Today's Halachos dedicated by the Zelmanowitz family L'Zecher Nishmas Avraham Yosef Ben R' Shlomo Zalman A"H who died Al Kiddush Hashem 10 years ago today, 9-11-01 , Chof Gimmel Elul 5761.
May his deeds in life and death always be a shining example to all.
1) In most congregations, the Ba'al Tefilah (one leading the services) for Selichos wears a Tallis, even if the Selichos is being said before daybreak (or at night after Chatzos, Halachic midnight) which is before the proper time for Tzitzis and Tallis.
It is best for the Ba'al Tefilah to use the Shul's Tallis or a friend's, but not his own, as to not get into the problem of perhaps needing to make a Bracha (as some Poskim maintain that a Bracha is made even at night on your own Tallis.)
The reason it is so important for a Tallis to be worn by Selichos, is as follows:
The Talmud (Rosh Hashana 17b) relates that Hashem Himself in all His glory wrapped Himself in a Tallis like a Ba'al Tefilah and appeared to Moshe Rabeinu and showed him the appropriate way for Klal Yisroel to pray (and thus merit the forgiveness of Hashem).
It was then that Hashem revealed to Moshe the "Yud Gimel Middos Shel Rachamim" (Tefilah containing the 13 attributes of mercy of Hashem), which we will say countless times between now and Yom Kippur, and is perhaps the most exalted and powerful prayer known to mankind.
Hashem told Moshe that whenever Klal Yisroel sins, they should pray for forgiveness using the expressions included in the 13 Middos Shel Rachamim, and He will forgive them! (See Rashi Rosh Hashana 17b at length for further details)
2) The following is a (loose) translation of the 13 Middos Shel Rachamim from the Sefer HaToda'ah by HaRav Eliyahu Ki Tov Zt"L based on the Talmud above. (There are many other interpretations by Rishonim, Achronim, and Mekubalim, on many different levels, but the following is the simplest and most concise way of understanding them.)
1) Hashem: I am Hashem the merciful one before man sins, even though I know he will eventually sin.
2) Hashem: I am the merciful one even after man sins (and repents)
3) Kail: Kail is another expression of Hashem's Midas HaRachamim (attribute of mercy)
4) Rachum: I have mercy on poor people...
5) V'Chanun: ...and I have compassion for affluent people as well
6) Erech Apayim: Hashem delays his anger and punishment and patiently awaits our Teshuva (repentance)
7) V'Rav Chesed: Hashem acts with compassion even to those without much of their own merits
8) V'Emes: Hashem rewards those who do His will
9) Notzer Chesed L'Alafim: Hashem remembers the Chesed that man does, for thousands of generations
10) Nosei Avon: Hashem carries mankind's sins (that were done intentionally) and holds on to them. (Doesn't punish right away and patiently waits for them to repent)
11) V'Pesha: Hashem also carries mankind's defiant sins (that were done in rebellion) and patiently waits for Teshuvah to be done before punishing.
12) V'ChaTa'ah: Hashem also carries mankind's unintentional sins (that were done inadvertently)
13) V'Nakeh Lo Yenakeh: Hashem wipes the slate (of sins) clean for those who repent, but not for those who remain unrepentant.
Reader's Question:
If someone takes a vitamin everyday of the week is it mutar to take it on shabbos?
Answer:
If taken as a food supplement it is permitted.
If taken to treat certain symptoms or to strengthen a weak body it may be prohibited. (See Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 3 Siman 54, Shu"t Minchas Shlomo Vol. 2 Siman 37 and Shemiras Shabbos K'hilchasa Perek 34 footnote 85,and Shu"t Tzitz Eliezer Vol. 14 Siman 50)
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
We say in L'David Hashem Ori the words "B'zos Ani Boteach". Many ask what does B'Zos refer to?
The Kotzker Rebbe Zatzal says that the gematria (numerical value) of "zos" equals to 408.
We say on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur "U'tshuva U'tefila U'tzedaka ma'avirin es roa hagzeira".
In many of the siddurim there are three words placed over these three things: Tzom (fasting) over Teshuva, Kol (voice) over Tefila, and Mamon (money) over Tzedaka.
The gematria of these three words equal to 408.
If we express Bitachon in these areas throughout the year ("bzos ani boteach"), and especially during hardships and in the face of adversity and challenges from the yetzer hara ("im tachene alai machene... im takum aly milchama"), the result will always be maa'avirin es roa hagzeira, hence why it says "lo yira libi"-we will not be afraid when Yom Hadin arrives upon us.
To take it further, why does it say U'teshuva, U'tefila, U'tzedaka, emphasizing the three vovs?
Their gematria equals 18-Chai; if we do the above, we are guaranteed to be written B'sefer HaChaim!
Important Numbers
