1) For the duration of Chanukah, the prayer of "Al HaNisim", thanking Hashem for the many miracles He performed for the Jews in their battles against the Greeks etc., is added to Shemona Esrei .
It is inserted within the Bracha of Hoda'ah, thanksgiving to Hashem (as it is a Bracha of thanks, as is Modim).
Similarly, whenever we say Birchas Hamazon on Chanukah, we add the "Al HaNisim" immediately following the Bracha of "Nodeh Lecha", which is also a Bracha of thanksgiving to Hashem.
Many people have the custom to say "V'Al HaNisim- "and" on these miracles we thank you Hashem..." rather than simply "Al HaNisim- On these miracles..." as it's a continuation of the Bracha of thanks (in both Shemona Esrei and Birchas Hamazon) and not a new topic. (Mishna Berura 682:1. See also Yesod V'Shoresh HaAvodah Sha'ar 12 Perek 1 for a lengthier elaboration on the proper thoughts to have in mind while saying "V'Al HaNisim")
2) Even those who normally daven Shemona Esrei and say Birchas Hamazon by heart, should try and use a siddur [at least] on [the first day] Chanukah, as not doing so will probably result in forgetting to recite the "Al HaNisim" (See Mishna Berura Siman 100:1)
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.
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Reader's Question:
What is the minhag of saying "baruch hu u'baruch shemo" at davening or anywhere else when a bracha with shem Hashem is recited?
Does it create a hefsek from hearing the full bracha?
And sometimes people dont get all 4 words out but just a "baruch shemo" what is the source for any of it?
Answer:
The Tur Siman 124 writes that he heard from his father (The Rosh) that whenever one hears Hashem's name in a Bracha, the words "Baruch Hu U'Varuch Shemo, Blessed is He and blessed is His name" should be recited. He writes that this is based on a pasuk said by Moshe Rabbeinu (Devarim 32:3) "Ki Shem Hashem Ekra, Havu Godel L'Elokeinu, When Hashem's name is called, bring forth (i.e. respond with) the greatness of our Lord" See Rashi to the Posuk ibid.
If one is at a juncture in davening where he may not make interruptions, or if someone is listening to someone else who is being Motzi him with a particular Bracha on a mitzvah and thus must concentrate on the Bracha being recited as if he himself is saying it (Shomea K'Oneh), he should not say "Baruch Hu U'Varuch Shemo" (Mishna Berura Siman 124:21)
If the Bracha at hand is a short Bracha, and by saying Baruch Hu U'Varuch Shemo, one will end up missing answering Amen properly, the "Baruch Hu U'Varuch Shemo" should not be said.
However, it is proper for the one saying the Bracha to leave adequate time for it as well as the Amen to be answerd. (Mishna Berura Siman 124:22)
Of course, when saying it it's important to pronounce all 4 words, and not swallow it up so it sounds only like "Baruch Shemo"
CHIZUK CORNER
This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmos the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Chaim Yaakov Stein Zatzal and the Mir Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Noson Tzvi Finkel Zatzal. May we all strive to follow in their ways and may they both be Melitzei Yosher for all of Klal 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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THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
זכר צדיקים וקדושים לברכה
Rabbi Shalom Schwadron Zatzal points out that the entire miraculous unfolding of events in the upcoming Torah portions is entirely predicated on one chance encounter.
The accurate interpretation by Yosef of the dreams of the cupbearer and the baker in prison set in motion a chain of events which altered the course of Jewish history. It led to Yosef's release from jail, his appointment as second-in-command in Egypt, the fulfillment of his dreams about his family bowing down to him, his emotional reunion with his brothers and eventually his father, and the descent of the Jewish people to Egypt where they were ultimately enslaved by Pharaoh and redeemed by Moshe.
However, the pivotal episode of Yosef interpreting their dreams wouldn't have even occurred were it not for one seemingly trivial exchange. Yosef woke up one morning and noticed that his fellow prisoners appeared aggrieved and upset. He chose to initiate a conversation which would literally change the future of all mankind, asking them quite simply, "What's wrong?" (Bereishis 40:6-7)
The Alter of Slabodka once gave a discourse on the topic of greeting others kindly and showing an interest in their welfare.
He noted that if a person stood next to the synagogue door and poured a glass of milk for each person who passed by, everybody would rightfully declare him to be a person who does great acts of kindness. However, the Talmud (Kesuvos 111b) derives from Bereishis 49:12 that showing another person the white of one's teeth with a warm smile is an even greater act of kindness than giving him milk.
So often, we pass somebody who looks like he could use a kind word, a warm smile, and a little extra attention, yet the evil inclination discourages us from stopping to waste our valuable time on such inconsequential matters. The next time this happens, which will likely be tomorrow, we should remember the lesson of Yosef that nothing that a person does is ever minor, and one has no idea what cosmic chain of events he could set in motion with just a few "trivial" words.
From Parsha Potpourri by Rabbi Ozer Alport. To subscribe to the weekly Parsha email send request to oalport@optonline.net
Important Numbers
