1) When reciting the Bracha of M'ein Shalosh (Al Hamichya, Al Ha'eitz and/or Al Hagefen) on Rosh Chodesh, the words "V'Zachreinu L'Tova B'Yom Rosh Hachodesh Hazeh" are inserted at the end of the text right before the words "Ki Ata Hashem Tov U'Meitiv Lakol..." (See Mishna Berura Siman 208 S"K 58
2) If this addition was inadvertently omitted, the Bracha need not be repeated. (ibid. See also Sha'ar HaTziyun Os 60 for the reasoning)
If one already started saying "Ki Ata Hashem Tov U'Meitiv Lakol..." but did not yet recite the concluding words "Baruch Ata Hashem", according to some Poskim you go back and say the words "V'Zachreinu L'Tova B'Yom Rosh Hachodesh Hazeh" and continue from there until the end.
Other Poskim maintain that the Bracha is finished without going back to mention the words regarding Rosh Chodesh. (See Kaf HaChaim Siman 208:67)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) Cutting of hair and of nails should be avoided on Rosh Chodesh. (Based on the Tzava'ah, famous last will and testament, of Rav Yehuda Hachasid Siman 48, quoted in Shulchan Aruch HaRav Siman 260:1 and Mishna Berura Siman 260 S"K 7)
Some say that when there are two days of Rosh Chodesh, it is permissible to be more lenient with the cutting of hair and nails on the first day of Rosh Chodesh. (Opinion of the Yad Ephraim, in Kuntres Acharon of Tzavoas Rav Yehuda Hachasid and in Likutei Basar Likutei Siman 57 quoting the Darchei Teshuva)
However, from the language of the Mogen Avraham (Siman 260:1) it doesn't seem there is a difference between the two days of Rosh Chodesh regarding this, and indeed most Poskim do not mention such a differentiation between the two days, thus the prevalent custom is to be stringent and not cut the hair and nails on both days of Rosh Chodesh.
2) When Rosh Chodesh falls out on Erev Shabbos, some Poskim allow cutting of hair and nails while many other Poskim maintain that the prohibition is in place even on Erev Shabbos and thus the nails and hair should be cut on Thursday instead, even though usually the nails should not be cut on Thursday. (See Halachos for July 4 2008 here for more details. See Mishna Berura ibid.,Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 72:14, Be'er Heitev Siman 260:1, Aruch HaShulchan Siman 260:6, Kaf HaChaim Siman 260:12 and Likutei Maharich; Seder Hisnahagus Erev Shabbos Kodesh)
There is an opinion, not shared or quoted by many Poskim though, that in this case the nails and hair should be cut on Thursday night after sunset rather than on Friday after sunrise. (See Aishel Avraham Siman 417)
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
QUESTION:
Why is it that some people place a sefer face-down on the table to keep the place? My understanding is that this is forbidden. Can you tell me the source(s) for this halacha?
ANSWER:
You are 100% correct that it is prohibited to place a Sefer face down. See Rama Yoreh Deah Siman 282:5.
Unfortunately, many people are lax in this and other halachos that pertain to treating Seforim with proper respect. ( See also Ta"z to Yoreh Deah Siman 271:8. and Biur Halachah Siman 83 Dibur HaMaschil Ain)
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.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
זכר צדיקים וקדושים לברכה
"All of Israel have a place in the World-to-Come, as it is written 'Your people are all righteous, they shall possess the land forever, they are a shoot of my planting, the works of My hands in whom I shall be glorified.'"
This verse appears before every chapter in Pirkei Avos as a reminder that no one means more to Hashem than YOU!
YOU are unique, special, beautiful, wonderful, talented and needed to fulfill your purpose in making this world a better place. You wouldn't be here if you had no goals to accomplish.
If Hashem doesn't discriminate from HIS children and He blesses all Jews with a special portion in the next world who are we to not appreciate all His children equally, and to think highly or lowly of ourselves and thereby not fulfilling the Mitzvah of 'Ve'Ahavta Le'reacha KaMocha' ('Loving your friend like yourself.')
We should be proud of our differences because without them, we wouldn't be able to form relationships and help each other grow in our areas of weaknesses.
May HaKadosh Baruch Hu bless you with lots of love, health, self-esteem and B'Ezras HaShem with our efforts, we will be closer to greeting Mashiach Tzidkenu in unity.
Important Numbers
