Rov Shlit’a. I read that one should dispose of drinking uncovered water on that “Tekufa” day. Is that true? Why?
Do people really actually keep this? Is there really a source for this tradition, that no one seems to keep or are even aware of, even very frum people?
A. Remah and Taz on Yore Deah (116: 4) quoting Darkei Moishe and Abudraham on Shaar Hatekufos p. 311 mentions that one should abstain from drinking water at the time of the beginning of a Tekufa, as it could be poisonous.
There's an ancient belief of some, that drinking liquids which had been left uncovered during the first hours of the Tekufah can be very dangerous since at the changing of the guardian angels of the Tekufa, they might not notice a demon spirit slipping by them, while the angels of Nisan Tekufa are replaced by those of Tekufah Tammuz, Therefore they sugest to care and keep a lid on the drinks.
This is also maintained by Teshuvos Rav Haiy Gaon 14; Machzor Vitri Hashlama p. 14 580; Even Ezra in Sefer Haibur; Sefer Chassidim 851; Abudarham; Mordechai Remez 593; Rokeiach 275; Maharil 163; Rikanti Parshas Bereishis; Hagahos Tziyoni Parshas Bereishis; Sefer Haminhagim of Raavan Yarchi; Shach 116:6; Peri Chadash 428; Lechem Hapanim 116:7; Beis Lechem Yehuda 116:11; Tzemach Tzedek Kadmon 14; Shem Aryeh Y.D. 28; Koach Shur 12; Aruch Hashulchan 116:12; Kaf Hachaim Y.D. 116:53; O.C. 455:40.
Yet, as you mentioned, in actual practice, very few people in reality keep this tradition.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a.
Important Numbers
