Please consider sponsoring a day or more of Halacha For Today, or simply making a donation of$1,$5,$10,$18, $36,$54... Any amount you can give is appreciated and will help further spread Torah!
Today's Halachos are dedicated by a daily reader, M.B. as a merit for a Refua Shelaima for Asher Ben Taji, Sara Bat Taji, Eliezer ben Yehudit and Ezra ben Yehudit. Please learn today's Halachos in their merit, and please keep them in your prayers. May they all have a complete and speedy recovery.
1)Unlike with food and drink, there is no requirement for a Bracha Achrona after enjoying a pleasant smell.
One reason is that the pleasure of smelling something pleasant is minimal, and less significant than the pleasure of eating and drinking. (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 216:1 and Mishna Berura S"K 4)
Additionally, after smelling it the pleasure is totally over, and is likened to food that has already been digested, where no Bracha Achrona can be recited anymore. (See Sha'ar HaTzion S"K 3. See Aruch HaShulchan 216:2 and Kaf HaChaim 216:10 for some additional reasons) 2) One who smells a new pleasant scent or something that he/she hasn't smelled in a long time does not recite the Bracha of SheHechiyanu. (See Mishna Berura Siman 225:16 where he quotes various opinions about this, but rules like the Poskim who say not to recite it.)
Some Poskim rule to say it without Hashem's name, but that is not the prevalent custom.
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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 Todaywebsite.
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.
Is it permissible for one individual to recite 2 of the sheva brachos under the chupa at a wedding? For example, to say both the Borei Pri Hagefen and the Yotzer Haadam bracha?
Answer:
Yes, one individual can say 2, 3, or even all the Brachos under the Chuppah. It is only a Minhag to honor different people with Brachos.
In some communities, the Rabbi or another dignitary indeed recites all of them.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Please consider sponsoring a day or more of Halacha For Today, or simply making a donation of $1,$5,$10,$18, $36,$54... Any amount you can give is appreciated and will help further spread Torah!
Today's Halachos are dedicated by a daily reader, M.B. as a merit for a Refua Shelaima for Asher Ben Taji, Sara Bat Taji, Eliezer ben Yehudit and Ezra ben Yehudit. Please learn today's Halachos in their merit, and please keep them in your prayers. May they all have a complete and speedy recovery.
כל הנשמה תהלל י-ה הללויה Now that the Yamim Noraim have passed, we must all strive to hold on to all the spiritual gains we have acquired over Chodesh Elul, Rosh Hashana, Aseres yemei Teshuva,Yom Kippur, Hoshana Rabba and Simchas Torah. The Neshama of each and every Jew, no matter what level they are on, has been cleansed and purified over the past 2 months and now that Chodesh Cheshvon is coming and a long, cold winter may be in store, it is up to us to keep our Neshamos pure and clean and not give in to the temptations of the Yetzer Hara who wants nothing more than for us to forget about our newly purified status.
One way to ensure that we cling to Hashem and hold on to the lofty levels we have achieved over the Yamim Noraim is to remember to thank and praise Hashem for all He continues to do for each and every one of us on a daily basis. We must remember that no matter how dirty and sullied our outside may seem, our souls, our Neshamnos, are always striving for purity
A soul that praises Hashem often, will merit to remain cleansed and purified longer, stronger and easier!
With that in mind, we shall now begin B'Ezras Hashem the short but important topic of Birchas Harayach:
כל הנשמה תהלל י-ה הללויה
1) One who smells something with a pleasant scent must recite a blessing, known as Birchas HaRayach, the "Blessing on Scents".
Chazal (Talmud Brachos 43b) derive this Halacha from the Posuk "Kol Haneshama Tehalel Kah- Every Soul should praise Hashem" (The very last Posuk in Tehillim)
"What is something (i.e. which of the five senses is it) that the Neshama (soul) can derive pleasure from and not the Guf) physical body)? The sense of Smell! (See Ben Ish Chai Parshas V'Eschanan Siman 61 where he expounds upon this concept of the sense of smell being a spiritual sense more than seeing or hearing something holy. See also Shu"t Halachos Ketanos Vol. 2 Siman 160)
2) Another reason that Chazal instituted this Bracha was due to the fact that one may not derive pleasure from this world without thanking Hashem, thus before enjoying a pleasant scent, similar to before enjoying a pleasant food, we must first thank Hashem by reciting a Bracha! (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 216:1 and Mishna Berura S"K 1)
According to some Poskim, if it something whose purpose is for scent, a Bracha will be required even if one didn't have intention to smell it, as long as one in fact enjoyed the scent (See Aruch HaShulchan Siman 216:6. See also Shu"t Teshuvos V'Hanhagos Vol. 2 Siman 134 regarding one who does not enjoy a smell, if he recites the Bracha on Besamim on Motzei Shabbos by Havdalah)
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 Todaywebsite.
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.
When I was in yeshivah I was told that the shaliyach tzibbur must recite at least the last two principles of the Rabbi Yishmael's 13 principles of expounding the Torah, and not just say yihi ratzon followed by the kadish derabonnan.
The reason given was that kadish derabonnan must be said only after the tzibur together learned some divrey Torah. If the shaliyah tzibbur silently says all the korbanos and 13 principles of Rabbi Yishmael, it would appear that we recite kaddish derabonnan by itself without any learning as a tzibbur.
Is this correct, and what is the source for the halacha about kaddish derabonnan?
Answer:
Kaddish D'Rabanan may be said even if only one or two people learned some Agaddah, as long as there are 10 people there to answer to the Kaddish.(See Mishna Berura siman 54:9 and Siman 55:2.)
You are right, that ideally, at least a little of the Torah should be said out loud before saying the Kaddish.However, from the Shulchan Aruch HaRav (end of Siman 54) it seems that it is sufficient to just say the Yehi Ratzon...SheYibaneh Bais HaMikdash out loud.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Please consider sponsoring a day or more of Halacha For Today, or simply making a donation of $1,$5,$10,$18, $36,$54... Any amount you can give is appreciated and will help further spread Torah!
Today’s Halachos are dedicated by a daily reader, M.B. as a merit for a Refua Shelaima for Asher Ben Taji, Sara Bat Taji, Eliezer ben Yehudit and Ezra ben Yehudit. Please learn today’s Halachos in their merit, and please keep them in your prayers. May they all have a complete and speedy recovery.
SPECIAL TRIPLE PORTION L’KAVOD SHABBOS KODESH & L’KAVOD SHMINI ATZERES AND SIMCHAS TORAH
Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh, Hoshana Rabbah
1) After davening on Hoshana Rabba, after using the Lulav and Esrog for the last time, many have the custom to place the Lulav (with the Hadasim and Aravos still bound to it) on top of the door, on top of the Aron Kodesh, or in another safe place and save it for Erev Pesach when it can be burned together with the Chametz.
The purpose of doing this is to use something that was used for a Mitzvah (the Lulav) in conjunction with yet another Mitzvah (burning the Chametz) (See Kaf HaChaim Siman 664:60. Based on a Talmud Yerushalmi Eiruvin Perek 6:7, quoted in Tur Siman 297:4. See also Orchos Rabbeinu from the Steipler Zatzal Vol. 2 Page 316) 2) Some have the custom to make a jelly/jam out of the Esrogim that were used for a Mitzvah. This jelly/jam is given to pregnant women to eat while they are in labor, as eating this Mitzvah jelly/jam is a Segulah for an easy birth and for the child to be healthy.
Many people also have the custom to taste this Esrog jelly/jam on the eve of Tu B’Shvat. (See Kaf HaChaim ibid. and Orchos Rabbeinu ibid.)
[ It is proper to pray on the eve of Tu B’Shvat that one merit having a nice Esrog on the next Sukkos. (See Bnei Yissoscher Chodesh Sh’vat Ma’amar 2. See also Sefer Lashon Chachamim Vol. 1 Siman 38)]
It is a Segulah for pregnant women to bite off the Pitum of the Esrog on Hoshana Rabbah, and to give Tzedaka and daven for an easy labor. (See Likutei Maharich Sukkos page 106a. See also Elef Hamagen Siman 660:6 and Sefer Moed L’Kol Chai Siman 24:25 where a special Tefilah is printed for the woman to say)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh, Shmini Atzeres (Simchas Torah in Eretz Yisroel) 1) When dancing with the Torah on Simchas Torah, it is a mitzvah to rejoice as best as one can; this Simcha should be L’Shem Shomayim, in honor of Hashem and His holy Torah, and not simply an unstructured "party" or "good time" and surely one must be careful to avoid any levity or lightheadedness (S’Chok V’kalus Rosh) Chas V’Shalom ( See Tur and Rama Siman 669. See also Ben Ish Chai Parshas V’Zos HaBracha Siman 18 and Kaf HaChaim 669:23. See also Mishna Berura 669:11 and Rambam Hilchos Lulav Perek 8:15)
2) M’Ikar HaDin (according to the letter of the law) one must stand the entire time that the Sifrei Torah are out for the hakafos, in respect of the Torah. (Rav Bentzion Abba Shaul Zatzal was extremely stringent with this and didn’t sit down the entire Hakafos and ruled this way for all who were with him that were healthy and able bodied)
However, if it is difficult for one to stand, the Poskim are lenient and allow sitting down, besides for the first time around the Bimah of each hakafa when everyone must stand. (See Halichos Shlomo Perek 12:9 for the reasoning behind this leniency)
Some have the custom to only sit while holding a Sefer Torah in their hands. (This was the minhag of the Steipler Zatzal and YB"LCT Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita)
Halachos for Sunday, Simchas Torah (in Chutz L’Aretz)
1) Shmini Atzeres/Simchas Torah is an extremely opportune time, an Eis Ratzon, for one’s Tefillos to be accepted by HaKadosh Baruch Hu. Therefore it is proper to daven with extreme Kavanah. (See Sefer Moed L’Kol Chai Siman 25:1. This is based on a Zohar HaKadosh Parshas Noach and Parshas Tzav where it basically says that all that one asks for (in earnest) will be given to them! See also Sefer Seder HaYom Seder Simchas Torah Dibur Hamaschil U’Bsefer HaZohar)
2)It is customary to bid on and try to purchase the Aliyos known as "Choson Torah" (The aliyah where the Torah is "finished") and "Choson Bereishis" (The Aliyah where the Torah is once again begun) for high amounts of money, which goes to support Talmidei Chachamim or the needs of the Shul where people daven and learn.
