please see ARCHIVES so you can review the previous Halachos on this and other topics.
DOUBLE PORTION L'KAVOD SHABBOS KODESH
Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh
1) If the item being used to insulate the pot does not actually touch the pot, it is not a problem of Hatmana and is permitted even according to the Poskim who prohibit Hatmana B'Miktzas.
Thus, if one has a pot containing food that they want to insulate, a larger pot may be placed upside down over the pot with the food in a manner that the larger pot does not touch the walls of the smaller pot at all. It is then permissible to take towels or other items and totally cover the larger pot from all sides. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 257:8)
This may be done even when the smaller pot is actually on the fire or heat source. (ibid.)
2) Likewise, one may place a wide tray over the pot which will protrude out beyond the sides of the pot, and hang a towel over the tray which will drape over all the sides and cover the entire pot, as there is a separation between the towel and the pot. (Mishna Berura Siman 257:42)
The tray must, however, be wide enough to protrude out enough that there is an easily noticeable separation between the towel and the pot. (Ruling of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal and YblC"T Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita quoted in Sefer Orchos Shabbos page 111 footnote 143. Some Poskim, however, do allow a loose hanging towel to be draped over the pot, even if it isn't easily noticeable that there is some air between the towel and the pot. For Halacha L'ma'aseh a Rav should be consulted. )
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) If a bunch of pots are on the stove together it is best to not drape a towel or other insulating item over all of them as one, even though every individual pot is only being partially covered, as in this case we deem them all as one big pot being totally covered. (Ruling of HaRav Nisim Karelitz Shlita, quoted in Orchos Shabbos page 111 footnote144)
2) A pot may be placed into an oven from before Shabbos and we don't consider it Hatmana, as even though the pot is totally enclosed in the oven, its walls are not actually touching all the walls of the oven. (See Biur Halacha Siman 257:8 Dibur Hamaschil Shari L'Kulei Alma)
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
******************
Click Banner Above To be Directed To Website.
*****************************
Mention "Halacha For Today" and get special pricing plus 5% of your order total will benefit Halacha For Today!
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
I read an article and have heard on other occasions that the chofetz chaim says that one who answers yehei shmei rabba aloud and with kavana can annul many bad decrees. My question is, does this apply to women too or do Tznius considerations override this, calling for women not to answer out loud (whereby they may be heard by the men in shul)?
Answer:
Those arent the Chofetz Chaim's words...they are the words of the Gemara! (Talmud Shabbos 119b) The Gemara says one who answers Amen Yehei Shmay Rabbah with all his strength annuls bad decrees and gets Mechilah for his sins.
According to one opinion in Tosefos "all his strength" means saying it loudly. According to Rasi and the first opinion in Tosefos it means saying it with as much Kavanah as possible (which is more important than simply screaming the words)
Therefore, if a woman answers it loudly where men will be able to hear her, it isn't proper. However, she can, and should, still say it with as much Kavanah as he can! And also as loud as she can say it without any men hear her.
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
Photo Submitted by daily reader, Lazer E., taken from www.Chatzos.com
Hashem loves me.
Hashem loves you.
Hashem loves all His Children.
In our darkest hours, He is there shining a light on us.
On our hardest days, He is there waiting to help us.
He is our Father; our loving Father.
Let's do His will.
Let's make Him proud.
Let's show Him how much we really appreciate everything He does for us.
Let's stop demanding more and more.
Let's first begin to thank him for all we have.
Let's show the world that we truly love our Father.
To dedicate the learning of a day or more of HALACHA FOR TODAY, or to make a much appreciated donation to please CLICK BUTTON BELOW.
Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
1) As we learned yesterday, Hatmana B'Miktzas, where a significant portion of the food is not insulated, is permitted [for Ashkenazim].
There is no difference what part of the pot remains un-insulated as long as there is a part of the pot lacking insulation.
Thus, if the top of the pot is wrapped and a portion of the pot on bottom is left unwrapped it's just as acceptable as where the bottom of the pot is wrapped and a portion on top of the pot is left un-insulated.
2) According to Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal (quoted in Sefer Sh'vus Yitzchak Perek 20), even if the insulation is covering the entire area of the pot where the food is contained and the un-insulated part is only where there is no food; it is still considered Hatmana B'Miktzas and permitted [for Ashkenazim].
According to Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal, however, in the aforementioned case he seemingly rules stringently. (See Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 4 Siman 74;Hatmana:4)
For Halacha L'ma'aseh a Rav should be consulted.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
Click Banner Above To be Directed To Website.
*****************************
Mention "Halacha For Today" and get special pricing plus 5% of your order total will benefit Halacha For Today!
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
If a person said a brocha over milk and then realized that he was fleishig, does he say "Baruch Sheim Kevod Malchuso L'Olam Va'aed"?
Answer:
The issue is that saying a Bracha L'Vatala is a biblical transgression, while eating milk when fleishig is a rabbinic transgression.
The ideal thing to do is to eat something parve of the same Bracha which is in front of you, so as the Bracha wont be L'vatalah, and you also wont need to eat milchig.
If no other food is around, and it is past an hour from when you ate fleishig, then take one bite of the milchig item and not eat any more after that initial bite.(Some Poskim say to take a bite, and then spit it out after you tasted it, but do not swallow it)
If less than an hour passed since eating fleishig, the milchig item should not be tasted, rather "Baruch Sheim K'Vod malchuso L'Olam Va'ed" should be recited, as is done after every bracha L'Vatalah (See Mishna Berura Siman 206:26 and Biur Halacha Dibur Hamaschil Rak Shelo. See also Shu"t Be'er Moshe Vol. 4 Siman 24.)
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
"This is a lesson that everyone should live by:
Treat your friends as you do your artwork and your pictures:
Always make sure to place them in the best light!"
- Rabbi Yisrael M. Kazakov ZT"L - Quoted in Sefer Torah Tavlin -
To dedicate the learning of a day or more of HALACHA FOR TODAY, or to make a much appreciated donation to please CLICK BUTTON BELOW.
Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
1) There is a debate amongst the Rishonim if the prohibition of Hatmana is only when the food is totally insulated, or if it applies as well to "Hatmana B'Miktzas, when just a portion of the food is insulated".
The Bais Yosef rules stringently in this matter and thus Sephardic jews generally adopt the stringent view and prohibit Hatmana even if only a portion of the food is insulated. (See Bais Yosef on the Tur Siman 253 and Shulchan Aruch Siman 253:1. See also Shu"t Ohr L'Tzion Vol. 2 Perek 17:10 for a more lenient option, even for Sephardim)
The Rama (Siman 253:1), however, rules leniently as does the Mishna Berura (Siman 253:47) and this is the prevalent custom of Ashkenazic Jews. (The Chazon Ish, however, in Orach Chaim Siman 37:19 rules stringently in most cases)
2) What exactly constitutes "Hatmana B'Miktzas"?
According to all Poskim, a substantial portion must be uncovered for it to not be considered Hatmana, but simply having a little bit uncovered is not sufficient to allow Hatmana.
Some Poskim say that it has to be to the point that the portion that is uncovered is causing the food to not retain its heat. (See Shmiras Shabbos K'Hilchasa Perek 1 footnote 195 quoting Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal.
Other Poskim say that it if the majority of the pot is covered, it is considered Hatmana.(See Mishna Berura Siman 257:43 quoting the Chayei Adam. See also Shulchan Aruch HaRav Siman 253:14)
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
Click Banner Above To be Directed To Website.
*****************************
Mention "Halacha For Today" and get special pricing plus 5% of your order total will benefit Halacha For Today!
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
What if a man says a Beracha or Davens and realizes that he didn't have a Yarmulke (Kippah, head covering) on?
Answer:
According to Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal, you must repeat the Bracha or the Tefilah, as davening with an uncovered head is an abomination. (Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 4 Siman 40:14)
According to Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal, there is no need to repeat the Tefilah, as B'dieved it is a good Bracha or Tefilah. (Halichos Shlomo on Tefilah Chapter 2:16).
For Halacha L'Ma'aseh please consult a Rav.
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
"One who loves Talmidei Chachomim (Torah scholars) will have children who will be Talmidei Chachomim.
One who honors Talmidei Chachomim will have sons-in-law who will be Talmidei Chachomim.
One who is in awe of Talmidei Chachomim will become a Talmid Chacham himself, and if he is not involved in Torah learning, then his words will be heard like those of a Talmid Chacham."
