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1) When hearing another Jew recite a Bracha, there is an obligation to answer "Amen" (Shulchan Aruch Siman 215:2)
The reason for this is based on a Posuk (Devarim 32:3) "Ki Shem Hashem Ekra Havu Godel L'Elokeinu". Moshe Rabbeinu told Klal Yisroel, "Ki Shem Hashem Ekra- when I bless and recite the name of Hashem" then "Havu Godel L'Elokeinu- you should exalt the Holy Name of Hashem by responding Amen" (Talmud Yoma 37a, quoted in Mishna Berura Siman 215:8)
Chazal taught us (Talmud Brachos 53b) that the one who answers Amen [his reward] is greater than the one reciting the Bracha!
Additionally, a Bracha that had an Amen answered to it is considered a greater Bracha, thus it is advisable whenever possible to recite Brachos when and where people are around to answer Amen. (See Kaf HaChaim Siman 124::31 quoting the Zohar and Shu"t Tzitz Eliezer Vol. 11 Siman 2)
However, if one knows that the people around him/her will definitely not answer Amen to their Bracha, it is best to say it low as not to cause them to transgress the sin of not answering Amen to a Bracha that they heard. (Ben Ish Chai Parshas Mas'ei Siman 14)
2) It is important to train young children to answer Amen to all Brachos that they hear, since as soon as a child answers Amen he/she has earned themselves a portion in Olam Haba. (Ram"a Siman124:7 based on Gemara Sanhedrin 110b).
This applies even to young children who do not understand what they are saying; all the more so for children who already comprehend the significance of what they are saying. (Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal in Halichos Shlomo Perek 22:20)
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 Todaywebsite.
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.
Thank you for the daily dose of halacha! Can foaming hand soap, (such as Kandoo soap for children), be used on Shabbat, or is the foam too similar to a solid and therefore it would be a problem of smoothing?
Answer:
Many Poskim allow the use of all liquid soap on Shabbos. Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal (Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol 1 Siman 113) was stringent.
The prevalant minhag is to use liquid soap that is very watery, and to avoid those that are thicker. If the thick soap is watered down, then it can be used. (See also Shu"t Oz Nidberu Vol. 10 Siman 16)
To determine if any particular soap is watered down enough, a Rav should be consulted.
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