If possible, it is best to try and have these Aliyos go to Talmidei Chachamim or at least to respected people in the Tzibbur. (See Mishna Berura Siman 669:1) The custom is for those who received the two aforementioned aliyos to make a Kiddush (on one of the Shabbosim in the next few weeks) to celebrate their receiving these exalted Aliyos, as they are a celebration of the completion [and re-starting] of Torah. (Tur Siman 669. See also Beis Yosef there and Kaf HaChaim 669:24 and Rama Yoreh Deah Siman 246:26)
CHAG SAMEACH! MAY WE ALL MERIT TO EXPERIENCE TRUE SIMCHAS HATORAH!!!
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 Todaywebsite.
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.
Can you please clarify the halacha of using the restroom in the middle of a seudah - must one wash again?
If so, is a beracha required, and must bread be eaten again?
Answer:
If one used the restroom during a meal, or otherwise touched a covered area on their body, changed a baby’s diaper etc., the hands must be washed again, with no Bracha, and the meal may be resumed. No new bread is required.
***
Clarification: In yesterday’s Q&A I answered that hearts of palm are H’Eitz. i received a large amount of emails saying that it was Sh’Hakol or H’Adama.
The Star K paskens Ha’Aitz for hearts of palm, and that is who I relied upon for this answer, especially since the variety that most people purchase for salads etc. are indeed cultivated for the fruit. Please click here for the Star K’s psak
However, somePoskim do rule to say SheHakol, and some rule Ha’adama, and neither of these rulings can be discounted. Of course, for Halacha L’Ma’aseh your Rav should be consulted.
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Please consider sponsoring a day or more of Halacha For Today, or simply making a donation of $1,$5,$10,$18, $36,$54... Any amount you can give is appreciated and will help further spread Torah!
Today's Halachos are dedicated by a daily reader, M.B. as a merit for a Refua Shelaima for Asher Ben Taji, Sara Bat Taji, Eliezer ben Yehudit and Ezra ben Yehudit. Please learn today's Halachos in their merit, and please keep them in your prayers. May they all have a complete and speedy recovery.
1)Many people have the custom to make the blessings on the Lulav and Esrog each day of Sukkos in a Sukkah, before going to Shachris.
Others have the custom, if the Shul has a Sukkah, to recite the blessings on the Lulav and Esrog after Shachris in the Sukkah.
Many people, however, have the custom to recite the blessings in Shul immediately before Halel. (See Kaf HaChaim Siman 644:3, Mishna Berura 644:34 and Sha'ar HaTzion 644:43. See also Siddur Ya'avetz, Orchos Rabeinu from the Steipler Vol. 2 page 292 and Halichos Shlomo Perek 11 footnote 73 for further details and reasoning for these customs)
2) It is important to be careful with the Lulav,Esrog, Hadasim and Aravos and not to treat them disrespectfully.
They shouldn't be placed in a place where they may be stepped on, near a garbage etc. (See Birkei Yosef Siman 15:4. see also Shulchan Aruch Siman 664:8 for a more in depth discussion about this)
A Good Moed; Moadim L'Simcha!
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 Todaywebsite.
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.
Granola bars are Ha'adama as they are raw oats. The problem is what Bracha Achrona to make, as there are shitos in the Rishonim to perhaps make "Al Ha'adama" (a text which we do not find that Chazal instituted) so Al HaMichya or Borei Nefashos may not even exempt it.
The Poskim advise for a Yirei Shomayim to eat it only during a meal, or eat less than a Kzayis in Kdei Achilas pras to avoid this major problem, and not need a Bracha Achrona on it. (see Tosefos Brachos 37a Dibur Hamaschil HaKoses. See Shulchan Aruch Siman 208:4 and Mishna Berura there S"K 17. This is also how Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal ruled.)
Hearts of palm are Ha'Aitz.They are the heart (or fruit) of the Sabal Palmetto, a tall, tough-barked graceful palm tree.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Please consider sponsoring a day or more of Halacha For Today, or simply making a donation of $1,$5,$10,$18, $36,$54... Any amount you can give is appreciated and will help further spread Torah!
1)Many exalted things have been written regarding the proper performance of and proper conduct in and around the Sukkah.
A few of the many examples:
Every moment that one sits in the Sukkah is an additional performance of te positive commandment to sit in the Sukkah and serves to purify and make the person holier. (See Kaf HaChaim Siman 639:12. See also Shu"t Minchas Shlomo Vol. 2 Siman58. In Sefer Minhagei Chasam Sofer Chapter 8:12 it is stated that the Chasam Sofer barely left his Sukkah for the entire 7 days of Sukkos and only left each day for Shachris; he davened Mincha and Maariv in his Sukkah) It is proper not to get angry in the Sukkah, and surely not to speak Lashon Hara or D'varim Betailim (idle talk) in the Sukkah. (See Be'er Heitev Siman 639:2, Kaf HaChaim 639:5 and 6) Due to the extreme holiness of the Sukkah, it is proper not to allow non Jews to enter the Sukkah. (See Shach Al HaTorah Parshas Emor and Kaf HaChaim 639:6) 2) One who is scrupulous with the observance of Sukkah in this world, will merit having Hashem seat him/her at the Sukkah of the Levyasan (Leviathan) in the world to come.
Moreover, when he/she passes from this world, the merit of performing the Mitzvah of Sukkah properly will protect him/her from the angels of destruction (Malachei Chavala created by sin, which torment a person's soul after death) (Yalkut Shimoni Parshas Emor 653, quoted in Elef Hamagen Siman626-644 Siman 22:23. See also Kaf HaChaim Siman 625:8. See also Ba'al HaTurim Al HaTorah VaYikra 23:43) One who is scrupulous in the performance of Sukkah (known as Sukkas Shalom), will merit a year of harmony in his/her home(Shalom Bayis). (See Kaf HaChaim Siman625:10 quoting the Yafeh Lalev)
A Good Moed; Moadim L'Simcha!
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 Todaywebsite.
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.
When a girl gets a new piece of nice jewelry and needs to recite a She'he'che'yanu on it, should she first say the brocha then put the piece of jewelry on or should she put the piece of jewelry on and then recite the brocha?
Answer:
According to the Poskim that rule that you recite She'hechiyanu on Jewelry (as is the psak of Rav Nisim Karelitz shlita and others), she should recite the Bracha immediately before putting it on. If she didn't, it can still be said afterwards, as long as she is still wearing it for the first time.
Some Poskim maintain that no She'hechiyanu is recited on jewelry at all , as it isn't considered clothing(Shulchan Aruch HaRav, Ben Ish Chai, Kaf Hachaim, Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal and others)
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Please consider sponsoring a day or more of Halacha For Today, or simply making a donation of $1,$5,$10,$18, $36,$54... Any amount you can give is appreciated and will help further spread Torah!
1) Even though women and children are not obligated to sit in a Sukkah , it is still a Mitzvah for each Jew to have his wife and children sit in the Sukkah as by sitting in a Sukkah they earn eternal heavenly reward. (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 640:1 and Ran to Rosh Hashana 33a) Women and children who sit in a Sukkah merit having their souls cleansed and merit receiving heavenly goodwill. (See Kaf HaChaim 640:5) 2) All components of the Sukkah have extreme holiness, including the wood of the walls. (Shla HaKadosh quoted in the Kaf HaChaim 639:6) Many G-d fearing, spiritually elevated Jews had the custom to kiss the Sukkah upon entering and exiting each time, to show their love and affection for this exalted Mitzvah. (Shla Hakadosh. See Elya Rabbah 486:4, Elef Hamagen 626-644:22 and Mishna Berura Siman 476)
A Good Moed!
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 Todaywebsite.
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.
Is the sign "KD" [on a food product acceptable as] kosher?
Answer:
"K" on its own is not an acceptable kosher symbol.
All it means is that the company producing the product is saying that it is kosher, but there is no rabbi or agency supporting that claim.
"D" just means that it has dairy ingredients in it.
So, "KD" just means that the company is saying that it's kosher and dairy.
You may not eat a product with "K" or "KD" on it unless you have information from a reliable kashrus agency that the product in question is kosher despite it not having a valid kosher symbol.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Please consider sponsoring a day or more of Halacha For Today, or simply making a donation of $1,$5,$10,$18, $36,$54... Any amount you can give is appreciated and will help further spread Torah!
Today’s Halachos dedicated by a daily reader, M.B. as a merit for a Refua Shelaima for Asher Ben Taji, Sara Bat Taji, Eliezer ben Yehudit and Ezra ben Yehudit. may they all have a complete and speedy recovery.
1) It is a huge Mitzvah to invite poor, less fortunate people to partake of the meals in the Sukkah.
If one is unable to do so, efforts should be made to send food to the poor people in their own homes. (See Rambam Hilchos Yom Tov Perek 6:18 that at times when we are rejoicing with our families, it is a specific time to help the downtrodden rejoice as well. See also Kaf HaChaim Siman 625:17 and 639:10. See also Mishna Berura Siman 529:17 and Be’er Heitev 529:2 what they quote from the Zohar regarding one who does not help poor people on Yom Tov.) 2) If one cannot send food to poor people in their homes, one should at least give money to the poor people, or to organizations that feed poor people.