Rava said, "How foolish are those people that stand up for a Sefer Torah but not for a Talmid Chacham, for in truth the Talmid Chacham is greater."
(Talmud Shabbos 23b, Makkos 22b)
Submitted by daily reader, M.F.; Taken from the L'Ma'an Yishmeu, Agudas Avreichei Lubavitch email
To dedicate the learning of a day or more of HALACHA FOR TODAY, or to make a much appreciated donation to please CLICK BUTTON BELOW.
Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
1) Placing the cover of a pot onto the pot is not considered Hatmana, and is permissible, even though by doing so it covers the food completely, as the main purpose of the cover is to ensure that the food does not get ruined (i.e. than no foreign objects should fall into the pot) (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 257:2)
This holds true even if the cover actually touches the food in the pot.
2) If one places a food item on top of a hot water urn to warm, either on a plate or on its own, and covers the item [totally] with a piece of aluminum foil, it isn't considered Hatmana, and it is permissible.
Here too, the reason is because we look at the foil as protecting the food from getting ruined from airborne particles or dust, and not as adding heat to the food.
However, an additional layer of aluminum foil should indeed not be placed over this food, as the extra layer will indeed be considered Hatmana. (See Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 4 Siman 74;Hatmana:3)
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
Click Banner Above To be Directed To Website.
*****************************
Mention "Halacha For Today" and get special pricing plus 5% of your order total will benefit Halacha For Today!
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
Can you please give me sources and the reasons for not falling asleep or waking up to music.
I have been learning for many years & have never heard this before seeing it in your halachos.
Answer:
This "prohibition" was instituted after the Churban Bais HaMikdash (destruction of the holy temple), based on Pesukim, that it isn't proper to listen to music in a fashion that kings and princes do, while we are in mourning over the Bais HaMikdash. One of the things that royalty would do was to fall asleep and be woken up to music, thus Zecher L'Churban it was prohibited. In fact according to the Gemara in Maseches Gittin 7a (and Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal and other Poskim rule like this view) it is prohibited to listen to any music any time while we are in Galus, unless it is for a Mitzvah! See also Talmud Yerushalmi Megilah 3:2
Though most Poskim are lenient in general regarding listening to music, they are machmir regarding falling asleep and waking up to it. (See Halichos Shlomo Perek13:18 and the footnotes)
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
The Brisker Rav, Rav Yitzchok Zev Soloveitzik Zatzal
At the Sheva Brachos of his youngest son, Rav Meir, at Wagshal's Hotel in Bnei Brak, the Brisker Rav, Rabbi Yitzchak Zev Soloveitchik (1887-1959), expounded on the words of each of the songs that were sung by the guests. With relish, the assembled would sing a niggun, and then delightedly wait to hear R' Velvel's spontaneous insights.
One of the guests was the renowned tzaddik, Rabbi Velvel Adelman. When asked to sing, he chose ימים על ימי מלך תוסיף, May You add days on to the days of the king (Tehillim 61:7). Everyone joined in fervently to this implied prayer for the Brisker Rav.
When the singing ended, the Rav began, "There is a machlokes (difference of opinion as to which king is meant by the word melech (see Radak, ibid.). If it refers to King David, then it is understandable that Klal Yisrael beseeches HaShem to add days to David's life, for as a mere mortal, David had been given a specific amount of years. If however, as some say, the verse refers to Mashiach, why pray for more days to his life? Mashiach will live on forever."
The Brisker Rav smiled knowingly and gave his answer: "We pray for Mashiach to come earlier! And if he comes before his scheduled arrival, there will be additional (תוסיף) days of Mashiach's reign."
May the words of the Brisker Rav come to fruition in our day.
Submitted by daily reader, C.S.; Taken from "Echoes of the Maggid" by Rabbi Paysach J. Krohn
To dedicate the learning of a day or more of HALACHA FOR TODAY, or to make a much appreciated donation to please CLICK BUTTON BELOW.
Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
If you are just joining us today, please seeARCHIVES so you can review the previous Halachos on this and other topics.
1) Hatmana B'Davar Hamosif Hevel, insulating with materials that will increase the heat of the food in the pot is prohibited even if it is done from before Shabbos.
Thus, a pot that is on a heat source, even if it's on a blech or a hot plate, may not be [totally] wrapped with an article of clothing a blanket or a towel, as the heat combined with the wrapped material will increase the heat. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 257:8)
A common example of this would be a hot water urn where a specially designed cover or a regular towel is placed over the entire device to keep the water hotter than it would otherwise be while just in the uncovered urn. This is prohibited to do even on Erev Shabbos if it covers the entire urn, as it increases the heat of the water.
2) Likewise, a pot that is not directly on the heat source, but is on top of another pot that is on the heat source, may still not be insulated [totally] (Pri Megadim, Eishel Avrohom, Siman 298:1)
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
Click Banner Above To be Directed To Website.
*****************************
Mention "Halacha For Today" and get special pricing plus 5% of your order total will benefit Halacha For Today!
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com Reader's Question:
Why do we observe Asara B'Teves on Friday, as it falls out this year (this coming Friday, december 17), while other fast days are not observed on Fridays?
Answer:
The only fast (besides Yom Kippur) that we actually fast on Friday (and would also fast on Shabbos, but will never fall out on Shabbos until the end of time) is Asara B'Teves. Other fasts, if they fall on Friday, are pushed off until Sunday.
The reason for this is that the Posuk (Yechezkael Perek 24:2) in regards to Asara B'Teves "B'Etzem HaYom Hazeh, On this very day", the very same words used in the Torah (Vayikra Perek 23:28) in regard to Yom Kippur, thus the rabbis deduced that Asara B'Teves, like Yom Kipur,should never be pushed off from its actual date.
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
"Even a peasant who has a message for the king from a long lost beloved son, is promptly ushered into the throne room. The tefillah of a person who does Teshuvah, is precisely such a message and is warmly and promptly welcomed by Hashem."
- The Maggid of Mezeritch ZT"L -
From Sefer Torah Tavlin; Quoted on www.JewishEverything.net
Today's Halachos are dedicated by a daily reader, A.G., in honor of the Yahrtzeit, today 5 Teves, of his dear father, Yaakov Eliyahu ben Eliezer Z"L. May his Neshams climb higher and higher in Olam Haba and may he be a Meilitz Yosher for his entire family.
To dedicate the learning of a day or more of HALACHA FOR TODAY, or to make a much appreciated donation to please CLICK BUTTON BELOW.
Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
We will now B'Ezras Hashem, resume Hilchos Bishul, where we left off before Chanukah.
1) Hatmana, insulating a pot containing food (e.g. wrapping it in a towel) in a non permissible way, is another rabbinical Gezeira that was enacted to prevent the transgression of Bishul, cooking and Hav'arah, kindling a flame. (See Talmud Shabbos 34a)
Hatmana in a non permissible way can sometimes be prohibited even if done on Erev Shabbos, as we shall discuss in the next few days.
There are two kinds of insulation which we will be discussing:
a) Hatmana B'Davar Hamosif Hevel, insulating with materials that will increase the heat of the food in the pot.
b) Hatmana B'Davar She'Aino Mosif Hevel, insulating with materials that only maintain the heat of the food but do not increase the heat.
2) Hatmana only applies to the extra covering that one may place around a pot but doesn't apply to any initial covering that is directly covering the food (i.e. the pot, or a piece of aluminum foil that the food is placed in) (See "The Shabbos Kitchen' by Rav Simcha Bunim Cohen Shlita page 70 footnote 2 for a lengthy discourse behind this ruling)
Hatmana in a non permissible way applies equally to partially and fully cooked foods. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 257:7)
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
Click Banner Above To be Directed To Website.
*****************************
Mention "Halacha For Today" and get special pricing plus 5% of your order total will benefit Halacha For Today!
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
Is there a proper custom to distribute the portions [of Challah] to
others at the table BEFORE the one making the bracha eats his portion?
Or at least for him to SLICE all the portions before eating his own portion?
Answer:
The one making the Bracha should eat first, then slice the rest of the pieces and distribute, as not to have a hefsek between the Bracha and the eating. When distributing, he should give his wife first and then the rest of the participants according to chashivus, or age. (Psak of the Mishna Berura 167:79, although the Rama and others Pasken like Tosefos and the Mordechai that he may slice all the pieces, give them out and then eat, as they hold doing so is not a Hefsek)
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
שערי דמעות לא ננעלו
The Gates of Heaven Never Close for Tears.
