1)
It is important to recite Vidui (the itemized verbalization of our
sins) on Erev Yom Kippur within the Shemona Esrei of Mincha.
Mincha
(with Vidui) should preferably be recited before the eating of the Erev
Yom Kippur afternoon meal, the Seudah Hamafsekes.
The
reason for this is that Chazal were concerned that one would Chas
V'Shalom choke during that meal and pass away without the opportunity to
recite the Vidui. (See Mishna Berura Siman 607:1)
2)
If one davened Mincha and forgot to add the Vidui, and already went
home and ate the meal, he should repeat the Vidui close to sunset, and
not right when he remembers. (Halichos Shlomo:Yom Kippur, Perek 4:1)
When
repeating the Vidui, it is not necessary to repeat the entire Shemona
Esrei, as Vidui is an independent Tefilah that may be recited on its
own, even though ideally it was inserted into the Shemona Esrei. (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:
The
Rabbi of my shul got a dog as a pet for his home. Yet, i have heard
that even looking at dogs (and some other animals) is not a good thing
and is unholy.
Is
there any comments on this about whether having pets and dogs in
particular is allowed or acceptable? Are there certain animals that we
should stay away from?
Answer:
The Talmud in quite a few places (Shabbos 63a, Bava Kama 15a-b, 79b and 83a) makes statements to the effect that one may not keep a "bad dog" in his home.
The Rambam (Hilchos Nizkei Mamon Perk 5:9) rules that it is forbidden to keep any dog unless it is secured with chains.
Many Rishonim,
however (Sefer Yeraim 210, Smag Mitzva 66, The Tur Choshen Mishpat Siman
409 ,and Hagahos Maimoni Hilchos Rotzeach Perek 11:3 ) argue with the
Rambam and only prohibit "bad dogs."
This is also the
ruling of the Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat Siman 49:3 , Shulchan Aruch
HaRav Hilchos Shmiras HaGuf V'Hanefesh 3, and Aruch HaShulchan Choshen
Mishpat Siman 409:4.
The question is how to determine what is a bad dog? Need it bite? Is a bad bark enough?
Rashi's view (Bava
Kama 79b) seems to be that any dog that when it barks can scare a
pregnant woman and thus cause her to miscarry is a "bad dog".
The She'eilas
Ya'avetz Siman 17 rules that dogs may only be owned if they are serving a
purpose such as guarding a home, or other financial reason, but he does
not allow any dog ownership as pets and considers it an unJewish thing
to do. The Yam Shel Shlomo in Bava Kama seems to concur with this
ruling. The Sefer Hachinuch (Mitzvah 571) seems to say that all dogs are
bad and brazen creatures.
Many Poskim,
however, disagree and allow the ownership of dogs, as long as they arent
deemed "bad" and arent frightening creatures.
There is a lot more to say on this topic, but it is beyond the scope of this email.
Bottom line is, that
as long as the dog is a domesticated, calm pet, there are many Poskim
on whom to rely that it may be kept in the home, and thus pet owners
should not be chastised, looked down upon or told that they are doing
something against the Torah. In fact, the Torah explicitly forbids
causing harm to animals and commands us to care for our animals in a
humane and caring manner. A lot of good traits can be learned from
animals, and all of Hashem's creations must be respected.
All of the above
applies to all animals, not just dogs. (See Shulchan Aruch Choshen
Mishpat Siman 261:1 where it is applied to cats)
For Halacha L'Ma'aseh a Rav must be consulted.
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 a person is still continuing to do aveiros, is there any sense in doing teshuva?
Answer by HaRav Avigdor Miller Zatzal:
Absolutely! And he should ask Hakadosh Baruch Hu for help that he should stop. I'll explain that. When a person does an aveira and he's happy with it, then it's a much greater sin. If a person does an aveira, but he is ashamed and he's sorry that he's doing it, it's subtracted from his punishment. Yes, even though he still does it.
The Chofetz Chaim, zichrono l'ivrocha, wrote a sefer for Jewish soldiers. In those days when they were drafted into the Russian army they had to eat treifa foods. So he said, "If you must eat treifa
food then don't suck the juice out of the bones." Which means, don't
show that you enjoy it. You're only eating it to save your life from
starving. And so when a person does a chet, a sin, even a big chet, a mechalel shabbos, but he's sorry he was mechalel shabbos, it's already a madreiga. To be sorry is a madreiga, you have achieved something. Of course it's not teshuva sheleima, very far from it, but it's a very big thing. Ha'oseh aveira umisbayeish bo, he's ashamed, it's a very big thing.
And therefore it pays even for sinners to ask Hashem to forgive them. Only they should add, "...and please Hashem help me that I should make a real perfect teshuva."
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*****
For a beautiful Translation and presentation of the 13 Midos of Rachamim, compiled and submitted by a daily reader, Click HERE.
Important Numbers
