Today's Halachos are dedicated by a daily reader as a Zechus for a Refuah Shelaima for her grandmother Chaya Nesa bas Malka who is hospitalized with pneumonia.
When learning the halachos today, please have in mind that they be a merit for her to have a complete and speedy recovery B'Soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel.
1) Fruits and vegetables which are eaten by most people with their peels on (e.g. pears, apples) may be peeled on Shabbos even if they will not be eaten immediately.
However, if a particular individual is sensitive and will never eat this fruit or vegetable with its peel, according to many Poskim he/she may not peel this fruit or vegetable unless it's for immediate consumption. (Similar to the ruling of those Poskim that prohibit filtering otherwise palatable water for an individual who never drinks it without filtering)
Fruits and vegetables which are usually peeled by most people before eating (e.g. carrots, garlic etc.) may only be peeled for immediate consumption. (See Mishna Berura Siman 321:84. See also Shu"t Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 4 Siman 74; Borer:8)
2) Regarding the use of specialized peeler on Shabbos, many Poskim, including Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal, allow it as they consider it as a regular knife, while other Poskim prohibit it as they consider it a specialized utensil, and only allow peeling with a regular knife.(See Shmiras Shabbos K'Hilchasa Perek 4:10 and footnote 27 where he quotes Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal as allowing it on Yom Tov but not on Shabbos. See also Sefer Shvisas HaShabbos; Borer: 24)
Each individual should consult their Rav for Halacha L'ma'aseh.
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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:
I recently thought about the idea of how the Siddur is published with the Torah portions read on Mondays, Thursdays, Shabbos Mincha, and at various other zmanim throughout the year, is placed in the back of the Siddur, with the T'fillos preceding it, resulting when you close a Siddur the T'fillos are placed and rest above the Torah portions.
But when it comes to "piling up Sefarim" we tend to place Chumashim(composed of the portions mentioned above) on top of a Siddur mainly because of "Ma'alim B'kidushah", what could be a possible heter for this, or should a Siddur be placed down when not using it "upside down" namely with the Torah portions on top?
Answer:
According to many Poskim (including Aruch HaShulchan Yoreh Deah Siman 282:22) only Chumashim written as Torah scrolls (individual Sefarim, but on parchment) have the extra Kedusha and may not be placed under any other seforim, and not our Chumashim that are printed on paper.
Although we are stringent and don't put anything on top of a paper Chumash either, in your case there is no room for stringencies and definitely do not place the siddur backwards, as the Pesukim that are in the back do not make it a chumash.
The Talmud also has Pesukim in it as do other Seforim, yet only a Chumash by itself has that stringency.
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:
Rabbi G. Kosovar, a well-known elementary school principal in Yerushalayim, went with a delegation of principals to visit Beit Chinuch Ivrim, a school for the blind in Jerusalem.
A young man of about 16 years old, came over and felt Rav Kosovar's head and then face, and asked him "You are a rabbi, true?"
"True." Agreed the Rav.
"Tell me" demanded the boy, "Rabbi, have you danced today?"
Now this was getting confusing. "Danced?" Rav Kosovar asked him. "It's 10:00 in
the morning, where might I have danced?"
The bachur responded with great feeling, "You opened your eyes this morning and saw the world around you... I would give my life to see the world before I turn seventeen! I've never seen anything, ever, since the day I was born. And you opened your eyes today, seeing, and you didn't dance!!?"
When we lift our siddurim, and see the holy letters before our eyes and say the bracha in birchos hashachar of "Baruch Ata, pokeyach ivrim", let us think for even the briefest moment how it all could have been different... praise Hashem, and let your heart dance!
Submitted by daily reader, E.S.; Based on a small part of a speech heard from Rabbi Gavriel Kosovar
1)Water which is palatable to most people without any additional filtering, may be filtered on Shabbos even if a pitcher or another specially designed utensil for this purpose is utilized.
Likewise, a faucet with a built in filter may be used on Shabbos, provided that the water is palatable to most people from the tap sans the filter. (Obviously, if the mechanism in question is electric it may not be used on Shabbos at all)
The reason this is permitted is because since most people would drink the water even without the filtering, we consider it as if there is nothing at all mixed into the water and thus it isn't subject to Borer.(See Rama Siman 319:10)
2)However, a person who is extremely sensitive and will never drink unfiltered tap water, for that person, according to many Poskim, it is indeed prohibited to filter the water on Shabbos. (Based on the Pri Megadim quoted in the Biur Halacha Siman 319:10 Dibur Hamaschil Hoi'yel U'reUyin. This is also how Maran Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita and Rav Shmuel Wosner shlita rule.)
Other Poskim maintain that even such a person may filter the water on Shabbos as to determine if something is a mixture we look at how most people perceive it and not how any one individual perceives it. (Ruling of Rav Nissim Karelitz Shlita quoted in Orchos Shabbos page 141, footnote 38)
For Halacha L'ma'aseh, of course, a Rav must be consulted.
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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:
Why is it that some people place a sefer face-down on the table to keep the place? My understanding is that this is forbidden. Can you tell me the source(s) for this halacha?
Answer:
You are 100% correct that it is prohibited to place a Sefer face down. See Rama Yoreh Deah Siman 282:5.
Unfortunately, many people are lax in this and other halachos that pertain to treating Seforim with proper respect. ( See also Ta"z to Yoreh Deah Siman 271:8. and Biur Halachah Siman 83 Dibur HaMaschil Ain)
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:
My dear brothers and sisters,
The holy Tzaddik R' Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin writes (in Sefer Tzidkas HaTzadik 154):
"Just as one must believe in Hashem, so too, one must believe in themselves!"
R' Tzadok goes on to say that Hashem cares so much about YOU that He is "busy" with YOU.
What YOU do makes a difference to Hashem in a BIG way. Hashem derives pleasure (K'Vyachol) from YOU when you do ratzon (the will of) Hashem!
It says in The Pasuk (Parshas Yisro 19:9) Hashem said to Moshe that after Kabalas HaTorah, the Jews will "Believe in you [Moshe] too", and it says in this week's Parsha (B'Shalach 14:31) that the Jews feared Hashem and believed in Hashem and in Moshe, the servant of Hashem.
R' Tzadok explains that Moshe was the embodiment of the entire Klal Yisroel; There was a little piece of every Jew's Neshama in Moshe's exalted Neshama. Therefore, what the Torah is telling us is that each and every Jew must believe in Moshe i.e. each Jew must believe in themselves!
The Yetzer Hara wants us to think bad about ourselves. The Yetzer Hara wants us to think of ourselves as small and incapable people. The Yetzer hara wants us to be depressed and unforgiving of our past. the Yetzer Hara doesnt want us to believe in ourselves!
That is NOT what Hashem wants! Hashem wants us to BELIEVE in our strengths, our capabilities, our ability to overcome evil and achieve greatness,
Each and every one of us, no matter how far we have fallen, CAN ACHIEVE GREATNESS!
Each and every one of us, no matter how deep we have sinned, CAN BE AS RIGHTEOUS AS MOSHE RABBEINU!
Each and every one of us has a piece of G-d in our Neshama!
We all believe in Hashem! We must all start believeing in ourselves!
We can all be great, not despite our past failings, but BECAUSE of our past failings!
"Shiva Yipol Tzaddik V'Kam- A Tzaddik falls seven times and gets up"(Mishlei 24:16).
The greatness is not despite the 7 falls, it is a result of the 7 falls!
1)The Poskim debate whether a mixture of tart apples and sweet apples is considered "in a mixture" and thus subject to the criteria of Borer or if they are all considered one item and thus may be separated as desired. (See Mishna Berura Siman 319:15)
The reason that these apples may differ from a mixture of cooked and broiled chicken, which we learned are considered two different items, is because "cooked and broiled" are considered 2 different entities, whereas "tart and sweet" are just different tastes of the same entity. (Ruling of Rav Shmuel Auerbach Shlita, quoted in Orchos Shabbos page 139 footnote 31)
2)A box of Matzos that contains in it whole matzos as well as cracked ones and one is trying to choose from the box whole matzos for use as Lechem Mishna, according to some Poskim it is considered "in a mixture" and may only be separated as per the permissible criteria of Borer. (Ruling of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal quoted in Orchos Shabbos page 140 footnote 32)
Other Poskim maintain that even though the whole Matzos are desired, it is still considered one item and no problems of Borer apply. (Ruling of Maran Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita; ibid footnote 33)
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'm not from a religious family but I [myself] am [a religious female]. Am I allowed to make kiddush for my uncles and boy cousins as they don't know how to do it.
Also, can I say Birkat Hamazon out loud [and be Motzi them]? Is that a Tzinius problem?
Answer:
The Mishna Berura (Siman 271:4) rules that a woman may exempt a man with Kiddush. However, he says that it is not appropriate to do so, unless it is for her family members, which in your case it is, so it would be OK, especially since they are not religious.
Regarding Birchas HaMazon, it is more complicated, as it isn't clear if a woman's obligation to bentch is biblical or not. If her obligation is only rabbinical, she may not be Motzi a man whose obligation is biblical. Unless, the man ate a small amount and isnt totally satisfied, and then his obligation is rabbinical too and then she can be Motzi him. (See Mishna Berura 186:1-3).
However, in your case, where they will not bentch on their own anyway, and here they will listen to yur bentching at least, perhaps it is proper. A Rav must be consulted 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:
What is Shovavim tat?