Tears streaming down the face of a Jew are never for nought.
They may not work today. or tomorrow. or even in your lifetime.
But work they do.
Sha'arei DeMaos Lo Ninalu.
Hashem sees them. He treasures them. He will answer them. every last drop.
Often it seems like they slide down our faces and down the drain.
But nothing could be further from the truth; Tears will ultimately wash away our pain.
Rain flows downward. Tears flow upward.
The flow of our tears will open the floodgates
and ultimately the salvation of Hashem will rush down upon us all and cleanse our broken hearts.
1) After thirty days of saying "V'Sein Tal U'Matar" in the winter, or saying "V'Sein Bracha" in the summer we assume that one's brain is already used to saying the proper text.
Thus, if after this time period one doesn't remember if the proper text was said, we assume that it was and we do not require him/her to repeat Shemona Esrei.
2) The magical "thirty days" is not so much due to its being a month, rather it is due to having ninety Tefilos prayed in that period, and once something is said or done ninety times, it becomes "second nature".(Thus something that is done, or not done, for ninety days, is scientifically proven to become easier to maintain. This is true for breaking addictions as well as for changing other human habits etc.) (See Mishna berura Siman 114:37)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) Based on the above logic, another halachically acceptable option to "train" the brain to say "V'Sein Tal U'Matar L'Vracha" in the winter or to say "V'Sein Bracha" in the summer, is to say 90 times in succession the entire segment of the Bracha, "...V'Es Kol Minei TevuAsah L'Tovah, V'Sein Tal U'Matar L'Vracha (or "V'Sein Bracha" in the summer) Al Pnei Ha'adama"
Once this is done, anytime we are in doubt we can assume that it was said with the proper insertion. (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 114:9 and Mishna Berura S"K 39-44)
This applies to "Mashiv HaRuach U'Morid HaGeshem' as well. In fact, in many Yeshivos they have a minhag, dating back to pre-war Europe, to sing with a special tune the words "Mechayeh Meisim Atah Rav L'Hoshea, Mashiv HaRuach U'Morid Hegeshem Mechalkel Chaim..." ninety times on the day that Tefilas Geshem is recited, in order to ingrain inside of themselves to say it properly during Shemona Esrei.
2) All the Halachos regarding the guidelines of when to repeat Shemona Esrei when one omitted "V'Sein Tal U'Matar", "V'Sein Bracha", "Mashiv haRuach", ya'aleh V'yavo" etc. apply equally to men and women
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
Click Banner Above To be Directed To Website.
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
Is there a need to keep the challahs covered while holding them during the Hamotzi [on Shabbos]? Do the majority of poskim suggest that?
Answer:
Many Poskim (Pri Megadim: Mishbetzos Zahav 271:12 and Aishel Avrohom 271:20, Shulchan Aruch Harav 271:17 and others)maintain that the Chalos can be uncovered immediately after Kiddush.
The majority of Poskim however, including the Mishna Berura (Siman 271:41) rules that they should remained covered until after the Bracha of Hamotzi. The prevalent Minhag is like this opinion.
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
"Sometimes when a Jew is languishing in the doldrums and feels unable to articulate properly in his Tefilos, he should simply speak to Hashem in plain language and say "Hashem, please don't throw me away".....
Acknowledge that you are hurting and plainly beseech Hashem to help shlep you out of your current predicament."
- Rav Yaakov Meir Shechter Shlita -
Submitted by daily reader Aharon; taken from www.ohrshimshon.com
Thursday
2 Teves 5771;8th Day of Chanukah;Zos Chanukah 5771
December 9 2010
To See Today's Yahrtzeit's CLICK HERE
To dedicate the learning of a day or more of HALACHA FOR TODAY, or to make a much appreciated donation to please CLICK BUTTON BELOW.
Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
If you are just joining us today, please seeARCHIVES so you can review the previous Halachos on this and other topics.
1)If during the time period that "V'Sein Tal U'Matar" was supposed to be said, one can't recall if he/she remembered to say it, if it is in within the first thirty days of when it was added to the Tefilah, we assume that one was still used to the old text of "V'Sein Bracha" and thus did not remember to add "V'Sein Tal U'Matar", and therefore must follow the guidelines outlined in yesterday's Halachos regarding repeating the Shemona Esrei. (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 114:8 and Mishna Berura S"K 37)
2) The same thirty day rule applies to after Pesach when "V'Sein Bracha" is supposed to be added, and one cannot recall if he/she remembered to say it or inadvertently kept saying "V'Sein Tal U'Matar L'Vracha" as was etched in their brain for the past few months.
We will discuss the "thirty days" more in detail tomorrow B'Ezras Hashem.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
Click Banner Above To be Directed To Website.
Thank you to the many readers who responded to the Chanukah Tzedah appeal to assist two Talmidei Chachamim and their families. If you did not yet have a chance to participate, please take part in this great Mitzvah now, as today is the last day of Chanukah!
$8, $36, or any amount you can give will be greatly appreciated and be a tremendous zechus for you and your families. You can participate even if you don't have a PayPal account.
To Donate $8 Click Button Below
To Donate $36 Click Button Below
To Donate a Different amount Click Button Below
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF TORAH SCHOLARS. TIZKEH L'MITZVOS.
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
If one forgot to say Ya'aleh V'Yavo at Mincha on Rosh Chodesh and only realized after shkiya (sunset), does he have to do a Tashlumin (make up) Shemona Esrei at Maariv?
If yes, does it make a difference if the next day is no longer Rosh Chodesh ?
Answer:
Yes, a Tashlumim is necessary at Maariv.
If it is Rosh Chodesh, the Tashlumin of course will be with Ya'aleh V'Yavo.
If it is no longer Rosh Chodesh at Ma'ariv, it is a machlokes HaPoskim.
Some Poskim say that if You daven your Tashlumin without Ya'aleh V'Yavo, then you defeated your purpose, so there is no point of davening again, as you are missing a Ya'aleh V'yavo from Mincha, and you are still missing it after the Tashlumin.
Others say that by missing Ya'aleh V'yavo in your Mincha Shemona Esrei, you were not Yotzei your Shemona Esrei at all, so the Tashlumin is necessary for your Shemona Esrei and not just for the Ya'aleh V'Yavo, so of course by doing a Tashlumin, you make up for a missing Shemona Esrei.
So, what should be done?
The Poskim say that the best thing to do is to indeed daven two Shemona Esrei by Ma'ariv, and a T'nai (stipulation) should be made before starting the second Shemona Esrei, as follows:
"If I am obligated in this Tefilah, it should satisfy my obligation. If I am not obligated in this Shemona Esrei, let it be considered a Tefilas Nedava (not a mandatory Tefilah, similar to a Korban Nedava which was not obligatory)"
If Ya'aleh V'Yavo was mistakenly recited in the Shemona Esrei of Tashlumin, when it was no longer Rosh Chodesh, it isn't considered a Hefsek.
If this happens when Rosh Chodesh is on Friday, it will not work, as we may not daven Tefilas Nedava on Shabbos. (If it does happen on Friday night, either have Kavana when the Chazan says the Bracha of M'Ein Sheva, or even better, daven for the Amud, if possible, and by saying the M'Ein Sheva it will be your Tashlumin)
The above applies every time one has a real safek if he is obligated in davening a Shemona Esrei, that it be done with this stipulation.
(See Mishna Berura Siman 108: 32-35, and Biur Halacha Siman 108:12 Dibur Hamaschil HaToeh)
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
זאת חנוכה
Today, The 8th and final day of Chanukah is called "Zos Chanukah".
It is a powerful day for Teshuvah and Tefillah.
A great Rebbe once said:
"That which the greatest Tzadikkim accomplish on Yom Kippur is what all Jews can accomplish on Zos Chanukah!"
Rabbi Mordechai 'Finkelman Shlita said in the name of Rav oMoshe Wolfson Shlita that "Zos Chanukah is Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur all in one!"
Zos Chanukah, is the last day of our celebration of "Chanu-Kah"--our resting from war on the 25th day of Kislev.
While other nations may celebrate victories in war, we celebrate our rest from the war--the "result" of the victory--which is for us to return to our Avodas Hashem.
