Wednesday
24 Kislev 5771
December 1 2010; Erev Chanukah
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1)There are differing opinions amongst the Poskim whether women are obligated in saying Halel on Chanukah.
The accepted Minhag [amongst Ashkenazic women] is that, although they are most probably not obligated as it is a "Mitzvas Asei SheHazman Grama- a Mitzvah that is bound by time", the women do in fact recite Halel, with a Bracha, on each of the 8 days of Chanukah, as they were also part of the Chanukah miracle. (See Biur Halacha Siman 422:2. See also Moadim U'Zemanim Siman 146)
The Sephardic Minhag is that women do not recite blessings when they perform any "Mitzvos Asei SheHazman Gerama", therefore women who follow the Sephardic customs should not recite the blessing on the Halel on Chanukah [or anytime], but are praised if they do recite the Halel [without a blessing] , and are encouraged to do so. (Shu"t Yabia Omer from Rav Ovadia Yoseph Shlita, Vol. 6 Siman 46)
2) When davening in a Bais HaAvel (a house where mourners are sitting Shiva) there is a dispute about how to proceed with Halel.
Some Poskim maintain that Halel isn't said at all in that house; rather the individuals should recite it when they leave the Avel's home.
Others maintain that Halel should be recited, but the Avel himself should refrain from joining the minyan in its recitation. Others allow the Avel to recite Halel.
The prevalent Minhag is for the Avel [or the Tzibbur] to go to another room and not say the Halel in the presence of the Avel. (See Pri Chadash Siman 422 and Siman 683.)
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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.
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Reader's Question:
Do I recall that toiveling is not applicable to utensils made by Jews in Eretz Yisrael?
Answer:
Utensils made by Jews anywhere, not just Eretz Yisroel, do not require Toveling before use.
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.
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אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
את אחי אנכי מבקש
Today's adverts show modern-day Egypt to be a land of endless sunsets, pristine beaches, coral reefs and smiling tourists riding immaculate camels past magnificent pyramids. This country, however-sitting cosily on the Red Sea-was not always the location for such an idyllic honeymoon. Three-and-a-half thousand years ago, immorality was the norm, idol worship the obsession and the country's largest natural resource was a thriving slave trade. The Midrash describes such atrocities as Pharoh bathing in the blood of Jewish babies, tiny infants being bricked into walls and slaves being ravished by wild beasts as examples of the apocalyptic scene that typified the culture. It was into this very nightmare that Yosef was flung.
At the tender age of seventeen, Yosef the beloved, pampered and protected favourite son of Yackov became Yosef the despised, enslaved and confronted castaway. Sold by his own flesh and blood into an endless hopeless nightmare, challenged and threatened both physically and spiritually, he not only survived but climbed the rungs of society to become the longest reigning Jewish monarch in history! What could possibly have been his secret to success?
The Torah relates that Yackov sent Yosef to ascertain his brothers' well-being and expected to find them in Shechem. By the time he arrived there they had already moved on, prompting him to wonder what happened. On this, the possuk says; "A man discovered him, and behold! - he was blundering in the field; the man asked him, saying, 'What do you seek?'" (Ber. 37:15). With the instruction of this "man", Yosef was directed to Dothan to where he had the fateful meeting that led to his sale as a slave.
Although the discussion with the helpful onlooker seems rather unremarkable, there are a couple of fascinating insights that show this event was not to be taken on face value. Firstly, since the Midrash enlightens us that the man he met was in fact the angel Gabriel, there was surely a deeper purpose for his appearance than simply to be a celestial road map. Secondly, what could the Torah possibly mean with the superfluous word " saying" within the possuk of "a man asked him, saying, "What do you seek?"
The Kotzker Rebbe explains that this was indeed far more than a casual rendezvous. Before Yosef was catapulted into a life of slavery devoid of spiritual support, Hashem sent him the key to survival through his emissary Gavriel-a code that would unlock the most difficult binds and create a timeless message for all of us. Yosef was advised that whilst navigating the challenges in life, decide your course of action by saying what you seek! Decisions should not be based on convenience, comfort or momentary pleasure, but rather on the true desire instilled into every human being to do the right thing. At every crossroad of moral challenge, one should say to oneself, "what is really the correct move that will give me long-lasting pleasure?"
Yosef was not the only one that took this message to heart and used these otherwise crushing challenges as a catalyst to greatness. Our great Chanukah heroes used this same thought process hundreds of years later to crush the mighty Greeks. With the future of Torah values being challenged, they entered a hopeless war with the "what must be morally done" weapon and defeated the entire Greek army. As we physically kindle the lights on Chanukah we must lovingly rekindle our spiritual flame of burning dedication to the legacy of our heroically devout ancestors.
Submitted by Tzvi;Written by Rabbi Sipper at www.ShortVort.com
Important Numbers
