Tuesday
September 7 2010
28 Elul 5770; 2 Days to Rosh Hashana 5771; 3rd Day of Selichos
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1) In the davening of the Yamim Noraim we say many lofty piyutim (liturgies) which were composed by extremely holy individuals (Tanaim, Gaonim and even Rishonim the likes of Rashi and the Baalei Tosafos).
Just to give you an idea of the holiness we are talking about here, the Magen Avraham (Siman 68) quotes the Ariza"l who says that when Rav Elazar HaKalir (who was either a Tana or a Rishon, and one of the preeminent writers of our Kinus, Selichos and Piyutim) was composing a certain piyut for the Musaf of Rosh Hashanah ,that begins "V'Chayos Asher Heina M'Rubaos Kisei etc.") a ring of [heavenly] fire encircled his entire body.
Many of these piyutim are written in very complex language (done so purposely, according to the Sh"ut Shaar Ephraim, so the non Jews wouldnt "Steal" them and use them in their prayes in their Bais Avoda Zara), and comprised with references to many sources throughout the revealed and hidden Torah. (In fact in over 50 places, the Baalei Tosafos bring proofs to their opinions from stanzas in these piyutim!)
Therefore, the average person will have a very hard time understanding the piyutim and Tefilos of the Yamim Noraim unless they spend some time beforehand studying and analyzing them, which is exactly what the Poskim say each Jew should do a few days before Rosh Hashanah. (Today many Machzorim make it a lot easier to do this, as they have translations and/or explanations on the page. However, it is best to read them before Rosh Hashana if possible, and not during the actual davening. See also Mishna Berura Siman 100 in the name of the Ta"z)
2) It is also important to learn the Halachos of and meaning behind Tekias Shofar prior to Rosh Hashanah, as well as to learn Sifrei Mussar which will cause a person's heart to "wake up" and fear Hashem, as well as bring a person to grasp the reality of Hashem's greatness as He is about to judge all of mankind (Kitzur Shulchan Aruch)
3) It is the accepted Minhag in Klal Yisroel to say Hataras Nedarim (annulling of vows) once a year in front of another 3 individuals (who act as a Bais Din), usually on Erev Rosh Hashana.
This serves to annul our vows (that are able to be annulled) so we can enter Rosh Hashana without the sin of unfulfilled vows, or the sins of not maintaining the performance of good deeds and customs that we have done 3 times or more, which would then in effect give them the status of something that was accepted as a vow. (This is why it is so important to always say "Bli Neder" when promising to do something or when doing something new which you aren't sure if you are able to always do).
4) I heard the following fascinating insight from Rav Yissocher Frand shlita in the name of Rav Yosef Dov Solveitzik Ztz"l, to explain why we place such importance on annulling vows on Erev Rosh Hashana, and then do it again at the onset of Yom Kippur (with Kol Nidrei), when seemingly there are more important things to focus on at this most elevated time.
The correct definition of the word Teshuva (which is what we are all working so hard to attain at this time) is "Return" and not "Repentance" as is commonly used.
Teshuva means "returning to Hashem" and "Turning back the clock" to before we sinned, and erasing the sin from our slate. This idea of "annulling" our sins and making them disappear is similar to what takes place when we annul our vows!
When one annuls his vows, the Halacha is that he has to be able to say that he never meant to make the vow in the first place, and that would he have known then what he knows now, he never would have done it.
Thus, we show Hashem that we are sorry for all the vows we didn't fulfill, and they were all made "by mistake" and therefore we annul them.
This explains the connection between Nedarim and Teshuva! They work exactly the same way!
We tell Hashem that we want to "return" to Him, and that all our sins were done "by mistake" and we didn't mean to do them, and therefore Hashem goes ahead and annuls them.
This also explains the sequence of Kol Nidrei at the onset of Yom Kippur:
a) We start with Kol Nidrei (We tell Hashem that we regret all the vows-and all our sins)
b) We then say The Pasuk "V'Nislach L'Kol Adas Bnei Yisroel...Ki Kol Ha'Am Bishgaga" (which alludes to the fact that all our vows- and our sins- now attain the status of having been done "Bishgaga- by mistake")
c) We recite the Bracha of "SheHechiyanu V'Kimanu V'HiGiyanu..." (Hashem annuls our vows- and our sins- thus we say the Blessing which is recited when one experiences a situation of extreme joy, and is there a greater joy than Hashem accepting us back, and allowing us to return to Him?)