The Sefer Taamei Dinim U'Minhagim brings that today is the last Day of Judgment from the Din that began on Rosh Hashana more than three months ago.
Hashem is a very gracious Father and allows us tremendous opportunities to return to Him.
We should spend some time today contemplating how we can complete this process of judgment on a positive note-- how we, too, can celebrate this period in which we rejoice in the result of the victory-- with a renewed Avodas Hashem.
Some introspection and renewed commitment is certainly within the order of the day.
Submitted by a daily reader, Tova L.; Taken in part from www.Hakhel.info
**************
One Extra Dose of Chizuk, a Chasidishe Ma'aseh to warm the heart and soul as Chanukah 5771 is on the way out...
Once, some chassidim of the tzaddik Reb Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev were speaking when suddenly the tzaddik approached them and asked what they were discussing.
Having been involved in idle talk, they were embarrassed to divulge the subject. When the Rebbe asked again, they were compelled to reveal that they had been speaking of the wealth of a certain poritz (Duke), who would indulge in everything he wished. This was to the extent that when he decided to sled in the summer, he had his servants cover a field with mounds of sugar.
Hearing this the tzaddik asked, "Does he light Chanukah Licht?"
Surprised the chassidim replied that he does not, and he probably does not even know what Chanukah is.
To this Reb Levi Yitzchak responded, "If he doesn't light Chanukah Licht, then he does not have true enjoyment in this world!"
Submitted by daily reader, H.M.; Taken from the L'Ma'an Yishmeu, Agudas Avreichei Lubavitch weekly email. To subscribe send request to info@lmaanyishmeu.com
Wednesday
2nd Day Rosh Chodesh Teves;7th Day of Chanukah 5771
December 8 2010
To See Today's Yahrtzeit's CLICK HERE
To dedicate the learning of a day or more of HALACHA FOR TODAY, or to make a much appreciated donation to please CLICK BUTTON BELOW.
Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
If you are just joining us today, please seeARCHIVES so you can review the previous Halachos on this and other topics.
1) If one omitted "V'Sein Tal U'Matar L'Vracha" during the winter months, if they remembered while still in middle of the Bracha of "Bareich Aleinu", before saying the name of Hashem at the end, go back and say "V'sein tal U'Matar L'Vracha" and continue from there.
If the name of Hashem was already recited at the end of the Bracha , do not go back, rather finish the Bracha ad continue Shemona Esrei and add "V'sein Tal U'matar L'Vracha" during the Bracha of "Shma Koleinu". (Shulchan Aruch Siman 117:5. See Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 19:6 and Kaf HaChaim Siman 117:37that just the 4 words "V'Sein Tal U'Matar L'Vracha" are added and no further text. However, Aruch HaShulchan Siman 117:6 seems to say that the entire text of the Bracha is added.)
2) If the Bracha of Shma Koleinu was finished and there too "V'Sein Tal U'Matar L'Vracha" was omitted, if the Bracha of "Retzei" was not yet started, "V'Sein Tal U'Matar L'Vracha" can be said right then and there. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 117:5)
If one already began "Retzei", as long as one is still in middle of Shemona Esrei (i.e. did not say the second "YihYu L'Ratzon in Elokai Netzor for those who say it twice. See Mishna Berura Siman 117:18), he/she should go back to the beginning of the Bracha of "Bareich Aleinu" and say from there until the end of Shemona Esrei again, and this time remember to say "V'Sein Tal U'Matar L'Vracha". (ibid.)
If one finished the entire Shemona Esrei, he/she needs to repeat the entire Shemona Esrei from the beginning. (ibid.)
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
Click Banner Above To be Directed To Website.
Thank you to the many readers who responded to the Chanukah tzedah appeal to assist two Talmidei Chachamim and their families. If you did not yet have a chance to participate, please take part in this great Mitzvah now.
$8, $36, or any amount you can give will be greatly appreciated and be a tremendous zechus for you and your families. You can participate even if you don't have a PayPal account.
To Donate $8 Click Button Below
To Donate $36 Click Button Below
To Donate a Different amount Click Button Below
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF TORAH SCHOLARS. TIZKEH L'MITZVOS.
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
I read/say Hallel slower than the congregation because I am not as fluent in the words and the congregation reads/says Hallel fast.
I am a Kohain and often the only one, so I know that I will be called up.
I will not be able to finish my recitation of Hallel before they call me up.
Am I allowed to do any of the following in order to try and finish in time before I am called up?
1. Start Hallel early, such as right after Modiem which is the last response I have to make in the repetition?
2. Say Hallel without a brachah? Perhaps then I am just "reading pesukim" and it's not so bad that I'm be forced to interrupt when I am called up?
Answer:
There is no need for you to start Hallel early or to say Hallel withouta Bracha.
If you get called to the Torah while you are in the middle of Hallel, you may go up and say both the Bracha before and after the reading, and then resume the Hallel after your Aliyah, from where you left off. ( Sefer Ishei Yisroel Perek 39:47)
It is best to try and be between paragraphs of the Hallel, while doing so, just as with the other permissible responses allowed during Hallel.
(See Shulchan Aruch Siman 488:1 and Mishna Berura S"K 4-6)
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
A certain Jew once paid HaRav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, zt"l a visit and aired an interesting complaint.
"It is so hard to be a Jew!
Every action is regulated by so many halachos. There are even halachos for how to put on your shoes in the morning. First the right shoe, then the left. And the laces must be tied in opposite order, first the left then the right.
And the same is true regarding every second of each day. Even the most mundane
acts are required to be done specifically according to their own halachos. How can we endure so many obligations?"
Rav Shlomo Zalman's reply changed the questioner's view towards halacha.
"Why look at it like that? Why not see the positive side of halacha?
Everyone must put on his shoes each day, regardless of whether he follows halacha.
Instead of being part of a mindless routine, the halachic order for putting on shoes makes even this mundane action a mitzvah.
Tuesday
1st Day Rosh Chodesh Teves;6th Day of Chanukah 5771
December 7 2010
To See Today's Yahrtzeit's CLICK HERE
To dedicate the learning of a day or more of HALACHA FOR TODAY, or to make a much appreciated donation to please CLICK BUTTON BELOW.
Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
If you are just joining us today, please seeARCHIVES so you can review the previous Halachos on this and other topics.
Before we resume Hilchos Shabbos, we will take a few days to discuss a few select, timely, Halachos regarding "V'Sein Tal U'Matar", which we just began saying this past Motzaei Shabbos.
1) In the Bracha of "Barech Aleinu" in Shemona Esrei, the Bracha where we request Parnassah from Hashem, in the winter months we insert the words "V'Sein Tal U'Matar L'Vracha, [Hashem please] Give us dew and rain for blessing [i.e. in its right time and in abundant supply]", while in the summer months we say "V'Sein Bracha, [Hashem please] give us [abundant] blessing." (See Mishna Berura Siman 114:14)
2) In Eretz Yisroel [and its surrounding cities] "V'Sein Tal U'Matar L'Vracha" is inserted [instead of V'Sein Bracha] beginning on the seventh day of the month of Cheshvan, whereas in Chutz L'Aretz it isn't said until sixty days after the Tekufah of Tishrei (The autumn equinox), which according to the current way of calculating falls out on December 4 th or 5th. (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 117:1. According to the Abudreham, When February has 28 days we start on December 4 and when February has 29 days we start on December 5)
V'Sein Tal U'Matar is said until Erev Pesach. On Motzaei Yom Tov of the first days of Peach, we begin saying "V'Sein Bracha". (ibid.)
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
Click Banner Above To be Directed To Website.
Thank you to the many readers who responded to the Chanukah tzedah appeal to assist two Talmidei Chachamim and their families. If you did not yet have a chance to participate, please take part in this great Mitzvah now.
$8, $36, or any amount you can give will be greatly appreciated and be a tremendous zechus for you and your families. You can participate even if you don't have a PayPal account.
To Donate $8 Click Button Below
To Donate $36 Click Button Below
To Donate a Different amount Click Button Below
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF TORAH SCHOLARS. TIZKEH L'MITZVOS.
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
Some people in the shul in which I daven do something which I consider very annoying, and I was wondering if you could tell me if what they are doing is proper or not.
If something special is to be inserted in Shmoneh Esrei (Such as Al HaNisim or Yaaleh v"Yavoh ), they say the first few words out loud when they reach that point in their silent Shmoneh Esrei.
