1) In many Jewish households there is a custom on Shabbos morning to eat egg salad with onions, a dish referred to in Yiddish as "Eier Mit Tzvibel". (See Likutei MaHarich beginning of Seudas Shacharis D'Shabbos. See also Sefer Otzar HaShabbos page 181 for more about this minhag)
It is important when preparing this dish that no prohibitions of Borer are transgressed Chas V'Shalom.
Thus, the eggs as well as the onions may only be peeled immediately before the meal.
2) The skin of a cooked piece of chicken, according to some Poskim, is considered as a separate part from the chicken itself and thus may only be removed immediately prior to eating it.
Other Poskim, however, rule that since the skin is edible and indeed many people eat it, it is considered one and the same as the chicken itself and thus may be removed even not immediately prior to eating it. (See Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 4 Siman 74; Borer: 8)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) After peeling an orange, there is often a white covering left on top of the fruit (the name for this white stuff is pith, and it contains a lot of fiber and is healthy to eat).
May this pith be removed?
If the pith is totally covering the entire surface of the orange, then it is no different than the peel which prevents one from reaching the fruit, and thus may be removed.
If the pith is all but gone, and only a small amount remains which most people eat and do not remove, it is deemed part of the fruit and not subject to Borer.
If a decent amount of the pith remains it is deemed like the seeds of the fruit which according to the Mishna Berura (Siman 321: 84) may be removed during the actual eating of the fruit.
According to the Chazon Ish (Orach Chaim Siman 54: 5), however, seeds, and thus this pith as well, are forbidden to be removed.
2) The same rules detailed above regarding the pith on an orange apply to the strings that remain on a banana after peeling it (These strings are called Phloem Bundles, and yes, they are also laden with nutrients and are healthy to eat).
(We shall B'Ezras Hashem discuss pits in fruit and the reasoning behind the above Machlokes between the Chazon Ish and Mishna Berura, more in detail next week)
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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 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:
Is there an Halachic issue with going to a movie theater? Or is it just a personal decision/sensitivity?
Answer:
Well, frum Jews do not belong in theaters of non Jews. This is something that Chazal and the Rishonim have told us goes into the commandment of "Bechukosayhem Lo Teleichu, don't follow the ways of the Goyim"
Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal (Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 2 Siman 95 ) ruled that going to a Movie theater is a Chilul Hashem. Most contemporary Poskim will follow this view.
There are also the issues of Ta'aruvos. Pritzus, Nivul Peh. Moshav Leitzim etc. to contend with, besides Chukos HaGoyim.
I don't know your personal circumstances, or if the question you are asking is for yourself or for someone else, but I would advise speaking to a Rav for a final Psak Halacha L'Ma'aseh regarding this
(and regarding watching secular movies in general, which are laden with halachic problems for Frum men and women, as well as a proven tool of destruction when it comes to raising our precious children etc.)
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 TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
"As is known, the Jewish people are a holy nation. When a time of tzarah (trouble) comes, chas veshalom, hakol kol Yaakov (the voice is the voice of Yaakov) in tefillah. They are, therefore, able to break through the walls of iron separating them from their Father in Heaven. However, they are too lazy to do so because they think that the tzarah is a natural occurrence, a political happening, and not through the hashgachah (direction) of Hashem ... they, therefore, do not beseech Hashem for rachamim (mercy) ... because if they would understand that everything indeed comes from Hashem they could annul the edict through their davening."
(The Gaon of Vilna; Divrei Eliyahu Parshas Vayelech)
"... even when Yisroel(the jewish people) sins to Hashem, if they call out to Hashem (in tefillah) Hashem would save them."
(The MaHaRal of Prague; Gevuros Hashem 24)
"All the many tzaros that come upon us, from which we are not saved, is because we do not cry out and increase our davening regarding them. If we would indeed daven and spill out our words before Hashem our davening and entreaties would for sure not return empty. One should not suffice by just davening the three shemoneh esreis a day because since we are used to them we don't have the proper kavonoh (concentration) in them. Rather, often during the day, one should pour out his tefillos and entreaties, when he is alone at home, from the depth of his heart like water. The tefillah will then come from a deep kavonoh, a broken heart and spirit. A tefillah like this will not return empty."
(The Chofetz Chaim; Likutei Amarim 10)
"In the service of Hashem with all of one's heart, which is tefillah with kavonoh, a person will be granted all his wants and desires to serve Hashem."
(The Mabit; Bais Elokim 4)
Submitted by daily reader B.M.; taken from www.thefoundationstone.org
Thursday
Erev Rosh Chodesh Adar I 5771; Yom Kippur Katan
February 3, 2011
1) It is permitted to use a fork or a spoon to remove the "wanted item" from the "unwanted item" from within a mixture, for immediate consumption.
The reason for this is that the fork or spoon is not deemed as a "utensil" being used to separate the two items, rather it is considered an "extension of one's hand" and is only being used to assist the hand with grasping the item or preventing the hand from getting wet or soiled. (See Mishna Berura Siman 319: 66. See also Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 1 Siman 124 that this holds true only if the reason the fork or spoon is being used is to prevent soiling the hands or similar, but if indeed the fork, spoon or knife is being used to ease the separation of two items, it will indeed be prohibited. See Sefer Orchos Shabbos page 163 footnote 98 at length.)
2) It is permitted to use a nutcracker on Shabbos.
This holds true even according to those Poskim that prohibit the use of a vegetable peeler on Shabbos (as we discussed earlier in the Halachos for Wednesday January 12 2011) as the nutcracker doesn't separate the shell from the nut; rather it simply breaks the shell, and once the shell is broken it is now possible to remove the nut by hand from the mixture.
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Tehillim Teleconference for women and girls, Thursday, Erev Rosh Chodesh February 3, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Call 212-990-8000, PIN Number 6060#
Divre Chizuk will be given by Rabbi Yisroel Teichman, Rov Of Kehilas Zichron Yitzchok, New Hempstead/Wesley Hills
Topic: Chizuk For Challenges
Followed by recitation of Tehillim together: Perokim 20, 83, 121, 130, 142 and 100.
The Pirokim can be downloaded from Artscroll by clicking here
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:
If a child knows a bracha already, and knows L'mi mevarech (to whom he is reciting the Bracha ), do you answer Amen?
Answer:
Yes. According to Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal, you even can answer Amen to a young child's Bracha if he does not know L'Mi Mevarech, as doing so is training him that Amen is answered after Brachos are recited!
The Mishna Berura Siman 2215:16 doesn't seem to rule this way, but many contemporary Poskim do rulelike Rav Shlomo Zalmen Zatzal, and in fact it is the prevelant custom to answer Amen after very small children's Brachos.
Some Poskim want to suggest that if possible, only part of the word Amen" should be said, as the child should think you are answering Amen, while in fact you havent said the real word, and thus would satisfy both the Mishna Berura and Rav Shloime Zalmen's view.
For Halacha L'Ma'aseh a Rav should be consulted.
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 TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
The holy Chofetz Chaim, Rav Yisroel Meir Kagan Zatzal
The Torah provides the following Lo Sa'aseh when you are in the process of criticizing or rebuking anyone (including reproving any close family member or close friend):
"VeLo Sisah Alav Chait--and do not bear iniquity when rebuking him." The Chofetz Chaim explains that even when one is giving a legitimate and appropriate reprimand--and even if the reproof is not in public but in private, one cannot speak so harshly in the course of his admonition that he shames or disgraces the other person...and, concludes the Chofetz Chaim, violation of the prohibition is even more blatant when it is not in the course of a legitimate admonishment, or when in a more public forum. How careful must one be to stay clear of such a severe Lo Sa'aseh--which in its very definition in the Torah is called a Chait!
When has one crossed the border and committed the grave sin of Ona'as Devorim--abusing his sacred power of speech by using it against others. The Rambam and Chinuch, as quoted by the Chofetz Chaim, write that it occurs when one angers or disturbs someone and he is frustrated, or put in a position that he can not answer back or save himself. The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (63:5) gives several examples and concludes that Ona'as Devorim is any speech that causes Tza'ar HaLev--emotional pain or hurt to another. None of us want any kind of Tza'ar HaLev which is so painful--we should be especially careful not to get even close to meting it out to others! It is certainly a true and everlasting accomplishment to go through a day, especially under difficult or trying circumstances, and especially when you have a 'good' excuse to act badly--pure and refined--because it was Ona'as Devorim free!
1) Very often, salt in a salt shaker becomes clumpy due to the moisture present in the air and thus becomes hard to use as it doesn't flow out freely.
A common remedy for this is to place a few grains of raw rice in the salt shaker; the rice absorbs the moisture and thus allows the salt to remain dry and flow freely.
When using the aforementioned salt shaker, the cover with the small holes allows the salt to come out while not allowing the rice grains, which are larger, to come out.
The question is if this is a problem of Borer on Shabbos?