Shovavim tat is an acrostic whose Hebrew letters comprise the first letters of each of the following Parshiyot: Shmot, Va'era, Bo, Beshalach, Yitro, Mishpatim, Trumah, Tetzaveh. It refers to the weeks preceding the Sabbath when those parshiyot are read in Synagogue.
There was a custom going back to Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, the Arizal, the famous sixteenth century Kabbalist of Tzfat, for the pious to fast and say selichot every Monday and Thursday during this period and to treat this time as one of personal Teshuvah (penitence) especially in the realm of sins of sexual nature. These fast days were regarded as personal fast days, rather than public ones.
An alternative custom was that during a leap year, like this year, whose winter is longer by one month than the winters of other years, the pious voluntarily fasted eight days: the eight Thursdays of the weeks when the above parshiyot are read.
What is the Reason for Shovavim tat?
There are a number of reasons given for this period of Teshuvah:
1) During this period we read the parshiyot which describe the Jews' suffering and exile in Egypt and their redemption, salvation, and exodus by the Hand of God. Just as Israel in the Torah called out from their physical exile, so too we call out of our personal spiritual exile. Just as the Jewish people overcame the darkness of the Egyptian exile so too we try to overcome the spiritual darkness in our lives and come closer to God from whom we are separated.
2) Many Chassidic and Kabbalistic sources describe the focus of this period as strengthening our resolve in areas of family purity (Taharat Hamishpacha) and in studying and keeping the laws of family purity and personal purity.
3) The number of winter days in a leap year is more numerous than during other years. Therefore, there is an interruption of more than half a year between the fast days of BaHaB of Cheshvan after the holidays of Tishrei and those of Iyar after Pesach. And since the pious fasted BaHaB, in order to attain forgiveness for the entire community, for a period of half a year, these fast days were intended to atone for Israel's transgressions during the extra month, which is added to the half year. The essential aim of the fast is to pray for Israel's fruitfulness, and that no expectant mother might miscarry. Therefore, the fast was fixed for the fifth day of the week, on which the fish of the sea were created - who were given the blessing: 'be fruitful and multiply.' In the first of these eight Parshiyot it is written: 'and for all that they afflicted them, so did they increase and so did they expand.' The final Parsha, Tetzaveh, contains the conclusion of the commandment concerning the erection of the Tabernacle - through which God dwells in the midst of the children of Israel. (from Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov's Book of Our Heritage)
Shovavim tat Nowadays
Nowadays, the custom of either fasting or saying selichot during this period is rare except in some Chassidic communities.
However, some Jews use this period of Shovavim tat to strengthen their observance of the laws of family purity and to review the intricate details of and philosophy behind these laws.
Submitted by daily reader, Y.J.; Written by Rabbi Yonatan Kaganoff ,OU Rabbinic Coordinator taken from www.OU.org
To dedicate the learning of a day or more of HALACHA FOR TODAY, or to make a much appreciated donation to please email halachafortoday@yahoo.com
Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
1)In order for the prohibition of Borer to be in effect, the two items that are being sorted must be different, but if the two items are the same albeit in different sizes or shapes, there is no prohibition of Borer as it isn't considered "in a mixture". (Rama Siman 319:3)
Moreover, when the items being separated are deemed "one and the same" they may even be separated using a utensil and even if being sorted for use at a later time, as the prohibitions of Borer do not apply at all in such a case. (See Mishna Berura Siman 319:58)
We will now discuss some common examples and determine whether they are considered "different items" from one another or if they are considered "one and the same".
2) A plate containing various parts of a chicken (e.g. thighs, wings, drumsticks etc.) according to some Poskim is not considered "in a mixture" as it is all considered one item, and thus may be sorted and separated as desired. (Ruling of Maran Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita quoted in Sefer Ayil Meshulash Perek 3)
Other Poskim disagree and maintain that these different parts of a chicken are considered different items and thus all the Halachos of Borer apply to them. (Ruling of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal quoted in Sefer Me'Or HaShabbos Vol. 3 letter 40:3)
All agree, however, that if some of the pieces of chicken are cooked and some are broiled, [or if they are otherwise different beyond them just being different parts of a chicken] that they are deemed "different" and considered "in a mixture" and may only be separated in the permissible manner. (See Mishna Berura Siman 319:15)
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 ok to say Birchas Hamazon or Al Hamichya standing up?
Answer:
It is best to try and sit while reciting Birchas Hamazon and Al Hamichya, however, if it was said while standing you are Yotzei B'Dieved.
(See Aruch HaShulchan Siman 183:8.)
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 experience of pain in one form or another, is part of the human condition and none of us are exempt from it.
In the eys of the Torah and as part of our Hashkafa, we Jews are taught that one can achieve a heightened relationship with Hashem through the experience of pain. When we utilize our pain properly, we can turn it into a vehicle of bringing us closer to Borei Olam. To this end, pain is a reminder for us to find Hashem, take hold of his hand and beg him to help us through our troubles. A person who feels full, will come to forget Hashem, as King David writes; "Pen esbah V'chachashti" - "Lest I become Full and Forget You Hashem"!
When we feel as if we are lacking for nothing, we tend to forget Hashem. However, when we experience pain, whether physical, emotional or spiritual, we remember our Creator and we cry out to him for salvation! As the expression goes, "there is no atheist in a foxhole"!
It is beyond the scope of this article to properly address the "Hows and Why's" with respect to (why) certain people experience increasing pain in their lives, where others seem to get by with a far lesser dosage. It is true that Hashem is so desirous of a relationship with each of us, that he will sometimes bring pain upon those who he wishes to draw close as a reminder that he "misses us". However, as to "why" (etc.) Hashem gives some of us more of a 'reminder' than others, this is something which needs to be properly addressed on its own. I would recommend these excellent Lectures on Suffering by Hagaon Rav Yitzchok Kirzner Zatzal, who was no stranger to pain during his lifetime.
Rather, the purpose of this article is to address the indisputable fact that there is nothing like pain to act as a conduit for forging a connection with God.
Defining Pain
We must properly define pain in order to discuss it.
We all experience daily headaches of all types. The minutia of aggravations and difficulties, "comes with the territory" of our lives. However, these hardships do not assail us with such singular force as to push all other items on "our agenda" into the recesses of our minds. Conversely, pain in its acute form - whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, is so intense, that it literally prevents us from being able to function properly. When a person experiences the excruciating physical pain of a toothache, he screams out to Hashem, "God, let me hurt my foot..etc. etc. just take this pain away"!! In other words, he is completely consumed by the sensation of pain, while all other matters get pushed into the
background.
This is also true of spiritual and emotional pain. Sometimes we experience such severe pain and we feel hopeless and cannot function properly.
Pain is a Gift
During times like these, we must know that pain - when utilized properly is a gift from Hashem! Hashem waits anxiously for us to reach out to him from the depths of our despair.
"There is nothing more complete than a broken Heart" - says the Rebbe of Kotzk.
When all is seemingly lost and everything else recedes into the shadows, what remains and always will remain, is the reality of Hashem!
There are many people who care for us. Human beings are "social animals" and we are constantly surrounded by colleagues, friends and family alike. Yet, when we find ourselves in the throes of our personal pain, we suddenly feel hopelessly alone. We feel as if nobody can understand or relate to our situation. At this precious moment, we must recognize that Hashem himself is right there with us and understands our situation completely.
We are never alone and need not feel that way. Indeed, Hashem is waiting for us to utilize these moments in order to connect with him!
We know that there isn't a more desirable prayer to Hashem than the simple "Tefilah Le'ani Ki Ya'atof" - The plaintative cry of a person with a broken heart...a person who has come to realize that only Hashem can save him!
It is for this reason that trials and tribulations - and indeed pain - are built into the fabric of Hashems world. This is actually by design. Hashem intends it to be this way for it is actually a tool for spiritual growth.
David Hamelech writes; "Lest my enemies rejoice, for although I have fallen, I will get up again"! It is precisely the inevitable ups and downs and periods of pain which we experience, that causes us to take stock of our lives and to ultimately grow in our relationship with Hashem (and that's why we are here in the first place!).
Self inflicted pain
Sometimes we are the cause of our own pain. We mess up. We do aveiros and sin before Hashem, or regarding our fellow man. We feel the crushing pain and hopelessness of our situation. At these times, we must realize that the pain is an opportunity to connect with Hashem and we must not squander that opportunity by simply crying out without directing our cries to the Almighty! To cry out in pain and not direct your cries to Hashem, is akin to finding a precious diamond and leaving it in the gutter! Only Hashem can make us whole again and he will! True Teshuva is to eradicate our sin(s) completely as if it never happened! The Rambam writes this quite explicitly in Hilchos Teshuva.
We need to talk to Hashem in any Language (most importantly the language of the heart, or "heartzshprach" in Yiddish), to acknowledge our pain, to share it with him and to ask him for help. Proper Tefiloh is crucial to achieving and restoring our sense of self and our happiness. Reciting Krias Shema before going to bed, is also crucially important, as we wrote about over here.
