Monday
August 23 2010
13 Elul 5770; 17 Days to Rosh Hashana 5771
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Today's Halachos are dedicated by a daily reader, R.H., a beloved grandaughter, Liluy Nishmas Yosef ben Yechiel Dovid A"H,and Rachel bas Dovid Halevi A"H her beloved grandparents"
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1)During the Aseres Yemei Teshuva, and specifically on Erev Yom Kippur, there is an age old, established minhag to do "Kaparos", whereas we "transfer" our sins to a chicken which each individual twirls over their head while saying certain Tefilos, and is then given to poor people to eat. (See Mishna Berura Siman 605:2 that we should think that all that is happening to this chicken should really happen to us, but since we are doing Teshuva Hashem in His infinite kindness transfers the verdict from our heads to the chicken, similar to how a Korban in the Bais HaMikdash worked )
Some Poskim maintain that instead of a chicken, a fish or money should be used that will then be given to Tzedaka (Mishna Berura ibid. See also Chayei Adam Klal 144:4 who was against the practice of using chickens ,especially on Erev Yom Kippur,as, they were slaughtered in haste and thus were eaten un-kosher. He says that it is better to use money or a fish, where there is no issue of eating neveilos etc. He elaborates on this, and it would be worthwhile to take a look.)
Also, the Sefarim say that even when using a chicken for the actual kaparos ritual, it is better to give the money that the chicken is worth to a poor person rather than the actual chicken, which he may not need, and which may not be kosher (as above), which may also be where the minhag to use money originated.
When using money for Kaparos, it may not be taken from money designated for Ma'aser.(Shl"a Maseches Yoma Amud HaTeshuva Dibur Hamaschil B'Erev Yom Kippur)
2)When doing Kaparos (regardless if money, a fish or a chicken is used) right handed people should hold it and twirl over their head with the right hand.
According to some Poskim, left handed people should also use their right hands for Kaparos, while other Poskim maintain that lefties should use their left hands.
For Halacha L'ma'aseh,as always, a Rav should be consulted.
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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:
Why do we not make a brocha when giving Tzedaka (charity)?
Answer:
The Rashba (in Teshuvos Vol. 1 Siman 18) says that any Mitzvah that isn't 100% in the hands of the one doing it does not receive a Bracha as there is a chance that it won't be fulfilled and thus be a Bracha L'Vatalah.
Thus he writes that by Tzedakah, there is a chance that the one you are giving to will not accept, or disappear,and you will be left holding the money and left with a Bracha L'vatalah would you have recited a Bracha.
(See also Shu"t Binyamin Zev Vol. 2 end of Siman 169)
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CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short Chizuk thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
קוה אל ד', חזק ויאמץ לבך, וקוה אל ד'
Chizuk For Today:
As we stated in theprevious emails, There are 3 main Yesodos (foundations) necessary to accomplish true Teshuva, and the 3 are broken down (by Rabeinu Yonah in Sefer Shaarei Teshuva) into 20 Ikarim (more detailed), different aspects to achieve a proper and everlasting Teshuva.
The 3 main Yesodos are 1)Charata (regret), 2)Vidui (verbally enumerating one's sins), and 3) Azivas HaChet (Letting go of the sin and resolving to never repeat it).
The next 5 of the 20 Ikarim are as follows:
#11) Search your soul and make an accounting of your actions, so you will recall all your forgotten iniquities, so you will be able to say Vidui for them, humble yourself because of them and resolve never to repeat them.
#12) Investigate the magnitude of each of your sins. Determine which punishment you deserve for each of them [Malkos- 40 lashings, Kareis- heavenly death penalty or Misas Bais Din- capital punishment meted out by a rabbinic court of law. (Though Malkos and Misas bais Din aren't in effect today, as we are in Galus, variations of them are meted out through the heavenly court for those who deserve them) ] and do the appropriate Teshuva for each of them.
#13) Consider even the seemingly insignificant sins as grave sins in your own eyes; don't dwell on the smallness of the sin, rather dwell on the greatness of the king [Hashem] who commanded you to do His will.
#14) Explicitly enumerate each and every one of your sins (Vidui) as well as the sins of your forefathers.
#15) Pray to Hashem and beg Him to have mercy on you and forgive you and erase your sins and purify you from their harmful effects.
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- one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (Talmud Niddah 73a)
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