1) Upon seeing fruit trees that are beginning to bloom, in the [beginning of the] month of Nissan, or at any other time when it's the season for the trees to bloom, the following Bracha is recited : Baruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Melech Ha'Olam Shelo Chisar B'Olamo Klum U'Vara Vo Beriyos Tovos V'Ilanos Tovos (or "Tovim"; See Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 60:1) Lehanos Bahem Bnei Adam- Blessed are You Hashem, Our G-d, Master of the Universe, who ensured that nothing is lacking in His world and Created in it good creations and good trees in order to pleasure mankind with them. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 226:1 and Mishna Berura S"K 1. See also Aishel Avraham Butshatsh that only in Nissan may the Bracha be recited with Shem U'Malchus. However, the prevalent Minhag is to say the regular Bracha as long as the tree is still in the blooming stage, even if this is past Nissan. See Chayei Adam Klal 63:2 and Aruch HaShulchan 226:1 regarding climates where the blooming season is not in Nissan (e.g. Australia or South Africa). See also Shu"t Har Tzvi Orach Chaim Vol. 1 Siman 118 and Shu"t L'Horos Nosson Vol. 5 Siman 7)
2) Preferably this Bracha should be said over two or more trees [in a field]and not on a solitary tree. However, if it was recited on a solitary tree it is acceptable. (See Kaf HaChaim Siman 226:2 and Shu"t Teshuvos V'Hanhagos Vol. 1 Siman 191. The prevalent Minhag is indeed to say it on a single tree)
Women are obligated in this Bracha just as men are. ( See Shu"t Har Tzvi Orach Chaim Vol. 1 Siman 118 and Shu"t Tzitz Eliezer Vol. 12 Siman 25 for the reasoning behind this and why it isn't considered a Mitzvah She'Hazman Grama, as it is seemingly a time-bound Mitzvah)
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:
Someone warmed up meat in a milchig (dairy) microwave can I Kasher it?
What about the trays?
Answer:
Yes, a microwave can be Kashered, as follows:
It should be totally cleaned. A cup or bowl of water should be placed inside and the microwave turend on for approximately 10 minutes. The bowl with water should then be placed in a different place in the microwave, and the microwave should be turned on for an additional 5-10 minutes.
If the microwave is being Kashered from a non Kosher usage (as opposed to just from milk and meat) 24 hours should be waited before doing the above procedure.
If there is a glass plate in the microwave, a Rav should be consulted regarding if it is able to be Kasherd, and if so, how. (See Piskei Teshuva Orach Chaim Simon 451 for more on this toipic)
In general, it's important to remember that anytime something dairy is warmed up/cooked in a fleishig microwave (or vice versa), it should be covered well with a double wrapping.
If a Chometz microwave is being Kashered for Pesach, the food warmed up in it should be double wrapped, even after Kashering.
If there are any plastic components on the inside surface of the microwave, a Rav should be consulted to determine if it is possible to Kasher.
If the microwave has a browning element or is a convection oven, it needs to be cleaned, and then turned on to its highest setting for 45 minutes, in order to reach its highest heat and thus render the oven Kashered.
There are certain models that do not reach the required temparature to effect a proper Kashering, so it's importantto check with a Rav regarding your particular model.
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
"Halevai (If Only!) I should love the greatest Tzaddik as much as Hashem loves the biggest Rasha!"
- Rav Yisroel Ba'al Shem Tov Zatzal -
Submitted by Daily Reader H.L.
THE DAVENING CORNER - Part II
This segment was compiled by daily readers, Moshe Weiss, S. Weiss, and E. Willner of Brooklyn, NY, and will be posted in this email once a week B'Ezras Hashem.
For those of you who missed The original "Davening Corner Part I", or the first few weeks of Part II, please e-mail mw@mosheweiss.com for back issues.
GENERAL RULE: Emphasis (shown here by bold and italics) is usually on the last syllable. Look for a vertical line in (most) siddurim if the emphasis is on a different syllable.
WEEK FOURTEEN: (Final lesson of this segment)
The phrase "Amecha Yisraale" is said many times during davening. Two simple words, translated to mean "your nation Israel" is a declaration of our being Hashem's chosen nation.
The correct pronunciations are as follows:
Amecha: 1. The sheva under the mem is pronounced. 2. The emphasis is on the last syllable
Yisraale: 3. There is a kamatz under the reish, not a cholam (pronounced ra and not ro) 4. There is a tzeireh under the aleph and not a segol (ale not el). 5. The emphasis is on the last syllable.
Important Numbers