2) According to some Poskim this is considered Borer with a utensil and they thus prohibit using such a salt shaker on Shabbos. (Ruling of Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal and Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal quoted in Orchos Shabbos page 162 footnote 95)
Other Poskim, however, permit its use, providing that it is being done immediately before eating the food. (Ruling of Maran Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita and others. See Orchos Shabbos ibid. footnote 94 for the reasoning behind this ruling)
For Halacha L'ma'aseh, of course, each individual must consult their own Rav.
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:
What is the minhag of saying "Baruch hu u'baruch shemo" at davening or anywhere else when a bracha with shem Hashem is made? Does it create a hefsek from hearing the full bracha? And sometimes people don't get all 4 words out but just a "baruch shemo" what is the source for any of it?
Answer:
The Tur Siman 124 writes that he heard from his father (The Rosh) that whenever one hears Hashem's name in a Bracha, the words "Baruch Hu U'Baruch Shemo, Blessed is He and blessed is His name" should be recited. He writes that this is based on a pasuk said by Moshe Rabbeinu (Devarim 32:3) "Ki Shem Hashem Ekra, Havu Godel L'Elokeinu, When Hashem's name is called, bring forth (i.e. respond with) the greatness of our Lord" See Rashi to the Posuk ibid.
If one is at a juncture in davening where he may not make interruptions, or if someone is listening to someone else who is being Motzi him with a particular Bracha on a mitzvah and thus must concentrate on the Bracha being recited as if he himself is saying it (Shomea K'Oneh), he should not say "Baruch Hu U'Baruch Shemo" (Mishna Berura Siman 124:21)
If the Bracha at hand is a short Bracha, and by saying Baruch Hu U'Baruch Shemo, one will end up missing answering Amen properly, the "Baruch Hu Ubaruch Shemo" should not be said. However, it is proper for the one saying the Bracha to leave adequate time for it as well as the Amen to be answerd. (Mishna Berura Siman 124:22)
Of course, when saying it itis important to pronounce all 4 words, and not swallow it up so it sounds only like "Baruch Shemo"
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 TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
The purpose of man being placed on this earth is to "earn" his place in the world to come through his own actions.
The holy Zohar uses the term "Nahama D'Kesufa - bread of shame" to describe this concept as follows:
If Hashem would simply place each soul in Gan Eden without the soul having earned it, the sould would be extremely shamed in experiencing such bliss as a "free" gift.
However, once the soul had been placed in a life of temptation, tests, trials and tribulations, and overcame them to excel, then the bliss of Gan Eden can be enjoyed to its fullest potential, as it has been earned!
If one toils hard to earn $50,000, they will enjoy it much more fully than if it was a gift that wasn't worked to obtain. It is human nature. It is a fact of life. what we work for, we appreciate more and cherish more.
Every person is created by Hashem with his own characteristics and skills. Hashem decides if he will be tall or short, smart or dumb, good looking or ugly etc. However, one thing is not predestined: If a person will be a Tzadik or a Rasha, righteous or evil.
Hashem gives each and every one of us the ability to choose. By making our own choices, we choose our own destiny; for better or for worse.
A person can be a Tzaddik one day, and then make some bad choices and lose that status overnight. it works vice versa as well.
The Rambam tells us that every person has the ability to be a Tzadik like Moshe Rabbeinu, or a Rasha like Yeravam ben Nevat.
Greatness is not guaranteed and isn't passed on from generation to generation. Each person must make his own choices in life; every day; every year and always.
Noach was a Tzadik. Thats why he was saved.
When he came out of the Teiva, he had some choices to make. His choices affected the re-settling of society, and were extremely important.
On his exalted level, he made some collosal mistakes, and world history was altered due to his mistakes.
Hashem is intrinsically good. Only man has the ability to ruin the goodness of the world and cause harm to himself and those that come after him.
By choosing to plant grapes and make wine and get drunk as his first act of "replanting civilization", Noach caused bad things to follow.
Hashem didnt cause him to do that.
It was his own choice.
Each of us has a little piece of Noach inside of us.
We have the potential, each and every day anew, to rebuild ourselves, and the world, properly; or to squander it away.
But no matter what choice we make, it's OUR choice.
1) A common method of removing some liquid (e.g. soup) from a pot without removing the solid items (e.g. the vegetables in the soup) is to place the cover of the pot almost totally on the pot and to tilt the pot and allow the liquid to escape via the small opening formed by the cover being a little bit off the pot.
Is doing this on Shabbos considered Borer with a utensil?
Some Poskim prohibit this method even if being done immediately before the meal as they rule that indeed it is Borer with a utensil. (Ruling of Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal and YBL"C Maran Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita quoted in Sefer Orchos Shabbos Perek 3 footnotes 82 and 83)
Other Poskim, however, allow this if being done immediately before the meal, as they don't consider this a utensil, rather they look at the cover as an extension of one's hand as the cover is only being utilized the protect the hands from the messy and/or hot liquid. (Ruling of Rav Shmuel Auerbach Shlita, ibid.)
2) The same reasoning would apply when using a ladle to remove solids from within a pot containing a mixture of solids and liquid where the ladle is tilted in such a way to only remove the solids while the liquid is left to flow back into the pot, where some Poskim would consider this Borer with a utensil and others would consider the ladle an extension of the hand.
For Halacha L'ma'aseh, of course, each individual must consult their own Rav.
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:
Does the Shulchan Aruch state that one must be standing when taking off Tefilin?
Answer:
Yes, indeed it does state that one should be standing when removing the Shel Rosh (Siman 28:2) and for Ashkenazim, when taking off the Shel Yad as well.(Mishna Berura Siman 28 S"K 6)
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 TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
The Midrash says that there is nothing Hashem loves more dearly then Tznius, modesty.
When the malachim came to Avraham and asked, "Where is Sara your wife?" they were inquiring about what zechus (merit) she, a barren women of ninety years, would merit having a child.
Avraham replied, "She is in her tent," implying that in the zechus of her Tznius, she is worthy of Hashem's promise that 'Kings will come from you.'
(Pesikta Rabasi 46:1; Kli Yakar Bereishis 18:9)
From the Agudas Avreichei Lubavitch weekly email. To subscribe email info@lmaanyishmeu.com
1) A strainer is a utensil whose express purpose is to separate unwanted items from wanted items in a mixture, and is thus biblically forbidden to use on Shabbos even if taking the good from the bad and even if being done immediately before the meal.
Thus, for example, orange juice that contains pulp may not be poured through a strainer in order to separate the pulp from the juice.
Another common example is a pot of soup that contains vegetables, where one wants to separate the liquid from the vegetables; a strainer may not be utilized to do this.
2) A slotted spoon, which is designed to remove solid part of a food from a pot/bowl and have the majority of the liquid part fall back into the pot/bowl (e.g. removing noodles from soup, while the soup falls back into the pot, or removing Cole slaw from a bowl, where the liquid drips back into the bowl) may not be used on Shabbos, according to all Poskim, if being used for its intended purpose.
According to some Poskim, if the slotted spoon is being used as a convenience (i.e. no other spoon is available) just to remove food from a pot without the intention of having the liquid fall back into the pot and without stopping and holding the spoon in place over the pot so that the liquid can drip back into the pot, then it is not considered "Derech Borer, a manner of separating" and is permitted, even if some of the liquid happens to fall back into the pot. (See Shmiras Shabbos K'Hilchasa Perek 3:54)
Other Poskim, however, maintain that a slotted spoon may never be used on Shabbos with a mixture that contains in it liquid, even if there is no intent to separate the liquid from the solid. (See Sefer Ayil Meshulash page 100)
For Halacha L'ma'aseh, as always, each individual must consult their own Rav.
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:
I heard from Rav Avraham Chaim Feuer shlit"a ( son in law of Rav Gifter Zatzal) that in addition to 100 brachos, one is obligated to say 80 times Amein to somebody else's bracha. I haven't seen a source for this ruling. Could you help?
Answer:
Rav Feuer shlit"a is of course correct, though he probably said 90, and not 80.
There is indeed, according to many Poskim, an obligation to answer Amen 90 times each day. See Mishna Berura Siman 6:13 and Sha'arei Teshuva 6:5.
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 TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
Why is everyone running on empty?
One of the great ironies of modern times is that man isn't happy. Throughout almost every strata of society and every segement what you find is that people seem to be down, stressed, pushed to the limits and running on empty
If we were to describe our wealth to people of a different generation, they probably wouldn't would believe us. Kings in prior times didn't enjoy the luxuries that we do. The reality is that we are wealthy beyond belief. We enjoy comforts and abundance that are historically unprecedented. And it's not just the extremely affluent. The average tax-paying citizen of today lives in opulence and splendor that previous generations couldn't dream about.
We Have Arrived - Are We Happy?
In short, we are wealthy beyond belief. We have riches that far, far exceed our needs. As a society, as a nation, and as individuals, we enjoy prosperity and abundance. We benefit from creature comforts that were unthinkable a generation ago. Everything is so readily available, so accessible, so easy. And so I have one question: now that we have so much, are we happy?
