The learning generated by the Halachos for the rest of this week are dedicated to the eternal memory of Motty Borger, Mordechai ben Shmuel Dov. Motty was known for his amazing "Simchas HaChaim", his tireless acts of Chesed and for bringing Simcha into the lives of so many less fortunate people. Hashem took Motty's Neshama to Gan Eden at a tender young age, two days after his wedding.
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May Motty be a Meilitz Yosher for his entire Mishpacha and for all of Klal Yisroel.
" At the Doorstep of Mashiach "
.ת.נ.צ.ב.ה
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1)SheHechiyanu is only recited on fruits that are "new", and thus their rebirth each season causes Simcha when they are eaten for the first time.
If a fruit has a rebirth twice a year, SheHechiyanu is recited twice a year, each time of its new growth season. (Mishna Berura Siman 225:17, Aruch HaShulchan 225:11. The Kaf HaChaim 225:42 disagrees and maintains that only once a year is SheHechiyanu recited on any fruit. Preferably it should be the first time in that year that it grew.) A fruit which does not have a certain season, and grows throughout the year, or a fruit which is preserved or frozen so that it can be available throughout the year, does not get a SheHechiyanu, even if this particular fruit was not eaten by an individual in a long time, as since they are always available, there is no evident Simcha when eating them. (See Mishna Berura 225:16. See also Shu"t Teshuvos V'Hanhagos Vol. 1 Siman 201)
Fruits that are grown year-round in greenhouses with controlled climate, even though the normal growth time of this species when they grow normally is limited to a certain season, do not get a SheHechiyanu, as they aren't considered new fruits. (Mishna Berura 225:18) 2) A fruit that grows in certain areas year-round, and yet only seasonally in another location, is a subject of debate amongst the Poskim if a SheHechiyanu can be recited on it in the location where it isn't always available. (See Shu"t Teshuvos V'Hanhagos Vol. 2 Siman 151 and Vol. 1 Siman205)
All agree that if it is available for purchase year-round in all locations, no SheHechiyanu should be recited.
Some common examples of such foods which are available always and thus never get a SheHechiyanu are: carrots, potatoes, radishes, squash and similar vegetables; apples, pears, grapes and similar fruits; almonds, walnuts and similar nuts; bread, fish, meat etc. (The Rama 225:6 rules that vegetables never get a SheHechiyanu. See Mishna Berura 225:18. See also Shl"a Hakadosh in Shar Ha'Osiyos Shaar 12 where he writes a different reason:, that vegetables that get picked this year may have been in the ground since last year, and thus can no longer say SheHechiyanu on them. ) Obviously, the above are only a small sampling of common foods that are available in today's day and age all year round, and each person must determine what is considered "new" in his/her area.
Each time any new fruit or food is about to be eaten, before reciting SheHechiyanu, it must first be determined that a) the fruit grows only once or twice a year b) the fruit is not available in the market all year round.
Tomorrow we shall B'Ezras Hashem start discussing the Bracha of SheHechiyanu as it applies to things other than food.
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.
Is there any source or basis in halacha for children not to drink from Kos of havdala?.
Answer:
There are varying customs with regards to having the children drink from Havdallah
The Sefer Seder Hayom (page 114) writes that it shouldn't be given to anyone to drink, and only the one reciting Havdalah should drink. This is also how the Be'er Heitev Siman 296:5 rules in the name of the Shla HaKadosh. The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 96:7 and the Shulchan Aruch HaRav 296:6 also rule this way (though it's possible that they just rule that it doesnt have to be given to them to drink as by Kiddush, but it may be given to them if they want).
However, in the siddur of Rav Saadya Gaon (page 125) in the footnotes it quotes the MaHritz Gai'os who says that there is a good reason to indeed give the children to taste.
The Sefer Leket Yosher (page 57) says that all should drink.
It was also the Minhag of the community in worms to give the family , even women, to drink. Many other Kehilos also shared this minhag. (See Q&A #138 here regarding women and havdala)
The prevalent minhag is to indeed allow the male members of the family to drink, and to not have the female members of the family drink from havdalah.
For Halacha L'ma'aseh a Rav should be consulted.
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
