Thursday
September 16 2010
8 Tishrei 5771; 2 Days to Yom Kippur
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Today’s Halachos dedicated by a daily reader, K.H., in the merit that he and his family have a G’Mar Chasima Tovah along with the rest of Klal Yisroel.
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1) It is important to recite Vidui (the itemization of our sins) on Erev Yom Kippur within the Tefila of Mincha.
Mincha (with Vidui) should preferably be recited before the eating of the Erev Yom Kippur afternoon meal. The reason for this is that the sages were worried that one would Chas V’Shalom choke and pass away without the opportunity to recite the Vidui.
If one davened Mincha and forgot to add the Vidui, and already went home and ate the meal, he/she should repeat the Vidui close to sunset, and not right when he/she remembers.
When repeating the Vidui, it is not necessary to repeat the entire Shemona Esrei, as Vidui is an independent Tefilah that may be recited on its own, even though ideally it was inserted into the Shemona Esrei. (Psak of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal.)
2) If one forgot "Hamelech HaKadosh" in Shemona Esrei, and only realized this after completing the entire Shemona Esrei and Vidui, there is no need to repeat the Vidui again when repeating the Shemona Esrei (as it must be repeated due to his/her forgetting those important words).
However, if one wants to repeat the Vidui, he/she may do so. (Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach. See also Shulchan Aruch Siman 582:1)
question
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:
Can you please review the halachos and the measurements of Shiurim on Yom Kippur as there are Cholim and Pregnant Women who [may not fast on Yom Kippur and] are confused.
Answer:
Just as Hashem commanded us to fast on Yom Kippur and if we eat we sin, so too Hashem has commanded those who may not fast on Yom Kippur due to medical reasons to eat, and if they do fast it’s a sin.
There is no need to feel guilty or down if medically you have to eat, as the fact that you are following the directive of the holy Torah should make you feel close to Hashem. In fact, the Mitzvah of "V’Chai BaHem- to preserve one’s life", is greater than most of the other Mitzvos!
Pregnant or nursing women are generally required to fast on Yom Kippur. In certain cases they may be considered ill enough to be required to eat (i.e. the woman and/or her fetus would be endangered due to fasting). A Rav must be consulted to determine her status.
Of course, a doctor and a Rav should be consulted to determine if any specific situation mandates eating on Yom Kippur.
The ideal way to eat, if necessary, is to eat a minimum amount of food and a minimum amount of drink (less than 30 cc or around an once of food or a less than cheek full of liquid) in intervals of more than 9 minutes apart.(K’dei Achilas Pras, see Mishna Berura Siman 618:21. The Aruch HaShulchan Siman 618:14 rules 6-7 minutes. Other Poskim rule that it’s around 2 minutes. See Shmiras Shabbos K’Hilchaso Perek 39:18 footnote 71)
Obviously, if this small amount will not suffice to remove the danger, a larger amount should be eaten, as per the doctor’s orders.
If one has a choice: either eat and go to Shul, or fast and stay home in bed, the Halacha mandates that he/she stay home in bed and fast even at the expense of not attending Shul at all the entire Yom Kippur, as fasting is a biblical obligation, attending shul is not.
If one is in doubt and no Rav is available, it is better to err on the side of safety rather than endanger ones own life or the life of a patient. The minimum necessary food/drink should be consumed right away and not wait until a doctor/Rav can be located and Chas V’Shalom place a life in jeopardy.
There is a debate amongst the Poskim as to whether one who needs to eat on Yom Kippur needs to recite Kiddush before eating/ The prevalent custom is not to require Kiddush, even when Yom Kippur falls on Shabbos.
If eating bread, the hands must be washed first. According to some Poskim the entire hands are washed and according to some Poskim only until the knuckles. (See Nit’ei Gavriel Yom Kippur page 251)
Most Poskim rule that if bread was eaten, Ya’aleh V’Yavo must be recited in the Birchas HaMazon and "Zachreinu B’Yom HaKipurim HaZeh" added to Al Hamichya.
After the food is eaten and the ill person feels better, the fasting must resume, and we don’t say "Once the fast was broken there is no point in resuming"
The above are just some basic guidelines. Each individual person MUST consult with their Rav for Halacha L’Ma’aseh.
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rAV sHACH SPEAKING
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:
The Posuk states "Va’ani aksheh es Lev Pharaoh" - And I shall harden Pharaoh’s heart (Shmos 7:3).
How could Hashem lock the doors of teshuva, repentance, before Pharaoh? Surely the doors are not locked even before the greatest sinners?
The Chofetz Chaim answers that certain types of sinners receive help from Shamayim to repent. Indeed, we daven for such Heavenly help each day: "Hachazireinu bis’shuva sh’leima l’fanecha" - Influence us to return in complete repentance, before You. There are, however, other sinners whose sins have reached the limit and who are unworthy of receiving help from Shamayim to repent; instead they must inspire themselves to repent.
Hashem was telling Moshe to inform Pharaoh that if he continued in his wicked ways, Shamayim would punish him and he would not receive any assistance to repent. Indeed, the pasuk continues, "Ki ani hich’badti es libo" - For I have made his (Pharaoh’s) heart stubborn (Bo 10:1). Pharaoh still had his bechira, free choice, to repent; however, he no longer had the luxury of Divine Assistance to help inspire him to that end.
This was the mistake that Acher (Elisha ben Avuyah) made when he heard a Bas Kol announce, "Children, go do teshuva, except for Acher." Acher concluded that his teshuva would not be accepted when really the Bas Kol meant that he would not receive Divine help towards his repentance.
It is all too easy to become overwhelmed or depressed when the Yetzer Hara gains the upper hand and leads us to sin. This insight of the Chofetz Chaim teaches us that teshuva is possible and that if we put our right foot forward, we will receive invaluable help from Shamayim.
THE DOOR OF TESHUVA IS NEVER COMPLETELY CLOSED TO ANYONE NO MATTER HOW LOW THEY HAVE SUNK.
HASHEM IS WAITING!
Submitted by L.L.; Taken from www.aliyosshmuel.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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