SPECIAL TRIPLE PORTION L'KAVOD YOM TOV AND SHABBOS!
This "Shavuos Triple Portion" of Halacha For Today is sponsored by a daily reader, M.B., as a Zechus for a Refuah Shelema and speedy recovery of Asher Ben Taji. And for health and success for Eliezer and Ezra Ben Nissan, may they grow to be Talmidei Chachamim. May the Zechus of Torah learning over Chag HaShavuos of over 1,300 daily readers be a merit for M. B. and his entire family and may all their Tefilos be answered.
Halachos for Erev Yom Tov
1)It is obligatory to wash the hands after eating, before reciting Birchas HaMazon, even if the hands are clean. This washing is known as "Mayim Achronim" (Shulchan Aruch Siman 181:1. See Mishna Berura ibid. S"K 1 regarding where Chazal derived this Halacha and some of its reasons)
2) Although the Shulchan Aruch quotes a more lenient opinion about this (in Siman 181:10) , the Poskim are extremely stringent with this and dismiss the leniencies even today's days, based on many deep kabalistic reasons, and implore everyone to be careful in the observance of Mayim Achronim (See Mishna Berura 181:21, Shl"a Sha'ar HaOsiyos, Kuf, Aruch HaShulchan 181:3 and 4, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 44:1. The Kaf HaChaim 181:27 writes that one that is lenient with Mayim Achronim, risks having his life shortened.)
Halachos for First Day of Shavuos; Erev Shabbos Kodesh
1) Even those that are not careful with Mayim Achronim when eating with others, should be extra careful when eating alone, as the impure spirits can cause much more harm when one eats alone. (Kaf HaChaim 181:1. See also the piercing words of the Pele Yoetz in "Netilas Yadayim")
Even those who are not so careful with Mayim Achronim during the weekdays, should be extra stringent with this on Shabbos and Yom Tov. (Leket Yosher in Hilchos Seudah, quoting the Terumas HaDeshen. See also Mateh Efraim Siman 583:4 and Siman 619:1 and in the Elef L'mateh ibid.)
2) Even though one of the reasons given for Mayim Achronim is to prevent blindness that may arise from touching the eyes with hands that touched certain salts, it is still incumbent upon a blind person to wash Mayim Achronim, as there are many other reasons for this washing. (Psak of Rav Moshe Sternbuch Shlita)
Halachos for Second Day of Shavuos; Shabbos Kodesh
1) It is a good practice to train children in the washing of Mayim Achronim (Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita, quoted in Sefer Otzar Hamayim Chapter 4)
In certain communities it is customary for women to also wash Mayim Achronim , while in other communities it is less prevalent for women to do so. Both Minhagim are acceptable. (See Aruch HaShulchan 181:5, Shu"t Teshuvos V'hanhagos Vol. 1 Siman 174, Shu"t Shevet Haleivi Vol. 4Siman 23 and Shu"t V'Yevarech Dovid Siman 30) 2) If one did not wash Mayim Achronim and recited Birchas HaMazon, he should wash after completing Birchas HaMazon, or even in the middle of Birchas Hamazon if he remembers, as it's not a Hefsek as it is necessary for the Bracha. (Mishna Berura 181:2, Sefer Otzar haMayim Chapter 4:52 quoting rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita)
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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.
What if a Jewish male says a Beracha or Davens and realizes that he didn't have a Yarmulke (Kipa) on?
Answer:
According to Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal, you must repeat the Bracha or the Tefilah, as davening with an uncovered head is an abomination. (Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 4 Siman 40:14)
According to Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal, there is no need to repeat the Tefilah. (Halichos Shlomo on Tefilah Chapter 2:16). For Halacha L'Ma'aseh please consult a Rav.
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
