TRIPLE PORTION L'KAVOD SHABBOS KODESH AND L'KAVOD CHAG HAPESACH
Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh; Erev Pesach
1) Shulchan Orech: The festive Yom Tov Seudah is eaten.
Some people have the custom to eat the entire Seudah B'Heseiba, while leaning, especially when eating Matzah. (As the Rama Siman 472:6 rules that L'Chatchila this should be done.)
However, nowadays, the prevalent minhag is not to lean while eating the Seudah. This was the minhag of the Chazon Ish, the Steipler Zichronam L'Vracha and many other Gedolim.
It is customary to eat eggs [especially the egg from the Ke'arah, the Seder plate] at the beginning of this Seudah, to commemorate the Korban Chagigah that was brought on Pesach, and also as a subtle sign of mourning that we don't have the Bais Hamikdash in which to bring the Korban Pesach. (And thus Pesach and Tisha B'Av always fall out on the same day of the week each year.) (See Rama Siman 476:2 and Mishna Berura S"K11)
It is important not to overeat at this Seudah, in order to still have an appetite for the eating of the Afikomen. (Rama Siman 476:1)
2) Tzafon: After the meal is eaten, the half of the middle Matzah that was put away after "Yachatz" is taken out and eaten for "Afikoman" (Literal translation of the word Afikoman, is "dessert" in ancient Greek) (Shulchan Aruch Siman 477:1)
A minimum of a Kzayis of Matzah must be eaten for Afikoman. L'Chatchilah, many people are careful to eat an additional Kzayis of Matzah, one Kzayis commemorating the Korban Pesach and the other Kzayis commemorating the Matzah that was eaten along with the Korban Pesach. (See Mishna Berura Siman 477:1)
Women are obligated to eat Afikoman just as men are. (See Mishna Berura Siman 477:2)
If there isn't enough from the broken middle Matzah to give all present a Kzayis, other Matzah may be used as necessary, as the Mitzvah is to eat Matzah, not necessarily from that actual one.
L'Chatchilah, Afikoman must be eaten B'Heseibah, while leaning. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 477:1)
After the Afikoman is eaten no other eating or drinking is allowed, besides for water [or similar watered down drinks], as the taste of Matzah is required to remain in the mouth. (See Mishna Berura Siman 478:2)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh, First Day of Pesach
1) Barech: The third cup is poured, and Birchas Hamazon is recited. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 479:1)
After Birchas Hamazon, the Bracha of Borei Pri Hagafen is recited followed by the drinking of the wine, B'Heseibah, while leaning. (ibid.)
No Bracha Achrona is recited on this cup of wine, as the Bracha Achrona that will be recited after the fourth cup will cover this one as well. (See Mishna Berura 479:4)
2) Hallel: The fourth cup of wine is poured, and Hallel is recited, preferably while holding the cup of wine. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 480:1 and Mishna Berura Siman 473:77)
An additional cup of wine, referred to as "Kos Shel Eliyahu, Elijah the prophet's cup" is also filled before the Hallel is recited. This is to signify our belief that just as Hashem redeemed us from Egypt so too will He soon send us Eliyahu Hanavi to inform us of the imminent redemption from this, final, exile. (Mishna Berura Siman 480:10)
Hallel at the Seder is recited while sitting down, unlike other times when Hallel is recited standing. (See Mishna Berura Siman 480:1)
After Hallel, we recite the Bracha of Borei Pri Hagafen (Some Sephardim do not recite the Bracha of Hagafen here, following the ruling of the Bet Yosef) and we drink the fourth cup of wine, B'Heseibah, while leaning. It is important to drink at least a Revi'is so a Bracha Achrona can be recited afterward. (Shulchan Aruch and Rama Siman 480:1)
Halachos for Sunday, 2nd Day of Pesach
1) Nirtzah: This is the finale of the Seder where special liturgies (such as Echad Mi Yode'ah, Keil Bnei, Chad Gadya) are recited praising Hashem and extolling the virtues of Klal Yisroel as well as expressing a yearning for the rebuilding of the Bais HaMikdash. Many of these have powerful kabalistic meaning and powers. (See Aruch HaShulchan Siman 480:3. See also Yosef Ometz Siman 792)
2) Many have the custom to recite the entire Shir Hashirim, with joy and feeling, after finishing the Hagaddah, and this is a very praiseworthy custom. (See Chayei Adam Klal 109 and Siddur Ya'avetz)
WISHING ALL OF MY READERS A CHAG KOSHER V'SAMEACH; A PESACH FILLED WITH JOY AND FULFILLMENT
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers.
These Q&A are 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@Gmail.com
Reader's Question:
I have a product in my fridge called "All Whites" 100% liquid egg whites certified by the O.U. By the nutrition facts the ingredients read: 100% liquid egg whites. It appears that nothing has been added, just the yolk has been taken away. Would this be considered as leaving eggs with out the peel overnight? I haven't used it yet but some people in my family did, if its a problem what should they do?
Answer:
According to Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal, there is no problem at all with eggs that were manufactured specifically to be used for extended periods of time (such as for commercial use or in your case a container of eggs meant to be stored and used for more than one use) and you may safely eat them and not worry about any danger.
Only if you crack or peel an individual egg and leave it overnight is there a reason for concern. (Igros Moshe Yoreh Deah Vol. 3 Siman 20
CHIZUK CORNER
This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmos the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Chaim Yaakov Stein Zatzal , the Mir Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Noson Tzvi Finkel Zatzal and the Rosh Yeshiva of Torah Ohr, the great Posek HaRav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg Zatzal.
May we all strive to follow in their ways and may they both be Melitzei Yosher for all of Klal 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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THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
זכר צדיקים וקדושים לברכה
The items on the Ki'ara (seder plate) represent the middos of Hashem. The Z'roa and Beitza represent Hashem's kindness and strength. The Maror situated smack in middle of the Ki'ara represents the Midda of Tiferes, elaborate and glorious. Maror is bitter. Maror has the same gematria as Maves, death. What is so glorious about bitterness and death? Why is it in the center spot?
Rav Shimshon Pincus Zatzal explains that Hashem's abundant kindness may be more desirable to us, yet it may not be the best thing for us. If we have everything and need nothing then we will not realize that we are dependent on Him. Since our relationship with Hashem is our lifeline and our reason to exist, overwhelming kindness can be fatal. It can cause the severing of our bond with Him and terminate our existence. The same would result if we lived forever. One of the things that keeps us connected to Hashem no matter what, is the fact that one day, life will end and we will need to stand before Him and give an accounting of all our lifetime actions.
When a father gives his child a new bike because he wants his child to be happy, we call that kindness. This kindness can result in a happier more loyal child and it can also be the source of great tragedy. When a father gives his child a punishment for crossing the street without looking, he saves his life. That is glorious beauty. Hashem's Chesed starts off the Ki'ara because that is a fantastic way to start. But the Maror is the glue in the middle. It holds us together. It doesn't get more glorious than that!
Submitted by a daily reader; Taken from www.revach.net
Important Numbers
