Wednesday
August 11 2010
2nd Day of Rosh Chodesh Elul 5770
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If you are just joining us today, please see ARCHIVES so you can review the previous Halachos on this and other topics.
1) Before eating bread, there is an obligation to wash the hands.
The proper order regarding which hand goes first is as follows:
The washing cup should be held in the right hand, filled with water, and then transferred to the left hand.
The right hand should then be washed [twice, or even once if being done with an abundance of water].
The cup should then be transferred to the right hand, filled with water (if necessary), and the left hand should then be washed [twice, or even once if being done with an abundance of water]. (Mogen Avraham in introduction to Siman 158. Also brought in the Siddur Ya'avetz and in the name of the Gaon of Vilna)
2) A left handed person should also follow the above procedure, and wash his/her right hand first. (See Pri Megadim, Aishel Avraham, Siman 158:1 and Mishna Berura Siman 4:22)
The reason for this is that there are kabalistic reasons for the right hand being washed first
If one's hands are being washed by someone else, the right hand is washed first as well. (See Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 3 Siman 32)
Some have the custom when raising their hands after washing for bread to raise right hand a bit higher than the left hand. (See Piskei Teshuvos Siman 162 footnote 15)
[ For a comprehensive review of Hilchos Netilas Yadayim, see archives here.]
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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:
If someone davened Maariv early (after Plag) on Rosh Chodesh and then washed for bread , before Shkia , would he say Yaaleh V'yavoh in Bentching ?
Answer:
It would indeed be best to not wash at such a time, as doing so will bring you into a "Tarti D'Sasri" situation (as it is halachically night as maariv was davened and yet it is still day).
If one did already wash, it is best not to say Ya'aleh V'Yavo. (Based on Mishna Berura Siman 668:7 and Shaa'r HaTziyun Os 12. For Halacha l'ma'aseh, as always, a Rav should be consulted)
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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:
Rav Shimon Schwab Zatzal, ( in the Sefer Rav Schwab on Prayer page 340), points out that the Rambam writes in Hilchos Mezuzah that when he encounters a Mezuzah he should be "Ye'or Meishenaso--he should awaken from his sleep."
The only other place where the Rambam uses the expression 'Ye'or Meishenaso' is in connection with the mention of Tekias Shofar, which we begin today.
Thus, even when we don't have the Shofar blowing every day we can always look to our Mezuzas to reawaken ourselves...multiples time a day.
Imagine, the combined power of the daily Shofar blowing plus the Mezuzah. What an awesome spiritual alarm clock!
Dear friends, let's wake up!
Let's wake up as individuals and as a Tzibbur and let's show Hashem that we heard His alarm clock and we are ready to jump at the opportunity to change- even something small- in our daily lives.
As long as we are heading in the right direction, Hashem will be there for us to help us.
Let's not snooze this Elul away!
Let's roll up our sleeves and make this coming year THE year that WE, together, bring an end to all of our problems, Tzaros, struggles and pains with the arrival of Mashiach.
Submitted by Yael; Taken in part from www.Hakhel.info
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)
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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