Newsletter Parashat Toledot

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  Avot Ubanim
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 Moor Lane More Torah on this week's parsha.
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  The Kollel has purchased the new edition of Rabbi Ribiat's  'The 39 Melochos' for the kollel, 
and will make it available [in the upstairs library] for members of the kehila 
as it deals with many of the most recent halachic issues arising. 

Please Note: 
Although it is primarily with Ashkenazi Pesak Halacha, 
it gives a good grounding of how each Melacha

a) is learned from the Torah 
– the actual Melacha done in the Mishkan 

b) all the way down to halacha Lemaase 
– how it applies nowadays.

The index at the back of each book is very extensive, making it easy to find any situation 
& where the specific halacha can be found, 
then people can at least know the basis of the halacha and then ask a Shealah for Sephardim.  

For Shephardi Pesak Halacha / Sheelot you can go to:
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Sephardic World  
Moroccan Sephardic Migration to England in the 19th Century
During the 19th Century many Sephardic families from the city of Mogador/Essaouira in Morocco migrated to England where they became part of the rich fabric of the Jewish community.

Sidney Corcos was born in Agadir, and left Morocco to Israel as a child. He served as director of the Natural History Museum in Jerusalem and is currently working on the new Beit Dakyra museum in Mogador/Essaouira. Sidney has done extensive research on the history and genealogy of his family and other Moroccan Sephardim. 


Topic: Moroccan Sephardic Migration to England in the 19th Century

Time: Sunday Nov 22, 2020. 2pm NYC, 7pm London, 8pm Amsterdam/Paris, 9pm Jerusalem.

Join Zoom Meeting

Can you help us? Our supporters on Patreon contribute towards covering our costs. If you can make a small monthly donation, it would be much appreciated. https://www.patreon.com/sephardi

If you can't get into the Zoom meeting, there is an overflow on Facebook


Best wishes,


Ton Tielen and David Mendoza

Sephardic World

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לוח זמני תפלה לחורף תשפ״א

Winter Timetable 5781 – 2020/21

מוצאי שבת

ערבית
)
מוצש(

שקיעה

מנחה שבת

סוף זמן קריאת שמע

הדלקת נרות

מנחה וקבלת שבת

תאריך

שבת פרשת

Shabbat

Ends

Arbit

Sunset

Minha

Shema before

Candle Lighting

Minha & Kabbalat Shabbat

Date

Parasha

PM

PM

PM

PM

AM

PM

PM

 

 

4:59

4:55

4:02

3:25

9:50

3:49

3:49

20/21 Nov

תולדות

Q & A on Parashat Toledot

All references are to the verses and Rashis commentary unless otherwise stated.

  1. Why was it important that Yitzchak look like Avraham?
    25:19 – So everyone would agree that Avraham was indeed his father.
  2. Why does the Torah stress that Rivka was Betuel's daughter and Lavan's sister?
    25:20 – To praise her, that even though her family was evil she was righteous.
  3. What are the two differences between Tamar's pregnancy and Rivka's pregnancy?
    25:24 – Rivka gave birth at full term to two children, one righteous and one wicked. Tamar gave birth after seven months to two righteous children.
  4. Why was Esav named Esav?
    25:25 – He was born fully developed. The name Esav is based on the Hebrew word for “made”.
  5. Who gave Yaakov his name?
    25:26 G-d.
  6. How did Esav deceive his father?
    25:27 – Esav deceived Yitzchak by asking questions that suggested that he was very strict in mitzvah observance.
  7. Why was Esav faint when he returned from the field?
    25:29 – From having murdered.
  8. Why are lentils a food for mourners?
    25:30 – They are round like a wheel and mourning is like a revolving wheel that eventually touches everyone.
  9. What was the birthright that Yaakov bought from Esav?
    25:31 – The right to bring sacrifices.
  10. Why was Yitzchak not permitted to go to Egypt?
    26:2 – Through the akeida he had attained the status of a korban and was forbidden to leave Eretz Canaan.
  11. Why did the Philistines plug up the wells?
    26:15 – They felt that either marauders would attack to capture the wells, or, if attacking for other reasons, they would use the wells as a water supply.
  12. Why did Yitzchak lose his sight? (three reasons)
    27:1 – a) From the smoke of the incense offered by Esavs wives to their idols; b) From the angels tears which fell into Yitzchaks eyes at the time of the akeida; c) In order for Yaakov to receive the blessings.
  13. At what age should one anticipate his own death?
    27:2 – When he reaches five years from the age his parents were when they passed away, until five years after.
  14. Why did Rivka ask Yaakov to bring two kid goats?
    27:9 – One for Yitzchak and the other to offer as a korban Pesach.
  15. Why did Esav leave his special garments with Rivka?
    27:15 – He suspected that his wives might steal them.
  16. What fragrance did Yitzchak detect on Yaakovs garments?
    27:27 – The scent of Gan Eden.
  17. What was the “fat of the land” promised to Esav?
    27:36 – Italy.
  18. When will Esav be freed from subjugation to Yaakov?
    27:40 – When the Jewish People transgress the Torah.
  19. What inspired Esav to marry the daughter of Yishmael?
    28:7 – Seeing that his father despised his current wives, he resolved to take a wife from his father's family.
  20. Knowing that Machalat was Yishmael's daughter, it's self-evident that she was the sister of Nevayot. Why, then, does the Torah state that Esav married “Yishmael's daughter, the sister of Nevayot?”
    28:9 – To indicate that Yishmael died between her betrothal and her wedding and that it was Nevayot who gave his sister in marriage to Esav. Knowing the date of Yishmael's death, we can determine the date of Esav's marriage and thus Yaakov's age, 63, at the time of his flight from Esav.


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Halachot from Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Ztz'l

טלטול אוכלין

שאלה: האם מותר לטלטל בשבת מאכלים שאינם מיועדים לשימוש בשבת,  כגון בשר המוכן עבור יום ראשון, וכן אבקת אפיה וסוכר וניל שאי אפשר להשתמש בהם בשבת?

בהלכות הקודמות ביארנו באופן כללי את עיקר דין מוקצה בשבת, שיש דברים שאסרו רבותינו לטלטלם (להזיזם) בשבת. וכתבנו, כי כלים שמלאכתם להיתר, מותר לטלטלם לצורך כל שהוא. וכלים שמלאכתם לאיסור, מותר לטלטלם לצורך גופם או מקומם. וכפי שהסברנו.

ואבנים ועפר וכיוצא בזה, הרי הם בכלל “מוקצה מחמת גופו“, שאסור לטלטלם אפילו לצורך גופם או מקומם.

ועתה נבאר מה הדין לגבי טלטול מאכלים בשבת, האם שייך בהם איסור מוקצה או לא?

ובודאי כאשר נבא לדון בענין זה, נראה שאי אפשר להחשיב מאכלים למוקצה מחמת כלי שמלאכתו לאיסור או להיתר, שהרי המאכלים אינם כלים. אבל יש לדון אם שייך במאכלים דין “מוקצה מחמת גופו”.

ובאמת שהדבר תלוי, שאם אותו מאכל ראוי לאכילה בעצם יום השבת, כגון עוגות ועוגיות וכדומה, מותר לטלטלו בשבת. וכלשון מרן השלחן ערוך (סימן שי סב), “אין שום דבר תלוש הראוי לאכילה מוקצה לשבת”.

אבל אם אותו מאכל אינו ראוי לאכילה בשבת, כגון עיסה של בצק, שאינה עומדת לאכילה עד שיאפו אותה, וכן מאכלים מקולקלים, שאי אפשר לאכול מהם כעת, אסור לטלטלם בשבת, כדין עפר ואבנים, שאסורים בטלטול בשבת. וכמו שפסק מרן השלחן ערוך, לגבי ענבים שהניחו אותם לייבוש לעשות מהם צימוקים, וכעת הם מסריחים הואיל ועדיין לא נשלמה הכנתם, ואסור לטלטלם בשבת.

ומכאן אנו למדים גם כן לענין אבקת אפיה, שמכיון שאי אפשר לאכול ממנה בשבת, שאינה מוכשרת למאכל אלא לאחר האפיה, הרי היא מוקצת מחמת גופה, ואסור לטלטלה בשבת. אולם אבקת סוכר וניל, מכיון שבאמת היא ראויה למאכל אף ללא אפיה (כגון בסלט פירות), מותר לטלטלה בשבת. וכן בשר, אף שהוא מיועד ליום חול, ואין כוונה לאכול ממנו בשבת, מותר לטלטלו, כיון שלא שייך איסור מוקצה במאכלים שאפשר לאכול מהם בשבת.

ולפי מה שביארנו שמוקצה מחמת גופו אסור לטלטלו אפילו לצורך גופו או מקומו, אין לטלטל אבקת אפיה בשבת אפילו לצורך. וכן בשר שאינו ראוי לאכילה כלל בשבת, אסור לטלטלו בשבת אפילו לצורך, כיון שהוא מוקצה מחמת גופו.

לפיכך, אדם שצריך להוציא מהמקפיא שבביתו חלה קפואה, והחלה מוסתרת על ידי אריזת קמח או אבקת אפיה, אסור לו לטלטל את הקמח כדי להוציא את החלה, שהרי הקמח הוא מוקצה מחמת גופו ואסור לטלטלו בשום אופן. (אלא באופן מיוחד כמו שנבאר בהמשך בעזרת ה').

Moving Food Items on Shabbat

Question: May one move food items on Shabbat if they are not intended for Shabbat use, such as meat designated for Sunday or baking powder and vanilla sugar which have no use on Shabbat?

Answer: In the previous Halachot we have explained the primary laws of Muktzeh on Shabbat which is that our Sages forbade moving certain objects on Shabbat. We have written that objects which are used for work permitted on Shabbat may be moved for any purpose. Tools that are used for work prohibited on Shabbat may be moved for their own use or use of their place, as we have explained above.

Rocks, dirt, and the like are categorized as “innate Muktzeh” which are prohibited to be moved even for their own use or use of their place.

We must now explain the laws of moving various food items on Shabbat. Do the laws of Muktzeh apply here or not?

At first glance, food items can certainly not be considered objects used for permissible or forbidden work or on Shabbat, for food is not a utensil or a tool. However, we must discern whether or not food can be considered “innate Muktzeh”.

Indeed, this depends on whether or not the given food is able to be eaten on this specific Shabbat, such as cakes, cookies, and the like, for if this is the case, it may be moved on Shabbat. Similarly, Maran Ha’Shulchan Aruch rules (Chapter 310, Section 2): “There is no edible item that is detached from the ground that can be considered Muktzeh on Shabbat.”

However, if any specific food item is not edible on Shabbat, such as dough that is inedible until it is baked or rotten foods that are currently inedible, one may not move it on Shabbat, similar to the law of dirt and stones which may not be moved on Shabbat. Similarly, Maran Ha’Shulchan Aruch rules that grapes which were left out to dry in order to make raisins out of them and are now rotten, since the preparation process is not yet complete, one may not move them on Shabbat.

Based on this, baking powder which is inedible until after the baking process retains the law of “innate Muktzeh” and may not be moved. However, regarding vanilla sugar which is edible even without being baked (such as in a fruit salad), it may be moved on Shabbat. Similarly, meat which one intends to serve on a weekday and not partake of on Shabbat may still be moved on Shabbat since the prohibition of Muktzeh does not apply to things which can be eaten on Shabbat.

Based on what we have explained above that “innate Muktzeh” may not be moved even for its own use or use of its place, one may not move baking powder on Shabbat even if there is a purpose in doing so. Similarly, meat which is completely inedible on Shabbat may not be moved even for a purpose since it is “innate Muktzeh.”

Thus, if one needs to take a frozen Challah out of the freezer on Shabbat but the Challah is stuck behind a bag of flour or baking powder, one may not move the flour or baking powder in order to take out the Challah, for flour and baking powder are considered “innate Muktzeh” and there is no permissible way to move them (besides for a special exception that we shall, G-d willing, discuss further).

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Newsletter Parashat Chaye Sara

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Sephardic World  
From Glory to Dispersion – The Sephardi Lisbona family from Damascus

David Lisbona will discuss the history of his Sephardic ancestors who originated in Portugal and later settled in Damascus, a major city on the Silk Road. The 'Franco' Sephardic community maintained a distinct identity from the indigenous Arabic-speaking Jews. Using available historic and genealogical sources, including records new to us, David tells the remarkable story of his family, who were prominent in the Damascene Jewish community. Upheavals in the Ottoman Empire and the opening of the Suez Canal led to a decline in the community, with migrations to Egypt, England, the United States and elsewhere.