It is best if the money/food will reach the poor people on Yom Tov and not afterwards. Thus, it is best to give it to local charities/Gabai Tzedaka rather than mail it to a larger organization that will probably not receive it or distribute it until much after Sukkos. (See Sefer Pele Yoetz "Sukkah" and "Yomim Tovim" for more on this.)
A Good Moed; Chag Sameach!
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 Todaywebsite.
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.
My [friend] and I always have disagreements on a certain topic. And that is about the Aveiros (sins).
[My friend] states that most of the halachos that we are commanded to keep aren’t from Hashem but from the rabbis that make it up. they make up these halachos (for example muktzah). therefore he said he thinks the reason for most of the halachos that the rabbis made are gates around the Aveiros it self.
Therefore he thinks that its not neccesary for us to keep the rabbinacal halachot rather then the original ones. I tried explaining to him that Hashem commanded us to listen to our rabbis and their decisions are counted as sins if it was violated.
But he disagrees. What should i tell him? and is it true [what I say]?
Answer:
You are 1000% correct. The Torah explicitly commands us (Devarim 17:11) to listen to the Rabbanim/Chachamim and not to deviate an iota from what they tell you . Thus every rabbinical edict, for any reason they deemed it necessary is basically a Torah cammandment and must be kept to the tee. Only if the Rabbis themselves said that any particular edict was for a certain time only may we not do it anymore.
It is not up to us as individuals to decide what is worth keeping or not, it is up to the great sages to interpret the law.
The Sages Tell us that Avraham, Yitzchok and Yaakov, our holy patriarchs, kept all the Mitzvos and even all the rabbinical edicts! (See Talmud Yoma 28b)
The Gemara tells us that all the edicts that would eventually be instituted by the Rabbis were shown by to Moshe Rabbeinu on Har Sinai by Hashem Himself!
The Posuk (Devarim 30:12) tells us that the Torah was given to mortals, and isn’t in heaven anymore. It was given to the Rabbis to interpret and to institute fences, edicts etc. as they saw fit.
There is a famous Gemara (Bava Metzia 59b) that describes a dispute in halacha between Rav Eliezer and the Rabbis. Rav Eliezer caused all sorts of miracles to happen to prove his point and that he was right, yet the rabbis were unimpressed, saying that Torah was given to them, and it isn’t up to heaven anymore to determine halacha!
The laws of Rosh Chodesh were given to the rabbis to determine. The calendar month and the days on which holidays fall is not determined by the sun or the moon, rather by edict of the rabbis, as the Torah says (Shmos 12:2) "Hachodesh hazeh lachem- this (and all) months are for you to determine!"
In fact, there are even rabbinic Mitzvos on which we recite "Asher Kidshanu B’Mitzvosav, V’Tzivanu... saying that Hashem commanded us to do it, when seemingly it was only the rabbis! (See Gemara Shabbos 23a and the Ritva’s explanation there)
There are countless more examples of this tenet of Judaism.
Bottom line is that one who transgresses a rabbinical decree has transgressed an Aveira equal to transgressing a biblical decree.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
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SPECIAL TRIPLE PORTION L’KAVOD SHABBOS KODESH & L’KAVOD CHAG HASUKKOS
Halachos for Erev Shabbos, Erev Sukkos
1) It is customary to decorate the Sukkah with nice fruits- especially of the Shivas HaMinim variety-, nuts, olive oil, grape leaves and wines. (See Rashi to Sukkah 10a Dibur Hamaschil Yaynos U’shmanim. Some have the custom to use the olive oil that hung in the Sukkah for the Chanukah Menorah as to use something that was used for a Mitzvah and use it for an additional Mitzvah. See Mishna Berura Siman 673:27. )
It is also a proper custom to hang beautiful curtains, decorations and other nice things in the Sukkah.
The purpose of hanging all these things is to bring those sitting in the Sukkah to a state of happiness. (See Mishna Berura Siman 638:11, Elef HaMagen Siman 625:38 and Sefer Seder HaYom Seder Mitzvas Sukkah, page 171. See also Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 5 Siman 39:6 and 40:4 for more on the topic of decorating the Sukkah)
2) Many have the custom to hang pictures of Gedolei Yisroel, Torah leaders, past and present, to adorn their Sukkah. (Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld Zatzal, the Rav of Yerushalayim maintained that this is due to "Teishvu K’Ein Taduru, to make your Sukkah feel like your home" and most people have portraits of Gedolim hanging in their home. The Steipler Zatzal had many Gedolim pictures hanging in his Sukkah (including portraits of Rav Chaim Brisker, his son the Brisker Rav, the Chazon Ish, Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzensky and Rav Elchonon Wasserman Zichronam L’Vracha (As is documented in Orchos Rabbeinu Vol. 2 page 221 and Vol. 5 page 117) as does YBL"CT Maran Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv shlita in his Sukkah.)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh, First day of Sukkos
1) It is proper to keep the tables in the Sukkah covered with a nice tablecloth for the duration of the Yom Tov and Chol HaMoed. (Kaf HaChaim Siman 639:11)
Each night of Sukkos, every Jewish household merits having one of the seven pillars of Klal Yisroel, the seven shepherds of Israel, visit their Sukkah.
They are referred to as the "Ushpizin" or guests, and are [the souls of] Avraham Avinu , Yitzchak Avinu, Yaakov Avinu, Moshe Rabbeinu, Aharon HaKohen, Dovid Hamelech and Yosef Hatzaddik.
These seven spiritual giants leave their eternal resting places in Gan Eden and pay a visit to the Sukkos of each and every Jew to partake of the intense spirituality that is present in each and every Sukkah (Based on the Zohar Hakadosh Parshas Emor)
2) Some people have a custom to light a special candle each night in honor of that night’s Ushpizin (besides for Shabbos and Yom Tov, where the regular candles suffice).
Some even have the custom, while lighting this candle, to say "I am lighting this candle in honor of Avraham Avinu" on the first night, "in honor of Yitzchak Avinu" on the second night and so on for each night of Sukkos.
Some have the custom to light seven candles each night. (Kaf HaChaim 639:9 and 625:16. See also Yesod V’Shoresh H’Avodah Sha’ar 11:14) Halachos for Sunday, Second Day of Sukkos
1) Some have the custom to place a special chair covered with a nice piece of material in the Sukkah in honor of the Ushpizin. (Similar to the chair set up at every Bris in honor of Eliyahu Hanavi). Some even have the custom to put holy Sefarim on this chair. (See Chida in Sefer Moreh Etzba Siman 9:289 where he brings this custom, and quotes the Zohar that if this chair isn’t set up, the Ushpizin will not come. See also Kaf HaChaim 639:8) 2) It is customary to "invite" the Ushpizin into the Sukkah each night, reciting a special text which is printed in most siddurim.
Some people stand near the door to the Sukkah when reciting it, however the prevalent minhag is to say it while sitting at the table. (See Chida ibid., Kaf HaChaim 639:8 and Ben Ish Chai Parsha Ha’azinu Siman 7)
Some people only say this "invitation" text on the first night and it suffices for the entire Yom Tov. (This was the custom of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal, quoted in Sefer Shalmei Moed Perek 28)
GOOD SHABBOS & CHAG SAMEACH!
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 Todaywebsite.
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.
What would be the proper brocho on shnitzel (breaded chicken cutlets)?
Answer:
For breaded chicken or fish, if the coating is thick, and there for its taste, it is definitely Mezonos.
If, however, it is a very thin coating which isn’t there for itself, rather to lend taste to the chicken or fish, then it isn’t considered to have its own Chashivus and is shehakol.
This was the psak of Rav Moshe Feinstein and Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky Zichronam Livracha and this is also the Psak of Rav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg shlita. (quoted in Sefer V’Sein Bracha by Rabbi Yisroel P. Bodner)
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
TODAY’S HALACHOS DEDICATED BY A DAILY READER, L.Y., IN HONOR OF H.S BAS S. MAY HASHEM GRANT HER THE ANSWER TO HER PRAYERS AND MAY SHE SOON MERIT TO START A JEWISH FAMILY.
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1) If one is unable to build a Sukkah alone and has someone else do it for them, it is proper to have the one building it to at least leave a small amount of S’chach for the owner of the Sukkah to put up by himself. (Kaf HaChaim Siman 625:11)
Likewise, it is good to be personally involved in the set up and decorating of the Sukkah. (See Sefer Elef Hamagen (The Mateh Efraim) Siman 626-644:4)
When one appoints someone else to build their Sukkah, it is proper to say to them " You are my Shaliach Mitzvah, my messenger to do this Mitzvah of putting up my Sukkah and S’chach L’Shem Mitzvah, for the purpose and intent of performing the Mitzvah of sitting in the Sukkah" (Kaf HaChaim ibid. )
One should not have his Sukkah built by a non Jew, especially the laying of the S’chach. (Chida in Sefer Kaf Achas Siman 24:2. See also Elef Hamagen ibid.)
2) The Mitzvah of building a Sukkah is in it of itself a [part of the] Mitzvah and not only a means by which to be able to sit in the Sukkah.
Rav Reuven Margolis Zatzal in his Sefer Nefesh Chaya (Siman 625:1) writes that even one who cannot sit in the Sukkah (due to illness or other valid Halachic reason) and has no male family members that are required to sit in the Sukkah, still should have a Sukkah built to at least perform the mitzvah of "Building" a Sukkah! (He brings as a proof to this ruling a Gemara in Makos 8a and a Gemara in Shavuos 29a and also a Talmud Yerushalmi Brachos Peek 9:3 where the Gemara says to recite a blessing on the "Building of a Sukkah".)
He goes so far as to say that this person would recite a "Shehechiyanu" when assisting in the building of this Sukkah as he won’t be reciting it when sitting in it! Although we do not Pasken like the Nefesh Chaya, it still helps us understand the importance of being involved in the building of a Sukkah. (See Taz to Siman 641. As with all aspects of Halacha, a Rav should be consulted for Halacha L’ma’aseh)
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 Todaywebsite.
