Short, reader submitted Chizuk Thought of the Day for Elul:
It's been said that the Chozeh of Lublin, on each Rosh Chodesh, would tell his students what kind of a month the coming month was going to be. Although I haven't been able to predict the months (maybe you will be able to), I have found that Elul is a particularly opportune time to make a prediction on what the next year is going be like or what it will have in store (and since I've been able to do it for a few years now already, you should also be able to do it, without having to be the Chozeh). So spend some time and try to get a handle on what next year is going to be like for you. Give it a name (like the Chinese do, l'havdil). For me, one year was The Year of Chol HaMoed (which did actually turn out to be very joyful and ruchniustic throughout). Another year was The Year To Get It Done (in which I completed a few big projects that I had been working on for some time). And about a week ago, I "figured out" that תש"ע is going to be, for me, iy"H, The Year To Think In Learning - something that's been difficult for me to do with any regularity. And already thinking in learning has become easier for me to do, baruch Hashem. So try doing it for yourself. It can help to give direction and focus to your year.
(The above was written by the author of The Geulah Company, a daily reader of our Halacha emails.)
To see archives of Halachos of Chodesh Elul/Yamim Noraim/Hilchos Teshuva (written last year) Please Click Here
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Today's Halachos are dedicated by a daily reader, M.B., as a Zechus for a Refua Sheleima for Asher Ben Taji, Sara Bat Taji, Eliezer ben Yehudit and Ezra ben Yehudit. May they all have a complete and speedy recovery.
DOUBLE PORTION L'KAVOD SHABBOS KODESH
Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh
1) If the door of a home is "open" to the street, the prohibitions of Yichud to not apply to the inhabitants of that home. (Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer Siman 22:9)
What is considered "open"?
Some Poskim rule that the door must actually be open; a closed door even if it isn't locked is not considered open. (See Shu"t Rav Akiva Eiger Siman 100 [written by the Bais Meir] and 101 [written by Rav Akiva Eiger].) 2) Some Poskim maintain that even if the door is closed, as long as it isn't locked and people can freely enter without a key or combination code, it is considered open. (Shu"t Mabit Vol. 1 Siman287, Shu"t RadBaz Vol. 1 Siman 121, Shu"t Binyan Tzion Vol. 1 Siman 138. This was also the opinion of the Chazon Ish quoted in Kraina D'Igrasa Vol. 2 Siman 122 and others)
However, if nobody has permission to enter through the door, even according to these Poskim it isn't considered open and the fact that it's unlocked will not remove the prohibition of Yichud. (See Shu"t RadBaz and Shu"t Binyon Tzion ibid. )
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
Some Poskim say that it depends on the custom of each society and whether it is deemed normal to walk through a door without first knocking (in which case an unlocked door would be considered open) or if it is expected to knock on a door prior to entering, regardless if it is locked (in which case all the prohibitions of Yichud would apply so long as the door is closed)(See Emes L'Yaakov Even HaEzer Siman 22 footnote 8. Where he says that for biblical Yichud it is best to be stringent and have the door open, while for rabbinical Yichud is enough with an unlocked door) In a store or other place of business, where people come and go frequently, it is sufficient to have the door unlocked, and it isn't necessary to actually keep it open. (Psak of Rav Yaakov Ephraim Forchheimer Shlita) 2) Very often, homes have screen or storm doors installed in front of the main door to the house, for the purpose of keeping out bugs, cold air etc.
Even according to the Poskim that require the main door to the home to be open, and not just unlocked, this screen/storm door need not be open and as long as it is unlocked it is sufficient, as it is the accepted custom for people who see the main door open to simply open the screen/storm door and walk in. (ibid.)
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.
My wife is an aveilah (in mourning) for her father.
One of my mechutanim is making an aufruf in a couple of weeks. They invited us for the Shabbos meal after the aufruf. Is my wife permitted to attend the Shabbos meal?
Answer:
Firstly, I am sorry to hear of her loss; may she be comforted amongst the mourners of Tzion and Yerushalayim.
The acepted custom is indeed for an Avel not to eat any social meals outside of their home, unless not doing so will cause distress to the person who invited the Avel, or if the Avel has no other place to eat.
That being said, many Poskim make exceptions for relatives and friends for meals on Shabbos, where the absence of the Avel would be noticed, and thus be an expression of Aveilus on Shabbos, which is prohibited. (See Igros Moshe Yoreh Deah Vol. 3 Siman 161)
Also, some Poskim allow for the Ave l to attend if he/she does not sit down, but stands around and/or helps serve the food etc.
A Rav should be consulted for Halacha L'maashe to discuss your particular situation.
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
