Current Topic:
Review of Halachos of Elul & Yamim Nora'im
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The days from Rosh Chodesh Elul until after Hoshana Rabba are days of Hashem's Rachamim (mercy), Selicha (forgiveness) and Ratzon (goodwill). They are an extremely opportune time for Jews to find it within themselves to repent and atone for the sins that were transgressed in the past year and to accept it upon themselves to live better lives, according to Halacha- the will of Hashem, in the year ahead. Hashem is always waiting for his children to repent, but in Elul He is even closer to us and Teshuva is a lot easier.
It is never too late to jump on the bandwagon and start our journey of return to our father in heaven, and hopefully, together, bring about the final redemption with Mashiach Tzidkeinu.
1) From Rosh Chodesh Elul until Shemini Atzeres we add Tehilim (psalms) Chapter 27, "L'Dovid Hashem Ori" to our davening each morning (after Shacharis) and each evening (Nusach Ashkenaz adds it after Ma'ariv while Nusach Sefard adds it after Mincha). (Mishna Berura Siman 581:2)
Throughout the month of Elul, the Shofar is blown each morning after Shacharis to awaken people to do Teshuva. The Shofar is not blown on Erev Rosh Hashana. (Rama Siman 581:1 and Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 128:2)
2) It is a worthwhile minhag when signing off a letter to a friend, or even a phone call or any conversation from Rosh Chodesh Elul until after Yom Kippur to add a blessing for the inscription in the heavenly book of life.
The accepted words to use until Rosh Hashana are "Kesiva V'Chasima Tova- [may you be] inscribed and signed for life".
From Rosh Hashana until Yom Kippur the accepted custom is to use the words "Gmar Chasima Tova- [may you merit] a final signature for life" (See Kitzur Shulchan Aruch ibid.)
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:
I would like to know, when we got the Torah did it come in a sephardic way, ashkenaz way, chassidic way or it just said straight out the halachos and everyone just keeps it their way, and if that's how it is then which way is best?
ANSWER:
There was only one Torah, and there still is only one Torah, and there will always be -for eternity- only one Torah.
Over the years certain things were forgotten or translated differently, so there developed different schools of thought about what certain things mean, how certain things are done etc. However, all the different cultures and groups are doing the same thing...in their unique way.
Hillel and Shamai, Rav Akiva and Rav Elazar, Rav Meir and the Chachamim, The Gaon of Vilna and the Ba'al HaTanya, Rav Akiva Eiger and the Chasam Sofer, Rav Avrohom Yitzchak Kook and the Brisker Rav, The Chazon Ish and Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, Rav Moshe Feinstein and the Satmar Rav, Maran HaRav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Zichronam Livracha, and YBL"T Rav Ovadia Yosef shlita ...and all the sages throughout the ages always had (and will have, until Mashiach comes) differences of opinion in halacha, hashkafa, etc....but were all striving for the same truth! The truth of the holy Torah (which has 70 facets of deep interpretation)
We serve the same Hashem and keep the same holy Torah, and are reaching for the same goal of earning Olam Haba...we just take different paths sometimes to get there.
As the Talmud (Eruvin 13b) states regarding the often fierce Machlokes between Bais Shamai and bais Hillel, "Eilu V'Eilu Divrei Elokim Chaim, both schools of thought are the true word of the One living G-d"
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
The greatest of all virtues is the attainment of the Ayin Tova, i.e., a "good eye".
That is, a completely positive view of others - to see the good in every human being.
If a person sees someone act improperly and thereby invalidates that person, he has weakened the bond of brotherhood - the very fabric of community. Since there is no human being that does not have some flaw, one who has a tendency to judge others, will find some blemish in everyone.
Therefore, we should be aware that while the essence of the human being is good, nevertheless, he is still vulnerable to the influence of the negative impulse. However, if a person acts inappropriately, rest assured that he regrets his lack of discretion.
In addition, let's consider that if we were in his shoes, we might have acted worse than him. Therefore, we should never invalidate another person, regardless of what they have done.
King Solomon said (Mishlei 22:9): "One who has a 'good eye' will be blessed." Thus one who maintains a positive view of others will be blessed - continuously and abundantly - throughout his entire life. Just as he wishes for the good and rejoices in the success of others, so too, HaShem will bless him with countless blessings, success, and abundant happiness. Indeed, he will never lack anything for the 'kindness of HaShem will surround him'.
Regarding the 'good eye' there is no middle ground. If we do not view others in a positive light, then by force of human nature, we will see them unfavorably.
Therefore, we should attach ourselves - exclusively - to the trait of a 'good eye'. By viewing our brethren in positive way, the wonderful treasures of HaShem will flow into our lives and illuminate our souls with joy and peace.
[Based on Har Yira, of Rav Arye Finkel, Rosh Yeshiva Mir Yerushalayim]
Submitted by daily reader, A.C.; Taken from an email by the Salant Foundation,
salantorg@gmail.com
Important Numbers
