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CURRENT TOPIC:
HALACHOS OF CHODESH ADAR & PURIM
(In order to finish Hilchos Purim in time, the next few day's segments will be a little lengthier than usual)
1) It is a Mitzvah to send "Mishloach Manos" on Purim day. It should not be sent on Purim eve. (Rama Siman 695:4)
As with all Mitzvos, there is the concept of "Zerizim Makdimin L'Mitzvos- enthusiastic people run to do Mitzvos", thus it is best to send Mishloach Manos right away on Purim morning, right after davening. (Terumas HaDeshen Siman 110)
There are 2 key reasons cited in the Poskim for this Mitzvah:
a) So that each Jewish person should have the necessary food in order to be able to partake of a Purim meal (Terumas HaDeshen Siman 111, Levush 695:4 and others)
b) To promote "Ahava V'Achva- love and friendship" and to show that we [Jews] are one united nation, as opposed to how Haman referred to us as "Am Mefuzar U'Meforad- a nation that is spread out and separated" (Manos HaLevi from Rav Shlomo Alkabetz , Esther Perek 9:16-17, The MaHaral in Ohr Chadash Esther 9:22 and others)
Every Jew - man and woman - must send [at least] 2 "manos, items" to one person. Sending only one "maneh" is not sufficient to satisfy your obligation.
The more people that one sends "Mishloach Manos" to, the more praiseworthy he/she is. However, it is better to give extra "Matanos L'Evyonim" rather than to splurge on Mishloach Manos and the Purim meal. (Rambam Hilchos Megilah Perek 2:17)
2) The food items that are sent should preferably be ready to eat as they are, without needing additional preparation or cooking. (MaHaril, quoted in Mogen Avraham Siman 695:11, Chayei Adam Klal 155:31, Gr"a brought in Ma'aseh Rav Os 249 and others).
Some Poskim maintain that if it is a raw item that is ready to cook [as opposed to a live chicken], it is also acceptable. (Leket Yosher, Pri Megadim and others. See Mishna Berura Siman 695:20)
Any food items are acceptable, such as meat, bread, cake, wine, fruits, and vegetables.
There is neither halachic requirement nor any basis at all in the writings of the Poskim for the two items to be of different Brachos, as many people mistakenly think. (As heard from Rav Dovid Feinstein Shlita.)
The Mishna Berura (Siman 695:20), Mogen Avraham, Shl"a Hakadosh and others maintain that beverages are acceptable for Mishloach Manos.
The Gaon of Vilna, however, maintained [based on the Psak of some Rishonim, and the Girsa of the Rabeinu Chananel in the Gemara Megilah 7b] that beverages are not sufficient.
Canned food is considered ready to eat and is 100% acceptable (Moadim U'Zmanim Vol. 2 Siman 186)
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:
If one eats a kzayis of mezonos and accidentally bentches [birchas Hamazon] instead of saying bracha acharona, must one make a bracha acharona anyhow?
Answer:
Birchas HaMazon works B'Dieved for Mezonos (cooked or baked grain products), wine and dates, which although ideally have their own Bracha Achrona, are considerd foods that satisfy and thus can B'dieved be covered by Birchas Hamazon and no additional Bracha Achrona is necessary.
For all other foods, Birchas HaMazon does not suffice even B'dieved, and their appropriate Bracha Achrona must be said. (See Halachos of Brachos by Rabbi Yisroel Pinchos Bodner chapter 19 for more details.)
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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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זכר צדיקים וקדושים לברכה
A smile costs nothing, but gives much.
It reaches those who receive, without making poorer those who give.
It takes but a moment, but the memory sometimes lasts a lifetime.
None is so rich or mighty that he can get along without it, and no one is so poor but that he cannot be made richer by it.
A smile creates happiness in the home, fosters goodwill in business, and is the countersign of friendship.
It brings rest to the weary, cheer to the discouraged. A smile is sunshine to the sad, and is Nature's best antidote to trouble.
Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen, for it is of no value to anyone until given away.
Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as no one needs a smile as much as he who has no more to give.
Submitted by daily reader C.; Taken from www.TheDailySmile.com
Important Numbers