For centuries, all that man desired was freedom from tyranny and a homeland where he could enjoy liberty and safety. Armies went to war for it, entire generations sacrificed all that they had for it, and we now have it. We are there. We have finally arrived. Living in a free society with almost unlimited opportunity, we are easily able to find sustenance and enjoy unheard of wealth; we have it all. But are we happy? Now that we are there, is it all that we thought it was? Is this the dream that we were seeking? Are we any happier today than our ancestors in previous generations?
Drinking When You Are Thirsty
In a memoir written many years ago, a teenager describes what life was like for him growing up in the 1920's in the deep South. Hunger was a part of life; it was just a given. He got up in the morning hungry, and went to bed even hungrier. Often, he left home in the morning without eating breakfast, because there was no food in the house - literally nothing to eat.
One morning while walking to work, he passed a neighbor's house and noticed that the garden hose was left out. He turned on the spigot and began drinking and drinking until he filled his belly, hoping to stop the hunger pangs. It worked. His stomach no longer grumbled for food...till the water passed. Then he was left hungrier than before.
For many people, that is life. They feel emptiness inside, a longing for something. What it is they can't quite tell you, but it gives them no rest. They try to fill it with money and honor, possessions and luxuries, all the while hoping it will satisfy that void inside.
But it doesn't work. For a while they are distracted, for a moment their attention is diverted, but then the quiet time comes again, and they find themselves as empty as before. And the worst part is that for the life of them, they can't figure out why. "I have so much, yet I feel so poor! What's wrong with me? What's wrong with life?" The problem is that they are trying to fill their souls with things that sparkle and shine, but are as fleeting as fireworks on the fourth of July.
The nishamah within me isn't satisfied and can't be satisfied with anything so cheap, so she calls out for more. Instead of heeding her call, many people try to fill that vacuum with more glitter and gold. But the nishamah isn't impressed. So while they fill their bellies for a time and forget their pain, that gnawing hunger comes back to haunt them even more acutely than before.
I Need More
"But what's wrong? What am I missing? I thought I had it all. I guess I just need more." Then in a headlong rush to quell that vacant feeling inside, they pursue careers and promotions, honor and prestige, acquisitions and hobbies, distraction after distraction, running, running, running - anything, just to not think about the emptiness inside. From cars to homes, planes to cruises. Buy a boat, then a yacht. Next a Rolex, then a Rembrandt. Luxuries, parties, extravaganzas. . . anything, anything to fill that void inside. But it never works. They wake up in the middle of the night and mouth the words, "There has to be more to life than this."
There is. There is so much more. But if man doesn't search for it, he won't find it. And if he doesn't find it, he is destined to be miserable. To achieve happiness and peace of mind, man has to know that he has a soul, and then he has to know what it needs to be satisfied.
Submitted by daily reader, RC; Taken from TheShmuz.com
1) As we learned earlier, one of the necessary criteria in order to have a permissible Borer is for it not to be done with a Kli, a utensil.
Thus, if a utensil is used, even if it is done immediately before the meal and even if the good is separated from the bad, it is still prohibited. The reason for this is that when a utensil is used it is deemed Derech Borer, " the way of sorting" rather than Derech Achila" the normal way of eating" (See Mishna Berura in his introduction to Siman 319)
2) There are three varieties of utensils:
a) A utensil which is designated for sorting; utilizing such a utensil is a biblical prohibition.
b) A utensil which isn't designated for sorting; utilizing such a utensil is a rabbinical prohibition.
c) A utensil which is used to aid with eating; utilizing such a utensil is not prohibited, as in regards to Hilchos Borer it is seen as an extension of one's hand for eating purposes and not seen as a utensil for sorting purposes.
Over the next few days we shall B'Ezras Hashem discuss various common utensils and situations and determine under which of the aforementioned categories each utensil is classified.
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:
Very often I notice people avoid eating a Kzayis of bread while having a full meal, because they do not want to recite birkas hamazon.
Is such a behavior inappropriate, i.e. in case that one is washing and having a full meal, should one try to eat enough bread so that not to avoid saying birkas hamazon?
Answer:
If one washes and recites HaMotzi with the intent not to eat a Kzayis, it may very well be a Bracha L'Vatalah (on the Netilas Yadayim,and possibly on the HaMotzi too) according to many Poskim. Also, the food that is eaten during the meal may require their own Bracha if a Kzayis of bread is not eaten [preferably right away at the beginning of the meal]. It is also best not to talk between the Bracha of HaMotzi and the eating of a Kzayis.
This practice should be avoided at all costs. if a Kzayis won't be eaten, do not wash or eat bread at all. ( See Mishna Berura 167:15 and Sha'ar hatzion 167:14. See also Kaf HaChaim 167:2, Aruch HaShulchan Siman 158:3, Dagul M'Rvava on Magen Avraham 167:7, Shu"t Yabia Omer Vol. 5 Siman 17:2)
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 TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
I posted the following letter a few months ago, but my friend R' Eli Nasson Shlita from www.DivreiChizuk.com recently posted it in his daily Chizuk email, so I decided to post it again as it is a tremendous Chizuk to read during trying times.
To my star pupil,
I am writing this letter to let you know what I think of you. Up here in heaven things are not like they are down on Earth. Over there, people only know what they can see. If they see a person is "successful", they think that he is the greatest guy. When they see somebody struggling, they think he might be one of the weaker elements.
Let me tell you something. Hashem gives every person certain abilities that nobody knows about down where you live. Some people are capable of tremendous things, while others were put there for much smaller purposes. Only Hashem in His infinite wisdom is able to give every person exactly what he needs, to reach his potential.
I am very misunderstood. Most people hate me, and I don't really blame them. Most people think that my job is to make sure that they fail in all aspects of Mitzvos, and that I rejoice every time they sin. This is the furthest thing from the truth. Did you ever watch a boxing coach train his student? It is really a funny sight. The coach will put on gloves, and fight against his student. At first, he won't hit him so hard, or throw his best punches. But, as the student gets better and better, the coach will start to fight him harder and harder. He does this so that the student will improve his skills, and become the best boxer he can be. This is where it gets strange. Every time the coach knocks down the student, the student gets yelled at!! But finally, when the coach threw everything he has at his student, and not only does he withstand the beating, but he knocks the coach down, there is nobody in the world happier then the coach himself!
This is exactly how I feel. If you fail right away, and don't even try to fight back, I see that there is not much talent to work with, and so I take it easy on you. But if you get back up swinging, I realize that I may have a real winner here, and so I start to intensify the beating. With every level that you go up, I increase the intensity of the fight. If you finally deal me a blow that knocks me out, I will get up and embrace you and rejoice with your success.
Sometimes my job is very disappointing I see a person with a lot of potential and I start right in on him. He fights back for a while, but when the fight gets too tough, he quits and just remains on whatever level he was on. (And he usually ends up going down!) I feel like yelling at him, "Get up you fool! Do you have any idea how much more you could be accomplishing?!" But I am not allowed to do so. I just leave him alone, and go try to find another promising candidate.
If I have chosen you to be the target of my more fierce battles, it was not for no reason! You have tremendous ability! You were born into a very special family, you have Rabbeim who really care about you, and parents who would help you grow in Torah and Mitzvos. You are a very respectful and kind person.
I am writing to you now, because I have a very serious request to ask of you. Please don't stop fighting! Don't give up! I have been beating too many people lately, and I am losing patience, Believe in yourself, because I would not be involved with you as much as I am if I didn't think you could beat me. Know what your strengths are!
A great Rabbi once said: "Woe is to he who doesn't know his weaknesses. But, 'Oy Vavoy' to him who doesn't know his strengths - for he will not have anything with which to fight."
Always remember one thing: you have a secret weapon at your disposal. I shouldn't really be telling you - but I will anyway. Hashem himself is watching our "training" sessions very closely. I'm pleased to inform you that He's rooting for you! If things should ever get tough, almost too tough to bear, just callout to Him with a prayer, and He will immediately come to your aid. I wish you the best of luck, and I hope that after 120 years when your time is up in that world of falsehood, you will come up here to the world of truth, where I will be waiting for you with open arms, to congratulate you on your victory, and personally escort you to your place next to the Kisey HaKavod.
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Mishpatim; Shabbos Mevorchim Chodesh Adar 1;Rosh Chodesh will be next Erev Shabbos and Shabbos Kodesh.
23 Shvat 5771
January 28, 2011
If you are just joining us today, please see ARCHIVES so you can review the previous Halachos on this and other topics.
DOUBLE PORTION L'KAVOD SHABBOS KODESH
Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh
1) If one has a basket of apples that contains in it one apple that is rotten to the point that it isn't edible, or is only edible B'Sha'as Hadchak, in extreme circumstances, that apple is considered P'soles and may not be removed from the basket.
