1) It is proper to know the exact time of the "Molad", the rebirth of the new moon [in Yerushalayim] for the coming month, before reciting "Birchas HaChodesh". (Sometimes the Molad has already occurred by the time the Birchas HaChodesh is being recited.)
Thus, in many congregations the Gabbai or another person announces this information before reciting "Mi SheAsah Nisim". In some congregations this information is announced even before saying the initial "Yehi Ratzon", while in some congregations it isn't announced at all. (See Likutei Maharich Seder Hanhogas Rosh Chodesh)
The prevalent Minhag is to announce the time of the Molad in hours, minutes and seconds, e.g. "The Molad will be on Tuesday morning, 47 minutes and 12 Chalakim (seconds) after 8"
If one did not know the time of the Molad when reciting Birchas HaChodesh it is still valid, as the main thing is to know the day on which Rosh Chodesh will be. (See Sha'arei Ephraim Sha'ar 10:37)
2) After saying "Mi SheAsah Nisim" the Chazan proclaims the name of the upcoming month and on which day(s) it will start; for example "Rosh Chodesh Adar Yihyeh B'Yom HaChamishi U'Vyom Hashishi Habal Aleinu V'Al Kol Yisroel L'Tovah"
In many congregations after the Chazan makes the aforementioned proclamation it is then repeated by all assembled. Some congregations say it along with the Chazzan quietly. (See Sha'arei Ephraim Sha'ar 10:36)
This proclamation is followed by the short Tefilah of "Yechadesheihu Hakadosh Baruch Hu". (See Machzor Vitri page 173 and Abudreham)
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:
What is the Torah's view about utilizing the services of a physician? My friend refuses to see a doctor as he says as a Jew he needs to trust in Hashem only. Is there basis to this?
Answer:
This is a complex topic and one that has been debated for centuries. Here are just a few basic points:
The Ramban to Vayikra 26:11 states that ideally Klal Yisroel was not meant to need the services of doctors as they turned to Hashem and He healed those that needed healing. He further writes that in the times of the prophets many righteous people did not seek out doctors when they took ill rather they sought the advice of the prophets how to rid themselves of sin and thus rid themselves of their ills [which were brought upon them due to their sins].
Only in later years when people started turning to doctors instead of doing Teshuva did Hashem start allowing things to indeed be in the hands of doctors to the point that Hashem didn't heal with Teshuva alone in most cases and also required intervention by doctors.
Ibn Ezra to Shmos 21:18 maintains that doctors may only heal external wounds while internal ones must be left to Hashem.
Rambam (who was himself a physician) and Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh Deah Siman 336:1), however, rule that it is acceptable for Jews to visit doctors when they are ill and it is a Mitzvah for doctors to perform their services.
Many Gedolim throughout our history have utilized the services of doctors and medications, and nobody today should refrain from doing what is naturally necessary to heal themselves. Of course, even as one uses the services of a doctor he should continue praying for himself and continue believing that a doctor can only heal as a messenger from Hashem and not with his own healing powers.
To See Today's Yahrtzeit's CLICK HERE
Please help support HALACHA FOR TODAY.
The Halacha For Today daily email and website is, and will always be, FREE.
B'Siyata D'shmaya, a lot of time , energy and resources goes into producing the email each day without fail , as well as into updating and maintaining the website. Your generous donations and daily dedications are greatly appreciated and are vital in helping Halacha For Today continue each day.
YOUR donation WILL make a difference!
Sponsor a daily email in memory or in honor of a loved one!
Have a part in the Torah learning of over 4,200 Jews across the globe!
Please click the "MAKE A DONATION" button below.
THANK YOU!!!
If you are just joining us today, please see ARCHIVES so you can review the previous Halachos learned.
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 following analogy brings clarity into the times that we are encountering, where calamity after calamity seem to be happening to Klal Yisroel:
There once was a young prince who fell in love with a beautiful simple farmer. He asked to marry her but on the condition that she come and wed him without any prior debts. She started the negotiation process among all of her debtors and came to agreements slowly slowly with each one. Some of the debtors refused her offer and so she continued with her negotiations.
Week after week her prince awaited and was told that his bride is in the process of settling her debts. As time passed he grew impatient and decided to take all of the files of her debtors and put them through the local court system in order to quicken the process.
This caused the bride to literally become bombarded by court orders to settle her debts. She suddenly found herself under mounting pressure from everyone at the same time. When she later found out and questioned her prince after learning that he caused this to happen his response was simple: "You were so busy negotiating with everyone that you didn't realize how much time had passed and that I was waiting to marry you. Although it all happened at once, I quickened the process in order that you be done with your debts so we can marry right away."
The analogy teaches us that Hashem is doing the same with Klal Yisrael. As Rav Chim Kanievsky Shlita was quoted saying just a few months ago, "Hashem is closing Chesbonos Shamayim, Heavenly debts before He brings Mashiach," when asked why there are so many troubles going on in the world.
So although we are being bombarded with pain and sorrow from all ends, it is out of love so that we can 'marry' Him at last. Let us 'use' this auspicious time to feel the pain of Klal Yisrael and of the Shechinah and cast our eyes to Hashem and daven with all of our might for the end to all suffering.
Important Numbers
