Thursday
17 Nisan, 5771; 1st Day Chol Hamoed Pesach
(2nd day Chol Hamoed in Eretz Yisroel);2nd day of Sefiras HaOmer
April 21, 2011
1)There is a Biblical commandment to rejoice on Yom Tov as it states in the Torah "V'SaMachta B'Chagecha- you shall rejoice on your festival".
This Mitzvah applies to Chol HaMoed (the intermediate days of the festivals) as well. (See Rambam Perek 6 of Hilchos Yom Tov Halacha 17)
One must drink [a Revi'is of] wine at least once a day during every day of Chol HaMoed. Some Poskim maintain that at every meal eaten on Chol HaMoed, wine must be drunk. (See Emes L'Yaakov from Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky Zatzal Siman 530 footnote 483)
It is best to drink wine, and not grape juice, which according to some Poskim does not cause "joy" as wine does.
If one cannot drink straight wine, it is best to at least mix a little wine into the grape juice, so that the taste of the alcohol is evident. (Psak of Maran Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita).
Of course, if one cannot drink even grape juice, due to health concerns, there is no obligation for them.
2) It is also important to eat meat (not chicken) once a day on each day of Chol HaMoed. (See Biur Halacha 529:2, Be'er Heitev 551:28,Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 3 Siman 68, Emes L'Yaakov ibid. and Shu"t Shevet Haleivi Vol. 3 Siman 18:2)
There is no requirement to eat bread on Chol HaMoed, therefore if "Ya'aleh V'Yavo was mistakenly omitted in the Birchas Hamazon it does not need to be repeated. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 188:7)
However, it is still worthwhile to eat bread once each night and once each day of Chol HaMoed, out of respect for the day. (Mishna Berura 530:1)
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:
1) What is the halacha regarding an elderly person using hearing aids on shabbos?
2) can a caregiver help the elderly person with the hearing aid on shabbos? Is it muketzah for the caregiver?
3) if the above is allowed can the elderly person go out with it on shabbos? Is it considered carrying?
Answer:
If they are being worn and properly working, they are not Muktzah for the wearer, or for the one assisting him/her. In fact, the Shmiras Shabbos K'Hilchasa and other Poskim even allow to lower/raise the volume if necessary, while it's on the ear.
There is no problem of carrying, similar to glasses being worn outside on Shabbos to help one see, a hearing aid may be worn to help one hear.
Obviously. a Rav must be consulted for Halacha L'Ma'aseh, as each situation is unique.
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 תזכו למצות!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk Corner
Hashem, in His great wisdom, created you with love and care.
He gave you a job here that only YOU can do, no one else.
He's there by your side always, cheering you on as you go about your day.
You are His child, and He loves you more than anyone else in the world!
He sees how hard you try to make Him happy, and He looks down and smiles upon you.
It's okay if you make mistakes every now and then.
Hashem knows we are doing our best, and that we are human.
He gives us all the chances we need.
He looks at the good we do, not at what we don't do.
Even if you did one kind thing today, it's like a beloved child in Hashem's eyes!
LOVE YOURSELF because you are loved by the best Father anyone can have!!!
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