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Today's Halachos are dedicated by a daily reader,
R.C. bas A. in honor of me and my family. I truly appreciate the gesture. May Hashem repay you for your support of Torah learning and your dedication to serving Hashem and following in the beautiful ways of the Torah.
SPECIAL DOUBLE PORTION L'KAVOD SHABBOS KODESH
Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh
1)After a Bracha is recited it is best not to speak while chewing the first bite, until after a bit was swallowed. There is no need for a Kzayis to be swallowed before talking. (Besides for bread, where there is indeed a Halacha to swallow a Kzayis before talking. See Mishna Berura Siman 167:15)
If one spoke before any of the food was swallowed, B'dieved it is acceptable as long as a little of the taste of the food was enjoyed, and there is no need to repeat the Bracha. (Mishna Berura Siman 167:35 quoting the Chayei Adam) 2) Foods that require preparation before being ready to eat, should have all their preparations done before the Bracha is recited so as not to necessitate an interruption between the Bracha and the eating. (Mishna Berura Siman 206:12)
Some examples of this are: nuts that require the removal of the shell, fruits that need peeling, food that is in a closed bag or carton that needs to be removed or drinks that need to be poured out of a bottle.
Keep in mind that fruits that do not require peeling should be kept whole for the recital of the Bracha, as a Bracha on a whole fruit is more respectful. Similarly, a peeled orange should not be broken into segments until after the Bracha, as the more whole and the larger the item is, the more respectful it is to the Bracha, as we discussed previously. (Additionally, a peeled orange may even be considered "whole" even after the peel was removed.See Kaf HaChaim Siman 202:4 and Aruch HaShulchan Siman 202:11)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) Fruits and vegetables that require checking for bugs/worms before eating, should be peeled and inspected before the Bracha is recited, as doing so after the Bracha will be too long of an interruption, and in the event that it is found to be infested, may render your Bracha a Bracha L'Vatalah. (Mishna Berura ibid. See also Shu"t Rivevos Efraim Vol. 1 Siman151:3 who quotes the Chofetz Chaim that milk must be smelled before reciting a Bracha to ensure it isn't spoiled and thus render a Bracha L'Vatalah. Similarly, the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh in his Sefer Rishon L'Tzion to Brachos 40a rules that any foods that are often bitter, must be tasted before reciting a Bracha, and only if found to be edible, a Bracha recited and eaten.)
2) One who recites a Bracha on a food and suddenly finds him/herself nauseated from the food, may not discard the food before tasting a small bite of it, as not to render the Bracha a Bracha L'vatalah. However, if the food is absolutely repulsive to him/her it may not be eaten due to the prohibition of "Bal TeShaktzu", rather just say "Baruch Shem K'vod Malchuso L'Olam Va'ed" and discard the food. (Mishna Berura Siman 206:12)
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.
I've heard that a woman should not make Havdalah for herself, but none of my neighbors are frum, so going to a neighbor is not an option.
I've been making Havdalah for myself. Which is a better option...for me to continue making Havdalah for myself or for my son to call me and make Havdalah over the phone?
I know someone who did that for his mother, A"H, but at the time someone said it's not really acceptable. Any thoughts?
Answer:
Hearing Havdalah over the phone is a very last resort, as many Poskim maintain that it isn't acceptable. It is better to make Havdala yourself and drink the cup of wine (as your obligation to hear/make a valid havdala takes precedence over the minhag of women not drinking the wine of Havdalah, or even to make it on coffee, tea or other aceptable bevarages if you can't drink wine, rather than hear it on the phone.)
If for whatever reason the woman cannot make her own Havdalah and will not have someone to say it for her before Tuesday evening (See Shulchan Aruch Simam 299:6), she can then rely on hearing on the phone as a last resort. (See Mishnah Berurah Siman 296:35, Aruch HaShulcha Siman 296:5,Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol.2 Siman 108 and Vol. 4 Siman 91:4 and Shu"t Tzitz Eliezer Vol.8 Siman 11)
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