2) If the apple in question is half rotten and half edible, if the edible part will be eaten immediately it may be removed, even if the "real" purpose and intent of doing this is to have the rotten part removed from the mixture.
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) It is prohibited to separate moldy inedible lettuce leaves from fresh edible leaves.
If, however, it isn't moldy to the point of being inedible, rather some of the leaves are simply a little dried out, they may be removed.
2) It is permitted, right before the time of eating, to remove the outer, inedible leaves of a head of lettuce or cabbage in order to reach the inner edible leaves, as this outer layer is deemed like the peel of a fruit which may be peeled, as we will discuss B'Ezras Hashem in a few days. (See Biur Halacha Siman 319:1 Dibur Hamaschil Min Ha'Alin)
If, however, the inner leaves can easily be reached without removing the outer leaves, it is best to remove the inner leaves only.
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:
I've heard that a woman should not make Havdalah for herself, but none of my neighbors are frum, so going to a neighbor is not an option.
I've been making Havdalah for myself.
Which is a better option...for me to continue making Havdalah for myself or for my son to call me and make Havdalah over the phone?
I know someone who did that for his mother, A"H, but at the time someone said it's not really acceptable. Any thoughts?
Answer:
Hearing Havdalah over the phone is a very last resort, as many Poskim maintain that it isn't acceptable.
It is better to make Havdala yourself and drink the cup of wine (as your obligation to hear/make a valid havdala takes precedence over the minhag of women not drinking the wine of Havdalah, or even to make it on coffee, tea or other aceptable bevarages if you can't drink wine, rather than hear it on the phone.)
If for whatever reason the woman cannot make her own Havdalah and will not have someone to say it for her before Tuesday evening (See Shulchan Aruch Simam 299:6), she can then rely on hearing on the phone as a last resort. (See Mishnah Berurah Siman 296:35, Aruch HaShulcha Siman 296:5,Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol.2 Siman 108 and Vol. 4 Siman 91:4 and Shu"t Tzitz Eliezer Vol.8 Siman 11)
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 TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
QUESTION:
Wouldn't it be beneficial in a spiritual sense for a person to strive to gain wealth in order to help those who are needy, to support Torah institutions, and also to allow him to retire early and spend the rest of his life learning Torah?
ANSWER by HaRav Avigdor Miller Zatzal:
Now if a person actually had that in mind and no other motive, he certainly is justified. I'll tell you a little anecdote. There was once a Bochur in Yeshiva Chaim Berlin, a nice boy, good character, and also Frum. He was married; he went into some kind of business in Manhattan. I spoke to him once and said, "When will you sit down and start learning?"
He said, "I am working my way up to it, I hope to retire at forty and sit down to learn." He never made it, he didn't live to forty. I was at his death bed; I was thinking, the poor fellow, good boy. Had he begun learning right now, it could've been he wouldn't have died young. He gave his whole life to making money, with an ideal; at least he said that ideal, with the purpose 'at forty I'm going to retire.' Unfortunately he never made it, he died young and his wife married someone else, and he's long forgotten.
And so it's too perilous to postpone. So if you wish to make money for a good purpose, why not? Nothing wrong in gaining wealth, but at the same time don't neglect yourself right now. Strive to be a righteous man, an Eved Hashem right now. Strive to learn Torah, there's time, there's time. There's Shabbos, sometimes all day Sundays, evenings, people can utilize a great deal of their time, their vacations. Don't waste your life, life is valuable right now too, not only what's going to be later. Right now live as a decent and successful servant of Hashem, and it could be some day you will become wealthy enough to retire.
But don't postpone your spiritual achievements for some future date, just in the hope that then you'll be able to do more.
1) If one is eating a food and part of the food is ruined (e.g. an otherwise fresh apple that has a small area that is rotting, or a cookie where part of it was burnt) to the point that it is inedible or only edible B'Sha'as Hadchak, in extreme circumstances, that area of the apple may not be cut off from the apple, as doing so would be removing P'Soles from Ochel and be a prohibited Borer. (See Mogen Avrohom Siman 319:5. If it is totally inedible it will be a biblical Borer, whereas if it's not totally inedible it will be a rabbinical Borer which is still prohibited, but wouldn't mandate a Korban Chatos if transgressed.)
If a good piece of the apple is removed along with the rotting part, according to the Mishna Berura it would be permitted, and according to the Chazon ish it would still be a problem of Borer (As we learned a few days ago)
An acceptable alternative, even according to the Chazon Ish, would be to cut the entire apple into slices and then not eat the slice containing the rotting part, as doing so is not considered separating, rather it's considered dividing the apple into pieces, which is permissible.
2) If the piece being removed is edible for most people and this particular individual wants to remove it because it's not as fresh looking as the rest of the apple, it is permitted to be removed as it isn't considered P'Soles. (Mogen Avrohom 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:
Baruch Hashem I have been zoche to daven Vasikin every day including shabbos at a local minyan since Elul.
Now my family and I are going on a well deserved vacation where there will be no Minyan at Vasikin. Do I still daven Neitz with no Minyan or is it better to daven later but with a minyan.
My grandfather told me that he remembers the Chazon Ish used to daven Neitz byechidus even before their was a minyan at that time in Bnei Berak, but is this Halacha L'ma'aseh?
Answer:
I have heard from Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita that indeed Netz B'yechidus is better than Tefilah B'Tzibur later.
I have also heard in the name of Rav Dovid Feinstein Shlita that davening with a minyan is more important.
Please consult your Rav for Halacha L'Ma'aseh.
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 TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
Hashem won't ask what kind of car you drove; He'll ask how many people, who didn't have transportation, you drove in it.
Hashem won't ask the square footage of your home;He'll ask how many people you welcomed into it.
Hashem won't ask about the clothing you had in your closet; He'll ask how many less fortunate people you helped to clothe.
Hashem won't ask what your highest salary was; He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
Hashem won't ask what your job title was; He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability
Hashem won't ask how many friends you had; He'll ask how many people you were a friend to.
Hashem won't ask you in what neighborhood you lived; He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.
Hashem won't ask about the features in your appearance; He'll ask about the features of your character.
Hashem won't ask why it took you so long to seek forgiveness; He'll ask why you didn't forgive those who wronged you.
We join Klal Yisroel in mourning the passing of Rav Nachum Zev Dessler Zatzal, the Dean of the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland, OH, son of the Michtav M'Eliyahu Zatzal.
May he be a Melitz Yosher for all of Klal Yisrael. Today's halachos are dedicated L'Ilui Nishmaso. Click Here to read about him.
1)It is very common, when purchasing Challos or rolls of cake from a bakery, that they come with a label stuck to them indicating a Hechsher, a variety, or other certification or information about the item.
To remove this label, which is placed on the Challah or cake before being baked and is baked along with it, and is thus considered "in a mixture", is a prohibition of Borer.
If a piece of the Challah is removed along with the label it would be permitted.
In this case, even the Chazon Ish would agree that removing a piece of Challah along with the label is permitted, as the label is not "in a mixture" with the entire Challah, rather it is only mixed together with the immediate area of Challah that it rests upon, and being that the entire surface is removed, it is considered like the entire mixture was removed and that isn't Borer.
2) Wax paper which is commonly used under baked items to keep them from sticking to the pan, may be removed from under the baked items, as the baked items and the wax paper are distinctly separate items and nobody considers them "in a mixture".
However, in a situation where when removing the wax paper some of the paper gets stuck to the baked items (common when cookies or cake are over baked) indeed some Poskim consider it "in a mixture" and require removing some of the baked item along with the paper when removing it from the bottom of the baked item.
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:
Why can't one eat before kiddush?
Answer:
It is prohibited to eat before performing any Mitzvah[ once its time has arrived to perform].
However, with most Mitzvos, only sitting down to a meal is prohibited before the Mitzvah is performed, while before Kidush even eating a small snack is prohibited.
One of the reasons for this is that the Rabbis wanted a person to recite Kidush as soon as possible after sunset, and in order to make sure this happens they prohibited even small snacks or drinks.(See Mishna Berura Siman 271:11)
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 TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
Napoleon Bonaparte
Question:
How could you prove to a small believer that the Torah was Divinely given and wasn't man made?
Answer by HaRav Avigdor Miller Zatzal:
Once a Rosh Yeshiva was sitting in his house, in America - this story is about 50 years ago. He was a European Rosh Yeshiva; he was on Henry Street sitting in his room where he was staying in America. A man came in with his son. The son brought his father, and the father said to the Rosh Yeshiva; "How do I know that the Torah was given at Sinai"? So the Rosh Yeshiva said, "Do you believe there was a Napoleon?"
"Oh yes," said the man, "certainly."
The Rosh Yeshiva said, "Did you see Napoleon?"
"No, never saw him."
"Did you see anybody that saw him?"
"No."
"How do you know that there was a Napoleon?"
"Everybody said so!"
