Today's halachos dedicated by a daily reader as a zechus for Zev Binyomin Ben Baruch. May Hashem give him the strength and Siyata D'shmaya to succeed B'Ruchniyos and B'Gashmiyos.
1) Erev Pesach is a Ta'anis (fast day) for Bechorim (first born) in commemoration of their being spared by Hashem in Mitzrayim, while the Egyptian firstborn were killed.
The prevalent Minhag is for first born males to participate in a "Siyum Mesechta" or other Seudas Mitzvah, and thus they aren't obligated to conclude their fasts. (Mishna Berura Siman 470:10)
L'Chatchilah the firstborn must hear the Siyum, and not simply partake of the food that is being served. B'Dieved, even if the Siyum wasn't heard, he may eat. (See Halichos Shlomo Perek 8:1 and Shu"t Minchas Yitzchak Vol. 9 Siman 45)
2) There is a dispute amongst the Poskim if a firstborn that was born via caesarian birth is required to fast. Therefore it is best if he partakes in a Siyum.
A firstborn under Bar Mitzvah does not fast. However, it is customary for his father (or his mother, if the father is a Bechor himself) to fast (or participate in a Siyum) on the child's behalf. (Rama Siman 470:2)
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:
Besides for a candle, are the wooden spoon, feather, or anything else required when searching for chametz? Can we just sweep things up with a tissue, rag, or clorox wipe-if we see something?
Answer:
There is a custom to have a wooden spoon and a feather present when reciting the bracha over bedikas Chometz.
In the actual cleaning/checking there is no requirement to use them as their modern replacements (i.e .vaccuum cleaners,brooms, clorox wipes etc.) are sufficient.
The spoon and feather, along with the candle and the chometz pieces should be burned the following morning at Biur Chometz.
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 תזכו למצות!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk Corner
WEEKLY "DAVENING CORNER" FEATURE: WEEK THREE
This segment was compiled by daily readers of "Halacha For Today", Moshe Weiss, S. Weiss, and E. Willner of Brooklyn, NY.
Approximately 250 years ago, the Yesod VeShoresh HaAvoda wrote a will wherein he discussed the importance of davening correctly. He wrote that Eliyahu HaNavi attributes the length of the exile to the fact that we, as a nation, are not careful to enunciate the words of our tefillos properly.
He explains that our prayers, which offer praise to HaShem, when not pronounced correctly, are not complete and never really leave our mouths properly. The words of our davening are exact, and are intended to be pronounced accurately. Just as when speaking to a human being we are careful to use proper diction, so, too, and how much more important it is, to say the words the sages intended us to use carefully and properly.
Further, often the words that are mispronounced, sometimes entirely change the meaning of what we are saying. Punctuation, as well, can change the meaning of our words and phrases, so that putting a pause, or comma, in the wrong place can also change the meaning of the tefillah.
GENERAL RULE: Emphasis (shown here by bold and italics) is usually on the last syllable. Look for a vertical line in (most) siddurim if the emphasis is on a different syllable.
WEEK ONE:
Modeh (fem. = modah) ani lefanecha, melech chai vekayam, shehechezarta bi nishmasi bechemlah. (Pause) Rabah emunasechah.
Translation: You have returned my soul within me with compassion. (Pause) Abundant is your faithfulness! These last two words form an independent phrase. If you attach Rabah to the previous phrase, then you have the last word alone which doesn't mean anything by itself. So the full meaning is: I thank you HaShem for returning my soul with compassion. Why did you do it? Because your faith in me is great that I will spend my day productively doing the right thing and sanctifying Your name.
WEEK TWO:
The word/name is Yisraale (not Yisroel). It has a kamatz, not a cholam. As with most words in Leshon HaKodesh, the emphasis is on the last syllable. Note, too, that the nekuda under the aleph is a tzeirei [ai sound] and not a segol [eh sound]).
WEEK THREE:
Sometimes the emphasis actually changes the meaning of a word.
Example: VeAhavta - and you shall love, future tense vs. mispronunciation VeAhavta - and you loved - past tense.
Emphasis is on last syllable.
In Shema, this is a command for the future. You shall love HaShem with all your heart and soul. We would never mean to say chas veshalom, that we loved HaShem in the past.
Note: the word after VeAhavta is ais (tzeirei), not es (segol).
For questions and comments on this segment please contact mw@mosheweiss.com
Important Numbers
