Today's Halachos are dedicated by a daily reader,M.B. as a Zechus refuah Shelaima for his dear Father, Asher Ben Taji.
Please have in mind when learning the Halachos that they be in his Zechus. May he have a quick and speedy Refuah Shelaima.
Also, Please have in mind Moshe Ben Luna, a Talmid Chacham who was diagnosed with the dreadful disease. May he have a quick and speedy Refuah Shelaima.
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1)Upon seeing a Jewish King, the following Bracha is recited:
ברוך אתה ד' אלקנו מלך העולם שחלק מכבודו ליראיו - Blessed are you Hashem our G-d, Master of the world, who Shared some of His Glory with those that fear Him" (Shulchan Aruch 224:8) Upon seeing a Non Jewish King, with real powers, the following Bracha is recited:
ברוך אתה ד' אלקנו מלך העולם שנתן מכבודו לבשר ודם - Blessed are you Hashem our G-d, Master of the world, who gave some of His Glory to flesh and blood" (This applies to a queen as well. See Shu"t B'tzel HaChachma Vol. 2 Siman 19 and Shu"t Shevet Haleivi Vol. 1 Siman 35 and Shu"t Teshuvos V'Hanhagos Vol. 2 Siman 139) Upon seeing a king without real powers (as most kings today, who are only ceremonial figure heads) the Bracha should be recited without Shem U'Malchus. (See Mishna Berura 224:12. See also Shu"t Chasam Sofer Siman 159 and Shu"t Be'er Moshe Vol. 2 Siman 9.)
According to many Poskim, this Bracha is recited on a president or a prime minister as well. The prevalent Minhag is to recite it without Shem U'Malchus (See Shu"t Minchas Elazar Vol. 5 Siman 7, Shu"t Shevet Haleivi ibid., Shu"t Yechaveh Da'as Vol. 2 Siman 28 where Rav Ovadia Yoseph Shlita differentiates if the state leader is dressed in regular garb or with "royal' garb. See also Shu"t Yabia Omer Vol. 8 Siman 25) 2) It is a Mitzvah to go and see Kings (Jewish as well as non Jewish) as doing so will enable us to distinguish between the glory that we know today and the genuine glory which we will all hopefully merit to see in the era of Mashiach, may it arrive speedily and in our day! (Shulchan Aruch Siman 224:9. See Shu"t Shevet Haleivi ibid, and Shu"t MaHaril Diskin Kuntres Achron S"K 25)
However, if the king displays Idol worshipping religious symbols, or if the crowd that assembles to greet him does so in a non Tznius way, a Jew may not be in attendance. (See Sefer Chasidim Siman 435 and Orchos Rabbeinu from the Steipler Zatzal, page 93)
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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.
Should a wife light [the Chanuka menorah] before the husband comes home from work if [ by the time he comes home]it will be after the zman?
And should the husband wait for the wife if she is not home at the zman?(and let her light on her own when she comes home).
Lastly what should one do if he is at a chanukah party and the zman hadlaka arrives. he will not be in his house until later. what should one do? not leave his own house until he lights?
Answer:
The wife should wait for the husband and the husband should wait for the wife and light when both are present, as long as they will all get together before the time of "Tichle Regel min HaShuk- when people are no longer in the streets".
If her husband is away and will not be back until very late that night after most people are already sleeping, the woman should light at the proper time.
The reason for this is because today that we light inside it is more important to light when everyone [in the family] is present and get the Pirsumei Nisa, rather than light alone at the ideal time. (See Shulchan Aruch and Ram'a Siman 672:2. The Seforim also quote a Mekor Chaim that says that it is best to wait until the entire family is present. The Nemukei Orach Chaim says that a lot of Chasidic Rebbes also light very late as they want all the Chasidim to be present and thus get more Pirsumei Nisa. See also Shu"t Az Nidberu Vol. 3 Siman 30:3 and Shu"t Shevet halevi Vol. 4 Siman 66 for various variations in this Halacha as far as what time is considered " Tichle Regel" in today's days.)
Ideally one should light (and wait half an hour) before leaving to the party. If not, he can still light when he gets back.
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
