Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Matos- Masei; Mevorchim Chodesh [Menachem]Av (Rosh Chodesh will be this coming Wednesday, July 22. See Chasam Sofer in his commentary to Shulchan Aruch beginning of Siman 551 that the month is called "Av" until Tisha B'Av, and from Tisha B'Av and on is called "Menachem". In fact , in his Teshuvos and in his commentary on Shas, all that he dated before Tisha B'Av he wrote simply "Av", and all that were dated afterwards he simply wrote "Menachem")
Today's Halachos are sponsored by a daily reader, S.O., who is behind a wonderful daily Shmiras HaLashon email.
To Receive the Short Daily email with a halacha/lesson about Shmiras Halashon please send your request to shmirashalashonaday@gmail.com
I receive and read it daily, and I gain from it it immensely. Why don't you sign up as well?
For archives of the halachos of Bein HaMetzorim (The Three weeks and The Nine Days, the period of mourning the destruction of the Bais HaMikdash, which we are currently in until after Tisha B'Av) written last year, please click here.
****
SPECIAL DOUBLE PORTION L'KAVOD SHABBOS KODESH
Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh
1) One who ingests a food/drink that causes damage when eaten [by itself] is not considered to be "eating", and is not required to recite a Bracha. Some examples of this include drinking olive oil or strong vinegar. (See Mishna Berura Siman 202:27 and Siman 204:24. See also Sha'arei Teshuva Siman 204:3)
However, foods which are not inherently foods that cause damage, and are good tasting, require a Bracha even if the person eating them may be harming him or herself by eating them. An example of this would be a diabetic who eats a sugar laden food item or someone with heart trouble eating a fat laden food item. (See Mishna Berura Siman 204:15. See also Shu"t Avnei Yashfe Siman 42)
2) An ill person R"L who is fed via an intravenous feeding tube, which inserts the food directly into the stomach (and thus does not cause pleasure to the throat and taste buds), does not recite a Bracha even if it satiates his/her hunger.
If the recipient of the intravenous wants to give thanks to Hashem for the sustenance, he/she may do so by saying Pesukim of praise to Hashem, or by having someone else recite a Bracha over their own food and answer Amen and be Yotzei that way. (See Shu"t MaHarsham Vol. 1 Siman 123 and 124, Shu"t Minchas Yitzchok Vol. 3 Siman 18, Shu"t Tzitz Eliezer Vol. 12 Siman 1:7 and Vol. 13 Siman 35:3)
One who drinks a beverage with a straw, although the drink doesn't touch his/her lips, is required to recite a Bracha, as the throat and taste buds have pleasure. (Shu"t Mishneh Halachos Vol. 6 Siman 36. See also Shu"t Shevet Haleivi Vol. 4 Siman 21)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) As a rule, a Bracha is only required on food if eating it for pleasure.
Therefore, if one is cooking and tastes the item to see if it requires more spices or other ingredients, and isn't eating for enjoyment the Halacha is as follows:
If the item is just tasted but not swallowed (i.e. it is spit out), no Bracha is required even if a large amount was tasted.
If while tasting the food it is being swallowed, if it is less than a Revi'is (for liquids) or a Kzayis (for solids) no Bracha is required.
If more than a Revi'is/Kzayis is tasted, a Bracha is indeed required.
If tasting a variety of foods, if less than a Revi'is/Kzayis of each one is tasted, no Bracha is required, unless the intent is to eat and enjoy all the foods, and not just to determine if more spices are necessary.(All of the above, based on the Mishna Berura Siman 210:13-15) 2) Once the item is fully cooked, and it is tasted only to see if it is tasty, if more than a Kzayis is swallowed, a Bracha is required.
If, however, it is also being eaten to enjoy the tasty dish, a Bracha is required even on less than a Kzayis.
Since, it is difficult to "taste" an item without enjoying it, it is best to specifically have in mind to enjoy the item, and thus necessitate a Bracha. (Mishna Berura Siman 210:19. For more detailed discussions on this topic see Kaf HaChaim Siman 210:23, Shu"t Chavos Yair Siman 160,Igros Moshe Vol. 1 Siman 80, Shu"t Teshuvos V'Hanhagos Vol. 2 Siman 141, and Shu"t Mishne Halachos Vol. 3 Siman 220)
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 a woman who is in her 6th month of pregnancy supposed to fast on Tisha'B Av? I've heard of women who are further along fasting for Yom Kippur so are they usually exempt?
Answer:
As a general rule, otherwise healthy pregnant and nursing women must fast on Tisha B'Av (as well as on Yom Kippur) no matter how far along they are in their pregnancies.
There may be exceptions for certain situations, sickness etc. and a Rav must be consulted before any leniencies are relied upon.
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
