One of our daily readers, Rochel Bas Chana is undergoing a medical procedure today. Please have in mind when learning today's Halachos that the Torah learning should be a merit for her complete Refuah Shelaima. If you can also say a chapter of Tehilim in her merit, it would be greatly appreciated.
1) Nothing, not even something simple and insignificant, should be done between washing Al Netilas Yadayim and "Hamotzi", unless it is directly necessary to the meal. (See Mishna Berura 166:1. See Shu"t Az Nidberu Vol. 10 Siman 8:2 that B'Dieved B'Sa'as HaDchak certain things are permitted, as long as they don't require much concentration. See also Chazon Ish Orach Chaim Siman25:8)
Simply waiting for no reason between the Al Netilas Yadayim and the Hamotzi, even without doing anything or talking, should also be avoided.
Waiting [from after the hands are completely dried until Hamotzi is recited] for more than the time that it takes to walk 22 Amos (approximately 44 feet) is considered a Hefsek. The time it takes to dry the hands is not counted. (See Mishna Berura 166:4 and Kaf HaChaim 166:9. According to the Shulchan Aruch HaRav 166:1 if in the time that you "waited" you were doing something pertaining to the meal, it isn't considered a Hefsek, even longer than 22 Amos, though he writes that L'Chatchilah it should be avoided. The Aruch HaShulchan 166:1and 2 even goes so far as to say that waiting in such a case is L'Chatchilah)
2) The above Halacha is for meals during the week. On Shabbos, however, when the custom is to wait for everyone to wash and only then recite "Hamotzi", where it certainly takes more than "22 Amos" to do this, many Poskim say that the Halacha doesn't apply. (Aruch HaShulchan ibid. writes that on Shabbos nobody is running anywhere, so their minds are on the Seudah even longer than 22 Amos. Other Poskim maintain that waiting for everyone to wash and sit down is considered "necessary" for the meal. Some Poskim argue and are stringent, and require everyone at the table to have their own 2 Chalos, even on Shabbos, as to avoid waiting more than 22 Amos.)
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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 my Answers. Taken from the Q & A page on the Halacha For Todaywebsite.
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.
When giving Ma'aser by check in Eretz Yisrael -where the check is usually changed at a money changer who takes about 1.5% -do you need to add that amount to the check so that the recipient will get the full ma'aser? (Your earning go to an American account and you live in Eretz Yisroel)
Answer:
If the check can be deposited in a bank and thus be redeemed for the full amount, you have satisfied your obligation. The fact that the recipient may use an alternate method to cash the check, and thus lose a percentage is the recipient's choice, and not your concern.
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
