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!
The Halacha For Today Website underwent a little Face-lift. Please take a moment to visit the site and check it out. Comments and suggestions are always welcome; we are always looking to improve!
SPECIAL DOUBLE PORTION L'KAVOD SHABBOS KODESH
Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh
1) One who builds, or purchases, a home should recite the Bracha of SheHechiyanu to thank Hashem for the wonderful Simcha that is experienced at this occasion. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 223:3 and Mishna Berura S"K11. Some people have the custom not to recite SheHechiyanu on a new home, See Kaf HaChaim Siman 223:17. In Shu"t L'Horos Nosson Vol. 2 Siman 12, Rav Nosson Gestetner shlita writes that only in Chutz L'Aretz is there such a custom, but in Eretz Yisroel, everyone agrees to indeed recite it on a new home)
Likewise, one who purchases new utensils or new clothing should recite SheHechiyanu on this Simcha that Hashem has provided for him/her.(Shulchan Aruch ibid. and Mishna Berura S"K 13)
Some Poskim rule that when purchasing a new car, SheHechiyanu should be recited. (See Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 3 Siman 80)
2)When purchasing new clothing, some people also have the custom to recite an additional Bracha of "Baruch Ata Hashem...Malbish Arumim", thanking Hashem for providing clothing for the unclothed, in addition to the SheHechiyanu. (See Mishna Berura 223:18 that this would be recited before the SheHechiyanu. However, he writes there that if this article of clothing is being worn for the first time in the morning, it can be had in mind and exempted with the "Malbish Arumim" that is recited as part of Birchas HaShachar. Thus, it is best to indeed try and wear a new article of clothing in the morning so as not to necessitate this additional Bracha. See Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 59:8)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1)If one has a partner in the purchase of any new item, no SheHechiyanu is recited, rather the Bracha of "HaTov V'HaMeitiv" (Hashem is "Tov Li", good to me, and "Meitiv L'Acheirim",is also good to others) is recited. (See Mishna Berura 223:19 and 21)
Thus, when purchasing a home or utensils that will be used by the entire family, HaTov V'HaMeiti v would be said [by each of the family members] instead of SheHechiyanu. (See Biur Halacha 223:3 Dibur Hamaschil Banah Bayis. See also Mishna Berura Siman 221:4 where he rules that family members are considered like partners.)
2)Likewise, if a group of people got together and built a new Shul, they should all recite the Bracha of "HaTov V'HaMeitiv" when the Shul is being used for the first time (Some say that one person should recite it and exempt the entire congregation). (See Mishna Berura 223:11)
Alternatively, some people have the custom to take a new fruit or article of clothing and recite SheHechiyanu, and have in mind that the Bracha should also go on the new Shul. (See Kaf HaChaim 223:15. See also Shu"t Teshuvos V'Hanhagos Vol. 2 Siman 145 and Shu"t Chasam Sofer Siman 156)
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 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.
What is the halacha for rice cake. Is there one bracha most poskim agree it requires?
I try to make 3 brochos [on different items, in order to exempt the rice cakes] but it really is hard so I just quit eating it - now on diet I would like to resume.
Answer:
You are right, there are 3 possibilities.
According to many Poskim (including Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach zatzal) rice cakes are Ha'adama, as Mezonos is only recited on rice when it is cooked, and rice cakes are not cooked. even according to these Poskim, if a Mezonos was recited on them, you are Yotzei. Rav Shlomo Zalmen says that there is no reason to be machmir and recite brachos on other items, and a Borei Pri Ha'adama can be recited L'Chatchila.
There are Poskim, however, (including Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv shlita who leans towards this Psak) that rule that it is Mezonos, as they maintain that heating element used to puff them is sufficient to consider them cooked.
Some Poskim say to recite SheHakol.
The prevalent minhag is to recite Ha'adama, but a Rav should be consulted for Halacha L'Ma'aseh. (See Shu"t Or L'Tzion Perek 14:21. See also Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 4 Siman 44 and 45)
All agree that the Bracha Achrona is Borei Nefashos.
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
