Today, 7 Cheshvan, is the 13th Yahrtzeit of Mr. Joseph Rosenberger Z"L, founder of all Shatnez Laboratories, and the man responsible for most of Klal Yisroel today being observant in this important Mitzvah.
In his last will he wrote:
"Due to the fact that I spent all my years educating the jewish public about the Mitzvah of Shatnez, and therefore couldn't learn enough Torah, I am requesting the public to at least learn Torah for my Neshama, which I will consider as a repayment for my years of devotion. If you are unable to learn Mishnayos or Gemara, kindly say Tehillim for my Neshama-
Yosef Ben Moshe Haleivi"
Today's Halachos are dedicated in memory of this great Neshama. Please have in mind when learning the Halachos today that it be a merit for his Neshama.
1)The Bracha of "Hanosen Rayach Tov B'Peiros" is only recited when one is interested in smelling the fruit, even if the intention is to smell it and then to also eat it.
If the fruit is wanted only for eating, and as it is lifted one happens to smell its pleasant fragrance, no Bracha is recited, as in such a case it isn't considered an item meant to be smelled. (See Mishna Berura 216:11. Interestingly, the Pri Megadim (Aishel Avraham) 216:5 quotes the Levush that the reason for this is due to the Halachos of Ikar and Tafel; the smell factor is subordinate to the consumption factor, and only a Bracha on the Ikar- the eating- is recited)
This applies even if the fruit was not yet lifted to eat, and is sitting on the table and its fragrance is wafting in the air, since it is there for consumption, no Bracha is recited.
Likewise, other foods which are brought out to the table for consumption, even if their delicious aroma fills the room, no Bracha is recited on their smell due to their purpose being for consumption. (See Biur Halacha Siman 216 Dibur Hamaschil K'Shenatlo and Dibur Hamaschil Af Al Pi)
In fact, even if one lifts up the food and specifically wants to enjoy the aroma of a dish that was brought out to the table, no Bracha may be recited, as it was prepared and brought out to eat, and cannot be considered something whose purpose is for its smell. (See Biur Halacha 216:2 Dibur Hamaschil V'Lo and Dibur Hamaschil O L'Achlo)
If the host brings out fruit for consumption, the guests may not decide that they want them for their fragrance, as since the host brought it out for eating, it is no longer considered an item whose purpose is for smelling, and thus no Bracha may be recited on itsfragrance (See Kaf HaChaim 216:29)
For Besamim by Havdalah on Motzei Shabbos it is best to have a special pleasant scented item set aside and not simply take something from the refrigerator or the spice rack at random , as according to some Poskim one may never recite a Bracha when smelling items that are intended for eating purposes. (See Shmiras Shabbos K'Hilchaso Perek 61:30)
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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.
Is there a problem with saying Tehillim on shabbos? does it make a difference if its 'general tehillim' (ex: a group of women saying tehillim from the booklets that divide the whole sefer) or tehilim for a specifc choleh?
Answer:
Tehilim may be said on Shabbos. In fact, some Seforim say it is good to say Tehilim specifically on Shabbos as Dovid Hamelech passed away on Shabbos. (See Eishel Avraham Butshatsh Siman 306:5. See also Mishna Berura Siman 293:1)
However, Tehilim should not be said B'tzibur for a sick person rather B'Yechidus where it is not evident for what reason the Tehilim is being said. (Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach in Halichos Shlomo Perek 14 footnote 19)
If it isn't for a specific Choleh, rather a group of women getting together each week to say Tehilim, there is no problem with that.
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
