Wednesday
7 Iyar 5771;22nd Day of the Omer
May 11, 2011
1) All Poskim agree that it is forbidden to squeeze Oranges and Grapefruits on Shabbos.
However, there is a debate amongst the Poskim if doing so is a biblical transgression or a rabbinical transgression.
The debate is based on the reasoning for the biblical prohibition to squeeze olives and grapes.
According to some Rishonim (including Rashi to Shabbos 145a Dibur Hamaschil Dvar Torah) the primary reason for olives and grapes being a biblical prohibition is due to the fact that they are normally squeezed. Thus, any fruits which are normally squeezed, such as oranges and grapefruits, will be just as biblically prohibited as olives and grapes. (See also Chazon Ish Siman 33:5 Dibur Hamaschil V'Henei Hanischatim and Siman 55:4)
2) Other Rishonim, however, (including the Ran Shabbos 61a in the Dafei HaRif and quoted in introduction of Pri Megadim to Siman 320) maintain that the primary reason for the biblical prohibition to squeeze olives and grapes is that only the juices of these two fruits are considered "juice" and are significant to the point that juicing these fruits and producing "wine and olive oil" is considered a "step up" in their status from a mere "grape or olive".
Thus, oranges and grapefruits, although normally squeezed, will still be in the category of strawberries and pomegranates etc. and be prohibited only rabinically.
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:
What is the halacha for rice cake. Is there one bracha most poskim agree it requires?
I try to make 3 brochos [on different items, in order to exempt the rice cakes] but it really is hard so I just quit eating it - now I am on a diet and I would like to resume.
Answer:
You are right, there are 3 possibilities.
According to many Poskim (including Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal) rice cakes are Ha'adama, as Mezonos is only recited on rice when it is cooked, and rice cakes are not cooked. even according to these Poskim, if a Mezonos was recited on them, you are Yotzei.
Rav Shlomo Zalmen says that there is no reason to be machmir and recite brachos on other items, and a Borei Pri Ha'adama can be recited L'Chatchila.
There are Poskim, however, (including Maran Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv shlita who leans towards this Psak) that rule that it is Mezonos, as they maintain that heating element used to puff them is sufficient to consider them cooked.
Some Poskim say to recite SheHakol.
The prevalent minhag is to recite Ha'adama, but a Rav should be consulted for Halacha L'Ma'aseh. (See Shu"t Or L'Tzion Perek 14:21. See also Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 4 Siman 44 and 45)
All agree that the Bracha Achrona is Borei Nefashos.
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.
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אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk Corner
Rav Shalom Mordechai Schwadron Zatzal
Rav Sholom Schwadron Zatzal, the famous Magid of Yerushalayim, was once asked how can he tell so many jokes if the Mishna says that one of the 48 ways to to acquire Torah is by minimizing "S'chok" (jokes)?
He answered with a Mashal. If a smart child refuses to take his bitter medicine then you scare him with the dire consequences. But if the child is to immature to understand then you tell him a joke. When he opens up his mouth in laughter you quickly drop the medicine inside. "Our generation", said Rav Sholom, "absolutely refuses to accept mussar". So I get them laughing and when they don't notice I quickly drop in the mussar before they have a chance to close their mouths."
Like all the other things the Mishna advises to minimize, S'chok is not blacklisted, rather it needs to be used in small and careful measures. "Eis Livkos V'Eis Lischok", there is a time and place for everything (Koheles 3:4). The great Amora, Rabba, would say a joke before beginning his shiur. True that joking is extremely dangerous and leads to all kinds of disatrous things as Chazal tell us, however it is a very powerful tool dispensed by a wise practitioner. Unfortunately it is too dangerous for most of us to try on our own, too often, without getting burned by its fire. The Torah tells us that upon hearing the besura that they will have a son both Avrohom and Sara each expressed Tzchok. Yet Sara was taken to task for it and not Avrohom, because only Sara's crossed the very thin line.
The gemara (Brachos 31b) tells us that in Olam HaZeh we may not joke too much, but in Olam Habah, "Az Yimalei S'chok Pinu", we will be full of S'chok. In the light of truth, S'chok will be the greatest expression of our pure inner-self. Until then we need to reign in the jokes if we want to acquire our full portion of Torah.
Submitted by daily reader, J.L.; taken from www.revach.net
Important Numbers
