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1)After completing Shemona Esrei, saying "Elokai Netzor" and saying "YihYu L’Ratzon" , three steps must be taken back, while simultaneously bending the back and bowing , the way a servant takes leave of a master. (See Mishna Berura Siman 123:1)
One of the reasons for the three steps is because Nebuchadnezzar was allowed to destroy the Bais HaMikdash due to his running three steps forward in honor of Hashem; therefore we take three steps back and ask Hashem to rebuild the Bais HaMikdash (Mishna Berura Siman 123:2 quoting the Bais Yosef)
The first of the three steps should be taken with the weak foot (for righties, usually their left foot, and for lefties, usually their right foot).
The reason for starting with the weak foot is that we "step away" from Hashem with our weaker foot, so it should seem like it is difficult for us to take leave of Hashem (See Mishna Berura Siman 123:13)
The size of the step should be the length of one foot, i.e. the big toe of the weak foot should reach right behind the heel of the stronger foot.
The second step is then taken with the stronger foot. The size of this step should be the length of 2 feet, i.e. the big toe of the strong foot should now reach right behind the heel of the weaker foot.
The third step, again with the weak foot, should be the length of one foot, which will once again bring the two feet together. (See Biur Halacha Dibur Hamaschil K’ShePosaya, quoting the Chayei Adam and Shulchan Aruch HaRav who rule as we wrote. This is also the ruling of the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch and the Mogen Avraham. The Biur Halacha also quotes another opinion of the Taz who rules that even lefties begin with their left foot. The Kaf HaChaim Siman 123:23 and the Shu"t Be’er Moshe Vol. 2 Siman 3:9 rule like the Taz. The prevalent custom is the way the Biur Halacha rules. For Halacha L’ma’aseh, of course, a Rav should be consulted. )
2) Some Poskim maintain that the aforementioned measurements, which are derived from the way Kohanim must stand during the Avodah, are not applicable to women. (See Sefer Ishei Yisroel, quoting Sefer Orach Ne’eman Siman 123:11)
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:
Are you allowed to put eye drops [in the eyes] on Shabbos?
Answer:
If the eyes are simply itchy or irritated no eyedrops may be inserted on If the eyes are simply itchy or irritated no eyedrops may be inserted on Shabbos. if , however, they are inflamed or if the eye drops are otherwise medically necessary they may be inserted.
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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.
By: Rav Ron Yitzchak Eisenman The other day I was at a wedding in Lakewood, New Jersey. As most Jewish weddings, there were people to be found from all over the metropolitan Jewish community and I met up with people I have not seen for quite a while. One man came over to me and said, "I know you from some where. Where do I know you from? What is your name? Did you ever learn here in the Lakewood Yeshiva? After I assured him that we did not know each other from the Yeshiva; I told him I live in Passaic. He then asked me, "Where do you daven in Passaic? Maybe I have seen you there; I have a daughter who lives there." I told him I daven at the Ahavas Israel. He was silent for a moment and then he said, "Oh, I have davened there sometimes." He then paused and then announced triumphantly, "Wait a minute; aren’t you the Rav at that Shul? I did not recognize you from close up. I am used to seeing you as the Rabbi of the shul; I did not recognize you when you are off-duty." I thought about the comment for quite a while. Who am I? Am I defined by what I earn my livelihood as? If someone would ask me, "What do you do?" If at that moment I was drinking a glass of water would I have answered, "What do I do? I drink water." The fellow would no doubt have thought I was deranged or being ’cute’. However, he certainly would not have assumed that is ’what I do’ or who I am’! Often we become defined by our occupations or by what we do with the majority of our time. A lawyer who works 50 hours a week when asked ’what do you do’ will answer, "I am a lawyer". On the other hand- a lawyer who only works 15 hours a week and spends 20 hours week in the Beis Medrash may answer the same question by saying, "I work part time and learn in the yeshiva." There can be different definitions of "who I am" for different relationships. My children do not call me "Rabbi Eisenman" nor of course does my wife. The reason is simple; my relationship with them is paternal and spousal respectively and not rabbinic. However, this man who met me at the wedding saw me and defined as he had only seen me; as the Rabbi of the Ahavas Israel Shul. When he saw me outside of that context, he was confused and could no longer place me in his file for identifying people. In his mind I was defined by the Shul and outside the Shul I had no context of definition. Every time we meet someone; be it professionally, be it personally, be it socially, we are given an opportunity at that moment to define ourselves to the person we are meeting. Often - such as the case of a rabbi in particular or a Jew in general- we may not just be defining ourselves, we may be defining all rabbis and/or all Jews to the person we are coming in contact with. Often that one meeting defines their entire understanding of you and the group you may represent. Friends, the message is clear. The person you meet today is going to form a mental image and definition of you and all that you represent. Indeed, this is true to such an extent, that all future meetings you will have with this person will be judged against this first impression. Friends, do your best today so that when you meet the person again he or she may say, "Where do I know you from? I can not remember." However, at least we hope that they then will add on the words, "Although I cannot place you, I know you made a good impression on me and I went away feeling good".
Remember often we are only given one chance- give it your best!
Submitted by Kaila; Taken from www.ahavasisrael.com
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