Today's learning is dedicated by Rabbi Ozer Alport (whose Parsha Potporri is featured each week on my website) L'Refuah Shleimah for his father - Boruch ben Gittel - who is currently unconscious and in very critical condition after suffering severe head trauma this past Thursday. He just underwent a second brain surgery and the situation looks grim. Please have in mind when learning today's Halachos that it be a zechus for him. If you can also say a chapter of Tehilim it would be greatly appreciated
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1)There are varying opinions amongst the Poskim as to whether Birchas Hachamah is a Mitzvah that women are obligated in.
Some Poskim maintain that women may say the Bracha like any other Mitvas Asei SheHazman Grama (such as Lulav, Sukkah etc. and similar to how they say the Bracha over thunder and lightning) where even though they are not obligated, they may do it if they like.
Other Poskim maintain that they should not recite the Bracha , rather hear it from a male and answer Amen. Alternately, many Poskim maintain that women can say it without saying the name of Hashem in the Bracha.
Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal maintained that the custom is for women not to say this blessing. (And ruled as such Halacha L'ma'aseh in 1981. See Halichos Shlomo page 33)
One thing is clear though from the Poskim: even if a woman does want to participate in this Mitzvah and it is her custom to do so, she must not do it at the expense of Hilchos Tznius, and thus should be careful to stand at some distance from the assembled men.
(This is a very exhaustive topic and beyond the scope of this forum. If anyone is interested in exploring this fascinating topic further, here are some starting references: Kaf HaChaim 229:8, Shu"t Chasam Sofer Orach Chaim Siman 56, Shu"t Minchas Yitzchak Vol. 8 Siman 15 and 34, Mogen Avraham beginning of Siman 426, MaHaram Shik Orach Chaim Siman 90m, Chasam Sofer to Shabbos 21a, Shu"t Kesav Sofer Orach Chaim Siman 34, Shu"t MaHaril Diskin Kunteres Achron Siman 26, Ben Ish Chai Shana Rishona Parshas Eikev Siman 19)
2) In order to make the Bracha, the sun must be seen.
In the event that it is an overcast day and the sun cannot be seen, it is best to wait until a little before midday(Chatzos) and then, if the sun is still not visible, say the Bracha without Hashem's name (Mishna Berura 229:8)
It is best to recite the Birchas HaChama while standing outdoors. (Siddur Ya'avetz). If one is ill or otherwise unable to go outside, the Bracha may be recited indoors, after having seen the sun through an open window.
(There are a lot of other Minhagim and ideas related to this topic, which we did not get around to covering this time around. As always, if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me and I will try my best to find the answers in the Sifrei HaPoskim.)
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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 page 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.
Can you give ma'aser from money that you don't have yet? Meaning, I want to make a large check out to tzedakah from my year's salary, but, being that the year is not over yet, I did not receive all of my salary-checks yet. Can I give ma'aser-money on money that I didn't earn yet, and it will be counted as ma'aser from that money?
Answer:
Yes, you may give Ma'aser retroactively on money that will be earned at a later date. This is 100% L'Chatchila.
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