Topic: From Glory to Dispersion – The Sephardic Lisbona family from Damascus

Time: Nov 16, 2020. 2pm NYC, 7pm London, 8pm Amsterdam/Paris, 9pm Jerusalem.

Join Zoom Meeting 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81392277216

Can you help us? Our supporters on Patreon contribute towards covering our costs. If you can make a small monthly donation, it would be much appreciated. https://www.patreon.com/sephardi

If you can't get into the Zoom meeting, there is an overflow on Facebook

Best wishes,

Ton Tielen and David Mendoza
Sephardic World  

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לוח זמני תפלה לחורף תשפ״א

Winter Timetable 5781 – 2020/21

מוצאי שבת

ערבית
)
מוצש(

שקיעה

מנחה שבת

סוף זמן קריאת שמע

הדלקת נרות

מנחה וקבלת שבת

תאריך

שבת פרשת

Shabbat

Ends

Arbit

Sunset

Minha

Shema before

Candle Lighting

Minha & Kabbalat Shabbat

Date

Parasha

PM

PM

PM

PM

AM

PM

PM

 

 

5:07

5:05

4:11

3:35

9:43

3:59

3:59

13/14 Nov

חיי שרה (ש''מ)

Q & A on Parashat Chaye Sara

  1. Name the four couples buried in Kiryat Arba.
    23:2 – Adam and Chava, Avraham and Sara, Yitzchak and Rivka, Yaakov and Leah.
  2. What did Sarah hear that caused her death?
    23:2 – That Yitzchak was almost slaughtered.
  3. What title of honor did the Bnei Chet bestow upon Avraham?
    23:6 – Prince of G-d.
  4. Where was Avraham born?
    24:7 – Ur Kasdim.
  5. How were Avraham's camels distinguished?
    24:10 – They were muzzled, so they wouldn't graze in the fields of others.
  6. What is meant by “all the good of his master in his hand”?
    24:10 – Eliezer carried a document in which Avraham gave all he owned to Yitzchak so that people would want their daughter to marry him.
  7. What special character trait did Eliezer seek when choosing a wife for Yitzchak?
    24:14 – He sought someone who excelled in performing acts of kindness.
  8. Why did Avraham's servant, Eliezer, run toward Rivka?
    24:17 – He saw that the waters of the well rose when she approached.
  9. Why did Lavan run to greet Eliezer?
    24:29 – Lavan coveted his money.
  10. When Lavan told Eliezer that the house was cleared out, what did he remove?
    24:31 – Idols.
  11. Who did Eliezer want Yitzchak to marry?
    24:39 – His own daughter.
  12. Aside from Eliezer, to which other people did Rivka offer to give water?
    24:44 – To the men who accompanied Eliezer.
  13. Lavan answered Eliezer before his father, Betuel, had a chance. What does this indicate about Lavan's character?
    24:50 – That he was wicked.
  14. What did Rivka mean when she said “I will go?”
    24:58 – I will go even if you don't want me to go.
  15. What blessing did Rivka's family give her before she departed?
    24:60 – That the blessings given to Avraham would continue through her children.
  16. Who was Ketura?
    25:1 – Hagar.
  17. What gift did Avraham give to Yitzchak?
    25:5 – The power of blessing.
  18. How old was Avraham when he died?
    25:7 – 175 years old.
  19. For how many years did Yaakov attend the Yeshiva of Ever?
    25:17 – 14 years.
  20. How many times is Eliezer's name mentioned in this week's Parsha?
    None.
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Halachot from Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Ztz'l

מי שנסתפק אם הזכיר רצה והחליצנו בברכת המזון

הנה הלכה רווחת, שהואיל ומצות ברכת המזון היא מן התורה, כמו שנאמר ואכלת ושבעת וברכת את ה', לכן המסתפק אם בירך ברכת המזון אם לאו, חייב לחזור ולברך ברכת המזון מספק, לפי הכלל “ספק דאוריתא (של תורה) להחמיר”. וכמו שביארנו כבר בדין הזכרת “רצה והחליצנו” בברכת המזון ביום השבת. ולפי זה נראה לכאורה שהוא הדין לענין מי שמסתפק אם הזכיר רצה והחליצנו ביום השבת, שהואיל ואם שכח להזכיר רצה והחליצנו הדין הוא שצריך לחזור ולברך, אם כן הוא הדין גם כן שמחמת הספק יצטרך לחזור ולברך.

אלא שבאמת, אף שברכת המזון היא מן התורה, מכל מקום דין הזכרת רצה והחליצנו בברכת המזון אינו מן התורה. וכן כתבו רבים מרבותינו הראשונים, ומהם הרשב”ץ (רבי שמעון בר צמח) בפסקיו לברכות (מט.). ועוד. ועל כן נראה יותר שכאשר הוא מסתפק אם הזכיר רצה והחליצנו או לא, הרי הדין הוא שאינו צריך לברך, לפי הכלל “ספק דרבנן להקל”. שהרי מן התורה יצא ידי חובת ברכת המזון אף אילו לא הזכיר רצה והחליצנו.

אולם בשו”ת בשמים ראש סי' רפז, (המיוחס ברובו לרבינו הרא”ש), כתב, שהואיל וחזקה על אדם שהוא ממשיך בברכתו כפי שהוא רגיל לברך בכל ימות השבוע, על כן יש להניח יותר שלא הזכיר בברכת המזון “רצה והחליצנו”, ולכן עליו לחזור ולברך ברכת המזון כדין מי שנזכר שבודאות לא הזכיר רצה והחליצנו בברכת המזון. וכמו שאנו פוסקים לענין מי שנסתפק לאחר שסיים תפילתו בימים אלו, אם הזכיר בתפילתו בברכת השנים “ותן טל ומטר לברכה”, שאנו מניחים יותר ששכח שאנו בימות הגשמים, והמשיך כרגילותו בימות הקיץ שאין מבקשים על הגשמים, ועל כן חייב לחזור ולהתפלל, כמו כן הדין לענין הזכרת רצה והחליצנו.

ומרן הרב עובדיה יוסף זצוק”ל, אחר שדן בענין זה באריכות בספרו שו”ת יביע אומר (ח”ז דף סח), כתב, שאף שבדרך כלל אנו נוטים לומר שחזקה על כל אדם שהמשיך ברגילותו בתפילה ושאר ענינים, מכל מקום לענין ברכת המזון בשבת, יש סברא שעומדת כנגד חזקה זו, שהואיל ואימת השבת עומדת על האדם ביום השבת, שהרי כל האוירה ביום השבת משתנה, והאדם רגיל להזהר בכל איסורי שבת בכל רגע ורגע, אם כן יש מקום לתלות שאדרבא זכר שהוא יום השבת ולא שכח להזכיר רצה והחליצנו. ואף שלא יצא הדבר עדיין מידי ספק, מכל מקום הואיל וביארנו כבר שדין הזכרת רצה והחליצנו אינו אלא מדרבנן ואינו מן התורה, אם כן חזר הדין שספק דרבנן להקל, ועל כן להלכה בנדון כזה אין לחזור ולברך ברכת המזון.

ולסיכום: מי שסיים ברכת המזון (בסעודות הראשונה והשנייה) ביום השבת, וכעת הוא מסופק אם הזכיר בברכת המזון רצה והחליצנו, אינו חוזר לברך ברכת המזון, הואיל ועיקר דין הזכרת רצה והחליצנו אינו אלא מדרבנן. ואין לחוש לכך שמסתמא המשיך ברגילות לשונו בכל ימות השבוע ולא הזכיר רצה והחלצינו, מכיון שכנגד זה יש לומר שהואיל ואימת השבת עליו, זכר להזכיר בברכתו רצה והחליצנו.

ואם לאחר שסיים ברכת “בונה ירושלים” הסתפק אם הזכיר רצה והחליצנו, ועדיין לא התחיל בברכת “הטוב והמטיב” שאחרי ברכת בונה ירושלים, אז יתקן את הדבר על ידי שיברך “ברוך אתה ה' אלהינו מלך העולם” וכו', כמו שביארנו בהלכה הקודמת.



If One is Unsure Whether or Not One Has Inserted “Retzeh Ve’Hachalitzenu” into Birkat Hamazon

The Halacha is clear that since Birkat Hamazon is a Torah obligation, as the verse states, “And you shall eat and you shall be satisfied and you shall bless Hashem, your G-d,” if one is unsure whether or not one has recited Birkat Hamazon, one must recite Birkat Hamazon over again based on the rule, “When in doubt regarding a Torah law, one must act stringently.” It seems that the same should apply to one who is unsure whether or not he has recited “Retzeh Ve’Hachalitzenu” on Shabbat, for since we know that if one forgets to insert “Retzeh Ve’Hachalitzenu” one must repeat Birkat Hamazon, the same should apply that even when one is unsure, one must likewise repeat Birkat Hamazon.

Nevertheless, the truth of the matter is that although reciting Birkat Hamazon is a Torah obligation, inserting “Retzeh Ve’Hachalitzenu” is not. Many Rishonim write likewise including the Tashbetz, in his work on Masechet Berachot (49a), and others. Based on this, it would seem that when one is unsure if he has recited “Retzeh Ve’Hachalitzenu” or not, one need not repeat Birkat Hamazon based on the rule, “When in doubt regarding a rabbinic law, one acts leniently,” for according to Torah law, one has fulfilled his obligation of reciting Birkat Hamazon even without inserting “Retzeh Ve’Hachalitzenu.”

Nevertheless, the Responsa Besamim Rosh, Chapter 287 (which is attributed mostly to Rabbeinu Asher, the Rosh) states that since the assumption is that one has recited Birkat Hamazon the way one usually would during the rest of the week, we must therefore assume that one has omitted “Retzeh Ve’Hachalitzenu” and one must therefore repeat Birkat Hamazon similar to the law of one who is certain that he has not inserted “Retzeh Ve’Hachalitzenu” into Birkat Hamazon.

After dealing with this matter lengthily in his Responsa Yabia Omer (Volume 7, page 68), Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l writes that although we usually follow the assumption that one follows one’s routine with regards to prayer and the like, nevertheless, regarding Birkat Hamazon on Shabbat there is an argument which counteracts this assumption which is that since the fear of Shabbat rests on an individual on Shabbat, for on Shabbat there is indeed a unique aura and one is therefore careful not to transgress the prohibitions of Shabbat at all times, there is thus room to assume that, on the contrary, one did not forget to insert “Retzeh Ve’Hachalitzenu.” Although this is still an uncertainty, since we have already explained that inserting “Retzeh Ve’Hachalitzenu” is only a rabbinic law, we must therefore follow the rule of “When in doubt regarding a rabbinic law, one acts leniently.” Thus, halachically speaking, in our scenario one would not repeat Birkat Hamazon.

Summary: If one concludes Birkat Hamazon (after the first and second Shabbat meals) and becomes unsure whether or not he has inserted “Retzeh Ve’Hachalitzenu” into Birkat Hamazon, one will not repeat Birkat Hamazon since the essence of reciting “Retzeh Ve’Hachalitzenu” is only based on a rabbinic law. One need not be concerned that one has followed his regular weekday routine of reciting Birkat Hamazon without inserting “Retzeh Ve’Hachalitzenu” since one is surrounded by the aura of Shabbat and one may therefore assume that one did remember to insert “Retzeh Ve’Hachalitzenu.”

If after reciting “Boneh Yerushalayim” one becomes unsure whether or not one has recited “Retzeh Ve’Hachalitzenu” and one did not yet begin the blessing of “La’ad Ha’el Avinu,” one may correct this by inserting the blessing of “Baruch Ata Hashem etc. Shenatan Shabbatot etc.” as we have discussed in the previous Halacha.

Newsletter Parshat Vayera

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Have a look at our website www.moorlane.info  
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letter attached to this email
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to the new elected
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President: Mordechai Maman

Vice president: Benjamin Hassan

Hon Treasurer: Yamin Ibgui

Hon Secretary: David Marshall

Gabbai: Eli Shoshana

Ladies Committee Chair: Mrs. Elaine Marshall


Non-Executive Mahamad members:


Mahamad 

David Menashe

 Community Liaison

Loretta Hodari  

Youth Liaison

Rafi Marshall  


May Hashem guide them in taking our 
Bet Hakeneset forward into the coming year 
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Moorlanenews
would like to take this opportunity
to thank 
David Menashe 
for his many years of service to the kahal as
Parnas Presidente
and wish him much hatzlacha for the future
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To our very dear friends
Jonny & Emma Jacobs
on celebrating the wedding of their son
Yehoshua
to 
Racheli 
שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל

Mazel Tov to families Jacobs & Modiano

Moorlanenews
would like to take this opportunity 
to wholeheartedly thank BOTH
Jonny & Emma
for their countless hours & years 
of continuous committed service 
in all aspects of the running of our Bet Hakeneset,
we owe you so much Hakarat Hatov. 

