Short, reader submitted Chizuk Thought of the Day for Elul:
There are two types of "fascinations" that we human beings are capable of experiencing.
Type 1) Allowing oneself to indulge in the fascination of human beauty and form by following the natural instincts and wiring of the brain to become enthralled by the lust in human flesh. This type of fascination is fed and intensified through viewing inappropriate material, lusting in the street, reading today’s magazines and watching inappropriate movies and TV shows, and visiting websites and other media whose content is filled with values that go against the Torah way of life.
Type 2) To be spellbound by the beauty in nature, fascinated by the splendor and wisdom in Hashem’s handiwork, amazed at - and thankful for - one’s own body, captivated by the magnificence and spirituality in our holy Torah and the depth of wisdom therein, awestruck by Hashem’s greatness and enthralled by the blessings that we experience everyday of family, health, sustenance and good fortune.
Know though, my dear friends, that these two types of "fascinations" cannot co-exist. The human mind is only capable of maintaining one of these two types. The second type of fascination is obviously far more spiritual, enjoyable and fulfilling, but it is also much more "subtle" and therefore cannot be experienced by a mind that is under the influence of the fascinations of type 1.
So make your choice today. Choose LIFE.
(The above was submitted by a reader, taken from the GuardYourEyeswebsite)
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1) There is much discussion amongst the Poskim if it is permitted for a man to be alone with his sister. (As the Rambam, Tur, Shulchan Aruch, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch and many others do not specifically include a sister in the list of women with whom Yichud is permitted) The consensus of most Poskim is that it is permitted for short periods of time (i.e. Temporarily) but it is prohibited to be alone with her for long stretches of time, or to settle under one roof [alone] for any extended period of time. (See Yam Shel Shlomo Perek 4 of Kidushin Siman 23, Igros Moshe Even HaEzer Vol. 4 Siman 64:3 and Siman 65:11. See also Sefer Dvar Halacha Siman 2:5 where he quotes the Chazon Ish Zatzal as saying that one need not be too stringent with Yichud with a sister. Furthermore, the leniencies of Yichud with a sister apply to a married sister as well. See Mishneh L’Melech Hilchos Sotah Perek 1:3 and Tzafnas PaNeach Hilchos Isurei Biah Perek 21:4.) 2) What exactly is a "short period of time" is a much discussed topic in the Poskim as well.
Some Poskim maintain that up to 30 days is considered temporary living, and thus a man and his sister may live together [alone] in one house for up to 30 days. (Shu"t Imrei Yosher Vol. 2 Siman 43) Other Poskim, however, disagree, and maintain that 30 days is too long to be considered a"short period of time" and they only allow a sister and brother to live together [alone] in a house for the amount of time that "guests" would spend in a home, which is a "few" nights, but not an entire month. (This is determined in each community what is considered for them a "normal" time for guests to stay, and isn’t a specific amount of nights universally. See Igros Moshe Even HaEzer Vol. 4 Siman 64:3 and Sefer Emes L’Yaakov from Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky Zatzal Even HaEzer Siman 22:7) Thus, if the parents go away on vacation to a far place for more than a few days, and leave a brother and a sister alone in their home, it is not considered "temporary", and the brother and sister may not sleep in the same home, unless a Shomer, a guardian, is put in place (we shall discuss the details of a Shomer and other deterrents in the coming days B’Ezras Hashem) (see Igros Moshe Even HaEzer Siman 64 Dibur HaMaschil V’Ach and Siman 65:11) In a case when one either the brother or the sister is old, or ill, where there is even less of a reason to need the prohibition of Yichud, many Poskim allow then to live together even permanently (See Igros Moshe Even HaEzer Vol. 4 end of Siman 64)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER:
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Todaywebsite.
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.
The nails are not Tamei, they are a Sakana, danger.
The person’s whose nails were cut has a Ruach Ra on him/herself, and needs to wash their hands after cutting nails. This applies equally to nails of the hands and feet.
The nails themselves pose a danger to pregnant women who may walk over them, and thus require to be disposed of properly. (Based on Talmud Niddah 17a and Moed Katan 18)
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Important Numbers
