1)May one purchase "Sefarim- Torah Literature" with Ma'aser money?
This is a much discussed question amongst the Halachic authorities, and we will try ,over the next few days, to work out the many different opinions, variations and situations.
Some Poskim maintain that one who cannot afford to purchase his/her own Sefarim, may indeed purchase them with Ma'aser money even if they will be used for personal use, as long as they will also be lent to others to use (even if the "others" can afford to purchase their own Sefarim).
This is only true for Sefarim that are necessary for the topic now being studied, and not simply for the purposes of expanding his/her library. ( See Shach Siman 249:3, quoted in Ahavas Chesed Vol. 2 Perek 19:2. See also Shu"t Tzitz Eliezer Vol. 9 Siman 1)
2) If one bought a Sefer with Ma'aser money and wants to use it at the same time that someone else wants to use it, the one who bought the Sefer takes precedence. (See Shu"t Meishiv Davar Vol. 2 Siman 75. See also Shu"t Shevet Haleivi Vol. 8 Siman 163 for some more details)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER:
(Reader Submitted Questions of interest (on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topics) and my Answers taken from the Q & A page on the Halacha For Todaywebsite. For study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha. Questions can be sent to Halacha For Today)
Reader's Question:
In truly fast minyanim, (there are many). I begin the bracha of "yotzer ohr" before the shma, while the tsibbur is doing psukei dezimra.
I intend to finish "yotzer ha'meoros" as the tsibbur is doing yishtabach. I join in "barchu" between the first and second blessing. and begin shma well before the tsibbur...and I arrive to the end of shma..."emmes" with the tsibbur. And then I can truly daven with a minyan at shmoneh esray.
without this, i would be davining amidah perhaps a full minute or more after the tsibbur has begun. And I can go at a slow pace. Even after 30 years, I cannot say the words at a real quick pace.
It is not that I have such deep kavana, its more, I did not grow up with this, and just cant even say the words quickly enough.
Is there a problem with this?
My Answer:
Being that you are doing this in order to get "Tefilah B'Tzibbur" , which according to many Poskim you only get when you start Shemona Esrei precisely at the same moment with the rest of the Tzibbur, then what you are doing sounds fine.
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
