|
/ Since I had been preoccupied with my daughter's engagement and traveling between Montreal and the Ohel prior to submitting Monday night's Halacha, my head was not on straight and I miscalculated (and was remiss in checking the calendar) when Shabbos Shekalim was. Shabbos Shekalim is indeed next week and not this week, so we will IY"H do a corrected replay next week and please ignore what was written on Monday night. Eliezer Wenger |
/ For Wednesday
It is improper to eat or drink while standing. Neither is it proper to wipe one's plate clean while eating in such a manner that nothing is left on the plate, but rather some food, even a small amount should remain. It is also improper to lick one's fingers of food. (Ktzos HaShulchan 39:3)If one has pets or animals that he is responsible to feed, he may not sit down to eat his own meal, without first providing them with their meal. According to some opinions, one is permitted to eat a snack prior to providing his animals with their food. (Ktzos HaShulchan 39:1) For Thursday It is proper for one to learn some Torah during a meal. At a minimum, one should say at least one chapter of Tehillim, preferably chapter 23 (and better yet, if he says this chapter after saying the Hamotzi and eating some bread). (Ktzos HShulchan 39:2) [One of the reasons that the saying of Al Naaros Bavel - on days that Tachnun is said, and Shir HaMaalos - on days when Tachanun is not said, was instituted before bentching was to assure that one will have said some Torah during one's meal.] When one is distributing pieces of bread to those that are eating with him (e.g. on Friday night), one should not throw the bread to the recepient, nor hand it into the directly directly. Rather, the piece should be placed before them and they should take it. (Sefer Tav Yehoshua 3:6)When a person comes into a home as a guest, he should not say to the host "give me to eat" but rather should wait until he is offered to eat. (Tav Yehoshua 3:38, Ktzos HaShulchan 39:9) |
|
/ Although it is stated in the Tzava'as Rabbi Eliezer HaGadol, and brought down in Halacha that one should not drink water in the presence of others, but should turn his face to the side when drinking, the Tav Yehoshua quotes the Bach that nowadays we are not cautious about this. This law was said only n regard to water. There was no restrictions of drinking other liquids in public. One should not offer to another individual a cup of any liquid from which he had started drinking so that the second person should drink what is left, since the second person may be too embarrassed to refuse the offer and it is stated that for health reasons one should not drink from the same cup that another person drank from. The Bach quotes the Maharshal that there is no problem if he puts the cup down and the other individual takes it. (Shulchan Aruch O.C. 170 and Bach)
Compiled by Rabbi Eliezer Wenger
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
>Questions or Comments |
|
/ This coming Shabbos is Shabbos Parshas Shekalim. It is necessary to remove 3 Sifrei Torah. In the first Sefer which is used to read Parshas Mishpatim, six Aliyos are distributed. The Aliyah for Shishi continues until the end of the Parsha. In the second Torah, which is used for Shivii we read the regular portion read on (Shabbos) Rosh Chodesh [Parshas Pinchos 29:9-15]. For Maftir, which is read in the third Sefer, we read from the beginning of Parshas Ki Siso as well as a special Haftorah. At the end of the Shkolim Haftorah, the first and last Pasuk of the Rosh Chodesh Haftorah is read. The Kaddish is not said until after reading from the second Sefer, at which time the third Sefer is placed next to the second Sefer and Kaddish is said. If inadvertently one took the Sefer for Shkolim and used it for the second Torah, i.e. the Shivii person said the Brocho and the reader started reading from Ki siso, and then realized that it was the wrong reading, he completes reading Parshas Shekolim, and then the one who receives Maftir has his Aliya with the Rosh Chodesh reading. In such an instance the Haftorah would be "Hashamayim Kisi" (Haftorah for Shabbos Rosh Chodesh), rather than Shekolim. (Shaarei Ephraim 8:81,82) If one has just 2 Sifrei Torah, then the first efer Torah should be rolled up to Parshas Mishpatim, the second Sefer to Parsha Pinchos (for Rosh Chodesh), and after the Parsha is read, that Sefer should be rolled to the beginning of Ki Sis (for Parshas Shekolim). (Shaarei Ephraim:8,75)
Compiled by Rabbi Eliezer Wenger
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
>Questions or Comments |
|
/ If there is bread remaining on the table at the end of the meal, it should not be removed until after bentching. Likewise, one should not remove the tablecloth from the table until after one has bentched. However, it is not necessary to bring bread to the table if there is none left.(Ktzos HaShulchan 39:17) If two people are eating together from the same plate (e.g. eating potato chips from a bowl that is between them) and one of them stops eating in order to drink or to do another minor act, the second person needs to stop eating from the plate and wait until his friend is ready to resume eating. If however, three people are eating from the same plate or bowl and one interrupts his eating, it is not necessary for the other two to stop their eating. (Ktzos HaShulchan 39:7)
