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1) After reading the Torah (according to the Sephardic tradition this is done before the reading of the Torah) Hagbahas HaTorah, lifting of the Torah is performed, as follows.
Somebody from the Tzibbur lifts up the Torah and unfurls it a minimum of three columns of writing, so that the writing in the Torah can be seen. (See Mishna Berura Siman 134:8)
It is proper to make sure the seam is in the middle before lifting the Torah. (Sha'ar Ephraim Sha'ar 10:17)
The one lifting it needs to turn to his right, slowly, and make a complete circle so that every single person in the Shul as well as in the women's section can see the Torah's words. (Mishna Berura Siman 134:9. Sha'ar Ephraim Sha'ar 10:13. In the event that there are no people in the front part of the Shul, it suffices to turn to the right and then to the left and not make a complete circle. See Halichos Shlomo Tefilah Perek 12:28. See Ramban Devarim 27:26 that one who doesn't lift the Torah so that everyone can see it is subject to the Torah's curse of Arur Asher Lo Yakim Es HaTorah HaZos.)
A left handed person also makes the complete circle by turning to the right, as since this is a public display it is not respectful to do it differently than most people do it. (Ruling of Rav Chaim Kanievsky shlita based on Pri Megadim, Mishbetzos Zahav, Siman 128:11 and other Poskim. See also Shu"t Be'er Moshe Vol. 2 Siman 3:14)
2) It is proper to see the words in the Torah to the point that they can actually be read, as doing so is extremely beneficial for spiritual growth. (See Mishna Berura Siman 134:11. According to kabalistic sources it is proper to see the first letter of your name, if possible, while gazing at the Sefer Torah during Hagbah)
When seeing the words of the Torah all present should bend their knees and say the words "V'Zos HaTorah Asher Sam Moshe Lifnei Bnei Yisroel. [Al Pi Hashem yachanu V'Al Pi Hashem Yisa'u Es Mishmeres Hashem Shamaru] Al Pi Hashem B'Yad Moshe". (A combination of 2 Pesukim, one in Devarim 4:44 and one in Bamidbar 9:23. According to the Gaon of Vilna, the beginning of the second Posuk, which are in brackets above, is added in as well, as per the Talmud's dictum (Taanis 27b) not to split Pesukim in half.) (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 134:2 based on a Mishna in Maseches Sofrim Perek 14:14)
(Regarding pointing to the Torah when saying the aforementioned Posuk, an almost universally followed minhag that has no real source in the Poskim, see Q&A #452 here)
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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 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:
It is well-known that regular coffee is pretty much kosher everywhere. However, is iced coffee kosher everywhere? What about flavored iced coffee (specifically the hazelnut iced coffee flavor from Dunkin Donuts)?
Answer:
Iced coffee and flavored coffee should not be purchased without a Hechsher on the coffee and/or the establishment where it is being sold.
Even regular hot coffee an only be bought from a machine that is used only for plain coffee, not from a machine that vends other kinds of flavored coffees and other hot drinks which may be problematic.
I do not know about Dunkin Donut's coffee. It is best to contact a reliable Kashrus agency to inquire about the status of any particular brand.
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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:
In a Shiur given by
Rabbi Jonathan Rietti for the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation, Rabbi Rietti made the following two outstanding points, amongst others:
1- The Pasuk that appears most often in Sefer Tehillim is actually the Pasuk of 'Hodu Lashem Ki Tov--Ki Le'Olam Chasdo'. With this, Dovid Hamelech gives us a message of focus and direction--look at what you have, not at what you don't. If there is one black dot on a white background which actually contains 5,999 white dots--one must overcome the natural tendency to look at the black dot, and instead realize that there are 5,999 more white dots on the page.
2- Very much related to this concept is that the letters of the word "BeSimcha", if unscrambled or rearranged, actually spell "Machshava"--thought, because if one thinks properly, he will be able to put himself into the proper frame of mind to be happy.
בשמחה
מחשבה
Submitted by Dovid Tzvi; Taken from www.Hakhel.info
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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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