Today's Halachos are dedicated by a daily reader, M.Z., in memory of her dear sister Rahmah Bas Ephraim A"H, whose Yahrtzeit is today 14 Teves.
May her Neshama climb higher and higher in Gan Eden. May she be a Meilitzah Yosher for her entire family. Please have in mind when learning today's Halachos that they be in her zechus.
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Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
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1) On Shabbos itself it is prohibited to insulate a hot food item with towels, blankets or other items, even if said items are not Mosif Hevel, do not increase the heat of the food. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 257:1)
However, on Erev Shabbos, it is permissible to insulate food with any items that are not Mosif Hevel. (ibid.)
Thus, as is common in Jewish households across the world, a pot of steaming hot chicken soup may be wrapped in towels right before the onset of Shabbos in order to keep it piping hot for the Friday night meal that will be eaten later on.
2) Of course, this insulated pot of food may not be maintained on the flame or other heat source (e.g. hot plate, urn etc.) as doing so will be considered Hatmana B'Davar Hamosif Hevel, insulating with an item that increases the heat, and thus prohibited. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 257:8)
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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:
Do spices require a Hechsher (Kosher certification)?
Answer:
Spice blends, spices produced in Israel, and spices on Pesach surely need a Hechsher. Single Ingredient, pure spices, according to many Poskim do not need a Hechsher. However, it is best to be stringent, especially today when spices with reliable hechserim are readily available.
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:
You know, I don't think the children have been doing their chores very well this week," says the father. "And little Moishy only got a C on his Mishnayos test, and the twins have been fighting with each other non-stop. I don't think I'll buy food for them this week."
This is a ridiculous scenario, to be sure. While a worker has to perform his tasks to earn his keep, and a tenant has to pay rent to keep the roof over his head, a child receives his sustenance simply because of his father's love.
In precisely this way, a Jew can rely on Hashem's constant care, even when he has no merit to show for himself.
Who Makes the Rules?
The cashier at the clothing store was very strict about the store's policies. No returns were permitted after 30 days, no matter what.
"But I've been in the hospital since the day after I bought this coat!" Miriam pleaded. "It's very expensive, it's never been worn and it doesn't fit my son. I want my money back!"
The cashier wouldn't budge. "I don't have the authority to take this back," she kept repeating with her best "customer service" tone of voice.
Finally, Miriam asked "Is the owner here? I would like to speak to her."
When the owner heard Miriam's story, she did not hesitate for a moment to take back the merchandise and return the purchase price. After all, it was her store. She made the rules, so certainly she could make an exception.
Likewise, Hashem's Ability to Treat His children with compassion stems from His power. Not only did He create the world with rules of operation; but also, He can bend those rules by integrating compassion in His judgment.
It is His will, not the rules He created, which dominates. Therefore, He can do whatever is necessary to express His love for us.
Our Father, Our King!
Ironically, the Father-child connection one builds with Hashem enhances, rather than diminishes, the sense of His Kingship and power, for in going beyond the bounds of judgment and showing mercy, Hashem illustrates that there are no limits to His power.
As a wise King, He must rule firmly over his subjects, but as a loving Father, He bears no restraints in showing boundless benevolence to His children.
Important Numbers