So he said, "You know, there a lot of people in this world who never heard of Napoleon, a lot of people. Millions in India, millions, never heard of Napoleon. Millions!"
There are more people that heard about giving the Torah at Sinai, than heard of Napoleon. So if you believe what everybody says, that there was a Napoleon, means you're going after a great number of witnesses, or people who are handing over traditions. There's a still greater number, because all the Mohammedan's say that Hashem gave the Torah to the Jewish people at Sinai; there are millions and millions of Mohammedan's.
All the Christians say that Hashem gave the Torah to the Jewish people at Har Sinai, and the Jewish people surely say that. So you have so many witnesses. So therefore unless you stop believing in Napoleon or you stop believing in George Washington, then you have to believe in the Torah. Nobody saw George Washington today. Nobody saw anybody that saw George Washington, and still when Washington's Birthday comes they talk about George Washington all the time. They are convinced that he was there.
Oh, there are books of George Washington, you say.
There are books about Moshe Rabbeinu, certainly. There's the whole Torah that talks about Moshe Rabbeinu. Shmos and Vayikra and Bamidbar and Devorim, and Sefer Yehoshua, and Sefer Shoftim, they all talk about Moshe Rabbeinu constantly. Shmuel Aleph and Shmuel Bais, "you should walk in the ways of the Toras Moshe", and Melachim Aleph and Melochim Bais, and then comes Yeshaya and Yirmaya, many books speak about him So we have books upon books, besides the books of the gentiles. So therefore, how can you prove to a non-believer that there was a Napoleon? If you'll prove to him that there is Napoleon, then Al Achas Kama V'kama, you can tell him he can safely believe there was a Moshe Rabbeinu and a Matan Torah.
May his Neshama continue to climb higher and higher in Gan Eden and may he be a Meilitz Yosher for his family and all of Klal Yisroel. Please have in mind when learning today's halachos that they be in his everlasting merit.
1) One who is eating a piece of chicken or fish and chances upon a bone and wants to remove it, according to the Mishna Berura he can simply remove the bone along with a little bit of the chicken or fish, and thus avoid any Borer problems.
According to the Chazon Ish, removing the bone with a little bit of the chicken or fish will not help and it will still be a problem of Borer.
2) A permissible option, even according to the Chazon Ish, is to remove the bone and suck off some of the marrow or other liquid that is on it, and thus we will deem this action as a part of the eating process and not as a prohibited Borer. (This option is also found in the Biur Halacha Siman 319:4 end of Dibur Hamaschil M'Toch Ochel, in regard to bones that no longer have meat on them and one wants to remove them from his plate.)
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:
Are women also supposed to say 100 brachos each day?
Answer:
Women are not obligated in the recital of the 100 Brachos each day (brought in Shulchan Aruch Siman 46:3), as many of the Brachos counted in the Poskim in the total of 100 are Brachos that women don't say. (See Shu"t Teshuvos V'Hanhagos Vol.2 Siman 129 and Shu"t Shevet Haleivi Vol.5 Siman 23)
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 TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
"Just as an earthquake can be felt in any part of the world, by a sufficiently sensitive instrument, so too, the actions that one does, in some way, affect everyone else in the world!"
Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz Zatzal quoted in Sefer Torah Tavlin
Halachos for
Monday, 19 Shvat 5771, January 24, 2011
If you are just joining us today, please see ARCHIVES so you can review the previous Halachos on this and other topics.
1) We learned yesterday that according to most Poskim including the Mishna Berura (Siman 504:20 and in the Biur Halacha Siman 319:4 Dibur Hamaschil HaBorer) , any time some of the Ochel, the desired item, is removed together with the P'soles, the unwanted item, the prohibition of Borer falls away.
Some Poskim follow the ruling of the Chazon Ish (Siman 53) and maintain that removing a little of the Ochel along with the P'soles does not help, and the prohibition of Borer remains.
We will now examine some common examples of this Halacha.
2) A lemon pit that fell into a salad may not be removed as doing so is removing the P'soles from the Ochel.
If it is removed together with a little bit of the salad, according to the Mishna Berura it is permissible and according to the Chazon Ish it is still prohibited.
A fly that fell into a beverage may be removed from the cup , according to the Mishna Berura, if some of the beverage is removed along with it.
In the event that one pours the fly along with a large quantity of the beverage into a second cup, this would be permitted even according to the Chazon Ish as we don't look at this as removing the fly from the beverage, rather we see it as splitting the beverage into two halves, and thus not a matter of Borer.
We will discuss some more examples of this Halacha over the next few days, B'Ezras Hashem
Reader's Question:
Can you provide me the mareh mokom(source) in the Talmud that states that on the day of his wedding, a choson's aveiros are eliminated?
Answer:
See Talmud Yevamos 63b and Yerushalmi Bikurim Perek 3:3.
This applies to brides as well. The wedding day is a personal Yom Kippur for the bride and groom, and their Tefilos have special significance on this day.
Keep in mind that it is exactly like Yom Kippur, where sins between man and Hashem are forgiven [if Teshuva is done], but not sins between man and his fellow man, which need forgiveness from the person that was wronged before the sin can be erased
Chizuk For Today:
Why is life so difficult?
Financial worries, health issues, trouble with children, in law problems, marital conflicts...the list seem endless. One of the questions a thinking person should ask is why? Why is life so hard? Why are there so many issues, worries and anxieties that afflict man? And worse it doesn't stop. Just when things are starting to move smoothly, something else pops up-and undoes it all. It almost seems orchestrated. The perplexing part is that we aren't talking about wicked individuals. We're talking about good people. People who do what they should be doing-and yet they suffer in very real ways. The question we need to ask is why?
We accept that HASHEM is more giving and loving than any person we could ever imagine or envision. And HASHEM is very capable. HASHEM could have easily made man very differently. HASHEM could have made life very differently, and there wouldn't be any suffering. Not a little, not a lot-none. And so the question that begs being asked is why. Why is life so difficult? Why does it seem to be so hard?
To understand this we need a different perspective of life.
Progressive weight training
A rather yeshivishe fellow went to a power-lifting gym to learn how to work out. As a kid, he had little experience with sports and was clearly out of his element. Recognizing this, the coach showed him various exercises and worked closely with him.
One day this fellow was overheard saying, "That coach, I don't know what's with him. Every time I get the exercise right, he goes and adds more weight to the bar. What's wrong with him?"
The point this fellow missed was that progressive weight training is all about increasing the load. The goal of the activity is to coax the body to grow. By gradually increasing the work load, the body is called upon to respond. The work should never be easy. The nature of the activity is to incrementally increase the demand placed on the body, thereby causing it to grow.
This is a good parable because in life we are put into many situations. If a person doesn't understand why he is on this planet, he will have many questions. Why does it seem that there is a never ending stream of difficult situations? Why is it that when I finally get things under control, a whole new set of circumstances arises that sets everything out of kilter? Why can't life just be easy?
The point that he is missing is the very purpose of life. HASHEM put us on this planet to grow. Many of the challenges and situations are given to us specifically for that reason. It isn't by accident, and it isn't because HASHEM doesn't pay attention. Quite the opposite, these situations were hand-designed to demand from us. They are catalysts to change who we are.
In weight training, the movement of the bar isn't the significant part; the demand on the body is. So too in life, the situations I face are far less significant than my reactions to them. Who I become is a result of my attitude and the way I handle my challenges.
The end result is that life is beautiful, but it isn't a walk in the park. A life properly led will have moments of doubt, pain, and confusion. That doesn't mean that we are on the wrong path, and it doesn't mean that life doesn't make sense. Quite the opposite, if life is going too smoothly, it's a bad sign. Since the purpose of life is to grow, we need the challenges of life to help us reach our potential.
Submitted by daily reader,Chaim;Taken from the writings of Rabbi Schafier on
Halachos for Sunday, 18 Shvat 5771, January 23, 2011
1) There is a debate amongst the Poskim if the prohibition of Borer exists only when removing P'soles, the unwanted item from within a mixture by itself or if the prohibition exists even when removing some of the Ochel, the desired item, along with the unwanted item.
The Mishna Berura (Siman 504:20 and in the Biur Halacha Siman 319:4 Dibur Hamaschil HaBorer) rules that anytime some of the Ochel, the desired item, is removed together with the P'soles, the unwanted item, the prohibition of Borer falls away. Most contemporary Poskim follow this ruling.
The Chazon Ish (Siman 53) maintains that even when a little bit of the Ochel is removed together with the P'soles it still is prohibited Borer.
2) When a large quantity of the Ochel is removed along with the P'soles, even the Chazon Ish will agree that it is permitted, as in this case we don't see it as the P'soles being removed from the mixture; rather we see it as the mixture itself being divided in half.
Tomorrow, B'Ezras Hashem, we will examine some common examples of the aforementioned Halacha.
Reader's Question:
What are the different opinions regarding Kol Isha, for a man to hear a group of girls singing? is this allowed? how many girls must be in the group? can the man be singing with them? Because many people say there is a heter when it's a group of girls and I would like to know where their heter comes from and if it's really valid.