Compiled by Rabbi Eliezer Wenger
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
>Questions or Comments |
|
/ One is required to hear the Megillah two times during Purim, once during the night and a second time during the day.[Editorial note: This needs to be strongly emphasized, since most places make a big deal of the night reading, whereas during the day people have to go to work, they Don't want to get up early to go to shul, etc. Women in particular have a more difficult time with fulfilling this end of the mitzvah, since many of the shuls do not cater to such accomodations during the weekday. Those who have the capabilities should try to set up a few "minyanim" during the day when people can come to listen to the Megillah at a convenient time. E.W.] One may read the megillah at night anytime from Tzeis HaChochavim - when the stars come out - until Alos Hashachar - rising of the morning star.The megillah may be read on the day of Purim itself anytime from sunsrise until sunset. If, ipso facto, one read the Megillah for the day after Alos HaShachar, he has fulfilled the Mitzvah. However, if one read the megillah for the previous night after Alos Hashachar, the concensus of most Poskim is that he has not fulfilled the mitzvah of reading the Megillah at night (Nitei Gavriel Hilchos Purim 11:1 {3})
Compiled by Rabbi Eliezer Wenger
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
>Questions or Comments |
|
/ Children should be encouraged and trained to listen to the Megillah. Parents should supervise their children to pay attention to the Megillah and not disturb anyone. Children that are too young to remain still and not disturb those that are listening to the Megillah should not be brought to shul. Children should be taught that the listening to the Megillah is the main purpose of going to shul and not the banging at the mention of Haman's name. (Nitei Gavriel Purim 12:2, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 141:7) A person who is hard of hearing and can hear only if he is spoken to in a very loud voice, or needs the assistance of a hearing aid, is also required to listen to the Megillah. Moreover, he is permitted to read the Megillah for others (who will thereby fulfill the mitzvah through his reading.) However, one who is deaf, but is able to speak, must read the Megillah by himself, but he cannot cause others to fulfill the mitzvah through his reading. (Nitei Gavriel Purim 12:8-10) |
|
/ When one who has already fulfilled the Mitzvah of hearing the Megillah is reading it for others, it is advisable that the ones listening should say the Brocho "Lishmoah Megillah" themselves rather than have the reader say the Brocho. (Based upon Magen Avraham 585:3) It is preferable that the Megillah be heard in a shul where there are many people, rather than having it read in one's home. One must even interrupt his Torah studies in order to fulfill the mitzvah of hearing the Megillah. Although it is preferable to hear the Megillah where there is a greater number of people, if one davens on a regular basis in a bais medrash (which does not have so many people) it is not necessary for him to go to a larger shul. (Nitei Gavriel Purim 14:3)
Compiled by Rabbi Eliezer Wenger
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
>Questions or Comments |
|
/ This coming Shabbos, Parshas Terumah we also read Parshas Zochor. Two Sifrei Torah are removed. In the first Sefer Torah, seven Aliyos are distributed and we read from Parshas Terumah. The second Torah is used for Maftir and we read the last three psukim of Parshas Ki Setze. When we reach the words Zeicher Amalek, we first read it as Zeicher (with a Tzeirei) and then read it as Zecher (with a Segol). After the seventh Aliyah, the second Sefer is placed next to the first and Kaddish is said. Then the first Sefer is lifted up and rolled up, and following that, the Maftir is read. According to a great number of opinions, the reading of Parshas Zochor is Biblically ordained. Therefore, One should use for that reading the Sefer Torah which we are assured is of the highest quality and has been checked over more carefully. Due to its importance, women should also attend shul on this Shabbos to listen to that reading. People who live in an area where there is no Minyan should make every effort to spend Shabbos in a place where there is a Minyan. If that is not possible, then they should endeavor to read it (Parshas Zachor) from a Sefer Torah with the proper tunes and cantillations, but WITHOUT a brocho. If no Sefer Torah is available, then it should be read from a printed text (Chumash). (Shaarei Ephraim 8:84, 85, Sefer HaMinhagim Chabad)
Compiled by Rabbi Eliezer Wenger
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
>Questions or Comments |
|