I suppose they're trying to make sure everyone remembers to say it.
It disturbs me because first of all it disturbs what little kavanah I usually muster, as I am distracted from the current bracha I am saying to be reminded of something else.
Also, it seems that shey should be directing their prayers to Hashem, not signaling others in the middle of their tefillah.
I wish they would stop doing it. It really bothers me.
Answer:
This is another one of those sticky situations, which are hard to control.
Many Poskim do indeed say that if these "shout outs" are being done in order to remind the Tzibbur to say Yaaleh V'Yavo or "V'Sein Tal Umatar" or Al HaNisim etc. then it is OK
The Chazon Ish was of the opinion that doing so is not proper Derech Eretz, and even though the "shouter" has good intentions it should not be done (Dinim V'Hanhagos L'Chazon Ish Perek 4:33; also brought in Orchos Rabbeinu from the Steipler Vol. 3 Page 207.)
Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal also was against this "Minhag" of every person in Shul doing this, as it is a Bizayon (disgrace) to the King [Hashem].
However, he quotes the Magen Avraham ( Siman 114:2)that says that for one person (the Shamash or Gabai) to do so when he reaches that place in Tefilah it's OK, but not the whole shul
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
"Just as an earthquake can be felt in any part of the world, by a sufficiently sensitive instrument, so too, the actions that one does, in some way, affects everyone else in the world!"
- HaRav Yerucham Levovitz Zatzal quoted in Sefer Torah Tavlin -
Submitted by a daily reader, N.B., taken from www.jewishEverything.net
Monday
Erev Rosh Chodesh Teves;5th Day of Chanukah 5771
December 6 2010
To See Today's Yahrtzeit's CLICK HERE
To dedicate the learning of a day or more of HALACHA FOR TODAY, or to make a much appreciated donation to please CLICK BUTTON BELOW.
Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
If you are just joining us today, please seeARCHIVES so you can review the previous Halachos on this and other topics.
1) The Tachanun prayer is not recited for the duration of Chanukah.
Likewise, "Keil Erech Apayim" before Krias HaTorah, "Lamnatzeiach...Ya'ancha Hashem B'Yom Tzarah" between "Ashrei" and "U'va L'Tzion" and "Tzidkascha Tzedek" at Shabbos Mincha, are omitted during Chanukah. (See Rama Siman 683:1)
2)During the recitation of Hallel, it is prohibited to speak or otherwise make interruptions.
The exceptions to this follow the same guidelines as during the recitation of the Brachos of Krias Shma, as follows:
During a paragraph, the only permissible interruptions are during Kadish for for "Amen Yehei Shemei Rabbah" and the "Amen" following "D'Amiran B'Alma V'Imru Amen", and for "Kadosh..." and "Baruch K'vod..." of Kedusha and to respond "Amen" to the Brachos of "Hakel HaKadosh" and "Shomea Tefilah".
Between paragraphs, "Amen" may be answered to all Brachos. (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 422:4 and Siman 488:1 and Mishna Berura S"K 4-6)
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
Click Banner Above To be Directed To Website.
Thank you to the many readers who responded to the Chanukah tzedah appeal to assist two Talmidei Chachamim and their families. If you did not yet have a chance to participate, please take part in this great Mitzvah now.
$8, $36, or any amount you can give will be greatly appreciated and be a tremendous zechus for you and your families. You can participate even if you don't have a PayPal account.
To Donate $8 Click Button Below
To Donate $36 Click Button Below
To Donate a Different amount Click Button Below
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF TORAH SCHOLARS. TIZKEH L'MITZVOS.
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
If a woman is in the hospital on Chanukah after giving birth to a child [or for any reason], does she have to light a Menorah
Answer:
If her husband is lighting the Menorah in their home, she is exempted with that lighting and there is no need for her to light an additional Menorah in the hospital.
The same would apply if a man is R"L in the hospital, and his wife lights the Menorah in their home, he is exempt from lighting an additional Menorah in the hospital.
If, however, the spouse is not lighting at home (or if there is no spouse) then they must light in the hospital.
(See Mishna Berura Siman 677:2. See also Halichos Shlomo Perek 13:5 where he writes that if possible she should at least hear the Brachos from someone who is lighting in the hospital, based on Mishna Berura 676:6)
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
In the Morning blessings, we thank Hashem "She'Asa Li Kol Tzorki, Who has provided me with all my needs". The 'Asa' is in the past tense as opposed to most of the other blessings which are in the present tense.
One of the reasons for this might be that it easier for us to recognize in retrospect how Hashem has provided for us in the past. It is sometimes difficult for us to see in our present situation, especially if one is going through hardship, how God is providing for us at this very moment with everything we need.
However, I don't believe that this is a magical formula; that once we are past a hurdle, we suddenly have the clear realization that: "Wow! God was really taking care of me this whole time!"
It is the result of a process.
In Nusach S'fard, the blessing that precedes this one is: "Hameichin mitsadei gaver, Who establishes, or prepares, the footsteps of man".
If as we are engaged in the journey itself, we have the awareness that Hashem is guiding our every step towards a specific purpose, that although we might not understand it fully, the process itself is necessary and is orchestrated by Hashem, then we can look back and exclaim: "You have provided me with all my needs!"
Submitted by a daily reader, ZZ, written by Rabbi Joseph
Sunday
28 Kislev; 4th Day of Chanukah 5771
December 5 2010
To See Today's Yahrtzeit's CLICK HERE
Visit aTasteofChallah.com to learn all about the mitzvah of Challah and see their great Eight Day Chanukah Giveaway!
To dedicate the learning of a day or more of HALACHA FOR TODAY, or to make a much appreciated donation to please CLICK BUTTON BELOW.
Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
If you are just joining us today, please seeARCHIVES so you can review the previous Halachos on this and other topics.
1) One who forgot to say "Al Hanisim" in its proper place in Shemona Esrei, and already begun the next Bracha, can say it at the end of Shemona Esrei, before saying the words "YihYu L'ratzon Imrei Fi..."
However, when saying it there, it should not be said with the regular text of "Al Hanisim" as praise and thanks as it is usually said in the Bracha of thanks, Modim.
Rather, it should be said as a Bakasha, a request, as follows:
HaRachaman Hu Ya'aseh Lanu Nisim V'Niflaos K'Shem sheAsisa L'Avoseinu BaYamin HaHem Bazman Hazeh- All Merciful One, please perform miracles and wonders for us just as you performed them for our forefathers in those days [of the Chashmonaim] in this time[of year]" and then followed by the regular text of "BiMei Matisyahu Kohen Gadol..." (See Mishna Berura Siman 682:4 and Taz Siman 682:5)
2) The above applies as well to Birchas Hamazon where Al Hanisim is supposed to be added to the Bracha of thanks, Nodeh Lecha, if it is omitted it can be said with the above text as a request during the recitation of the "Harachamans" in the second half of Birchas Hamazon. (See Rama Siman 682:1)
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
Click Banner Above To be Directed To Website.
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
You mentioned that Al Hanisim is to be recited in the Birchas Hamazon[ on Chanukah], why not in the Al HaMichya {Mein Shalosh} that is recited after cake, wine and such?
Answer:
Because we don't mention Hoda'ah (Thanks) at all in Al HaMichya, thus there is no place for us to insert Al Hanisim, which is an addendum of Hoda'ah and not simply a Hazkarah of the Yom
.(See Shu"t MaHaram Siman 30. His words are quoted in Hagahas Maimoni Hilchos Brachos Perek 3 Os 30. See also Bais Yosef Siman 208 Dibur Hamaschil "V'Tzarich L'Hazkir")
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
Question:
What's the relative importance of the miracles of Chanukah in the matters of the victories of the enemies, and the miracle of the jug of oil?
Answer by HaRav Avigdor Miller Zatzal:
Now, the miracles of the conquest were absolutely no less a miracle than the Pach Shemen. Only, we must admit that the Yetzer Horah will find an opportunity to deceive mankind in miracles of that kind. Well, you say, it happened they were good fighters, and perhaps the Assyrians were disorganized. It's not true, they were a very well organized army, but if people are looking for flaws in their Emunah, they'll say it's an accident. They'll try to find parallels, a certain small band of people who fought for independence; didn't the Americans fight the British army? No comparison of course, the Americans were here and the British army was only a small number of regiments from across the sea, nevertheless the Yetzer Hora will find ways and means.
