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1)To determine which food in a mixture of two foods is the Ikar, there are a few guidelines:
If one of the food items is more Chashuv (prominent) it gets the status of Ikar even if in quantity there is less of that food in the mixture. Thus when eating a mixture of pecans and peanuts, since pecans are a more Chashuv item, even if there are more peanuts in the mixture, Ha'aitz is recited on the entire mixture. (Mishna Berura Siman 212:1)
2) If both items are of equal prominence, the Bracha is recited over the one whose quantity is larger. Thus when eating a fruit salad, if the majority is Ha'aitz (e.g. peaches, apples, mangoes) that is the proper Bracha to recite. If the majority is Ha'Adama (e.g. watermelon, bananas, and cantaloupe) then that is the proper Bracha to recite. (This Halacha does not always apply to Mezonos items, and there are opinions that maintain that when the pieces are large and distinct, two Brachos will be needed, the details of which we will discuss in the near future iy"H) (Mishna Berura ibid. and Siman 204:57)
To determine which item is the majority, there is no need to measure, rather whatever seems to the naked eye to be the majority becomes the Ikar. (See Sefer Shaarei HaBracha Chapter 15: footnote 21)
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 pages 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 permitted to use a dishwasher on shabbos if its goes on automatically in middle of the night (so nobody hears it), the dishes are the dishes that were used on shabbes and they are then used again on shabbos?
Answer:
No, it is not permitted to have a dishwasher go on automatically with a time clock, nor is it permitted to have a non Jew turn on the dishwasher on Shabbos. (See Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasa Chapter 12:35. According to Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal, no appliances may be operated via a time clock on Shabbos (Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 4 Siman 60) . Though many Poskim are more lenient than Rav Moshe Zatzal for certain things, all agree that a dishwasher is not one of them)
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