May Hashem bless you both with 
good health, beracha, mazal & hatzlacha
and many semachot in their house 

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Special Mazal Tov
to our very dear
Emily Jacobs
on the occasion of her grandson's wedding
May Hashem grant her good healthy & long life 
to see all her grandchildren under the Chupah 
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35 – The Four Pillars of the Divine Throne – 

HaGaon Rabbi Yaakov HIllel‏

https://youtu.be/dbwM8QTPTCo

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Sephardic World  
Menasseh ben Israel vs. The Rabbis

Do you think conflicts within Jewish communities are something new? It is possible that the re-admission of Jews to England was a consequence of a squabble between Amsterdam's leading rabbis.

With the merger of the three original Amsterdam Sephardic communities, the city found itself with four rabbis. All of them were strong characters. Inevitably, there were disputes over who had religious authority and who should be paid the most. 

It is possible that Menasseh's trip to London, and the establishment of a Jewish community there,  partly had its roots in his differences with Saul Levi Morteira, Isaac Aboab, David Pardo.

Our expert speaker this week, Professor Steven Nadler, is Professor of Philosophy and of Jewish Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research focuses on philosophy in the seventeenth century. He has written extensively on Descartes and Cartesianism, Spinoza, and Leibniz. He also works on medieval and early modern Jewish philosophy. His publications include biographies of Spinoza and Menasseh ben Israel.

Topic: Menasseh ben Israel vs. The Rabbis

Time: Nov 8, 2020. 2pm NYC, 7pm London, 8pm Amsterdam/Paris, 10pm Jerusalem.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82928694528

Can you help us? Our supporters on Patreon contribute towards covering our costs. If you can make a small monthly donation, it would be much appreciated. https://www.patreon.com/sephardi

If you can't get into the Zoom meeting, there is an overflow on Facebook. We can't broadcast live on YouTube until we have a 1,000 subscribers. Please help us by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpz6pgNSg_KWP-4KbErjU2g. It costs you nothing!

Best wishes,

Ton Tielen and David Mendoza
Sephardic World  

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לוח זמני תפלה לחורף תשפ״א

Winter Timetable 5781 – 2020/21

מוצאי שבת

ערבית
)
מוצש(

שקיעה

מנחה שבת

סוף זמן קריאת שמע

הדלקת נרות

מנחה וקבלת שבת

תאריך

שבת פרשת

Shabbat

Ends

Arbit

Sunset

Minha

Shema before

Candle Lighting

Minha & Kabbalat Shabbat

Date

Parasha

PM

PM

PM

PM

AM

PM

PM

 

 

5:17

5:15

4:23

3:50

9:36

4:11

4:11

6/7 Nov

וירא

Q & A on Parashat Vayera

All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated

  1. Why did G-d appear to Avraham after the brit mila?
    18:1 – Avraham was sick, so G-d came to “visit” him.
  2. Why was Avraham sitting at the entrance to his tent?
    18:1 – He was looking for guests.
  3. What were the missions of the three angels?
    18:2 – To announce Yitzchak's birth, to heal Avraham and to destroy Sodom.
  4. Why did Avraham enjoin the guests to wash the dust off their feet?
    18:4 – He thought they were among those who worship the dust, and he didnt want any object of idolatry in his home.
  5. Why did Avraham ask specifically Yishmael, and not someone else, to prepare food for the guests?
    18:7 – To train him in the performance of mitzvot.
  6. Why did the angels ask Avraham where Sarah was?
    18:9 – To call attention to Sarahs modesty, so as to endear her to her husband.
  7. When G-d related Sarahs thoughts to Avraham, He did not relate them precisely. Why?
    18:13 – For the sake of peace.
  8. What “cry” from Sodom came before G-d?
    18:21 – The cry of a girl who was executed for giving food to the poor.
  9. How many angels went to Sodom?
    19:1 – Two; one to destroy the city and one to save Lot.
  10. Why was Lot sitting at the gate of Sodom?
    19:1 – He was a judge.
  11. Lot served the angels matza. Why?
    19:3 – It was Passover.
  12. Why did Lot delay when he left Sodom?
    19:16 – He wanted to save his property.
  13. Why were Lot and his family not permitted to look back at Sodom?
    19:17 – As they, too, deserved to be punished, it wasnt fitting for them to witness the destruction of Sodom.
  14. Lots wife looked back and became a pillar of salt. Why was she punished in this particular way?
    19:26 – She was stingy, not wanting to give the guests salt.
  15. In what merit did G-d save Lot?
    19:29 – Lot had protected Avraham by concealing from the Egyptians the fact that Sarah was his wife.
  16. Why did Avraham relocate after the destruction of Sodom?
    20:1 – Because travel in the region ceased and Avraham could no longer find guests.
  17. Why did Avimelech give gifts to Avraham?
    20:14 – So that Avraham would pray for him.
  18. Why was Avraham told to listen to Sarah?
    21:12 – Because she was greater in prophecy.
  19. Why did G-d listen to the prayer of Yishmael and not to that of Hagar?
    21:17 – Because the prayer of a sick person is more readily accepted than the prayer of others on his behalf.
  20. Who accompanied Avraham and Yitzchak to the akeidah (binding)?
    22:3 – Yishmael and Eliezer.

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Halachot from Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Ztz'l

דין הנשים בסעודות שבת – מנהג מרן זצ”ל

שאלה: האם נשים חייבות לאכול שלוש סעודות בשבת, כפי שהאנשים חייבים?

תשובה: בהלכות הקודמות ביארנו את עיקרי הדינים הנוגעים לסעודות השבת, ובכללם, שכל אדם חייב לאכול שלוש סעודות בשבת, האחת בליל שבת, והשנייה ביום השבת, והשלישית ביום השבת בצהריים.

כמו כן ביארנו, שיש לברך על “לחם משנה” בסעודת הללו, כלומר, יש לברך המוציא על שתי כיכרות. וכפי שנתבאר.

ולענין נשים, אם הן חייבות בסעודות הללו או לא. כבר עמד בשאלה זו רבינו משה מפונטיזא (שהיה מבעלי התוספות לפני יותר משמונה מאות שנה), ושלח את ספקו בפני רבינו תם, האם נשים חייבות בשלש סעודות? שהרי כלל גדול בידינו, שנשים פטורות ממצות עשה שהזמן גרמא, כלומר, נשים פטורות מכל מצוה שהיא ב”קום ועשה”, ושהיא תלויה בזמן. כגון, מצות לולב, שהיא ב”קום ועשה” (ליטול לולב), והיא תלויה בזמן (רק בחג הסוכות). והרי גם מצות סעודות השבת, היא מצות עשה, והיא תלויה בזמן, שאינה שייכת בימות החול אלא בשבת דוקא. ולפי זה לכאורה נשים פטורות ממצוה זו.

והשיב לו רבינו תם, שנשים חייבות במצות סעודות השבת, משום שמצוה זו היא זכר לנס שירד מן מהשמים לבני ישראל במדבר, והיתה יורדת להם מנה כפולה לכבוד שבת, ומאחר ואף הנשים היו באותו הנס של ירידת המן, הרי שאף הן חייבות לעשות שלש סעודות לשבת, זכר לנס. וכשם שהן חייבות במצות נר חנוכה, ובמצות מקרא מגילה וארבע כוסות, שאף הן היו באותם הנסים, כן הדין לגבי סעודות שבת, שגם הן מחוייבות בסעודה זו. (ספר הישר סימן ע אות ד). והוסיף רבנו תם, שלאור האמור, נשים חייבות גם במצות “לחם משנה” בסעודות השבת, כדין האנשים ממש.

ועוד הוסיף רבינו תם לחזק את דבריו, שמאחר ועיקר הדין של סעודות השבת ושל לחם משנה הוא מצוה מדרבנן, ולא מן התורה, הרי שבמצוות דרבנן נשים חייבות בלי שום חילוק מהאנשים. והרמב”ן (קיז.) כתב שלענין מצוות השבת, אין חילוק כלל בין נשים לאנשים. ועוד הובאו בדברי רבותינו הראשונים טעמים אחרים בענין זה, אך כולם שוים במסקנתם, שנשים חייבות במצות שלש סעודות ובמצות לחם משנה.

ואמנם הגאון רבי שלמה קלוגר כתב שנשים אינן חייבות בלחם משנה, וכתב לחלוק בזה על דברי רבותינו הראשונים מטעמים שונים. אולם מרן רבינו עובדיה יוסף זצוק”ל כתב לדחות את כל דבריו, והוסיף עליהם בזו הלשון: “ונוראות נפלאתי, איך הרהיב עוז לדחות את דברי כל גדולי הפוסקים הנ”ל, חבל נביאים, שכולם שוים בעיקר הדין שהנשים חייבות בשלש סעודות ובלחם משנה”. (חזו”ע ח”ב עמ' קעב).

ולכן העיקר להלכה, שאין שום חילוק בין אנשים לנשים, הן לגבי עצם החיוב לסעוד שלש סעודות, והן לגבי החיוב בלחם משנה, שהנשים מחוייבות בדינים אלו לגמרי.

ואמנם בכמה מקומות בזמנינו נוהגים שהאנשים סועדים סעודה שלישית בבית הכנסת, ומחמת כן מתרשלות הנשים ואינן אוכלות סעודה זו, או שמסתפקות באכילת פירות וכדומה. ואין נכון לנהוג כן, ומה יפה מנהג מרן רבינו עובדיה יוסף זצוק”ל, שאף על פי שהיה אומר כמה שיעורים ודרשות בימות השבת, מכל מקום היה סועד סעודה שלישית בביתו עם רעייתו הרבנית, בניו ובנותיו, לחנכם ולהדריכם בסעודה זו, כדעת הפוסקים וכפסק מרן השלחן ערוך.

Women and the Shabbat Meals-The Custom of Maran zt”l

Question: Are women obligated to eat all three Shabbat meals as are men?

Answer: In the previous Halachot, we have explained the primary laws regarding the Shabbat meals, including the obligation to eat three meals on Shabbat: One on Shabbat night, one on Shabbat morning, and one on Shabbat afternoon.

We have also discussed that one must recite a blessing on “double bread” during these meals which means that the “Hamotzi” must be recited on two loaves of bread.

Regarding whether or not women are obligated in these meals, indeed, Rabbeinu Moshe of Fontaiza (one of the great Tosafists who lived approximately eight-hundred years ago) inquired this of Rabbeinu Tam. The root of his question is based on the rule that women are exempt from all positive, time-bound Mitzvot, such as the Mitzvah of taking the Lulav, for this is a positive Mitzvah (taking the Lulav) and is bound by time (as it can only be performed during the Sukkot holiday). So too, the Shabbat meals are likewise positive Mitzvot and are time-bound for they apply only on Shabbat and not on any other weekdays. Based on this, it would seem that women should be exempt from this Mitzvah.

Nevertheless, Rabbeinu Tam replied to him that women are indeed obligated in the Shabbat meals, for this Mitzvah is in commemoration of the Manna that fell from Heaven for the Jewish nation in the desert and they would receive a double portion of Manna in honor of Shabbat. Since women were also included in this miracle of the falling of the Manna, they are likewise obligated to partake of three Shabbat meals in commemoration of the miracle. Just as they are obligated in the Mitzvot of lighting Chanukah candles, reading of Megillat Esther, and drinking of the Four Cups of wine on Pesach because they were also included in the miracles these Mitzvot commemorate, they are likewise obligated in all three Shabbat meals for the same reason (see Sefer Ha’Yashar, Chapter 70, Section 4). Rabbeinu Tam adds that based on this, women are also obligated in “double bread” during each of the Shabbat meals exactly as men are.

Rabbeinu Tam strengthens his opinion by saying that since the Mitzvot of partaking of Shabbat meals and having “double bread” during these meals are merely rabbinic and not Torah law, women are obligated in all rabbinic Mitzvot with no difference than men. The Ramban (Shabbat 117a) writes that regarding the Mitzvot of Shabbat, there is no distinction at all between men and women. Several Rishonim explain varying reasons for this law, but they all agree that women are obligated in all three Shabbat meals and “double bread” at every meal.

Although Hagaon Harav Shlomo Kluger writes that women are not obligated in the Mitzvah of “double bread” and disagrees with several Rishonim for varying reasons, Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l rebuffs his opinion and wonders how he has the courage to reject the opinions of all of the above Poskim who all agree that women are indeed obligated in three Shabbat meals and “double bread” during each one (see Chazon Ovadia-Shabbat, Part 2, page 172).

