Monday
September 6 2010
27 Elul 5770; 3 Days to Rosh Hashana 5771; 2nd Day of Selichos
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1) Many Poskim (based on the writings of the MahaRal of Prague and others)are of the opinion that Tefilos such as "Machnisei Rachamim" at the end of Selichos, which is basically a Tefilah directed at the Malachim (angels) beseeching them to take our prayers, tears and shouts and bring them to Hashem, should not be said, as it isn't proper to direct our prayers to angels, rather our prayers should be directed directly to Hashem.
As a proof to this opinion, these Poskim cite the 5th Ani Ma'amin of the Rambam (13 principles of faith written by Maimonides) which explicitly says "I believe...that only to Hashem is it proper to daven and not to anyone else".
Accordingly, these Poskim frown upon those who frequent graves of Tzadikim and daven there, as it may seem as if they are davening "to" the Tzadik, as opposed to asking the Tzadik to be a "Meilitz Yosher- a good advocate" for them in Shamayim.
However, many Poskim (Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach and others) are of the opinion that it is OK to beseech the "Machnisei Rachamim- the angels whose specific task it is to bring the requests for mercy before Hashem" to do their task and take our prayers to Hashem. We aren't praying to the angels, rather we are asking them to be our messengers to properly place our prayers in the right sequence and at the right time to Hashem.
They do point out that only when beseeching the angels whose task it is to bring these prayers to Hashem (like by Machnisei Rachamim) is it OK.
It is not OK to simply lift your eyes to the heavens and pray to an angel, or even ask "the angels" to bring your Tefilos to Hashem, as it may not be their task to do so.
The prevalent Minhag is to say these Tefilos and to visit the graves of Tzadikim and ask them to be meilitzei Yosher for us
(see Talmud Sotah 34b regarding Kalev, and it is also well known that Rochel Imeinu was buried on the road to Bais Lechem so her children, Am Yisroel can pray at her graveside. There are many more proofs for this being OK, as well as proofs for the other side, but this isn't the place for this lengthy discussion now)
2) Another example of Tefilah that may be affected by the above Machlokes (dispute) is the Shalom Aleichem Malachei HaShareis" which many say Friday night before Kiddush.
Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach maintains that for the last 3 stanzas (i.e. BoAchem L'Shalom, Barchuni L'Shalom and Tzeischem L'Shalom) we say "Malachei HaShalom" as opposed to "Malachei HaShareis"(like we say in the first stanza) to show that we are only asking them to do their task of bringing Shalom-peace into our homes, in their capacity as Malachei HaShalom, and not praying to them in their capacity as "Malachei HaShareis".
Some have the minhag not to say "Shalom Aleichem" at all on Friday night.
In The siddur Avodas Yisroel (written by a disciple of the Gaon of Vilna) it states that one needs to be extremely careful when saying "Shalom Aleichem...Malachei Elyon MiMelech Malachei HaMelochim..." not to pause between the words "Elyon" and "MiMelech" as to ensure that it is clear that the Malachei Elyon are emissaries from Hashem, and not a higher power on their own.
3)Even though one must wash "Negel Vasser" before Selichos ,the hands must be washed again after Alos HaShachar. (As one of the reasons we wash Negel Vasser is because it's a new day, and we are a new creation [see archives of Hilchos Tefilah , Halchos for Aug 15 2008 ] and the new day happens regardless if we are up or sleeping, and regardless if we washed our hands already or not.)
This Halacha applies any time one is up before Alos HaShachar, not just during Selichos.
If Alos HaShachar arrives during Selichos, it isn't necessary to stop reciting the Selichos to go wash your hands, rather Selichos may be finished, and then the hands should be washed.
It also isn't prohibited to walk 4 Amos before the second washing nor is it prohibited to touch the eyes, clothing and the rest of the prohibitions that are usually forbidden before Negel Vasser.(Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach, Rav Chaim Kanievsky and others)
4) The Baal Tefilah (one who leads the prayers in Shul) for Selichos, and for all the Tefilos during Yomim Noraim, should have as many of the following qualifications as possible:
a) Be a pious Jew who fears Heaven and who pours his heart out to Hashem from the depths of his heart.
b) Be a father of young children.
c) Be a bearded person.
d) Be at least 30 years of age (according to some opinisons, 60 years of age.See sha'ar HaTziyun Siman 581:22)
e) Should be married
f) Be a person who is learned in Torah and does good deeds.
g) Be a humble person.
