Short, reader submitted Chizuk Thought of the Day for Elul:
Each one of us should be doing tshuvah every day of our lives, not just during Elul and the Aseres Yomei Tshuvah (the 10 days from Rosh HaShonah to Yom Kippur). But most people find doing real tshuvah a difficult thing to do. In an effort to help relieve that difficulty, we have found that by asking ourselves the following 6 questions at the end of each day, we have been able to make tremendous strides in uncovering and doing tshuvah on our deficiencies, and in getting closer to Hashem. The 6 questions are:
1. What advances (or declines) did you make from yesterday? (Include everything that you shouldn't have done or thought.) 2. In what ways did Hashem test you or correct you today? 3. In what ways did Hashem afflict you today? 4. In what ways did Hashem take care of you today? 5. What new awarenesses did you have today? 6. What new chidushei Torah did you think today?
Try asking these questions to yourself for a while. You'll probably be pleased with the results.
(The above was written by a daily reader, who is behind the website called The Geulah Company)
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1) It is permissible, in cases of necessity, for a man and a woman to be in a car [alone] together, since any passersby can see in through the windows and thus it is considered like a door open to the street. (Psak of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal quoted in Sefer Dvar Halacha page 185. See also Shu"t Shevet Haleivi Vol. 5 Siman 202:1. Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal does not allow this L'Chatchilah, and only B'dieved does he allow it in cases of great necessity)
However, if the windows of the car are tinted, or if they are driving at a time and in a place where no people are around (e.g. During the night in a quiet neighborhood where there are no people or other cars around, or even during the day while driving on a remote street) according to many Poskim the prohibition of Yichud applies to them and they may not be in the car [alone] together. (See Igros Moshe Yoreh Deah Vol. 2 Siman 82 and Even HaEzer Vol. 4 Siman 65:3)
2) Even in cases when it is permitted for a man and a woman to be in the same car together, it is best if the passenger sits in the back seat. (ibid.)
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.
Are you allowed to daven in your mind (without moving your lips) when you are in the bathroom?
Answer:
No. No Torah or Tefilah should be thought in the bathroom.
Follow Up Question #1 from same reader:
I guess the same would apply in a hospital if you are near a catheter. Am I correct?
Answer:
As far as urine is concerned (outside of a bathroom), it is only prohibited if there is a pool or while it's dripping from the body. If not, as long as there is no foul smell and it is covered, as in the case of the catheter, a Bracha may be recited. (see Shu"t Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 1 Siman 27. See also Tzitz Eliezer Vol. 8 Siman 1)
Follow Up Question #2:
What about a potty, if it's covered?
Answer:
If it is plastic, metal, glass or glazed earthenware and clean with no smell emanating from it , you may recite Brachos in front of them, even uncovered. If it is rubber or wood, it is as if it is dirty, even when it is clean and no Bracha may be recited within 4 amos of it. (See Sefer Ishei Yisroel Perek 53:32 and 33 formore details)
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
