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.
SPECIAL DOUBLE PORTION L'KAVOD SHABBOS KODESH
Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh
1) Once the Bracha is recited on Thunder and lightning, the Bracha is not recited again that day, during this storm.
If the clouds dissipated totally and the storm was over, and later on that day a new storm arrived, the Brachos can once again be recited.
2) If the [same] storm did not let up and continued overnight into the next day, a new Bracha may be recited on thunder and lightning seen/heard once more on the following day. (Mishna Berura 227:8. See also Kaf HaChaim 227:13 and Halichos Shlomo Perek 23:27 that for this Halacha the next morning is considered a new day, and we don't say that the "day" starts at night like by most other things in Halacha. However, other Poskim, including Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita argue and maintain that the new day for this also starts at sunset. See Sefer Saiser Ram Siman Perek 6:6 where he quotes these opinions at length. See also Shu"t Tzitz Eliezer Vol. 18 Siman 78 and Shu"t Az Nidberu Vol. 5 Siman 32)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) The Brachos on thunder and lightning may only be recited immediately after hearing/seeing them (Toch K'Dei Dibur, a time span of approximately 3-4 seconds) If more time elapsed, the Bracha can no longer be recited, and one must wait until the next bolt arrives. (Mishna Berura 227:12) 2) Thus, if one is in an unclean place, where a Bracha may not be recited, when he/she sees or hears thunder/lightning, if they can quickly move out of that place and their hands are clean, then he/she must quickly leave that place and recite the Bracha.
If they cannot get out in time, or if the hands aren't clean, no Bracha may be recited on that particular thunder/lightning anymore, and they need to wait for the next bolt.
If one exited the restroom, washed his hands and heard thunder, the Bracha on it should be recited before the Bracha of Asher Yatzar. (See Mishna Berura ibid. and Kaf HaChaim 227:17)
****
WISHING ALL MY READERS A WONDERFUL SHABBOS AND A FREILICHEN CHANUKAH.
MAY THE LIGHT OF TORAH SHINE BRIGHTLY IN YOUR HOMES!
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.
Someone recently told me that it is extremely important to give Tzedaka (Charity) on Chanukah. I was surprised to hear this, as I thought Purim was the holiday with the emphasis on charity. Is there any truth to what he told me?
Answer:
Yes, It is customary to give extra Tzedaka on the days of Chanukah, especially to support poor people who spend their lives dedicated to learning Torah. (See Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 139:1 and Mishna Berura Siman 670:1 that there are [kabalistic] reasons for this)
The Yesod V'Shoresh H'Avodah (Sha'ar 12:1) expounds on this, based on the Zohar Hakadosh and the Kisvei Ha'Arizal, that one who is lax in giving of Tzedakah all year round can rectify the harm this laxity caused by increasing his/her Tzedakah on Chanukah, especially if giving to support those who learn Torah.
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
