Today's Halachos dedicated by a daily reader, Rabbi O.B., with thanks to Hakadosh Baruch Hu upon the birth of a grandson. May Rabbi B. and his entire family have much Nachas from all their children and grandchildren and together merit greeting Mashiach Tzidkeinu B'Meheira.
Rabbi B. also wants to remind us all that it is incumbent on every Jewish husband to purchase a gift of clothing or jewelry for his wife L'Kavod Yom Tov! (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 529:2 based on Talmud Pesachim 109a)
1) All rooms where Chometz may have been brought into must be checked.
One's office, car and clothing must also be checked if there is a chance that Chometz was placed there. (Regarding the pockets of clothing see Shu"t MaHari Weil Siman 193, also quoted in Gilyonei HaShas to Shabbos 12b)
2) Before starting Bedikas Chometz the Bracha of "Baruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Melech HaOlam Asher Kidshanu B'Mitzvosav V'tzivanu Al Biur Chometz" is recited.
After reciting the Bracha the searching should begin immediately, and no talking or interruptions should take place between the Bracha and the starting of the search.
It is best not to talk or make interruptions throughout the entire Bedikas Chometz process.
Talking for the purpose of the search at hand is permitted.
If one uses the restroom during the Bedikas Chometz, he may recite "Asher Yatzar" afterwards, and it isn't considered an interruption. (Psak of Maran Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita)
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 Today website.
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.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
As I clean my house for Pesach, my husband makes me throw out any real Chometz that we will not be able to finish before Pesach, as he doesnt sell such Chometz.
Is this an issue of Ba'al Tashchis as this food is perfectly fine?
Answer:
There is no issue of Ba'al Tashchis as the Torah commands us to get rid of this Chometz. Even though it can halachically be sold and bought back after Pesach, it isn't the best thing to do for real Chometz as this "selling" is a bit deceptive. (Psak of Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky Zatzal, Sefer Emes L'Yaakov Siman 448 footnote 437)
Of course, for Halacha L'Ma'aseh about what you may or may not sell, a Rav should be consulted.
Another good option might be to give any Chometz in sealed containers to a Chesed organization that accepts such donations, as advertised in many communities.
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk Corner
How can a person refrain from speaking Lashon Hora without becoming a social outcast?
Answer by HaRav Avigdor Miller Zatzal:
That means this person thinks in order to be M'Urav Bain Habrios, to be acceptable to people, you have to speak Lashon Hora. Not true. On the contrary, you'll be more acceptable when people see that you guard your tongue against criticism. You don't belittle anybody; people will like you for that. You should know that the man who shows good character, a woman shows good character, is well liked.
If a woman speaks on the telephone and is catty, and talks against people, so although the other party may be polite to her, but she is thinking, "What a nasty person she is". And therefore Midos Tovos always pay off, good character pays off. And so the question is entirely out of place. By refraining from Lashon Hora, you become socially acceptable and popular and people will love you.
Of course if you'll keep your mouth shut when you should say kind words, then of course you're not M'urov Bain Habrios. When people are in distress, you should say a few kind words. You should encourage somebody even if they didn't ask you for it, encourage people! Kind words always are in place. And therefore, silence sometimes is required when there's a peril that you might be saying the wrong things, but when the right thing is required, words are certainly rewarded by Hakadosh Baruch Hu.
Important Numbers
