Tuesday
August 10 2010
1st Day of Rosh Chodesh Elul 5770
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1) When a Jewish male receives an Aliyah to the Torah, he recites a Bracha before the reading (Baruch...Asher Bachar Banu M'Kal HaAmim...) and a Bracha after the reading (Baruch...Asher Nasan Lanu Es Toraso...)
Before reciting the first Bracha, the Ba'al Koreh (the one reading the Torah) shows the one getting the Aliyah the correct place from where the reading will begin, and on which he will be reciting the Bracha. (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim Siman 139:4 and Mishna Berura S"K 16)
When reciting the first Bracha, the Torah remains open. (See Mishna Berura S"K 17)
When reciting the first Bracha, in order that it shouldn't seem like he is reading the Brachos from within the Torah scroll (which, if it would be so, would invalidate the scroll) he turns his head slightly away from the Torah.
The direction to turn the head should be to the left. (See Rama Siman 139:4 and Mishna Berura S"K 19)
Left handed people also turn their heads to the left, as it is done that direction in deference of the right side of the Shechina. (See Shu"t Be'er Moshe Vol. 2 Siman 3:14. See also Aruch HaShulchan Siman 139:13 that the reason here has nothing to do with the Shechina, as only by Tefilah are we standing "Lifnei Hamelech". Rather he writes that it is done to the left as that is the direction of the reader of the Torah.)
2) Some Poskim frown upon this minhag, as they say that turning the head away from the Torah makes it seem like the Bracha is being recited on something else and not on the Torah reading at hand. Rather, they say the head should remain straight and the eyes should be closed instead. (See Mishna Berura ibid. This was the Minhag of the Chazon Ish Zatzal)
Alternately, another Minhag is to not turn the head and also not close the eyes, and rather to close the Sefer Torah for the duration of the Bracha and only open it upon completion of the Bracha for the reading. (This was the minhag of the Steipler Zatzal. See Piskei Teshuvos Siman 139 footnote 62)
Any of the above methods are acceptable. (See Biur Halacha Siman 139 Dibur Hamaschil V'Roeh Haposuk)
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The days from Rosh Chodesh Elul until after Hoshana Rabba are days of Hashem's Rachamim (mercy), Selicha (forgiveness) and Ratzon (goodwill). They are an extremely opportune time for Jews to find it within themselves to repent and atone for the sins that were transgressed in the past year and to accept upon themselves to live better lives, according to Halacha- the will of Hashem, in the year ahead.
Hashem is always waiting for his children to repent, but in Elul He is even closer to us and Teshuva is a lot easier.
It is never too late to jump on the bandwagon and start our journey of return to our Father in heaven, and hopefully, together, bring about the final redemption with Mashiach Tzidkeinu.
For archives of Halachos of Chodesh Elul and the Yamim Noraim 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 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:
In [the halachos for November 23 2008 ]you mentioned the issur to daven in front of an open TV.
What about today's computers (with the internet on, for example)? This would come to practical use every day for many of us who eat at least one meal in front of the computer as we work, and then bentch right where we are.
Answer:
Although I havent seen any seforim discuss this directly, and it is indeed possible that a computer would be the same Halacha, I would say a Sevara that in a room with a computer on it is fine to daven for the following reasons:
A computer isn't audible and is much less distracting than a television. Also. you can control whats on the screen and (hopefully) there isnt any Kefirah, Pritzus or other impure graphics on the screen, whereas the TV spews filth and Kefira non stop, and is not in our control.
Obviously one cannot daven or bentch while actually looking at the computer screen, and of course, if it is possible to turn off the computer for a few moments, it would be best, but I don't think it would be as chamur as a TV.
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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:
It says in Tehilim 87:2, "Hashem loves the gates of Jerusalem more then the dwelling of Yaakov." R' Chisda explains, Hashem loves the places where they learn halacha (Jewish law) more then the shuls and study halls. (Talmud Brachos 8a)
The Maharsha explains that in shuls and study halls many people learn all types of Torah, but it doesn't compare to where they learn Halacha i.e. Torah to learn how to live practically (Lilmod Al M'nas La'asos).
"Miyom Shecharav Bais Hamikdash ein lo L'Hakadosh Baruch Hu Ela Daled Amos Shel Halacha - from the day the Bais HaMikdash was destroyed the only place where Hashem (i.e. the Shechina) can be found is in the four amos of halacha" (Talmud ibid.).
We live in a difficult world and face unprecedented challenges and hardships- spiritually, emotionally, financially and physically- our ONLY hope is to cling to Hashem!
Our only hope of being close to Hashem is to live our lives to the best of our ability according to the Daled Amos Shel Halacha!
Only through the daily study of Halacha can we have the necessary tools to live according to Halacha.
In the Zechus of our daily learning of Halacha, may we all merit the speedy arrival of Mashiach and the rebuilding of the Bais HaMikdash
Submitted by Yitzchak; Taken in part from the Shone Halachos Talmud Tidbits email. To subscribe email halachos@gmail.com
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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)
Please visit my website www.HalachaForToday.com for archives, Kosher links, Questions and Answers,and other features. Halachos are for study purposes only, and should not be relied upon for final Psak. See Halacha L'Maaseh Disclaimer Here. I welcome all questions on any topic, anytime! Help spread the word of Hashem!
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