Today's Halachos dedicated by daily reader, E.K., L'Zecher Nishmas his grandfather, Chaviv ben Morad, on the occasion of the completion of the Shloshim. May his Neshama continue to climb higher and higher in Gan Eden.
1) The third of the "Four Parshiyos" is "Parshas Parah [Adumah]", (which can be found in Parshas Chukas, Bamidbar 19:1-22). This Parsha is read on the Shabbos preceding "Parshas HaChodesh"(This year on Shabbos Parshas Shmini) to commemorate the burning of the Parah Adumah [for its purifying ashes] which was performed in the desert prior to Chodesh Nisan, in order to be used to purify the Jews after the Mishkan (tabernacle) was erected so they could be pure for the sacrificing of the Korban Pesach.
2) According to some Poskim, Parshas Parah is a biblical obligation, and according to these opinions, all the stringencies that are necessary for Parshas Zachor (as we discussed yesterday) apply to Parshas Parah as well. (See Terumas HaDeshen Siman 109 where he quotes the opinion of Tosefos Brachos 13a. See also Aruch HaShulchan Siman 685:7)
Many Poskim, however, maintain that Parshas Parah is a rabbinic obligation (Mogen Avraham Siman 685 and others).
It is not the prevelant custom for women to go to Shul to hear Parshas Parah.
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:
Would a divorced man or woman that was getting remarried (to a NEW person) be required to make a new birchas "Shehechiyanu" on their 2nd marriage (in-spite of having already made this bracha at their 1st wedding), or perhaps a bracha of "H'atov V'hamaytiv" or neither (i.e. is there just a once in a lifetime "Shehechiyanu" requirement for this typically once in a lifetime event OR would it be perceived more along the lines of buying an additional suit/clothing etc.) ?
Answer:
Why do you assume that on a first marriage the bracha of shehechiyanu is recited?
In fact, according to virtually all Poskim, for various reasons, the Bracha of Shehechiyanu is not recited upon getting married. At most, if a Shehechiyanu is recited on a new fruit, it can exempt the new marriage as well.
Therefore, on a second marriage it is surely not recited, but can be exempted with a new fruit or new garment if so desired.
(See Shu"t MaHarik 128:2 and Shu"t Chasam Sofer Orach Chaim Siman 55 and Kaf HaChaim Siman 223:25)
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:
Hakadosh Baruch Hu set us up in a way that demands that we seek Him out and beseech Him for that which we need. Even though Hashem knows and understands the needs of each and every individual (and similarly 'hears the words of our hearts'), He suppresses His knowledge (in a manner of speaking) so as to maintain His 'derech hatevah' which demands that we reach out to him in supplication and prayer for that which we are lacking.
Hashem does this for our sake, so as to provide us with the incredible opportunity for growth and closeness to Him, which is derived directly from our Tefilos.
Therefore, we should not think that we don't need to daven, since Hashem understands exactly what we need anyway... This is a big mistake and we need to be aware of the fallacy in thinking this way.
Hashem purposefully stifles His awareness of our problems, because he wants us to specifically call out to him in our time of distress and THEN he will shower us with all manners of salvation.
An analogy to explain this, is that of a person who becomes deathly ill with a sickness that his father, who is a world famous physician - specializes in. Can it be argued that the Father should come immediately to heal his sick child...if he is completely unawres of the problem?!
Hakadosh Baruch Hu "waits" for us to inform him of and describe to Him our problems, so that He can bring us Yeshuos!
Hashem needs to hear from us before we can hear from Him!
Heard From Rav Shimshon Pincus Zatzal; Taken from here
Important Numbers
