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1) Every Jewish male is obligated to recite the entire Krias Shma twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening.
Women, M'Ikar HaDin, are exempt from reciting the entire Krias Shema. However, they should (and according to some Poskim must) recite the first Posuk of "Shema Yisroel..." and "Baruch Sheim..." each morning and evening as they are definitely obligated in Kabolas Ol Malchus Shamayim ,accepting upon themselves the yoke of Hashem's sovereignty. (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim Siman 70:1 and Mishna Berura S"K 4)
2) The custom is to cover the eyes with the hand when saying the first Posuk of Shma Yisroel as to ensure that the eyes do not wander and prevent proper concentration (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim Siman 61:5)
The hand that should be used to cover the eyes is the right hand. (Mishna Berura Siman 61:17)
The Poskim discuss that the reason for using the right hand is because the left hand is already occupied with holding the Tzitzis (as we previously discussed) and thus the free hand is used to cover the face. The Sefarim also write that there are kabalistic reasons for using the right hand for this purpose. (See Sefer Od Yosef Chai from the Ben Ish Chai Parshas V'Eira Os 2 Dibur Hamaschil U'Mah Shekasav)
Since both righties and lefties hold their Tzitzis in their left hands, they both use their right hands for covering the face. (See Kaf HaChaim Siman 61:21)
Although women do not hold Tzitzis when reciting Krias Shma, they should still use their right hand to cover their face, due to the kabalistic reasons for using this hand.
Some people have the custom to simply close their eyes when saying Shma, without putting any hand on their eyes. This is not a proper custom according to kabalistic sources. (See Ben Ish Chai ibid. Os 1)
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 Today website.
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.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
[We are all eagerly awaiting the arrival of Mashiach].
Can you possibly explain what we are waiting for?
I know that I am not the only one of your readers who doesn't really understand what will happen when Mashiach comes. Though I know that my Neshama is yearning for him to come, I don't really know exactly what I should be yearning for?
Answer:
To answer your question, I have translated for you (as best I can) a line of Gemara and a few paragraphs of the Rambam that deal with this issue, which I hope will sufficiently give you at least a little glimpse into what kind of world we can expect when he arrives, may it be soon and may we merit going along with him:
* The only difference between the world as we know it and the world after Mashiach arrives is that the subjugation of the nations over the Jews will cease. (Talmud Brachos 34b)
* For what reason did the Jewish nation and its wise men and prophets crave the arrival of Mashiach? So that they can get a break from the evil governments which didn't allow them to peacefully and properly study Torah and perform Mitzvos.
Ridding them of these oppressive regimes in the Galus will allow them to amass more wisdom and thus help them merit eternal life in Olam Haba, as in the days of Mashiach there will be an increase of Da'as, knowledge, Chochma, wisdom and Emes, truth...
...The king, a descendant of Dovid that will be in place at that time will be wiser than Shlomo Hamelech he will be almost as big a prophet as Moshe Rabbeinu, and therefore he will teach the nation the way of Hashem, and even the nations of the world will come to listen to him...
The [physical] world will continue to function as before with the exception that the reigning kingdom will be the Jewish nation. (Rambam Hilchos Teshuva Perek 9 Halacha 2. He writes similar language in Hilchos Melachim Perek 12 Halacha 4)
* [Regarding the appearance of Eliyahu Hanavi to announce Mashiach's arrival, as well as other details of war and peace that will precede Mashiach] nobody will know what will transpire until it happens, as these occurrences were hidden from all the prophets, and even the Chachamim only deduce certain events based on their interpretation of various Pesukim, and thus even amongst themselves there is a lot of differences of opinion.
Bottom line, knowing exactly how these things will unfold is not an important tenet of Judaism, and is best if the Midrashim and Aggados regarding them are not delved into too deeply, as getting too involved in these matters does not bring to love and/or fear of heaven. Also, it is best to stay away from trying to calculate the timing of the arrival of Mashiach, as the Chachamim said that those who delve into these calculations will lose their minds.
Rather, we must wait and believe in the imminent arrival of Mashiach, as it can be any moment. (Rambam Hilchos Melachim Perek 12 Halacha 2)
* When Mashiach arrives there will be no more hunger, war, jealousy or strife. The abundant goodness of Hashem will be so plentiful and all the pleasures of the world will be readily available like earth. The only thing the inhabitants of the world will busy themselves with is the knowledge of Hashem... (Rambam Hilchos Melachim Perek 12 Halacha 5)
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CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short Chizuk thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
קוה אל ד', חזק ויאמץ לבך, וקוה אל ד'
Chizuk For Today:
For all the yisurim(problems) that are out there, there is a solution.
First one has to know that everything that Hashem does is 100% out of love.
Hashem doesn't just do things just like that. Hashem decides and plans for each one what is best for that person.
Each problem that one goes through is to bring one closer to Hashem, our Father, our Creator, and Friend.
It is to improve ones bitachon & emuna in Him.
To believe that everything and anything that happens comes from Him, and for a reason.
One must know there is no such a thing as a coincidence, if it happened it's for a reason.
It is to for us to work on ourselves to become closer and closer to Hashem. We should be singing praises and blessings in thanking Hashem for all that He does. One must know that Hashem is full of chesed and rachamim (kindness and compassion) for each and every one of us. All we have to do is TRUST HIM, Hashem is telling us:
TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING.
Is this easy? NO.
But the more we try the more Hashem will help us reach and understand this feeling.
TRY YOUR BEST HASHEM WILL DO THE REST!
It says סוֹמ'1;ךְ ה' לְכ'4;ל ה'3;נּ'5;פְל'0;ים- Hashem upholds all that fall.
Rav Avigdor Miller Zatzal explains: Everyone is actually a faller if not for the support of Hashem. Every rich man is penniless, and every healthy man is unwell, if not for the hand of Hashem that holds them up. Thus the verse states: all those in the world who have been upheld from falling: know that Hashem has been supporting you! There is no wealthy man, or honored man, or healthy or happy one; there are but men Hashem keeps wealthy, or honors, or keeps healthy or happy.
How does one reach such a level? Answer-
One has to be mispallel for it.
"Please Hashem help me get close to You"
"Please Hashem help me understand this and live like this.
"Please Hashem help me with add in what you are mispallel for.
Always remember.
One who prays for another's need, Hashem will answer that need of his first.
Submitted by H.- adapted from www.divreichizuk.com
Do YOU have something meaningful to submit for this section? Please email to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
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. (Talmud Niddah 73a)
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Important Numbers
