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Today’s Learning is dedicated by a daily reader, R.P.J. in honor of her husband and children. In the merit of supporting Torah learning of over 1,500 people, May Hashem bless her and her family with health, success and Nachas always.
1)Vitamins are considered food, and if they have a good taste and are chewed (like most children’s vitamins), a Bracha is required. (See Halichos Shlomo Chapter 13 footnote 27 that vitamins, like other food, may not be stored under a bed and if slept on must be discarded)
The same applies to cough lozenges, herbal teas and any other good tasting food even though it is being eaten for health purposes. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 204:8)
2) Cough syrup, and other sweetened medicines, even though they aren’t food, according to many Poskim require a Bracha due to is being good tasting, and thus pleasurable. (This seems to be the ruling of the Mishna Berura Siman 204:48. This is also the Psak of Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita. See also Shulchan Aruch HaRav Siman 204:15, Shu"t Chasam Sofer Orach Chaim Siman202 and Shu"t Mikraei Kodesh Vol. 2 Siman 40)
Other Poskim however maintain that since there is no reason a person would "drink" this syrup if not for its medicinal purposes, it isn’t considered food and does not require a Bracha. (Psak of Rav Shlomo zalmen Auerbach Zatzal)
Some Poskim suggest that a Bracha on such medicines would only be required if a Revi’is is consumed, but this view is rejected by most Poskim. (see Shu"t Mikraei Kodesh ibid.)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER:
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A 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.
Are marital relations permitted on Shiva Asar B’Tamuz? Are they permitted at night, before the fast begins?
Answer:
Marital relations are generally forbidden on a fast day, unless in certain circumstances (night of tevilah, one who has no children etc.)
They are generally permitted the night before, before the fast begins (besides Tisha B’Av and Yom Kippur). A Rav should be consulted for Halacha L’Ma’aseh.
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