The Pach Ha'shemen is something you couldn't answer, and therefore when the Gemora asks, Mai Chanukah? What's the miracle for which we celebrate Chanukah? It says, the Ness of Shemen.
But it doesn't mean that the other Nissim were smaller Nissim. No, they were also great Nissim, whatever happened, not only one battle, many battles were miracles upon miracles. Only to give us the maximum benefit it was necessary to emphasize the Ness of the Pach Shemen. That must be utilized most fully because that gives us the greatest benefit.
To Subscribe to the weekly "A moment with Rav Avigdor Miller" email CLICK HERE
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Mikeitz; Shabbos Chanukah; Mevorchim Chodesh Teves
26 Kislev; 2nd Day of Chanukah 5771
December 3 2010 (At Maariv this Motzaei Shabbos, December 4, begin Saying "V'Sein Tal U'Matar L'Vracha" in Shemona Esrei)
To See Today's Yahrtzeit's CLICK HERE
To dedicate the learning of a day or more of HALACHA FOR TODAY, or to make a much appreciated donation to please CLICK BUTTON BELOW.
Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
If you are just joining us today, please seeARCHIVES so you can review the previous Halachos on this and other topics.
SPECIAL DOUBLE PORTION L'KAVOD SHABBOS KODESH
Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh
1) It is very common for people to "go away" for Shabbos Chanukah, and move into their parents, in-laws, friends or other houses that aren't their own. This of course presents various different Halachic questions in regard to where to light the Chanukah menorah on Friday night as well as on Motzei Shabbos.
One who is a guest in someone else's home, even for one day, must light Chanukah candles in that home, provided that he will be eating in the home as well as spending the night sleeping there. (Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal. See also Chayei Adam Klal 154:32)
Therefore, the menorah should be lit Friday afternoon in the home where you will be spending Shabbos.
2) If when Shabbos is over you are still in your host's home, and you are planning to stay there for a while, it is best to light alongside the host right after Shabbos at the proper time, and not wait until you get back to your home, even though you will indeed be going home and sleeping in your own house.
If however, you plan to leave for home right away, and if you light in the host's home, you will not be there for a full half hour after the lighting, it is best not to light until you get to your own home. (Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal. His reasoning is that if you leave before half an hour, and thus the house is no longer considered your house, it may be like one who lit a menorah with not enough oil to last half an hour, in which case you haven't satisfied your obligation. See Halichos Shlomo Perek 14 Ha'arah 37)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) When Rosh Chodesh Teves falls out on Shabbos Chanukah the Birchas Hamazon is very lengthy, as "Retzei", "Ya'aleh V'Yavo" and " Al HaNisim" are added.
If Al Hanisim is inadvertently omitted from Birchas Hamazon, it isn't repeated. If "Retzei" or "Yaaleh V'yavo" [in certain cases on Shabbos] is omitted, the Birchas Hamazon is repeated.
There is a dispute in the Poskim regarding one who omitted Al Hanisim (which doesn't necessitate repeating the Birchas hamazon) and also omitted Retzei (which does necessitate repeating the Birchas Hamazon).
Some Poskim maintain that when you repeat the Birchas Hamazon you do not say Al Hanisim (Magen Avraham 188:13, Elya Rabbah, Shulchan Aruch Harav 188:4 and others)
Others maintain that once you are repeating the Birchas Hamazon already, you need to also include the Al Hanisim (Pri Megadim, Chayei Adam Klal 154:39, Sha'ar HaTzion 188:21 and others)
It is best to try and not to forget, as it isn't clear which of the above opinions the Halacha follows. (See also Shu"t Har Tzvi Orach Chaim Vol.1 Siman 54)
2) The Bracha on "Latkes- those delicious potato pancakes that are traditionally eaten on Chanukah" which are made from grated potatoes is "Borei pri Ho'Adama" as usually one can still recognize the potatoes.
However if the potatoes were blended so finely that they aren't recognizable as potatoes, the Bracha recited on them is "SheHakol NihYoh B'Devaro". The same Halacha applies to potato kugel. (Psak of Rav Shlom Zalman Auerbach Zatzal)
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
Click Banner Above To be Directed To Website.
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
May a cup being used for Netilas Yadayim have a spout or not?
Answer:
A pitcher or cup that has a spout through which the water is usually poured out , if the spout is the same height as the rest of the pitcher or cup, it may be used and poured onto the hands via the spout.
If the spout is higher than the pitcher, the water should be poured onto the hands via the side of the pitcher and not via the spout. (See Mishna Berura 159:24. See also Chazon Ish Orach Chaim Siman 21:7 and Shu"t Ohr L'Tzion 46:1 for a more stringent view)
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
It's Chanukah, time to sing and praise
It's Chanukah, Hashem doesn't cease to amaze
It's Chanukah, look deep inside your soul
It's Chanukah, a day to reach our goal
It's Chanukah, Hashem is waiting with open arms
It's Chanukah, it's time to listen to those internal alarms
It's Chanukah, a time heed Hashem's call
It's Chanukah, a time to read the writing on the wall
It's Chanukah, a holy and exalted day
It's Chanukah,a time to send the Yetzer Hara away
It's Chanukah, an opportune time to repent
It's Chanukah, a gift that is truly heaven sent
It's Chanukah,a time for that inner spark to be ignited
It's Chanukah, a time to start getting excited
It's Chanukah, a time to change your life
It's Chanukah, a time to end that inner strife
It's Chanukah, seize the moment as you light the Menorah
It's Chanukah, a time to truly start following the Torah
It's Chanukah, take advantage of these eight holy days
It's Chanukah, it will be easy to change your ways
It's Chanukah, all you have to do is make the leap
It's Chanukah, the endless reward is yours to keep
It's Chanukah, answer the call of "Mi Lashem Ailai"
Thursday
25 Kislev; 1st Day of Chanukah 5771
December 2 2010
1)There are different opinions amongst the Poskim if the Mishnayos of Perek "BaMeh Madlikin" which are usually said each Friday night before Maariv , is said on Shabbos of Chanukah.
One of the reasons given for not saying it is because these Mishnayos discuss the many types of oils which aren't acceptable for lighting the Shabbos candles. The Gemara (Shabbos 21b) says that the oils that are not good for Shabbos lights are indeed acceptable for Chanukah candles.
Therefore, according to these opinions, we don't want people to think we are referring to the Halachos of the Chanukah candles, so we refrain from saying "BaMeh Madlikin" altogether. (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 270:2 and Ram"a and Mishna Berura ibid.)
Many Minhagim exist regarding this, and each Kehilah should follow their individual practice.
2) There is a Minhag to say the Mizmor of "Mizmor Shir Chanukas HaBayis L'Dovid" (Tehillim 30) each morning of Chanukah after Shacharis.
Some have the minhag to say it "instead" of the regular Shir Shel Yom (SheYarei Kneses Hagedolah quoting the "Minhag" of many places, Pri Chadash, and Gaon of Vilna [besides for Shabbos and Rosh Chodesh of Chanukah, when he holds only the Shabbos or Rosh Chodesh Mizmor is said.]
Others maintain that both the regular Shir Shel Yom is said, as well as the additional Mizmor for Chanukah. (ShYarei Kneses Hagedolah's own Psak, quoted in the Be'er Heitev Siman 132:7 and others)
Each Kehilah should do according to the Minhagim they follow.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
Click Banner Above To be Directed To Website.
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
Is there any type of Chiyuv (obligation) to make a siyum on a mesechtah that you finished?
Can someone say the Hadran(text recited upon making a siyum) without a minyan and no kadish?
Also is there some sort of halachah about specifically not learning the last couple lines of a mesechtah until the time of the siyum?
Answer:
It is a Mitzvah to make a Siyum upon the completion of a Mesechta (tractate of Mishna or Talmud) or certain other complete sections of Torah books. (See Talmud Shabbos 118b-119a.)
The Steipler Zatzal ruled that one who starts a Mesechta and doesn't finish it [if he has the ability to do so] has disgraced that mesechta and may also have made a false promise. (See Sefer Hadran Alach page 143:4 and page 166)
It is a Mitzvah to celebrate with a Seudah on the occasion of finishing a Mesechta. (See Yam Shel Shlomo Bava Kama Perek Merubah Siman 37, Rama Yoreh Deah Siman 246:26 and Aruch Hashulchan Yoreh Deah Siman 246:45)
If no minyan is present, the Hadran can be said, but not the Kaddish.