/ The one reading the Megillah is required to roll out the complete megillah and then fold it over folio over folio. Although in Halacha it is stated that the listeners are not required to do the same with their megillah, in Chabad circles as well as in certain other communities, the listeners do unroll and fold the megillah.The reader shold read the megillah in a standing position. One cannot fulfill his obligation of hearing the Megillah if it is heard via telephone or a live hookup. One is not permitted to talk at all while the megillah is being read and until after the bracha of "Harav es riveinu." One is permitted to use the megillah of his friend without the latter's permission (if he is reading it in that person's house), unless he knows that there is a possibility that the owner may object to its being used by another person. It is a good idea for the reader to repeat the word "Haman" after all the noisemaking has subsided, just in case one may not have heard it the first time around, since there are those overanxious people who just can't wait to bang with their graggers and may have started before the reader even finished the word "Haman"
Compiled by Rabbi Eliezer Wenger
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
>Questions or Comments |
|
/ As this Purim is unique in that it comes out on Friday, we will discuss today what to do in regard to Seudas Purim. Due to the fact that one must eat a meal Friday night in honor of Shabbos, one is not supposed to start a meal on Friday afternoon. Therefore, ideally, one should eat and complete his Purim Suedah Friday morning before Chatzos (midday). If one must work on Purim morning and will not be able to eat his meal before Chatzos, then he is permitted to start his meal anytime up to the start of the 10th hour of the day. [ To calculate when the tenth hour starts, one must calculate the number of hours and minutes of that particular day from sunrise to sunset, divide that amount by 12 -- the resultant being 1 "halachic hour". The resultant is multiplied by 9. This time is added to sunrise time with the resulting time being the start of the 10th hour.]. [If one is not able under any circumstances to have his meal before the 10th hour, then he should consult with his Rav about the feasibility of starting the meal afterwards and being "poreis mapah umekadeish." At the same time he should discuss with the Rav about saying Retzei and Al HaNissim in bentching.]
Compiled by Rabbi Eliezer Wenger
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
>Questions or Comments |
|
/ Every adult, man or woman, is required to send on the day of Purim at least 2 ready to eat food items to at least one friend. This is called Mishloach Monos. Even one who is so poor that he is supported from public funds must fulfill the mitzvah in the minimum manner. Of course, those who send Mishloach Monos to more than one person it is praiseworthy. Also one who is ill and in a hospital during Purim must fulfill this mitzvah, weven if he only exchanges the food with another Jewish patient. If one is not able or cannot afford to send his one Mishloach Monos, he can make an exchange with another and in this way they both fulfill the mitzvah. If one sends Mishloach Monos to another individual and the recepient is not home and does not receive it until after Purim, that gift can not be considered as Mishloach Monos. One who is traveling and is away from home, must make sure to fulfill the Mitzvah where he is. He cannot rely on the gifts that his family will send for him, unless he specifically notifies them (either in advance, or on that day through the telephone, email, etc.) that he wants them to send a Mishloach Monos package on his behalf.It is customary to reciprocate, i.e. the recipient should also present the giver with a Misloach Monos packet.
(All the above is based upon the Nitei Gavriel 5760 edition, chapter 54)
Compiled by Rabbi Eliezer Wenger
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
>Questions or Comments Regarding the Purim Seudah, please see yesterday's Shmais. |
|
/ To fulfill the mitzvah of Mishloach Monos, one must send it during the day of Purim. One does not fulfill the mitzvah by sending it the night before or the night after. It is preferable that the Shalach Monos be delivered after the Megillah reading, once the Shehecheyanu prior to the Megillah reading has been said. [When the Shehecheyanu is said at the morning reading, one should have in mind that this bracho should also include the mitzvos of Mishoach Monos, Mattonos Lo'evyonim and Seudas Purim.] Mishloach Monos should be sent by males to male friends and by females to female friends.One should not send Mishloach Monos to an individual who is in the year of mourning for one's parent R'L, or in the 30 day mourning period for one's spose, sibling or child R"L. However, the mourner is permitted to accept the Mishloach Monos if someone who was unaware of this halacha did send the mourner Mishloach Monos. It is preferable that the Mishloach Monos be delivered through a third party. This third party may even be a child or a non-Jew. However, one who personally delivered his own Mishloach Monos has still fulfilled the MItzvah.One can fulfill the mitzvah of Mishloach Monos by sending it to his Rabbi, or a rebbi to his student, a father to his son or a son to his father. |
|
