1) The Torah states (Vayikra 18:6) "Lo Tikrevu L'Galos Ervah, do not get close to reveal which is [not supposed to be] revealed.)
Chazal derive from this Posuk that it is forbidden for a male to touch a female (other than his wife) with his hand or any other part of his body [for purposes of deriving pleasure, love or to feel close to her].
If the touching is for medical purposes or for other necessary reasons and no pleasure is involved and it doesn't bring feelings of closeness, it is permitted. (except for one's wife when she is a niddah, see Shach Yoreh Deah Siman 195:19)
One who transgresses this sin is also included amongst those that transgress the additional sin of "Lo Ta'asu K'chol HaTo'eivos, do not do any of these abominations" (Vayikra 18:26) and causes Himself to become distanced from Hashem, and Hashem removes his divine providence from him. (Sefer Hachinuch Mitzvah 188)
2) Besides for it being a sin in it of itself, touching often leads to additional severe sins Chas V'shalom.
The prohibition against Negiah, touching [for purposes of pleasure, love or closeness], is not a stringency, rabbinical edict or something only for pious people to be careful with, it is a severe biblical sin applicable to each and every Jew. (According to the Rambam in Sefer HaMitzvos Lo Ta'aseh 353 and Hilchos Isurei Biah Perek 21 and the Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer Siman 21 Negiah shel Chibah is grounds for receiving biblical Malkos (flogging). According to the Ramban (Sefer Hamitzvos ibid.) and other Rishonim, although it isn't grounds for biblical Malkos, it is still a biblical transgression and grounds for Makos Mardus)
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@Gmail.com
Reader's Question:
In my shul some avelim (mourners) have asked to say the Kadish after laining (krias Hatorah) on shabbos and we now have a rotation among three avelim.
Is there any M'kor (source) for avelim to say the kadish after laining? Meaning is this considered a Kaddish Yosom and if so, shouldn't other avelim in shul all join in the Kadish together?
Answer:
Seemingly, that kaddish is a Chatzi Kaddish and not a Kaddish Yasom, and should be said by the Ba'al Koreh or the Shatz. (see Mishneh Berura Siman 292:4)
However, the Sha'ar Ephraim (considered the accepted authority on Hilchos Krias Hatorah by many Poskim) , in Sha'ar 10:9 does indeed bring a minhag that someone who has Yahrtzeit, or even an Avel during the year of mourning says this Kaddish.
However, from the language of the Sha'ar Ephraim it seems that only if the one with Yahrtzeit or the Avel received the last aliyah does he then go ahead and say the Kaddish, but if not it is said by the Ba'al Koreh and not by another Avel in the congregation (and certainly not by all of them in unison.)
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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@Gmail.com
THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
זכר צדיק וקדוש לברכה
It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an
appointment at 9:00 am.
I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I
was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.
On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.
While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.
The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease.
As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.
He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in
five years now.
I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?'
He smiled as he said, 'She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is.'
I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought,
'That is the kind of love I want in my life.'
True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.
The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.
We are all getting Older .Tomorrow may be our turn.
Important Numbers