Indeed, the minhag is to leave over the final piece of the Mesechta for the actual siyum. (See Shach Yoreh Deah Siman 246:27)
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
וכל יצר מחשבת לבו רק רע כל היום (בראשית 6:5)
"And that every product of the thoughts of his heart was but evil always." (Genesis 6:5)
We have no idea of the hold the Yetzer HaRa, evil inclination, has on us, as the following story demonstrates:
The Sanzer Rav, HaRav Chaim Halberstam, z"l, once stood by his window and gazed at the people walking by. He saw a certain Jew and motioned for him to come inside. When the man entered, the Rav asked him, "What would you do if you discovered a wallet filled with money in the street, and you were aware of the identity of its owner?" The Jew responded, "I would immediately return it." Hearing this response, the Rav rebuked the fellow and called him a fool.
Another Jew went by, and the Rav called him in and asked him the same question. The second Jew answered, "I would keep it; I am no fool to 'give away' so much money." The Rav scolded him for being a rasha, wicked.
The Rav kept on looking outside until a third Jew walked by. He called him in repeating his question. This Jew's response was carefully worded, "I do not know what I would do. I guess I have to wait till I am faced with the challenge. My Yetzer HaRa might overwhelm me and 'convince me' that I need the money. On the other hand HaShem might help me to break the Yetzer HaRa's grasp. As long as I am not confronted with the situation, I cannot give an intelligent response."
This time the Sanzer Rav said, "You gave the correct answer. You possess common sense. We must know the enemy. Only a fool goes into battle without prior knowledge of who it is that he is fighting."
Submitted by C.S; Taken from Peninim on the Torah #12 by Rabbi A.L. Scheinbaum
Wednesday
24 Kislev 5771
December 1 2010; Erev Chanukah
To See Today's Yahrtzeit's CLICK HERE
To dedicate the learning of a day or more of HALACHA FOR TODAY, or to make a much appreciated donation to please CLICK BUTTON BELOW.
Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
If you are just joining us today, please seeARCHIVES so you can review the previous Halachos on this and other topics.
1)There are differing opinions amongst the Poskim whether women are obligated in saying Halel on Chanukah.
The accepted Minhag [amongst Ashkenazic women] is that, although they are most probably not obligated as it is a "Mitzvas Asei SheHazman Grama- a Mitzvah that is bound by time", the women do in fact recite Halel, with a Bracha, on each of the 8 days of Chanukah, as they were also part of the Chanukah miracle. (See Biur Halacha Siman 422:2. See also Moadim U'Zemanim Siman 146)
The Sephardic Minhag is that women do not recite blessings when they perform any "Mitzvos Asei SheHazman Gerama", therefore women who follow the Sephardic customs should not recite the blessing on the Halel on Chanukah [or anytime], but are praised if they do recite the Halel [without a blessing] , and are encouraged to do so. (Shu"t Yabia Omer from Rav Ovadia Yoseph Shlita, Vol. 6 Siman 46)
2) When davening in a Bais HaAvel (a house where mourners are sitting Shiva) there is a dispute about how to proceed with Halel.
Some Poskim maintain that Halel isn't said at all in that house; rather the individuals should recite it when they leave the Avel's home.
Others maintain that Halel should be recited, but the Avel himself should refrain from joining the minyan in its recitation. Others allow the Avel to recite Halel.
The prevalent Minhag is for the Avel [or the Tzibbur] to go to another room and not say the Halel in the presence of the Avel. (See Pri Chadash Siman 422 and Siman 683.)
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
Click Banner Above To be Directed To Website.
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
Do I recall that toiveling is not applicable to utensils made by Jews in Eretz Yisrael?
Answer:
Utensils made by Jews anywhere, not just Eretz Yisroel, do not require Toveling before use.
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
את אחי אנכי מבקש
Today's adverts show modern-day Egypt to be a land of endless sunsets, pristine beaches, coral reefs and smiling tourists riding immaculate camels past magnificent pyramids. This country, however-sitting cosily on the Red Sea-was not always the location for such an idyllic honeymoon. Three-and-a-half thousand years ago, immorality was the norm, idol worship the obsession and the country's largest natural resource was a thriving slave trade. The Midrash describes such atrocities as Pharoh bathing in the blood of Jewish babies, tiny infants being bricked into walls and slaves being ravished by wild beasts as examples of the apocalyptic scene that typified the culture. It was into this very nightmare that Yosef was flung.
At the tender age of seventeen, Yosef the beloved, pampered and protected favourite son of Yackov became Yosef the despised, enslaved and confronted castaway. Sold by his own flesh and blood into an endless hopeless nightmare, challenged and threatened both physically and spiritually, he not only survived but climbed the rungs of society to become the longest reigning Jewish monarch in history! What could possibly have been his secret to success?
The Torah relates that Yackov sent Yosef to ascertain his brothers' well-being and expected to find them in Shechem. By the time he arrived there they had already moved on, prompting him to wonder what happened. On this, the possuk says; "A man discovered him, and behold! - he was blundering in the field; the man asked him, saying, 'What do you seek?'" (Ber. 37:15). With the instruction of this "man", Yosef was directed to Dothan to where he had the fateful meeting that led to his sale as a slave.
Although the discussion with the helpful onlooker seems rather unremarkable, there are a couple of fascinating insights that show this event was not to be taken on face value. Firstly, since the Midrash enlightens us that the man he met was in fact the angel Gabriel, there was surely a deeper purpose for his appearance than simply to be a celestial road map. Secondly, what could the Torah possibly mean with the superfluous word " saying" within the possuk of "a man asked him, saying, "What do you seek?"
The Kotzker Rebbe explains that this was indeed far more than a casual rendezvous. Before Yosef was catapulted into a life of slavery devoid of spiritual support, Hashem sent him the key to survival through his emissary Gavriel-a code that would unlock the most difficult binds and create a timeless message for all of us. Yosef was advised that whilst navigating the challenges in life, decide your course of action by saying what you seek! Decisions should not be based on convenience, comfort or momentary pleasure, but rather on the true desire instilled into every human being to do the right thing. At every crossroad of moral challenge, one should say to oneself, "what is really the correct move that will give me long-lasting pleasure?"
Yosef was not the only one that took this message to heart and used these otherwise crushing challenges as a catalyst to greatness. Our great Chanukah heroes used this same thought process hundreds of years later to crush the mighty Greeks. With the future of Torah values being challenged, they entered a hopeless war with the "what must be morally done" weapon and defeated the entire Greek army. As we physically kindle the lights on Chanukah we must lovingly rekindle our spiritual flame of burning dedication to the legacy of our heroically devout ancestors.
Submitted by Tzvi;Written by Rabbi Sipper at www.ShortVort.com
Tuesday
23 Kislev 5771
November 30 2010; 2 Days until Chanukah
To See Today's Yahrtzeit's CLICK HERE
To dedicate the learning of a day or more of HALACHA FOR TODAY, or to make a much appreciated donation to please CLICK BUTTON BELOW.
Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
If you are just joining us today, please seeARCHIVES so you can review the previous Halachos on this and other topics.
1) On all 8 days of Chanukah, the complete Halel is recited following Shacharis. The Bracha of "Baruch Ata Hashem...Likro Es Hahalel" is recited before the recitation of the Halel.
There is no Tefilas Mussaf on Chanukah (besides for Rosh Chodesh and Shabbos), as there was no special Mussaf offering on Chanukah in the Bais HaMikdash.
2) If one is in middle of Halel, and hears a Bracha or Kedusha, he/she has the status as if they were in the middle of Birchos Krias Shema.
Thus, in middle of a chapter, one may only interrupt for the first "Amen" of Kadish, "Amen YeHei Shemei Rabbah", "Amen" of "D'Amiran B'Alma V'Imru Amen", the verses "Kadosh" and "Baruch" in Kedusha, The "Amen" of " HaKel HaKadosh" and the "Amen" of " ShoMea Tefilah".
If one is between 2 chapters, he/she may answer "Amen" to all Brachos. (We discussed these Halachos more at length in Hilchos Tefilah: Halachos of Krias Shema. See Archives Here)
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
Click Banner Above To be Directed To Website.
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
Is it permissible to take vitamins on Shabbos? e.g. calcium for bone health?