Thus, halachically speaking, there is no distinction whatsoever between men and women regarding the obligation to eat three Shabbat meals and to have “double bread” during each of these meals, for women are completely obligated in these Mitzvot.

Nevertheless, it is customary in many communities nowadays that men eat Seuda Shelishit in the synagogue and as a result, women are lax and do not eat the third Shabbat meal or eat only some fruit and the like. This is an improper custom. The fine custom of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l was that although he delivered many classes and lectures throughout Shabbat, he would nonetheless make it a priority to eat Seuda Shelishit at home with his wife and family in order to educate them and make sure they ate this special meal, in accordance with the Poskim and Maran Ha’Shulchan Aruch.


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Newsletter Parashat Lech Lecha

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Have a look at our website www.moorlane.info  
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TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION

You are requested to attend the

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION

ON THIS SUNDAY, 1st November 2020 straight after Arvit

AGENDA

1.      Minutes of the 2019 Annual General Meeting

2.      Matters arising from the Minutes

3.      Parnas Presidente’s Report

4.      Adoption of the Report

5.      Treasurer’s Report and Presentation of Accounts

6.      Discussion and Adoption of Report

7.      *Election of Hon Officers and Members of the Mahamad

a)      Parnas Presidente

b)      Parnas Vice Presidente

c)      Treasurer

d)      Gabbai

e)      Hon. Secretary

f)       Ladies Committee Chair

g)      Mahamad (6 members – sub-group duties to be defined)

8.       Election of delegates to:

a)       Manchester Shechita Board

b)      Manchester Jewish Rep Council

9.       A.O.B. – Members are requested to send in any questions to be dealt with under any other business.  

Thank you in advance for attending – your support for this meeting is important.

On behalf of the Mahamad

*Nominations should reach the Synagogue before  THIS SUNDAY, 1st November 2020  .

YOU ARE RESPECTFULLY REMINDED THAT UNDER THE PROVISION OF ASCAMA 28 YEHIDIM BEING ARREARS IN THE PAYMENT OF THEIR ACCOUNT

 FOR A LONGER PERIOD THAN SIX MONTHS SHALL FORFEIT THE RIGHT OF VOTING AT ALL MEETINGS

PLEASE NOTE: VOTING IS BY ATTENDANCE ONLY –  PROXY VOTES ARE NOT VALID FOR AGM’s

The Mahamad would very much like to meet members in person, 

 following socially distancing rules,  

but will create a video link for any member who is unable to be present.

Please speak directly to a member of the mahamad for further details


Nominations should be sent to the Hon. Sec. Dr D Marshall before the 1st November

***

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 HaGaon Rabbi Yaakov Hillel 
  Noah and Avraham – HaGaon Rabbi Yaakov Hillel – Straight from the Heart

https://youtu.be/TT3NTDE1ik4

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לוח זמני תפלה לחורף תשפ״א

Winter Timetable 5781 – 2020/21

מוצאי שבת

ערבית
)
מוצש(

שקיעה

מנחה שבת

סוף זמן קריאת שמע

הדלקת נרות

מנחה וקבלת שבת

תאריך

שבת פרשת

Shabbat

Ends

Arbit

Sunset

Minha

Shema before

Candle Lighting

Minha & Kabbalat Shabbat

Date

Parasha

PM

PM

PM

PM

AM

PM

PM

 

 

5:29

5:25

4:36

4:00

9:29

4:24

4:24

30/31 Oct

לך לך

***

Q & A on Parashat Lech Lecha

All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated.

  1. What benefits did G-d promise Avraham if he would leave his home?
    12:1 – He would become a great nation, his excellence would become known to the world, and he would be blessed with wealth.
  2. “And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.” What does this mean?
    12:3 – A person will say to his child, “You should be like Avraham.”
  3. Who were the souls that Avraham and Sarah “made?”
    12:5 – People they converted to the worship of G-d.
  4. What were the Canaanites doing in the Land of Canaan when Avraham arrived?
    12:6 – They were in the process of conquering the land from the descendants of Shem.
  5. Why did Avraham build an altar at Ai?
    12:8 – He foresaw the Jewish People's defeat there in the days of Yehoshua due to Achans sin. He built an altar to pray for them.
  6. What two results did Avraham hope to achieve by saying that Sarah was his sister?
    12:13 – That the Egyptians would not kill him, and would give him presents.
  7. Why did Avraham's shepherds rebuke Lot's shepherds?
    13:7 Lot's shepherds grazed their flocks in privately owned fields.
  8. Who was Amrafel and why was he called that?
    14:1 – Amrafel was Nimrod. He said (amar ) to Avraham to fall (fel ) into the fiery furnace.
  9. Verse 14:7 states that the four kings “smote all the country of the Amalekites”. How is this possible, since Amalek had not yet been born?
    14:7 – The Torah uses the name that the place would bear in the future.
  10. Why did the “palit ” tell Avraham of Lot's capture?
    14:13- He wanted Avraham to die trying to save Lot so that he himself could marry Sarah.
  11. Who accompanied Avraham in battle against the four kings?
    14:14 – His servant, Eliezer.
  12. Why couldn't Avraham chase the four kings past Dan?
    4:14 – He saw prophetically that his descendants would make a golden calf there, and as a result his strength failed.
  13. Why did Avraham give “ma'aser ” specifically to Malki-Tzedek?
    14:20 – Because Malki-Tzedek was a kohen.
  14. Why didn't Avraham accept any money from Sodom's king?
    14:23 – G-d had promised Avraham wealth, and Avraham didn't want Sodom's King to say, “I made Avraham wealthy.”
  15. When did the decree of 400 years of exile begin?
    15:13 – With the birth of Yitzchak.
  16. What did G-d indicate with His promise that Avraham would “come to his ancestors in peace”?
    15:15 – That his father, Terach, would repent and become righteous.
  17. How did G-d fulfill His promise that Avraham would be buried in “a good old age”?
    15:15 – Avraham lived to see his son Yishmael repent and become righteous, and he died before his grandson Esav became wicked.
  18. Why did the Jewish People need to wait until the fourth generation until they returned to Eretz Canaan?
    15:16 – They needed to wait until the Amorites had sinned sufficiently to deserve expulsion.
  19. Who was Hagar's father?
    16:1 – Pharaoh.
  20. Why did Avraham fall on his face when G-d appeared to him?
    17:3 – Because he was as yet uncircumcised.
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Halachot from Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Ztz'l  

צירוף לחם קפוא ללחם משנה

הנה ביארנו כבר, כי מצוה לברך בסעודות השבת על “לחם משנה”, דהיינו שני לחמים או חלות, והנה מצוי הדבר, שאין לאדם שני חלות ללחם משנה, וברצונו לצרף לחלה האחת שבידו, חלה נוספת מן המקפיא, שהיא עדיין קפואה ואינה ראוייה למאכל, והשאלה הנשאלת אם נכון לעשות כן, או שאין חלה כזו מצטרפת ללחם משנה?

והנה ביארנו כבר, כי אין חיוב לבצוע משתי החלות בסעודת השבת, ולא נאמרה מצות לחם משנה אלא בשעת הברכה, אבל לבצוע אין חיוב אלא מחלה אחת. וכמו שכתב כן הרשב”א בשם רבינו האי גאון, ועוד מרבותינו הראשונים. ומעתה נראה שכיון שאין חיוב לבצוע משתי החלות, אם כן מותר לברך על שתי חלות אף שאחת אינה ראויה עדיין למאכל.

ואף שאין החלה ראויה עדיין למאכל בשעה שהיא קפואה, מכל מקום כתב מרן הרב עובדיה יוסף זצוק”ל, שהואיל והיא עתידה לאחר זמן להיות ראויה למאכל, לאחר שהיא תפשיר, ואין צורך בשום פעולה על מנת להביאה למצב שתהיה ראויה למאכל, ראויה היא גם כעת למצוות לחם משנה. וראיה לדבר ממה שכתב הגאון רבינו עקיבא איגר, לגבי חלה שנאסרה באכילה מכיון שאפו אותה ביום טוב הסמוך ליום השבת (אף שאסור להכין מיום טוב לשבת, ואם עבר והכין מיום טוב לשבת, נאסר אותו הדבר באכילה)., מכל מקום מותר לצרפה ללחם משנה, מכיון שאין האיסור באכילת חלה זו אלא מדרבנן, ולאחר זמן היא מותרת באכילה, ועל כן לענין מצות לחם משנה יש להקל לצרפה לחלה השנייה. ואם כן הוא הדין גם כן לענין חלה קפואה, שאף שיש מניעה לאכלה לפי שעה, מכל מקום מכיון שאחר זמן היא ראויה למאכל, יש לצרפה ללחם משנה במקום שאין שם חלה אחרת.

ועל כן להלכה מותר לצרף חלה קפואה ללחם משנה, והמחמיר לבקש משכנו חלה אחרת שהיא ראויה כבר למאכל, תבא עליו ברכה

Using Frozen Bread for “Double Bread”

We have already discussed that there is a Mitzvah to recite the Hamotzi blessing during the Shabbat meals on “double bread,” i.e. two loaves of bread. It is fairly common that one does not have two loaves of bread for this Mitzvah and would like to join a frozen loaf of bread from the freezer (which is presently inedible) to the fresh loaf in one’s hands. The question is, is it proper to do so or can such a loaf of bread not be used for the Mitzvah of “double bread”?

We have also discussed that there is no obligation to break both loaves of bread during the Shabbat meal, for the Mitzvah of two loaves of bread applies only when the Hamotzi blessing is recited and one only needs to break one loaf. The Rashba writes likewise in the name of Rabbeinu Hai Gaon, as do several other Rishonim. If so, since there is no obligation to break both loaves of bread, it seems that it is permissible to recite the blessing on both even though one is currently inedible.

Although the loaf of bread is inedible as long as it is frozen, nevertheless, Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l writes that since it will indeed be edible when it thaws and no further action is necessary in order to make it edible, it is thus presently considered worthy for use for the Mitzvah of “double bread.” The proof to this is based on what Hagaon Rabbeinu Akiva Eiger writes regarding a loaf of bread which became forbidden for consumption because it was baked on a Yom Tov preceding Shabbat (it is forbidden to prepare on Yom Tov for Shabbat and if one does so, the food is forbidden for consumption), it is nevertheless permitted to use this bread for the Mitzvah of “double bread” since the bread is only prohibited for consumption by means of a rabbinic decree and will be permissible for consumption at a later time; it is therefore permissible to act leniently and use this loaf to fulfill the Mitzvah of “double bread.” Based on this, the same would apply to a frozen loaf of bread, for although it is presently inedible, nevertheless, since it will be edible later, it may be joined with the other loaf of bread for the Mitzvah of “double bread” when no other bread is available.

Thus, halachically speaking, a frozen loaf of bread may be used to fulfill the Mitzvah of “double bread.” One who is stringent and borrows another loaf of bread which is already edible from a neighbor shall surely be blessed.

Newsletter Parashat Noach

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Have a look at our website www.moorlane.info  
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TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION

You are requested to attend the

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE
CONGREGATION

ON SUNDAY, 1st November 2020 straight after Arvit

AGENDA

1.
Minutes of the 2019 Annual General Meeting

2.
Matters arising from the Minutes

3.
Parnas Presidente’s Report

4.
Adoption of the Report

5.
Treasurer’s Report and Presentation of Accounts

6.
Discussion and Adoption of Report

7.
*Election of Hon Officers and Members of the Mahamad

a)
Parnas Presidente

b)
Parnas Vice Presidente

c)
Treasurer

d)
Gabbai

e)
Hon. Secretary

f)
Ladies Committee Chair

g)
Mahamad (6 members – sub-group duties to be defined)

8.       Election of delegates to:

a)       Manchester Shechita Board

b)      Manchester Jewish Rep Council

9.       A.O.B. – Members are requested to send in any questions to be dealt with under any other business.  

Thank you in advance for
attending – your support for this meeting is important.

On behalf of the Mahamad

*Nominations should reach
the Synagogue before 

SUNDAY, 1st November 2020  .

YOU ARE RESPECTFULLY REMINDED THAT UNDER THE PROVISION OF
ASCAMA 28 YEHIDIM BEING ARREARS IN THE PAYMENT OF THEIR ACCOUNT FOR A LONGER
PERIOD THAN SIX MONTHS SHALL FORFEIT THE RIGHT OF VOTING AT ALL MEETINGS

PLEASE NOTE: VOTING IS BY ATTENDANCE ONLY –  PROXY VOTES ARE NOT VALID FOR AGM’s

***
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 HaGaon Rabbi Yaakov Hillel
  Constant Connection
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Sephardic World
Meeting on Sunday 25th October 2020

 

A frequently overlooked part of modern Jewish history, the Holocaust and expulsion of Jews from Arab countries, is this week’s topic, looking at the experience of Libyan Jews. The Holocaust and post-War politics in Libya led the destruction of an ancient Jewish community.

