1) There are certain Heterim, leniencies, when a male and a female [whose voice he is allowed to hear] sing zemiros (which include pesukim and names of Hashem, and thus are considered Davar SheBiKedusha) together at the Shabbos table, as we say that since he is singing too he hears his own voice and doesn't hear (i.e. focus on) her voice, a concept in Halacha known as "Shtei Koli Lo Nishmaim- two voices cannot be heard at once"
Many Poskim blatantly reject this Heter, while others only rely on it for Zemiros Shabbos with family and not for other singing. (See Halichos Shlomo Perek 20:11 and footnote 20)
Each person should consult with and follow the ruling of their own Rav.
2) Even the Poskim that accept it, agree that it is only acceptable when the female he is singing with is someone whose singing voice he is permitted to otherwise hear.
Furthermore, all Poskim agree that this concept of "two voices aren't heard" is only when one of those voices is his own, but if he is listening to two females (who are not his wife, daughter etc.) singing it is 100% prohibited. (See Mishna Berura Siman 560:13)
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 it permissible to say Tehillim on Tisha B'av?
Answer:
If being said on behalf of Cholim (sick people) it is permitted.
However, if one has a regimen of saying Tehilim each day, the portion that was supposed to be said on Tisha B'Av should be said the day before/after Tisha B'Av. (See Shu"t Rivevos Efraim Vol. 3 Siman 433 and Shu"t Divrei Malkiel Vol. 6 Siman 9)
Hopefully, Mashiach will be here before this Tisha B'Av and then we will be able to say Tehilim, learn Torah and be joyous on that day!
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
Question:
Is it proper to serve Hashem with Simcha when other people are suffering Tzaros?
Answer by HaRav Avigdor Miller Zatzal:
A man must have the ability to departmentalize his mind. I'll give an example. Just recently we had Tisha B'av; we sat on the ground and we wept for the destruction of the Bais Hamikdash. We wept Al Bais Yisroel, V'al Am Hashem Shenuflu Ba'cherev.
Soon after that came Chamisha Asar B'ov, we didn't say Tachanun. Lo Hoyu Yomim Tovim L'Yisroel K'Chamisha Asar B'av. This year it came so soon, that it seems to us, no time in between?
The answer is, that's our job in life. We don't have any emotions of our own; we feel with emotions of the Torah. Eis Lakol, there's a time for everything; there's a time to mourn and a time to rejoice. And therefore when we think of other people's misfortunes, we should sympathize with them, no question. But it doesn't mean that when you have some good fortune in life, you shouldn't appreciate it. Hakadosh Baruch Hu doesn't want you to overlook the happiness He is giving to you. Hakadosh Baruch Hu wants you to appreciate, to enjoy it fully.
And as a result you will serve Him with a full heart, you'll be grateful and thanking Him. And therefore we have to have a mind that's capable of both, even at the time that you're rejoicing, if you'll remind yourself of your fellow-man's misfortunes, you'll feel for him, but that won't stop you from dancing at your daughter's wedding. And therefore even the person who is mourning for the Churban Bais Hamikdash, and for the sadness of the multitudes that perished by persecution, nevertheless even then he shouldn't lose sight of the fact that Hakadosh Baruch Hu gave him garments, makes a Brocho Malbish Arumin even on Tisha B'av. He makes a Brocho for a belt, Ozer Yisroel B'gevurah, even on Tisha B'av. He makes a Brocho on the ability to walk, Hameichin Mitzadei Gover.
All the benefits that we enjoy in life, we still enjoy on Tisha B'av. So you see even on the same day that you're sitting and mourning, even on that day you're cognizant of the happiness that Hashem gives you. You can't make a Brocho for nothing; it means you are happy with these things, only you demonstrate sadness today. On another day, you demonstrate on Simchas Torah, you demonstrate joy, but always both qualities must be in the mind.
And that's how a Jew has to be. A Jew can not be one thing, if he's one thing, he's a cripple, one thing, you lost free will. A man who is alive has free will and he chooses constantly between this attitude and the other attitude and all the attitudes are true.
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Important Numbers
