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:
Before one Rosh Hashana, the Baal Shem Tov, who was to blow the shofar, instructed Rabbi Zev Kitzes, who was to call out the shofar notes, to learn the secret meanings of the shofar blasts. He did so, and even wrote them down on a slip of paper so that he can look at them at the appointed time.
When the time came, Rabbi Zev attempted to bring out the paper, which he thought was safely tucked into his kitel. To his utter dismay he could not find it, and in his confusion could not remember any of the special hidden meanings. Broken hearted and weeping, he called out the shofar blasts to the Baal Shem Tov without any special thoughts in mind.
After the shofar blowing had been completed, the Baal Shem Tov told Rabbi Zev the following: "In a king’s palace there are hundreds of rooms, and on the door of each room there is a different lock that requires a special key to open it. But there is a master key which can open all the locks. That is a broken heart. When a person sincerely breaks his heart before Hashem his prayers can enter through all the gates and into all the rooms of the celestial palace of Hashem." (Or Yesharim. copied from
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With the help of Hashem we begin learning the important and often overlooked Halachos of "Yichud", the Prohibition of men and women being improperly secluded with one another.
In preparation for learning these Halachos I have utilized a wonderful Sefer called "Gan Na’ul" written by Rabbi Yitzchak Tzvi Rubelow based on the Shiurim of Rav Yaakov Ephraim Forchheimer shlita, Rav and Dayan of Bais Medrash Govoha of Lakewood.
We will discuss the many details of who, what, when and where these Halachos apply and will attempt to give as many practical examples as they apply to offices, babysitters, children, groups, siblings, relatives etc. As always, if you have any questions feel free to email me any time at halachaForToday@Yahoo.com . Also, please remember that all Halachos in these emails and on my website are for learning purposes only, and a Rav should be consulted for Halacha L’ma’aseh.
1) According to most Rishonim and Poskim, the prohibition of Yichud is a biblical one. (Based on the Posuk in Devarim 13:7. See Gemara Avoda Zara 36b and the Rabeinu Chananel there. See also Rashi to Shabbos 13a Dibur Hamaschil Mah Eishes Re’ehu and Tosefos Dibur Hamaschil Mah. Also see Sefer HaChinuch Mitzvah 188. The Rambam Hilchos Isurei Biah Perek 22:2 calls it "Divrei Kabala" which may mean he holds it is less than a D’Oraysa. See Gemara Kidushin 80b and Meiri there for more on this. See also Aruch HaShulchan Even HaEzer Siman 22:2, Igros Moshe Even HaEzer Vol. 1 Siman 61 and Vol. 4 Siman 65:12 and Shu"t Minchas Shlomo Siman 91)
The Yichud that is biblically prohibited is the seclusion of one man with one woman. One man who is secluded with two women is a rabbinical prohibition, according to many Poskim. (See Shu"t HaRashba Vol. 1 Siman 587 and Shu"t Chavos Yair Siman 73. However, see Yam Shel Shlomo Kidushin Siman 20 and Shu"t maHarsham Vol. 3 Siman 152 maintain that even with 2 women it is a biblical prohibition)
Furthermore, the Yichud that is biblically prohibited, is between a man and a woman who are considered "Arayos" to one another; which means that these 2 people are prohibited from marrying one another (e.g. they are close relatives) or in a situation where the woman is a Niddah, where she is considered an "Ervah" and biblically may not be secluded with any man. (See Tosefos Sotah 7a Dibur Hamaschil Niddah)
2) The prohibition for a man to be secluded with a woman is in force for all women (besides for the exceptions, which we will discuss in the coming days B’Ezras Hashem), young or old, attractive looking or otherwise, as the seclusion of a man and a woman may lead to impropriety Chas V’Shalom. (See Rambam Hilchos Isurei Biah Perek 22:1, Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer Siman 22:1 and Yam Shel Shlomo end of Maseches Kidushin Siman 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.
What do you regard as the minimum kavanah for the four-letter name of Hashem and for Elokim in davening and brachos, etc.?
Some rabbis I’ve spoken to say there are no shortcuts. Having in mind "The Master of Everything" is insufficient, but perhaps better than nothing.
Rabbi Simcha Bunim Cohen’s book references Reb Moshe’s tshuvah re: Shma, which seems to say "Gott" (G-d) is good enough, but it’s from a chelek of Igros Moshe that some seem to deem less than authoritative or authentic. What do you think? I’m having trouble with kavanah for these names during a fast minyan!
Answer:
The minimum for Hashem is "Adon HaKol- master of everything" and if possible to also think "Haya Hoveh and Yihyeh- was, is and will always be".
The minimum for Elokeinu is "Ba’al HaYecholos Kulam" or "Kol Yachol" the One who can do anything. If possible, also think " Mashgiach Oleinu B’Pratus" the One who is involved in every small detail in our lives.
This is most important by Shema and the first Bracha of Shemona Esrei, but should ideally be done by all Brachos.
There is an opinion of the Aishel Avrohom and the Ben Ish Chai that the first time every day when Hashem’s name is uttered you should have in mind that for the rest of the day whenever I say this name the Kavanah should mean what I am thinking now! This is indeed a leniency, but it is at least a way to make it doable for many people.
Although some don’t consider the last volume of Igros Moshe as authorative as the rest of the volumes [as it was published after Rav Moshe’s passing], many do indeed rely on it, also the fact that Rav Cohen, who is a talmid of Rav Moshe Zatzal quotes it gives this psak credence, any you can rely on it.
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
