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1) One who sees an elephant or a monkey for the first time, also recites the Bracha of Baruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Melech HaOlam Meshaneh HaBriyos. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 225:8) The reason these 2 animals are singled out for this Bracha, when apparently all animals in the animal kingdom have their own unique and often strange appearance, is as follows:
The Talmud (Sanhedrin 109a) tells us that one of the punishments that Hashem meted out to the Dor haflaga ,The people who tried to build the tower to heaven and wage war on Hashem,was to turn them into monkeys. (Unlike the evolutionists who absurdly believe that mankind evolved from monkeys, Chazal tell us that in fact the opposite is true and monkeys actually evolved from man!)
Thus, according to this Gemara, monkeys were not created during the 6 days of creation, and were only "changed" from humans as a punishment. Thus the Bracha of "Meshane HaBriyos- Changes the creatures" is perfectly understandable! (See Maleches Shlomo to Mishna in K'layim Perek 8:6 Dibur Hamaschil Hapil V'HaKof where he alludes to the above and also adds that elephants understand the language of man, and thus are "different" and require this Bracha. See his commentary at length for more on this. See also Meiri to Brachos 58 Dibur Hamaschil HaRoeh.)
2) Today's days, with the advent of pictures and the abundance of zoos, there is hardly anyone that hasn't seen a monkey or an elephant from when they were a small child, so on a practical level this Bracha does not ever get said. (Based on Mishna Berura 225:29)
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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.
You mentioned (See Archives Hilchos Chanukah Here, halachos for Dec. 19 2008 where we discussed the Issur of playing Kvitlach) that "Kvitlach" is unfortunately prevalent in today's times, and that it is a "minhag" that is improper and bottom line leads to a situation of moshav leitzim.
First of all, is it really something that is common these days that the Biur Halacha and Aruch Hashulchan felt the need to mention its severity?!
Besides, where would the heter even be found for such a "minhag" to allow it to take place to begin with (how did something like this start anyway)?
Also, I learned somewhere (don't remember where) that playing Dreidel (even with money) is a minhag that is acceptable and even advocated for?
If that's the case, can you please explain why one is allowed and the other isn't?
I take it the nafka mina would be the actual cards... ?
Answer:
I am happy to hear that in your circles it isn't a prevalent minhag!
But unfortunately in many circles (I will not identify any specific communities, neighborhoods or sects) it is quite common to have these "games". I have witnessed these games and been invited to them on more than one occasion (though, after a while of turning down these "invitations" they stopped coming Baruch Hashem)
Dreidel, on the other hand is an acceptable game (And its origin has sources in Sefarim HaKedoshim as Minhag Yisroel. See Taamei HaMinhagim Os 859) as long as the "pot" of money is designated to belong to everyone, and thus it wouldn't be gambling, and also no real money is at risk. The Chasam Sofer was known to play dreidel on Chanukah and it is the Minhag of various Chasidic Rebbes to do so as well. (See Piskei Teshuvos Siman 670:4 for more on this topic)
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
