Erev Rosh Chodesh Teves 5772; Fifth Day of Chanukah
December 25, 2011
1) One who forgot to say "Al Hanisim" in its proper place in Shemona Esrei, and already begun the next Bracha, can say it at the end of Shemona Esrei, before saying the words "YihYu L'ratzon Imrei Fi..."
However, when saying it there, it should not be said with the regular text of "Al Hanisim" as praise and thanks as it is usually said in the Bracha of thanksgiving, Modim.
Rather, it should be said as a Bakasha, a request, as follows:
HaRachaman Hu Ya'aseh Lanu Nisim V'Niflaos K'Shem sheAsisa L'Avoseinu BaYamin HaHem Bazman Hazeh- All Merciful One, please perform miracles and wonders for us just as you performed them for our forefathers in those days [of the Chashmonaim] in this time[of year]" and then followed by the regular text of "BiMei Matisyahu Kohen Gadol..." (See Mishna Berura Siman 682:4 and Taz Siman 682:5)
The above applies as well to Birchas Hamazon where Al Hanisim is supposed to be added to the Bracha of thanksgiving, Nodeh Lecha, if it is omitted it can be said with the above text as a request during the recitation of the "Harachamans" in the second half of Birchas Hamazon. (See Rama Siman 682:1)
2) The Tachanun prayer is not recited for the duration of Chanukah.
Likewise, "Keil Erech Apayim" before Krias HaTorah, "Lamnatzeiach...Ya'ancha Hashem B'Yom Tzarah" between "Ashrei" and "U'va L'Tzion" and "Tzidkascha Tzedek" at Shabbos Mincha, are omitted during Chanukah. (See Rama Siman 683:1)
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:
Should a wife light [the Chanuka menorah] before the husband comes home from work if [ by the time he comes home]it will be after the zman? And should the husband wait for the wife if she is not home at the zman?(and let her light on her own when she comes home).
Lastly what should one do if he is at a chanukah party and the zman hadlaka arrives. he will not be in his house until later. what should one do? not leave his own house until he lights?
Answer:
The wife should wait for the husband and the husband should wait for the wife and light when both are present, as long as they will all get together before the time of "Tichle Regel min HaShuk- when people are no longer in the streets".
If her husband is away and will not be back until very late that night after most people are already sleeping, the woman should light at the proper time.
The reason for this is because today that we light inside it is more important to light when everyone [in the family] is present and get the Pirsumei Nisa, rather than light alone at the ideal time.
See Shulchan Aruch and Ram'a Siman 672:2. The Seforim also quote a Mekor Chaim that says that it is best to wait until the entire family is present. The Nemukei Orach Chaim says that a lot of Chasidic Rebbes also light very late as they want all the Chasidim to be present and thus get more Pirsumei Nisa. See also Shu"t Az Nidberu Vol. 3 Siman 30:3 and Shu"t Shevet Halevi Vol. 4 Siman 66 for various variations in this Halacha as far as what time is considered " Tichle Regel" nowadays.
Ideally one should light (and wait half an hour) before leaving to the party. If not, he can still light when he gets back.
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.
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