/ On Thursday, Taanis Esther, before Mincha one should give Machatzis HaShekel. A Machatzis HaShekel is half of the standard currency of that particular country. It is customary to give three coins, since the word Terumah is mentioned three times in the beginning of Parshas Ki Sisa. If one did not manage to give it before Mincha, then he can give it after Mincha, or before the Megillah reading on Thursday night or before the Megillah reading on Friday morning. One should not use money from his Maaser (tithes) for Machatzis Hashekel. One can be lenient, however, for woman and children who are not really obligated to give the Machatzis HaShekel. (Nitei Gavriel Purim 26:8) The custom is that the husband gives the Machatzis Hashekel on behalf of his wife.A father who started giving on behalf of his young sons, must continue giving the Machatzis Hashekel on their behalf every year until the child becomes responsible on their own to give, unless he explicitly made a condition [the first time that he was doing it]that he is not accepting it upon himself as a vow.A father should also give the Machatzis Hashekel on behalf of his unborn child. (Darkei Moshe 694:1) |
|
/ Starting from the day of Purim (which is 30 days before Pesach), one should start teaching and learning the laws of Pesach. However, since the Halachos are available in print and everyone can learn it on their own, it is no longer customary to teach it so much publicly. Rather each one should review the Halachos on their own until they know it well. (Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch 429:1) During the 30 days prior to Pesach, one should be more careful with everything he does, that any chometz should remain there, in such a way that it will be difficult to remove it before Pesach. (Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch 429:23). Hence, one should be extra careful with Seforim that will be used at the time of eating, to shake out any chometz that may have fallen into the sefer or book. One is permiited to attach wallpaper with paste that is chametz even within 30 days of Pesach since the chometz is covered and is not complete chometz. Likewise, one is permitted to paste papers upon windows, unless the paste or glue will be visible. In that cae, it cannot be pasted within 30 days of Pesach. Before Purim, however, there is no problem. (Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch 429:35) In the kitchen where one cooks and bakes, one should be very careful to wash the walls. (Aishel Avraham 553:8)
Compiled by Rabbi Eliezer Wenger
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
>Questions or Comments |
|
/ During the complete month of Nissan, one does not say Tachnun, Lamnatzeiach (Between Asherei and Uva Letzion), Keil Erech Apaim (prior to taking out the Torah on a weekday), Av HoRachamim (before Musaf on Shabbos) and Tzidkoscho (during Mincha of Shabbos) Neither is Tziduk HaDin said at funerals.One is not permitted to fast during the month of Nissan. Some exceptions: A fast for a bad dream, Choson and Kallah on the day of their chupah and first borns on Erev Pesach. A choson and Kallah fast as well if they get married on Rosh Chodesh Nissan. The first of Nissan (marking the deaths of Nadav and Avihu), the 10th of Nissan (marking the death of Miriam) and the 26th of Nissan (marking the death of Yehoshua bin Nun) are days when certain individual fast and is known as "Taanis Tzadikim."Starting on the first day of Nissan, through the thirteenth day, a section from the end of Parshas Nasso is read after Shachar from a printed text. On the first twelve days we read about the daily gifts brought by the prince of a Shevet on its respective day of Nissan. On the 13th day we conclude with the end of Nasso and the beginning of Behaaloscha. Afterwards the special Yehi Ratzon is recited. This Yehi Ratzon is also said by Kohanim and Leviim (Hayom Yom Rosh Chodesh Nissan). [Special request: I would appreciate if readers of this column outside of the United States and Montreal, Canada would inform me what coin is used in their location for Machatzis HaShekel. Is it just one specific coin, or a combination of coins amounting to a specific amount. Please also mention your location. Email me at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
>RABBI WENGER. Thank you.] |
|
/ It is customary to avoid eating Matzah from 30 before Purim.The Nitei Gavriel writes and I have heard it in the name of HoRav Zalmen Shimon Dworkin that one is permitted to eat matzah that is halachaically chometz durng this period. [If anyone has heard any Psak regarding people who eat only Shmura Matza the whole Pesach if they are permitted or not to eat Matzah Pshuta, i.e. machine made matzos that are guarded from the time of grinding or kneading, during this period, I would appreciate hearing from them.] It was mentioned in yesterday's Halacha that a choson and Kallah do fast in the month of Nissan on their wedding day. However, if they are getting married on Isru Chag Pesach (for those who do not observe that period of Omer for mourning), they would not fast on that day. Although according to some opinions, one does not visit a cemetary during the month of Nissan, even on a Yahrzeit, this is not the custom of Chabad. The Gesher haChaim (29:5) writes that nowadays the custom is to go to cemetaries even during the month of Nissan for a Yahrzeit, end of Shloshim or Shivah. One should contribute towards Maos Chittim anytime during the 30 day period before Pesach. It is self-obvious that the earlier one contyributes towards Maos Chittim, it will be that much easier for those that need to avail themselves of Maos Chitim.
