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1)When smelling pleasant smelling things that do not grow from the ground, such as items derived from animals or other natural items, the proper Bracha to recite is "Borei Minei Besamim" (Shulchan Aruch Siman 216:2 and Mishna Berura S"K 7)
2) One who places a pleasant smelling item in an oven or roasts it over coals where it smokes and produces a pleasant aroma, recites the same Bracha when smelling this smoke as would have been made when smelling the actual item being roasted.
If a few different items with varying Brachos are being roasted, the proper Bracha to recite on the smoke is "Borei Minei Besamim" (Shulchan Aruch Siman 216:13 and Mishna Berura S"K 49. See also Aruch HaShulchan 216:13 and Shu"t Mishne Halachos Vol. 10 Siman 38)
One who smells cigarette smoke does not recite any Bracha, even if the smell is enjoyed. The reason for this is that it is being smoked for its taste and not for its aroma, similar to good smelling food which one wants to eat, where a Bracha is not recited on its mouth watering aroma. (See Aruch HaShulchan Siman 216:4. Some Poskim say that one who smells the tobacco before it is lit, and is doing so to enjoy the pleasant scent does indeed recite Borei Isvei Besamim. See Sefer Birchas HaBayis Siman 301:7)
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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 pages 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.
Recently the Rabbi of my shul got a dog as a pet for his home.
Yet, I have heard that even looking at dogs (and some other animals) is not a good thing and is unholy.
Is there any comments on this about whether having pets and dogs in particular is allowed or acceptable? Are there certain animals that we should stay away from?
Answer:
The Talmud in quite a few places (Shabbos 63a, Bava Kama 15a-b, 79b and 83a to name a few) makes statements to the effect that one may not keep a "bad dog" in his home.
The Rambam (Hilchos Nizkei Mamon Perk 5:9) rules that it is forbidden to keep any dog unless it is secured with chains.
Many Rishonim, however (Sefer Yeraim 210, Smag Mitzva 66, The Tur Choshen Mishpat Siman 409 ,and Hagahos Maimoni Hilchos Rotzeach Perek 11:3 ) argue with the Rambam and only prohibit "bad dogs."
This is also the ruling of the Shulchan Aruch (Choshen Mishpat Siman 49:3) , Shulchan Aruch HaRav(Hilchos Shmiras HaGuf V'Hanefesh 3), and Aruch HaShulchan (Choshen Mishpat Siman 409:4).
The question is how to determine what is a bad dog? Need it bite? Is a bad bark enough?
Rashi's view (Bava Kama 79b) seems to be that any dog that when it barks can scare a pregnant woman and thus cause her to miscarry is a "bad dog"
The She'eilas Ya'avetz (Siman 17) rules that dogs may only be owned if they are serving a purpose such as guarding a home, or other financial reason, but he does not allow any dog ownership as pets and considers it an unJewish thing to do.
The Yam Shel Shlomo in Bava Kama seems to concur with this ruling.
The Sefer Hachinuch (Mitzvah 571) seems to say that all dogs are bad and brazen creatures.
Many Poskim, however, disagree and allow the ownership of dogs, as long as they arent deemed "bad" and arent frightening creatures.
There is a lot more to say on this topic, but it is beyond the scope of this email.
Bottom line is, that as long as the dog is a domesticated, calm pet, there are many Poskim on whom to rely that it may be kept in the home, and thus pet owners should not be chastised, looked down upon or told that they are doing something against the Torah.
In fact, the Torah explicitly forbids causing harm to animals and commands us to care for our animals in a humane and caring manner. A lot of good traits can be learned from animals, and all of Hashem's creations must be respected.
All of the above applies to all animals, not just dogs. (See Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat Siman 261:1 where it is applied to cats)
For Halacha L'Ma'aseh a Rav must be consulted.
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
