Thursday
27 Adar I, 5771; Yom Kippur Katan Mukdam
March 3 , 2011
1) On Ta'anis Esther, before Mincha, It is customary to give a "Half" coin to Tzedaka to commemorate the "Machtzis Hashekel, the Half Shekel" that each Jew was obligated to give [in the times of the Bais HaMikdash] to the communal fund from which the Korban Tamid (sacrificial lamb that was offered each morning and evening] was purchased.
In the Parsha of "Machtzis HaShekel" (Parshas Ki Sisa)it says the word "Terumah" three times. Therefore, many have the custom to give 3 "Half coins". (Tashbatz Siman 173 based on the Mordechai in the first Perek of Maseches Megilah, also brought in Ram"a Siman 694:1).
Others, however, have the custom to only give one "half" coin. (Opinion of the Gaon of Vilna)
2) The "Half" coin that is used varies from country to country. In the United States, the accepted custom is to use a "Half Dollar coin" (which is referred to as "Half a dollar). Each person should use the "Half" coin that is used in their respective country.
If one lives in a country that does not have a "Half" coin, he should give one coin(or 3 coins, if following the Minhag to give 3) and think in his mind that half of the coin should be for the obligation of commemorating "Machtzis HaShekel" and the other half should simply be Tzedaka. (See Biur Halacha Siman 694 Dibur HaMaschil V'yesh Liten Shlosha. See also Shu"t Minchas Elazar Vol. 1 Siman 30)
Aneinu presents:
Yom Kippur Katan Tehilim Teleconference for Women and Girls
Featuring Divrei Chizuk from Rabbi Fischel Schechter followed by Tehillim.
Thursday, March 3, at 1:00 p.m. EST.
Call 212-990-8000, Access code: 6060 #
Perokim that will be recited: 20, 83, 121, 130, 142 and 100.
They can be downloaded from Artscroll here.
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:
A question I am curious about: on Friday night when singing Shalom Aleichem, why do we (not all people, but most people) say each line 3 times?
Answer:
The "Shalom Aleichem" was authored based on the Talmud (Shabbos 119b) that says that each person has two malachim (angels) escort him home from shul each friday night, one a good angel and one a bad angel.
When they enter the home they check for three things: 1) candles burning 2) the Shabbos table set and 3) the beds are nicely made up.
If the three things are found as they should be, the good angel blesses the home that it should be this way the following week as well, and the bad angel is forced to answer "amen" to this Bracha. If the three things are not found, the bad malach curses the home, saying that it should be unready for shabbos the following week as well, and the good angel is forced to answer "Amen"
The "3" times we repeat each verse of the shalom Aleichem are symbolic of the "3" things above that each Jewish home should have prepared in honor of the holy shabbos day. (Based on the writings of the Ya'avetz in his siddur)
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:
What should every Shabbos Seudah contain? The renowned Mechanech, Rabbi Dovid Finkelman, Shlita teaches that a Yerushalmi Tzaddik told him that one should not allow his Seudah to be diverted, and that accordingly no Seudah should miss:
a. Niggunim;
b. A meaningful story which reinforces everyone's Emunah and Emunas Chachomim;
c. A Devar Torah; and
d. A Devar Halachah--over time, hundreds and hundreds of halachos are learned, reviewed and discussed.
The great lesson from the Yerushalmi Tzaddik is that the Shabbos Seudah is an incredible opportunity--not only for quality time and Oneg Shabbos--but for growing spiritually. The Shabbos Seudah, in a wonderful sense, is able to combine the Olam HaZeh comforts with the Olam Haba aspirations--bringing us to Menucha VeSimcha!
Submitted by daily reader, C.S.; Taken from www.Hakhel.info
Important Numbers
