We are continuing in siman 3, which discusses the concept of kavod Shabbos. Yesterday, we learned that the Gra explains that the Rambam understands that the mitzvah of kavod Shabbos applies primarily before Shabbos, while oneg primarily applies on Shabbos itself. We can learn a fascinating point from the Gra. We have a concept of […]
We are beginning siman 3. The Chayei Adam writes that it is a mitzvah for a person to be personally involved in the preparations for Shabbos. This is true even if a person has many servants, family members or other household help. We find that many amoraim undertook some action in the preparations for Shabbos,
We are continuing in siman 2. We have learned that a person should make their purchases for Shabbos as early as possible on Friday morning. If the items will not be available after davening, they should purchase them before davening, but otherwise the correct order is to daven first and then make their purchases. If
We are beginning siman 2. The Chayei Adam points out that there is a mitzvah to prepare for Shabbos. In the context of what we learned in siman 1, it is an element of the mitzvah of zachor es yom hashabbos lekadesho. By preparing for Shabbos, one is expressing their concern and interest in Shabbos,
We have finished siman 1, and left off with the concept of mitzvos tzrichos kavanah. We have learned about this concept in the past, but will review it today. The Gemara in Rosh Hashanah brings a machlokes whether mitzvos tzrichos kavanah or not. Kavanah does not mean deep kabbalistic incantations, but rather an awareness that
We have finished siman 1 and have a few points to clarify. The primary source for the halachos of the Chayei Adam in this siman are from the Ramban in Parshas Yisro. The Ramban adds a few other important points which we will discuss today. The Ramban writes that the same way we count the
We are continuing in siman 1, discussing the mitzvah of zachor es yom hashabbos lekadesho. The Chayei Adam discusses a situation in which a person loses count of the days of the week. The Gemara gives the example of a person lost in the desert. Since one is only allowed to perform melacha on Shabbos
We are continuing in siman 1. To review, the Chayei Adam brought the personal approach of Shammai Hazakein in terms of buying items for Shabbos, and set it as the standard as to how a person should act. The Chayei Adam continued, and wrote that Hillel would wait until the end of the week to
We are in klal 1, continuing in siman 1 of hilchos shabbos. The Chayei Adam begins by addressing the mitzvah of zachor es yom hashabbos lekadesho. The Chayei Adam writes that the Torah tells us zachor es yom hashabbos lekadesho, to remember shabbos to make it kadosh. The word zachor can be used in two
We are beginning Chayei Adam, Hilchos Shabbos. We will begin with a quick introduction to the sefer itself. The Chayei Adam divides his sefer into chapters and paragraphs. The standard division in most seforim is to refer to chapters as simanim, and paragraphs as seifim. However, the Chayei Adam refers to his chapters as klalim
We are continuing with the halachos of the four parshiyos, and today we will continue to discuss Parshas Zachor. The Torah obligates us to remember the event of Amalek attacking Klal Yisroel. In the language of the Torah, the Torah obligates us to remember to the point that we take action to eradicate
1584 – The 4 Parshiyos – Parshas Zachor 2, Parshas Parah Read More »
We are continuing with the halachos of the four parshiyos, and today we will discuss Parshas Zachor. The chiyuv was established that Parshas Zachor should be read on the Shabbos immediately preceding Purim, because Klal Yisroel were successful in eliminating some of Amalek through the Purim story. Therefore, the zechira (remembering) is placed adjacent
1583 – The 4 Parshiyos – Parshas Zachor 1 Read More »
We have finished the halachos of ervah, and will discuss the four parshiyos. The four parshiyos, Shekalim, Zachor, Parah and Hachodesh, are read in conjunction with the month of Adar. There are occasions where parshas Shekalim falls out on Rosh Chodesh, but it is never later than Rosh Chodesh Adar. Parshas Hachodesh is always before
1582- The 4 Parshiyos- Introduction Read More »
We are continuing in siman 12. Yesterday, we learned that the Taz and Shach hold that shomeah k’oneh applies even when one does not have intent to fulfill an obligation. If we look at the language of the Taz, he says that shomeah k’oneh applies when one individual is focusing on listening to the
1581 – Brachos and Tefilos – (Klal 4 Siman 12) – Hirhur – 3 – Shomea K’Oneh Read More »
We are continuing in siman 12, discussing the opinion of the Chayei Adam that one can listen to words of torah while in the presence of ervah, but cannot fulfill any obligations which would require shomeah k’oneh. The source for the Chayei Adam is the Magen Avraham in siman 85. However, the Shulchan Aruch Harav,
1580 – Brachos and Tefilos – (Klal 4 Siman 12) – Hirhur 2 – Shomeah K’oneh 2 Read More »
We are beginning siman 12, which discusses hirhur in the presence of ervah. The Chayei Adam writes that when one is in the presence of ervah, they are allowed to perform hirhur, to think in learning. Ervah is different than tzoah, where we learned that hirhur is assur in the presence of tzoah. Although hirhur
1579 – Brachos and Tefilos – (Klal 4 Siman 11) – Hirhur 1 – Shomeah K’oneh Read More »
We have finished siman 10, and we need to return back to a point we discussed previously. We have learned that the issur reiyah, to see ervah, applies to the eyes and heart. We need to discuss whether the issur applies specifically to seeing a live person, or whether it applies to digital renderings, such
1578 – Brachos and Tefilos – (Klal 4 Siman 10) – Photos and Digital Versions Read More »
We are beginning siman 10. We have learned about the concept of libo roeh es ha’ervah, that there must be some type of separation between one’s heart and the ervah in order to recite devarim shebikedusha. The Chayei Adam clarifies that there is no issue with other parts of the body being visible to one’s
We are continuing in siman 9, learning about the concept of libo roeh es haervah. We learned that when one is standing in the water, with their heart above the water and the ervah below the water, it is an acceptable separation and one could recite devarim shebikedusha. The Chayei Adam clarifies that if one’s
1576 – Brachos and Tefilos – (Klal 4 Siman 9) – Libo Roeh Es Haervah 2 Read More »
We are beginning siman 9. Until now, we have discussed the concept of seeing ervah with one’s eyes. Today, the Chayei Adam will introduce the concept of a person’s body being exposed to ervah, even though they do not see it with their eyes. The Chayei Adam writes that the Torah makes the concept of
1575 – Brachos and Tefilos – (Klal 4 Siman 9) – Libo Roeh Es Haervah Read More »