We are delighted to be teaming with Sephardic Horizons. Judith Roumani of Sephardic Horizons will introduce our three speakers who will each give a 15 minute talk on their subject.

  • Vivienne Roumani-Denn, “Libyan Jews in the Fascist Internment Camp of Giado”
  • Danielle Willard-Kyle “‘Not within the Mandate: Libyan Jewish Refugees in Italian Displaced Persons Camps”
  • David Meghnagi “Libyan Jewish Refugees and 1967”

Topic: Libyan Jews in the Maelstrom of Modern History: Sunday October 25, 2020 07:00 PM London. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CLOCKS HAVE GONE BACK, THIS IS GMT. Please check your time zone. We believe this is 8pm in Amsterdam/Paris, 9pm in Jerusalem and 3pm in New York. Clocks in America change a week after Europe.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84611605355

Can you help us? Our supporters on Patreon contribute towards covering our costs. If you can make a small monthly donation, it would be much appreciated. https://www.patreon.com/sephardi

If you can’t get into the Zoom meeting, there is an overflow on Facebook. We can’t broadcast live on YouTube until we have a 1,000 subscribers. Please help us by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpz6pgNSg_KWP-4KbErjU2g. It costs you nothing!

Best wishes,

Ton Tielen and David Mendoza
Sephardic World  

 
*******

לוח זמני תפלה לחורף תשפ״א

Winter Timetable 5781 – 2020/21

מוצאי שבת

ערבית
)
מוצש(

שקיעה

מנחה שבת

סוף זמן קריאת שמע

הדלקת נרות

מנחה וקבלת שבת

תאריך

שבת פרשת

Shabbat

Ends

Arbit

Sunset

Minha

Shema before

Candle Lighting

Minha & Kabbalat Shabbat

Date

Parasha

PM

PM

PM

PM

AM

PM

PM

 

 

6:42

6:40

5:50

5:15

10:23

5:38

5:38

23/24 Oct

נח

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Q & A on Parashat Noach
  • Question: Which particular sin sealed the fate of the flood generation?
    Answer: 6:13 – Robbery.

 

  • Question: Why did Hashem tell Noach to build an ark, as opposed to saving him via some other method?
    Answer: 6:14 – So that people would see Noach building the ark and ask him what he was doing. When Noach would answer, “Hashem is bringing a flood,” it might encourage some people to repent.

 

  • Question: The ark had three levels. What function did each level serve?
    Answer: 6:16 – The top level housed the people, the middle level housed the animals, and the bottom level, the refuse.

 

  • Question: What indication do we have that Noach was familiar with the Torah?
    Answer: 7:2 – Hashem told him to take into the ark seven of each kosher-type animal, and two of each non-kosher type. “Kosher” and “non-kosher” are Torah concepts.

 

  • Question: Why did Hashem postpone bringing the flood for seven days?
    Answer: 7:4 – To allow seven days to mourn the death of Metushelach.

 

  • Question: Why did the first water of the flood come down as light rain?
    Answer: 7:12 – To give the generation a chance to repent.

 

  • Question: What did people say that threatened Noach, and what did Hashem do to protect him?
    Answer: 7:13,15 – People said, “If we see him going into the ark, we’ll smash it!” Hashem surrounded it with bears and lions to kill any attackers.

 

  • Question: What grouping of creatures escaped the punishment of the flood?
    Answer: 7:22 – The fish.

 

  • Question: How deeply was the ark submerged in the water?
    Answer: 8:4 – Eleven amot.

 

  • Question: What did the olive branch symbolize?
    Answer: 8:11 – Nothing. It was a leaf, not a branch. (The olive leaf symbolized that its better to eat food “bitter like an olive” but which comes directly from Hashem, rather than sweet food provided by humans.)

 

  • Question: How long did the punishment of the flood last?
    Answer: 8:14 – A full solar year.

 

  • Question: A solar year is how many days longer than a lunar year?
    Answer: 8:14 – Eleven days.

 

  • Question: When did humans receive permission to eat meat?
    Answer: 9:3 – After the flood.

 

  • Question: What prohibition was given along with the permission to eat meat?
    Answer: 9:4 – The prohibition of eating a limb cut from a living animal.

 

  • Question: Why does the command to “be fruitful and multiply” directly follow the prohibition of murder?
    Answer: 9:7 – To equate one who purposely abstains from having children to one who commits murder.

 

  • Question: Name two generations in which the rainbow never appeared.
    Answer: 9:12 – The generation of King Chizkiyahu and the generation of Shimon bar Yochai.

 

  • Question: Why did Noach curse Canaan specifically? Give two reasons.
    Answer: 9:22,24 – Because Canaan is the one who revealed Noach’s disgrace to Cham. And because Cham stopped Noach from fathering a fourth son. Thus, Noach cursed Cham’s fourth son, Canaan.

 

  • Question: Why does the Torah call Nimrod a mighty hunter?
    Answer: 10:9 – He used words to ensnare the minds of people, persuading them to rebel against Hashem.

 

  • Question: The sin of the generation of the dispersion was greater than the sin of the generation of the flood. Why was the punishment of the former less severe?
    Answer: 11:9 – They lived together peacefully.

 

  • Question: Why was Sarah also called Yiscah?
    Answer: 11:29 – The word “Yiscah” is related to the Hebrew word “to see.” Sarah was called Yiscah because she could “see” the future via prophecy. Also, because of her beauty, everyone would gaze at her.

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Halachot from Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Ztz’l

השומע קול רעם בלילה

 

שתי שאלות: השומע קול רעם מתוך שינה, האם רשאי לברך על הרעם, בלי נטילת ידיים? והאם יש לברך על הברקים בכל פעם, או רק פעם אחת ביום?

בהלכות הקודמות ביארנו, שאדם הרואה ברקים מברך: “ברוך אתה ה’ אלוקינו מלך העולם עושה מעשה בראשית”. והשומע קול רעמים מברך: “ברוך אתה ה’ אלוקינו מלך העולם שכוחו וגבורתו מלא עולם”. וכתבנו שיש לברך את הברכה מיד עם שמיעת הרעם או בראיית הברק, עד תוך כדי דיבור של סיומם, (כלומר תוך שיעור אמירת המילים “שלום עליך רבי” מסיום הופעת הברק או שמיעת הרעם) אבל אחר כך אינו יכול לברך, אלא ימתין לרעם השני או השלישי.

אין לברך על הברקים והרעמים יותר מפעם אחת ביום, אלא אם כן נתפזרו העננים לגמרי, וזרחה השמש, וחזרו ונתקשרו העננים, שאז יכול לברך שוב, אף על פי שבירך כבר באותו יום. ואם עבר הלילה, אפילו לא נתפזרו העננים כלל, חוזר ומברך על הברקים ועל הרעמים. (ואין קשר בין הברכות, שאף על פי שלא ראה ברק מברך על הרעם).

ומכל מקום יש לציין, שמרן רבינו הגדול זכרו לברכה בשיעוריו, לא היה מזכיר ענין זה, שאם נתפזרו העבים (העננים) רשאי לברך שוב. וכאשר נשאל על כך, השיב, שהוא משום שרוב בני האדם אינם בקיאים וזהירים כל כך להבחין מתי הוא שיעור שנתפזרו העבים, ולכן אינו מזכיר בכלל ענין זה.

השומע קול רעם מתוך שנתו, והתעורר ורוצה לברך על השמיעה, אלא שאם ילך ליטול את ידיו כבר יאבד את הברכה מכיון שיחלוף זמן רב, יכול לברך ועודו במיטתו, על ידי שישפשף את ידיו בבגדו (משום נקיות), ומיד יברך.

ולסיכום: אין לברך על הברקים והרעמים אלא פעם אחת ביום. והשומע קול רעם בשוכבו על מיטתו בלילה, ישפשף ידיו בבגד או בשמיכה, ויברך מיד על הרעם

One Who Hears Thunder at Night

 

Question: If one hears thunder at night while sleeping, may one recite the blessing on thunder without washing his hands? Also, must one recite a blessing on lightning every time one sees it or is once a day sufficient?

Answer: In the previous Halacha we have established that one who sees lightning recites the blessing, “Baruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Melech Ha’Olam Oseh Ma’aseh Bereshit.” One who hears thunder recites the blessing, “Baruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Melech Ha’Olam Shekocho Ugvurato Maleh Olam.” We have written that one must recite these blessings immediately upon seeing the lightning or hearing the thunder or at the very least, within approximately two seconds of their occurrence. Once this time has passed, one may not recite the blessing any longer; rather, one should wait for the next thunder or lightning in order to recite the blessing.

One should not recite the blessings on thunder or lightning more than once a day unless the clouds (of the storm) completely disperse, the sun shines, and the sky once again becomes cloudy, in which case one may recite the blessing again although one has recited it earlier on that day. If the night has passed, even if the clouds have not dispersed, one may recite the blessings on thunder and lightning again. (There is no connection between the two blessings and even if one has not seen lightning, one may nevertheless recite a blessing upon hearing thunder.)

We must point out though that in his lectures, Maran zt”l did not mention this Halacha of being able to recite the blessings of thunder and lightning again if the clouds disperse. When asked about this, Maran replied that this was because most people are not that meticulous and learned enough to know exactly when it is considered that the clouds have dispersed and for this reason, he did not mention it at all.

If one hears thunder while sleeping and wakes up from it and wishes to recite the blessing but if he goes to wash his hands, the time to recite the blessing will already have passed, one may recite the blessing immediately while still in bed after having rubbed one’s hands against one’s clothing or blanket (out of cleanliness).

 

Summary: One may only recite the blessings on thunder and lightning once a day. One who hears thunder while lying in bed at night should rub his hands in his clothing or blanket and then immediately recite the blessing on thunder.

 

Newsletter Shabbat Bereshit – Shabbat Mevarechim

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Wishing all our members 

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***

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5781 ~ 2020 / 21timetable 
attached to this email

***

This Shabbat is 

1) Shabbat Bereshit

2) Shabbat Mevarechim Chodesh Mar Cheshvan

3) Haftara of Machar Chodesh

***

THIS SHABBAT

COME & ENJOY

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Why not have a look at our sister website
Big Thank you to Jack Hodari for setting up the website
***
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To our dear friends
Yamin & Shuli Ibgui
on celebrating the wedding of their son
Simon
to 
Abi Smith
שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל
 
Mazel Tov to families Smith & Ibgui
 
Special Mazal Tov
to
Dr & Mrs Marshall
&
Family Marshall

***

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Sephardic World

Meeting on Sunday 18th October 2020

Luca Ascoli shares his knowledge on researching Jewish families in Italy, including sources often unknown to researchers outside Italy.

There were several Jewish communities in Italy, including those with ancient roots such as Rome, Portuguese Jews in Livorno and mixed communities in Venice and elsewhere. Italian Jews spread around the world, including families such as Montefiore and Disraeli to London. There were significant Italian Jewish communities around the Mediterranean, including in Tunis and Alexandria.

If you are researching an Italian Jewish family and need some help locating their origins, please let us know the details by Friday. Luca may be able to advise. Priority will be given to patrons of this channel.

Topic: The Jews of Italy: Sunday October 18, 2020 07:00 PM London (This is 7.00pm British summer time, GMT +1; which is 2.00pm in New York and 9:00pm in Jerusalem)

Join Zoom Meeting
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Best wishes,
Ton Tielen and Davi  

***
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לוח זמני תפלה לחורף
תשפ״א

Winter Timetable 5781 – 2020/21

מוצאי שבת

ערבית
)
מוצש(

שקיעה

מנחה שבת

סוף זמן קריאת שמע

הדלקת נרות

מנחה וקבלת שבת

תאריך

שבת פרשת

Shabbat

Ends

Arbit

Sunset

Minha

Shema before

Candle Lighting

Minha & Kabbalat Shabbat

Date

Parasha

PM

PM

PM

PM

AM

PM

PM

 

 

6:57

6:55

6:06

5:30

10:17

5:54

5:54

16/17 Oct

בראשית (מחר חודש)

***

Q & A on Parashat Bereshit
    1. Question: Why does the Torah start with the account of Creation?
      Answer: 1:1 – So that when the nations accuse us of stealing Eretz Canaan from the Canaanites, we can respond that Hashem, as Creator, has the right to give the land to whomever He sees fit, and He gave Eretz Canaan to us.

