1) It is extremely important, even if certain areas in Hilchos Tzniyus seem difficult, not to blatantly resolve to not adhere to any particular Halacha.
A person who unequivocally resolves to perform a certain sin[and not even bother to try his best to avoid it] jeopardizes his ability to ever receive forgiveness for this sin from Hashem. (Chofetz Chaim end of Sefer Ahavas Chesed quoting the Midrash)
Moreover, one who accepts the entire Torah upon themselves with the exception of any one commandment, biblical or rabbinic; regardless what it may be, is considered a Rasha, an evil person and a Mumar, a heretic. (See Talmud Chulin 4b, Rabbeinu Yonah in Sha'arei Teshuva Shaa'r 1:6 and Sha'ar 3:143. See also Chayei Adam Klal 1:4)
2) One who mocks, belittles the importance of or otherwise does not take seriously the edicts of Chazal and only gives credence to biblical commandments, is considered a non-Jew. (See Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah Siman 119:7 and Shach Os 16)
If a G-d fearing Jew, who is careful to adhere to all Halachos, biblical and rabbinic equally, finds himself being ridiculed by his "friends" for being a "Machmir, overly stringent" or a "Frummie" or other similar disrespect remarks, he should remember the following holy words of the Rama
"...One should always remember that Hashem is in front of him/her. This is an important tenet of the Torah...one's actions, character, and nature is not the same if he is alone in his home, as they would be were he/she in the presence of an important king...one's speech and mannerism is not the same if he/she is talking to friends, as they would be were he/she talking to a king...
How much more so must a person realize in his/her heart that Hashem, the great king, whose presence fills the entire world is standing near him/her and sees his/her every action......A person must not be embarrassed from any human beings that may ridicule him for serving Hashem...for even in the privacy of one's home, and even while lying in one's bed every Jew must remember in front of whom he is laying..." (The very first Rama in Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim Siman 1:1)
Praiseworthy is the one who fears Hashem and overcomes his Yetzer Hara in his actions, speech, thoughts and attitude; such a person will merit Olam Haba as the Posuk (Tehilim 112:1) says "Ashrei Ish Yarei Hashem. (See Ben Ish Chai, year two, Parshas Vayechi)
Armed with the important "introductory Halachos" of the past few days, we will B'Ezras Hashem begin learning the practical Halachos of Hilchos Tzniyus tomorrow.
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers.
These Q&A are 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:
I heard that dipping into the wine of havdalah and then putting your hand into your pocket is originally based on a non Jewish source. What is the earliest source for this minhag?
Answer:
There is no real source for putting wine inthe pockets (unlike wine on the eyes, which is a real minhag with source in Chazal). However, many big people were known to do it, so I don't think it would be from a non Jewish source.
CHIZUK CORNER
This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmas the late Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Yaakov ben Rav Binyomin Moshe Stein Zatzal.
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 HALACHAFORTODAY@YAHOO.COM
THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
זכר צדיק וקדוש לברכה
A man, looking for a groom for his daughter, went to the famed Yeshiva of Novardok and asked the Rosh Hayeshiva who the best bachur in the Yeshiva was.
The Rosh Yeshiva pointed to one Bachur and said "that boy is extremely intelligent."
He then pointed to another Bachur and said "This bachur is an excellent learner"
The man interjected and asked the Rosh Hayeshiva, "but who is the very best?"
The Rosh yeshiva then pointed to a boy and said "That boy over there he's the best because he doesn't stop; he puts in so much effort every single day..."
That boy may not have been the smartest and may have not had the greatest memory...
... That boy great up to be The Great Gaon and Tzadik Rav Yaakov Yisroel Kanievsky, the Steipler Gaon Zatzal!
Consistency and effort are the keys to success...in all areas of life.
Important Numbers
