Today's Halachos are dedicated by daily reader, S.N.F., in loving memory of her mother
Faige bas Reuven A"H
whose Yahrtzeit is today, 19 Shvat.
May her Neshama continue to climb higher and higher in Gan Eden.
CURRENT TOPIC:
HALACHOS OF ROSH CHODESH
We will now, B'Ezras Hashem, begin learning the Halachos of Rosh Chodesh (first day of a Jewish month), an area of Halacha that many people are not that familiar with. Hopefully after we cover this area, we will all have a better understanding of this special day, the first Mitzvah given to Klal Yisroel as a nation (See Shmos 12:2. See also the very first Rashi in the Torah)
1) On the Shabbos preceding Rosh Chodesh, it is customary to recite "Birchas HaChodesh", which consists of a special "Yehi Ratzon" asking Hashem for a good month filled with blessing, Parnassah, fear of Hashem etc., as well as the Tefilah of "Mi SheAsah Nisim", asking Hashem to bring the redemption speedily. (It isn't clear what the origin of the Yehi Ratzon tefilah is, and why it is acceptable to ask for Parnassah and other personal requests on Shabbos. See Aruch HaShulchan Siman 417:9. The early Siddurim do not have it, though it is printed in the Siddur of the Shla, the Gra and Rav Yaakov Emdin. The Mi SheAsah Nisim Tefilah is indeed found in the siddur of Rav Amrom Gaon as well as in the Machzor Vitri and Abudreham and other early Rishonim. See Sha'ar HaTziyun Siman 417:1)
2) The reason we beseech Hashem for the redemption in conjunction with the blessing of the new month, is that the Mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh was given to us as we were redeemed from the exile of Mitzrayim (Egypt), thus each time we announce a new month we appropriately remember our redemption from Mitzrayim and daven that we merit the final redemption soon. (See Levush Siman 421:1)
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.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
Reader's Question:
What is the halacha regarding using small hourglasses to time board games on shabbos? What about looking at a watch or clock to measure time?
Answer:
Use of an hourglass or any timer is prohibited on Shabbos, besides for use for an ill person, even if its choleh sh'ain bo sakana. Being that it may not be used, it is also considered Muktzeh. (See Mishna Berura Siman 308:165 and Shmiras Shabbos K'Hilchaso Perek 28:30)
There is no prohibition to simply look at a watch or clock to time something.
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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
Maran HaRav
Yosef Shalom ben Chaya Musha
Elyashiv Shlita, L'Refuah Shelaima
People have a misconception of peace. They think peace must be maintained at all costs; as long as there are no fights or disputes between anyone, then all is fine.
The root of the word Shalom, is, in fact, shleimus - perfection.
The ultimate state of perfection is where there is peace between man and Hashem.
Rav Chaim Soloveitchik (Brisker) Zatzal quoted in Sefer Torah Tavlin
Important Numbers