 

    1. Question: What happened to the light that was created on the first day?
      Answer: 1:4 – Hashem saw that the wicked would be unworthy of it so He hid it for the righteous.

 

    1. Question: Why isn’t the word “good” associated with the second day?
      Answer: 1:7 – Because the work with the water wasn’t completed until the third day. Anything that is incomplete is not “good.”

 

    1. Question: How were the trees supposed to taste?
      Answer: 1:11 – The wood was to have the taste of the fruit.

 

    1. Question: On which day were the sun and moon created?
      Answer: 1:14 – They were created on the first day and suspended in the firmament on the fourth day.

 

    1. Question: Hashem blessed the birds to be fruitful and to multiply. Why did He not do so with the beasts?
      Answer: 1:22 – He did not want the serpent, who was to be cursed, to receive a blessing.

 

    1. Question: In whose likeness was man fashioned?
      Answer: 1:26 – In the likeness of the angels.

 

    1. Question: What kind of food did Adam eat?
      Answer: 1:30 – Vegetation.

 

    1. Question: Why is “the sixth day” written with the definite article?
      Answer: 1:31 “The” in Hebrew is the letter hey, which has a numerical value of five. Hashem created the world on the condition that it will endure only if the Jewish People accept the Five Books of the Torah.

 

    1. Question: At the end of the sixth day what was the world still lacking?
      Answer: 2:2 – Rest.

 

    1. Question: Why was man made from dust gathered from the entire earth?
      Answer: 2:7 – So that wherever he might die, the earth would receive his body.

 

    1. Question: How is man superior to the animals?
      Answer: 2:7 – He was given understanding and speech.

 

    1. Question: Why was it not good that man be alone?
      Answer: 2:18 – If he were alone, he would appear to be a god. The creation of woman emphasized man’s dependence.

 

    1. Question: Where do we learn that one must not add to a commandment from Hashem?
      Answer: 3:3 – From Chava. Hashem commanded not to eat from the tree but she added not to touch it. Because she added to the command she eventually came to transgress it.

 

    1. Question: What does it mean that Adam and Chava “knew that they were naked”?
      Answer: 3:7 – They had been given one commandment and they had stripped themselves of it.

 

    1. Question: Why did Hevel choose to be a shepherd?
      Answer: 4:2 – Since the ground had been cursed he refrained from cultivating it.

 

    1. Question: What was the marital practice of the generation who lived before the flood?
      Answer: 4:19 – They married two wives, one with whom to have children. The other one was given a potion which prevented her from bearing children.

 

    1. Question: What did Tuval-Cain invent?
      Answer: 4:22 – Murder weapons.

 

    1. Question: Why did Chanoch die at a young age?
      Answer: 5:22 – Though he was righteous, he was easily influenced; therefore Hashem took him before his time to protect him from sinning.

 

    1. Question: What was the sign that Shem was born with great propensity for righteousness?
      Answer: 5:32 – He was born already circumcised.

 

All references are to the verses and Rashi’s commentary, unless otherwise stated.

****

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Halachot from Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Ztz’l

דין הזכרת משיב הרוח

 

מתחילין לומר “משיב הרוח”

 

“משיב הרוח ומוריד הגשם”, הוא שבח להשם יתברך, שאנו אומרים אותו בימות החורף, בתפלת העמידה, בברכת “מחיה המתים”. וכפי שמופיע בכל הסידורים.

 

מתחילין לומר “משיב הרוח ומוריד הגשם” החל מתפילת מוסף של חג שמחת תורה, והזכרה זו, אינה שאלה ובקשה על הגשם, אלא היא שבח להשם יתברך, ולכן הזכרה זו נקראת “גבורות גשמים”, שמדברת מענין גבורותיו של השם יתברך בעולמו.

אבל שאלת “טל ומטר” שבברכת השנים, (כלומר, בברכת ברך עלינו, או ברכנו, שאומרים “ותן טל ומטר לברכה”), היא בקשה מהשם יתברך על הגשם. וישנם כמה הבדלים בהלכה, בין הזכרת גבורות גשמים שבברכת “אתה גבור”, לבין שאלת טל ומטר שבברכת השנים, והשינוי הראשון הוא, שמזכירין גבורות גשמים, כבר מתפילת מוסף של שמחת תורה, ואילו שאלת גשמים, אינה אלא מליל שבעה במרחשון.

מדוע מזכירים משיב הרוח בברכת מחיה המתים?

 

אמרו בגמרא (ברכות לג.), שמזכירין גבורות גשמים (“משיב הרוח”) בברכת “אתה גבור”, שהיא ברכת “מחיה המתים”, משום שהיא ברכה על תחיית המתים, ומתוך שירידת גשמים שקולה כנגד תחיית המתים, לפיכך קבעוה בתחיית המתים. ושאלת גשמים (“ותן טל ומטר לברכה”), קבעו בברכת השנים, משום שברכת השנים היא ברכה על פרנסה, וירידת גשמים גם היא ענין פרנסה לעולם.

 

מי ששכח להזכיר “משיב הרוח ומוריד הגשם”

 

מי ששכח להזכיר משיב הרוח ומוריד הגשם, ונזכר לאחר שסיים את ברכת “מחיה המתים”, יש לבאר, האם עליו לחזור לתחילת תפלת העמידה ולהתפלל שנית, או שהוא רשאי להמשיך בתפלתו. והנה הדין בזה הוא תלוי, שאם אמר “מוריד הטל” במקום “משיב הרוח ומוריד הגשם (כפי מנהג הספרדים בימות הקיץ), אינו חוזר לראש התפלה. כיון שאמר “מוריד הטל”.

 

אבל אם לא הזכיר כלל, לא “מוריד הטל”, ולא “משיב הרוח”, (כפי מנהג חלק מעדות האשכנזים בימות הקיץ), ונזכר בטעותו מיד לאחר שסיים את ברכת “מחיה המתים”, עליו לומר מיד “משיב הרוח ומוריד הגשם”, ואחר כך ימשיך בברכת “אתה קדוש”. ואם התחילה כבר בברכת “אתה קדוש”, ונזכר שלא אמר “משיב הרוח”, הרי אין לו תקנה, ועליו לחזור שוב לראש התפלה.

 

The Laws of Mentioning “Mashiv Ha’Ruach”

 

We Begin Reciting “Mashiv Ha’Ruach
Mashiv Ha’Ruach U’Morid Ha’Geshem” is a praise we recite to Hashem during the winter months within the “Mechayeh Ha’Metim” blessing of the Amidah as is printed in all Siddurim.

We begin reciting “Mashiv Ha’Ruach U’Morid Ha’Geshem” in the Mussaf prayer of Simchat Torah (outside of Israel from Shemini Atzeret). This recitation does not constitute a request or plea for rain; rather, it is merely meant as praise to Hashem and is therefore dubbed, “Powers of Rain.” The actual request for dew and rain can be found in the ninth blessing of the Amidah prayer referred to as the “Blessing of the Years” (Barech Aleinu). There are several halachic differences between mentioning the “Powers of Rain” in the second blessing of the Amidah prayer entitled, “Ata Gibor,” and the actual request for dew and rain in the ninth blessing. Firstly, whereas we begin mentioning the “Powers of Rain” from Mussaf of Shemini Atzeret, we do not actually request dew and rain until the night of the Seventh of Marcheshvan (outside of Israel from the night of the Fifth of December), as we shall discuss in following Halachot.

Why is “Mashiv Ha’Ruach” Mentioned in the “Mechayeh Ha’Metim” Blessing?
The Gemara (Berachot 33a) states that we mention the “Powers of Rain” in the “Ata Gibor” blessing for this blessing deals with the Resurrection of the Dead and since rainfall is tantamount to The Resurrection, our Sages thus established this sentence to be mentioned in the blessing dealing with The Resurrection. Our Sages established the actual request for rain in the “Blessing of the Years,” for this is a blessing regarding one’s livelihood and rainfall is a matter of sustenance for the entire world.

One Who Forgets to Mention “Mashiv Ha’Ruach
If one forgets to recite “Mashiv Ha’Ruach” and becomes aware of his mistake only after concluding the “Mechayeh Ha’Metim” blessing, we must analyze whether one must return to the beginning of the Amidah prayer and begin it again or may one continue his prayer as usual. This law indeed depends on one important factor: If one inserted “Morid Ha’Tal” instead of “Mashiv Ha’Ruach” (as is the Sephardic custom during the summer months), one would not return to the beginning of the Amidah prayer since one has said “Morid Ha’Tal.” 

However, if one mentioned neither “Mashiv Ha’Ruach” nor “Morid Ha’Tal” (which is indeed customary among several Ashkenazi communities during the summer months), if one has not yet begun the “Ata Kadosh” blessing, one should recite “Mashiv Ha’Ruach U’Morid Ha’Geshem” between the “Mechayeh Ha’Metim” and “Ata Kadosh” blessings and then just continue his prayer as usual. If, however, one has already begun the “Ata Kadosh” blessing and only then realizes his mistake, one must begin his Amida prayer anew.

 

Succot Newsletter

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****
חזק וברוך
&
Thank you 
to
D Menashe
B Hassan
J Jacobs
E Jacobs
for everything they do for the 
Bet Hakeneset 
&
 arranging the seating plan 
over the Yamim Noraim 
following  government guidance
and keeping the kahal safe
Much Appreciated!!
***
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Attachments
Timetables
(1)
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(2)
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(3)
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(4)
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attached on this email
Hagaon Rabbi Yaacov Hilel
****
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***
Q & A on Succot

Questions

  1. According to the Torah, what three basic requirements define a material as valid for use as a succah roof?
  2. If the succah causes discomfort (e.g., it's too cold) to the extent that under similar conditions you would leave your very own house, you are exempt from the mitzvah. Why?
  3. What two things are forbidden to do outside of the succah all seven days of the festival?
  4. What is the absolute minimum number of meals a person is required to eat in the succah during the seven day holiday?
  5. Besides referring to the tree and its fruit, what does the word etrog mean literally?
  6. What is the minimum length of a lulav?
  7. What is the maximum percentage a person is required to add to the purchase price of his etrog in order to obtain one of greater beauty?
  8. On the Shabbat that occurs during Succot, we read the Book of Kohelet, in which King Solomon refers to himself as "Kohelet." Why is King Solomon called Kohelet?
  9. What prohibition could a person transgress simply by sitting in the succah on the eighth day of Succot?
  10. We hold a tallit over the heads of the people who read the end of the Torah and the beginning of the Torah. Why?

Answers

All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated

  1. It must grow from the ground, no longer be connected to the ground, and not be receptive to tumah (ritual defilement).
  2. Because the commandment of living in a succah is to dwell in the succah for seven days the same way you dwell in your house the rest of the year. (Mishneh Berura 640:13)
  3. Eat (an 'established' meal) or sleep. (Orach Chaim 639:2)
  4. One. Eating a meal in the succah the first night of Succot is a requirement. The rest of the festival, a person can eat 'snacks' which are not required to be eaten in a succah. (Outside Israel, one must eat a meal the second night of Succot as well. However, there is no requirement to live outside Israel!) (Orach Chaim 639:3)
  5. Beauty. (Ramban Vayikra 23:40)
  6. Its spine must be at least 4 tefachim (halachic handbreadths).
  7. 33.3% (Orach Chaim 656:1)
  8. Because he gathered (kihale) vast wisdom, and because he, as king, gathered the nation on Succot after the Sabbatical year. (Rashi, Kohelet 1:1)
  9. Bal Tosif– "Do not add to the mitzvahs." The commandment to live in the succah applies for only seven days. To sit in the succah on the eighth day with intent to fulfill the mitzvah transgresses "bal tosif." (Orach Chaim 666:1)
  10. It represents the wedding canopy, symbolizing that through the Torah we wed ourselves to Hashem.
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מצות אכילת כזית בסוכה בלילה
הראשון ודין מצטער מן הסוכה

מצות עשה מן התורה לאכול כזית
פת (לחם) בסוכה בלילה הראשון של חג הסוכות
. (ולמדו זאת רבותינו ממדרש הפסוקים במסכת סוכה דף כז.).
וצריך לאכול את כזית הפת שבסוכה (שהוא משקל קרוב לשלושים גרם) בלי הפסק בתוך שיעור
זמן של ארבע או חמש דקות, ובדיעבד אם אכלו בתוך שיעור שבע וחצי דקות, יצא ידי חובה
. וכדין אכילת כזית מצה
בליל פסח, שגם היא מצוה מן התורה, שכל אכילה שאין בה שיעור כזית אינה נחשבת אכילה
לענין קיום המצוות. וכן לא מצטרפות האכילות זו לזו אלא אם אכלן בתוך שיעור של ארבע
או חמש דקות (לכתחילה), שאם יאכל כעת פירור אחד, ואחר שעה עוד, וכן על זה הדרך,
אין אנו אומרים שאכל כזית, אלא נחשב הדבר כמו שלא אכל בכלל
.

