Halacha For Today

Halachos for Sunday, August 29 2010

1)When pointing to something written in the Torah or another Sefer containing Divrei Torah, the index finger (also referred to as the pointer) of the right hand should be used, as that is the finger with which Hashem  wrote the Luchos (K'Vayachol). (See Sefer Chasidim Siman 693 (in the new prints). Although, as we wrote earlier in the Halachos for July 26 2010, that Rashi to Brachos 62a learns that this is referring to using the fingers to show the Ta'amei HaTorah (the Trup) to the Ba'al Korei reading from a Sefer Torah, the Poskim say that it refers as well  anytime one is using his finger to point out Divrei Torah. See Sefer Yemin Moshe page 48 footnote 72)

2)Thus, there is no difference between left handed and right handed people, as they both should use the finger that Hashem used, which is the pointer of the right hand. (Ruling of Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita. See also Mishna Berura Siman 282:1)

Halachos for Monday, August 30 2010

1)When giving Tzedaka, based on the Arizal and other kabalistic sources the money should be given with the right hand.

There is no difference between right handed and left handed people regarding this Halacha. (Ruling of Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita)

2) Sifrei Torah, Tefilin and Mezuzos must be written with the right hand. (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim Siman 32:5 and Yoreh Deah Siman 271:6 and Siman 288:12)

A left handed person should write Sifrei Torah, Tefilin and Mezuzos with his left hand, which is considered his "right hand". (See Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim ibid. and Shach Yoreh Deah 271:12. See also Ben Ish Chai in Shu"t Rav Pa'alim Vol. 2 Siman 9 and Shu"t Ohr L'Tzion Vol. 2 Siman 83:3 regarding Tefilin and Mezuzos written by a left handed person as there are some kabalistic reasons that may frown upon using them.)

Halachos for Tuesday, August 31 2010

1)When a woman nurses her son, she should begin on the left side, which is closer to the heart. (Tzava'ah of Rav Yehuda HaChasid, Tzava'ah 55. This is based on the Talmud Brachos 10a and Niddah 48b. See Shmiras HaGuf V'hanefesh Siman 146 that this applies only to nursing a male child and does not apply to a baby girl. Other Poskim, however, maintain that this applies to baby girls as well. See Likutei Halachos on Tzava'as Rav Yehuda HaChasid written by Rav Shabsi Vigder Shlita, page 169-170)

2)There is no difference in regard to this Halacha between left handed women and right handed women, as it is due to the fact that the heart is on the left side. (Ruling of Rav Chaim Kanievsky shlita)

Halachos for Wednesday, September 1 2010

1)The Mezuzah, besides for being a commandment in the Torah to place on the doorpost, is also a Shmira, protection for the home from harmful elements. (See Talmud Menachos 33b and Rashi there Dibur Hamaschil D'Tintarei. See also Rashi ibid. 32b Dibur Hamaschil Sakanah and Rashi to Pesachim 4a Dibur Hamaschil Chovas. See also Talmud Yerushalmi Peah Perek 1:1. ). According to the Rambam (Hilchos Mezuzah Perek 6:13, based on Talmud Menachos 43b) it is also a protection to prevent from sinning.

The Talmud (Avoda Zarah 11a) relates the story of how the Roman Caesar sent his soldiers to capture Onkeles (Who  was the nephew of the Roman Caesar who became a convert to Judaism and subsequently one of the greatest  Jews who ever lived. His Targum (translation) of the Torah is printed in virtually every Chumash and each week all male Jews are required to read the Torah of the week twice with  his translation once)  and each time as they tried to take him out of his home he placed his hand on the Mezuzah upon leaving and upon explaining his actions  to the guards that he trusts in Hashem who protects His people, they converted as well. 

Every Mezuzah has the name Shin Daled Yud written on the outside, which besides being a name of Hashem is an acronym for "Shomer Diras Yisroel, protector of Jewish dwellings" (Darchei Moshe  Yoreh Deah Siman 288:3 quoting the Kol Bo. Similarly, in the Siddur of the Arizal it is written that it stands for "Shomer Dalsos Yisroel, protector of Jewish doors". See also Zohar Parshas V'Eschanan page 266b in the old prints)

The Rama (Yoreh Deah Siman 285:2, based on the Gemara above as well as on a Midrash Bereishis Rabbah end of Perek 35 )writes that when one leaves their home or enters their home they should place their hand on the Mezuzah and say a certain Posuk for shmirah.

Some people have the Minhag, before going to bed, to go to the door of their room, place their hand on the Mezuzah and say certain Pesukim for Shemirah. (See Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 71:4)

Most Poskim do not write anything about "kissing" the mezuzah and simply write that it is a good thing to place one's hand on it, as in the story of Onkelos it makes no mention of any kissing.

