Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Shemini; Parshas Parah
19 Adar II, 5771
March 25, 2011
Today's Halachos dedicated by a daily reader, M.Z.,in honor of Mazal Tov bas Farcha whose birthday was 18 Adar. Happy Birthday, Mazal Tov! Ad Meah V'Esrim Shana Mitoch Nachas U'Briyus!
DOUBLE PORTION L'KAVOD SHABBOS KODESH
Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh
1) Some people refrain from eating Matzah starting 30 days before Pesach, in order to properly enjoy the Matzah on Pesach.
Others have the custom to stop eating Matzah from Rosh Chodesh Nissan.(Chok Yaakov Siman 471:7 quoting the Shiyarei Kneses Hagedolah)
2) On Erev Pesach it is forbidden to eat Matzah according to all opinions. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 471:1. See also Shu"t Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 1 Siman 155 regarding if this prohibition is the entire day or if it starts only after Chatzos)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) Tachanun is not recited for the entire month of Nisan.
One reason cited is that the Nesi'im brought their Karbanos for the first 12 days of the month and thus was considered a Yom Tov, plus Erev Pesach, Pesach and Isru Chag are Yomim Tovim, and once most of the month was holy, the entire month was given a status of holy.(Shulchan Aruch Siman 429:2 and Mishna Berura S"K 7)
Likewise, "Tzidkascha Tzedek" at Shabbos Mincha, the "Yehi Ratzons" after Krias HaTorah on Mondays and Thursdays are not recited for the duration of Nisan. (ibid.)
2) The custom amongst Ashkenazim is that no fast days are held during the month of Nisan, including private fasts such as on the Yahrtzeit of one's parents or other fasts done in the pursuit of Teshuva. The exceptions to this rule are a "Ta'anis Chalom, a fast for disturbing dreams" , the fast of a Chasan and Kallah on the day of their wedding and the fast of the firstborn on Erev Pesach, which may be held even in Chodesh Nisan. (Rama ibid. and Siman 573)
Sephardic Jews who follow the rulings of the Bais Yosef may hold private fasts as the Mechaber rules that only public fast days are prohibited in Nisan. (See Mishna Berura Siman 429:9)
Another reason cited for the holiness of this month: The dedication of the Bais Hamikdash Hashlishi which will be rebuilt with the coming of Mashiach (may it be soon) will take place for seven days immediately following Pesach, thus the aforementioned restrictions continue even after Pesach is over for the duration of the month. (See Ma'aseh Rokeach beginning of Mishnayos Pesachim quoted in Shu"t Chasam Sofer Siman 103)
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 have many tehilim names that I daven for every day. For most of the names that I have, I do not know what the status is, like if the person is still sick chas veshalom etc. Is there a problem with saying tehilim for these names anyway, even if they have had a refuah shleima, or are no longer with us?
Answer:
There is no problem per se with saying Tehilim for these names. However, the Seforim do say that it is best to only say names thatyou personally know, or know about, and not to say the names of lists that you have no idea about. All the Cholim that you don't know should be included in the "B'SochShaar Cholei Yisroel" you say after the names that you do know.
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Please pray for the following victims of yesterday's Jerusalem bombing:
Odelia Nechama bat Michal - suffered serious head injuries and is in intensive care. Her life is still in danger.
Natan Daniel ben Shulamit- a 17-year-old student who is in serious condition. He suffered massive internal injuries and has had a number of internal organs removed.
Leah Bracha bat Shoshana- is a 19-year-old seminary student from Cleveland Ohio. She suffered burns to her legs and arms as well as serious shock.
David Amoyal - David is the owner of the snack stand next to the bus stop. He told everyone to run away and then called the police, and was on the phone with them when the bomb exploded. He suffered injuries to his legs and feet and lower body. He is in moderate condition.
Sasson ben Shulamit - This is the second time Sasson has been injured in a terrorist attack in Jerusalem . He suffered lower body injuries and serious post-traumatic symptoms.
