1)When hearing "Parshas Zachor" it is best to try and hear it in the dialect of Hebrew that you and your family speak. (E.g. Ashkenazim should not be Yotzei with Sephardic Havara (dialect) and vice versa).
However, if one did hear it in a different dialect, he has satisfied his/her obligation B'dieved. (See Mo'Adim U'Zmanim Vol. 2 Siman 170 and MikRaei Kodesh Siman 2 who are stringent in this. See Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 3 Siman 5 who is lenient for Krias HaTorah)
When reading the Posuk "Timche Es Zecher Amalek" within the reading of Parshas Zachor, there is a dispute amongst the Poskim as to the proper enunciation of the word "Zecher". Some opinions maintain that is to be pronounced "Zay-Cher", while others maintain that the proper way to say it is "Zeh-Cher". The prevalent minhag is to read the Posuk twice, once saying "Zay-Cher" and the second time saying "Zeh-Cher" (Mishna Berura Siman 685:18)
Care should also be taken to understand the meaning of the words being read (Pirush HaMilim), as understanding the words, and remembering the atrocities of Amalek and that we are commanded to eradicate their memory, is an integral part of the Mitzvah.
2) Many Gedolim (Such as the Gaon of Vilna as well as many Chasidic Rebbes) had the custom to read "Parshas Zachor" by themselves and not rely on simply hearing it from the Ba'al Koreh.
The reason for this is that it is a Mitzvah on every individual to read Parshas Zachor, thus "Mitzvah Bo Yoser M'Beshelucho- it is better to do it yourself rather than relying on a messenger (The Ba'al Koreh)". For the rest of the readings of the Torah throughout the year it isn't a Mitzvah to "read", rather the mitzvah is to "hear", so the above reasoning doesn't apply. (Sefer Mo'Adei HaShana page 306)
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A daily reader forwarded this to me the following email from the Chofetz Chaim heritage Foundation , and I thought it was important to pass along:
Three young Satmar Chassidim, on a promise of a free trip to daven in Lejensk, delivered a package to Japan- NOT KNOWING that a seemingly frum man would put their lives in danger by making them the transporters of illegal merchandise. And they were caught and imprisoned. Japan punishes their prisoners in a most harsh manner. The boys sit in separate, tiny cells, with no beds, no sunlight, no human interaction, no connection to the world for a day, another day of solitude, another 24 hours of loneliness, on and on and on...
It's been 11 MONTHS with no end in sight.
Yoel Zev ben Mirel Rissa Chava Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel Yosef ben Itta Rivka
NEED OUR TEFILLOS!! Don't forget them!
Don't forget about Yossi, the youngest, who was not even eighteen when he arrived in Japan. Alone in his cell, without nary a chair, without enough room to stretch his legs, the thin blanket to sleep on taken away every morning. Yossi, who looks forward desperately to his haircut every 2 weeks so he can see another human being, whose skin is shriveling, whom those involved declare that it's a miracle that he is still sane, who hasn't seen his family in half a year. Yossi, who doesn't know if he has any hope for a future...
It is up to us, to Klal Yisrael's tefillos, to save them!
NOW is the time to start being more careful in Shmiras Halashon as a Zchus for our suffering brothers. And don't forget to keep davening for their yeshua every day!!!!!!
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:
I was just wondering......since one is unable to talk after HaMapil can the person still text message? I know it may sound silly but I get so curious when I get a text after I say HaMapil even though I know its probably not the best to do?
My Answer:
You are the second person to ask me this today! We definitely live in a different world than we did a few short years ago!
It is best not to text after HaMapil as it is a Hefsek. The best idea to not let curiousity get in the way is to shut the phone when you go to bed!
Not only will your phone recharge, you too will recharge and take a break from the 24/7 technology we sufffer from today!
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
