1) On Shabbos and Yom Tov, when we are required to recite the Bracha on two complete loaves, the Halacha of tearing a piece of the bread before the Bracha does not apply.
However, a small cut should be etched into the Challah, as an indicator where to start cutting upon the completion of the Bracha.
If one did in fact tear a small piece on Shabbos or Yom Tov, as is done in the weekdays, B'dieved it is still considered complete "Lechem Mishna" (see Mishna Berura 167:10 and 11 and 274:5)
2) The Halacha of cutting a small piece of the bread only applies to bread, Challah, bagels, rolls etc., and not to Matza or thin bread (pita) which takes no time after the Bracha to break/cut off a piece.(Shulchan Aruch HaRav ibid. ,Biur Halacha 167:1 Dibur HaMaschil V'Tzarich. The Kaf HaChaim 167:18 goes so far as to suggest that it is better to take a Matza or thin bread that doesn't require this cutting, as then you will have a real complete bread (Shalem). However, the Chayei Moshe quotes the Toras Chaim to Sanhedrin 102a who maintains that even thin bread requires a "cut", and this cut is more important than having a real Shalem.)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) When giving out the Challah to those seated around the table, the bread should not be placed into their hands, rather it should be placed in front of them, as placing it directly in their hands is a "Siman Ra- bad omen" of mourning. One should be careful with this even when giving bread to his/her small children. (Mishna Berura 167:90, Ben Ish Chai Parshas Emor Siman 18
When giving bread to a mourner, it is indeed placed into his/her hands. However, on Shabbos it should be placed in front of him/her , as signs of mourning are not displayed on Shabbos in front of other people. (Mishna Berura 167:89)
2) Bread should never be thrown across the table in a disrespectful way, especially the Challah at the Shabbos Seudah with which a Mitzvah was performed. (Mishna Berura 167:88.However, some people actually have the minhag to "throw" the Challah to each person at the table. This was the Minhag of the Chasam Sofer and the Divrei Chaim of Sanz. See Shu"t Hisorerus Teshuva Vol. 1 Siman 178. Even those whose custom it is to throw it, should do so in a respectful manner )
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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.
Would writing the day of the omer be the same problem [of being considered that you counted already] in cases where saying it is?
Answer:
No, writing it, does not constitute a "counting"
Reader's Question #2:
Lag B'Omer. We celebrate it as a day the talmidim of Rabi Akiva stopped dying. What is the mekor (source) for this?
Answer:
The Tur Siman 493:3 states that the Talmidim of Rav Akiva stopped dying on Lag B'Omer.
This is brought in earlier Rishonim as well, such as the Meiri to Yevamos 62b and Sefer HaManhig and others.
Interestingly, the MaHaril writes that they died on all the days between Pesach and Shavuos, except on the days that we do not say Tachnun ,7 days of pesach, 2 days of Rosh Chodesh Iyar, Rosh Chodesh Sivan, the 7 Shabbosim in Sefira, 17 days in all, therefore they only died on 32 of the 49 days. As a commemoration of this, we designate the "33rd" day as the day that the dying stopped and we celebrate that day, but not that it totally stopped on Lag B'Omer.
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