We must also realize and be alert to the fact that our self inflicted (or other) pain, often causes us to lapse in areas of our lives which we would otherwise be vigilant in protecting. Rav Shimshon Pincus points out that sometimes when we become despondent as a result of our pain, we tend to adopt the "throw in the towel mentality", where we "give up" and might be apt to raid the fridge, read certain questionable books and magazines, or frequent certain places we would otherwise never walk into. This is to destroy and lose sight of why we are experiencing this pain in the first place!! We must be careful to gird ourselves during these precious moments and not to "jump from the frying pan into the fire", chas V'shalom!!! Hashem is testing us and we can overcome this test and come out on the other side even stronger than before!
Finally, we must recognize that all forms of personal pain, whether physical, spiritual or emotional, stems from the much larger pain of the displaced Shechina in our long exile. We must daven to Hashem that he bring an end to his own pain and suffering by returning to us, his beloved Am Yisrael! We pray "Hashiveinu Hashem Eilecha V'nashuva"!
Chazal in Medrash Eicha relate that in the neighborhood of Rabban Gamliel, there lived an old widow who lost her only son. Every night at Chatzos, she would cry and lament over her personal tragedy. Rabban Gamliel would hear her cries and position himself close to the sounds of her wailing and he would begin to lament over the Churban Habayis. This almanah would cry over her personal loss, while Rabban Gamliel would cry over the Churban. This is because Rabban Gamliel understood that ultimately, all personal suffering is a result of the greater suffering of Hashem and his chosen people torn apart during this long and bitter galus!
Let us all have faith and renew our energies and we shall overcome!!
Adapted in part from talks by Rav Shimshon Pincus Z"L, Rav Mordechai Gifter Z'L and Rav Yaakov Meir Shechter Shlita; taken from www.ohrShimshon.com
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Bo
2 Shvat 5771
January 7 , 2011
To See Today's Yahrtzeit's CLICK HERE
DOUBLE PORTION L'KAVOD SHABBOS KODESH
Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh
1) It is very common when opening a can of vegetables, tuna fish or sardines, or similar items that come in a sealed can, to drain the liquid from the can before removing the food.
This is forbidden to do on Shabbos as removing the liquid (which is P'soles, the unwanted item) from the food (the Ochel, the desired item) is a classic example of prohibited Borer.
2) Very often when opening a cup of yogurt or leben, a small layer of water is present on the top and is intertwined into the yogurt/leben. This water is usually stirred into the yogurt/ leben or, alternatively, is spilled out.
If the water and the leben/yogurt are already joining with one another, it is considered "a mixture" and the water may not be spilled out on Shabbos, as doing so is a prohibited Borer. If the yogurt/leben is solid and the water on top is not seeping into the leben/yogurt, then it may be spilled out.
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) A fly, or another unwanted small item, that fell into a drink may not be removed by itself; rather it must be removed together with some of the liquid from the cup. (See Mishna Berura Siman 319:61. We shall B'Ezras Hashem discuss this Halacha of taking some of the good with the bad in more detail in the days ahead)
2) A pot of soup that contains in it pieces of chicken, vegetables and other items is divided into two categories as follows:
a) The top layer of the pot which contains only liquid is not considered "in a mixture" and the liquid may be poured out or otherwise removed from there even if it is being removed in order to get to the other items in the pot.
b) The bottom half of the pot, where all the chicken, vegetables etc. is laying is considered "in a mixture" and thus the soup and/or the other items may only be removed if all the criteria of permissible Borer are present (i.e. the good is taken from the bad, for immediate use and it is done without specialized utensils).
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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:
What is the Halacha regarding using dishes that have not been used for at least 15 -20 years.
They are fine bone china, but I know they did not come from a kosher home?
Answer:
Usually china cannot be koshered.
If they are expensive, and havent been used in over a year ( as is your case) some Poskim alow them to be koshered and used. Consult a 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:
Ever wonder what would happen if we treated Torah as we treat our cell phone?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several time a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it as if we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to Kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?
This is something to make you go....hmm...just where is my Torah today?
Oh, and ooooooone more thing.
Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about Torah being disconnected because its calls never fail.
Makes you stop and think 'where are my priorities'?
No dropped calls!
No worries about running out of power-recharging it
To dedicate the learning of a day or more of HALACHA FOR TODAY, or to make a much appreciated donation to please CLICK BUTTON BELOW.
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.
1) A solid that is large enough to be distinctly recognizable when submerged in a liquid, according to many Poskim, is not considered to be "in a mixture" and thus the unwanted liquid may be removed or poured off in order to get to the solid.
Some examples of this: a) A pot of hard boiled eggs in water, where the water may be spilled out in order to reach the eggs. b) A jar of pickles in brine, where the pickle juice may be spilled out in order to reach the pickles. c) A pitcher of water that contains slices of lemon may be poured even if the spout of the pitcher will prevent the lemons from leaving the pitcher. (Some Poskim are stringent even in the aforementioned cases and a Rav should be consulted for Halacha L'ma'aseh. See K'tzos HaShulchan 125:14 and Shu"t Az Nidberu Vol. 4 Siman 21)
2) A large quantity of olives (or similar small item) that are submerged in a pitcher of water is considered to be "in a mixture" and thus the water may not be poured off in order to get to the olives.
Likewise, a slotted spoon may not be used to retrieve the olives from within the water, and surely a sieve may not be used to do this.
A single olive, however, that is in a pitcher of liquid is not considered "in a mixture" and may be removed even with a utensil and even if not being eaten immediately.
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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:
If someone said Al Hamichya [after eating bread] in place of bentching should he still bentch or was he Yotzai with Al Hamichya?
Answer:
He should still Bentch, as even if M'Doraysa he may have satisfied his obligation, M'Drabanan he has not. Furthermore, there is a requirement to mention "Bris and Torah" in Bentching, and those are missing in Al HaMichya. See Shulchan Aruch Siman 187:3. and Sha'ar Hatziyun Siman 168:71 See also Shu"t Az Nidberu Vol. 5 Siman 31.
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:
"Fear of death occurs only when a person has only one world, but many gods. However, when the reverse is true, and a person has only one G-d and two worlds, death is not that frightening.".
Rabbi Shalom Ber Zatzal of Lubavitch quoted in Sefer Torah Tavlin
Tehilim via Teleconference for Women and Girls on Erev Rosh Chodesh Shevat:
Today, Wednesday, January 5th at 1:00 pm (New York time) The speaker will be Rabbi Dovid Weinberger, Rav of Shaarei Tefila in Lawrence , New York. Mrs. Tzirel Rubin will lead the saying of Perokim 20, 83, 121, 130, 142 and 100. Organized by www.Aneinu.com
To Participate call 212-990-8000. The PIN number is 6060#.
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1) Seforim or books that are neatly lined on a shelf, in a way that each one is easily recognizable, are not considered "in a mixture" and thus any one may be removed from the shelf even if there is no intent to use that Sefer immediately.
However, if the books are laying on the shelf in an unorganized fashion, and the titles are not easily discernable and they are otherwise not recognizable, they may indeed be considered "a mixture" and be subject to the prohibition of Borer, and according to many Poskim may only be removed if all the criteria of permissible Borer are present. (See Orchos Shabbos page 134 footnote 17 )
2) If a pile of Seforim or books are lying on a pile on the table, it is considered "in a mixture" even if they are easily discernable (as this is inherently a mixture, unlike when they are on the shelf), and thus they should not be sorted into piles nor should a Sefer be pulled out of the pile unless it is being used immediately. (See Rama Siman 319:3)
If one must remove a Sefer from an unorganized bookshelf or from a pile on the table on Friday night for use on Shabbos day, the best thing to do is to learn something from it immediately for a moment and thus it will have been a Borer for immediate use which is permitted.
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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:
A few weeks ago, I was at [name of national chain department store] and the cashier gave me 2 pairs of shoes for free because I joked that they're free because they didn't have a price on it. I was happy but obviously I doubt the cashier had authority to give me the shoes.
I asked my family and they said one is allowed to steal from a non Jew.
I know you have to return something if it will cause a kiddush Hashem, but in this case the shoes were worth 40 dollars and if the only reason I would have to return would be to make a kiddush Hashem, then I opted not to because the 40 dollars is a lot for me. So I was wondering what the halacha would be here and in general from stealing from a non Jew?
Answer:
Geneivas Akum, Stealing from a non Jew is 100% prohibited, and may even be a worse sin than stealing from a Jew.
"If one steals from a non -Jew, swears falsely and dies, his death is no atonement for his sin because of Chillul Hashem" (Tosefta Bava Kamma, 10 quoted in facinating, must read essay on Chilul Hashem written by Rav Shimon Schwab Zatzal which can be seen here).
Ta'us Akum, where a non Jew made a mistake in your favor, is where it may be permissible, if no Chilul Hashem is involved.
In your case, you must return the shoes.
[editor's postscript: A day after responding to the the above question, I received an email from this person telling me that both pairs of shoes which were in a bag in the car, were stolen from the car.]
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:
Relax and feel confident in the knowledge
that if you ever need help
all you have to do is turn to Hashem.
Ask your loving Father.
It's as simple as that.
Say this to Hashem :
'PLEASE Hashem, my loving Father, my Creator, my Friend
(add in your heartfelt Tefilah here)"
and end with
"Thank You Hashem"
Hashem is our support:
We say at the end of Birkas Hamazon:
'blessed is the man who trusts in Hashem and Hashem will be his support.'
The more a person trusts in Hashem and relies upon Him, the more Hashem will help him and bless him.
