Today's Halachos sponsored by a daily reader, Moshe T., in appreciation to Hashem Yisborach for helping him out of a tough financial situation. May Hashem continue to bless Moshe and his family with never ending Bracha and Hatzlacha!
To dedicate the learning of a day (or more) of Halacha For Today, or to make a much appreciated donation to help us spread Halacha For Today to many more Jews around the world, please CLICK BUTTON BELOW. No PayPal account is necessary to make a donation, regular credit card donations can be processed via PayPal as well. Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
1)There is a debate amongst the Poskim as to the ideal time to insert the Bracha of SheHechiyanu when eating a new fruit.
Many Poskim rule to recite "Borei Pri Ha'Eitz" first and immediately follow that with "SheHechiyanu", and we don't consider the SheHechiyanu as an interruption between the Bracha on the fruit and the eating. (Shu"t Radvaz Siman297, Kaf HaChaim 225:24. This was also the ruling of the Gaon of Vilna, quoted in Tosefos Ma'aseh Rav 75:3. This was also the ruling of the Chazon Ish, Avnei Nezer and others) Other Poskim say to first recite the "SheHechiyanu" and only then recite the "Borei Pri Ha'Eitz" , so as there be no interruption between the "Ha'Eitz" and the eating of the food.
Alternatively, these Poskim say to recite "Ha'Eitz", take a small bite of the fruit, and only then recite "SheHechiyanu" and finish the fruit. (Psak of the Mishna Berura 225:11. This was also the ruling of the Chayei Adam and Pri Megadim, quoted in Sha'ar HaTzion 225:12, the Aruch HaShulchan 225:5, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 59:14. This was also the Minhag of the Chasam Sofer. See also Shu"t Minchas Shlomo Vol. 2 Siman 4:33 where he answers an apparent contradiction in the Mishna Berura regarding this. See also Halichos Shlomo Perek 3:13) 2) However, according to all opinions, if the SheHechiyanu was recited between the Ha'Eitz and the eating of the fruit, it is acceptable and no new Bracha needs to be recited. (Mishna Berura ibid.)
Being that all of the above methods are halachically acceptable, each person should do as is his/her custom. (See Likutei MaHarich towards the end of Hilchos Birchas SheHechiyanu, page 274 in the new print)
*********
Fly on EL AL for the Fewest Points of Any Credit Card!
A percentage of every purchase made on your HAS Advantage Visa credit card is donated to charities in Israel . Earn 1 point for every $1 spent. Benefit from a rewards program designed with you in mind. Enjoy bonus tickets to Israel , 1% cash back, double points at select merchants and kosher supermarkets, discounts in Israel , merchandise and more.
Call 1-866-647-7235 or click here to learn more and receive $25 after your first purchase!
SPECIAL BONUS 2,500 POINTS FOR HALACHA FOR TODAY READERS!
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.
I recently heard from someone that it is prohibited for a man to sit behind a woman!
Is that true? Were does it say?
For instance in a car where a couple goes in front and men are in the back.
Answer:
Chazal (Talmud Brachos 61a) say that a man should not walk behind a woman, and should quicker walk behind a lion! This halacha is brought in Shulchan Aruch (Even HaEzer Siman 21)
The reason for this was that a man walking behind a woman will come to gaze at her and lead him to improper thoughs and Chas V'Shalom to improper actions.
There is a debate amongst contemporary Poskim if this applies today when it is much more prevalant for women to be in public, and only in the times of Chazal when it was rare to see a woman in public would it perhaps lead to sin.
The Leket Yosher, disciple of the Terumas HaDeshen (Siman 376) rules that this prohibition is not in force today.
Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal (Shu"t Minchas Shlomo Vol. 1 Siman 91:23) rules that today's days when women are found everywhere, it is virtually impossible not to be walking behind one woman or another and it doesn't lead to any bad things and thus it doesnt apply today as stringently as it did in the times of Chazal.
Other Poskim (Shu"t Mishne Halachos Vol.5 Siman 226 and 227 and Vol.12 Siman 305, the Sha'ar HaTzion quoting the Radvaz as well as other Poskim) maintain that the halacha is in full force today.
Obviously, all agree that if one knows themselves and their being behind a woman will lead to bad things, the halacha applies to him 100% even today.
Also, all seem to agree that if one is on a bus, for example, and has the choice to either sit directly behind a woman or in a different seat, that he must choose the different seat. As even if we rule to be lenient today, that is only in cases of necessity and when it is impossible or impractical to be stringent.
Thus, in a car, it is best to try and arrange the seating in such a way that no man is sitting directly behind a woman, but if this is impossible, we have on whom to rely, as long as nobody knows themselves that they will Chas V'Shalom come to sinful thoughts or actions by not following this Halacha.
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