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.
What’s the story with leaving water uncovered overnight?
I always thought that is was Assur but someone recently mentioned to me that Tosefos holds it’s not a Sakana anymore so it’s therefore permissible.
1. Is it Muttar or Assur? 2. If Assur, just water or all liquids? 3. What is considered "uncovered"? Is a pitcher with no cover in the fridge covered or uncorvered?
Answer:
In the times of the Gemara it was prohibited due to poisenous snakes placing their venom in the water. (See talmud Avoda Zara 30a and Chulin 9b)
Many Poskim rule that today’s days when snakes and the like are not prevelant, the prohibition is not in effect. (See Mishna Berura Siman 160:23 who rules this way)
However, the Gaon of Vilna and others maintained that the prohibition remais intact even today.
It is best to be stringent if possible. The Chazon Ish, The Steipler Zatzal and Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita are extremely Makpid with this and will not drink such water, nor use it for any purpose!
This applies to water, soda, tea, coffee, beer, milk, wine (unless it’s mevushal) and honey.
If it is in the refrigerator, where no snake or other animals can get to it, it is considered covered.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
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From Today until after Sukkos we will discuss some relevant Halachos and Minhagim of the Yomim Tovim of Tishrei. We shall iy"H begin a new topic(which is still being decided upon ; suggestions welcome) after Sukkos B’Ezras Hashem.
1) It is a Mitzvah for each Jew to personally take part in the building of their Sukkah, rather than have someone else build the entire thing for them. (See Talmud Kidushin 41a; the concept of Mitzvah Bo Yoser M’Beshelucho.) One who does it himself receives more reward than simply asking or hiring someone else to do it. (Rashi ibid.) 2) This applies to all people, even respectable people, Talmidei Chachamim and dignitaries who usually should not be involved in menial tasks and physical labor. (See Machzik Bracha Siman 625:3. See also Talmud Shabbos 119a that Talmidei Chachamim toiling for a Mitzvah is their biggest honor. See also Mishna Berura Siman 250:4 and Biur Halacha Dibur Hamaschil Yishtadel. The Steipler Zatzal was known to schlep the S’chach and place them on his Sukkah and refused to allow anyone to help him. This was also the custom of many other Gedolim)
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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 Todaywebsite.
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.
What bracha should I make on raw oatmeal cookie batter? it has a lot of raw oats and flour. (I know it’s not good for me but it’s really yummy) ?
Answer:
This topic is much debated in the Poskim.
The consensus of most Poskim is that raw cookie dough would be SheHakol.
However, if there are a lot of raw oats in it, it may change the halacha, and the proper Bracha would be Ha’Adama (as only cooked oats get Mezonos).
A Rav should be consulted for final Psak Halacha.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
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1) Another common situation is a repair or service man (plumber, electrician, gardener, exterminator etc.) being in a home alone with the Jewish housewife, which of course is a problem of Yichud.
If the woman’s husband is "in the city" it will be sufficient if the repairman is Jewish.
However, if the repairman is a non Jewish person, having her husband "in the city" will not suffice.
If the front door to the home is left open to the street where people are out and about, it is OK.
However, it is important to note that if the Yichud in question is of the biblical variety (one man, one married woman) then the door must actually be left ajar, and not simply unlocked.
If a child [who fits the criteria of an acceptable Shomer, as we discussed a while back] is also home with the woman, that too removes the Yichud problem.
2) If a man is home alone with a cleaning woman, the door must be kept open, or a child [or other shomer] must be in the home in order to prevent Yichud.
Very often a female babysitter or a cleaning women needs to be driven home after their job has been completed, and often a man is the one that drives.
As long as there are other people driving on the streets, and they can see into the car, it is not a problem of Yichud. Ideally, the doors to the car should not be locked and the passenger should sit in the back seat if possible.
If it is very late at night and no people are around, it can be a problem and a Rav should be consulted for Halacha L’Ma’aseh.
This brings us to the end of our foray into Hilchos Yichud B’Ezras Hashem. We shall begin a new topic tomorrow Iy"H. If there are any questions, please feel free to contact me at, as always at HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
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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 Todaywebsite.
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.
1) What is the halacha regarding an elderly person using hearing aids on shabbos?
2) can a caregiver help the elderly person with the hearing aid on shabbos? Is it muketzah for the caregiver?
3) if the above is allowed can the elderly person go out with it on shabbos? Is it considered carrying?
Answer:
If they are being worn and properly working, they are not Muktzah for the wearer, or for the one assisting him/her. In fact, the Shmiras Shabbos K’Hilchasa and other Poskim even allow to lower/raise the volume if necessary, while it’s on the ear.
There is no problem of carrying, similar to glasses being worn outside on Shabbos to help one see, a hearing aid may be worn to help one hear.
Obviously. a Rav must be consulted for Halacha L’Ma’aseh, as each situation is unique.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
עשרת ימי תשובה תש"ע Chizuk Thought of the Day for Aseres Yemei Teshuva:
Try to take today very seriously - more seriously that you have in the past. And try to stay serious for the whole day, while you do each thing that you need to do today, no matter how big or small.
For if you have done teshuvah properly, any bad decree that was decreed against you on Rosh HaShonah will be torn up tomorrow - but if you haven’t, it won’t be. And if it is not torn up, you will have to live through its consequences sometime during this year.
And also, make sure you seriously exert yourself to appease anyone whom you may have wronged or slighted during the past year, for tomorrow will not atone for those sins, and you will have to pay for them. Of course, you’ll say you’re working as hard as you can on everything already. But nevertheless, take it even more seriously and work even harder - for your well-being depends on it. And if that’s not enough of a reason for you, then do it for our sakes, for since we are all interdependent, the better you get, the easier it is for each one of us to get better as well.
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1) Another common situation is being in a workplace together.
When one man is in an office alone with one or two women, it is a transgression of Yichud. (According to many Rishonim, even with 3 women, it can still be a problem of Yichud as we have discussed previously and it is best to be stringent.)
Although the husbands of the women are in the city, it may not be sufficient, as usually men and women who work in the same office are considered "Libo Gas Ba" and thus we cannot rely on the leniency of "Ba’alah B’ir".
Likewise, since it’s Libo Gas Ba, the leniency of an open door may not work either.
In cases of necessity (e.g. they need to be in the office to meet a work related deadline etc.) other men must be in the building and told that the man and the women will be in that particular office, and asked to walk in without knocking from time to time.
2) In situations where no one else is in the building (e.g. late nights, Sundays, weekends etc.) there is no real way to allow one man to be alone with one or two women in an office. If there are 3 or more women, it can be better. In any case, a competent Rav must be consulted for Halacha L’ma’aseh, as these transgressions are very serious.
Halachos for Yom Kippur
1) When a man and a woman work together in an office or similar work environment, even though her husband is in the city, the door is left open and other precautions are put in place to prevent anything inappropriate from happening, unfortunately, even if "halachically" it isn’t Yichud, all too often many unfortunate things have been known to happen due to men and women getting "too close" to one another.
Therefore it is incumbent on each and every Jewish man and women to not get emotionally or otherwise connected, involved or fall into a "friendship" with members of the opposite gender that work in the same workplace, or anywhere.
2) A large part of the "Al Cheits" that we beg forgiveness from Hashem on Yom Kippur, also referred to as Yom HaKadosh, the holy day, revolve around iniquities relating to inappropriate seeing, talking, involvement etc. with members of the opposite sex and other sins related to not retaining our holiness.
In fact, the Torah reading on Yom Kippur is the portion that deals with the forbidden "Arayos- relations". This just goes to show the gravity of being complacent in these areas and the importance of making sure we improve in these areas, which unfortunately we have become desensitized to in our world which thrives on immorality at every turn.
There is no question that the Nisayon, the heavenly test, of this generation are the Nisyonos of immorality. It is everywhere around us and it is all too easy to fall into the deepest depths of sin with the click of a button. The Yetzer Hara lurks everywhere.
The generation before Mashiach (which is the generation we are living in) will sink to a lower depth of Tumah than the generation that was redeemed from Mitzrayim (See Ohr HaChaim Parshas Shmos Perek 3:8).
If we aren’t actively working to protect ourselves, our spouses and our children we are all but certainly going to fail on one level or another; we must pass these tests in order to merit going with Mashiach when he arrives!
In the merit of strengthening ourselves in the areas of Kedushas HaAinayim, Kedushas HaBris, Kedushas HaPeh, Kedushas HaGuf and Kedushas HaBayis (Holiness of our eyes, covenant, tongue, body and home) may we all merit the speedy arrival of Mashiach Tzidkeinu and may we once again be worthy of being called the Am Kadosh, the holy nation and may we see the true fulfillment of "V’Haya Machanecha Kadosh", May your camp be holy.
If anyone is struggling with any of these areas of Kedusha, or knows someone who is, I implore them to visit the wonderful website www.guardyoureyes.org as if their lives depended on it, because it does!
I personally know many people-men and women- who have been helped in various areas of life thanks to the righteous people on that site.
May we all be forgiven for all our sins this Yom Kippur and may we live our lives forward as Hashem wants and expects of us; as a holy nation.
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 Todaywebsite.
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.
Where is it brought down in the seforim that one indeed can use kesef(money)for kaparos as opposed to a tarnagol (chicken), and if one had a choice between the two, is it better to use the tarnagol?
Answer:
The Mateh Efraim alludes to it (in Siman 245). See also Chayei Adam (Klal 144:4 ) who was against the practice of using chickens (especially on Erev Yom Kippur) as they were slaughtered in haste and thus were eaten un-kosher. He says that it is better to use money or a fish, where there is no issue of eating neveilos etc. He elaborates on this, and it would be worthwhile to take a look.