What about taking a baby aspirin on Shabbos - prophylactically - to prevent head aches, strokes, and for heart strength, etc.?
Answer:
If the vitamins are being taken as a supplement for food, they are permitted.
If it is being taken to fortify the body or to combat certain medical symptoms. however, Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal (Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 3 Siman 54) and other Poskim are stringent, while the Tzitz Eliezer (Vol. 14 Siman 50) and others are lenient.
A Rav should be consulted for Psak Halacha.
Preventative medicine may also be permitted in certain instances.
A Rav should be consulted for each specific situation.
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
David Miller [name changed to protect privacy], an observant Jew, was at
Logan Airport getting ready to board United Flight 175. He was going to LA on an important business trip and had to make this flight. A lot depended on it.
He boarded the plane and sat down as the doors closed.
Suddenly he remembered that he had left his tefillin (phylacteries--ritual boxes with straps worn by Jewish men in prayer) in the terminal boarding area. He politely asked the stewardess if he could go back and retrieve his tefillin, which were sitting just a few feet from the gate.
She told him that once the doors closed, no one was allowed off the plane. He asked to speak to the pilot to obtain special permission, but the pilot simply restated the policy.
David was not about to lose this precious mitzvah, or let the holy tefillin get lost, so, not knowing what else to do, he started screaming at the top of his lungs, "I am going to lose my tefillin!"
The crew asked him to be quiet, but he refused. He made such a tumult that the flight crew told him that they would let him off the plane, but even though it would only take about 90 seconds to run out, grab his tefillin, and run back - they were not going to wait for him.
No matter. David was not about to lose his tefillin, even if it caused him great inconvenience or cost his business a loss.
He left the plane, never to re-board.
This was United flight #175, the second plane to reach the World Trade Center. The date was September 11 2001.
David's devotion to a mitzvah saved his life, but the consequences of his actions do not end there.
Originally, the terrorists wanted both towers struck simultaneously to maximize the explosive carnage. Later it was learned that due to David's intransigence, the takeoff was delayed, causing a space of 18 minutes between the striking of the two towers.
The delay made it possible for thousands of people to escape alive from both buildings--because one Jew would not forsake his beloved tefillin!
Submitted by Tova L.;This Story is documented in "Even in the darkest moments" by Zeev Breier
Monday
22 Kislev 5771
November 29 2010; 3 Days until Chanukah
To See Today's Yahrtzeit's CLICK HERE
To dedicate the learning of a day or more of HALACHA FOR TODAY, or to make a much appreciated donation to please CLICK BUTTON BELOW.
Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
If you are just joining us today, please seeARCHIVES so you can review the previous Halachos on this and other topics.
1) For the duration of Chanukah, the Bracha of "Al HaNisim", thanking Hashem for the many miracles He performed for the Jews in their battles against the Greeks etc., is added to Shemona Esrei .
It is inserted in the Bracha of Modim (as it is a Bracha of thanks, as is Modim).
Similarly, whenever we say Birchas Hamazon on Chanukah, we add the "Al HaNisim" immediately following the Bracha of "Nodeh Lecha", which is also a Bracha of thanks to Hashem.
Many people have the custom to say "V'Al HaNisim- "and" on these miracles we thank you Hashem..." rather than simply "Al HaNisim- On these miracles..." as it's a continuation of the Bracha of thanks (in both Shemona Esrei and Birchas Hamazon) and not a new topic. (Mishna Berura 682:1. See also Yesod V'Shoresh HaAvodah Sha'ar 12 Perek 1 for a lengthier elaboration on the proper thoughts to have in mind while saying "V'Al HaNisim")
2) Even those who normally daven Shemona Esrei and say Birchas Hamazon by heart, should try and use a siddur [at least] on [the first day] Chanukah, as not doing so will probably result in forgetting to recite the "Al HaNisim" (See Mishna Berura Siman 100:1)
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
Click Banner Above To be Directed To Website.
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
I have a question about not making a bracha l'vatala. What happens if I start a bracha and cannot finish it for some reason?
What if I have said "Baruch"...
or "Baruch Atah..."
or Baruch Atah HaShem..."
or if I have gone further with up to three more words... what should I do?
And what if i have just made a bracha on a piece of fruit, the only fruit around, and as I am about to bite into it, I see bugs on it that I hadn't noticed before?
Answer:
If you just said "Baruch" or "Baruch Ata": Just stop.
If you said Baruch Atah HaShem" finish with the words "Lamdeini Chukecha" (as that is a Posuk in Tehillim 119:12 ,"Baruch Ata Hashem Lamdeini Chukecha")
If you started to say "Elokei"( and didn't finish the entire word" Elokeinu") finish with "Elokei Yisroel Avinu M'Olam V'Ad Olam", also a Posuk (Divrei HaYomim 29:10). (See Tzlach Brachos 39a and Chayei Adam Klal 5:1 and Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 6:4) .
If you finished the word "Elokeinu" or more, say "Baruch Sheim Kevod Malchuso L'Olam Va'aed".
This is also said any time the name of Hashem is said in vain.
Regarding the bugs, if you can't take a little bite of a part of the fruit that has no bugs, do not eat it and say "Baruch Sheim..."
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
In last week's Parsha, Yosef was confronted with a nisayon from the wife of Potiphar. On a basic level, this was an incredible temptation for any person to withstand. There is an interesting machlokes that Rashi brings down. The pasuk says (39; 11) 'And it was on that day, that he entered the house to do his work (referring to Yosef). Rashi says that there are two opinions as to what the word 'work' refers to. One opinion translates it literally, that he showed up for work like he did every day. The other one says it means that he arrived to concede and perform an aveirah with her. But, an image of his father appeared before him and he didn't commit the act (Sota 36b).
According to the opinion that he showed up to commit an immoral act-how can we possibly explain that? How can Yosef even contemplate such a heinous transgression?
To answer this, we find a Rashi (39; 1) that notes the following; 'why is the topic of Yehuda's descent next to the fact that Yosef went down to Mitzrayim? To have the two stories, the wife of Potiphar and the story of Tamar, side by side; to tell us that just as Tamar acted for the sake of Hashem so too the wife of Potiphar acted for the sake of Hashem. She saw through her astrological prediction that she would have descendants from Yosef but what she didn't know was, that it would it be from her daughter and not her.'
There seems now to be a link between Yosef and the family of Potiphar. Perhaps this was the reason
behind Yosef motives with the wife of Potiphar.
If this is so, why was no act done? Why didn't Yosef go ahead with the plan, if he was thinking this was for the sake of Hashem? What prevented him from doing so?
Rav Gedaliah Schorr, ZT"L quotes Rav Baruch m'Mezhbitz who explains the following with a powerful lesson for life.
If you look in the pasuk (39; 10) it says 'And so it was-just as she coaxed Yosef day after day...' every single day she would try to lure Yosef to do an aveirah and every single day Yosef turned her down. Yosef understood from the fact that she was persistent and determined to entice him, that it was the yetzer hara.
The yetzer tov presents an opportunity to a person only once, but the yetzer hara doesn't relent.
Originally, he thought it was a positive opportunity; for the sake of Hashem. But once he saw how she wouldn't give up, Yosef understood that it was the influence of the yetzer hara.
We find a similar idea by Avraham Avinu. En route to the Akeida the Satan tried making it harder and harder for him by throwing many obstacles his way. Finally, just as Avraham was about to slaughter Yitzchok, he sees a ram whose horns were caught in the bushes. He then stops, untangles the ram and offers it as a korban. Why didn't he think that this too was an act of the yetzer hara? Why was
he so quick to grab this ram?
The answer is because the pasuk (Bereishis 22; 13) clearly says 'ne'echaz basvach', it was wedged in a tree. Had Avraham had easier access to it, then he would've assumed it was the Satan. Since he had to work to untangle it that made him understand that it wasn't the yetzer hara! The Satan makes everything available and accessible. He saw how hard he had to work for it; he realized this was an opportunity and he grabbed it.
The Vilna Goan writes, in Rus, that if a person can't make a decision and he has two options; one is more difficult to carry out and one is easier to carry out. The one that's more difficult is the right one as that is the yetzer tov speaking; making us work for it.
If it's easy then it's the yetzer hara talking to a person convincing you to make the wrong choice.
The yetzer hara knocks all day....the yetzer tov presents itself once. When an opportunity knocks at your door, you answer it.
Important Numbers
