Sunday
Erev Rosh Chodesh [Menachem] Av 5771; Yom Kippur Katan
July 31, 2011
1) Besides for the biblical prohibitions against a male having physical contact (as well as Yichud, being alone) with [forbidden] females, Chazal cautioned against any form of "closeness" between [forbidden] males and females.
The Shulchan Aruch (Even HaEzer Siman 21:1) states "One must distance himself "very very" far ("Me'od Me'od") from [forbidden] females. (See Bais Shmuel on Shulchan Aruch ibid. that since the male heart is prone to lust, and sins of Arayos are extremely difficult to stop once they start, Chazal were very stringent in order to ensure that a person doesn't fall into these sins in the first place)
2) Due to the commandment of Kedoshim Ti'hyu (Vayikra 19:2), the requirement for every Jew to strive for holiness, it is incumbent on every Jew to distance himself as much as possible from situations and conditions that can Chas V'shalom lead to sin. This includes making fences for himself and staying away from certain things that may be permissible in order to ensure that they don't progress to the realm of the non-permissible. (See Aruch Hashulchan Siman 21:1)
In order to ensure proper separation of the genders, Chazal have mandated certain Halachos, which we will B'Ezras Hashem begin discussing tomorrow.
These Halachos are not stringencies or only for pious people, rather they are mandatory Halachos for each and every Jewish male to abide by. (Chida in Shiyurei Bracha to Even HaEzer Siman 21:1. See also Mesilas Yesharim Perek 11 Dibur Hamaschil U'Nedaber Ata min Ha'Arayos)
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:
Is a woman who is in her 6th month of pregnancy supposed to fast on Tisha'B Av? I've heard of women who are further along fasting for Yom Kippur so are they usually exempt?
Answer:
As a general rule, otherwise healthy pregnant and nursing women must fast on Tisha B'Av (as well as on Yom Kippur) no matter how far along they are in their pregnancies.
There may be exceptions for certain situations, for the first few days after a baby is born, sickness etc. and a Rav must be consulted before any leniencies are relied upon.
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
A European Gadol taken from us.
We didn't get the message.
An American Gadol taken from us.
We didn't get the message.
A Gadol from Eretz Yisroel taken from us.
We didn't get the message.
A little boy from Brooklyn, NY brutally sacrificed for us.
We didn't get the message.
A Sephardic Mekubal from Be'er Sheva savagely sacrificed for us.
Will we once again not get the message?
We shuddered.
We cried.
We gave Tzedakah.
We sighed.
We prayed.
We learned Torah.
But did we get the message?
Did we change?
Are we changing?
We heard speeches.
We heard tributes.
We heard songs.
But did we get the message?
Did we change?
Hashem is talking to us.
Are we listening?
Are we so brazenly insensitive?
Are we so deeply incapable of change?
Are we that numb?
The world is full of Achzariyus
The world is stooping to unprecedented lows.
The world is in a fast paced transition.
We dare not be insensitive.
We dare not chalk it up to coincidence.
We dare not block ourselves from feeling.
We must open our eyes and listen.
We must become bigger than our minute selves.
We must be ready to change...
ready to get the message...
ready to part of the transition...
Every Jew must be a part of this movement.
If not for him/herself, for the sake of their brothers and sisters, Am Yisroel.
It's time to really focus on Ahavas Yisroel
For the sake of Klal Yisroel
So we can merit Mashiach shel Yisroel
And the return of the Shechinah to Eretz Yisroel
Hazorim B'Dima, B'Rena Yiktzoru.
We wept oceans of tears
The time has come to reap with joy
Together.
Only together.
Important Numbers
