Today's learning has been dedicated by a daily reader, Rochel Bas Chana (may she be healthy and well until 120), L'Zecher Nishmas her father, Avraham ben R' Aharon HaLevi, Z"L whose Yahrteit is today, 11 Iyar. Please have in mind when learning the Halachos that it be a merit for his Neshama to have an Aliya.
1)When eating "fruits of the ground (i.e. vegetables)" the Bracha recited is "Baruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Melech HaOlam Borei Pri HaAdama- Blessed are You Hashem, Master of the world, Creator of the fruits of the ground"
However, when eating bread (which should really suffice with the Bracha of Ha'Adama) a special Bracha of "Baruch Ata Hashem...Hamotzi Lechem Min HaAretz- Blessed are You Hashem...who brings forth bread from the ground" is recited.
This is due to the importance of wheat/bread as the Posuk (Tehillim 104:15) states that bread is unique in that it satiates mankind more than any other food. (See Shulchan Aruch HaRav 167:1)
2) When reciting the Bracha of "Hamotzi" care should be taken to pause slightly between the word "Lechem" and the word "Min" , otherwise the 2 "Mem" sounds will be swallowed into each other and it will sound like "LecheMin" (Mishna Berura 167:21. Besides for the Halachic reasons for this (which apply to any two such words in Tefilah/Brachos) there are kabalistic reasons as well to be careful with this in the Bracha of Hamotzi. The Chida writes that one who is scrupulous in this will be protected from harm befalling him/her during that meal. See Elya Rabba 167:4)
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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 page 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.
Regarding a Davar Charif, what is the status of a lemon? When you go to a hotel lounge, for example, and order a diet soda, they usually stick a half lemon in the cup to know which one is diet. Hence, they most probably are using a traef knife to cut it-does that invalidate the drink? Is it a problem? Should you ask for diet soda without a lemon wedge?
Answer:
Lemons are indeed treated in halacha as a Davar Charif. (There can be exceptions for mild lemons. See Shach Os 20 to Yoreh Deah 96:4). You should indeed avoid the lemons in hotel lounges, where non kosher food is served.
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
