1) It is proper to avoid eating before Hallel has been recited. (See Biur Halacha Siman 422 Dibur Hamaschil V'Korim)
However,
if one is weak or ill, there is no problem to eat before Hallel, and it
is not even considered an act of piety to avoid food in this case
before Hallel. (ibid.)
2)
Although women are not obligated in the recital of Hallel, being that
it is a time-bound Mitzvah (Mitzvas Asei She'Hazman Grama), they still
may recite the Hallel if they so desire.
According to some Poskim they may even recite a Bracha on the Hallel in the event that they do choose to recite it.
(See Biur Halacha Siman 422, end of Dibur Hamaschil Hallel where he
cites two reasons. Women who follow the Sephardic tradition and follow
the ruling of the Bet Yosef, don't recite Brachos on any time-bound
Mitzvos, and should probably also refrain from reciting a Bracha on
Hallel on Rosh Chodesh or any time. A Rav must be consulted for Halacha
L'Ma'aseh)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) The Bracha of SheHechiyanu is not recited in conjunction with the recital of Hallel. (See Tosefos Sukkah 46a Dibur Hamaschil Ha'Oseh Sukkah and Mogen Avraham Siman 422:5 for the reasoning)
2)
Hallel is not recited in a mourner's home in the presence of the
mourner, as Hallel is a happy thing and not appropriate in the
situation. (See Mishna Berura Siman 131 S"K 20)
Some
have the custom that the non-mourners davening in the mourner's home go
to a side room and recite the Hallel, while others have the custom to
have the mourner leave the room for the duration of the Hallel.
In
the event that Hallel was not recited in the mourner's home, there is a
discussion amongst the Poskim if it needs to be recited upon leaving
the home. Some say that on Chanukah it must be made up afterwards but
not on Rosh Chodesh. (See Mishna Berura ibid.)
QUESTION&ANSWER CORNER
Reader
Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we
covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers.
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
Question:
I never know what to do about smelling flowers.
What
bracha does one make on flowers? When do you make the bracha? What if
you make the bracha and then the flowers don't smell? - was it then a
bracha l'vatola requiring a "baruch shem kvod..."?
What
if you enter a florist or another area - on the street, or in someone's
home- where the smell of flowers is strong - should we make a bracha
when we smell the fragrance? Thank you for clarifying this confusing
topic.
Answer:
If the flower being smelled
is from a tree or bush (such as a rose),the correct Bracha to recite is
Borei Atzei (trees/branches)Besamim.
If the flower grows from the
ground (such as a daisies, tulips etc.), and not on a tree, the Bracha
recited is Borei Isvei (grasses) Besamim.
When smelling a whole bunch
of flowers, which includes both tree flowers and other flowers, the
Bracha recited is Borei Minei (different kinds)Besomim.
The same is true when
walking into a florist (if the smell is very distinct and you derive
pleasure from it. Or even if it isn't that distinct but you
intentionally want to derive pleasure from the smell) or a spice store,
the Bracha of Borei Minei Besomim is recited. (See Mishna Berura Siman
217:2)
The Bracha is always made before smelling it, if you are certain that there will be a scent.
If you suspect that it
may not smell or if your nosed is stuffed and you aren't sure if you
will be able to detect the scent, you should take a small smell, and
then if you detect an scent, make a Bracha. (Psak of Rav Chaim Kanievsky
shlita quoted in Sefer Brachos K'Hilchasan page 150)
If you made the Bracha
and intended to smell the flower, and then upon smelling it found it to
have no scent at all, "Boruch Sheim" should be recited.
For more detailed coverage see archives of Hilchos Birchas Ha'Rayach here
CHIZUK CORNER
This
section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmos the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav
Chaim Yaakov Stein Zatzal , the Mir Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Noson Tzvi
Finkel Zatzal and the Rosh Yeshiva of Torah Ohr, the great Posek
HaRav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg Zatzal.
May we all strive to follow in their ways and may they 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.
Misfortune (and sometimes good fortune) is sent by G-d in order to stir men to be mindful of Him.
Either a man reminds himself constantly about G-d, or else G-d reminds him, usually by misfortune.
Even a Torah-scholar and a
meticulously observant Jew, if he forgets G-d and lives solely by habit,
be it even pious habit, may need reminders that G-d is present.
HaRav Avigdor Miller Zatzal in his Sefer "Awake, My Glory"
Important Numbers
