Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Vayeishev
19 Kislev 5771
November 26 2010; 6 Days until Chanukah
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SPECIAL DOUBLE PORTION L'KAVOD SHABBOS KODESH
Halachos for Erev Shabos Kodesh
1) It is forbidden to utilize the "light" of the Chanukah candles for any purpose. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 673)
This applies to all the candles that were kindled for that night, even though the extra candles are only for "Hiddur Mitzvah- beautification of the Mitzvah",e.g. on the fifth night, one may not "use" any of the 5 candles, even though Min HaDin only one candle must be kindled each night. (Be'er Heitev ibid.)
The "uses" that are prohibited include mundane uses such as counting money by the lights of the menorah, as well as holy purposes, such as davening or learning via the light of the menorah.
2) Some opinions allow using the light of the menorah for holy purposes (opinion of the Ba'al HaItur and other Rishonim, brought in the Tur), but the consensus of virtually all Poskim, and the prevelant practice, is to prohibit even holy uses. (Magen Avraham, Levush, Elya Rabbah, Aruch HaShulchan etc.)
It is for this reason that the widespread minhag is to add an extra candle, known as the "Shamash" to the menorah each night, this way when/if you "use" the light of the menorah it will be the light of that candle that we are using and not the lights of the menorah.
The "Shamash" should be placed a little higher than the other candles so it should be evident that it isn't one of the "Mitzvah candles". (Ram'a 670:2)
All the menorahs that are being lit require their own "shamash", even if there is other light in the room. (Magen Avraham 670:5, Mishna Berura 670:18)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) Many otherwise righteous Jews have a "custom" to play "Kvitlach", a gambling card game on Chanukah (a poker type game).
It isn't clear exactly where this minhag came from or how it developed, but it isn't a Minhag Tov, rather a sinful expression of "empty partying" that has replaced the "Shiros V'Tishbachos, praising of Hashem that used to (and still should) characterize Chanukah celebrations, and one who values his/her soul should avoid these card games at all costs. (Biur Halacha Siman 670)
2) Those who play "Kvitlach"on Chanukah will be punished severely in the next world, as many other Aveiros, sins, are inevitably involved whenever these card games take place (gambling, stealing, Nivul Peh, Bitul Torah, Prikus Ol, Lashon Hara, [as well as lack of Tzniyus, Histaklus B'Arayos etc. when there are men and women involved in the same game, Chas V'Shalom] just to name a few).
One who has the capacity to stop these games from taking place and discontinue this sinful practice will be greatly rewarded in the next world (Aruch HaShulchan Siman 670:9. See also Yesod V'Shoresh Ha'Avodah Sha'ar 12: end of Perek 1)
If you have been invited to participate in such a game, it would be best to cancel and let them know that you won't be attending.
Although this may be a difficult decision and one that may cause you embarrassment and "hard feelings", it is the right decision and one that a G-d fearing Jew must make.
The Mishna in Pirkei Avos teaches us that "L'Fum Tzaarah Agrah- the more painful a [right] decision is to make, the greater the heavenly rewards"
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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:
I wanted to know, is there an inyan in the torah whether halachically or hashkafically to celebrate ones Birthday (hebrew of course) and also to give out brochos. I see a lot off people doing this and I was wondering if there was a source for this in the Torah. In general what is an appropriate approach to a Birthday?
Answer:
The Sefarim do say that on a person's birthday his Mazal is very strong and it is an opportune time to pray and say Tehilim and work on improving oneself. Many people have the custom to give Tzedaka on their birthday.
The Midrash (Sechel Tov, Bereishis 40:20) does make mention of a person's birthday being a special day of Simcha.
Birthday parties, if done in an appropriate and kosher fashion as a way to express Shevach and Hoda'ah to Hashem for granting you another year of life, are a good way to celebrate with family and friends and to receive and give Brachos to one another. However, if it will simply be a "party" devoid of spirituality, and perhaps lead to Leitzanus or Chas V'Shalom sinful behavior, it should be avoided.
Obviously, the "birthday" that should be celebrated is the hebrew date, and not the secular date on which you were born.
The Ben Ish Chai (Parshas R'ei Vol. 1 Siman 17) writes that celebrating ones birthday is an acceptable minhag and is a "Siman Yafeh" and is done in his home each year.
See also the Pri Megadim (MishPetzos Zahav Siman 444:9) where he mentions a minhag to make a 70th birthday feast.
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:
Imagine that you had won the following prize in a contest:
Each morning your bank would deposit $86,400 in your private bank account for your own use.
However, this prize has rules, just as any game has certain rules.
The first set of rules would be:
1) Everything that you didn't spend during each day would be taken away from you.
2) You may not simply transfer money into some other account. You may only spend it.
The second set of rules:
1) The bank can end the game without warning; at any time it can say,"It's over, the game has ended!"
2) It can close the account in an instant and you will not receive a new one.
What would you personally do? Would you buy anything and everything you wanted? Not only for yourself, but for all the people in your life, right? Maybe even for people you don't know, because you couldn't possibly spend it all on yourself and the people in your life, right? You would try to spend every single cent, and use it all up every day!
Actually, this game is a reality, but not with money!
Each of us is in possession of such a magical bank. We just don't seem to see it.
The MAGICAL BANK is TIME!
Each morning we awaken and receive 86,400 seconds as a gift of life, and when the day is done, any remaining time is gone and NOT credited to us. What we haven't lived up to that day is lost forever. Yesterday is forever gone.
Each morning the account is refilled, but the magical bank can dissolve our account at any time....WITHOUT WARNING.
SO, what will you do with your 86,400 seconds? Think about that, and always think of this: Enjoy every second of your life, because time races by so much quicker than we think. Take good care of yourself, and enjoy life. Live each day to the fullest, be kind to one another, and be forgiving. Harbor a positive attitude and always be the first to smile.
Here's wishing you a wonderful, beautiful day, each and every day!!!
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