Thursday
2nd Day Rosh Chodesh Iyar 5771;16th Day of the Omer
May 5, 2011
1) There is a discussion amongst the Poskim if the Bracha of "SheHechiyanu V'Kiyimanu LaZman Hazeh", which is recited to mark a happy day, occasion, purchase or event (Click Here for Halachos of Birchas SheHechiyanu), may be recited during Sefirah, or, like during the three weeks (when we mourn the Churban), it is not recited.
The Mishna Berura (Siman 493:2) maintains that if one finds him/herself in a situation that calls for the recital of SheHechiyanu, they may indeed make the Bracha. (Some Poskim deduce from the Mishna Berura's language that he held that one should try not to find him/herself in such a situation, if possible. Other Poskim argue and maintain that it can be recited L'Chatchila, as the mourning of Sefirah is not as stringent as the mourning over the Bais Hamikdash that we do in the 3 weeks before Tisha B'Av.)
2) Although there is no real Halachic source in the Talmud, Shulchan Aruch or in the early Poskim to prohibit the recital of SheHechiyanu, some people do in fact have the custom not to recite it based on kabalistic reasons.
One who indeed has this minhag should continue keeping to it.
As with all questions, a Rav should be consulted for Halacha L'Ma'aseh. (See Sefer Likutei Maharich for further sources about this.)
The following is an important statement from Agudas Yisroel of America regarding Morris Allen's Magen Tzedek initiative:
A new seal for kosher products and establishments being promoted by the Conservative movement is reportedly about to appear alongside those of Orthodox kashrus agencies. The "Magen Tzedek" certification is intended to signify adherence to certain standards regarding labor, treatment of animals, safety, environmental concerns and corporate integrity.
Such issues are worthy ones but they are well covered by governmental regulations and other areas of halacha, as determined by recognized Torah authorities. They have nothing to do with kashrut.
The goal of "Magen Tzedek," however, is nothing less than to redefine kashrut. Magen Tzedek is the symbol of an entity called the "Hekhsher Tzedek Commission." Its exclusive purview is food. In its own literature, it calls itself the "gold standard of kashrut"; prominently claims to offer "kashrut for the 21st century"; and states its objective: to "improve our consciousness, understanding and practice of kashrut by extending the definition beyond ritual to reflect ethical, environmental and social concerns."
There is no such thing as "ritual." There is only halacha - the holiness we are enjoined by our Creator to embrace. To in any way change halacha is to corrupt the essence of the concept of mitzvah, Divine commandment.
The brazen effort of Magen Tzedek to change the Jewish mesorah, or religious tradition, should come as no surprise, considering its source. The Conservative movement has repeatedly shown that it harbors no respect for the very concept of halacha as it has been carefully preserved with great sacrifice by observant Jews through the ages. For a movement that does not subscribe to halacha to suddenly inject itself into a complex halachic realm like kashrut - with the avowed purpose of "extending the definition" of kashrut - should strike any informed Jews as unmitigated chutzpah.
We Jews have a responsibility to not only ethics but to the entirety of the Torah. All of us who recognize the Divine nature of halacha, along with our established kashrut organizations, should regard the new seal for what it is, a falsification of the Jewish religious heritage, and treat it accordingly.
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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.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
Why do we only keep 33 [days of mourning] of the 49 days of the Omer?
Why is one half different than the other?
Answer:
The whole concept of Aveilus in Sefirah is an old minhag. The Minhag began as a partial mourning, and remained so.
According to some, the Talmidim of Rav Akiva stopped dying on Lag B'Omer, hence the mourning stopped and only 33 days of mourning was accepted. (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 493:2)
Therefore, even those who hold the second half, retained the 33 day minhag as well
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
"Certainly the Jewish people committed a grave and terrible sin with the Golden Calf.
Nevertheless, they were still on a higher caliber than our generation.
At that time, the Jewish People were willing to throw their gold and silver into the fire, just as long as they would have a god.
Today, on the other hand, there are so many willing to abandon G-d, as long as they remain with their gold and silver!"
- Rabbi Yehoshua Aizik of Slonim Zatzal quoted in Sefer Torah Tavlin -
Important Numbers
