1)When one person is making the Hamotzi for others (as is common in many households, on Shabbos and Yom Tov) it is best for the one that makes the Bracha to eat a piece of the Challah/bread before distributing pieces to the rest of the people at the table, as to avoid an interruption between his Bracha and his eating. (Psak of the Mishna Berura 167:79, although the Rama and others Pasken like Tosefos and the Mordechai that he may slice all the pieces, give them out and then eat, as they hold doing so is not a Hefsek)
However, there is no need for him to swallow his piece before distributing the rest, as he may L'Chatchilah give out the Challah while still chewing. (See Sefer Toras Shabbos Siman 274:4)
2) When distributing the Challah, a man should give his wife first and then the rest of the participants according to chashivus (importance, e.g. Talmid Chacham, Kohen etc.), or age.
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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.
I have a question about not making a Bracha L'vatala (Blessing with Hashem's name in vain)
What happens if I start a bracha and cannot finish it for some reason?
What if I have said "Baruch"…
or "Baruch Atah…"
or Baruch Atah HaShem…"
or if I have gone further with up to three more words… what should I do?
And what if I have just made a bracha on a piece of fruit, the only fruit around, and as I am about to bite into it, I see bugs on it that I hadn't noticed before?
Answer:
If you just said "Baruch" or "Baruch Ata": Just stop.
If you said Baruch Atah HaShem" finish with the words "Lamdeini Chukecha" (as that is a Posuk in Tehillim,"Baruch Ata Hashem Lamdeini Chukecha"
If you started to say "Elokeinu" finish with "Elokei Yisroel Avinu M'Olam V'Ad Olam", also a Posuk.
If you finished the word "Elokeinu" or more, say "Baruch Sheim Kevod Malchuso L'Olam Va'aed". This is also said any time the name of Hashem is said in vain.
Regarding the bugs, if you can't take a little bite of a part of the fruit that has no bugs, do not eat it , and say "Baruch Sheim…"
Bonus Q&A L'Kavod Lag B'Omer:
Reader's Question:
What is the source for the custom of using a bow and arrow on Lag B'omer [as many Rebbes do, and many children as well]?
Answer:
The Talmud (Kesuvos 77b and Yerushalmi Brachos Perk 9:1) states that during the lifetime of Rav Shimon Bar Yochai, no rainbow (called Keshes in Hebrew, and which is a "bad" sign for the Jews) was seen in the sky. The bow of "bow and arrow" is also called "Keshes", so the minhag to use a Keshes is to commemorate the greatness of Rav Shimon Bar Yochai who prevented the Keshes.
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
