Short, reader submitted Chizuk Thought of the Day for Elul:
ELUL RECALL NOTICE Regardless of make or year, all units known as "human beings" are being recalled by the Manufacturer. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named "Adam" and "Eve" resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect is technically termed, "Serious Internal Non-morality," but more commonly known as "SIN."
Some of the symptoms of the SIN defect: [a] Loss of direction [b] Lack of peace and joy [c] Depression [d] Foul vocal emissions [e] Selfishness [f] Ingratitude [g] Fearfulness [h] Rebellion [i] Jealousy
The Manufacturer is providing factory authorized repair service free of charge to correct the SIN defect.
The Repair Technician, Hashem, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. To repeat, there is no fee required.
The number to call in for repair in all areas is: PRAYER.
Once connected, please upload the burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Hashem, into the heart component of the human unit.. No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Hashem will replace it with:
[a] Love [b] Joy [c] Peace [d] Kindness [e] Goodness [f] Faithfulness [g] Gentleness [h] Patience [I] Self-control
Please see the operating manual, TORAH, for further details on the use of these fixes. As an added upgrade, the Manufacturer has made available to all repaired units a facility enabling direct monitoring and assistance from the resident Maintenance Technician, Hashem. Repaired units need only make Him welcome and He will take up residence on the premises.
WARNING: Continuing to operate a human being unit without corrections voids the Manufacturer's warranty, exposes the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list, and will ultimately result in the human unit being incinerated. Thank you for your immediate attention.
Please assist by notifying others of this important recall notice.
Have an uplifting Chodesh Elul! You'll see how much more readily your tshuvah will be accepted.
(The above was submitted by a daily reader, M.B., author unknown) To see archives of Halachos of Chodesh Elul/Yamim Noraim/Hilchos Teshuva (written last year) Please Click Here
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1) One who in a room with a window that faces the street, and people from the street can see in to his/her room (i.e. There is no window shade or other means of obstructing the view), is not subject to the prohibitions of Yichud while in that room, as we consider it like a open door to the street. (see Shu"t Noda B'Yehuda Mahadura Kama Even HaEzer Siman 71 and Shu"t Or Sameach Vol. 1 Siman 4 Dibur Hamaschil Ata)
The above is true even if the door to the room is closed.
However, if there is any part of the room that cannot be seen from the street through the window, the prohibitions of Yichud will apply to those areas that cannot be seen.
Thus, if it is absolutely necessary for a man and a woman (e.g. patient and doctor) to meet [and thus be alone] in a building that does not have a door that opens to the street, they must meet in a room, where they will be clearly visible through the window to any passersby on the street.
2) Likewise, if one lives in a high-rise building and his/her window is opposite the window of a neighbor, as long as the windows are not obstructed and each neighbor can see into the others home, it is considered like a door that is open to the street and there would be no Yichud prohibitions [in the areas that can be seen in to] (Rav Yaakov Forchheimer shlita quoting Sefer Dvar Halacha Siman 3:12)
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.
If I made a Bracha on coffee in my office and then went with the coffee to my car to go somewhere, do I make a new Bracha when I drink in the car?
If a very short while later I return to my office, still with the coffee, do I make a Bracha when I continue drinking in the office where the first Bracha was made?
Answer:
Yes, when you leave the location where you made the Bracha (besides for HaMotzi and Mezonos which have their own set of guidelines) it stops working and a new Bracha is required in the new location and then again when you return to the first location.
There are a few exceptions to this rule, such as if you were eating a whole time you were changing locations (such as gum or a candy) or if you run out for a few minutes and people are still at the table and you return, no new Bracha is required to continue eating in the first location.
Another exception may be if you really planned to only eat/drink in the car, and while waiting to go to momentarily your car you made the Bracha in your home or office, the bracha will still work when you get to the car. (as he is considered a traveler, and travelers are not subject to the above halachos)
What is considered a "change of location" and some other details of this halacha are beyond the scope of this email, as it is a very detailed set of halachos, which we may cover more in detail in the future.
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
