Tuesday
Erev Rosh Chodesh Iyar 5771;Yom Kippur Katan; 14th Day of the Omer
May 3, 2011
1) It is forbidden to dance during Sefirah, as it will lead to too much Simcha in this period of mourning [over the deaths of the 24,000 disciples of Rabbi Akiva]. (See Mogen Avraham Siman 493:1 and Mishna Berura Siman 493:3)
It is also forbidden to play or listen to musical instruments during Sefira, as this can lead to dancing. (See Aruch HaShulchan Siman 493:2 and Shu"t Minchas Yitzchok Vol. 1 Siman 111)
2) Though some people are lenient with regard to listening to music that isn't live (such as on a CD or the Jewish radio channel), the majority of Poskim forbid that as well as the end result (the fact that it will lead to extra Simcha) is the same
Even those who rely on the lenient Psak should refrain from listening to tapes or CD's that contain very lively dance music.
Tehilim Teleconference for women and girls:
Rabbi Ilan Feldman, Rav of Beth Jacob Synagogue in Atlanta Georgia will give Divrei Chizuk followed by Tehillim Today, Tuesday, May 3rd, Erev Rosh Chodesh Iyar, at 1:00 p.m., Eastern Standars Time.
The phone number is 212-990-8000 Access code: 6060 #(pound).
They will be saying Perokim # 20, 83, 121, 130, 142 and 100.
The first 5 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:
My friend asked me to find out if/where it says we can't become good friends with people in other religions (of the same gender, of course).
I don't think there is a reason why she wouldnt be allowed to be friendly to [for instance] a Muslim , but I figured I could ask. What about close friends? What can I tell my friend about the subject?
Answer:
The Torah advocates not getting too close or friendly with members of other religions, and indeed some of the laws that the Rabbis enacted (such as not eating Bishul Akum, not eating Pas Akum etc.) were put in place as to avoid becoming too friendly with the goyim, which if done, ultimately will lead to one's own level of observance "cooling off" Chas V'Shalom.
The Torah states (Vayikra 20:26 and in other places as well) "V'Hiyisem Li Kedoshim Ki Kadosh Ani Hashem V'Avdil Eschem Min Ha'Amim Lihiyos Li, you shall be unto me holy for I am Holy, Your G-d, and I will separate you from the nations to be mine". See Rashi there.
Yes, we must be cordial to our neighbors and treat them with respect, and in our business dealings with non Jews we must act nice and treat them fairly etc. but we must not become too friendly with them, as the consequences of doing that are never good in the long run.
Hashem assured us that the Jews and the nations of the world are and will always be separate; either by choice (as it should be by US making the HAVDALAH) or by force (as it is if we don't do it ourselves, the nations of the world will ensure that THEY make KIDDUSH Hashem out of us, Rachmana L'Tzlan as we have seen throughout our history in Galus). See also the chilling words of the Meshech Chachma in Parshas Bechukosai where he fortells the events of the holocaust decades before they unfolded, based on the above concept.
See also Vayikra 18:3 and Rashi there quoting Chazal that Jews do not belong in the arenas, theaters, parties etc. of the non Jews, something that will ultimatelt happen if we become too friendly with them.
Also, there is the whole issue of "Lo Tichanem" (Devarim 7:2). See Talmud Avodah Zarah 20a.
May Hashem give your friend (and all of us) the strength to do the right thing always and to make our Father in heaven proud of the way we act!
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 HALACHAFORTODAY@YAHOO.COM
THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk Corner
A Jew's mind is holy and must be kept holy.
A Jew has a responsibility to think only acceptable thoughts and to rid his/her mind of unacceptable thoughts.
What a Jew sees, hears, speaks and thinks must not be the same as what a non Jew does.
Being children of Hashem is a huge privilege and an even greater responsibility.
We, as Jews, carry the mantle of Hashem, our Father.
People hold us up to a higher standard; rightfully so.
Passiveness in religiosity is unacceptable in Judaism.
We must always climb, grow and strive higher.
The absence of striving upward is falling down.
There is no cruising in Judaism; we are always on the move up or down.
It's up to us to keep moving up; closer to Hashem.
The importance of keeping our minds clean and holy, especially during this period of Sefiras HaOmer cannot be overstated.
Bringing holy thoughts into an unclean place is a sin...
...Bringing unclean thoughts into a holy place (i.e. our minds and hearts) is an even bigger sin!
In fact, the Shulchan Aruch HaRav (Orach Chaim Siman 85:4) rules that if one finds himself having improper thoughts he should instead think thoughts of Torah ,even when in the bathroom or other unclean places where it is usually prohibited to have holy thoughts!
Mashiach is closer than ever.
The Sar (Guardian angel) of Yishmael has fallen as is evidenced by the turmoil in the Arab world and the recent death of the Rasha Osama Bin Laden, a symbol of Yishmael's strength.
Chazal tell us that when the Sar of Yishmael will fall so will the nations of Yishmael have their ultimate downfall, and then Mashiach, a descendant of Yitzchok will rise and bring the glory of Hashem to the entire world and all will recognize the Kingdom of Hashem and His holy nation Yisroel.
The only army that will be left standing is the army of Hashem.
(See Zohar Parshas Va'Eira page 32 in the old prints. See Midrash Rabbah end of Parshas Chayei sarah. See also Ba'al HaTurim Bereishis 25:18)
We are there.
The era of Mashiach is no doubt upon us as never before.
Let us each resolve to take one tiny baby step today.
Small, yet significant.
Step by step by step.
Let's strive for greatness.
Let's rid our homes, minds and hearts of unholiness
Let's reach for Hashem.
Let's reconsider our priorities.
Let's watch what our eyes see; so we can merit seeing the final redemption.
Let's watch what our ears hear; so we can merit hearing the ultimate Shofar blasts.
Let's watch what our mouths say; so we can merit using it to greet Mashiach.
Let's watch what our minds think; so we can merit absorbing the wisdom of Hashem.
Let's use this period of Sefirah to show Hashem that we want to be counted!
Let's live as is becoming of the descendants of Yitzchok.
Important Numbers