Taken from the wonderful website www.DivreiChizuk.com
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1) It is very common for items in a freezer to be stored in a less organized fashion than in the refrigerator, and very often many foods are lying on top of each other haphazardly.
These foods are considered "in a mixture" and thus if something needs to be removed, it must be done in the acceptable manner (i.e. taking the item that is wanted, for immediate use without a utensil)
2) If the food that is removed from the freezer cannot be used immediately due its needing to defrost first, it is questionable if it may be removed.
Some Poskim maintain that since it cannot be used right away it may therefore not be removed from "within the mixture" in the freezer. (Ruling of Maran Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita and Rav Nissim Karelitz Shlita quoted in Orchos Shabbos page 148 footnote 54)
Other Poskim, however, maintain that if it is common to only remove this particular food from the freezer and allow it to defrost right before the meal, then it may be removed, and is considered using it immediately even though it will take a while to defrost. (Ruling of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach; ibid.)
However, if the food in question is commonly removed a few hours before the meal, all agree that it may not be removed from "within the mixture" in the freezer on Shabbos. (ibid.)
[Parenthetically, it is important to be careful with frozen foods as many of them are Muktzah (e.g. frozen raw fish, frozen raw French fries etc.) and moving them to get to the permissible items (e.g. a frozen Challah or ice cream) may pose a Halachic problem. We shall discuss this B'Ezras Hashem more at length when we learn Hilchos Muktzah]
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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:
I've been trying to find a makor (source) for the direction one turns during "Bo-ee V'shalom" during kabolas Shabbos. It would seem that one should turn to one's right, just like any other mitzvah; however, I seem to recall seeing in a Sefer that EVERYONE should actually turn towards his LEFT, but I don't recall why (I think he was quoting the Munkatcher Rav?)
In any case, can you help provide me with a makor?
Answer:
During the recitation of the last verse of the Lecha Dodi, "Bo'ee V'Shalom", the Pri Megadim and other Seforim say to turn to Maariv, westward, which is to the back of the shul.
In the Siddur of Rav Yaakov Emden Zatzal he says in the name of his father the Chacham Tzvi Zatzal that when saying the first "Bo'ee Kallah" he would bend his head to his left, which is to the right of the Shechina and when he said the second "Bo'ee Kallah" he would bend his head to the right.
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:
Rav Yissocher Frand Shlita
The Mishna [Sotah 9b] discusses the concept of Divine reward and punishment that is "measure for measure". One example cited is because Miriam waited to see what would happen to her brother's basket floating in the Nile [Shmos 2:4], all of Klal Yisroel waited for Miriam for a seven day period [Bamidbar 12:15] when she was temporarily "exiled from the camp" as punishment for speaking lashon hara against her brother.
At first glance, the fact that Miriam stayed at the riverbank to see what would happen to her brother does not seem to be such a great deed on her part. She may have stayed out of curiosity, it may have been out of concern, but it does not seem like such a significant and important act that it should require all of Klal Yisrael to wait for her in the wilderness for an entire week.
In order to appreciate the actual significance of her act, we need to see it in the context provided by the Gemara in Sotah [12a]. The Talmud states th at Amram (Miriam's father) was one of the great men of the generation. When he heard Pharaoh's decree to throw all the male children in the Nile, he gave up hope and decided to divorce his wife (Yocheved), rather than bring any more children into the world who would just be drowned in the Nile at birth. Amram set the pattern for the rest of the nation and everyone followed suit and divorced their wives as well.
Miriam told her father that his decree was worse than Pharaoh's decree. Pharaoh's decree was only directed at the males. Amram's decree would affect both the males and the females. Pharaoh's decree would only affect the fate of the children in this world, Amram was decreeing that the children would not come into existence and therefore would have no life in either this world or the next world. Amram listened to the advice of his daughter. He remarried Yocheved and at the age of 130 she became pregnant and had the child who grew up to be Moshe Rabbeinu. Again, e veryone else followed Amram's example and remarried the wives they had divorced.
The Gemara then relates that when Moshe was born, the house filled with light. Amram kissed Miriam on the forehead and told her "Your prophecy has been fulfilled." However, when Moshe was thrown into the Nile (to hide him from the Egyptians), Amram went over to Miriam and slapped her on the forehead and asked, "Now what happened to your 'great prophecy'?"
It is in this context that we begin to understand the meaning of the pasuk "And his sister stood away from him at a distance." The reward that Miriam later received was not just for standing at the Nile for a few moments, it was for being the heroine of the whole story of Amram and all the Jews taking back their wives. It was for being responsible for the birth of the person who became the leader of the Jewish nation. She saved her brother and in effect the entire nation because she refused to give up hope.
Things looked hopeless. At the when time Miriam spoke up to her father, there were already thousands and thousands of Jewish children who had died in the Nile. By standing firm, to see what would be with her brother, she demonstrated a particularly Jewish trait - resilience and refusal to abandon hope. Miriam's heroic faith and resilience thus gave courage to the nation and saved them from the terrible fate of discouragement and despair.
The Izhbitzer Rebbe expresses a similar idea. The law is that if one loses an object and gives up hope of ever getting it back (yeeush), then the person who finds the object is entitled to keep it. However, as long as a person has not given up hope of recovering his lost object then the finder is not allowed to keep it. The Izhbitzer Rebbe explained that a person's hope is the only thing that connects him to that object. He has lost possession and he cannot use it. His hope alone still binds him to the object. Once I give up hope, I've severed any co nnection I have to my lost object and that is why the finder can then keep it.
That is why, the Izhbitzer Rebbe said, it is so destructive to give up hope. Whatever the situation, as long as one keeps his hope alive, there remains a potential cure, or a potential redemption, or a potential salvation to the crises. One must maintain hope in order to have a chance to see that salvation come to fruition.
Had Miriam given up hope, then the last connection to the future deliverance of the Jewish people would have been severed. This is why her act of faith was so crucial. The payback for this was that when Miriam became a leper and the Jewish people were in the desert, the Almighty told them that they must wait for her.
Why was this an appropriate payback? Because there is one thing that should never be done in the desert and that is to wait. In the heat, in the adverse conditions of a desert, one dare not dilly-dally around. The Jewish people could have said - "Miriam will catch up with us. We cannot stick around. What will become of us?" G-d told them. "No. Remember Miriam. She had faith. She did not give up hope because she knew that the rescue of the Almighty comes in the blink of an eye. We will wait for Miriam. Do not worry about the water. Do not worry about the lack of food. Do not worry about the heat."
Miriam taught us the timeless lesson of not giving up hope when things look bleak. This valuable lesson, symbolized by her waiting to see what would happen to Moshe in the Nile, is certainly worthy of the payback of waiting for Miriam when she was not able to travel.
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If you are just joining us today, please see ARCHIVES so you can review the previous Halachos on this and other topics.
1) Various different sized and shaped pots, bottles and other food containers that are organized on a shelf in the refrigerator next to one another are not considered "in a mixture" and there is no prohibition to separate them.
If, however, the containers on the shelf are all of similar shape and size (e.g. a few 2 liter bottles of different flavored soft drinks) they may indeed be considered "in a mixture" and they shouldn't be sorted unless it is for immediate consumption.
The above is only if they are on the shelf, but if they are on the refrigerator door in a row, it is not considered "in a mixture" and may be separated. (Ruling of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal in Sefer Me'Or Hashabbos Vol. 1 letter 8)
2) If the items in the refrigerator on not organized and are all laying haphazardly on top of each other (e.g. different fruits in the refrigerator drawer or various different cheeses in the dairy drawer) they are indeed "in a mixture" and thus may only be removed in the permissible manner.
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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:
Why is it not permitted to blow bubbles on Shabbos?
Answer:
The reason the Poskim say not to blow bubbles is that doing so is Nolad, creating something new that was not in existence before Shabbos out of something else that was.
Also, it's Uvda D'Chol, a weekday activity. For small children we can be lenient and allow it.
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 loves you, more than you love yourself
Any discussion of trusting in HASHEM can only begin once a person understands that HASHEM is concerned for their good.
One way focus on this is to address one of the most fundamental questions that a person can ever ask themselves, and that is: before you were created, what did you do to deserve being created?
What great deed did you do that justified HASHEM giving you life?
Obviously, the answer is nothing. And that is the point. Before you were created, you didn't do anything to deserve being created; you didn't exist. The reason HASHEM made you was out of pure mercy and loving kindness. HASHEM is the Giver. HASHEM created this world and all that it contains to give of His good to man. And HASHEM made you to give of his good to you - without expecting anything in return.
This is the key to understanding our relationship with our Creator.
HASHEM loves you more than you love you
The Chovos Ha'Levovos explains that HASHEM looks out for your interests more than you do yourself. HASHEM is more concerned for your good than you are. HASHEM loves you more than you love yourself.
This is the foundation of bitachon. Without it, trusting in HASHEM is foolish. How can I rely on HASHEM if He doesn't care about me? How can I trust in HASHEM if I am irrelevant to Him? The only way that a person can develop a sense of confidence in HASHEM is by understanding that He loves every one of His creations to an extent that is beyond human comprehension.
