1) When doing Heseiba, the proper time for leaning begins after the Bracha has been recited on the wine (or the Matzah), but during the recital of the Bracha one should not lean, as it isn't respectful to recite a Bracha while leaning. (See Halichos Shlomo, Pesach, Perek 9:20 and footnote 44)
2) Women are not obligated to lean, though many have the custom to do so. (Rama Siman 472:4)
Although women need not lean, they should be seated when drinking the Arba Kosos (as well as when eating the Matzah or any other foods that require Heseiba for men) as if they are standing there is a possibility that they have not satisfied their obligation.
Additionally, even women that do not lean should try to have a comfortable chair as their expression of "freedom". (See Halichos Shlomo, Pesach, Perek 9:19 ands Moadim U'Zmanim Vol. 3 Siman 257)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) Urchatz: Washing of the hands without reciting a Bracha.
The reason for this washing is due to a Halacha which for some reason has been forsaken by most people throughout the year, known as "Tibul B'Mashkeh". (See Taz Siman 473:6)
"Tibul B'Mashkeh" is literally translated as "dipped in a liquid", and refers to the halachic requirement to wash ones hands before eating any food that is wet with one of the following seven liquids: Wine, Bee's Honey, Olive oil, Milk, Dew, Blood, and Water. (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 158:3. The acronym for these seven liquids is YaD (Yayin, Dvash) SHaCHaT(Shemen, Chalav, Tal) DaM(Dam, Mayim)
Thus, being that we are about to eat Karpas, a vegetable dipped in [salt] water, we must first wash our hands.
2) There are various explanations given to explain why many otherwise G-d fearing Jews are not stringent with this Halacha nowadays, which we will not get into at this time, but on the night of the Pesach Seder when we all endeavor to do everything properly and be on a loftier level than usual, all people are careful with this washing.
Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal explains that the reason this washing is referred to as a command, "Urchatz, and you shall wash" rather than the simpler "Rachtzah, washing" is due to the fact that this Halacha is overlooked the rest of the year by many people, so we need to "command" everyone to do it on this night.
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 Shliach Tzibur make a bracha on the shul's Talis before davening Mincha?
Answer:
The Mishna Berura (Siman 14:11) rules that when a Shatz puts on a Shul Tallis to daven for the Amud he makes a Beracha. The reasoning is that the Shul tallis belongs to everyone, and thus it is "your" Tallis and requires a Bracha.
However, the Biur Halacha (Dibur HaMaschil "Sh'Alah") brings a few opinios that perhaps one does not make a Beracha on a Shul Tallis, especially if he isn't wrapping himself in it/putting it over his head, as then it is only being done for kavod Hatzibbur and not for Mitzvah of Tzitzis, as well as some other reasons.
Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal (Halichos Shlomo Vol. 2 Perk 1 Ha'arah 2) says that the minhag is not to make a bracha on a shul Tallis. He says that even those that are machmir by Shachris and Mincha, still do not make a Bracha by Maariv.
Maran Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita says that it is best to have in mind when donning the Shul Tallis that you don't want to be "Zoche" in the Tallis, and then it won't be yours, and no Bracha is necessary.
The prevelant Minhag is indeed not to make a Bracha on a Shul Tallis, unless one is explicitly using it for the Mitzvah of tzitzis (such as one who forgot his tallis at home and is "borrowing" the Shuls Tallis)
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