1) It is very worthwhile for one who stumbled and was MZ"L, be it intentionally or otherwise, to immerse himself in a Mikvah as soon as possible. (See Talmud Brachos 22a and Kraina D'Igrasa 166)
This should ideally be done before the next scheduled Tefilah, as one of the things that prevent Tefilos from properly reaching heaven is an impure body. (See Mishna Berura Siman 88:2)
Furthermore, as long as one did not immerse in the Mikvah following MZ"L his heart is spiritually blocked and this may cause further lapses in Avodas Hashem. (See Peleh Yoetz; "Tumah")
Once the immersion in the Mikvah is done the body is once again purified and a renewed holiness permeates him. (Kraina D'Igrasa 168. See also Shla HaKadosh in Sha'ar HaOsiyos; "Kedusha" that when one sins in this area his Neshama leaves him and immersing in the Mikvah returns it to him. See also Resihis Chochma Sha'ar Ahava Perek 11)
2) If for whatever reason one is not able to immerse in a Mikvah right away, it is halachically permissible to don Tefilin, daven and learn Torah. (See Mishna Berura Siman 40:16 and Shulchan Aruch Siman 88:1 and Talmud Brachos ibid.)
He should, however, try and immerse at the first possible time.
Additionally, if by immersing in the Mikvah one will miss Zman Tefilah, the proper time to daven or Zman Krias Shma, the proper time by when to recite Krias Shma he should first daven and recite Krias Shma and then immerse in the Mikvah afterward. (Mishna Berura Siman 88:2)
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:
When a child loses a tooth or a doctor pulls out a tooth, must it be disposed of in any special way?
Answer:
Any part of the body that doesnt become tamei (impure) does not require Kevurah.
See Mishnah in Ohalos Perek 3:3 that teeth that fall out when a person is alive [as well as nails and hair] are not Tamei after his death.
See also Talmud Brachos 5b that Rav Yochanan used to carry around the "bone" of one of his ten sons that passed away young [in order to console people who suffered tragedies, to show them that he suffered the loss of ten sons and survived, and thus they can survive and pull through anything].
According to Rashi it was a bone and less than the size of a barley and thus was not Tamei and did not require burial.
Other Rishonim (including the Ritva Brachos 5b and Rashbam and RaMah Bava Basra 116a) learn that it was the tooth of the child that he carried around which fell out before the child passed away , and thus did not require burial.
Many contemporary Poskim rule that teeth that fall out or are extracted may simply be discarded and do not require burial or any other special treatment. There is no difference between adults and children or between baby teeth or permanent teeth.
See Shu"t Mishneh Halachos Vol. 16 Siman 113 where he brings some opinions of special handling necessary for extracted baby teeth. He also writes a story about the Noda B'Yehuda requiring burial for teeth.
For Halacha L'Ma'aseh a Rav should be consulted.
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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THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
זכר צדיק וקדוש לברכה
"While it is vital to attract people to Torah observance, it is equally important to care for their physical needs.
We often see people standing outside a shul calling out, 'Davening! Davening!' inviting people in to pray.
How often do we see anyone calling out , 'Eating!' Eating!' Inviting people to join in a hearty meal?"
HaRav Yisrooel Salanter Zatzal quoted in Sefer Torah Tavlin
Important Numbers
