1) If the fruits or vegetables are being prepared for a salad immediately before the meal, it is permitted to dice them into small pieces. (Rama Siman 321:12 based on Shu"t HaRashba Vol. 4 Siman 75)
2) The reason for this is that if being done immediately before eating we don't deem it "grinding" rather we deem it a normal "manner of eating" to cut up our food before we eat it. (See Mishna Berura Siman 321:44)
The same applies for preparing food for one's pets (or any animals that one is obligated to feed) that the food may be cut up for them into small pieces immediately before feeding them. (ibid.)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) Some Poskim disagree with the above leniency of the Rama and maintain that even for immediate consumption it is forbidden to cut into very small pieces. (See also Chazon Ish Siman 57 Dibur Hamaschil U'Bikur and Dibur Hamaschil Aval where he adds some more restrictions even for those who do hold of this leniency.)
Therefore, it is best even when cutting it into small pieces, to avoid making the pieces too small. (See Mishna Berura Siman 321:45.)
2) However, if you see people who are not stringent with this, and they prepare their eggs and onions (a traditional Shabbos dish in many circles, known in Yiddish as "Aier mit Tzvibel") on Shabbos morning very finely diced, do not chastise them as they have on whom to rely, provided they do so immediately before eating. (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 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:
Do you make Shehechiyanu on becoming a Bar Mitzva?
Answer:
There are various customs regarding Bar Mitzvah boys. Some have the custom to recite SheHechiyanu the first time they don Tefilin (which in many communities is a month before their actual Bar Mitzvah. See Rambam Hilchos Brachos Perek 11:9 and Taz Siman 22:1)
However, many Poskim maintain that no Shehechiyanu is recited on Tefilin (either because it's leather or for other reasons). The Biur Halacha Siman 22:1 suggests putting on a new garment right before putting on the tefillin for the first time, and recite SheHechiyanu on the garment and have in mind to exempt the Tefilin.
Becoming a Bar Mitzva in it if itself does not require a SheHechiyanu, as we do not recite SheHechiyanu every time a Mitzva presents itself for the first time, unless it is a Mitzvah bound to a certain time (a cycled Mitzvah).
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.
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אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk Corner
We find ourselves in an intense period awaiting zman matan Toraseinu. The days of the omer in general, and the shloshes yemei hagbola in particular, challenge us to appreciate and internalize the profound significance of kabolas haTorah. The Ramban explains that the very purpose of sefiras haOmer is to connect the experience of yetsias Mitzrayim (the exodus from Egypt) with that of ma'amad Har Sinai (standing at Mt. Sinai). This linkage emphasizes the need to view our freedom from the bondage of Mitzrayim as a means toward heightened Avodas Hashem.
How do we prepare ourselves for the Shavuos experience? Which aspects of our avodas Hashem require the most considerable emphasis?
Unquestionably, we must approach our limud haTorah with a profound sense of passion, diligence, and commitment. We must perceive Torah study as an act of kabolas penei haShecinah, Divine revelation.
Rabbeinu Yonah, however, underscores tikkun hamiddos, perfection of character, as a necessary condition for kabolas haTorah. Commenting on the teaching of Rav Elazar ben Azaria, "im ein derech eretz, ein Torah" (Avos 3:17), Rabbeinu Yonah explains, "Torah einena shochenes l'olam b'guf she'eino ba'al middos tovos"; Torah can only reside in a ba'al middos tovos, one who posses a refined or exemplary character.
Interestingly, the Avudraham cites a minhag limiting the recitation of Pirkei Avos to the weeks between Pesach and Shavuos, highlighting tikkun hamiddos as a prerequisite for kabolas haTorah.
The Avnei Nezer explains that the students of R' Akiva who, l'fi madreigasam (at their level), failed to exhibit proper kavod for each other, died specifically during yemei haSefira, a time designated for tikkun hamiddos.
Both limud haTorah and tikkun hamiddos require our constant attention and concern. Just as the Torah characterizes the weeks of Sefira as "temimos" (whole; perfect), so too our commitment to limud haTorah and tikkun hamiddos must be incessant and continual. May we merit a meaningful and profoundly significant
kabolas haTorah.
Submitted by daily reader, Y.K.; written by Rabbi Yonasan Sacks at www.Torahweb.org
Important Numbers