Also, the Seforim say that even when using a chicken,it is better to give the money that the chicken is worth to a poor person rather than the chicken, which he may not need, and which may not be kosher (as above), which may also be where the minhag to use money originated.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
עשרת ימי תשובה תש"ע Chizuk Thought of the Day for Aseres Yemei Teshuva:
The Aseres Yemei Teshuva, and particularly Erev Yom Kippur, is the ideal time to apologize, beg forgiveness and ask for Mechila from anyone that we may have slighted in any way throughout the previous year (or longer).
Sins that require Mechila from another human being will not be wiped away with Teshuva alone, until forgiveness is sought. If one asks you for Mechila, you should find it in your heart to forgive them.
The Poskim say that if the one who wronged you does not come to you to ask for Mechila, then you (the victim) should go to him/her and present yourself to him/her in such a way to encourage them to ask you for forgiveness (Mateh Ephraim, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch and others based on Gemara in Yoma 87a). The Seforim compare this to us and Hashem. In the Yemei HaTeshuva Hashem comes down from Shamayim and makes it easy for us to ask - and receive- His divine forgiveness, as it says in the Posuk "Dirshu Hashem B’HiMatzo- Seek out Hashem when He is near".
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1)We will now discuss some common practical situations where Yichud applies.
When parents go away from the home and hire a female babysitter to watch over the children there are a few problems that can arise.
If she is watching over a boy above the age of 9, there is a prohibition of Yichud, and thus a shomer would be necessary.
If it is during the day time hours, one additional child [boy between 6 and 9 or girl between 5 and 9 as we discussed a little while back] is sufficient.
If it is during the night time hours when the children are going to sleep, 2 additional children must be present as Shomrim.
2) If no other children are present to be Shomrim, and the babysitter is watching a boy above the age of 9, there are some other things that can be done to remove the Yichud problem:
1) The door to the home can be left open. This only works during the hours that people are still out and about, and won’t work late at night. (i.e. this won’t work if the parents will be gone overnight)
2) A key to the home (or the necessary combinations) can be given to a neighbor [one who is an acceptable shomer] and they be told that they can enter the home at any time. (i.e. even if they knock before entering, they will enter before waiting for a response to their knocking). Some Poskim even suggest that the neighbor actually enter the house once or twice, so the babysitter will see that it is a serious deterrent.
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) If the babysitter is a boy, and he is watching over a girl above the age of 3, there is a problem of Yichud.
Therefore, additional children will be required to be in the home in order to serve as Shomrim.
If no other children are present to be shomrim, the other methods we mentioned (door open to the street or key given to a neighbor with access to enter any time) must be utilized in order for it to be acceptable.
2) Another way to avoid Yichud is for the boy to bring along another boy (or another 2 boys for night time hours, when we worry that one of the boys will fall asleep) to watch the children along with him.
This is the preferred method, according to many Poksim.
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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 Todaywebsite.
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.
You state (in the archives of last year, Halachos for sep. 24 2008) that it is best not to read (i.e. English translations) during the actual davening.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a good understanding of Hebrew, and use an interlinear machzor so I can read the Hebrew and quickly scan the English with my eyes for "important tefillos," including Neilah.
Is this wrong?
Answer:
I would say that interlinear translations, which exist in Hebrew (Yesod Malchus) and English (most recently from Artscroll, and for a while already from Metsudos) is not really an explanation as much as it is a simple definition of each word, which when strung together give you an easier grasp of the flow of the Tefilos as you daven and enhances your davening and doesnt detract from it and is OK (and even recommended) to use.
What I was referring to was reading lengthy Pirushim (explanations) of the texts, which is best done before davening.
Though it would probably be best anyway to look over and understand the tefilos before the actual davening, even in such a siddur or Machzor.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
עשרת ימי תשובה תש"ע Chizuk Thought of the Day for Aseres Yemei Teshuva:
I heard the following fascinating insight from Rav Yissocher Frand shlita in the name of Rav Yosef Dov Solveitzik Ztz"l, to explain why we place such importance on annulling vows on Erev Rosh Hashana, and then do it again at the onset of Yom Kippur (with Kol Nidrei), when seemingly there are more important things to focus on at this most elevated time.
The correct definition of the word Teshuva (which is what we are all working so hard to attain at this time) is "Return" and not "Repentance" as is commonly used.
Teshuva means "returning to Hashem" and "Turning back the clock" to before we sinned, and erasing the sin from our slate. This idea of "annulling" our sins and making them disappear is similar to what takes place when we annul our vows!
When one annuls his vows, the Halacha is that he has to be able to say that he never meant to make the vow in the first place, and that would he have known then what he knows now, he never would have done it.
Thus, we show Hashem that we are sorry for all the vows we didn’t fulfill, and they were all made "by mistake" and therefore we annul them.
This explains the connection between Nedarim and Teshuva! They work exactly the same way!
We tell Hashem that we want to "return" to Him, and that all our sins were done "by mistake" and we didn’t mean to do them, and therefore Hashem goes ahead and annuls them.
This also explains the sequence of Kol Nidrei at the onset of Yom Kippur: a) We start with Kol Nidrei (We tell Hashem that we regret all the vows-and all our sins) b) We then say The Pasuk "V’Nislach L’Kol Adas Bnei Yisroel...Ki Kol Ha’Am Bishgaga" (which alludes to the fact that all our vows- and our sins- now attain the status of having been done "Bishgaga- by mistake")
c) We recite the Bracha of "SheHechiyanu V’Kimanu V’HiGiyanu..." (Hashem annuls our vows- and our sins- thus we say the Blessing which is recited when one experiences a situation of extreme joy, and is there a greater joy than Hashem accepting us back, and allowing us to return to Him?)
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1) The length of time that a man and a woman must be alone to be considered Yichud is the amount of time that would be necessary for inappropriate relations to take place between them.
However, the exact amount of time this takes according to Halacha, is a subject of debate amongst the contemporary Poskim.
Some Poskim say that for it to be Yichud, they have to be alone for 5 minutes.( Shu"t Minchas Yitzchok Vol. 4 Siman 94 -97, Shu"t L’Horos Nasan Vol. 1 Even HaEzer Siman 58 towards the end) Others say as little as 2 minutes is sufficient to be considered Yichud. (Rav Moshe Sternbuch Shlita quoted in Minchas Yitzchok Vol. 4 Siman 94. See also Sefer Dvar Halacha in Hosafos Chadashos to Siman 15 that in as little as 35 seconds it can already be considered Yichud. ) 2) Although an amount of time is given, it is prohibited for a man and a woman to be alone in a place where Yichud is prohibited [had they been there the given amount of time], even for a shorter amount of time than is prohibited. (The reason for this is that Chatzi Shiur Asur Min HaTorah. See Shu"t MaHaril Diskin Kunteres Achron Siman 206 and Shu"t Chelkas Yaakov Vol. 2 Siman 14. See also Rav Shlom Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal’s Haskama to Sefer Dvar Halacha, where he rules this way as well.) However, if they are in a place alone, where they cannot be for the amount of time necessary to be Yichud (i.e. an elevator whose doors open at every floor, or where people can technically summon it to stop at each floor) then there is no Yichud problem at all with being alone for a short amount of time. (See Shu"t Igros Moshe Even HaEzer Vol. 4 Siman 65:16) If an elevator does not open at each floor, and it cannot be opened during its ascent/descent (as the elevators in some high rise buildings operate), and the trip takes the amount of time that Yichud is prohibited, it is indeed a problem of Yichud.
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 Todaywebsite.
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.
Regarding repeating "Hamelech HaMishpat" if it is omitted in Shemona Esrei of Aseres Yemei Teshuva, The Shulchan Aruch (582:1) rules that it must be repeated, thus sephardim must indeed repeat it if it is omitted. The Rama (siman 118) and Mishna Berura argue and maintain that as long as "Melech " was mentioned, there is no need to repeat. Yesterday’s answer was based on the ruling of the Mishna Berura.
Reader’s Question:
If the piyutim [for Rosh Hashana, Yom Kipur etc.] are written in a difficult language as to not have the goyim understand and use them (as you wrote last year in the Halachos of Sep 24 2008), then why are we allowed to translate them in print, these machzorim are easily available to anyone that wants them?
Answer:
While I can’t say that this is the real answer to your question, I would guess that:
a) Today’s goyim arent real "Ovdei Avoda Zara"(idol worshippers) as they were in previous generations, and thus the worry of them using our holy piyutim for their "Services" isnt as much of a worry.
b) Today’s goyim arent as sophisticated as the goyim of previous generations, and don’t appreciate the value of our Tefilos, as the goyim of old did.
c) Many of today’s Jews would be totally lost without the English Machzorim, and thus having them understand what they pray is more important than worrying about a goy getting his hands on our Machzorim.
This is just my hunch.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
עשרת ימי תשובה תש"ע Chizuk Thought of the Day for Aseres Yemei Teshuva:
ASERES YOMEI TESHUVAH
Take some specific time on each one of these days and talk very seriously with Hashem about your relationship with Him, about your relationship with other people, and about your life in general.
These ten days are the days in which an unfavorable decree against an individual person can be torn up. Therefore, make yourself both into someone whom Your Father, The One Who Created you, the King Of Kings, The One Who Knows all your thoughts and all your desires and everything that you do and have done, will want to forgive and someone to whom He will want to be close.
(From the Geulah Company.)
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1) Although, as we learned, a man may ordinarily not be alone with 2 women, there are 5 exceptions that are discussed in the Gemara (Yevamos 117a, referred to in Halacha as "Chamesh Nashim") based on the fact that the 2 women in question will not succumb together to be inappropriate with the man, and will also let everyone know about any iniquities that may take place, due to the fact that these 2 women have an ingrained dislike for one another.