נאמר בתורה "בסוכות תשבו
שבעת ימים", ודרשו רבותינו "תשבו" כעין תדורו, כלומר
, שלא חייבה התורה לאכול
בסוכה אלא כדרך שאדם עושה בביתו, ולפיכך אם ירדו גשמים בסוכה או שכבה האור בסוכה
ויש שם חושך, או שיש בסוכה זבובים ויתושים המטרידים את האדם, או שנושבת שם רוח, או
שיש שם ריח רע וכדומה, פטור מלאכול בסוכה, שכל המצטער מן הסוכה פטור מלשבת בה.
ולדעת רבינו הרמב"ם ועוד רבים מרבותינו הראשונים, כלל זה שייך אפילו בלילה
הראשון של חג הסוכות, ואף על פי שאז יש מצות עשה מן התורה לאכול כזית פת בסוכה,
מכל מקום המצטער פטור מן הסוכה. ואף על פי שבשאר מצוות התורה אדם מחוייב אפילו אם
הוא מצטער מן המצוה, אין הדבר כן במצוות סוכה, הואיל ויש תנאי בחיוב המצווה, שתהיה
הישבה בסוכה כדוגמת צורת המגורים של האדם בביתו, ועל כן כל שמצטער לשבת בסוכה
, פטור ממצוה זו. אולם לדעת
רבינו הרא"ש ועוד, בלילה הראשון של חג הסוכות חייב לשבת בסוכה אף אם הוא
מצטער מחמת הישיבה שם. ומרן השלחן ערוך פסק להקל בזה כדעת הרמב"ם, שבכל מקרה
של צער מן הסוכה פטור ממנה אף בלילה הראשון
. ואף מי שרוצה להחמיר לשבת בסוכה גם כשיורדים גשמים,
לא יברך ברכת "לישב בסוכה" משום שלדעת מרן היא ברכה לבטלה, הואיל והוא
פטור ממצות סוכה
.

כתב רבינו החפץ חיים בספר משנה
ברורה, שבימים שיש בהם קור וצינה, יש לו לאדם ללבוש בגדים חמים ולאכול בסוכה,
והוסיף על זה מרן הרב עובדיה יוסף שליט"א
, שיש להקפיד על כך מאד שילבש בגדים מחממים היטב בסוכה,
משום שאם הוא מצטער מן הקור, הרי הוא פטור מן הסוכה, ומברך "לישב בסוכה"
לבטלה

The Laws of Eating a Kezayit of Bread in the Sukkah on
the First Night of Sukkot and One who is Uncomfortable in the Sukkah

There is a positive Torah
commandment to eat a Kezayit (olive’s volume, approximately 27 grams) of bread
in the Sukkah on the first night of the Sukkot holiday (our Sages derive this
from expounding several verses in Masechet Sukkah 27a). One must eat the
Kezayit of bread in the Sukkah without interruption within a timespan of four
or five minutes. Nevertheless, if one has only eaten the bread within a
timespan of seven-and-a-half minutes, he has fulfilled his obligation. This law
also applies to the law of the Kezayit of Matzah eaten on the first night of
Pesach which is also a positive Torah commandment, for any “eating” that is
less than the amount of a Kezayit is not considered eating with regards to
Mitzvah fulfillment. Similarly, various “eatings” cannot be joined unless they
are both done within a timespan of four or five minutes (preferably). However,
if one eats one crumb now and another crumb in an hour and the like, it cannot
be considered that one has eaten a Kezayit; rather, it is considered that one
has not eaten at all.

The Torah states, “You shall sit in the Sukkah for seven days.” Our Sages
expounded that “sitting” is tantamount to “dwelling,” i.e. that the Torah only
obligates one to eat in the Sukkah in a way that is similar to how he would in
his house during the rest of the year. Thus, if it begins to rain into the
Sukkah, if the light turns off and one is now sitting in the dark, if there are
flies or mosquitoes in the Sukkah which are disturbing the person, if the wind
is blowing into the Sukkah, or if there is an unpleasant odor in the Sukkah and
the like, one is exempt from eating in the Sukkah, for anyone who is
uncomfortable in the Sukkah is exempt from sitting in it. According to the
Rambam and many other Rishonim, this rule applies even on the first night of
the Sukkot holiday; although there is a positive Torah commandment to eat a
Kezayit of bread in the Sukkah, one who is uncomfortable is nevertheless exempt
from sitting in the Sukkah. Although regarding other Mitzvot of the Torah one
is obligated to perform them even if he is uncomfortable as a result of the
Mitzvah, this rule does not apply to the Mitzvah of Sukkah, for there is an
innate part of this Mitzvah is that one’s sitting in the Sukkah must be similar
to the way one lives in his home the rest of the year; thus, if one is
uncomfortable by sitting in the Sukkah, one is exempt from this Mitzvah.
Nevertheless, according to the Rosh and others, on the first night of Sukkot,
one is obligated to sit in the Sukkah even if doing so causes him discomfort.
Maran HaShulchan Aruch rules leniently on this issue in accordance with the
Rambam’s view that in any case of discomfort, one is exempt from sitting in the
Sukkah even on the first night of Sukkot. Even if one wishes to act stringently
and sit in the Sukkah even when it is raining, one may not recite the “Leeshev
Ba’Sukkah” blessing, for according to Maran, this is a blessing in vain since
one is exempt from sitting in the Sukkah at this time.

Hagaon Chafetz Chaim writes in his Mishnah Berura that if is cold and blustery
during Sukkot, one should wear warm clothing and eat in the Sukkah. Maran Harav
Ovadia Yosef Shlit”a adds that one must make sure to wear adequately warm
clothing in the Sukkah, for if one suffers from the cold he will be exempt from
sitting in the Sukkah and his “Leeshev Ba’Sukkah” blessing will have been in
vain

מצות אכילת
כזית בסוכה בלילה הראשון ודין מצטער מן הסוכה

בהלכה
הקודמת
ביארנו, כי בכל ימי חג הסוכות, אין לאכול
סעודה מחוץ לסוכה
.

ויש לדעת, כי
סגולת מצות הסוכה, להגן על האדם בעת צרתו, כמו שאמרו בזוהר הקדוש (פרשת תצוה
).

מצות אכילת כזית
בסוכה

מצות
עשה מן התורה לאכול כזית פת (כלומר, קרוב לשלושים גרם פת לחם) בסוכה בלילה הראשון
של חג הסוכות, כשם שחייבים לאכול כזית מצה בליל פסח. (ולמדו זאת רבותינו ממדרש
הפסוקים במסכת סוכה דף כז.). וצריך לאכול את כזית הפת שבסוכה תוך ארבע או חמש
דקות. ובדיעבד, אם אכלו בתוך שיעור שבע וחצי דקות, יצא ידי חובה
.

וביאור
הדברים, משום שכל אכילה שאין בה שיעור כזית, אינה נחשבת "אכילה" לענין
קיום המצוות. וכן לא מצטרפות האכילות זו לזו, אלא אם אכלן בתוך שיעור של ארבע או
חמש דקות (לכתחילה). ואם יאכל כעת פירור אחד
, ואחר כשעה פירור
נוסף, וכן על זה הדרך, אין אנו אומרים שאכל כזית, אלא נחשב הדבר כמו שלא אכל בכלל
.

לכתחילה,
נכון לצאת ידי חובת כל הדעות, ולאכול בסוכה פת בשיעור "כביצה", שהוא
שיעור של כששים גרם בתוך שמונה דקות. (חזון עובדיה, עמוד קיד
).

דין המצטער
נאמר
בתורה "בסוכות תשבו שבעת ימים", ודרשו רבותינו "תשבו" – כעין
תדורו
, כלומר,
שלא חייבה התורה לאכול בסוכה אלא כדרך שאדם עושה בביתו. לפיכך, אם ירדו גשמים
בסוכה, או שכבה האור בסוכה ויש שם חושך, או שיש בסוכה זבובים ויתושים המטרידים את
האדם, או שנושבת שם רוח, או שיש שם ריח רע וכדומה
, פטור מלאכול
בסוכה. שכל המצטער מן הסוכה, פטור מלשבת בה. ולדעת רבינו הרמב"ם ועוד רבים
מרבותינו הראשונים, כלל זה שייך אפילו בלילה הראשון של חג הסוכות, ואף על פי שאז
יש מצות עשה מן התורה לאכול כזית פת בסוכה, מכל מקום המצטער פטור מן הסוכה. ואף על
פי שבשאר מצוות התורה אדם מחוייב אפילו אם הוא מצטער מן המצוה, אין הדבר כן במצוות
סוכה, הואיל ויש תנאי בחיוב המצווה, שתהיה הישיבה בסוכה כדוגמת צורת המגורים של
האדם בביתו, ועל כן, כל שמצטער לשבת בסוכה, פטור ממצוה זו. אולם לדעת רבינו
הרא"ש ועוד, בלילה הראשון של חג הסוכות חייב לשבת בסוכה אף אם הוא מצטער מחמת
הישיבה שם. ומרן השלחן ערוך פסק להקל בזה כדעת הרמב"ם, שבכל מקרה של צער מן
הסוכה פטור ממנה אף בלילה הראשון. ואף מי שרוצה להחמיר לשבת בסוכה גם כשיורדים גשמים
,
לא
יברך ברכת "לישב בסוכה" משום שלדעת מרן היא ברכה לבטלה, הואיל והוא פטור
ממצות סוכה
.

לבישת בגד חם
כתב
רבינו החפץ חיים בספר משנה ברורה, שבימים שיש בהם קור וצינה, יש לו לאדם ללבוש
בגדים חמים ולאכול בסוכה. ולא יפטור את עצמו ויפסיד את המצווה לחינם
.
והוסיף
על זה מרן הרב עובדיה יוסף שליט"א, שיש להקפיד על כך מאד שילבש בגדים מחממים
היטב בסוכה, משום שאם הוא מצטער מן הקור, הרי הוא פטור מן הסוכה, ומברך "לישב
בסוכה" לבטלה

The Laws of Eating
a Kezayit of Bread in the Sukkah on the First Night of Sukkot and One who is
Uncomfortable in the Sukkah

In
the
previous
Halacha
we have discussed that
one may not eat an established meal outside of the Sukkah anytime during the
Sukkot holiday.

One
must be aware that the reward for the Mitzvah of Sukkah is that it protects one
during turbulent times (see Zohar, Parashat Tetzaveh).

The
Mitzvah of Eating a Kezayit of Bread in the Sukkah

There is a positive Torah commandment to eat a Kezayit (olive’s volume,
approximately 27 grams) of bread in the Sukkah on the first night of the Sukkot
holiday (our Sages derive this from expounding several verses in Masechet
Sukkah 27a). One must eat the Kezayit of bread in the Sukkah without
interruption within a timespan of four or five minutes. Nevertheless, if one
has only eaten the bread within a timespan of seven-and-a-half minutes, he has
fulfilled his obligation.
This law also applies to the law of the Kezayit of Matzah eaten on the first
night of Pesach which is also a positive Torah commandment, for any “eating”
that is less than the amount of a Kezayit is not considered eating with regards
to Mitzvah fulfillment. Similarly, various “eatings” cannot be joined unless
they are both done within a timespan of four or five minutes (preferably).
However, if one eats one crumb now and another crumb in an hour and the like,
it cannot be considered that one has eaten a Kezayit; rather, it is considered
that one has not eaten at all.
It is preferable for one to fulfill all opinions by eating a Kebeitza (egg’s
volume equal to approximately 60 grams) of bread in the Sukkah within eight
minutes (Chazon Ovadia-Sukkot, page 114).