However, the Chida (in Birchei Yosef to Yoreh Deah 285) quotes the Arizal that "one should place a finger on the 'Shin Daled Yud' that is on the mezuzah and kiss the finger and daven to Hashem for protection and to be saved from the Yetzer Hara", and seemingly many people have adopted this minhag (at least the kissing the finger part) 

The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 11:24 also writes that the Mezuzah should be kissed when entering and leaving the home. However in Siman 71 that we referenced earlier regarding touching the Mezuzah before bed, he does not write anything about kissing it and only writes to place the hand on it so seemingly he holds that kissing is only necessary when entering or leaving the room.

2)A right handed person should touch [and kiss] the mezuzah with his/her right hand. (See Yesod V'Shoresh H'Avodah  Sha'ar 2 Perek 8)

A left handed person should touch [and kiss] the Mezuzah with his/her left hand.

Halachos for Thursday, September 2 2010

1) When visiting a grave, some have the custom to say "Yehi Ratzon Sh'tehey Menuchaso Shel Ploni Po B'Kavod U'Zechuso Ya'amod Li, May it be the will [of Hashem] that the resting of the person here be with dignity and may his/her merit be beneficial for me." (Be'er Heitev Orach Chaim Siman 224:8)

The custom that people have to rip out some grass or pick up a stone and leave it on the Kever, is a show of respect to the one laying there, as  it shows that people  came to visit and pay their respect. (ibid.)

While there it is proper to place one's hand on the Kever. (ibid. The Arizal held that one should never go within 4 Amos of a grave, besides during the time of burial. See Mishna Berurah Siman 559:41. The Vilna Gaon, in the Igeres HaGra, wrote that people should not go to cemeteries at all, especially women. The prevalent custom, however,  is that we do in fact go to cemeteries, and do in fact go within 4 Amos and even touch the Kevarim. However, women while they are a Niddah customarily do not go. See Mishna Berurah Siman 88:7 and Bais Baruch to Chayei Adam Siman 3:38)

2) The hand that should be placed on the Kever is the left hand. (See Kaf HaChaim Siman 224:42. The reason for this is kabalistic.)

There is no difference between left handed and right handed people regarding this, and both should only place their left hand on a Kever. (See Shu"t Be'er Moshe Vol. 2 Siman 5:11b)

It is important to remember when davening at a grave, especially that of a great Tzadik, to be extremely careful not to Chas V'Shalom pray "to" the Tzadik.

 Rather, we Jews only pray to Hashem to answer us in the merit of the Tzadik, or, alternatively, we ask the Tzadik to go before the Kisei HaKavod and be a Meilitz Yosher (an advocate) for us and our families.

Ain Od M'Levado.

Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh, September 3 2010 (Double Portion L'Kavod Shabbos Kodesh)

Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh 

1) It is customary at weddings to have the Chupah (canopy) be outside or at least under an opening in the ceiling.

The reason for this is that having it under an open sky is a good sign for the newly married couple to be blessed with children like the stars in the sky (i.e. to produce good children) (Rama Even HaEzer Siman 61:2)

2) While standing under the Chupah, the Choson (groom) should stand to the left of the Kallah (bride) to symbolize that his soon to be wife will be his "right hand". (Based on a Posuk. See Be'er Heitiv Even HaEzer Siman 61:7)

There is no difference if the Choson and/or Kallah are right or left handed regarding this Halacha, as the Choson always stands to the left of the Kallah. (See Shu"t Be'er Moshe Vol. 2 Siman 2:4)

Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh

1) While under the Chuppah, the Choson places a ring on the finger of the Kallah, and pronounces her his wife by saying "Harei At Mekudeshes Li B'Taba'as Zu K'Da'as Moshe V'Yisroel, Behold, you are married to me with this ring according to the mandate of Moshe and the Jewish nation" (i.e. according to both Torah and rabbinic law) (See Shulchan Aruch and Rama Even HaEzer Siman 27:1)

2) It is customary for the Choson to use his right hand to hold the ring and to place it onto the right index finger of the Kallah.

If either the Choson or the Kallah are left handed, there are some opinions that rule that the Choson use his "stronger" hand (i.e. his left if he is left handed) to place the ring on the "stronger" hand of the Kallah (her left hand, if she is left handed)

Other Poskim, however, rule that regardless it should be placed on the Kallah's right hand. (See Shu"t Be'er Moshe ibid. See also Ben Ish Chai Parshas Shoftim Siman 1:7)

For Halacha L'ma'aseh, as with everything,  a Rav must be consulted.

This brings us to the end of our coverage of the Halachos of "Lefties and Righties".

I hope that we have become enriched by it and now have a better understanding of this topic.

Before we begin a brand new topic, We shall B'Ezras Hashem Revisit some of the Halachos of Selichos, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkos that we have covered in years past, and hopefully , as we go along , also touch upon some new areas that we have not yet discussed.

Wishing all of my dear readers a Kesiva V'Chasima Tovah to you and your families.