Today's halachos dedicated by daily reader, I.T., in memory of / Leilui Nishmat Jacques Yaacov ben Yitshak TAWIL HaCohen Z"L onoccasion of his 6th Yahrzeit, 16 Menachem Av [niftar in year 5765].
1) When getting dressed or undressed it should be done modestly in a way that the body isn't exposed, even if there is nobody else in the room, as a Jew (both male and female alike) must always be modestly dressed.
One should not say "but I am alone in the privacy of my room, who will see me?!", because Hashem is everywhere, and sees everything. (See Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim Siman 2:1, 2 and 6)
There are varying opinions about what is considered "exposed".
The most stringent opinion (that of the Malbim in Artzos Hachaim Siman 2:1 and others) requires any part that is considered a "covered place" (i.e. one must wash his hands if that area was touched) to be covered [under a blanket or a robe] when dressing/undressing (This includes feet, arms, shoulders etc.).
Other Poskim (Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal in Igros Moshe Yoreh Deah Viol. 3 Siman 47:3) are more lenient, and only require one to cover the parts that he would be uncomfortable to have exposed in the presence of a stranger (thus feet, arms, shoulders, ankles would be exempt from being covered).
2) If it is too difficult to get dressed/undressed without exposing areas that must not be exposed, one should get dressed/undressed in a bathroom [that also has a bath/shower in it] and thus not have to worry about what areas become exposed.(Ruling of Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal in Igros Moshe ibid.)
Rav Moshe Zatzal's reasoning is that such a room has the status of a bathhouse, and as such is a place where it is acceptable to walk around undressed. (Igros Moshe ibid.)
Even when relying on this, it is best not to be naked in the bathroom for more than the actual time necessary to get dressed/undressed.
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 mutar (permissible) to store seforim in a bedroom where relations may take place?
Answer:
The seforim may not be left out in the bedroom while relations are taking place. They must be taken out or placed in a drawer or in a closet, preferably in a second covering. At other times they may be in the bedroom. (See Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 150:6)
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
For each day the American Stock Market closed this past week, the total of the digits of the change on the Dow Jones is the number 26 .
Monday close - 634.76 = 26
(6+3+4+7+6 =26)
Tuesday close + 429.92 = 26
Wednesday close - 519.83= 26
An actuary in shul said the odds of this are millions to one.
For those not familiar, the number 26 is the sum of the name of Hashem -
yud=10, hay =5, vav = 6 hay = 5 grand total 26
It worked for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday but not for Thursday and Friday...
Thursday close +423.37
Friday close +125.71
But hold on a second....
Just when you think it ends...
If you add the gains from Thursday and Friday what do you see???
Thursday and Fridays gains..... +549.08 = 26
Pretty remarkable!
Submitted separately by a few daily readers
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Important Numbers
