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Today's Halachos are sponsored by a daily reader, A.H., in memory of his grandfather Mordechai Dovid Ben Tzvi Hirsh, whose yahrtzeit is today 16 Tamuz. May the merit of all the Torah learning generated by today's Halachos be an everlasting Zechus for his Neshama to have an Aliyah.
1) One who is eating a variety of foods , needs to be aware that the Brachos need to be made on the more Chashuv, prominent foods first, as doing so is Hiddur Mitzvah and respectful to the Bracha. (See Mishna Berura Siman 168:1)
The aforementioned Halacha applies regardless if the foods are all of the same Bracha, or if the foods are a variety of Brachos, as we always begin with the prominent food.
There are four basic categories of prominence to determine which foods get the Bracha first:
a) The Shivas HaMinim, the seven species of fruit with which Eretz Yisroel is praised [in the Posuk] take precedence over any other fruit, and their prominence is in the order that they are listed in the Posuk. They are wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. (Mishna Berura Siman 211:3 and 22)
b) A complete food takes precedence over a broken segment of the same food.
c) A food that an individual likes better takes precedence over a food that is less liked.
d) A Bracha that exempts fewer varieties of foods takes precedence over a Bracha that exempts more.
We will iy"H discusses these categories and their practical applications more in detail in the coming days.
2) Keep in mind that the Halachos of what goes first only applies to the Brachos, and don't necessitate eating an entire food before going ahead and eating a second food, rather once a bite was taken out of the more prominent food, it is permissible to move on and make a Bracha and eat the next food.
Similarly, when one washed , recited Hamotzi and is eating a meal, the foods that are exempt from an individual Bracha due to their being part of the meal, need not be eaten in any particular order.(See Kaf HaChaim Siman 211:5)
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.
Is it an aveira (sin) to be worried or nervous, because it says to trust in Hashem as a commandmet and being worried isn't trusting in Hashem.
Answer:
Well, that is an extremely high level, and one that we as religious Jews should strive for our entire lives. If you learn the Sefer Chovos Halevovos (and every frum jew should read this sefer!) it will help you understand, internalize and make you feel Bitachon as a real thing!
Yes, Hashem is in charge and in total control of this world, and nothing -bad or good- can happen without Him willing it so. Yes, technically we should never worry, and simply place our trust in our all powerful Father in heaven who loves us and watches over each and every one of us.
As long as you are striving to reach this level, even if it takes you many years or even a lifetime, it isn't an "Aveira" to worry or be nervous. However, if one worries too much and forgets about Hashem and doesnt at least try to place his/her trust in Him, it may indeed be a sin.
This topic is a very exhaustive one, and beyond the scope of an email. I do suggest reading sefarim/books on the topic of Emunah/Bitachon to help you grow in this important area. (The classical work by the Chazon Ish Zatzal entitled "Emuna U'Bitachon, for one (they have translated that into English as well), Rabbi Avigdor Miller Zatzal has some excellent books on these topics as well as many other Hebrew and English books by many great authors that can be found in any Jewish book stores)
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
