1) Some have the custom to place a special chair covered with a nice piece of material in the Sukkah in honor of the Ushpizin. (Similar to the chair set up at every Bris in honor of Eliyahu Hanavi). Some even have the custom to put holy Sefarim on this chair. (See Chida in Sefer Moreh Etzba Siman 9:289 where he brings this custom, and quotes the Zohar that if this chair isn't set up, the Ushpizin will not come. See also Kaf HaChaim 639:8)
2) It is customary to "invite" the Ushpizin into the Sukkah each night, reciting a special text which is printed in most siddurim.
Some people stand near the door to the Sukkah when reciting it; however the prevalent minhag is to say it while sitting at the table. (See Chida ibid., Kaf HaChaim Siman 639:8 and Ben Ish Chai ; Year one: Parsha Ha'azinu Siman 7)
Some people only say this "invitation" text on the first night and it suffices for the entire Yom Tov. (This was the custom of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal, quoted in Sefer Shalmei Moed Perek 28)
Halachos for Monday, first day of Sukkos
1) It is a huge Mitzvah to invite poor, less fortunate people to partake of the meals in the Sukkah.
If one is unable to do so, efforts should be made to send food to the poor people in their own homes. (See Rambam Hilchos Yom Tov Perek 6:18 that at times when we are rejoicing with our families, it is a particularly important time to help the downtrodden rejoice as well. See also Kaf HaChaim Siman 625:17 and 639:10. See also Mishna Berura Siman 529:17 and Be'er Heitev 529:2 what they quote from the Zohar regarding one who does not help poor people on Yom Tov.)
2) If one cannot send food to poor people in their homes, one should at least give money to the poor people, or to organizations that feed poor people.
It is best if the money/food will reach the poor people on or before Yom Tov and not afterwards. Thus, it is best to give it to local charities/Gabai Tzedaka rather than mail it to a larger organization that will probably not receive it or distribute it until much after Sukkos. (See Sefer Pele Yoetz ;"Sukkah" and "Yomim Tovim" for more on this.)
Halachos for Tuesday, Second Day of Sukkos
1) Even though women and children are not obligated to sit in a Sukkah , it is still a Mitzvah for each Jew to have his wife and children sit in the Sukkah with him, as by sitting in a Sukkah they earn eternal heavenly reward. (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 640:1 and Ran to Rosh Hashana 33a)
Women and children who sit in a Sukkah merit having their souls cleansed and merit receiving heavenly goodwill. (See Kaf HaChaim Siman 640:5)
2) All components of the Sukkah have extreme holiness, including the wood of the walls. (Shla HaKadosh quoted in the Kaf HaChaim Siman 639:6)
Many G-d fearing, spiritually elevated Jews had the custom to kiss the Sukkah upon entering and exiting each time, to show their love and affection for this exalted Mitzvah. (Shla Hakadosh. See also Elef Hamagen Siman 644:22 )
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BONUS HALACHA IN CASE OF RAIN THE FIRST NIGHT OF SUKKOS:
If it rains on the first night of Sukkos [as well as the second night in Chutz L'aretz, L'chatchilah], before going and eating indoors it is proper to wait a little while in the hopes that the rain will subside and the Mitzvah of eating in the Sukkah will be able to be fulfilled.
Some say to wait half an hour, others say an hour or two, while some even say the obligation is to wait until Chatzos, midnight.
If it does not stop raining the Sukkah should be entered anyhow, Kiddush should be made in the Sukkah including the Bracha of Shehechiyanu, the hands should be washed and a kzayis of bread should be eaten, without reciting the Bracha of "Leishev BaSukkah", and the rest of the meal should be finished indoors.
If the rain stops during the meal, a brief return to the Sukkah should be made, a "Leishev B'sukkah" recited and a little more than a K'Beitzah of bread eaten.
Afterwards, assuming the Sukkah is all wet and water is dripping from the Schach, the meal may be finished indoors.
Birchas Hamazon is recited indoors.
If the rain stops after the meal was finished and Birchas hamazon was already recited, it is still proper to go out at some point during the night to recite a Leishev B'sukah on a little more than a K'beitaza of bread. If one already went to sleep, they do not need to wake up to do this.
(See Shulchan Aruch Siman 639 and Mishna Berura S"K 35 and 36
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:
Is there a problem with saying Tehillim on shabbos? Does it make a difference if its 'general tehillim' (ex: a group of women saying tehillim from the booklets that divide the whole sefer) or tehilim for a specifc choleh?
Answer:
Tehilim may be said on Shabbos. In fact, some Seforim say it is good to say Tehilim specifically on Shabbos as Dovid Hamelech passed away on Shabbos. (See Eishel Avraham Butshatsh Siman 306:5. See also Mishna Berura Siman 293:1)
However, Tehilim should not be said B'tzibur for a sick person rather B'Yechidus where it is not evident for what reason the Tehilim is being said. (Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach in Halichos Shlomo Perek 14 footnote 19)
If it isn't for a specific Choleh, rather a group of women getting together each week to say Tehilim, there is no problem with that.
CHIZUK CORNER
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זכר צדיקים וקדושים לברכה
Consider if there is someone you feel jealousy toward.
Take a minute to appreciate just how damaging kinah, jealousy, is. Realize that what s/he has is not meant for you, and doesn't detract from what you have or get.
Find it in you to be happy that s/he has what is coming to him (her), and to be happy that you don't have what is not meant for you!
Important Numbers