Ad Shapira - Ad is 18 years old and just about to complete high school. She suffered light orthopedic injuries and is in good condition in hospital.
Shilo ben Ofra - Shilo is 15 years old, and suffered burns and fractures to his legs and lower abdomen. He is sedated in intensive care.
Daniel ben Nurit - Daniel is 13 years old, and suffered lacerations and shrapnel injuries to his lower extremities, and is likely to be released from the hospital before Shabbat.
Elchanan ben Alona - Elchanan is 14 years old, and suffered serious injuries to his feet. One ankle and three of his toes were crushed. He has had one operation and will require more surgery. He will likely be in the hospital at least 2-3 weeks.
Netanel ben Shlomit
- Netanel is 18 years old and works as a security guard at the bus station. He was injured in the abdomen had surgery. He is now recuperating in the hospital.
May all Cholim experience a Refuah Shelaimah, IY"H.
Submitted by a daily reader who maintains a Cholim email list. To join the list email Ryr613@aol.com
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 Corner
Any animal that has a cloven hoof that is completely split into double hooves, and which brings up its cud, that one you may eat. But these you shall not eat among those that bring up the cud and those that have a cloven hoof: the camel, because it brings up its cud, but does not have a [completely] cloven hoof; it is unclean for you."[Vayikra 11:3-4] "And the pig, because it has a cloven hoof that is completely split, but will not regurgitate its cud; it is unclean for you." [Vayikra 11:7]
(From Ha'aros, by Moreinu v'Rabbeinu Rav Zeidel Epstein, zt"l.)
Why did the Torah have to accent the feature of the pig that it has a cloven hoof, which is completely split? A cloven hoof is not indicative of prohibition, but rather of kashrus. It should have been mentioned incidentally. The sign of tumah, that it does not chew its cud, should have been accented instead. This is the sign of tumah by all the animals.
Chazal explain (Vayikra Rabba 13:5) that the Torah is telling us a fundamental trait of the pig. It sticks out its hoofs as if to proclaim to the world, "Look at me. See! I'm kosher!" The pig uses its kosher feature to publicize its kashrus. Rav Shlomo Harkavi, zt"l (Mashgiach of the Grodno Yeshiva) used to say that this is worse than an animal that has absolutely no kosher characteristics. At least, then, it is obvious to everyone that he is tamai and thus they know to keep away from him. But when he has some kosher sign which he can show off to everyone, sometimes he can influence others to believe that really he is kosher. Therefore the Torah equated his kosher characteristics to his treif characteristics. This possuk is teaching us beware from such combination: half kosher, half treif.
Chazal relate (Sota 22b) that King Yannai warned his wife, "Don't be afraid of the Rabbis; nor of those who aren't Rabbis. Rather be aware of the hypocrites. They look like the Rabbis, but they act like Zimri and want reward like Pinchas.
When a person's real self is apparent to all, then people can protect themselves and realize the person is not so kosher. Such a person is not so dangerous. The hypocrites are the real menace. They look kosher and yosher and so are very dangerous.
A ben Torah once went to one of the American Gedolim (at a time when there were no yeshivos in his city) and asked, should he send his son to public school where he will mix with the goyim. Or should he register him in the Jewish private secular school where at least he will be among Jews. The Gadol told him that it is preferable to learn in public school. At least there it is obvious that the other children are goyim and you can warn the child not to mingle and learn from their bad ways. You are Jewish and they are goyim. The distinction is clear.
However to be among secular Jews is worse. They are also Jewish and it is impossible to explain to a child not to mingle with them. They will have a very strong influence on your son.
Written by Rabbi Eliezer Parkoff Rosh Yeshiva Yeshiva Gedolah Medrash Chaim. To subscribe to his weekly Chizuk email send request to Weeklychizuk@shemayisrael.com
Important Numbers
