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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 and other topics.
1) When using a parve grater, it is important to remember to not cut or peel the food that will be grated with a meat or dairy knife or peeler prior to grating, as that will defeat the purpose of using the parve grater in the first place. (Based on Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah Siman 96:1)
2) A potato masher which is used to mash hot potatoes (which due to their denseness are considered a "Davar Gush" and have a Halachic status of a Kli Rishon) together with butter, should not be used to mash potatoes that will be used at a meat meal, especially if the two are within 24 hours of each other.
Purim...is 30 days until Pesach! And Chazal tell us to begin learning Halachos of the Chag 30 days before. Many people indeed have the custom to begin learning halachos relevant to Pesach while sitting at the Purim Seudah. For archives of Hilchos Pesach Click Here.
A FREILICHEN PURIM TO ALL OF MY READERS!!!
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ALL TEFILOS THAT ARE SINCERELY PRAYED ON PURIM ARE ANSWERED. DON'T SQUANDER AWAY THIS HOLY DAY - THE HOLIEST DAY OF THE JEWISH CALENDAR- WITH EMPTY PARTYING AND SENSELESS DRINKING CHAS V'SHALOM. LET'S ALL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS DAY AND BEG OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN TO FINALLY TAKE US OUT OF THIS LONG AND BITTER GALUS, BRING AN END TO ALL THE SUFFERING AND HERALD THE ARRIVAL OF MASHIACH!
A Reader emailed me the following and I felt it was worthwhile to share:
There is a special inyan to recite Tehillim Chapter 22 on Purim, for this is the chapter recited by Esther herself upon entering Achashveirosh's throne room uninvited (See Kav HaYashar 97).
The Kav Hayashar adds that when we gather today in Shul to daven, we are considered to be in the "Chatzar HaMelech"--and "Bevadai", surely through our Tefillos we arouse Mordechai HaTzadik and Esther HaMalka--who will "certainly join" in our Tefillos.
Accordingly, he writes, that "One who needs mercy from Hashem should recite Tehillim Chapter 22, and then pour his heart out to Hashem for the mercy he needs--especially mentioning the Zechus of Mordechai and Esther in whose Zechus the Sha'arei Rachamim should be opened and his Tefillos should be accepted."
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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.
Chazal have instituted that on Purim one should drink more than his usual share of wine
. According to some opinions it is a Mitzvah to actually get intoxicated on Purim.
Others maintain that actual intoxication is not mandatory, rather one should drink until he gets tired, and falls asleep.
This is based on the words of the Talmud (Megilah 7b) "Chayav Inish L'Besumei B'Puraya Ad D'Lo Yada Bein Arur Haman L'Baruch Mordechai- one is obligated to drink on Purim until he cannot distinguish between "cursed is Haman" and "Blessed is Mordechai".
There is a plethora of ways to understand the above Gemara, according to Halacha and Hashkafa as well as Kaballah, and covering all of them is beyond the scope of this forum. (For those who are interested in delving deeper into this, please start with the following sources: Shulchan Aruch, Ram"a and Mishna Berura Siman 695, Aruch HaShulchan Siman 695:2-5, Yad Ephraim to Shulchan Aruch ibid., MaHarsha Megilah 7b)
One thing is clearthough: If by getting drunk, one will come to be lax in Mitzvah observance, or will Chas V'Shalom transgress sins (as is unfortunately the case sometimes, as intoxication in a non Torah environment often leads to promiscuity) , he is forbidden from getting drunk. (Meiri Maseches Megilah 7b quoted in the Biur Halacha), Ran ibid., Shl"a ibid., Bais Yosef Siman 695 and Chayei Adam)
The point of drinking on Purim is to help us reach a higher level of Ahavas Hashem, loving our father in heaven. If one drinks in a manner that will bring disgrace to Hashem's name, not only has he not fulfilled the Mitzvah, he will also bear a very grave sin.
Reader's Question #2:
Where is the source that when you give Mishloach Manos it has to be 2 items with different brachas?
Answer:
There is no source in halacha that requires 2 items of different brachos. Any 2 food items, even of the same bracha are acceptable.
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