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 was raised to believe that Al Pi Halacha, tattoos are forbidden.
In fact I learned that if someone had a tattoo in order to be buried in a Jewish cemetery it had to be removed ( I understand a very painful process) before they died.
My son maintains that this is not Halacha. He cited the numbers that Nazis YM"S tattooed on the Jews in the concentration camps.
Please tell me-what are the facts?
Answer:
Although tattoos are forbidden according to halacha (see Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah Siman 180), there is no halacha that I am aware of that forbids one with a tattoo from being buried al pi halacha in a Jewish cemetery, especially if the tattoo in question was acquired against his will (like in the case of the Nazis Yemach Shemam) or at a time in a person's life before he/she was Chozer B'Teshuvah.
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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:
AN IMPORTANT LETTER FOR EVERY JEW
To my star pupil,
I am writing this letter to let you know what I think of you. Up here in heaven things are not like they are down on Earth. Over there, people only know what they can see. If they see a person is "successful", they think that he is the greatest guy. When they see somebody struggling, they think he might be one of the weaker elements.
Let me tell you something. Hashem gives every person certain abilities that nobody knows about down where you live. Some people are capable of tremendous things, while others were put there for much smaller purposes. Only Hashem in His infinite wisdom is able to give every person exactly what he needs, to reach his potential.
I am very misunderstood. Most people hate me, and I don't really blame them. Most people think that my job is to make sure that they fail in all aspects of Mitzvos, and that I rejoice every time they sin. This is the furthest thing from the truth. Did you ever watch a boxing coach train his student? It is really a funny sight. The coach will put on gloves, and fight against his student. At first, he won't hit him so hard, or throw his best punches. But, as the student gets better and better, the coach will start to fight him harder and harder. He does this so that the student will improve his skills, and become the best boxer he can be. This is where it gets strange. Every time the coach knocks down the student, the student gets yelled at!! But finally, when the coach threw everything he has at his student, and not only does he withstand the beating, but he knocks the coach down, there is nobody in the world happier then the coach himself!
This is exactly how I feel. If you fail right away, and don't even try to fight back, I see that there is not much talent to work with, and so I take it easy on you. But if you get back up swinging, I realize that I may have a real winner here, and so I start to intensify the beating. With every level that you go up, I increase the intensity of the fight. If you finally deal me a blow that knocks me out, I will get up and embrace you and rejoice with your success.
Sometimes my job is very disappointing I see a person with a lot of potential and I start right in on him. He fights back for a while, but when the fight gets too tough, he quits and just remains on whatever level he was on. (And he usually ends up going down!) I feel like yelling at him, "Get up you fool! Do you have any idea how much more you could be accomplishing?!" But I am not allowed to do so. I just leave him alone, and go try to find another promising candidate.
If I have chosen you to be the target of my more fierce battles, it was not for no reason! You have tremendous ability! You were born into a very special family, you have Rabbeim who really care about you, and parents who would help you grow in Torah and Mitzvos. You are a very respectful and kind person.
I am writing to you now, because I have a very serious request to ask of you. Please don't step fighting! Don't give up! I have been beating too many people lately, and I am losing patience, Believe in yourself, because I would not be involved with you as much as I am if I didn't think you could beat me. Know what your strengths are! A great Rabbi once said: "Woe is to he who doesn't know his weaknesses. But, 'Oy Vavoy' to him who doesn't know his strengths - for he will not have anything with which to fight."
Always remember one thing: you have a secret weapon at your disposal. I shouldn't really be telling you - but I will anyway. Hashem himself is watching our "training" sessions very closely. I'm pleased to inform you that He's rooting for you! If things should ever get tough, almost too tough to bear, just callout to Him with a prayer, and He will immediately come to your aid. I wish you the best of luck, and I hope that after 120 years when your time is up in that world of falsehood, you will come up here to the world of truth, where I will be waiting for you with open arms, to congratulate you on your victory, and personally escort you to your place next to the Kisey HaKavod.
Sincerely, and with great admiration I remain,
Your Yetzer Hara
Taken from www.divreichizuk.com
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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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