1) Although it is a Mitzvah [for men and women alike] to wash their hands before davening (as we learned in the Halachos on October 12 2008. Click here to see archives), if by doing so a man will miss Tefilah B’tzibbur it is better to forgo the water and clean the hands with an acceptable alternative such as rubbing the hands on dirt, on a garment or on the wall etc., and thereby catch the Minyan. (Based on the Psak of the Mishna Berura Siman 92:20 and Chayei Adam Klal 7:2. However, the Sefer Tehila L’Dovid deduces from the words of the Shulchan Aruch HaRav that washing the hands with water before davening is more important than davening with a Minyan.)
2) One who often immerses in a Mikvah before davening may not do so at the expense of Tefilah B’Tzibbur.
However, if someone religiously goes to the Mikvah each morning and never misses (because of the necessity to be pure of Keri and other impurities before davening) may indeed continue his minhag even if at times it will mean missing Tefilah with a Minyan (Psak of Rav Moshe Sternbuch in Shu"t Teshuvos V’Hanhagos Vol. 1 Siman 109).
Reader's Question:
If one eats a Kzayis of a mezonos food and accidentally bentches [Birchas HaMazon] instead of saying Bracha Acharona [ Al HaMichya], must one make a Bracha Acharona anyhow?
My Answer:
Birchas HaMazon works B'Dieved for Mezonos (cooked or baked grain products), wine and dates, which although ideally have their own Bracha Achrona, are considerd foods that satisfy and thus can B'dieved be covered by Birchas Hamazon and no additional Bracha Achrona is necessary.
For all other foods, Birchas HaMazon does not suffice even B'dieved, and their appropriate Bracha Acharona must be said.(See Halachos of Brachos by Rabbi Yisroel Pinchos Bodner chapter 19 for more details. I recommend having his book in every Jewish home in any case!)
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
