1) For the washing of "Urchatz" it isn't necessary for women to remove their rings (as is recommended when washing for bread, see Mishna Berura Siman 161:19) as by "Tibul B'Mashkeh" since many people do not practice it year round, we do not impose stringencies on the women this night. (See Halichos Shlomo, Pesach, Dvar Halacha footnote 53)
If one mistakenly recited the bracha of "Al Netilas Yadyim" on the washing of "Urchatz", it is possible that he may not require a new washing when it comes to "Rachtzah" later on in the Seder.
Thus, the best thing to do is to use the restroom or otherwise touch a covered part of the body or scratch the scalp in order to necessitate a new washing with a Bracha for the Matzah. (Halichos Shlomo, Pesach, Perek 9:26)
2) Karpas: A vegetable (celery, potato, scallion, or other "Ha'adama" vegetable, depending on each family's minhag) is dipped in saltwater and eaten.
When reciting the Bracha of "Borei Pri HaAdama" on the Karpas one should specifically have in mind that this Bracha should exempt the Maror that will be eaten later on. (See Mishna Berura Siman 473:55)
If one did not specifically have this in mind, the Bracha still works to exempt the Maror and no new "Borei Pri HaAdama" is made when eating the Maror.
The prevalent custom is to eat less than a Kzayis of Karpas. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 473:6 and Mishna Berura S"K 56.)
The Gaon of Vilna ruled like the Rambam that a Kzayis is indeed required, and those who follow the Gra's minhagim do take a Kzayis
However, even if a Kzayis is eaten no Bracha Achrona is recited, as the Birchas Hamazon later on will exempt this eating as well. (As quoted in Ma'aseh Rav. This was also the minhag of the Chazon Ish and the Brisker Rav Zichronam L'Vracha)
The prevalent custom is to eat the Karpas without Heseiba, leaning.
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 I put money in a pushka that I keep at home, and then submit it to the tzedaka organization a few months later when it's full, have I fulfilled the mitzvah of giving tzedaka each day, or only when I give the money to the organization?
Answer:
Your question is a difficult one, and one that the Poskim deal with. The question is if by placing it in the Pushka it is merely considered that you said "Harei Zu L'Tzedakah" which is basically a Neder to give tzedaka, but not an actual giving of the Tzedakah, or is it already as if it is "in the hands of the Gabbai Tzedaka" and thus you were Mekayem your Mitzvah. ( This would have reverse ramifications as well, if for example one wanted to "borrow" some money from the Pushka. See Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah Siman 259:1)
The best thing to do is to make a "Tnai" (stipulation) saying that you want your Pushka to be Koneh the money for the organization, and thus it would be a Kiyum of Tzedakah according to all opinions.(This stipulation would work in the reverse as well, if you dont want it to be Koneh until you transfer the funds to the organization. See Derech Emunah from Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita, Hilchos Matnas Aniyim Perek 8 Ha'arah 121)
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