1) When Erev Tisha B'Av is on Shabbos, as it is this year, according to some Poskim it is prohibited to learn Torah (besides for specific topics which are allowed on Tisha B'Av, which we will discuss more in detail in a few days B'Ezras Hashem) after Chatzos (Halachic midday) as it is on a regular weekday Erev Tisha B'Av; this would include studying Pirkei Avos. (See Rama Siman 553:2)
Before Chatzos all agree that it is permitted to learn all Torah topics. (See Mishna Berura Siman 553 S"K 9)
2) Other Poskim maintain that it is permitted to learn the entire Shabbos. (See Mishna Berura Siman 553 S"K 8 where he quotes many Poskim, including the MaHarshal and the Gaon of Vilna who rule this way and consider it a "superfluous stringency" to not learn.)
Reading Shnayim Mikra V'echad Targum ,the required reading of each week's Parasha twice and its Targum once, is permitted. (Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 125:4)
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
QUESTION:
My wife has cleaning help once a week. The day that is her turn to get the help falls out on Tisha B'Av.
If she doesn't work this day, it will be extremely hard on my wife not to have this help until the following week.
Is it permitted for the cleaning help to work on Tisha B'Av?
ANSWER:
Yes, a non Jew may work in a Jewish home on Tisha B'Av, as long as it is inside the home (cleaning, painting, electrical work etc.) and not work being done outdoors (painting the exterior of the home, gardening, mowing the lawn etc.) which is prohibited. (See Mishna Berura Siman 554:45 and 46).
***
CLARIFICATION TO A Q&A THAT WAS POSTED HERE LAST WEEK REGARDING PREGNANT & NURSING WOMEN FASTING ON TISHA B'AV.
THANK YOU THE MANY READERS WHO POINTED OUT THIS IMPORTANT OMISSION AS IT APPLIES TO THIS YEAR.
THE Q&A SHOULD HAVE READ AS FOLLOWS:
QUESTION:
I wanted to know if a woman who gave birth 3 weeks before 9 of Av, and nursing has to fast on Tisha B'Av?
ANSWER:
A nursing mother [as well as a pregnant woman] must fast on Tisha B'Av. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 554:5)
If doing so will harm the child, a Rav must be consulted.
For the first seven days after giving birth, a woman may not fast.
From day 7 until day 30 after the child is born (as is your case), a Rav must be consulted as depending on her strength she may or may not be told to fast, and may be told to fast for part of the fast etc.
In a year when Tisha B'Av falls on Shabbos and thus is observed on Sunday, many Rabbanim will be more lenient with pregnant and nursing women and other weak people.(See Biur Halacha Siman 559:9 Dibur Hamaschil V'Aino Mashlim.)
Of course, every situation is unique and thus a Rav must be consulted to determine halacha L'Ma'seh
CHIZUK CORNER
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This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmos the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Chaim Yaakov Stein Zatzal , the Mir Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Noson Tzvi Finkel Zatzal and the Rosh Yeshiva of Torah Ohr, the great Posek HaRav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg Zatzal.
May we all strive to follow in their ways and may they 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
One of the important relationships that form human existence is friends. In Pirkei Avos [Ethics of the Fathers], our sages teach: "Make for yourself a mentor and acquire for yourself a friend". When analyzing the text of this instruction we notice that sages talk about a 'friend' and not 'friends'. Is one friend sufficient? Wouldn't someone with only one friend be considered anti-social?
The answer to this question lies in the definition of a friend. Friends are not just people that we can socialize with and enjoy their company. A friend is not just someone who we can talk for hours with, or a person whose sense of humor we find entertaining.
A true friend is someone with whom we build an inner connection extending beyond superficialities. True friendship is a relationship built on trust and acceptance. The famous Chassidic Rabbi of Kotzk said that each person should have at least one friend that he can tell all of his secrets to, even the most shameful ones. A true friend is someone who is able to accept us unconditionally and would never let us down.
While we might have many acquaintances or many people that we share good conversation with, one real friend might be hard to find. But one good friend is all we need.
Submitted by daily reader, R.L.; taken from Shirat Devorah blog
Important Numbers