[It is important to note that although today's days many of these women have no ill feelings for one another, and at times are even best of friends, or have never displayed anything but love and admiration for one another, still in Halacha they have a status as women who intrinsically do not get along, and thus regardless of the facts, they are looked upon [Halachically] as not getting along. (See Shu"t Chasam Sofer Even HaEzer Vol. 1 Siman 49. See also Ezras Nashim from MaHaram Ben Chaviv quoted in Dvar Halacha Siman 5:22)] 2) I will list two of the more common combinations of "2 women" with whom Yichud is permitted:
It is permitted for a man to be alone with a woman and her mother in law. (As there exists a natural animosity between daughters in law and mothers in law, and thus each one will prevent something inappropriate from taking place while they are present, and thus are acceptable Shomer for one another) The above is only if is her husband's mother, and not if it is her father in law's wife from a different marriage. (See Meiri to Yevamos 117a and Pischei Teshuva Even HaEzer Siman 17:26)
A man may be alone with a woman and her sister in law (husband's sister), as they have a natural animosity towards each other, and thus are acceptable Shomros for one another) (See Rashi to Yevamos 117a Dibur Hamaschil V'Yevimtah
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 Todaywebsite.
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.
What's the halacha if the Baal Tefila forgets to say Hamelech Hakodosh or Hamelech Hamishpat [in Aseres yemei Teshuva].
Does he have to start again?
Answer:
If Hamelech Hamishpat was forgotten, it never has to be repeated by anyone. (though if you want, you may repeat the shemona Esrei as a Tefilas Nedava)
If the Baal Tefilah forgot Hamelech HaKadosh by his quiet Shemonah Esrei he can rely on his Chazaras Hashatz to be his "davening over".
If He forgot it during Chazaras Hashatz, he must go back.
The question in the Poskim though is where he has to go back to. Some maintain that he just has to go back to "Atah Kadosh" (Rav Ovadia Yoseph shlita and others) while others hold he must start from the beginning of Shemona Esrei again.(Mateh Ephraim,Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal).
The practical difference would be regarding the Tzibbur repeating Kedusha again.
As if he must start from the beginning, then kedusha must be repeated too.The prevelant Minhag amongst Ashkenazim is to start from the beginning, while the Sefardim only go back to Atah Kadosh.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
עשרת ימי תשובה תש"ע Chizuk Thought of the Day for Aseres Yemei Teshuva:
Yesterday we learned the first 10 of the 20 Ikarim (using the list brought in Sefer Chareidim, based on the Rabbeinu Yonah).Today we will see the final 10 Ikarim necessary for Teshuva Shelaima:
#11) Search your soul and make an accounting of your actions, so you will recall all your forgotten iniquities, so you will be able to say Vidui for them, humble yourself because of them and resolve never to repeat them.
#12) Investigate the magnitude of each of your sins. Determine which punishment you deserve for each of them [Malkos- 40 lashings, Kareis- heavenly death penalty or Misas Bais Din- capital punishment meted out by a rabbinic court of law. (Though Malkos and Misas bais Din aren't in effect today, as we are in Galus, variations of them are meted out through the heavenly court for those who deserve them) ] and do the appropriate Teshuva for each of them.
#13) Consider even the seemingly insignificant sins as grave sins in your own eyes; don't dwell on the smallness of the sin, rather dwell on the greatness of the king [Hashem] who commanded you to do His will.
#14) Explicitly enumerate each and every one of your sins (Vidui) as well as the sins of your forefathers.
#15) Pray to Hashem and beg Him to have mercy on you and forgive you and erase your sins and purify you from their harmful effects.
#16) Repair your wrongs. Return the stolen items if you stole, or beseech your friend for forgiveness if you spoke Lashon Hara (evil gossip) about them or embarrassed them or other similar sins against your fellow man, as there can be no atonement from Hashem until you secure forgiveness from your friend.
#17) Seek and do acts of kindness (e.g. Tzedaka and Gemilas Chasodim) and give support to people who advance truth such as Talmidei Chachamim and Torah scholars, and stay away and shun falsehood.
#18) The [details of your] sin should remain in your mind always until the day you die (as to remember not to repeat them)
#19) Let go of the Sin. If the opportunity arises again to do the identical sin, conquer your Yetzer Hara and run away from the [place of] sin, as you would run away from a sword that was pursuing you, because of your fear of Hashem. And even if the same opportunity of sin does not present itself again, have in mind during Krias Shma, when saying the words "B'Chol NafShecha" that you are willing and ready to give up your life in order not to transgress the 3 cardinal sins (murder, idolatry and sexual immorality), and it will be considered as if the opportunity arose, and you withstood the test and didn't transgress.
#20) Facilitate the repentance of others. Causing others to sin is one of the worst things to do, and on the other hand, causing others to do good deeds and/or repent is one of the most worthy things a Jew can do, and is also very vital to his/her own Teshuva.
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1)When traveling with a woman in a remote area where there aren't many people in the streets or on the roads, even during the day, three men are required to be present in order for there not to be a Yichud problem. ( See Gemara Kidushin 80a and Rashi there that explains that if only two men are present, one of them may need to leave the group to use the restroom, and thus leave the woman and the remaining man alone, and thus it would be Yichud as no other people are around. See Rama Even HaEzer Siman 22:5)
Even though a woman may be alone with 2 men, it doesn't work in the reverse and a man may not be alone with 2 women. (Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer Siman 22:5)
2) If three women are present, there is a debate in the Rishonim if that is an acceptable deterrent for the man. (Rashi Kidushin 82a Dibur Hamaschil Lo Yisyached allows it. See also Shu"t Divrei Malkiel Vol. 4 Siman 102 Dibur HaMaschil V'Hinay B'Ish. See also Shu"t Rashba Vol. 1 Siman 587. The Ram"a 22:5 brings this opinion as a "Yesh Matirim". Tosefos ibid. and Rambam Hilchos Isurei Biah Perek 22:8 prohibit it, and this is how the Shulchan Aruch 22:5 rules.)
According to most Poskim, it is best to be stringent and even when three women are present; one man should not be alone with them. In cases of great necessity, a Rav should be consulted. (See Igros Moshe Even HaEzer Vol. 4 Siman 65:14)
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 Todaywebsite.
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.
Can a man daven Shemonei Esrei or any other prayers with a newborn or young infant in his arm?
What if due to circumstances, he would otherwise not be able to daven unless he held his babies?
Answer:
It is prohibited to daven Shemona Esrei while holding an infant or a child (as the fear of dropping th child will make it impossible to concentrate). Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita maintains that this applies to Pesukei D'Zimra and Kerias Shema as well, and not only Shemona Esrei.
If due to caring for the baby he can't daven, he is considered an Oines (not at fault) and will need to daven 2 Shemona Esrei's at the next Tefilah to make up for the missed Tefilah.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
עשרת ימי תשובה תש"ע Chizuk Thought of the Day for Aseres Yemei Teshuva:
There are 3 main Yesodos (foundations) necessary to accomplish true Teshuva, and the 3 are broken down (by Rabeinu Yonah in Sefer Shaarei Teshuva) into 20 Ikarim (more detailed), different aspects to achieve a proper and everlasting Teshuva.
The 3 main Yesodos are 1)Charata (regret), 2)Vidui (verbally enumerating one's sins), and 3) Azivas HaChet (Letting go of the sin and resolving to never repeat it).
The first 10 of the 20 Ikarim (I am using the list brought in Sefer Chareidim, based on the Rabbeinu Yonah) are as follows (the next 10 will be in tomorrow's email iy"H):
#1) Regret your bad deeds and say to yourself "what have I done? How could I have not feared Hashem's anger and fury?"
#2) Let go of the sin. Let the evildoer resolve truthfully with his/her whole heart to never repeat the sin until his/her dying day. The resolve should be so strong that the One who knows our deepest and darkest thoughts [Hashem] will be able to testify that we will never transgress that particular sin again.
#3) Your entire being (body and soul) should tremble and feel pained and bitter for having angered your Creator who is the Creator of the sun, moon, sky, earth and everything else!
#4) Do something tangible to express your pain, such as fasting, crying and lamenting for your sins.
#5) Worry and fear about the punishment that you will get for your sins; how bad things will come over you because of them. Figure out how to do proper Teshuva to rescue yourself from the punishment.
#6) Be tremendously embarrassed and immensely shamed before the king of kings, Hashem, and be afraid to lift your eyes to appear before Him.
#7) Humble your heart and be self-effacing in the knowledge that one who rebels against the great king [Hashem], surely will lose some of his status and will be ridiculed in his own eyes and in the eyes of others and unless you repent you will be relegated to being treated like a leper, despised and detested by society.
#8) Act humbly by always keeping your eyes focused downwards, speaking in low tones, and not speaking harsh words.
#9) Break your material Ta'vos (lusts and material desires). Lessen your enjoyments of pleasures and don't stuff yourself with food more than is necessary for satiation and to sustain your life, and avoid [excessive] marital relations with your spouse (besides what is necessary to fulfill the Mitzvah of Pru U'Revu, or other spousal obligations)
#10) Rectify the particular areas in which you have sinned with their good alternatives. Some examples: If you gazed at immodest images, train your eyes to always avoid inappropriate sights, and let your eyes gaze at the light of the Torah (by reading Torah texts or gazing into the Sefer Torah by Hagbah etc.). If you used your feet to run to sin, train them now to always run to do Mitzvos. If your tongue was accustomed to uttering falsehoods and/or foul language, train your mouth to only speak good and wise things. If you used your hands to spill blood, or for stealing which is tantamount to spilling blood, train your hands
to provide for poor people, orphans and widows, as well as saving people from being taken advantage of financially by unscrupulous people. If your heart was always filled with heretical thoughts, train and purify your heart to understand the greatness of our Creator [Hashem]. If you were involved in spreading Machlokes (disputes) between friends, train yourself to seek peaceful resolutions and pursue peace always.
