Today's Halachos are dedicated by a daily reader Lilui Nishmas his grandfather Rav Moshe Leib ben HaRav Yeruchom Zatzal ,whose Yahrtzeit is today. May his Neshama continue to climb higher in Gan Eden and may he be a Meilitz Yosher for his entire Mishpacha.
1) When a male and a female get engaged for marriage it is a tremendous Simcha both for them and their family and friends as well as for the Ribono Shel Olam who rests His Shechinah on all married couples who live harmoniously. (See Talmud Sotah 17a)
During the period of the engagement it is extremely important to be careful not to Chas V'Shalom transgress any of the sins that we discussed in the Halachos of Tzniyus, as a male and his Kallah have no leniencies and all the Halachos that apply between males and females apply to them as well until after they are halachically married. (See Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 152:13. See also Mogen Avrohom Siman 339:5 where he writes that it is important to not have long engagements as they Chas V'Shalom lead to sinful thoughts and actions)
2) Thus, the engaged pair may not touch one another (e.g. while handing things to one another or when posing together for pictures etc.) and surely not kiss or hug one another; the biblical prohibition of "Lo Tikrevu l'Galos Ervah" applies to them 100% and the obligation of "Yeihareg V'Al Ya'avor, let yourself be killed rather than transgress" is in full effect. (See Rama Yoreh Deah Siman 157:1. See also Shla Hakadosh Sha'ar HaOsiyos; Kedusha and Ya'aros Devash page 26)
Furthermore, the Halachos of Yichud , improper seclusion of the genders, apply to an engaged couple and they must be extremely careful to not Chas V'Shalom be in a situation where they may transgress Yichud.
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.
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Reader's Question:
When opening the Paroches of the Aron Kodesh when doing Pesicha, must it be opened from left to right or can it also be done from right to left?
Answer:
There is a concept in halacha of "B'chol Pinos SheAta Poneh, Tifneh L'Yemin", meaning anything that can be done two ways, should rather be done to the "right".
Thus, although not halachically mandated, it is indeed best to open the Paroches, as well as do any other Mitzvos, to the right, if possible. (See Drisha on the Tur beginning of Siman 651. See also Shu"t Be'er Moshe Vol. 5 Siman 38).
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.
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זכר צדיק וקדוש לברכה
The wise man is spared the necessity of personal misfortunes by learning gratitude from seeing the misfortunes of others.
Submitted by daily reader, S.L.; From Rejoice, O Youth by Rav Avigdor Miller Zatzal.
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Important Numbers