Answer:
A man may not hear girls above the age of 9 (or according to some opinions as early as age 6 or as old as 11) singing.
Period.
There is no difference if it's one girl or a group.
The Shulchan Aruch, Even HaEzer Siman 21:1 states clearly that a man may not hear a woman's voice [singing], as a woman's voice is considered "Ervah".
A man may not say a Bracha or other Devorim Sh'Bekedusha while a woman is singing within earshot, even if it is his own wife or daughter.
There are certain Heterim, when a man and a woman whose voice he is allowed to hear sing zemiros together, as we say that since he is singing too he hears his own voice and doesnt hear her voice, a concept in halacha known as "Shtei koli Lo Nishmaim- two voices cannot be heard at once"
Many Poskim reject this Heter even for women to whom a man is allowed to listen to. This discussion of allowing or prohibiting a family to sing Zemiros together is beyond the scope of this email and each person should consult their own Rav. (See Halichos Shlomo Perek 20:11)
But even the Poskim that accept it, it is only for when the man is singing himself and the woman he is singing with is someone whise voice he is allowed to hear.
However, all Poskim agree that this concept of "two voices arent heard" is only when one of those voices is his own, but if he is listening to two women (who are not his wife, daughter etc.) singing it is 100% prohibited. (See Mishna Berura Siman 560:13 where he writes, based on the Talmud Sotah 48a and Rashi there dibur hamaschil K'Aish B'NeOres, that a man hearing one or more women singing is like a burning fire (i.e. Yetzer hara), which he must run away from).
These people you refer too misapply this concept of "Two voices cannot be heard", but there is no basis for it in halacha and they must stop listening to any girl above the age of 9 (or 6 or 11 ) sing, regardless if it's one girl or more.
May Hashem give them all the strength to do the right thing.
Chizuk For Today:
Sometimes all you can do is pray...to Hashem
Sometimes all you can do is trust...in Hashem
Sometimes all you can do is wait...with Hashem
Sometimes all you can do is cry...for Hashem
Sometimes all you can do is be B'Simcha...for the sake of Hashem
Sometimes all you can do is lift up your feet and dance...to plug into Hashem
Sometimes all you can do is lift up your hands and leave it to Him...our Father Hashem
Sometimes all you can do is raise your voice and sing...praise to Hashem
Sometimes all you can do is focus heavenward...Feel close to Hashem
Today's email is dedicated by a daily reader, M.K. as a zechus for him to find a new job and have his Parnassah situation improve, amongst the rest of Klal Yisroel in need of Parnassah. Amen.
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Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
If you are just joining us today, please see ARCHIVES so you can review the previous Halachos on this and other topics.
DOUBLE PORTION L'KAVOD SHABBOS KODESH
Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh
1) One who is holding a drink and floating in it is a foreign matter which he would like to remove [and the drink will then be consumed immediately], is a matter of discussion amongst the Poskim if by pouring out the foreign matter it is considered separating the bad from the good (P'soles M'Toch Ochel) which is prohibited, or is it considered separating the good from the bad (Ochel M'Toch P'soles) being that you are left holding the "good" in your hand, and thus permitted.
2)Most Poskim rule stringently and thus do not allow the foreign matter to be spilled out (unless some of the drink will be spilled out with it, a Halacha we will discuss more at length next week B'Ezras Hashem). (See Mogen Avraham Siman 319:15 and Mishna Berura Siman 319:55. See also Sefer Shvisas HaShabbos, Maleches Borer S"K 36. The Shulchan Aruch HaRav in his Siddur rules leniently in this matter. Each individual, as always, must consult their own Rav for Halacha L'ma'aseh)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) A utensil that has in it tea essence as well as tea leaves may pose a problem of Borer, depending on the makeup of the mixture, as follows:
If all the leaves are at the bottom of the utensil, it isn't considered "in a mixture" and it is permitted to pour out some of the tea essence even if it isn't being done for immediate consumption.
If, however, there is very little essence left and thus the liquid and the leaves are considered "in a mixture" (or even if the utensil is full, but the leaves are floating around throughout the utensil and are not sitting at the bottom) it would only be permitted to pour out the essence if being done for immediate consumption.
2) If on top of the utensil with the tea essence there is a strainer or something else which prevents the leaves from leaving the utensil and only allows the liquid out, if what is in the utensil is deemed "in a mixture", according to some Poskim it would be prohibited to remove any of the essence as the strainer would be considered a specialized utensil in which case Borer is prohibited even when removing the good from the bad. (See Kaf HaChaim Siman 319:113)
Other Poskim, however, maintain that this strainer is not considered a specialized utensil, and allow the essence to be removed from the mixture for immediate use. (SeeChazon Ish Siman 53 Dibur Hamaschil Min Ha'Amur. Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita in the back of his Sefer Ta'ama D'Kra where he brings many Minhagim of the Chazon Ish that he heard/saw personally, in Os 41 writes that in the home of the Chazon Ish they indeed used such a strainer with the tea essence for immediate use even when the contents of the utensil were deemed "in a mixture")
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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 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:
Is there a way to be able to wear gloves on Shabbos?
Answer:
If they are firmly tied on to the coat it is less of a problem according to some Poskim. (See Biur Halacha Siman 301:37)
If not, although there are lenient opinions on which many people rely, it is best for a Yerei Shomayim to avoid wearing gloves on Shabbos.(See Shulchan Aruch Siman 301:37 and Mishna Berura S"K140 and 141)
In extreme weather conditions where there is no chance they will be removed, many Poskim allow it.
Additionally,many Poskim are more lenient for women and allow them to wear gloves even when they aren't tied to the coat.
Thursday
15 Shvat; Tu B'Shvat 5771
January 20,2011
To See Today's Yahrtzeit's CLICK HERE
Today's email is dedicated by Jerry & Sunny Hercenberg "With Appreciation and gratitude to Hashem for giving us such wonderful Children"
1) The prohibition of Borer only applies during the process of preparing the food for consumption, but does not apply to when the food is actually being consumed.
Thus, if one is eating or drinking and senses that within the mouthful of food/drink there is a foreign substance that must be removed (e.g. a hair, a pebble or an egg shell) it is permitted to remove this waste and it is not an issue of Borer. (See Chazon Ish Siman 54:1)
This is the best Halachic option for removing watermelon pits, fish bones and similar items which are difficult to remove in a halachically permissible manner before eating; once they are in the mouth they may be removed L'Chatchilah. (See Chazon Ish 54:4)
2)If one has a drink which contains in it unwanted particles (e.g. sediment in wine or pulp in orange juice, or even insects) it is permitted to put a piece of material over the cup and drink through the material and thus keep the particles away, and this is not an issue of Borer. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 319:16)
The above may only be done during the actual eating or drinking, and not while holding the food/drink in their hand and about to be consume it, as doing it then, even though one may say "I am already in middle of drinking", is a transgression of Borer. (Chazon Ish ibid. See Biur Halacha Siman 319:4 Dibur Hamaschil HaBorer P'Soles for a more detailed discussion about this)
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:
If I recite a Bracha "Borei Pri Ha'Eitz on some fruit, and then some other fruits are brought out which I wasn't aware of at the time of my Bracha, am I required to recite a new Bracha or does my Bracha cover any fruit that is part of this "meal"?
Answer:
If at the time of the Bracha it was clear that you are now sitting down to a [non bread] "meal" (K'vius), no new Bracha is required on any new foods of the same Bracha that are brought out afterwards. (As one who sits down to lunch has in mind to exempt anything that may be served. Likewise, one who sits down to a fruit meal, exempts all fruit that may be brought out, as is common on Tu B'Shvat.) (Mishna Berura Siman 206:20-22. See also Sha'ar HaTziyun 206:25)
If , however, you just had one fruit as a snack and after it was consumed you decide to have a different fruit which you did not intend to eat at the time of your Bracha, a new Bracha will be required.
********
Wishing all my readers a fulfilling and uplifting Tu B'Shvat!
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 TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
Why is it that we must remember Yetziyas Mitzrayim at least twice a day, each time we say Kriyas Shema?
True, it was one of the world's outstanding events--but
Matan Torah was as well, and we have no similar twice a day
requirement!
The Mitzvah of Zecher LeYetzias Mitzrayim is not just
24/7/365, but 24/7/365 times 2! Why?!"
The Spinka Rebbe beautifully answered that it is because we must constantly remind ourselves that even when we were on the brink of disaster, about to plummet from the 49th level of Tumah(spiritual impurity),to a point of no return, IT WAS THEN that the TURNAROUND
occurred--and we were redeemed.
Zecher LeYetzias Mitzrayim provides every Jew with hope, inspiration, and guidance especially in these times, the last remnants of an exceedingly long and horribly difficult Golus.
We too can be Zoche to the TURNAROUND, through our sincere prayers and
deeds! Zecher LeYetzias Mitzrayim every day--twice a day!