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1) Two G-d fearing males may be alone with a woman, even if she is non Jewish or even if she is a Prutzah, as we assume that each of the men will be too embarrassed to do anything inappropriate in front of the other man, regardless of the woman's intentions. (See Shu"t MaHaril Diskin Psakim Siman 2 Dibur Hamaschil Rishona and Shu"t Shav Yaakov Siman 19) The leniency of one woman allowed to be alone with 2 men is only during the day time hours. During the night time hours (starting from when it is usual for the men to go to sleep), three men will be required in order to eliminate the problem of Yichud. (See Rama Even HaEzer Siman 22:5, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 152:3, Aruch HaShulchan Even HaEzer Siman 22:8 and Chazon Ish Hilchos Ishus Siman 30:3 Dibur Hamaschil V'Nireh. Regarding if this applies to situations of Yichud D'Rabanan as well: see Igros Moshe Even HaEzer Vol. 1 Siman 61. See also Shu"t Chasam Sofer Even HaEzer Vol. 2 Siman 96)
The reason for this is that with only 2 men, we are afraid that one of them will fall asleep and thus she will end up alone with the remaining man. ( See Ra'avad in sefer Ba'alei Hanefesh Sha'ar Haprisha Siman 1:23. See also Bais Shmuel on Shulchan Aruch Siman 22 S"K 9)
2) If the men are only visiting the woman in her home, and plan to return to their own homes to go to sleep, then even during the night time hours, 2 men are enough to remove any Yichud problems as we don't worry about one of them falling asleep.
All of the above is even in cases where Libam Gas Ba, and even if their occupations are around women, as since they are G-d fearing Jews we assume that they will be too embarrassed to sin in front of each other.
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 Todaywebsite.
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.
Is a bracha acharona required after the consumption of a hard candy, or lollipop?
Answer:
Being that it is less than a kzayis, and even if it is a Kzayis, it is consumed in more time than Kdei Achilas Pras, no Bracha Achrona is recited.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Short, Reader Submitted Chizuk Thought of the Day for Elul:
An Erev Rosh Hashonah Vort
So this is it - the last day of the year. You did what you did, you accomplished what you accomplished, and you caused what you caused.
Now all that's left is for you to be judged for it tomorrow. You lived through the blessings and the not-such-obvious-blessings that came during this past year - they were all the results of your actions from before.
This coming year can be better - Hashem makes it all depend on you. Take today very seriously. And let some of that seriousness carry over into every day of next year.
A Rosh Hashonah Vort
Deliberately think of Hashem today as many times as you can.
Talk to Him and tell Him, out loud, that He is your King. Tell Him that He needs to help you become His more loyal and more devoted subject.
Thank Him for all that He has already done for you and for all that He has yet to do for you.
Gratefully revel in your servant and child status with Him; and while you do, try to really realize both what it means to be Hashem's servant and what it means to be His child, and to what those two states entitle you and obligate you. ("Because so we find with the children of Kings that they cut their hair every Erev Shabbos." (Nazir 5a)
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Today's Halachos (The last of this year...and the first of next year) are dedicated by a daily reader, M.B., L'Refua Shelaima for Asher Ben Taji, Sara Bat Taji, Eliezer ben Yehudit and Ezra ben Yehudit...for complete and speedy recovery.
SPECIAL TRIPLE EDITION L'KAVOD SHABBOS KODESH/ROSH HASHANA
Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh, Erev Rosh Hashana 5770
1)If a couple lives in a large city (e.g New York, Chicago, Jerusalem or similar), and although the husband is in the city, the wife knows that he is at the other end of the city (e.g. in his office or at work and it would take him a while to return home) it is debatable if the Heter of Ba'alah B'Ir still helps.
Many Poskim maintain that if he went to work and he cannot return home during work hours (as he is a salaried employee etc.) then the prohibition of Yichud is in effect even if the husband is "in the city".
However, if he is self employed or in a job where he may come home at will at any time, even if he seldom does that, the heter of Ba'alah B'Ir still applies. (See Igros Moshe Even HaEzer Vol. 4 Siman 65:7 and 21) 2) Other Poskim are stringent, and consider it Yichud even if the husband is free to come home at any time, but seldom does during those hours.
Moreover, if the wife spoke to the husband on the phone and knows he is at work (i.e. she saw the caller ID and knows exactly where he is calling from), or somewhere else where it would take him a while to get home, the prohibitions of Yichud apply even though he is "in the city" .(See Shu"t Shevet Haleivi Vol. 3 Siman 180 and Vol. 5 Siman 203 where Rav Wosner shlita is stringent with this)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh, First Day of Rosh Hashana 5770
1) A Jewish female may not be alone with a non Jewish male, even if her husband is "in the city" (See Chazon Ish Yoreh Deah Siman 66:2 that if other Jewish males are nearby, it may be ok.)
However, a Jewish male may be alone with a non Jewish woman, if her husband is present in the room. (See Hagahos Radal to Kidushin 81a Dibur Hamaschil Ba'ala B'Ir) 2) The leniency of Ba'alah B'Ir does not work if the woman is Libo Gas Ba. Thus, a man may not be alone with a woman that he grew up with, is related to, or otherwise is comfortable with or has a relationship with, even if her husband is "in the city"(unlike with an open door, where it may help even by Libo Gas ba, as there the open door removes it from being Yichud, whereas here it remains Yichud) (Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer Siman 22:8 based on story of Rav Bibi in Gemara Kidushin 81a) According to most Poskim, the heter of Ba'alah B'Ir works even for a man whose profession is around women. (See Shu"t Sha'ar Yosef from the Chida end of Siman 3 and Radal on Tosefos Kidushin 82a Dibur Hamaschil Lo)
Halchos for Sunday, Second day of Rosh Hashana 5770
1) Most Poskim agree that a woman may be alone [in the city] with two [G-d fearing] Jewish men, as each of the men is assumed to be embarrassed to do anything inappropriate in the presence of the other man. (Rama Even HaEzer Siman 22:5, Shu"t Noda B'Yehuda Mahadura Kama Even HaEzer Siman 69, Biur HaGra Even Haezer 22:11, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 152:3 and others. If it is outside of the city, it is only permitted if her husband is also present.)
Most Jewish men who keep Torah and Mitzvos and aren't known as Prutzim (people who don't take Mitzvah observance, especially in the realm of Tznius, seriously.) are assumed to be G-d fearing. (See Shu"t Rashba Vol. 1 Siman 587, Biur HaGra ibid. See also Igros Moshe Even HaEzer Vol. 4 Siman 65:17 where Rav Moshe Zatzal rules that even someone who is a kosher Jew that never sinned with a woman, but is not confident that he can control himself from sinning with a woman were the opportunity to arise, is also considered "Parutz" for matters of Yichud.)
However, if both the men are Prutzim, a woman may not be alone with them no matter how many men are present. (See Rama Even HaEzer Siman 22:10 where he says "10 men". The Poskim however say that the Rama didn't mean only up to 10, rather he meant with any amount of men. See also Talmud Yerushalmi Kidushin Perek 4 Halacha 11 where the Gemara says "even 100 men" present still remains Yichud)
2) If only one of the 2 men is a "Parutz", or if one is a G-d fearing Jew and the other is a non Jew (who is always considered a "Parutz"), the Poskim debate if Yichud in this case is permitted. It is best to be stringent, unless in cases of dire necessity.( See Shu"t Shav Yaakov Siman 19, Sefer Hamakneh Kidushin 80b Dibur Hamaschil V'rabanan and Dibur Hamaschil Od Yesh Lomar and Shu"t Maharil Diskin Pesakim Siman 2) A Jewish woman may not be alone with 2 non Jewish men.
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.
When Rosh Hashana falls out on Shabbos (as it does this year), are you allowed to ask your personal bakoshes (requests)?
And what about crying during the Tefilah?
Answer:
Yes, although a person usually should not ask for personal requests on Shabbos, when Rosh Hashana or Yom Kippur fall on Shabbos it is permitted as if it isn't done he/she will not have another opportunity to do so. (Opinion of the Chazon Ish quoted in Orchos Rabbeinu Vol. 2 Page 181. Also Psak of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal. See also Sefer Ishei Yisroel chapter 2:33 footnote 100.)
Crying is also permitted, and indeed recommended, as according to sources one who doesnt cry on Rosh Hashana (or at least feel like crying inside) is a sign that his/her Neshama is lacking. (See Elya Rabbah Siman 594:6. The Arizal used to cry on Rosh Hashana. See Shu"t Yechaveh Da'as Vol. 2 Siman 69. The Vilna Gaon( Ma'aseh Rav # 207) on the other hand says not to purposely cry during the Rosh Hashana prayers, rather to daven with happiness and confidence. All agree that if one is naturally overcome with feelings of crying, it is ok. It is only forcing oneself to cry where the Vilna Gaon doesnt allow it.)
*****
Extra Q&A L'Kavod Rosh Hashana
Reader's Question:
Should one make a Ha-etz brocha on a special (shivas Haminim) fruit before the apple on the first night of Rosh Hashana?
Answer:
On the night of Rosh Hashana when it is customary to an apple dipped in honey, and also many other fruits, some from the Shivas HaMinim, each with its own symbolic meaning, according to many Poskim it is best to make the Bracha on the Shivas HaMinim and not on the apple. (See Kaf HaChaim Siman 583:25. This was also the opinion of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal.)
Others argue and maintain that the Bracha can be made on the apple in this case. (See Piskei Teshuva Siman 583:2 that this was the Minhag of the Ari, Minhag Chabad and others)
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Short, Reader Submitted Chizuk Thought of the Day for Elul:
MaRan HaGaon HoRav R' Elozor Menachem Shach zt"l once explained the posuk "Ein od milvado" - literally, "There is none other than Him" - to mean that however far a man may be from his Creator, he is still very close to Him. Indeed, it is a closeness which cannot be surpassed.