This leads us to another point, one that is often difficult to feel: HASHEM loves me despite my having done things that anger Him. Just as HASHEM showered goodness upon me because of His middah to give and not because of anything that I have done, even if I have veered off course, and done things wrong, HASHEM has infinite patience and desires nothing more than my returning to Him and correcting my mistakes. And because of HASHEM's infinite mercy and kindness, even if I do not deserve something, HASHEM may well give it to me anyway.
By focusing on the loving kindliness of HASHEM and how much He is focused on giving to us, we can come to some level of understanding HASHEM, and train ourselves to trust in and rely on Him.
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1) After the Shabbos meal, when clearing off the table, it is permissible to remove all the glasses, then all the plates, then all the silverware etc. and doing it is such an order is not a problem of Borer as these utensils are not considered to be in a mixture. (Ruling of Rav Nisim Karelitz Shlita quoted in Orchos Shabbos page 132 footnote 10)
2) A plate that has on it leftover food as well as silverware touching the food is not considered a mixture as they are totally distinct objects, and the silverware may be removed even if they are not going to be used immediately.
The exception to the above is if the silverware is totally covered by the leftover food in which case it will indeed be considered a mixture and may not be removed unless it's for immediate use. (Ruling of Rav Nisim Karelitz Shlita quoted in Orchos Shabbos page 133 footnote 12)
If indeed this situation presents itself, it would be permitted to pick up the utensil and use it to move the leftover food into the garbage, even if the assistance of the utensil was neither necessary nor originally planned upon (ibid. footnote 13)
Likewise, a utensil that fell into the garbage, and is totally covered may not be removed unless it will immediately be and used. (ibid.)
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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:
My family doesn't say "Layehudim Haysa Ora..." aloud altogether at Havdalah- is there a halachik source for everyone to say it out loud?
Answer:
My family doesn't say it loud either. It is only a Minhag that some people say that Posuk loud, while other people do not.
From the language of the Rama in Siman 296:1 it doesn't seem that he had the minhag either for anyone other than the one reciting Havdalah to say this or any other Pesukim.
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:
"Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.
Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime."
To dedicate the learning of a day or more of HALACHA FOR TODAY, or to make a much appreciated donation to please email halachafortoday@yahoo.com Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
DOUBLE PORTION L'KVOD SHABBOS KODESH
Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh
1)If one has two foods or objects in front of them (e.g. a bowl of chicken soup containing vegetables) and is currently interested in only one of them (the soup), but will be interested in the second item (the vegetables) as soon as the first item has been consumed, according to some Poskim it is still forbidden to remove the second item, rather the item that is currently desired must be taken. (Ruling of HaRav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal quoted in Sefer Hilchos Shabbos of Rav Shimon Eider Zatzal, Hilchos Borer footnote148.)
2)Other Poskim, however, rule that in the above case, both items are considered being eaten immediately, and thus it would be permitted to remove the second item from the first. (Ruling of Maran HaRav Yosef shalom Elyashiv shlita quoted in Sefer Ayil Meshulash Perek 6:14. See also Shmiras Shabbos K'Hilchasa Perek 3:65)
For Halacha L'ma'aseh, of course, each person must consult their own Rav.
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) As we learned, the prohibition of Borer applies only when the two (or more) items in question are in a mixture. We will now discuss what criteria are necessary to constitute a mixture.
A serving tray that has on it pieces of two different fish (or even the same species of fish, but some are cooked and some are broiled, which for borer purposes is considered two different types) that are laying haphazardly in no organized fashion, is subject to the prohibition of Borer. This is considered a Ta'aruvos, a mixture, even though each variety is clearly discernible.
Thus, one may choose and remove only the fish that they want to eat, for immediate consumption. (See Rama Siman 319:3)
2) A plate that has on it a few different foods, each in its own spot on the plate in an organized fashion, according to many Poskim is not considered a Ta'aruvos, a mixture, even if they are touching one another, and thus would not be subject to the prohibitions of Borer.
For a final ruling, of course, a Rav must be consulted.
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:
In [Talmud]Avoda Zora 28b it discusses whether to use a remedy [medicine] on Shabbos. It says that vinegar is permitted as it is also a product used as a food item and thus after rinsing the mouth, it is swallowed. It also talks about this in Shabbos 111a.
How does this equate with using mouth wash on Shabbos. Is mouth wash used fort medicinal purposes, cleansing purposes or as a prophylactic [e.g. as a vitamin] to prevent disease?
Answer:
The use of mouthwash is permitted on Shabbos for freshening and/or cleaning one's mouth.
See Shu"t Be'er Moshe Vol. 1 Siman 34: 7 and Shu"t Rivevos Ephraim from Rav Ephraim Greenblatt, Talmid of Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal, Vol. 2 Siman Siman 115:23
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:
Rabbi Berel Wein was once invited to a meeting with the editor of the Detroit Free Press. After introductions had been made, the editor told him the following story.
His mother, Mary, had immigrated to America from Ireland as an uneducated, 18-year-old peasant girl. She was hired as a domestic maid by an observant family. The head of the house was the president of the neighboring Orthodox shul.
Mary knew nothing about Judaism and had probably never met a Jew before arriving in America. The family went on vacation Mary's first December in America, leaving Mary alone in the house. They were scheduled to return on the night of December 24, and Mary realized that there would be no Xmas tree to greet them when they did. This bothered her greatly, and using the money the family had left her, she went out and purchased not only a Xmas tree but all kinds of festive decorations to hang on the front of the house.
When the family returned from vacation, they saw the Xmas tree through the living room window and the rest of the house festooned with holiday lights. They assumed that they had somehow pulled into the wrong driveway and drove around the block. But alas, it was their address.
The head of the family entered the house contemplating how to explain the Xmas tree and lights to the members of the shul, most of whom walked right past his house on their way to shul. Meanwhile, Mary was eagerly anticipating the family's excitement when they realized that they would not be without a Xmas tree.
After entering the house, the head of the family called Mary into his study. He told her, "In my whole life no one has ever done such a beautiful thing for me as you did." Then he took out a $100 bill -- a very large sum in the middle of the Depression -- and gave it to her. Only after that did he explain that Jews do not have Xmas trees.
When he had finished telling the story, the editor told Rabbi Wein, "And that is why, there has never been an editorial critical of Israel in the Detroit Free Press since I became editor, and never will be as long as I am the editor."
The shul president's reaction to Mary's mistake -- sympathy instead of anger -- was not because he dreamed that one day her son would the editor of a major metropolitan paper, and thus in a position to aid Israel. (Israel was not yet born.) He acted as he did because it was the right thing to do.
That's what it means to be a Kiddush Hashem, to sanctify God's Name. It is a goal to which we can all strive.
Submitted by daily reader, D.B.;Taken from www.Aish.com
Today's halachos are dedicated by the Katz family in memory of Nachman Shimon ben Yehuda Meir Hakohen Z"L, whose yahrtzeit is today 23 Teves. May his Neshama climb higher and higher in Gan Eden. Please have in mind when learning today's halachos that they be in his everlasting merit.
To dedicate the learning of a day or more of HALACHA FOR TODAY, or to make a much appreciated donation to please CLICK BUTTON BELOW.
Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
1) Photographs may not be sorted on Shabbos in order to place them in order into a photo album or into designated piles.
A pile of papers that are out of order may not be sorted on Shabbos to make them in order of pages or in order of topics, unless it is being done to use them in their proper order immediately.
2)If one has a pile of two foods or objects in front of them (e.g. a pile of raisins and peanuts) and is only interested in one of them (the peanuts), but a friend there with him is interested in the other item (the raisins) it is permitted in this instance to remove the item that he is not interested in, as since his friend wants it, it is considered "Derech Achila, the normal way of eating" as for the friend it is Ochel M'Toch P'soles, taking the good from the bad, and not a prohibited act of Borer. (See Shmiras Shabbos K'Hilchasa Perek 3:7 and footnote 13 quoting Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal)
Of course, it must have the other two conditions for permissible borer: it be separated without utensils and the friend must also eat it [or use it] immediately.
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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:
What is the source for not being able to eat while standing up?
Answer:
Here are a few of the many sources: Rambam Hilchos Deios Perek 4:3, Ben Ish Chai Parshas Behar Siman 11, Mishna Berura 296:6. Shu"t Rav PeAlim Vol. 2 Siman 45 says that many are not makpid on this today, and perhaps the Teva has changed.
However, he quotes an Arizal who says to be makpid. The Shulchan Aruch HaRav 296:15 seems to hold that this is only for Talmidei Chachamim and not for all people.