The
Law Regarding One Who is Uncomfortable

The Torah states, “You shall sit in the Sukkah for seven days.” Our Sages
expounded that “sitting” is tantamount to “dwelling,” i.e. that the Torah only
obligates one to eat in the Sukkah in a way that is similar to how he would in
his house during the rest of the year. Thus, if it begins to rain into the
Sukkah, if the light turns off and one is now sitting in the dark, if there are
flies or mosquitoes in the Sukkah which are disturbing the person, if the wind
is blowing into the Sukkah, or if there is an unpleasant odor in the Sukkah and
the like, one is exempt from eating in the Sukkah, for anyone who is
uncomfortable in the Sukkah is exempt from sitting in it. According to the
Rambam and many other Rishonim, this rule applies even on the first night of the
Sukkot holiday; although there is a positive Torah commandment to eat a Kezayit
of bread in the Sukkah, one who is uncomfortable is nevertheless exempt from
sitting in the Sukkah. Although regarding other Mitzvot of the Torah one is
obligated to perform them even if he is uncomfortable as a result of the
Mitzvah, this rule does not apply to the Mitzvah of Sukkah, for there is an
innate part of this Mitzvah is that one’s sitting in the Sukkah must be similar
to the way one lives in his home the rest of the year; thus, if one is
uncomfortable by sitting in the Sukkah, one is exempt from this Mitzvah.
Nevertheless, according to the Rosh and others, on the first night of Sukkot,
one is obligated to sit in the Sukkah even if doing so causes him discomfort. Maran
HaShulchan Aruch rules leniently on this issue in accordance with the Rambam’s
view that in any case of discomfort, one is exempt from sitting in the Sukkah
even on the first night of Sukkot. Even if one wishes to act stringently and
sit in the Sukkah even when it is raining, one may not recite the “Leeshev
Ba’Sukkah” blessing, for according to Maran, this is a blessing in vain since
one is exempt from sitting in the Sukkah at this time.

Wearing
Warm Clothing

Hagaon Chafetz Chaim writes in his Mishnah Berura that if is cold and blustery
during Sukkot, one should wear warm clothing and eat in the Sukkah. Maran Harav
Ovadia Yosef Shlit”a adds that one must make sure to wear adequately warm
clothing in the Sukkah, for if one suffers from the cold he will be exempt from
sitting in the Sukkah and his “Leeshev Ba’Sukkah” blessing will have been in
vain.

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Newsletter Parashat Haazinu & Yom Kippur

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Time Tables 
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Book your seat for Yom Kippur on the link below

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Q & A on Parashat Haazinu

All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated

  1. Why were heaven and earth specifically chosen as witnesses?
    32:1 – They endure forever.
  2. How is the Torah like rain?
    32:2 – The Torah gives life and promotes growth like rain.
  3. How is G-d "faithful without injustice"?
    32:4 – He is "faithful" by rewarding the righteous, and "without injustice" by rewarding even the wicked for any good deeds.
  4. Why is G-d called "tzaddik"?
    32:4 – All will agree that His judgments are righteous.
  5. How many major floods did G-d bring upon the world?
    32:7 – Two. One in the time of Adam's grandson Enosh and one in the time of Noach.
  6. What group of people does the Torah call "fathers"? Cite an example.
    32:7 – The Prophets. Elisha called the Prophet Eliyahu "My Father." (Melachim II 2:12).
  7. Why did G-d separate the world's nations into exactly 70?
    32:8 – To correspond to the 70 Bnei Yisrael who entered Egypt.
  8. Why is the merit of the Jewish People's ancestry called a "rope"?
    32:9 – Their merit is "woven from" the merits of the Avot.
  9. How is G-d's behavior toward the Jewish People like an eagle's behavior toward its offspring?
    32:12 – He mercifully wakes them gently, hovering over them, and carrying them on His "wings".
  10. Regarding the Jewish People's punishment, G-d says, "I will spend my arrows on them." What is the positive aspect of this phrase?
    32:23 – "The arrows will be spent" implies that the afflictions will cease but the Jewish People will not.
  11. How does the idea of "chillul Hashem" prevent the nations from destroying the Jewish People?
    32:27 – The nations would attribute their success to their might and the might of their gods. G-d would not let His name be desecrated like this.
  12. What will happen to the nations that conquer the Jewish People?
    32:35 – They will eventually be punished.
  13. When G-d overturns a nation that persecutes the Jewish People, His attribute of Mercy is "replaced" by which attribute?
    32:41 – His attribute of Justice.
  14. When G-d punishes the heathen nations, for whose sins does He exact punishment?
    32:42 – For their sins and the sins of their ancestors.
  15. How will G-d's punishment change the way the nations view the Jewish People?
    32:43 – They will view the Jewish People as praiseworthy for cleaving to G-d.
  16. On what day was Ha'azinu taught to the Jewish People?
    32:44 – The Shabbat upon which Moshe died.
  17. Verse 32:44 calls Yehoshua "Hoshea." Why?
    32:44 – To indicate that although he was the Jewish People's leader, he still maintained a humble bearing.
  18. In verse 32:47, what does "it is not empty from you" mean?
    32:47 – That you will receive reward for studying Torah and that there is nothing meaningless in the Torah.
  19. Why did G-d tell Moshe that he would die a similar death to that of Aharon?
    32:50 – Because Moshe wanted this.
  20. If Moshe had spoken to the rock rather than striking it, what would the Jewish People have learned?
    32:51 – The Jewish People would have reasoned as follows: If a rock, which receives neither reward nor punishment, obeys G-d's commands, all the more so should they.
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Halachot from Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Ztz'l  

אכילה ורחיצה ביום הכפורים

מדיני יום הכפורים

הכל
חייבים להתענות ביום הכפורים, ובכלל החיוב גם נשים מעוברות ומניקות שחייבות
להתענות בו. וכל אשה שיש חשש לבריאותה מחמת התענית, תעשה שאלת חכם הבקיא בדינים
אלו, שיורה לה אם תתענה. ואסור לשום אדם להחמיר על עצמו
, ולהתענות כאשר מצב בריאותו אינו מאפשר זאת. שהרי
התורה הקדושה אמרה, "וחי בהם", ולא שימות בהם. ואסור לאדם להמית עצמו או
אפילו להכניס עצמו לספק סכנה בשביל תענית יום הכפורים. וכאשר מרן רבינו הגדול
שליט"א היה רבה הראשי של תל אביב, וכן בשנים שאחר כך, היה מטריח עצמו ונוסע
בכל ערב יום כפור
, בשעות
יקרות אלו, לבית החולים, בכדי לדבר על לבם של החולים שהתענית מסוכנת להם, לבל
יתענו, והיה מזכיר את דברי הרדב"ז, שמי שאינו שומע לרופאים מפני שאומר שהוא
בוטח בה', הרי זה חסיד שוטה, שהרי התורה אמרה שניתנה רשות לרופא לרפאות, וממילא
אדם חייב להתנהג בכל דבר על פי כללי הרפואה, לאחר התייעצות עם מורה הוראה
.

חולה שעצם החולי אינו מביאו
לסכנה

ויש
לציין, שגם חולה שעצם החולי שלו אינו סכנה ממש, מכל מקום לפעמים מחמת תרופות שהוא
נוטל, הרי הוא חייב לשתות. ואם לא ישתה עלול הוא להכנס בחשש סכנה. וגם באופן כזה
יש להתייעץ עם רופא ומורה הוראה בכדי לדעת כיצד לנהוג
. ומצוי מצב זה בחולים הנוטלים תרופות פסיכיאטריות,
ואצלם לעתים גם עצם החולי מוגדר חולי שיש בו סכנה
.

מי שהוצרך לאכול ביום הכפורים

ומי
שהוצרך לאכול ביום הכפורים מחמת מחלה, אם הוא מוכרח לאכול ולשתות כדרכו ממש, הרי
שהוא רשאי לעשות כן. שאין לך דבר העומד בפני פיקוח נפש. אולם בדרך כלל, אין הדבר
כן, אלא הוא יכול להסתפק באכילה ושתיה באופן שאינו אוכל או שותה בבת אחת כמות
גדולה, אלא יעשה הפסקות בין אכילה לאכילה, ובכל פעם לא יאכל יותר משיעור של כשלשים
גרם מאכל, או ארבעים גרם משקה. ולאחר כעשר דקות יאכל או ישתה שוב כמות זהה. ולפני
יום הכפורים יכין לעצמו מאכלים מסודרים ושקולים בשיעור של כשלשים גרם. ויכין לעצמו
כלי המכיל כארבעים גרם משקה
, ובכל
פעם ימלא אותו וישתה ממנו (כמו בקבוק של תינוקות וכדומה
).

רחיצה וטבילה ביום הכפורים

אסור
לרחוץ במים ביום הכפורים, ואפילו להושיט אצבעו במים אסור, ולא אסרו אלא רחיצה של
תענוג, אבל אם היו ידיו או שאר גופו מלוכלכים בטיט וכדומה, מותר לרחצם, כיון שאינה
רחיצה של תענוג . וטבילה במקוה טהרה, אסורה גם היא ביום הכפורים
.

ביום הכפורים שחרית יטול ידיו
עד סוף קשרי אצבעותיו בלבד, ויטול שלוש פעמים לסירוגין כדרכו בכל ימות השנה, ומברך
על נטילת ידיים
.

לא
ירחוץ פניו במים ביום הכפורים בבוקר, ואם היו פניו מלוכלכות, כגון שיש לו לכלוך
ליד עיניו, מותר לרחוץ המקום המלוכלך. ומי שהוא מפונק, ואין דעתו מיושבת עליו
כשאינו רוחץ פניו בשחרית, מותר לו לרחוץ פניו בשחרית
. והאשכנזים מחמירים בזה שלא לרחוץ הפנים ביום הכפורים
אפילו מי שהוא איסטניס, אלא אם כן להעביר הלכלוך סביב עיניו וכיוצא בזה

אסור לצחצח שיניים בתשעה באב. ואפילו מי שמיקל בדבר
בזהירות ביום תשעה באב, לא יעשה כן ביום הכפורים
.

 

Eating and Washing One’s Self Yom Kippur

Some Laws of Yom Kippur

All are obligated to fast on Yom Kippur, including pregnant and nursing women.
Any woman whose health is at risk due to the fast should consult a prominent
Torah scholar who is well-versed in these laws and he should render his ruling
whether or not she must fast. One whose medical condition does not allow him to
fast may not be stringent and fast, for our holy Torah writes, “That he shall
live by them,” and not that he should die by them. One may not cause himself to
die or even place himself in a possibly dangerous situation because of the fast
of Yom Kippur. When Maran Shlit”a served as Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv and for
several years after this as well, he would spend the precious hours of every
Erev Yom Kippur by travelling to the hospital in order to convince patients
whom the fast of Yom Kippur posed a danger to not to fast. He would quote the
words of the Radbaz who writes that one who does not listen to doctors claiming
that he places his complete trust in Hashem is a pious fool, for the Torah
gives doctors permission to heal and by default, one must follow the rules of
medicine after consulting with a prominent halachic authority.

One Suffering from an Illness which in Essence does not Pose any Danger
We should point out that even if one suffers from an ailment which in essence
is not necessarily life-threatening, nevertheless, sometimes the medications he
takes make it necessary for him to drink, and if he does not, this may pose a
danger to him. In such a situation, the patient should consult his doctor and a
prominent halachic authority to discern the proper course of action. This
situation is common in patients taking medications for mental illnesses;
indeed, sometimes, some of these illnesses can be considered life-threatening
in and of themselves.

One who Must Eat on Yom Kippur
If one must eat on Yom Kippur due to an illness, if he must eat and drink in a
regular manner, he may do so, as the is nothing that stands in the way of a
life-threatening situation. Nevertheless, usually this is not the case and one
can make do with eating or drinking in a way that he does not consume large
amount of food or beverage in one shot. Rather, one should take breaks between
eating and every time he eats or drinks, he should consume no more than thirty
grams of food or forty grams of beverage. After approximately ten minutes have
elapsed he should eat or drink a similar amount. One should prepare organized
and measured portions of food of approximately thirty grams before Yom Kippur.
One should prepare himself a utensil that holds approximately forty grams of
liquid (such as a baby bottle and the like) and every time one needs to, he
should fill it up and drink from it.

Washing and Immersing One’s Self on Yom Kippur
One may not wash himself with water on Yom Kippur. Even to place one’s finger
into water is prohibited. Nevertheless, only a pleasurable washing is
prohibited; however, if one’s hands or any other body part were soiled from
mortar and the like, one may wash them, as this does not constitute a
pleasurable washing. Immersing one’s self in a Mikveh is also forbidden on Yom
Kippur.

On the morning of Yom Kippur, one should wash his hands only until his knuckles.
One should wash each hand three times while switching off hands and recite the
“Al Netilat Yadayim” blessing, as he would any other day of the year.

One should not wash his face on the morning of Yom Kippur; if one’s face is
dirty due to eye residue and the like, one may wash the dirty place. If one is
finicky and cannot relax until he has washed his face in the morning, he may do
so on the morning of Yom Kippur. Ashkenazim are stringent in this matter and
rule that even one who is finicky cannot wash his face; rather, he can only
wash off the dirt around his eyes and the like

One may not brush one’s teeth on Yom
Kippur. Even one who acts leniently and bushes one’s teeth carefully on Tisha
Be’av may not do so on Yom Kippur at all.

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