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Refuah Shelaima for her friend Hadassah bas Leah who is having both her knees replaced Today. May the surgery go well and may the zechus of all the Torah learning help her have a speedy recovery.
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1) Originally, the Bracha of SheHechiyanu was supposed to be recited upon first "seeing" the new fruit, as one has feelings of Simcha immediately upon spotting the fruit that hasn't been around for such a long period of time.
Even if the fruit is in someone else's hand or even still on the tree, it would still be the ideal time to recite the Bracha. (See Mishna Berura 225:10) Even one who sees it on a tree on Shabbos would be allowed to recite the Bracha, as the Simcha is in seeing it and we do not worry that he may come to cut it off on Shabbos in order to eat it. (See Biur Halacha Siman 225 Dibur Hamaschil "O Al HaIlan". See also Shu"t Be'er Moshe Vol. 3 Siman 43) 2) However, the prevalent minhag is to not recite the SheHechiyanu upon seeing it and rather to wait until actually eating the fruit.
The reason that this custom evolved was due to the fact that many people do not experience feelings of Simcha simply by seeing a fruit and only develop those feelings by eating it, so it was agreed upon to change the time of the Bracha to when it is being eaten (See Mishna Berura Siman 225:11 and 13. See Aruch HaShulchan 225:7 and Kaf HaChaim 225:28 for another reason. See also Shu"t Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 3 Siman 34) If one goes ahead and does recite the Bracha upon seeing the fruit, since that was the original and more correct method, it is acceptable L'Chatchilah. (Rama 225:3. Thus, if one recited a SheHechiyanu and then for some reason did not eat the fruit, he was Yotzei on seeing it and no new Bracha is required. )
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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 Today website.
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.
Why is it prohibited for a Choson and Kallah to see each other a week before their wedding?
Answer:
There is no clear source in Halacha for this minhag, yet it has become an accepted practice by a large segment of Klal Yisroel. The Sephardic Jews do not have this minhag.
One of the reasons given in the Seforim is based on the Halacha (Yoreh Deah Siman 192) that we are worried that if the Kallah sees her chassan she will desire him and it will lead to her discharging "Dam Chimud" and thus she won't be clean by the wedding. Some Poskim, however, based on the Talmud Niddah 20b say that just the opposite is true! That "Dam Chimud" will happen from not seeing him and yearning to see him.
Another reason cited is simply to limit the time spent between the bride and groom as to ensure they will excitedly look forward to being together on their wedding night.
Moreover, too much contact too close to the wedding can sometimes lead to unnecessary hardships (See Shu"t Teshuvos V'Hanhagos Even HaEzer Vol. 3 Siman 390) and unfortunately even to improper relations between the bride and groom (especially since the bride is Tahor within that week)
In certain communities it isn't customary to have this separation a week before, and they definitely have on whom to rely. (See Sdei Chemed Chasan V'Kallah 22. I have heard in the name of Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal that he was not makpid on this either, but I cannot verify that 100% at this time)
Bottom line is, it is definitely not an Issur to see each other, but a minhag which should be followed if it is the minhag of your family.
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
