TODAY’S HALACHOS DEDICATED BY A DAILY READER, L.Y., IN HONOR OF H.S BAS S. MAY HASHEM GRANT HER THE ANSWER TO HER PRAYERS AND MAY SHE SOON MERIT TO START A JEWISH FAMILY.
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1) If one is unable to build a Sukkah alone and has someone else do it for them, it is proper to have the one building it to at least leave a small amount of S’chach for the owner of the Sukkah to put up by himself. (Kaf HaChaim Siman 625:11)
Likewise, it is good to be personally involved in the set up and decorating of the Sukkah. (See Sefer Elef Hamagen (The Mateh Efraim) Siman 626-644:4)
When one appoints someone else to build their Sukkah, it is proper to say to them " You are my Shaliach Mitzvah, my messenger to do this Mitzvah of putting up my Sukkah and S’chach L’Shem Mitzvah, for the purpose and intent of performing the Mitzvah of sitting in the Sukkah" (Kaf HaChaim ibid. )
One should not have his Sukkah built by a non Jew, especially the laying of the S’chach. (Chida in Sefer Kaf Achas Siman 24:2. See also Elef Hamagen ibid.)
2) The Mitzvah of building a Sukkah is in it of itself a [part of the] Mitzvah and not only a means by which to be able to sit in the Sukkah.
Rav Reuven Margolis Zatzal in his Sefer Nefesh Chaya (Siman 625:1) writes that even one who cannot sit in the Sukkah (due to illness or other valid Halachic reason) and has no male family members that are required to sit in the Sukkah, still should have a Sukkah built to at least perform the mitzvah of "Building" a Sukkah! (He brings as a proof to this ruling a Gemara in Makos 8a and a Gemara in Shavuos 29a and also a Talmud Yerushalmi Brachos Peek 9:3 where the Gemara says to recite a blessing on the "Building of a Sukkah".)
He goes so far as to say that this person would recite a "Shehechiyanu" when assisting in the building of this Sukkah as he won’t be reciting it when sitting in it! Although we do not Pasken like the Nefesh Chaya, it still helps us understand the importance of being involved in the building of a Sukkah. (See Taz to Siman 641. As with all aspects of Halacha, a Rav should be consulted for Halacha L’ma’aseh)
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’s the story with leaving water uncovered overnight?
I always thought that is was Assur but someone recently mentioned to me that Tosefos holds it’s not a Sakana anymore so it’s therefore permissible.
1. Is it Muttar or Assur? 2. If Assur, just water or all liquids? 3. What is considered "uncovered"? Is a pitcher with no cover in the fridge covered or uncorvered?
Answer:
In the times of the Gemara it was prohibited due to poisenous snakes placing their venom in the water. (See talmud Avoda Zara 30a and Chulin 9b)
Many Poskim rule that today’s days when snakes and the like are not prevelant, the prohibition is not in effect. (See Mishna Berura Siman 160:23 who rules this way)
However, the Gaon of Vilna and others maintained that the prohibition remais intact even today.
It is best to be stringent if possible. The Chazon Ish, The Steipler Zatzal and Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita are extremely Makpid with this and will not drink such water, nor use it for any purpose!
This applies to water, soda, tea, coffee, beer, milk, wine (unless it’s mevushal) and honey.
If it is in the refrigerator, where no snake or other animals can get to it, it is considered covered.
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 )
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