Thursday
18 Kislev 5771
November 25 2010; 7 Days until Chanukah
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1)The ideal time to light the Chanukah Menorah is between "sunset" and the time that people are no longer in the street. (Talmud Shabbos 21b)
The Rishonim debate what "sunset" in this case means, as the setting of the sun is divided into 3 time periods. The three times [for lighting the Menorah] are:
a) As soon as the sun begins setting, though it is still very light outside. (Opinion of the Rambam, Mordechai, Rav Hai Gaon)
b) The beginning of the sun's actual setting, when it is starting to get dark already [approximately 20-40 minutes after "sunset"] (Opinion of the Rashba, Ran, Meiri, Ritva[though the Ritva allows lighting at the earlier time of sunset as well])
c) The end of Sunset, which is referred to as "Tzais HaKochavim- when 3 stars are visible in the sky". (Opinion of Tosefos, Manhig, The Rosh, Tur, Terumas HaDeshen)
2) There are many different opinions amongst the Poskim as far as which of the above opinions is best to follow.
Many people [especially in the United States of America] follow the minhag of Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal who lit the Menorah approximately 10 minutes after Sunset. (Based on the Opinion of the Gaon of Vilna in Biur HaGr"a Orach Chaim Siman 672. There is a contradictory Biur HaGr"a in Yoreh Deah Siman 266:17 who seems to say that the best time to light is at "Tzeis Hakochavim- when the stars appear" which is definitely later than 10 minutes after sunset. See Sefer Moadim U'Zmanim from Rav Moshe Sternbuch Shlita, Vol. 2 Siman 154 how he deals with this apparent contradiction). This is also the minhag of Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita.
Many people[especially in Eretz Yisrael] follow the minhag of the Chazon Ish Zatzal to wait an additional 10 minutes, and light only 20 minutes after sunset. This was also the Minhag of the Steipler Zatzal.
The Minhag of Rav Ahron Kotler Zatzal was to light 25-30 minutes after sunset. This is the prevalent minhag of Talmidim of Bais Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, NJ.
Many people follow various other minhagim, and each person should adopt the custom of their own family, or consult a Rav if no custom is in place.
Even those who follow the Gr"a and light at the earliest time, should make sure there is enough oil (or the candles be long enough) to burn until a half hour past "Tzeis HaKochavim" (Psak of Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita, quoted in Sefer Yemei Halael V'Hodaah)
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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:
Regarding a Davar Charif, what is the status of a lemon?
When you go to a hotel lounge, for example, and order a diet cola, they usually stick a half lemon in the cup to know which one is diet. Hence, they most probably are using a treif knife to cut it,does that invalidate the drink?
Is it a problem? Should you ask for diet soda without a lemon wedge?
Answer:
Lemons are indeed treated in halacha as a Davar Charif. (There can be exceptions for mild lemons. See Shach Os 20 to Yoreh Deah 96:4).
You should indeed avoid the lemons in hotel lounges, where non kosher food is served.
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 inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
HaRav Yerucham Levovitz Zatzal, Mashgiach of Mir Yeshiva in Poland
HaRav Yerucham Levovitz, Z'tl, the Mashgiach of Mirrer Yeshiva, wrote in his personal notebook that "I want to be zoche to da'as--to wisdom."
He therefore accepted upon himself to break his desire three times a day.
This appears difficult--at least at first glance. What is the connection between obtaining wisdom and breaking your desire?
HaRav Shlomo Wolbe, Z'tl, (Collected Letters, 41) explains that wisdom is evidenced by the intellect's overcoming of desire. It is the supremacy of spiritual aspiration over material want.
The battle for wisdom, however, cannot be fought in the abstract or even only in the Bais HaKnesses or Bais HaMedrash. It must be fought in every day life and in every day situations.
Indeed, according to the Sefer Mesilas Yesharim, the first two middos--the first two character traits--we are to build within ourselves are Zehirus and Zerizus--care and alacrity--the immediate response we make to the situations that present themselves.
Let's take a look: The extra portion of delectable food. The manner in which you eat. The curious eavesdropping. Looking at things that shouldn't be looked at. Going places we shouldn't be going. Listening to things we shouldn't be listening to. Excess gadgets--and that one more high-tech toy. These, and similar temptations, are the challenges of our everyday life.
Will wisdom win?
You are the General.
* * * * * * *
In last week's Parsha, we find that Eisav was pacified by the gifts of animals (animals, of course, symbolizing desire) delivered to him from Yaakov.
Consequently, despite all of his might, Eisav withdrew from--and forever forfeited his and his descendant's claim to--Eretz Yisroel.
Likewise, Shechem's desire for Dina resulted not only in the loss of his princely status, but in the death and destruction of himself, his family, and his entire nation.
Perhaps the Torah emphasizes to us that the effect of desire is not necessarily only the personal downfall of the person falling prey, but also the possible ruination of those around him and those following him, as well.
Let us take a few moments each day to follow the lead of the Mirrer Mashgiach - by breaking a particular desire at least once daily --as we place our minds over matter -and become all the wiser for it!
Submitted by C.S.; Taken from Hakhel.info
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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