Submitted by a daily reader, M.B.; Related by Rabbi Moshe Meir Weiss Shlita at the Hakhel Yarchei Kallah
1) One who did Borer with the intention of using the item immediately and after the item was removed from the mixture, he/she got busy with something else and didn't end up using it [or even deliberately decided after it was done that they would rather save this item for a later time], has not transgressed the Melacha of Borer, as the intention at the time of doing it was to use it immediately which is permissible.
However, according to some Poskim, it is praiseworthy to avoid this and indeed still try and use it immediately. (See Sha'ar HaTziyun Siman 319:5 quoting the Pri Megadim. Seemingly the Sha'ar HaTziyun does not concur with the Pri Megadim and seems to maintain that there is no need to try and use it now, as once it was done permissibly, it is no longer subject to prohibition of Borer)
2) Conversely, if one transgressed the Melacha of Borer by removing an item from a mixture with intent to use it later on, if he/she ended up using it immediately it does not remedy the transgression, as at the time of the Borer it was in an prohibited manner. (Orchos Shabbos page 150 footnote 57)
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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 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:
Are there any Minhagim brought in the Poskim regarding Tu B'Shvat, [which will be this Thursday January 20th]?
Answer:
Yes, here are a few that come to mind:
1) It is customary [for Ashkenazic Jews] to eat different varieties of fruits on Tu B'Shvat, as this day is the 'Rosh Hashanah" for fruit trees (meaning that the "year" regarding Ma'aser and Arlah is counted from this day) (Mogen Avraham Orach Chaim Siman 131:16)
2) Some people have the custom to eat an Esrog on Tu B'Shvat (Likutei MaHarich)
Some have the custom to make jelly/jam out of the Esrogim that were used for a Mitzvah on Sukkos. This jelly/jam is given to pregnant women to eat while they are in labor, as eating this Mitzvah jelly/jam is a Segulah for an easy birth and for the child to be healthy.
Many people also have the custom to taste this Esrog jelly/jam on the eve of Tu B'Shvat. (See Kaf HaChaim ibid. and Orchos Rabbeinu Vol. 2 Page 316)
3) It is also customary to daven on Tu B'Shvat for a beautiful, kosher Esrog on the following Sukkos (Bnei Yissochor Shvat 2:2 and Sefer Lashon Chachamim Vol. 1 Siman 38)
The Sefarim write that the words "Chamisha Asar B'Shvat" are the Gematria (numerical value) of the words "L'Kavein Al Esrog Lulav Hadas Aravah" (to have in mind for Esrog, Lulav, Hadassim and Aravos)
The Ben Ish Chai even wrote special Tefilah for this (CLICK HERE for the text of the Tefilah). This Tefilah may be recited on Shabbos, when Tu B'Shvat falls out on Shabbos.
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 TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
A few days ago, in this space we quoted the following:
"As a young man, I was determined to change the world. As I matured, I narrowed my goals to changing my community. Still later, I decided to change only my family. Now I realize that all I could do is just to change myself!'"
- Rabbi Yehoshua Heshel of Apt Zatzal quoted in Sefer Torah Tavlin -
***
A daily reader, N.S., emailed me the following response, which I think is a beautiful interpretation of this quote, regardless which Gadol said it:
"When I visited Camp Torah Vodaas (about 18 years ago)
for a Shabbos, a guest speaker spoke to the staff.
He recounted this same story although I believe he said it in the name of the Chofetz Chaim.
He added one thing, though as a hesber (explanation):
The Chofetz Chaim, never changed his goal. That was to change the world.
He just realized that to change the world, you don't need to go out and change the world, or the community, you can also accomplish this by just changing yourself! "
1) If one removes an item from a mixture for the purposes of giving it to someone else (e.g. removing an apple from a bowl of fruit for the purposes of giving to guest to take along with him after the meal [within an Eruv of course]), there is a debate amongst the Poskim if this is considered a permissible Borer.
2) According to some Poskim, being that this item is not going to be used immediately, it is prohibited. (See Ohr Sameach on Rambam Hilchos Shabbos Perek 23:16. This is also the ruling of Maran Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita, quoted in Sefer Orchos Shabbos page 148 footnote 52)
Other Poskim, however, rule that as far as the person removing it from the mixture, his need for this item is for the purpose of giving it to the other person and not for the purpose of using it, and thus it is considered for "immediate use" (i.e.to give to the other person immediately), and it's irrelevant when the other person actually uses it. (Ruling of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal, ibid. footnote 53)
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:
Can someone use a meat thermometer on Shabbos (the kind that pokes into the meat and gives the internal meat temperature) if it is not a digital read-out?
Answer:
No, it is prohibited to measure on Shabbos for purposes other than healing or for a Mitzvah.
Also, there may also be an issue of heating up the liquid in the thermometer when it is inserted into the hot meat.
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 TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
Question: Why isn't all food made ready to eat?
Answer by HaRav Avigdor Miller Zatzal:
Hakadosh Baruch Hu wanted us to work in this world. It's very important we should be busy. If we would live idly like Adam in Gan Eden, we would fall into sin, and that's why when Adam showed that total leisure was dangerous for him, he fell into sin. So Hashem said, from now on B'zeias Apecha Tochal Lechem, with the sweat of your brow you'll eat bread. You have to work for your bread, it's a blessing to work, Gedola Melacha, because you're busy working it keeps you out of trouble.
If everything was ready made, you never have to do any cooking, women would go wild. It's a blessing that they stand in the kitchen, and there's a big opportunity. A woman standing at the gas range is like a Kohain at the Mizbeiach and she's Makriv Korbanos. She's Makriv herself on the gas range for the benefit of her family. Hakadosh Baruch Hu planned this world for work, work is a very important blessing in this world, Gedola Melacha, how great is work. Make no mistake about it, Adam was given this blessing, B'zeias Apecha, with the sweat of your brow. Tova Torah Im Melacha, you need work in this world, Sheyagia Shenaihem Mashkachas Avon, laboring in Torah and laboring in work causes people to forget sin.
And therefore when Hakadosh Baruch Hu made an exception and gave us fruits, He's reminding us of our original state. Our original state was planned to be total leisure, where we'd enjoy the fruits of Gan Eden. So on Chamisha Asor Beshvat we go back to Gan Eden for a short visit and we look at the fruits, and we utilize them for the purpose for which the world was created. Then we go back to our work, Shaishes Yomim Ta'avod, six days you should work, V'asisa Kol Melachtecha. When Shabbos comes, thank Hashem for Shabbos or on Shabbos thank Hashem that He gave you six days to work.
Think about that: Thank Hashem that he gave you six days to carry out all your plans, to labor, to perfect yourself, to create the benefits of character that accrue from work, Gedola Melacha. Shabbos is like giving Maaser. When you give a tenth of your earnings to Hashem, you thank Him for the other nine tenths, and when you keep Shabbos to Hashem you thank Him for the other six days. Shaishes Yomim, six days you should do your work, a blessing of six days, it's a happiness the six days, opportunity of six days, because the work is in itself one of the great benefits that Hashem is giving to mankind.
1) As we learned, one of the criteria for permissible Bore is if it is done very close to the beginning of the meal.
A situation that often is arises is when one is expecting guests for the meal, and being that one isn't sure when exactly the guests will arrive, it is difficult to determine when the meal will begin and thus when one would be allowed to start doing a permissible Borer.
The Poskim say that in such a case it is permissible to begin preparing close to the earliest possible time that the guests can arrive.
Thus, for example, if the guests can arrive anytime between 10:45 am and 12:00 pm, the preparations can begin a bit before 10:45 am, and this food is 100% permissible to eat even if they indeed arrive, and the meal only begins, at 12:00 pm. (Orchos Shabbos Hilchos Borer Perek 3:52)
2) If one has a pile of Seforim, it is permissible to remove all the Seforim that are needed for immediate use from within the pile.
The definition of "For immediate use" over here means that they will be used within the current learning session, even if the duration of the session will be for a long period of time.
Thus, when one arrives in Shul on Shabbos morning for davening, he may remove a Chumash from within a pile of Seforim, even though it won't be used until the time of Krias HaTorah, which can be almost two hours later, as the entire duration of davening is considered " a single session". (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:
Is it appropriate or even the right thing for a woman to be menachem avel (comfort a mourner sitting Shiva) a man who is not a relative?
My close friend's father is sitting shiva and there are only men sitting there, should I / can I go be menachem avel?
It would obviously mean just peeking into the mens side for a minute just to get the avel's attention so that he can see me and I can say the possuk.
If its not appropriate, what would I do if the avel is someone I know who would be insulted or hurt?
Answer:
There is nothing wrong per se for a woman to be menachem avel a man or vice versa. As long as there are no other tzniyus concerns, it can and should be done and in fact that is the prevelant minhag.
