Today's Halachos have been dedicated by a daily reader, D.R., L'Zechus for his good friend, Refael Eliezer ben Leah, a father of 4 little girls, who is in critical condition. May Hashem send him a complete and speedy recovery amonst the other Cholim in Klal Yisroel. Please learn and Daven in his Zechus!
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SPECIAL DOUBLE PORTION L'KAVOD SHABBOS KODESH
Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh
1)One who purchases a Sefer Torah, or any other Torah books (Sefarim) for personal use does not recite SheHechiyanu, according to most Poskim (See Mishna Berura 223:13 that this is due to the rule of "Mitzvos lav L'hanos Nitnu,Mitzvos were not given for pleasure". See Be'er Heitev Siman 223:10 quoting the Mogen Avraham and other Poskim. See Shu"t Chasam Sofer Siman 53 and 156 and Chayei Adam Klal 62:65. Those Poskim that do require the SheHechiyanu say it should be recited at the first time the Torah is read. (Be'er Heitev ibid. and Sha'arei Ephraim Siman 304:34 where he rules that it may not be recited until the Sefer Torah has been examined and checked for mistakes)
However, if the Sefarim are received as a gift and they are significantly valued (such as a set of Shas (Talmud) that a Chasan customarily receives) then a SheHechiyanu is recited , as there is definitely Simcha in the monetary value of the Sefer besides the Simcha of being able to learn from it. (See Halichos Shlomo Perek 23:17)
Upon purchasing a Sefer Torah for public use, some have the custom that one person recites SheHechiyanu on a new fruit or article of clothing and has in mind that it cover the Sefer Torah as well on behalf of the entire congregation. (Shu"t MaHaram Shik Yoreh Deah Siman 294 and Kaf HaChaim 223:21)
2) One who authors a torah book or pays to have a Sefer published does not recite SheHechiyanu according to many Poskim. However, here too, the Poskim advise to recite it on a new fruit and have in mind to exempt the Sefer. (Kaf HaChaim 223:86. See Shu"t Tzitz Eliezer Vol. 14 Siman 67 and Shu"t Minchas Elazar Vol. 4 Siman 65 where they rule that SheHechiyanu is recited)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) One who receives a substantial gift of money, and is embarrassed at having received this gift, does not recite SheHechiyanu. (Mishna Berura 223:20)
However, if the money was received in a respectable way, and not in a way that the recipient felt embarrassed that he/she was getting a handout or Tzedaka, indeed a SheHechiyanu should be recited according to many Poskim. (See Halichos Shlomo Perek 23:26)
2) Upon the birth of a baby boy, SheHechiyanu is not recited, rather the Bracha recited [by both the father and the mother, or by the father being Motzei the mother] is "HaTov V'HaMeitiv". This Bracha should be recited as close to the birth as possible, regardless if the baby was seen. (Mishna Berura Siman 223:1-3)
Upon the birth of a baby girl, according to many Poskim the Bracha of SheHechiyanu is recited upon seeing her for the first time. (Mishna Berura 223:2. See also Shu"t Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 5 Siman 43:5. Other Poskim, including Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal maintain that no Bracha is said on a girl. See Igros Moshe ibid. for the reasoning of this Halacha.)
One who sees his/her friend, and hasn't seen them in 30 days and experiences Simcha upon seeing them, recites SheHechiyanu. If the friend wasn't seen in over a year, the Bracha recited is "Baruch...Mechayeh HaMeisim" (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 225:1 and Aruch HaShulchan 225:1 that a man may only recite this Bracha upon seeing his wife, mother, daughter or sister and not on any other females)
If during this time of absence, letters were received or regards were received about them, no Bracha is recited. Thus, today's day and age with telephones, email etc. we are virtually always in touch with people we love and care about and thus according to many Poskim these Brachos are seldom required. (See Orchos Rabbeinu page 114.see Aruch HaShulchan 225:2 and Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 59:20 who differentiates between the 2 Brachos, that Mechayeh HaMeisim isn't said these days, but SheHechiyanu upon seeing their face is still said. See also Halichos Shlomo Perek 23:12)
TAM V'NISHLAM B'ROV SHEVACH L'KEIL ELYON!
THIS BRINGS US TO THE END OF OUR JOURNEY INTO HILCHOS SHEHECHIYANU. WE THANK HASHEM FOR ALLOWING US TO COMPLETE THIS TOPIC AND B'EZRAS HASHEM WE START OFF NEXT WEEK WITH A BRAND NEW TOPIC!
Important Numbers
