1) There are certain words in this Parsha where the Minhag is to stop and kiss the Tzitzis when saying them, as will be outlined below.
The Minhag of the Gaon of Vilna, the Chazon Ish and others was not to kiss the Tzitzis at all during Krias Shema, as they maintained that is was a Hefsek (Halachically unacceptable pause)
2) The Places to kiss the Tzitzis are as follows:
* When saying the words "U’ReIsem Oso- and you shall see them[the Tzitzis]" it is proper to briefly place the Tzitzis over the eyes, and then kiss them.
* Some also have the Minhag to place them over the eyes and kiss them when saying the words "V’Lo Sasuru Acharei Eineichem- Do not stray [and sin] after your eyes" (Sefer Chesed l’Alafim Siman 61:11). (If one wears eyeglasses, if possible, the Tzitzis should be placed over the actual eyes, and not on the eyeglasses.)
* The Minhag is to kiss the Tzitzis each time the word "Tzitzis" is said in this Parsha (3 times).
* Some have the minhag to kiss them upon finishing Kerias Shema, after the word "Emes" (Orchos Rabeinu, Steipler Gaon and others.Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal, who personally followed all the Minhagim of the Gaon of Vilna, did not kiss his Tzitzis at all during Krias Shema. He did however kiss them after saying the word "Emes")
* The Tzitzis should be held until after saying the words "V’Nechemadim L’Ad" in the Bracha of Emes V’Yatziv following Krias Shema (Shulchan Aruch HaRav Siman 4, Aruch HaShulchan and others. The reason for this one is based on Kaballah).
NOTE: Today, 7 Cheshvan, is the 12th Yahrtzeit of Mr. Joseph Rosenberger Z"L, founder of all shatnez laboratories, who died without children. In his last will he wrote:
"Due to the fact that I spent all my years educating the Jewish public about the Mitzvah of Shatnez, I therefore couln't learn enough Torah. I am requesting the public to at least learn Torah for my Neshama, which I will consider a repayment for my years of devotion.
If you are unable to learn Mishnayos or Gemara kindly say Tehilim for my Neshama, Yosef Ben Moshe Haleivi"
Please learn today's Halachos in memory of this exalted soul who was Mezakeh Es Harabim in an unbelievable way. Generations of Jews are properly observing the Mitzvah of Shatnez due to him. It's amazing what one human being can accomplish!
Yehi Zichro Baruch.
Reader’s Question:
If someone did not have kavana during the first bracha of Shemona Esrei he should only scan [the words, as you wrote in your Halachos a few days ago] or is he allowed to say over the first bracha starting by Elokei Avrohom ?
My Answer:
If you realized that you didn’t have Kavannah before you said Hashem’s name in the Chasimah of the Bracha, you can repeat the Bracha again from "Elokei Avraham".
Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach maintains that if you didn’t have kavannah for only part of the Bracha, you should repeat only the parts that you didnt have Kavannah for, and not from the beginning of the Bracha. He also says that one may repeat any part of Shemona Esrei that was said without Kavannah, even though Brachos with Hashem’s name will be repeated.
If the Bracha of Avos was finished, it is best to scan it, and not repeat it, unless you are someone that usually has Kavanah, and in that case you should start again from the beginning.
Another thing that can be done, is to wait until Chazaras HaShatz, and have in mind to be Yotzei with the Chazzan’s Birchas Avos, and then continue "Ata Gibor" on your own. However, the Poskim are hesitant to allow this particular method (for a host of reasons).
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Important Numbers