If the room is filled with men and you would have to squeeze through them to reach the Avel, or by coming into the room it will cause men to look at you inappropriately, obviously it shouldnt be done.
But if the room isn't filled, and you can stand at the door and wish him the "HaMakom Yenachem" in a dignified and Tzniyus way, there is no problem.
If it cannot be done appropriately, you can always call him on the phone and say the "Hamakom"
May all mourners be comforted amongst the mourners of Tzion and Yerushalayim.
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 TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
"The greatest knowledge of Hashem is a lack of knowledge. When it comes to knowing Hashem the greatest student is the one who recognizes that he knows nothing!"
Rabbi Simcha Zissel Ziv Zatzl, the Alter of Kelm as quoted in Sefer Torah Tavlin
1) A pile of silverware (forks, spoons and knives) that are all mixed together may not be sorted unless being done so close to the time of the meal where they will be used.
Likewise, eggs and vegetables may only be peeled very close to the meal.
2)When separating the silverware or peeling the eggs or vegetables, it isn't necessary to determine the exact amount that will be used at the meal and only sort or peel that amount; rather a generous amount may be prepared even if doing so will probably end up with some of them not being used at the meal.
However, this may not be done if one's distinct intention is to sort or peel enough to have for a subsequent meal as well as the current meal.
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:
Is there such thing as a gray area in life were its neither good or bad, but neutral? Or everything in life is either a mitvah or an aveira?
Answer:
Firstly, Hashem is good. everything Hashem does is good. We may not always see it, but Hashem is good and only does good. Even "bad" things are done for our benefit! Thus, we may say that life is difficult or challenging, but we may never say that life is bad! The very difficulties and struggles and challenges are to test us, and then once we pass our tests, we get eternal reward from Hashem!
The Torah says(Devorim 30:19)"...HaChaim V'Hamaves Nasati L'fanecha, Habracha V'Haklala, Uvacharta BaChaim". Hashem says to us I have placed life and death before you, blessings and curses...Choose life!"
There is no such thing as standing still in Yiddishkeit. We are always moving either up or down, we are either growing or falling, we are either doing what Hashem wants from us or we are doing what He doesnt want us to do. Everything in life is a choice. Will we follow the Yetzer Hara (Hamaves) or will we follow the Torah way (Hachaim)
Not everything is necessarily a Mitzva or an Aveira per se, but EVERY action we do or don't do, EVERY word we say or don't say, EVERY decision we make or don't make will either propel us closer to Hashem or drag us down away from Him Chas V'Shalom.
So, basically there arent really any grey areas in the life of a Jew. Obviously, this topic is deeper and more complicated than a few sentences, but that is the way the Chachamim view it in a nutshell.
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 TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
"As a young man, I was determined to change the world. As I matured, I narrowed my goals to changing my community. Still later, I decided to change only my family. Now I realize that all I could do is just to change myself!'"
- Rabbi Yehoshua Heshel of Apt Zatzal quoted in Sefer Torah Tavlin -
1) The prohibition of Borer only applies when there is a mixture and an "item not wanted" is being removed from within the mixture.
However, if the item is not removed and is simply moved from one place in the mixture to another place in the mixture, but all the items remain "in the mixture", it is permitted. (See Sefer Shvisas HaShabbos; Borer S"K 34)
2) Thus, for example, if one has a ring of keys and is trying to locate a specific key on the ring, it would be permitted to move the other keys to the side until the key needed is located, provided they all remain on the ring throughout.
Of course, if the unwanted keys are removed from the ring in order to locate the desired key, it is prohibited.
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) The cards in an index card box or a Rolodex that contains in it many cards with information on each card may be moved out of the way in order to find a specific card that is needed, as since all the cards remain in the box it isn't considered "removed from the mixture"
Likewise, a single card that was out of the box may be replaced into its proper place even if this will require moving and shuffling the other cards to find the correct location for the card that is now being replaced.
2) If, however, a card is being removed from the card box, it may only be done for immediate use.
It is commonplace in Shuls to have index card boxes containing cards, in alphabetical order, for each member with their names and other pertinent information printed on the card.
A Gabbai in a Shul may remove the cards containing the names of the people to whom he would like to call to the Torah for an Aliyah, provided this is done immediately before the beginning of the Tefilah.
The cards may not be removed on Friday night in preparation for the Aliyos on Shabbos morning.
After Krias HaTorah, when the Gabbai has a pile of cards of all those that received Aliyos, he may not return each card to its proper place as the pile is now considered "a mixture" and sorting them and replacing them would be considered Borer for use at a later time which is prohibited.
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:
Is it an aveira (sin) to be worried or nervous, because it says to trust in Hashem as a commandmet and being worried isn't trusting in Hashem.
Answer:
Well, that is an extremely high level, and one that we as frum Jews should strive for our entire lives. If you learn the Sefer Chovos Halevovos (and every frum Jew should read this sefer!) it will help you understand, internalize and make you feel Bitachon as a real thing!
Yes, Hashem is in charge and in total control of this world, and nothing -bad or good- can happen without Him willing it so. Yes, technically we should never worry, and simply place our trust in our all powerful Father in Heaven who loves us and watches over each and every one of us.
As long as you are striving to reach this level, even if it takes you many years or even a lifetime, it isn't an "Aveira" to worry or be nervous. However, if one worries too much and forgets about Hashem and doesnt at least try to place his/her trust in Him, it may indeed be a sin.
This topic is a very exhaustive one, and beyond the scope of an email. I do suggest reading sefarim/books on the topic of Emunah/Bitachon to help you grow in this important area. (Rabbi Avigdor Miller Zatzal has some excellent books on these topics as well as many other Hebrew and English books by many great authors that can be found in any Seforim store. Rabbi Lazer Brody's "Garden of Emunah" is a great choice as well.)
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 TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
Today's Halachos are dedicated by a daily reader S.D., "In appreciation to Hashem Yisborach for everything He does for me and my family on a daily basis"
1) A food item that is cooked or fried and has in it excess oil or another liquid, may be squeezed to remove that liquid, and it is not a prohibition of Borer, provided that there isn't so much oil in it that most people would not eat it in its current state. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 320:7)
However, for a sensitive person who absolutely will not eat this item unless it is squeezed out, even though most other people would eat it, it is indeed considered Borer and he/she may not squeeze it out on Shabbos.
2)A plate that has on it various different leftovers, some liquid and some solid, may be spilled into the sink, even though the liquid will go down the drain and the solids will be caught by the sink strainer, as since all the leftovers are waste it is all considered one item and not "in a mixture".
Furthermore, the action of spilling all the waste into the sink is for disposal purposes and not for the purpose of separating one item from the other and thus is not an action of Borer. (See Shmiras Shabbos K'Hilchasa Perek 12 footnote 47 quoting Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal. See also Chazon Ish Siman 53 Dibur Hamaschil U'Linyan Barza)
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:
There is a minhag that by the chupa, the kallah takes off her jewelry and gives them to her single friends and her bouquet of flowers as well as a 'sgula' to find their zivug. Is there anything to it or is a chukas goyim?
Answer:
This is a well established minhag.
One of the reasons given is that a Choson and Kalah don't wear Jewelry at the chupah to show that they are marrying each other for who they are, and not for their wealth or other external reasons.
Since when the jewelry is removed, someone has to hold it, the minhag evolved to give it to friends, and it became known as a segulah.
There is nothing wrong with doing this as a minhag and it isn't Chukas HaGoy, but it has no source in Halacha, and there is no need to do this if they don't want to.
Also, there is no need to empty their pockets or loosen any ties, according to Halacha, yet many have the minhag to do so. (based on Psak of HaGaon Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv shlita quoted in the sefer Yismach Lev. Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita, also quoted in Yismach Lev says that Al Pi Kabalah, it is important to empty the pockets)
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 TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
A man and his son were walking in the forest.
Suddenly the boy trips and feeling a sharp pain he screams, "Ahhhhh."
Surprised, he hears a voice coming from the mountain, "Ahhhhh!"
Filled with curiosity, he screams:
"Who are you?",
but the only answer he receives is:
"Who are you?"
This makes him angry, so he screams:
"You are a coward!",
and the voice answers:
"You are a coward!"
He looks at his father, asking,
"Dad, what is going on?"
"Son," the man replies, "pay attention!"
Then he screams, "I admire you!"
The voice answers: "I admire you!"
The father shouts, "You are wonderful!",
and the voice answers:
"You are wonderful!"
The boy is surprised, but still can't understand what is going on.
Then the father explains,
"People call this 'ECHO',
but truly it is 'LIFE!'
Life always gives you back what you give out!
Life is a mirror of your actions.
If you want more love, give more love!
If you want more kindness, give more kindness!
If you want understanding and respect, give understanding and respect!
If you want people to be patient and respectful to you, give patience and respect!
This rule of nature applies to every aspect of our lives."
Life always gives you back what you give out.
Your life is not a coincidence, but a mirror of your own doings.
Important Numbers
