Today's Halachos are dedicated by a daily reader L'Zchus Refuah Shelaima for Rabbi Shlomo Klein, principal of Yeshiva Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin Elementary School and Director of Camp MaNaVu, Shlomo Bezalel ben Rochel Leah B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel.
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DOUBLE PORTION L'KAVOD SHABBOS KODESH
Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh
1) Children are obligated to honor their father's wife even if it isn't their mother, as long as the father is alive, as by doing so it is in essence honoring the father.
Likewise, they are obligated to honor their mother's husband even if it isn't their father, as long as their mother is alive.
Although there is no obligation to honor a step-parent after the passing of the parent, it is still a praiseworthy thing to do. (Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah Siman 240:21)
2) It is an extension of the Mitzvah of Kibud Av V'Eim to honor a father's brother and a mother's sister. They should be referred to with "Uncle" and "Aunt" preceding their names and not simply by their names, and otherwise accorded respect. (Sefer Chareidim Perek 12:3 in the name of Rabbeinu Yonah in Sefer Hayirah. In the actual text of the Sefer HaYirah, however, it says to honor a mother's brother and a father's brother, and makes no mention of a mother's sister. This is also how the Chida in Birchei Yosef quotes the Sefer Chareidim. Interestingly, no mention is made in either source regarding honoring a father's sister, though many contemporary Poskim do indeed rule that it applies to her as well.)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) There is an obligation to honor one's older brother.
According to some Poskim this applies only to the oldest brother (the firstborn) and not to other brothers that are older and not to sisters. (Opinion of the Bais Lechem Yehuda to Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah Siman 240:22 quoting the Arizal and the Halachos Ketanos Siman 123 and Shvus Yaakov Vol. 2 Siman 76 quoted in the Gilyon MaHarsha to Yoreh Deah Siman 240:22)
However, other Poskim rule that this applies to all older brothers, and indeed it is best to be stringent and honor all older brothers. (Birchei Yosef who maintains that this is how the Arizal ruled, unlike the way the Bais Lechem Yehuda quotes the Arizal. See also Aruch HaShulchan Yoreh Deah Siman 240:43)
2) Although, according to most Poskim, this doesn't apply to one's oldest firstborn sister the way it applies to an older or oldest brother, it is still important to treat older sisters with respect, as it is important to treat all people that are older than oneself with respect. (Pischei Teshuva Yoreh Deah 240:19. The Yad Shaul, quoted in Sefer Kibud Av V'Eim page 77 in footnote 57, writes in the name of the Chacham Tzvi based on the Talmud in Avodah Zarah 17a and Rashi there Dibur Hamaschil Abei Chadaihu, that the great Amorah Ulah kissed his older sister as a Kavod to her, and he thus rules that there is indeed an obligation to honor older sisters. However, others say that it was out of Derech Eretz, and not due to the Halachic obligation to honor her.)
According to some Rishonim, this obligation to honor older brothers is only in effect as long as the father is alive, just as the obligation to honor aunts and uncles is only in effect as long as the parent is alive.
Other Rishonim maintain that the obligation to honor an older brother is its own obligation and is in effect even after the fathers passing. (See Pischei Teshuva Yoreh Deah Siman 240:18)
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Please continue to daven and learn for the Refuah Shelaima of the Rosh Yeshiva of Telshe and one of the Gedolei HaDor, HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam
קוה אל ד', חזק ויאמץ לבך, וקוה אל ד'
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question
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 pages 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.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
From what pasuk do the rabbis derive that one is obligated to leave a mezuzah on the door if he sells to a fellow Jew?
Answer:
There is no Posuk that teaches us this. This Halacha is based on the Talmud Bava Metzia 102a and brought in Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah Siman 291:2. The reason for this is that when a Mezuzah is removed it causes Mazikim (harmful spiritual elements) to occupy the home and thus if the home is being sold or rented to another it is prohibited to cause harm to another Jew. (See Tosefos Bava Metzia 101b Dibur Hamaschil Lo Yitlenah and Meiras Einayim to Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat Siman 314:2)
If the Mezuzos are particularly expensive or have other sentimental value you may remove them and replace them with other cheaper (but kosher) ones before selling/renting the home or apartment.
Alternatively, the new tenant can be asked to pay the cost of the Mezuzos.
If the home will be painted and thus the Mezuzos removed anyhow, they need not be replaced and the new tenant needs to purchase new ones. Even if the painting won't take place for a few days, they can be removed as soon as the original owner moves out. (See Shu"t Igros Moshe Yoreh Deah Vol. 4 Siman 44)
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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. (Talmud Niddah 73a)
Please visit my website www.HalachaForToday.com for archives, Kosher links, Questions and Answers,and other features. Halachos are for study purposes only, and should not be relied upon for final Psak. See Halacha L'Maaseh Disclaimer Here. I welcome all questions on any topic, anytime! Help spread the word of Hashem!
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