Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parashas Mikeitz; Shabbos Chanukah; Mevorchim Chodesh Teves (Rosh Chodesh will be on Monday and Tuesday)
27 Kislev 5772; Third Day of Chanukah
December 23, 2011
LECHEM MISHNEH: SPECIAL DOUBLE PORTION L'KAVOD SHABBOS KODESH
Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh
1) It is very common for people to "go away" for Shabbos Chanukah, and move into their parents, in-laws, friends or other houses that aren't their own. This of course presents various different Halachic questions in regard to where to light the Chanukah menorah on Friday night as well as on Motzaei Shabbos.
One who is a guest in someone else's home, even for one day, must light Chanukah candles in that home, provided that he will be eating in the home as well as spending the night sleeping there. (Ruling of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal in Halichos Shlomo Perek 14:18. See also Chayei Adam Klal 154:32)
Therefore, the menorah should be lit Friday afternoon in the home where you will be spending Shabbos.
2) If when Shabbos is over you are still in your host's home, and you are planning to stay there for a while, it is best to light alongside the host right after Shabbos at the proper time, and not wait until you get back to your home, even though you will indeed be going home and sleeping in your own house.
If however, you plan to leave for home right away, and if you light in the host's home, you will not be there for a full half hour after the lighting, it is best not to light until you get to your own home. (Ruling of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal in Halichos Shlomo Perek 14:19. His reasoning is that if you leave before half an hour, and thus the house is no longer considered your house, it may be like one who lit a menorah with not enough oil to last half an hour, in which case you haven't satisfied your obligation. See Halichos Shlomo Perek 14 Ha'arah 37)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) On Shabbos Chanukah the Birchas Hamazon is very lengthy, as "Retzei" and "Al HaNisim" are added. (And if Rosh Chodesh Teves falls out on this Shabbos, as it does sometimes, "Ya'aleh V'yavo" is added as well)
If Al Hanisim is inadvertently omitted from Birchas Hamazon, it isn't repeated. If "Retzei" (or "Ya'aleh V'yavo" in certain cases on Shabbos) is omitted, the Birchas Hamazon is repeated.
There is a dispute in the Poskim regarding one who omitted Al Hanisim (which doesn't necessitate repeating the Birchas hamazon) and also omitted Retzei (which does necessitate repeating the Birchas Hamazon).
Some Poskim maintain that when you repeat the Birchas Hamazon you do not say Al Hanisim (See Mogen Avraham Siman 188:13 and Shulchan Aruch HaRav Siman 188:4 )
Others maintain that once you are repeating the Birchas Hamazon already, you need to also include the Al Hanisim (See Chayei Adam Klal 154:39 and Sha'ar HaTziyun Siman 188:21)
It is best to try and not to forget, as it isn't clear which of the above opinions the Halacha follows. (See also Shu"t Har Tzvi Orach Chaim Vol.1 Siman 54)
2) The Bracha on "Latkes- those delicious potato pancakes that are traditionally eaten on Chanukah" which are made from grated potatoes is "Borei Pri Ho'Adama" as usually one can still recognize the potatoes.
However if the potatoes were blended so finely that they aren't recognizable as potatoes, the Bracha recited on them is "SheHakol NihYah B'Devaro". The same Halacha applies to potato kugel. (See Halichos Shlomo; Chanukah, Perek 17:12 and D'var Halacha Os 17)
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:
If a woman is in the hospital on Chanukah after giving birth to a child [or for any reason], does she have to light a Menorah in the hospital?
Answer:
If her husband is lighting the Menorah in their home, she is exempted with that lighting and there is no need for her to light an additional Menorah in the hospital.
The same would apply if a man is R"L in the hospital, and his wife lights the Menorah in their home, he is exempt from lighting an additional Menorah in the hospital.
If, however, the spouse is not lighting at home (or if there is no spouse) then they must light in the hospital.
See Mishna Berura Siman 677:2. See also Halichos Shlomo Perek 13:5 where he writes that if possible she should at least hear the Brachos from someone who is lighting in the hospital, based on Mishna Berura 676:6
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.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
זכר צדיקים וקדושים לברכה
"Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone."
Hashem gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "Thank You?"
Our actions speak louder than words so instead of just talking the talk, we should walk the walk and make sure our actions represent what we want to say.
Important Numbers
