I am to my Beloved [Hashem] and my beloved [Hashem] is to me.(Shir Hashirim 6:3)
דרשו ד' בהמצאו קראהו בהיותו קרוב Seek out Hashem when he is nearby, call out to him when he is near.(YeShaya 55:6)
Reader Submitted Chizuk Thought of the Day for Elul:
There was once a person who died and went up to shamayim. There he saw his whole life flash before him . Whenever times were good, he saw two sets of footprints in the sand. However, when times were rough, he only saw one set. At the end of the viewing, he turned to Hashem and asked, "Hashem, during my good times you were always with me, but when I needed you most, why did you leave me alone."
Hashem replied, "my beloved child, who I love more than anything, it was during those times that I was carrying you.
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On Sunday, we will B'Ezras Hashem begin a new topic. For today's Halachos, I will share with you some interesting Questions and Answers from HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita on various topics related to Hilchos Brachos, as they are printed in the Sefer Brachos K'Hilchasan, written by Rav Yair Yissochor Yanai Shlita, a Talmid Chacham from Bnei Brak.
Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh
Q: What Bracha are Rice Cakes, which are not cooked, rather they are manufactured via a heat process which causes the rice to puff up and stick together. Are they considered cooked and thus Mezonos or are they considered raw rice, and thus their Bracha would be Ha'Adama?
A: My father in law (Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita) ruled that they are Mezonos.
Q: The Poskim debate whether the correct Bracha to recite on Orange peels is Ha'aitz, Ha'Adama or SheHakol. The Mishna Berura (Siman 202:39)rules that due to the Safek, a Shehakol should be said. What about when eating peels which are more edible than orange peels, such as eating apple peels or pear peels, what Bracha should be recited?
A: It seems to me that Borei Pri Ha'Eitz should be recited.
Q: Did the Chazon Ish Zatzal and [your father] the Steipler Zatzal recite a Bracha on Kompote (cooked fruit dessert) eaten at the end of a meal?
A: Yes
Q: Ice cream that is eaten at the end of a meal, if it is very liquid and is like a drink, is a Bracha required?
A: Yes, since it isn't considered a food that is being eaten as part of the meal. [and retains its status as a food even if it is liquidy]
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
Q: When one eats two foods and he isn't certain which of the two is an Ikar and which is the Tafel, or in a case when one cannot determine which of the two foods is the majority, which one should he recite the Bracha over?
A: Whenever there is a Safek, we rule Safek Brachos L'Hakel , so a Bracha can only be recited on an item that is for certain an Ikar. Therefore, it's better to separate a piece from both foods and to recite separate Brachos.
Q: How many minutes is considered "Kdei Achilas Pras", for purposes of being able to recite a Bracha Achrona?
A: This is a Machlokes HaPoskim. Some say 3 minutes and some say up to 9 minutes. For Brachos we are stringent.
Q: The Mishna Berura (Siman 184) writes that at long meals we have to be careful not to allow 72 minutes to pass between eating and Bracha Achrona. However, if something was eaten within the 72 minutes, you have an additional 72 minutes from the new eating. Is this only if something was eaten? Or is drinking ok as well for this?
A: Drinking works too. Even water, could be that it works.
Q: What is the digestive time for drinks (besides wine) after which a Bracha Achrona cannot be made anymore?
A: The rule is, as long as he isn't thirsty again, he can recite Bracha Achrona. This can sometimes be less than 72 minutes and sometimes, more.
Q: One who eats half a Kzayis of Mezonos (which usually requires an Al HaMichya afterwards) and half a Kzayis of a fruit of the Shivas HaMinim (which usually requires an Al Ha'aitz afterwards), which Bracha Achrona should be recited?
A: I would say to recite Borei Nefashos.
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.
I was wondering if it is permissible to make a bracha when hearing thunder, even without seeing lightning? Are the two brachos dependent on one another?
Answer:
Ideally, the Bracha on lightning (Oseh ma'asei Bereishis) should be made first and then the Bracha on thunder (SheKocho U'gevuraso Malei Olam). However, if thunder is heard and no lightning is seen, the Bracha can be made on the thunder, and then if lightning is seen afterwards, its bracha can be made.
If the thunder was heard and the lightning was seen simultaneously, one Bracha of Osei Ma'aseh Beraishis is recited on both.
If the Bracha of Shekocho U'Gevuraso was recited on both, you are also Yotzei. (Mishna Berura Siman 227:5)
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
