Today's Halachos are dedicated by a daily reader, D.E., as a Zechus Refuah Shelaima for Eliyhu Yaakov ben Esther Malka who was diagnosed with a tumor in his pancreas . Please have in mind when learning the Halachos that they be in his Zechus. May he have a quick and speedy Refuah Shelaima.
Also, another daily reader, Y.L. , has dedicated today's halachos L'Zecher Nishmas his grandfather, Elazar Aharon Zt"l ben Tzvi Zev Hy"d, whose Yahrtzeit is today, 15 Kislev. 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) One who sees a wise Jewish man, a Talmid Chacham who is well versed in Torah, recites the Bracha "ברוך אתה ד' אלקנו מלך העולם שחלק מחכמתו ליראיו - Blessed are you Hashem our G-d, Master of the world, who Shared some of His wisdom with those that fear Him" (Shulchan Aruch Siman 224:6. Even though today's days there aren't many true Talmidei Chachamim that are versed in all aspects of Torah, there are still a few on whom this Bracha may be recited. See Chayei Adam Klal 63:8.) 2) Upon seeing a non Jewish wise person (defined as someone who is expert in one of the 7 known channels of wisdom, and not referring to someone who is "wise" in a different religion's doctrine etc.) the following Bracha is recited: ברוך אתה ד' אלקנו מלך העולם שנתן מחכמתו לבשר ודם - Blessed are you Hashem our G-d, Master of the world, who gave some of His wisdom to flesh and blood" (Mishna Berura Siman 224:9 and 10. See Shu"t Teshuva M'Ahava Vol. 2 Siman 237 that a non Jew who doesn't keep the 7 Noah-hide laws, does not get this Bracha recited over him. See also Shu"t Teshuvos V'Hanhagos Vol. 3 Siman 76:2) Some have the custom to recite aforementioned Brachos without Shem U'Malchus.(See Kaf HaChaim 224:19)
****
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.
Can a mourner for a parent (an Avel) , within the twelve months of mourning, lead Mincha on Erev Shabbos ?
In addition, does a mourner within the twelve months lead Mincha and/or Maariv on Chanukah ?
Answer:
The Poskim discuss the times when an Avel should not daven, and I have not found anyone who says that Mincha on Erev Shabbos is one of those times (That doesnt mean that the opinion doesn't exist, it just means I didn't find it).
In fact, in the Sefer Pnei Baruch (Siman 35) he quotes the father of the Shl"a HaKadosh who says that on days when Tachnun is not recited (which would presumably be the reason for the minhag not to daven on Erev Shabbos at Mincha, if such a minhag even exists) it is in fact a Mitzvah for an Aveil to daven for the Amud.
The Mishna Berura too (Siman 581:7) writes that one may daven on a day that Tachnun isn't recited. In fact the Pnei Baruch also writes there that this that Aveilim do not daven on Shabbos is only a minhag, but there is no Issur!
The time when the Aveilim do not daven is when " LamnaTzeach ...Yaancha Hashem B'Yom Tzara/Tziduk HaDin" is not recited. And even then it is a Machlokes HaPoskim as to which Tefilos are better for an aveil to not be the Shliach Tzibbur.
On Rosh Chodesh some Poskim say that an Avel should not daven at all, while others maintain that only for Halel and Musaf he shouldn't lead, but Shachris, Maariv and Mincha are OK. Others maintain that for Shachris too he shouldnt be the ba'al Tefilah. (See Mishna Berura ibid.)
On Chanukah an Aveil may daven Mincha and Maariv, but not Shachris and Halel. (See Mishna Berura 683:1 and 671:44)
There are Poskim who maintain that on Chanuka, even for Mincha and Maariv, an Aveil should not daven for the Amud (Shu"t Rivevos Ephraim Vol. 1 Siman 443 says this was the opinion of Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal. See also Shu"t Divrei Moshe Siman 84)
For a final ruling, a Rav should be consulted, of course or at least the Gabbai of the Shul who may know the "Minhag HaMakom", which should be followed.
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
