Today's Halachos dedicated by a daily reader, E.H., in the zechus of Michal bas Malka Maltza, a young child who will be undergoing spinal surgery Today, Tuesday September 20. Please learn the halachos and daven on her behalf that she have a Refuah Shelaima B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel.
1) One who cannot make it to Shul (or one who came late, and missed the minyan) may recite Selichos on his own. However, the "Sh'losh Esrei Middos- the Tefilah enumerating the 13 attributes of Hashem's mercy" as well as any Selichos that mention them (e.g. U'Zchor Lanu HaYom Bris Sh'losh Esrei...") should not be recited without a Minyan. (See Mishna Berura Siman 565:13)
However, if they are read with the tune (Trup) used to read the Torah, they may be recited. (ShulchanAruch Siman 565:5)
Women who say Selichos at home, should never say the Sh'losh Esrei Middos, as they aren't usually familiar with the tune used to read the Torah (Psak of Maran Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita)
Likewise, any parts of the Selichos that are written in Aramaic (e.g. Machei U'Masei..., Maran Di B'Shmaya...) should not be said without a Minyan. Saying these with the tune used for Torah reading wouldn't help, as they aren't Pesukim in the Torah. (Mishna Berura Siman 581:4)
One who is an Avel (a mourner during the first week after the passing of a close relative) may not leave his home to go to Shul for Selichos, and should recite it alone, or with a Minyan that comes to his home, except for Erev Rosh Hashana, when he may go to Shul, if he cannot get a Minyan to come to his home. (Mateh Ephraim Siman 581:22)
2) Certain women have the custom, following the opinion of the Rama, not to enter a Shul when they are in a state of Niddah. (See Rama Siman 88:1)
The Gaon of Vilna and other Poskim, however, maintain that a Niddah is never prohibited from davening and/or entering a Shul.
Even those whose custom is to follow the Rama in this matter, may enter a Shul during the Yomim Noraim (which begin from the first day of Selichos ) as it would be a great embarrassment and very discouraging for them to have to stand outside while everyone else (even those who usually don't come to Shul the rest of the year) is entering the Shul during this holy period of time. (Rama ibid. and Mishna Berura S"K 7)
Reader's Question:
Where does it say that one cant kill bugs on Shabbos? How come during the week it is permitted?
Answer:
No living things may be killed on Shabbos. This includes all bugs and insects, with the exception of tiny lice-like insects which aren't considered living things. See Mishna Berura Siman 316:38.
Of course, if someone's life is in danger from a dangerous insect such as a bee, hornet wasp or even a mosquito at times (especially with small children or for people who are allergic to the stings) the insect may be trapped (preferably not using a special trapping device) and if need be, killed. (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 316:10)
During the week, insects that are annoying may be trapped and/or killed, as Tza'ar Baalei Chayim doesnt apply if human Tza'ar is at stake.
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
Here's a concept I've shared with my children at bedtime for years and recently I saw that the Vilna Gaon (Mishlei 4:1) defines the word SHEMA in the same three ways.
Perhaps my approach is more playful but as I recently discovered, not less true. The word "SHEMA" with its three letters onomatopoetically sounds out three ideas that together may help us get our arms around that giant of a word- "SHEMA"
SHHH- Listen! Quiet down for a moment! Remove all external distractions. Focus undisturbed! (Not so easy!)
MMMM- Understand! Hear well what's being said. Let the message be absorbed gently and thoughtfully into your system.
Finally- AHHHH- Accept!
Stop resisting what you know to be true in your heart of hearts!
Surrender to an idea that is bigger than you!
Be ready to act upon and live up to it.
If only the word- "SHEMA" would be heard, understood, and accepted properly and exercised practically.
What a different world and what a different life it would be and who knows how wise we would be.
Important Numbers
