Today's halachos are dedicated by daily reader O.B. and family with thanks to Hashem on the marriage of their daughter Chavah Rivkah bas Udel Golda to Yehoshua ben Rachel Malka.
May they build a Bayis Ne'eman B'Yisrael, a Binyan Adei Ad
1) The "private parts" of one's own body should not be [needlessly] touched. (See Biur Halacha to Shulchan Aruch Siman 3:14)
There is no difference if they are touched directly or via a piece of clothing; they are both to be avoided. (See Shach Yoreh Deah Siman 182:6 and Mishna Berura Siman 3:29)
2) Thus, it is important for a male not to excessively put his hands in his pants pockets, as doing this often will inevitably lead to him needlessly touching his private area. (Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer Siman 23:4 and Chochmas Adam 127:5.See Taz Even HaEzer Siman 23:2 and Yoreh Deah 182:3 that this is not a blatant prohibition but rather a praiseworthy thing to avoid in order to increase Kedusha, as Rabbeinu Hakadosh, the author of the Mishna, was called holy due to the fact that in his entire lifetime his hands never went below his waist.)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers.
These Q&A are 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@Gmail.com
Reader's Question:
My wife has been purchasing the small but squat Shabbos candles that go into a glass container that fits into her Shabbos Candle sticks. Too often it starts burning, the bracha is made and then the flame goes out, am I correct in once the bracha is made it cannot be relit by any means?
Secondly, lately we have been purchasing Yortzeit candles that seem to last maybe 23 hours, the worst part is on the Chagim when they are used to transfer a flame to a lit candle, any suggestions (we have even tried different manufacturers).
Answer:
Although once she makes the bracha SHE can no longer relight them, someone else could-and should- relight them, as long as it is before sunset. If this happens often, may I suggest trying a different kind of candle or oil which this doesnt happen to?
The best thing to do regarding Yahrtzeit candles which dont last as long as they claim to last, is to either fill the tin or glass with a little bit of oil, which will give you additional burning time, or purchase the 7 day candle and extinguish it after Yom Tov.
CHIZUK CORNER
This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmas the late Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Yaakov ben Rav Binyomin Moshe Stein Zatzal.
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@Gmail.com
THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
זכר צדיק וקדוש לברכה
If Hashem supplies you with a piece of watermelon, you should be appeased to Hashem because of the watermelon and say, "Hashem, I like You because of the watermelon."
That's what it's for: the purpose of watermelon is to make you love Hashem. Ever thought about that?
That's the purpose of all the good things in this world. Hashem gives us food for the purpose that we should thank Him for it and come to love Him for it. That's the purpose.
So when you're holding wine in your hand and you drink a little bit of it, and it makes your mind a bit excited, think, Maybe I should love Hashem for the wine. That's the beginning of the journey towards eventual kedusha.
When Rabbi Elazar ben Rabbi Shimon ate, he started out once with this method. Eventually when he ate every bite that he took added to him more love of Hashem.
The kohanim sat in the courtyard of Hashem, a holy place, and they were eating the offerings, and every mouthful made them love Hashem more and more.
And Hashem said that kind of eating is to Me no less than burning it on the mizbeiach.
As you sit to eat dinner tonight, stop to think about the foods you are enjoying. Reflect that each bite is given to you for the sole purpose of increasing your love of Hashem and say (to yourself) "Hashem, I like You because of the ________."
Excerpt from a lecture by Rav Avigdor Miller Zatzal; Taken from www.SimchasHachaim.com
Important Numbers