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 am confused with the halacha you wrote on Dec. 7 2008 about how many people must answer to each brocha [of Chazaras HaShatz].
I daven at an early minyan each morning where due to the rush of the people to get to work, the minyan moves at a very fast pace.
Part of this speed is due to the fact that the shliach tzibur was told that only 6 people, yes only 6 people need to have finished their silent shemona esrei before the shliach tzibur starts chazaras hashatz.
Yet you are saying that 9 or more people must be ready to answer amen.
What is the bottom line? 9,8,7,6 ??
Answer:
Yes, although this is something that many people do, it is questionable if this practice is according to Halacha. Allow me to elaborate a little bit:
The Shulchan Aruch Siman 55 says that if one of the Minyan is in middle of Shemona Esrei, he is still counted as part of the ten. The Mishna Berura says that as long as 6 are not in middle of Shemona esrei, the other 4 are Mitztaref (counted as being part of the minyan)
BUT...
The problem is, that this Halacha is said regarding saying Kadish or a different Davar Sh'Bekedusha, that only requires ten people to be together, but not necessarily 10 people "answering"
The question is if this Halacha applies to Chazaras HaShatz as well?
The Shulchan Aruch HaRav (Siman 55:7) says explicitly that this only works for Kadish and Barchu etc. but for Chazaras HaShatz, anything less than 9 answering is a Bracha L'Vatalah. The Kaf HaChaim Paskens like this as well as do many other Poskim.
Some Poskim maintain that the opinion of the Maharil was to indeed allow even Chazaras HaShatz with only 6 people of the 10 answering. (The Maharil does not say this clearly, rather they deduce that this is what he would have held. The reasoning and proofs that apply to and against this opinion are too lengthy a discussion for this forum)
Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal maintained that even if the Maharil was lenient, the Shulchan Aruch wasn't and he paskened that for Kadish and Barchu 6 is enough, while for Chazaras HaShatz nine people answering is required.
Some Poskim allow the starting of Chazaras HaShatz with only 6 people answering, B'Sha'as HaDchak- in extreme situations, but not as a rule to be relied on daily.
For Halacha L'Maaseh please consult your Rav, and do not rely on what any Shliach Tzibbur "was told" to do by someone who may not know the real Halacha.
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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:
Rav Huna said in the name of Rav who said in the name of Rabbi Meir, and so says Rabbi Akiva: A person should make it a habit always to say:
"Everything Hashem does, He does for good."
(Talmud Brachos 60b)
Even when it seems otherwise.
Even when things seem bad.
Even when we feel like we can't handle it anymore.
Even when we feel like throwing in the towel.
Even when we feel like giving up the battle.
Even when we can't fathom how any given situation is good. Even when we have reached the end of our rope.
Even when we feel like the world is against us.
Even when we don't feel worthwhile.
Even when feel wronged.
Even when it may be easier to turn our back on our friends, family and/or our Yiddishkeit.
Even then!
Yes, Even then we must rememebr that There is Hashem.
The ONE.
The ONLY.
The all compassionate.
The most loving Father in heaven who loves each and every one of His children.
Yes, He loves us and is waiting for us to return to Him.
Now. Now my dear brothers and sisters.
Now is the time for Teshuva, Tefilah and Tzedaka.
Now.
Yes, the Yetzer Hara will try and convince us out of it.
"It's too hard" he will say.
"It's too late" he will say.
"It's a waste of time" he will say.
"Hashem isn't interested in you getting close to him" he will say.
"Hashem threw you away ages ago" he will say.
he is wrong. dead wrong.
The gates of Teshuva are never closed. never.
Hashem is waiting for us to take that first baby step.
Not tomorrow. Not next week or next year.
Today. Now.Now.Now.Now.Now.
Hashem is waiting.
אין עוד מלבדו
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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