Compiled by Rabbi Eliezer Wenger
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
>Questions or Comments |
|
/ When one sees for the first time during the month of Nissan fruit trees blossoming, one should say the Brocho "Baruch..Haolom shelo chiseir be'olomo klum uvarah vo briyos tovos ve'ilonos tovos leihanos bahem bnei adam." (Who has made nothing lacking in His world and created in it goodly creatures and goodly trees to give mankind pleasure). This Brocho is said just once a year - the first time that he sees it. Although there are a number of Poskim including the Elya Rabba that say that if one did not say the Brocho the first time, they can still say the Brocho when seeing it the second time, the Alter Rebbe however, does not follow that ruling. According to the Alter Rebbe, if one missed the opportunity the first time that he saw it, he cannot say it again during that year. Although the ideal situation is for the Brocho to be said during the month of Nissan, it would seem that bdieved (ipso facto) if one did not see the trees blossoming until Iyar, it would be permitted to say the Brocho. (Seder Birchas Hanehnin 13:14, Ktzos HaShulchan 66:9, Badei HaShulchan 69:18) Women who see the blossoming of the fruit trees should also recite the Brocho. (Nitei Gavriel, Pesach 6:6) One is permitted to say this Brocho even on Shabbos and Yom Tov (Nitei Gavriel, Pesach 6:7)Preferably, an effort should be made that the Brocho be said when seeing two trees at one time, however, if there is only one tree the Brocho can still be said. (Badei HaShulchan 69:18) The Brocho should not be said on trees which grow fruits that are grafted from two species, such as nectarines. (Nitei Gavriel Pesah 6:13)In Australia where the trees blossom during the months of Elul and Tishrei, the Brocho can be said at that time. (Nitei Gavriel quoting the MinchasYitzchok Vol. 10:16)
Compiled by Rabbi Eliezer Wenger
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
>Questions or Comments |
|
/ This coming Shabbos is Shabbos Parshas Parah. Two Sifrei Torah are removed and in the first Sefer seven Aliyos are distributed and Parshas Ki Siso is read. The second Sefer Torah is placed next to the first after the reading is completed and the half Kaddish is said after which Hagbeh and Gelilah are performed with the first Sefer. The second Torah which is used from Maftir is used to read from the beginning of Parshas Chukas (19:1-22) which discusses the procedure for the red heifer (parah Adumah). [PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS AN ERROR IN THE ENGLISH SECTION OF LUACH COLEL CHABAD 5761, which lists last week as being Parshas Parah.] Av Horachamim IS recited on this Shabbos.Although a number of Poskim say that the requirement to read Parshas Parah is required from the Torah, the consensus of comtemporary poskim is that women are not required to listen to this reading. (Nitei Gavriel on Purim 22:4)If one erroneously concluded the Parah reading at a earlier pasuk (such as Sheni), he would have to reread the complete section. This is true even if the error was realized after the Haftorah was already read. (Shaar Ephraim 8:64, Nitei Gavriel Purim 22:6)
Compiled by Rabbi Eliezer Wenger
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
>Questions or Comments |
|
/ Every individual is required to give towards the Maos Chittim fund. Even a Talmid Chachom who would ordinarily be exempt from paying various taxes (as explained in Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 1446) must also contribute to Maos Chittim. Anyone who has lived in a community for at least thirty days must contribute to the Maos Chittim of that community. One who refuses to give can be forced to contribute. (Alter Rebbe's Shulchan aruch 429:5) Although originally, the money was used to purchase wheat which was distributed to the needy, nowadays, this money is used to supply the needy with all their Pesach needs, such as wine, meat, fish, etc., in addition to matzah.Money which was collected for Maos Chittim, should not be used for any other type of Tzedakah. It is to be used only for Pesach needs. (Nitei Gavriel Pesach 4:3) In connection to what was discussed in yesterday's Halacha, it would seem that if anyone in error read Parshas Parah last Shabbos, it would be necessary to read it again this coming Shabbos. One should check with their Rav.
Compiled by Rabbi Eliezer Wenger
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
>Questions or Comments |
|
