Today's Halachos are dedicated by a daily reader, Dr. C.R. S., in loving memory of her dear father Yosef Ben Avraham Z"L , a wonderful man, learned in his field, and with sterling middos. His Yahrtzeit is today, 14 Kislev. Please have in mind when learning the Halachos that they be in his Zechus. May his Neshama continue to have an Aliya in Gan Eden.
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!
If you are just joining us today, please see ARCHIVES so you can review the previous Halachos on this topic.
1)Upon seeing a sea, a large river or lake, or other large body of water, the Bracha of "Baruch...Oseh Ma'aseh Bereishis" is recited.
The above applies only to bodies of water that were part of the original creation of the world, and not oceans that are man-made (such as the Suez canal) (See Sha'ar HaTzion 228:9) If one isn't sure, there is no reason to assume that it wasn't part of the original creation, and a Bracha may be recited. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 228:1 and 2)
2) If one of the great oceans (Pacific, Atlantic, Indian and Arctic) which encompass almost the entire world, is seen, the Bracha recited is "Baruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Melech HaOlam Oseh(or SheAsah, according to some opinions) HaYam HaGadol- Blessed are You Hashem our G-d, Master of the world, Creator of the Large ocean". The reason Chazal instituted a special Bracha for these oceans was du e to their Chashivus (prominence) (Mishna Berura 228:2 and Biur Halacha there) The Mediterranean Sea, although technically part of the Atlantic Ocean, is considered its own body of water, and the Bracha upon seeing it would be like seeing other seas, "Oseh Ma'aseh Bereishis" (See Shu"t Minchas Yitzchok Vol. 1 Siman 110 and Halichos Shlomo Perek 23:29 for their view on this. See also Shu"t Teshuvos V'Hanhagos Vol. 3 Siman 76)
****
For Archives of Hilchos Chanukah, Please Click Here
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.
Where do we learn out in the Torah that a man must wear a yarmulka (Kippah)?
Answer:
It isnt clearly in the pesukim, it is derived by Chazal, based on pesukim in the Torah.
See Talmud Kiddushin 31a, Shabbos 156b and Berachot 60b where we are taught that covering the head brings to fear of heaven, and also glorifies Hashem.
The Shulchan Aruch rules (Siman 8) that one may not go 4 Amos without a head covering. The Taz (Orach Chaim Siman 8:3) rules that even sitting in one place should not be done with a bare head. The Mishna Berura, who rules that this is a real obligation, even says that a man must sleep with a Yarmulka!
Regarding saying Hashem's name or even walking into a shul with a bare head, that is even more stringent (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 91)
Although in biblical times, and even inthe times of the Gemara it isn't clear if they did indeed cover their heads, it is a custom that Klal Yisroel has accepted upon themselves, and now has the severity of a halacha according to virtually all Poskim , and may not be treated leniently or disregarded.
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