We learn in the Yalkut concerning the sneh, the Burning Bush, that Moshe said, "Let me turn to see ... " Our Sages tell us that when Moshe Rabbeinu "turned to see" he was involved in the act of drawing closer to Hashem. This made him worthy of receiving prophecy.
Hashem's presence fills the entire universe, as the posuk states, "Ein od milvado." It is not important to observe exactly how much Moshe turned in the direction of the Voice. It was the manifestation of his desire to come close to Hashem that made him worthy of prophecy. Once he demonstrated this enthusiasm - Reb Yochanan says he walked three steps, and Raish Lakish says he merely inclined his head - it was sufficient, and Hashem immediately revealed Himself to Moshe.
We learn similarly in Tehillim concerning the sons of Korach. The Yalkut states that the sons of Korach had sunk to the lowest point. They had fallen to the seventh level of Gehennom, and the fire raged all around them. They could no longer speak. They couldn't say shira (praise) because the gates of Gehennom were open and the fires were ablaze around them. Although they could not confess with their mouths, the feelings of teshuvah and repentance stirred in their hearts. They longed to atone for their sins and to be near Hashem, and Hashem accepted them. As the Torah tells us (Bamidbar 26:11), "U'vnei Korach lo meisu - the sons of Korach did not die."
No matter how far a person has strayed from the Borei Olam, he remains exceedingly close. "Ein od milvado" - Hashem encompasses the whole of creation, and therefore we need only to have our hearts yearn to be close to Hashem in order for our teshuvah to be accepted.
To see archives of Halachos of Chodesh Elul/Yamim Noraim/Hilchos Teshuva (written last year) Please Click Here
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1)A man may be alone with a woman whose husband is "in the city" (referred to in Halacha as Ba'alah B'Ir. we will B'Ezras Hashem discuss more details of what is called "in the city" in the near future), as the fear of her husband coming home is enough of a deterrent to prevent anything inappropriate from happening. (Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer Siman 22:8, Shu"t Radvaz Vol. 3 Siman 481, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 152:4 and Chofetz Chaim in Sefer Nidchei Yisroel Perek 24:6. Although a minority of Poskim, including the Bach, disagree with this leniency based on Rashi Kidushin 80a Dibur Hamaschil Ba'alah, most Poskim rule lie the Shulchan Aruch and allow Yichud in such a case)
Likewise, a man may be alone with 2 women if the husband of either one of the women is in the city. (See Chochmas Adam Klal 126 and Binas Adam there Os 17) However, if the woman is not in her own home, and the husband does not know where she is, or even if her husband allowed her to go to a different man's home, and knows where she is, the Poskim debate if the fact that her husband is in the city still helps.
The Chochmas Adam (Klal 26:6) rules that in the above cases the heter of Ba'alah B'Ir no longer applies.
Other Poskim (including the Chofetz Chaim in Sefer Nidchei Yisroel 24:6, Chazon Ish, Chida and others) maintain that the leniency still applies. (If the husband knows where she is, even more Poskim agree that there is no Yichud problems if Ba'alah B'Ir. See Radvaz ibid.) Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal (Igros Moshe Even HaEzer Vol. 4 Siman 65:21) rules stringently, unless in cases of dire necessity where he allows it.
2) If the woman goes with the man to a deserted place, where she doesn't suspect that her husband would ever show up and find her, most Poskim agree that the leniency of Ba'alah B'Ir no longer applies. (See Sefer Nesivos L'Shabbos from the Hafla'ah Even HaEzer Siman 22:5 and Sefer Nidrei Zerizin from Rav Shlomo Kluger Zatzal Vol. 2 in the Teshuva at the end of the Sefer page76b)
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 Todaywebsite.
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.
What exactly are the halchos of women not dancing in front of men? is the halacha on the woman, that she cannot dance in front of a man, or is the halacha on the man, that he cannot watch a woman dance?
I ask because often at weddings, there are men that will be by the mechitza for what ever reason, or will come into the women section to get their wives etc. so is a woman obligated to stop dancing? or is the halachic problem with the man in this case?
Please advise.
Answer:
If the woman is dancing on the women's side of the mechitza, where men do not belong for ANY reason while women are dancing, then it's the man's problem.
If the woman is dancing in a place where men are allowed to be, it is her responsibility to stop.
The same applies to Kol Isha and other Tznius issues.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
The The following is a (loose) translation of the 13 Middos Shel Rachamim taken from the Sefer HaToda'ah by HaRav Eliyahu Ki Tov Zt"L based on the Gemara Rosh Hashana 17b. (There are many other interpretations by Rishonim , Achronim, and Mekubalim,on many different levels, but the following is the simplest and most concise way of understanding these marvelous 13 gifts from Hashem.)
1) Hashem: "I am Hashem the merciful one before man sins, even though I know he will eventually sin"
2) Hashem: "I am the merciful one even after man sins [and repents] "
3) Kail: Kail is another expression of Hashem's Midas HaRachamim (attribute of mercy) 4) Rachum: "I have mercy on poor people"
5) V'Chanun: "and I have compassion for affluent people as well"
6) Erech Apayim: Hashem delays his anger and punishment and patiently awaits our Teshuva (repentance)
7) V'Rav Chesed: Hashem acts with compassion even to those without much of their own merits
8) V'Emes: Hashem rewards those who do His will
9) Notzer Chesed L'Alafim: Hashem remembers the Chesed that man does, for thousands of generations
10) Nosei Avon: Hashem carries mankind's sins (that were done intentionally) and holds on to them. (Doesn't punish right away)
11) V'Pesha: Hashem also carries mankind's defiant sins (that were done in rebellion)
12) V'ChaTa'ah: Hashem also carries mankind's unintentional sins (that were done inadvertently)
13) V'Nakeh Lo Yenakeh: Hashem wipes the slate (of sins) clean for those who repent, but not for those who remain unrepentant.
(taken from the archives of Hilchos Chodesh Elul, Halachos of September 21 2008. Might be a good idea to copy and paste the above and distribute in your shul for the duration of selichos)
To see archives of Halachos of Chodesh Elul/Yamim Noraim/Hilchos Teshuva (written last year) Please Click Here
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1)There is a debate amongst the Poskim whether a man whose line of work brings him in contact with mostly women (such as a women's doctor, a women's clothing store owner or similar occupation where most of the work day is spent around women) may be alone with a woman when his wife is with him, or if an additional deterrent is necessary (such as an open door etc.)
According to many Poskim, having his wife with him will not suffice for such a man (ruling of Tosefos Kidushin 82a Dibur Hamaschil Lo, Yam Shel Shlomo end of Kidushin Siman 28, Taz Siman 22:6, and the Gaon of Vilna in his commentary to Kidushin 80b), while other Poskim maintain that having his wife there with him helps even for such a man. (Ruling of Rambam Hilchos Isurei Biah Perek 22:8, Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer Siman 22:7, Shu"t Igros Moshe Even HaEzer Vol. 4 Siman 65:14 and others) 2) A Jewish woman may not be alone with a non Jewish man even if the non Jew's wife is present, as a non Jewish woman is not an acceptable Shomeres. (Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer Siman 22:7)
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 Todaywebsite.
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.
I was asked by someone the following question[which I am forwarding to you]:
"I go to the beach with a bunch of young married couples. The women go with shorts and tank tops.Some of them cover their hair, I don't.
It makes me feel uncomfortablethat they do this. How could one dress like this and then cover their hair. It's a chilul Hashem"
(and I quote...She wants me to ask a Rav).
She said "I would never dress like this way in the frum communities but I feel for the beach it's appropriate dress."
I don't know what to say.
Answer:
It is forbidden for men and women to go to the beach together.
It is forbidden for men to see women unless all areas of Erva are covered. (This includes knees, elbows, neck line and hair [of a married woman])
The fact that it is on the beach and everyone is in a playful mood makes it all the worse, and there is absolutely no Heter for this.
The Torah commands us to keep our camp holy (V'Haya Machanecha Kadosh!). If we ignore this commandment, only tragedies and misfortune will continue to befall our nation. The way a Jewish man or women dresses, acts, speaks, thinks etc. must be refined and holy.. There is no difference if they are at home, on vacation or on the beach!
Hashem sees everything we do, no matter where we are.
That being said, if they will be doing so anyway in disregard of Halacha, they will be transgressing a sin for each additional Erva that is not covered. Thus, at least covering their hair would make the transgression less severe for a few reasons.
1) The fact that the hair is covered is a "sign" of sorts to the men there that she is off limits.
2) The fact that her hair is covered eliminates the seeing of an extra Erva.
3) Just because one transgresses one sin doesnt mean that another sin should be transgressed.
4) Similar to Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal's Psak about NOT removing a yarmulka when going into a movie theater, a bare head and uncovered body at the beach in front of men is an extreme Chilul Hashem, and as such should be avoided at all costs.
To say that covering the head at a beach is chilul Hashem, is just a rationalization for living life on their own terms, and not on Hashem's terms. (See last week's Parsha, Parshas Netzavim Perek 29 Pasuk 18 and 19 for a sampling of this attitude and R"L the severity of its punishment)
It is exactly the opposite! If she is worried about Chilul Hashem, she should not be there inthe first place, but if she is, at least minimize the chilul Hashem by dressing appropriately!
Chazal have taught us, and the Gedolim throughout the ages have been telling us that the arrival of Mashiach is being delayed in large part due to the laxity in observance of Hilchos Tznius. I can think of no worse laxity than "couples" mingling at the beach in various forms of undress Rachmana Litzlan.
May Hashem give us all the strength to stand up to the Yetzer Hara and refrain from all transgressions especially those involving the un-holiness of lack of Tznius/ Arayos that continue to cause Mashiach to not arrive.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Important Numbers