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:
Yankel Am Ha'Aretz (Ignoramus)
In a little town somewhere in Europe
Just about a hundred years ago
Lived a simple man his name was Yankel
And this is how his story goes
Yankel couldn't learn a blatt gemara
Why he barely knew to read and write
Deep in his heart he loved to do the mitzvos
But somehow he never seemed to get things right
He didn't know his brachos couldn't say shma by heart
He'd daven shmoneh esray with his feet spread wide apart
Everyone would laugh and snicker when he passed them by in shul
Here comes Yankel am ha'aretz could there be a bigger fool
All the children would make fun of Yankel
Teasing him as if he were a child
But he never ever lost his temper
On his face there was always a smile
Now the rebbi tried to learn with Yankel
So the young man would know how to cope
In one ear but then out the other
The rabbi gave up there simply was no hope
His ivreh was atrocious the place hed always lose
Hed show up on yom kippur wearing shiny polished shoes
Everyone would laugh and snicker when he passed them by in shul
Here comes Yankel am ha'aretz could there be a bigger fool
Stubborn Yankel he just kept on trying
They all told him it's a hopeless cause
But he kept saying one day ill know how to
Learn the torah and keep its laws
Now one night the rabbi fell asleep in shul
Only to wake up when he heard a sigh
It was Yankel by the aron kodesh
There were teardrops running from his eyes
He was saying master of the world I know you hear my prayer
And I accept my fate in life your judgments always fair
Yet one thing I must ask you where else am I to turn
Could I not serve you so much more if I knew how to learn
The rabbi sent Yankel to learn in yeshiva
They all thought he'd lost his sanity
He'll be back in a week for certain
All the rabbi said was wait and see
Yankel's now a famous scholar it just took a few short years
For the gates of heaven never close for tears
And everyone stands to shake his hand as he passes them in shul
Here comes Yankel Talmud chacham how could we have been such fools
Submitted by daily reader, R.L.;Taken from a song written by R' Abie Rottenberg of "Journeys" fame.
If you are just joining us today, please see ARCHIVES so you can review the previous Halachos on this and other topics.
1) The prohibition of Borer applies to all items, not only to food. (See Mishna Berura Siman 319:15)
Games that contain pieces and components of different shapes, sizes and colors, may not be sorted upon finishing playing in order to put them away neatly.
However, if at the onset of playing the game they are being sorted in order to be able to play with them right then, it is permissible.
2) A children's playroom messily strewn with various toys on top of each other may not be sorted in order to put away each toy in its designated place.
However, if the toys are not mixed together and are just laying on the floor not in a mixture, each toy may be picked up and put away in its place, as a prerequisite for Borer to be prohibited is for the items to be B'Ta'aruvos, 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:
If one forgets to remove a clothing tag before Shabbos or Yom Tov, is it permissible to pull it off providing you don't rip any words, don't use a knife or scissor, and don't tear it on any perforation?
In the alternative, is it permissible to wear the clothing with the tag (Obviously the tag is not visible, etc...)?
Answer:
Yes, if the tags are in a visible place, and it won't involve the undoing of any stiching, they may be removed.. Care should be taken ot to rip any words or letters. There is a discussion amongst the Poskim regarding staples, if undoing them is like undoing a stitch, so a Rav should be consulted regarding the best way to deal with that (common for drycleaner tags)
If the clothing can be worn in a way that the tag will not be seen, it can be worn with the tag on 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:
"When one recites Shema Yisrael and remembers that Hashem, alone, governs the 4 corners of the universe, he must not forget one very important detail: the universe also includes him!".
- HaRav Yisrael Salanter Zatzal quoted in Sefer Torah Tavlin
YishmorEini: Protecting your privacy, while protecting your soul.
Be Honest. Make the Change. See yishmoreini.com for details
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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.
1) Two different foods that are mixed together may not be separated by removing the one that is not wanted from the one that is wanted (e.g. separating a mixture of raisins and nuts by removing the raisins which are not desired from the nuts which will be eaten), even though both are totally edible foods as the one that isn't wanted is considered P'soLes, waste, for the purposes of Borer. (Shulchan Aruch and Rama Siman 319:3. See also Biur Halacha Dibur Hamaschil U'Meiniach Hasheini)
2)However, if both foods are wanted, albeit separately one after the other (e.g. separating a mixture of raisins and nuts, where the one pile will be eaten first and the other will be eaten immediately afterwards), they may be separated provided it is done by hand, as then all three conditions of permissible Borer will be present. (See Biur Halacha Siman 319:1 Dibur Hamaschil U'Borer Min)
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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 it permissible for a man to dye his hair?
Answer:
A man may not dye his hair if doing so for beauty or to hide white hair etc. as this is a biblical transgression of "Lo Tilbash" not to wear (or otherwise imitate) the ways of the opposite gender.
This includes dying hair, plucking out even one white hair for a man, wearing clothing of the opposite gender, men shaving areas of the body that are shaved generally by women, etc. These are very severe prohibitions and a Rav should be consulted to determine what does and does not fall under the prohibition of Lo Tilbash.
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:
Pain.
Pain is real.
It's a message from Hashem.
No question about that.
Yet, it's still painful.
But.
Think about it.
Put it in perspective.
Pain is necessary.
To have it here...
...means not to have it there.
Which would we rather?
Think about it.
Here is a shadow of reality.
There is reality.
Wouldn't we rather have the pain in the world of shadow?
Wouldn't we rather enjoy the world of reality pain free?
Today's Halachos dedicated by a daily reader, A.G., L'Ilui Nishmas R' Zusya Aryeh Leib Ben R' Shlomo Z"L. May his Neshama continue to climb higher and higher in Gan Eden. Please have in mind when learning today's halachos that they be in his merit.
1) As we learned yesterday, one of the conditions that need to be present in order for Borer of food to be allowed on Shabbos is if it is being done with intent to eat the food "immediately" (referred to in Halacha as "Ochlo L'Alter").
The term "immediately" does not mean it must be eaten within a few seconds of being sorted; rather it means it must be done within the normal time frame before the meal that is considered normal preparation time for a meal. (See Mishna Berura Siman 321:45 where he writes that the women may not start preparing the Shabbos meal before the men leave Shul after davening)
2) However, even within the above permissible time frame, one can only do it if he/she plans to eat right away after all the preparations for the meal are done, and not if one intends to do another significant chore after the meal preparations are done, before actually eating.
If at the time of preparation one planned to eat right afterwards and then only before the meal decided to take a walk or do another chore, it is permitted and it does not invalidate the preparations that were done permissibly. (ruling of Maran Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita quoted in Sefer Ayil Meshulash Perek 8 footnote 24)
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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 it against halacha to euthanize a pet? Our cat is 19 years old and is simply dying of old age. The vet gave us a list of sicknesses she may be suffering from but there is no cure at this stage of the game for any of those possible problems.
I have been under the impression forever that it is against halacha to euthanize an animal. A close relative (who knows how to learn) claims otherwise and is urging us to put the cat down. Is there a heter to do this?
Answer:
Though I would recommend you speak to a Rav before implementing any decision on this, I will tell you this:
Killing of animals, according to the Torah, may only be done for the benefit of mankind, or alternatively for the benefit of the animal.
Thus, hunting for pleasure, killing an animal for fun etc. is Tzar Baalei Chaim and prohibited according to many Poskim.
Killing an animal for food or to prevent damage to other animals or humans is permitted.
Thus, in your case where it is being done to prevent pain to the animal, it would be permitted.
Like I said, please discuss with a Rav before doing anything though.
See Shu"t Noda B'Yehuda Yoreh Deah Siman 10 for more on this topic.
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 certain talmid chacham who is a well-known Torah teacher, graciously allowed us to publicize a prayer that he wrote for himself. The prayer is appropriate for all of us, since it specifically addresses the needs of our generation.
The prayer is as follows:
Hashem,
- Help me not to feel that I have to say something at every opportunity and about every subject. Spare me from the urge to arrange everyone's lives for them.
- Make me a thinking person, and not a person who is moody.
- Give me the desire to help, but not to give instructions to everyone.
- Seal my mouth so that I will not be able to complain about pain and suffering.
- I do not dare to ask to experience the suffering of other people, but help me, at the very least, to listen patiently to them.
- Help me to realize that I too make mistakes.
- Help me to be pleasant in all my way if only for the sake of those who will observe and learn from my ways.
- Grant me the ability to see good things even in places where I did not expect to see them.
- Help me to love everyone, to discern the positive qualities of others, and most important, to have the opportunity to express this to them.
- Help me to make other people cheerful and happy.
Submitted by daily reader, R4; taken from Sefer Aleinu L'Shabei'ach Shemos p. 75
We will now, B'Ezras Hashem, move on to another of the thirty nine Melachos of Shabbos, the Halachos of Borer, sorting.
These Halachos are extremely important as hardly a Shabbos goes by where the need to sort isn't present, and many times unfortunately a simple lack of information causes people to sort in a prohibited way.
Once these Halachos are learned, however, it will be very simple to sort in a permissible way and thus avoid Chilul Shabbos Chas V'Shalom.
1) If one has a mixture of food and waste, the waste may never be removed from the food, as removing waste from food is the quintessential Melacha of Borer.
If, however, a) the food is removed from the waste it will be permissible if two other conditions are present:
b) It is removed with one's bare hands without utilizing a utensil.
c) It is removed with the intent of eating the food immediately.
2) Only if all three of the above conditions are met is Borer permissible, as it then is considered "Derech Achilah, the normal way of eating" and not "Derech Borer, the way of sorting" (See Mishna Berura in his introduction to Siman 319)
The above is Hilchos Borer in a nutshell. Over the next few weeks we will, B'Ezras Hashem, delve into many more intricate aspects, exceptions, and examples etc. of the above.
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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 it muktzah to wear a digital watch on shabbos?
Answer:
As long as you don't press any of the buttons, it is permissible to wear the watch 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:
Rav Yisrael Ba'al Shem Tov, founder of the Chasidic movement
"The term 'hiding' generally implies that one does not know where the other person is. However, if one knows that the person is on the other side of the obstacle, and he merely cannot see him, he is not truly hidden. Thus, when Hashem tells us, 'I will hide my face that day,' He is encouraging us for He is saying: Even though I am not visible I am standing close by."
-- Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov Zatzal quoted in Sefer Torah Tavlin --
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DOUBLE PORTION L'KAVOD SHABBOS KODESH
Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh
1) It is permitted to pour boiling hot water into a thermos on Shabbos, even if the intention is to keep the water hot, and there is no problem of Hatmana. (See Chazon Ish Siman 37:32 for the two reasons for this being permitted. See also Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 1 Siman95 and Shu"t Az Nidberu Vol. 1 Siman 48 and 49)
2)Likewise, it is permitted to fill a rubber pillow or flask [used as a heating pad for an aching body], with boiling hot water on Shabbos, and this too is not an issue of Hatmana. (See Mishna Berura Siman 257:29 and Chazon Ish ibid.)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) If one inadvertently insulated a pot from before Shabbos with materials that are Mosif Hevel, if the food was totally cooked before the onset of Shabbos it may be eaten on Shabbos. (Rama Siman 257:1)
In cases of great necessity, we can be more lenient and allow the aforementioned food to be eaten even it wasn't totally cooked, as long as it was cooked to the point of "Ma'achal Ben Drusai" (See Biur Halacha Siman257:1 Dibur Hamaschil V'Yesh Omrim. See also Chazon Ish Siman 37:25)
2) If one placed a cold food onto a pot or urn on Shabbos and insulated it with a material that is Mosif Hevel and it got heated, it is prohibited to eat that food for the entire Shabbos. (See Chazon Ish Siman 37:27 Dibur Hamaschil U'Mevuar)
According to some Poskim, once the food gets cold again, to the point that it is just as it was before the forbidden Hatmana was done, it is once again permitted to be eaten. (See Biur Halacha Siman 253:5 Dibur Hamaschil L'Hachem)
If one did Hatmana on Shabbos with a material that is not Mosif Hevel (e.g. a pot of soup was removed from the fire on Shabbos and totally wrapped in a towel) the food may be eaten B'dieved. (See Mishna Berura Siman 257:8. See also Chazon Ish Siman 37:28 for some caveats with this leniency)
Tam V'Nishlam Hilchos Bishul B'Rov Shevach L'Keil Elyon. This brings us to the end of our study of the Melacha of Bishul. May it be the will of Hashem that we all merit to use our newfound knowledge to keep these halachos properly and speed up the coming of Mashiach.
Next week B'Ezras Hashem we shall begin another of the thirty nine Melachos of Shabbos.
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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:
If I daven [Shmona Esrei] and say Modim D'rabanan by accident instread of the regular Modim, do I need to start Shemonei Esrei over again?
Answer:
If you said Modim D'rabanan by mistake instead of the regular Modim, according to most poskim you can continue your Shemona Esrei without saying the regular modim as both Modim's are acceptable for that Bracha. If you remembered before finishing the Bracha you can go back and say the correct Nusach.
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:
HaRav Shimon Schwab Zatzal
Chillul Hashem
Whenever we gather in prayer invariably we recite or respond to the words of Kaddish: "May His Great Name be magnified and sanctified". And whenever we introduce the daily Kedusho we call out: "Let us sanctify Your Name in the world". And every so often during the course of our Tefilloh we emphasize our desire to belong to the sanctifiers of the Divine Name amongst men true to the injunction contained in Vayikro (22,33) "You shall not desecrate My Holy Name and I shall become sanctified in the midst of the children of Israel."
The second sentence of Sh'ma Yisroel begins with the command: "You shall love Hashem", which is interpreted by our Sages: "Let the name of Hashem become beloved through you." In other words, we are supposed to lead the kind of exemplary life which would contribute to the universal adoration of G-d and which would, in turn, enhance the glory and lustre of the Torah, adding respect for the dignity of the Jewish people as a Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation.
The very opposite of the sanctification is the desecration of the Name as condemned by the Prophet with the scathing words (Yechezkel 36): "They came to the nations and desecrated my Holy Name, so that one said to them, is this the people of G-d who came from His land?"
Every form of Chillul Hashem lowers the awareness of the Divine Presence in the world. But if the desecrator happens to be a professed Torah observer or, even worse, a so-called scholar of the Torah, then the Chillul Hashem not only weakens the respect for Torah on one hand, but strengthens on the other hand the defiance of the non-observer and adds fuel to the scoffers, fanning the fires of religious insurrection all around. Chillul Hashem is responsible, directly or indirectly, for the increase frivolity, heresy and licentiousness in the world. Therefore, we should not be surprised reading the harsh words of condemnation we find in the Talmud: "He who has committed Chillul Hashem, even Teshuvoh, Yom Kippur and suffering cannot fully atone for his sin until the day of his death (Yoma 86)."
"Better to commit a sin in secrecy than to commit Chillul Hashem in public (Kiddushin 40).
"There is no delay in the Divine punishment for Chillul Hashem, whether committed knowingly or unknowingly (ibid.)".
"If one steals from a non -Jew, swears falsely and dies, his death is no atonement for his sin because of Chillul Hashem" (Tosefta B. Kamma, 10).
"He who desecrates the name of Heaven in secrecy is punished in public" (Avoth 4).
"All sins are forgiven by G-d but Chillul Hashem He punishes immediately" (Sifri Haazinu).
This is but a small selection from the many fierce condemnations addressed by our Sages to the desecrators of the Divine Name.
All this comes to mind at this time since some perpetrators of Chillul Hashem are making the headlines of our daily newspapers. Certainly we are not sitting in judgment of the persons who are publicly accused and we have to wait whether the indictments will be borne out by irrefutable evidence. However, be it as it may, the Chillul Hashem is there in the worst possible way. "Rabbi" so and so, who sits in court with his velvet Yarmulka in full view of a television audience composed of millions of viewers, is accused of having ruthlessly enriched himself at the expense of others, flaunting the laws of G-d and man, exploiting, conniving and manipulating - in short, desecrating all the fundamentals of Torah Judaism. And this sorry onslaught on our Jewish sensitiveness is repeated by similar allegations, proven or unproven, involving more prominent men who are stigmatized as orthodox Jews, sometimes even with so-called rabbinic diplomas.
While it is obvious that the vast majority of loyal and observant Torah Jews deal honestly and correctly with their fellow men, a very small minority of criminal perpetrators suffices to cast sinister aspersions on all orthodox Jews and, what is worse, on orthodox Judaism as a way of life. The Chillul Hashem of a few individuals provides excuses for the doubter, and encourages the desecration of Torah learning, Torah education and Torah influence. To defraud and exploit our fellowmen, Jew or gentile, to conspire, to betray the Government, to associate with underworld elements all these are hideous crimes by themselves. Yet to the outrage committed there is added another dimension, namely the profanation of the Divine Name and that means the profanation of all that is supposed to be held sacred by us as well as - in their heart of hearts - by the perpetrators themselves. What a sorry picture that is.
Suppose I have cheated my neighbor or my Government and then I stand in the midst of a congregation of honest and decent men and women to recite the Kaddish which is the prayer for Kiddush Hashem in the world. What audacity! What a shame! Can there be a worse contradiction than the strict Sabbath observer who may also be a stickler for Kashrus, and who at the same time violates the spirit of Shabbos and Kashrus during the week with non-kosher money manipulations?
Let us repeat. The profaners and the desecrators are only a handful of unscrupulous people and we even hope that some of them will be proved innocent. But it needs only very few violators to give us all a rotten name, aiding and abetting our many adversaries and antagonizing our few friends.
Therefore, no white-washing, no condoning, no apologizing on behalf of the desecrators. Let us make it clear that anyone who besmirches the sacred Name ceases to be our friend. He has unwittingly defected from our ranks and has joined our antagonists, to make us all suffer in his wake. And - noblesse oblige - the more prominent a man has become in orthodox Jewish circles the more obligated he must feel to observe the most painstaking scrupulousness in his dealings with the outside world.
Our observance of Torah and Mitzvos is regulated by the Choshen Mishpot, the code of social justice no less than by the other codes of the Shulchan Aruch. Whoever betrays his loyalty to one portion of the Torah uproots all others. For, at the roots of Chillul Hashem are gross materialism, blatant selfishness, insatiable love of wealth and brazen disregard for common decency. Even if, strangely enough, as it sometimes happens - those ugly traits go together with excessive charity and benevolence. We call this type of twisted ethics "Mitzvah Ha'Boah B'Averah" - i.e. virtue acquired by sin, which is worthless - less than worthless. It is a travesty and a farce. It means playing jokes with the Torah. It is blasphemy and therefore unforgivable. Let us proclaim, loud and clear, that we shall have no part of such sickly "Yiddishkeit". Our aim is to strive for Kiddush Hashem. And in order to reach this goal we shall band together and march together, we and our children "Nikiyei Kappayim U'Vorei Leivov" with clean hands and pure hearts towards the dawn of Geuloh, speedily in our days.
Written by Rav Shimon Schwab Zatzal in 1975, printed by C.I.S. publishers in 1998 - Selected Writings #46
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1)If one insulated a pot from before Shabbos with materials that are not Mosif Hevel, they don't increase the heat, it is permissible to add some more towels or other items to further insulate the pot [as long as the food in the pot is fully cooked]. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 257:4)
As well, it is permissible on Shabbos to remove the towels that are insulating the pot and replace them with different towels or other items, even if the new items are thicker and will maintain the heat better than the ones that were removed. (ibid.)
