1)When lighting the Chanukah menorah on the first night of Chanukah (This year, on Tuesday evening December 20) three Brachos are be recited as follows:
1st Bracha: "Baruch Ata Hashem...Asher Kidshanu B'Mitzvosav V'Tzeevanu L'Hadlik Ner Shel Chanukah- Blessed are You Hashem...Who commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light" (The Arizal, Bais Yosef, Gaon of Vilna and others had the custom to say "L'Hadlik Ner Chanukah" and omitted the word "Shel". A Third Nusach exists as well where the words "Shel" and "Chanukah" are combined into one word: "SheliChanukah". This was the Minhag of the MaHarshal, The Chazon Ish and others)
2nd Bracha: "Baruch Ata Hashem...SheAsah Nisim L'Avoseinu BaYomim Hashem, Bazman Hazeh- Blessed are You Hashem...Who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days, in this time[of the year]" (This blessing may be recited by a Ger, a convert to Judaism, even though the miracle didn't occur to his/her ancestors. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch and Mishna Berura based on the Rambam. However, if the convert so desires he/she may say "SheAsah Nisim L'Yisroel- Who performed miracles for the Jewish nation")
3rd Bracha: "Baruch Ata Hashem...SheHechiyanu V'KiYimanu V'HigiYanu Lazman Hazeh- Blessed are You Hashem...Who allowed us to live and survive and reach this point in time"
On the subsequent seven nights of Chanukah, only the first two Brachos are recited, while "SheHechiyanu" is not.
2) All the aforementioned blessings must be recited before the actual kindling of the menorah. The lighting should not be commenced before all three (on the first night) or both (on the subsequent nights) of the Brachos have been completed. (Ram'a Siman 676:2. There are opinions that maintain that the second Bracha is recited before lighting the "additional candle" each night, but the prevalent Minhag is like the Ram'a, which is based on the Me'iri in Maseches Shabbos)
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:
Does the Shulchan Aruch state that one must be standing when taking off Tefilin?
Answer:
Yes, indeed it does state that one should be standing when removing the Shel Rosh (Shulchan Aruch Siman 28:2) and for Ashkenazim, when taking off the Shel Yad as well.(Mishna Berura Siman 28 S"K 6)
CHIZUK CORNER
This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmos the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Chaim Yaakov Stein Zatzal and the Mir Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Noson Tzvi Finkel Zatzal. May we all strive to follow in their ways and may they both be Melitzei Yosher for all of Klal Yisroel.
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 צדיקים וקדושים לברכה
The Neros of Chanukah we will light,
Representing the Neshama's constant striving to be bright!
How do we continue to stay strong and with Bitachon remain?
There are so many hidden messages the fire of the Menora does contain!
Our Chachamim teach that it is proper to watch the Neros glow,
Time to Daven and ponder; from my Kabalos on Yom Kippur did I grow?
According to some, the final date of Chasima for the year -
Is Zos Chanuka, that's in about 11 days, its coming very near....
Since my heartfelt Tefillos on Yom Kippur have I grown?
Have I allowed for my Neshama to be shown?
The Yetzeh Hora does strategize,
To get us to lose and feel hopeless, it tries!
It comes in many a form and shape,
Negative mindset and thinking it does take.
It comes and says just one mean look or word can't hurt,
I'm in the mood to talk... and Loshon Hora, Rechilus you blurt...
It says just to be Yotzai Kiddush or to taste...one small bite of cake,
A lot more than a Kazayis..."so a Bracha Achrona you can make!"
It says this skirt's length and fit is okay,
I'm more Tznius than my friends and co-workers anyway...
We cannot target our weak point or Yeter Hora head on,
We need to use the same tricks he uses and wage war upon -
It's a minute by minute choice and decision,
A constant fight to live our purpose; Ha-Shem's vision!
On this note: Please enjoy your Chanukah preparation -
May we be Zoche to a true Simchadik celebration!
L'Shana Haba B'Yerushalyim - oh will that be some occasion!
Important Numbers
