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!
SPECIAL DOUBLE PORTION L’KAVOD SHABBOS KODESH
Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh
1) One who began eating a new fruit and forgot to recite SheHechiyanu, may say the Bracha as long as the fruit was not finished and he/she is still in the process of eating it. (See Shu"t Ksav Sofer Siman 25 and Ketzos HaShulchan Siman 63:9) Some Poskim go so far as to allow the SheHechiyanu to be recited even after the fruit was totally consumed, as long as the Bracha Achrona was not yet recited and one’s mind was still on the fruit. (See Shu"t Avnei Yashfe Vol. 2 Siman 17) 2) Once the fruit was finished (and Bracha Achrona recited, according to those Poskim) and the SheHechiyanu was omitted, it is no longer possible to recite SheHechiyanu on this type of fruit for the rest of the season. (Mishna Berura Siman 225:13) However, if possible, before eating this type of fruit again, it is proper to recite a SheHechiyanu on a different fruit and exempt this fruit as well.
If no other fruit is available, a SheHechiyanu may be recited without Shem U’Malchus (saying the Bracha without Hashem’s name) (see Ben Ish Chai Parshas Re’ay Siman 14 and 15. See also Sha’ar HaTzion 225:18. See also Kaf HaChaim 225:31 that another option is to "think" the Bracha in your head without saying the words (Hirhur). The above 3 options can be used any time there is a safek if Shehechiyanu needs to be recited.)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
The Bracha of SheHechiyanu is recited both for fruits that grow on trees as well as for vegetables that grow from the ground.
However, only certain vegetables are considered Chashuv (significant) enough to require a SheHechiyanu. (We shall discuss this in more in detail in the near future B’Ezras Hashem) (See first Biur Halacha in Siman 225) SheHechiyanu is recited both on fruits that are eaten raw as well as for those that require cooking. (Birkei Yosef Siman 225:4, Da’as Torah Siman 67 and Kaf HaChaim 225:17. However, some Poskim maintain that on cooked fruits, you may not recite SheHechiyanu) 2) There is no minimum requirement to be eaten in order for SheHechiyanu to be required; even on a small taste the Bracha is recited. (Biur Halacha ibid. and Kaf HaChaim 225:32)
However, ideally a Kzayis should be eaten in order to recite the SheHechiyanu in a respectable manner (See Shu"t Teshuvos V’Hanhagos Vol. 2 Siman 272) If only a seed of a new fruit or its peel is eaten no SheHechiyanu is recited. (See Kaf HaChaim 225:32. See also Ketzos HaShulchan Siman 63:4 where he writes that according to the Shulchan Aruch HaRav a SheHechiyanu would indeed be recited on a seed of a fruit) Likewise, one who drinks the juice of a new fruit, or eats the fruit after it has been crushed, does not recite SheHechiyanu.
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.
How clearly must the moon be visible in order to say kiddush levana?
And if you see the moon, but then it goes behind a cloud, can you start saying kiddush levana?
If you started, can you continue?
Answer:
It must be clear enough that its light is discernable [on the ground].
If the Bracha was started and the clouds covered the moon, it may be finished.
However, if one thinks the clouds will cover it before the Bracha is finished, it is best not to begin the Bracha. (see Mishna berura Siman 426:3)
If the Bracha was finished and the moon is then covered by clouds, the rest of the Pesukim may be finished.
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