If the items insulating the pot fall off on their own on Shabbos, they may be replaced.
2) A cold food item may be wrapped on Shabbos in an item that is not Mosif Hevel. This is true regardless if it is being done to thaw the item or just to help it maintain its current temperature. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 257:6)
However, a cold item may not be insulated in a material that is Mosif Hevel, even if done from Erev Shabbos. (ibid.)
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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:
What is the exact issur of using a kli (utensil) that was not toiveled?
Answer:
The prohibition of eating on non toveled utensils is based on the Posuk in Bamidbar 31:23. While certain Poskim maintain that this is a rabinnic requirement, and only use the Posuk as an Asmachta, the Shulchan Aruch maintains that it is a D'Oraisa.(See Gemara Avoda Zara 75b, Shulchan Aruch Y"D Siman 120:14, Rama Siman 120:8, Aruch HaShulchan Y"D Siman 120:3 and 48, Shu"t Igros Moshe Yoreh Deah Vol. 3 end of Siman 22)
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!
To dedicate the learning of a day or more of HALACHA FOR TODAY, or to make a much appreciated donation to please CLICK BUTTON BELOW.
Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
1)"Bein Hashmashos" is a time period between sunset and night.
No human can discern the exact "blink of an eye" moment when the day leaves and the night begins.
Thus, for many Halachos, the entire time of Bein Hashmashos is treated as night. For example, Shabbos is observed from sunset on Friday afternoon until the emergence of three stars on Shabbos night.
There is a debate amongst the Poskim when exactly Bein Hashmashos ends, and thus various customs are observed by various communities around the world ranging from 13 minutes after sunset until 72 or even 90 minutes after sunset. (A full discussion of this topic is too lengthy for this forum at this time)
2) During the time of Bein Hashmashos it is permitted to do Hatmana B'Davar Sh'eino Mosif Hevel, insulating with a material that does not increase the heat of the pot, as for the purposes of Hatmana we still consider it Erev Shabbos.
However, if one distinctly accepted Shabbos upon him/herself (i.e. for a man, he already said "Mizmor Shir L'Yom Hashabbos" or for a woman, she already lit the Shabbos candles) it is already Shabbos, and thus Hatmana would already be forbidden. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 261:4, Mishna Berura S"K 31 and Biur Halacha Dibur Hamaschil Ain M'Arvin)
This applies even before sunset, if one [or one's community] accepted Shabbos early.(ibid.)
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Mention "Halacha For Today" and get special pricing plus 5% of your order total will benefit Halacha For Today!
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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:
What is the halachic background for women going into a cemetery?
Answer:
According to Kabalistic sources (AriZal and others) , one should never go within 4 amos of a grave (besides during a burial. See Mishnah Berurah Siman 559:41) . The Vilna Gaon maintained that people should not go to cemeteries at all, especially women (Igeres HaGra)
The prevelant custom is that we do in fact go to cemeteries. However, women while they are a Nidah customarily do not go. (See Mishnah Berurah Siman 88:7 and Bais Baruch to Chayei Adam Siman 3:38)
A Rav should be consulted 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:
In a United States convention of neurologists from all over the world, one of the main topics was the phenomenon of people fainting upon getting up from bed.
One of the speakers was Professor Linda McMaron of Great Britain and she gave a lengthy speech regarding her study on this issue. She elaborated that after many years of study and investigation on this subject, she came to the conclusion that the fainting is caused by the sharp transfer between laying down and standing up. Professor McMaron said that it takes 12 second for the blood to flow from the feet to the brain. But when a person quickly stands up upon waking up, the blood gets 'thrown' to the brain too quickly and the result is fainting. She suggested that each person, even one that does not have a tendency to faint, upon waking up should sit on the bed, and count slowly till 12 to avoid dizziness, weakness, and/or fainting.
Her speech was rewarded with loud applause and enthusiastic feedbacks.
Another Professor, a Jewish religious man, asked permission to speak.
He said: "By us, the Jews, there is an old tradition, thousands of years old, to say a prayer of thanks to the Creator of the World for meriting us to wake up healthy and whole. The prayer is said immediately upon waking up, while one is still on the bed and sitting down. There are 12 words in this prayer and if one regulates himself to say it slowly with concentration, it takes exactly 12 seconds to says it... 12 words in 12 seconds.
He said the prayer slowly in Hebrew:
מוד'4;ה אֲנ'0;י לְפ'4;נ'2;יך'4; מ'2;ל'2;ךְ ח'3;י וְק'3;י'8;'4;ם, שׁ'2;ה'2;חֱז'3;רְת'8;'4; ב'8;'0;י נ'0;שְׁמ'4;ת'0;י ב'8;ְח'2;מְל'4;ה, ר'3;ב'8;'4;ה אֱמו'8;נ'4;ת'2;ך'4;
Modeh Ani Lefanecha Melech Chai VeKayam, Shehechezarta Bi Nishmati Bechemla Raba Emunatecha
"I thank Thee, O living and eternal King, because Thou hast graciously restored my soul to me; great is Thy faithfulness."
The auditorium burst into a standing applause that roared throughout the auditorium. This time, it was for the Creator of the World.
To dedicate the learning of a day or more of HALACHA FOR TODAY, or to make a much appreciated donation to please CLICK BUTTON BELOW.
Thank you and Tizkeh L'Mitzvos!
1)"Bein Hashmashos" is a time period between sunset and night.
No human can discern the exact "blink of an eye" moment when the day leaves and the night begins.
Thus, for many Halachos, the entire time of Bein Hashmashos is treated as night. For example, Shabbos is observed from sunset on Friday afternoon until the emergence of three stars on Shabbos night.
There is a debate amongst the Poskim when exactly Bein Hashmashos ends, and thus various customs are observed by various communities around the world ranging from 13 minutes after sunset until 72 or even 90 minutes after sunset. (A full discussion of this topic is too lengthy for this forum at this time)
2) During the time of Bein Hashmashos it is permitted to do Hatmana B'Davar Sh'eino Mosif Hevel, insulating with a material that does not increase the heat of the pot, as for the purposes of Hatmana we still consider it Erev Shabbos.
However, if one distinctly accepted Shabbos upon him/herself (i.e. for a man, he already said "Mizmor Shir L'Yom Hashabbos" or for a woman, she already lit the Shabbos candles) it is already Shabbos, and thus Hatmana would already be forbidden. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 261:4, Mishna Berura S"K 31 and Biur Halacha Dibur Hamaschil Ain M'Arvin)
This applies even before sunset, if one [or one's community] accepted Shabbos early.(ibid.)
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR FRIENDS AND SPONSORS!
* * *
Mention "Halacha For Today" and get special pricing plus 5% of your order total will benefit Halacha For Today!
* * *
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 halachic background for women going into a cemetery?
Answer:
According to Kabalistic sources (AriZal and others) , one should never go within 4 amos of a grave (besides during a burial. See Mishnah Berurah Siman 559:41) . The Vilna Gaon maintained that people should not go to cemeteries at all, especially women (Igeres HaGra)
The prevelant custom is that we do in fact go to cemeteries. However, women while they are a Nidah customarily do not go. (See Mishnah Berurah Siman 88:7 and Bais Baruch to Chayei Adam Siman 3:38)
A Rav should be consulted 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:
In a United States convention of neurologists from all over the world, one of the main topics was the phenomenon of people fainting upon getting up from bed.
One of the speakers was Professor Linda McMaron of Great Britain and she gave a lengthy speech regarding her study on this issue. She elaborated that after many years of study and investigation on this subject, she came to the conclusion that the fainting is caused by the sharp transfer between laying down and standing up. Professor McMaron said that it takes 12 second for the blood to flow from the feet to the brain. But when a person quickly stands up upon waking up, the blood gets 'thrown' to the brain too quickly and the result is fainting. She suggested that each person, even one that does not have a tendency to faint, upon waking up should sit on the bed, and count slowly till 12 to avoid dizziness, weakness, and/or fainting.
Her speech was rewarded with loud applause and enthusiastic feedbacks.
Another Professor, a Jewish religious man, asked permission to speak.
He said: "By us, the Jews, there is an old tradition, thousands of years old, to say a prayer of thanks to the Creator of the World for meriting us to wake up healthy and whole. The prayer is said immediately upon waking up, while one is still on the bed and sitting down. There are 12 words in this prayer and if one regulates himself to say it slowly with concentration, it takes exactly 12 seconds to says it... 12 words in 12 seconds.
He said the prayer slowly in Hebrew:
מוד'4;ה אֲנ'0;י לְפ'4;נ'2;יך'4; מ'2;ל'2;ךְ ח'3;י וְק'3;י'8;'4;ם, שׁ'2;ה'2;חֱז'3;רְת'8;'4; ב'8;'0;י נ'0;שְׁמ'4;ת'0;י ב'8;ְח'2;מְל'4;ה, ר'3;ב'8;'4;ה אֱמו'8;נ'4;ת'2;ך'4;
Modeh Ani Lefanecha Melech Chai VeKayam, Shehechezarta Bi Nishmati Bechemla Raba Emunatecha
"I thank Thee, O living and eternal King, because Thou hast graciously restored my soul to me; great is Thy faithfulness."
The auditorium burst into a standing applause that roared throughout the auditorium. This time, it was for the Creator of the World.
Important Numbers
