Thursday
September 2 2010
23 Elul 5770; 1 Week to Rosh Hashana 5771; Today is the LAST THURSDAY of the Year! (See Today's Chizuk Corner Below)
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1) When visiting a grave, some have the custom to say "Yehi Ratzon Sh'tehey Menuchaso Shel Ploni Po B'Kavod U'Zechuso Ya'amod Li, May it be the will [of Hashem] that the resting of the person here be with dignity and may his/her merit be beneficial for me." (Be'er Heitev Orach Chaim Siman 224:8)
The custom that people have to rip out some grass or pick up a stone and leave it on the Kever, is a show of respect to the one laying there, as it shows that people came to visit and pay their respect. (ibid.)
While there it is proper to place one's hand on the Kever. (ibid. The Arizal held that one should never go within 4 Amos of a grave, besides during the time of burial. See Mishna Berurah Siman 559:41. The Vilna Gaon, in the Igeres HaGra, wrote that people should not go to cemeteries at all, especially women. The prevalent custom, however, is that we do in fact go to cemeteries, and do in fact go within 4 Amos and even touch the Kevarim. However, women while they are a Niddah customarily do not go. See Mishna Berurah Siman 88:7 and Bais Baruch to Chayei Adam Siman 3:38)
2) The hand that should be placed on the Kever is the left hand. (See Kaf HaChaim Siman 224:42. The reason for this is kabalistic.)
There is no difference between left handed and right handed people regarding this, and both should only place their left hand on a Kever. (See Shu"t Be'er Moshe Vol. 2 Siman 5:11b)
It is important to remember when davening at a grave, especially that of a great Tzadik, to be extremely careful not to Chas V'Shalom pray "to" the Tzadik.
Rather, we Jews only pray to Hashem to answer us in the merit of the Tzadik, or, alternatively, we ask the Tzadik to go before the Kisei HaKavod and be a Meilitz Yosher (an advocate) for us and our families.
Ain Od M'Levado.
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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:
I have been under the impression for quite some time that it is proper to stand for Chazoras Hashatz and Krias HaTorah. Is this incorrect?
Answer:
1) It is best to stand by Chazaras HaShatz. If one is older or if it's physically hard to stand they can be lenient and sit, as there are opinions that mainatain that one can indeed sit, and that it's only a Chumrah to stand.
On Yomim Noraim when it is hard to stand for the entire Chazaras Hashatz, Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita permits even healthy and strong people to sit.
Within 4 Amos of the Shliach Tzibbur according to all opinions you may not sit.
(See Rama Siman 124:4 and Mishna Berura there S"K 20 and Biur HaGra 124:4 and Halichos Shlomo Chapter 9 Ha'arah 35 what he brings from the Me'iri in Sotah 40a)
2) There is no Chiyuv to stand by Krias HaTorah M'Ikar Hadin.
However, it is praiseworthy to indeed stand for Krias HaTorah (See Mishna Berura 146:19).
However when the Mevarech is saying "Borchu" and while the Tzibbur is answering "Baruch Hashem Hamevorach" it is required to stand.
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rAV sHACH SPEAKING
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:
The holy Sefarim (Rav Yonasan Eibeshitz Zt"l , The Shlah Hakadosh and others) teach us that the last week of the year (which begins today) is very unique in that it has very strong powers of Kaparah- atonement.
Each "last" day of the year can atone for each matching day of the whole year.
For example: Today, Thursday, if utilized properly can atone for all the "Thursdays" of the entire year past.
Tomorrow, Erev Shabbos Kodesh, can atone for all the "Fridays" of the entire year, and so on.
It is very worthwhile to try and use this last week and infuse it with Torah, Tefilah, Teshuva, Tzedaka and as many good deeds as possible.
This sentiment is echoed by our holy sages, the Chazal, who taught us "Hakol Holech Achar HaG'mar- everything is [judged] based on the end[ing]"
May Hashem bless us all to realize the gift of Teshuva- that it exists and that it works- and to utilize it to the best of our ability.
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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)
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