1) Another proven method to control impure thoughts is to gaze at one's Tzitzis, as doing so infuses a Jew with strength, as the Posuk (Bamidbar 15:39) states regarding Tzitzis "U'Reisem Oso U'Zchartem Es Kol Mitzvos Hashem Va'Asisem Osam, you shall look at [the Tzitzis] and [it will cause you to] remember all the commandments of Hashem and [help you] fulfill them" (Chofetz Chaim in Sefer Shmiras Halashon Vol. 2 in the Chasimas HaSefer Perek 3. See also Talmud Menachos 43b and Rashi Dibur Hamaschil U'Rakiah L'Kisei Hakavod)
2) Another important thing to remember if one is beset by impure thoughts is that these thoughts damage one's Neshama and Nefesh (soul and spirit) (See Sefer Chareidim Perek 66:68. See also Talmud Chulin 37b where Yechezkel Hanavi proclaims regarding the fact that his thoughts have always been pure by saying "Nafshi Lo MiTuma, my spirit has never been defiled [by impure thoughts])
Furthermore, one who [consistently and deliberately] has bad thoughts risks being denied being close to Hashem in the next world. (See Talmud Nidah 13b and Maharsha there that this is not so much a punishment as a consequence as Tumah and Tahara simply do not mix.)
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:
What brocha is 'cookies and cream' ice cream?
Answer:
Similar to a sandwich ice cream, take a piece of the cookie (or , preferably another mezonos item) and make a Mezonos then take some ice cream and make shehakol.
regarding the Bracha achrona, if a Kzayis of the mezonos is eaten in under 4 minutes an Al Hamichya is required. If less than a kzayis of the cookies wer eaten in the alloted time, and a combined Kzayis of the ice cream and the cookies were eaten in the proper timeframe, a Borei nefashos is recited.
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
ע'0;בְדו'8; א'2;ת ה' ב'8;ְי'0;רְא'4;ה; וְג'0;ילו'8;, ב'8;'0;רְע'4;ד'4;ה
Serve Hashem with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
(Tehilim 2:11)
How does one simultaneously serve HaShem with joy and trembling?
The answer to this question is that we are commanded to serve HaShem with love and with fear. We love HaShem because of all the good that He does for us, and we fear Him because we know that our lives are in His hands.
The word וְג'0;ילו'8;, while translated as rejoice, is associated with the word גול, which means revealed.
When we allow our true selves to be revealed, we are acknowledging that HaShem is our very existence.
The word יראה is also associated with the word ראיה, seeing.
Fearing HaShem means to recognize that everything comes from HaShem.
Thus, Dovid HaMelech is instrcuting us to open our eyes and see HaShem in everything we do, and then we can rejoice with trembling.
Written by Rabbi Binyomin Adler; shabbostaamhachaim@gmail.com
Important Numbers
