Monday
15 Kislev 5771
November 22 2010; 10 Days until Chanukah
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1) The Minhag is that women do not do "Melacha" (work or chores) for the first thirty minutes after the Chanukah menorah is lit.
Some have this Minhag on each of the eight nights of Chanukah (Shibolei HaLeket).
Others have this Minhag only on the first and last night of Chanukah (Shiltei Giborim, Kol Bo, MaHaril and others)
According to some opinions, the type of "Melacha" that the women shouldn't do is any "Melacha" that is prohibited on any other Yom Tov (Levush, Bach, Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal and others).
According to other opinions, only Melachos that women refrain from doing on Rosh Chodesh and Chol HaMoed are prohibited, such as sewing, laundry, ironing etc., but baking, cooking etc. is allowed. (Moed L'Kol Chai, Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal, Debreciner Rav in Be'er Moshe, Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita in the name of his father the Steipler Zatzal)
2) Some Poskim maintain that the minhag not to do Melacha applies to men as well. (Elya Rabba's understanding of the MaHaril, Bach and a few others).
Most Poskim however, maintain that this is a special Minhag for women only, as they had particularly harsh decrees targeting them ,namely that all Jewish brides were required to spend the night with the Greek general before being allowed to get married and the women had a special part in the miracle of Chanukah. (referring to the story of Yehudis who slayed the Greek general, before he was able to defile her and through her heroic actions, the decree was abolished. See Tosafos Pesachim 108b D"H HaYu B'Oso Ha'Nes. See also Rashi Shabbos 21b D"H V'Asum that there is no Issur Melacha on Chanukah)
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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:
Concerning Chanuka lights, can one wait until after the brochos are recited to light the candle that he holds in his hand to light all the others (The Shamash) or is that a hefsek (interruption) between the brochos and the lighting?
Answer:
Though, if it's not I doubt it is a real Hefsek as it is being done for the sake of the Chanukah lights.
It is probably better to have the candle you are using to light with, lit before you start the Brachos.
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 inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
There is a Halacha in Shulchan Aruch that says that when we daven Shemonah Esreh, we should keep our eyes closed or look into a Siddur. Furthermore, the Gemorah states that a person who keeps his eyes closed during Shemona Esrei, will merit seeing the Shechina Hakedosha (we don't know exactly what this means, of course) at the moment that he/she departs from this World!
The Zohar Hakadosh on the Pasuk in Vayeitzei where it says "Vieinei Leah Rakos, V'Rochel Hoysa Yefas Toar V'fas Mareh - Leah's Eyes were wet (from crying out to Hashem) and Rochel was a beautiful Maiden." - describes Rochel Imeinu (based on the words in this Pasuk) as "Ulemta Shapirta, Dles La Einan - A beautiful Maiden who had no eyes"! Of course, this explanation reflects the hidden meaning of this Pasuk. However, a possible insight to explain this Zohar, is that Rochel Imeinu understood full well what was at stake here. She knew that to live with Yaakov, was to engage in the building of Klal Yisroel Literally! Yaakov avinu himself, did not want Leah Imeinu. Leah Imeinu had 6 sons, all of whom represent the "greatness" of the Jewish people (Kehuna, Malchus, Wealth, etc.). However, Yaakov Avinu only wanted the simple Peshutei Ha'am, the simple Jews - the "Habein Yakir Li Efraim", which is the progeny of Rachels' child- Yosef Hatzadik. Yaakov was interested in the simple Yidden who would make a lifetime career out of Learning Torah and being simple servants of Hashem, since there is no greater pursuit!
However, Rochel Imeinu was willing to give everything away! - she made the ultimate personal sacrifice for her sister, so as not to cause her to be embarrassed. Indeed, she would have been well within her rights to refuse Leah and especially knowing the enormity of what was at stake! Still, she was "ulemta shapirta d'les la einan"! She 'closed her eyes' from making any other cheshbonos and simply did what she thought was right.
Ultimately, Rochel Imeinu saved the Jewish people later in our history (when the Tefilos of all others of our great leaders could not accomplish anything) as a result of her incredible personal sacrifice. Hashem told Rochel, "Mini Kolech M'bechi, Ki Yesh Sachar L'peulasech - Please cease your crying, for there is much merit in your endeavors".
This is one facet to explain the beauty of closing our eyes during our Shemona Esrei. There is no greater position to be in, than a Jew who is literally Omeid Lifnei Hashem during this Tefilah! During Shemona Esreh, we literally find ourselves in the higher world of Olam "Ha'atzilus".
So we close our eyes and lock out any exterior and ulterior calculations and cheshbonos...and we stand in front of Hashem exclusively as the source of our Life!...and we talk to him!
Heard From Rav Shimshon Pincus Zatzal; www.OhrShimshon.com
Important Numbers
