HALACHOS OF HADLOKAS NEIROS SHEL SHABBOS; SHABBOS CANDLES
1) Shabbos candles must be lit using wicks and a burning substance that produces a nice and even flame. (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 264 at length)
The ideal way to perform the Mitzvah of Shabbos candles is by using olive oil. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 264:6)
One who is scrupulous to use olive oil to light the Shabbos candles will merit children who will light up the world with their Torah [knowledge], which is compared to olive oil. (See Chida in Machzik Bracha Siman 264:2 and Kaf HaChaim Siman 264:38)
2) The wax candles that are common nowadays burn beautifully, and may indeed be better than any other substances, possibly even better than olive oil, as the candles burn brighter and steadier and often give off more and brighter light. (See Mishna Berura Siman 264:23 and Siman 275:4. See also Dibros Moshe from Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal Maseches Shabbos Perek 2 footnote 23 and Shu"t Az Nidberu Vol. 3 Siman 4)
Thus, in order to satisfy all opinions, many scrupulous people light the two main lights using olive oil and for the rest they use candles. This is a praiseworthy thing to do.
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:
Are you allowed to clap on shabbos? and furthermore, are you allowed to make a beat on shabbos to sing to (like bang and clap) , as many shabbaton activities do.
Answer:
The Shulchan Aruch Siman 339:3 rules that it is forbidden to clap ones hands together or ones hand against their thigh on Shabbos and it is also forbidden to dance on Shabbos.
This ruling is based on the Mishna in Beitza 36b where Chazal forbade these activities, which are usually done in the presence of musical instruments, lest one come to fix an instrument that breaks.
The Rama, ibid. (based on Tosefos Beitza 30a Dibur Hamaschil T'nan) in his second opinion, rules that nowadays it is permitted to clap and dance as most people don't know how to fix broken instruments.
The Mishna Berura S"K 10 maintains that even today it is only acceptable if the clapping/dancing is done for purposes of a Mitzvah.
See also Shu"t Minchas Elazar Orach Chaim Vol. 1 Siman 29 where he defends the Minahag of many holy Tzadikim who danced and clapped on Shabbos
Bottom line, when dancing and clapping for a Mitzvah, such as during Zemiros on Shabbos, we are lenient and allow it. otherwise, it is best to avoid it.
According to many Poskim, the same applies for banging on a table to a beat etc.
Regarding applauding on Shabbos, see Shu"t Az Nidberu Vol. 13 Siman 14:2, where he allows it as this has nothing to do with singing.
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.
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THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
זכר צדיקים וקדושים לברכה
Question:
What are the prohibitions involved when cheating on a test? Is there any difference between a test on limudei kodesh material and lehavdil a test on secular studies?
Answer:
To preface: The Torah requires a Yid to be moral and honest in all matters. Often, even if one cannot point to a specific se'if in Shulchan Aruch that forbids something, it is nevertheless obvious that the Torah forbids behaving in such a manner. So too here, it is self understood that cheating on a test is an act of deception which flies in the face of Torah's value of honesty.
However, the truth is that even from a dry legal perspective, cheating on a test involves several Halachic issues. Some instances of cheating have direct financial consequences and thus would be considered gneiva. For example, if one was hired based on test scores that were achieved by cheating, the salary received based on false pretexts constitutes theft.
Even when there are no monetary implications, the very act of deceit that causes another person, including a goy, to have a mistaken assumption or impression, is referred to in Halacha as gneivas daas. Chazal list seven types of thieves, the worst of which is someone who steals "the opinion" of others, i.e. leads them to false conclusions. Therefore, leading a teacher to believe the answers on the test are his own, when in reality they were copied from someone else, violates the prohibition against gneivas daas. It should be noted that many rishonim hold that gneivas daas is an issur deoraisa.
In summary: there is no difference between limudei kodesh or lehavdil secular studies with regard to the prohibition of gneivas daas.
sources:
חולין דף צד ע"א, ריטב"א שם, ספר יראים רכ"ד, שערי תשובה לרבינו יונה ג, קפ"ד, תוספתא בבא קמא ז,ג, שו"ע חו"מ סי' רכח סעי' ו, שו"ת אגרות משה חו"מ ח"ב סי' ל, שו"ת משנה הלכות ח"ז סי' ער"ה
Submitted by daily reader, M.F.; Taken from the weekly "Lma'an Yishmeu" email.
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Important Numbers
