DVAR HALACHA 7

DVAR HALACHA 7

The Shulchan Aruch in siman reish nun beis teaches that it is permitted to begin a melacha on Erev Shabbos even though the melacha will continue into Shabbos.

Examples of this include lighting a fire before Shabbos that will continue burning on Shabbos, or soaking a dirty garment in water with detergent before Shabbos so that it continues to soak on Shabbos.

However, the use of a timer to cause a melacha to occur on Shabbos is discussed by the contemporary poskim. The Kovetz Halachos quotes Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky shlita as explaining that it is permitted to use a timer for a melacha that is commonly done with a timer even during the week. For this reason, it is permitted to set a timer before Shabbos to turn lights, heating, or air conditioning on or off. Since these are appliances that people regularly control with timers, activating the timer is considered like beginning the melacha before Shabbos and allowing it to continue into Shabbos, which is permitted.

However, if an appliance is not normally used with a timer, then using a timer for it on Shabbos is problematic. In such a case, it is not viewed as starting the melacha before Shabbos, but rather more similar to arranging for a melacha to be done on Shabbos itself.

Additionally, the poskim point out that a melacha which produces a noticeable noise should not be started before Shabbos if it will continue into Shabbos, because it appears as though melacha is actively being done on Shabbos.

An exception to this rule is when the result enhances kavod or oneg Shabbos, such as lights, heating, or air conditioning.

However, starting a washing machine or dryer right before Shabbos so that it runs during Shabbos is not considered kavod Shabbos, and since it generates noticeable noise, it should not be done.

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Reuven Eidlitz

Yeshiva Eitz Chaim, Monsey NY  

This dvar halacha is l’zchus refuah sheleima for Avraham ben Chaya Leah and Shmuel Avigdor ben Rivka b’soch sha’ar choley Yisroel

DVAR HALACHA 6

DVAR HALACHA

The Shulchan Aruch in siman reish mem tes, while discussing the laws of kavod Shabbos, addresses how we prepare ourselves for the Friday night seudah. In order to ensure that we will be able to eat the Shabbos meal with the fullest amount of appetite and enjoyment, Chazal advise that we refrain from eating a large meal on Erev Shabbos. A seudah that is larger or more elaborate than what we would normally eat during the week should not be eaten at any point during the day. However, it is certainly permitted to eat normal meals earlier in the day, such as a regular breakfast and a regular lunch. Later in the afternoon, once the ninth halachic hour of the day has passed, even a regular meal should not be eaten. At that point, however, snacking is still permitted, which even includes eating bread provided that the amount is a k’beitza or less. In fact, one is not allowed to fast on Erev Shabbos, because it would not be proper kavod Shabbos to enter Shabbos in a weakened physical state or in an unpleasant mood. 

There is, however, an important exception. If a seudas mitzvah falls on Erev Shabbos, it may be eaten even if it is a large meal. The poskim advise that such a meal should preferably begin before chatzos, midday. At the very least, it should be started before the end of the ninth hour of the day.

One practical example of this halacha occurs when Purim falls on Friday. The Mishnah Berurah writes that in such a case it is preferable to begin the Purim Seudah before chatzos, although technically it may be started any time before the end of the ninth hour.

Another example would be a Bris Milah, where the seudas mitzvah may also be held on Erev Shabbos within these time guidelines.

When Yom Tov falls on Erev Shabbos, however, there is a disagreement among the poskim as to whether one must make a special effort to begin the Yom Tov seudah before chatzos, or if beginning before the end of the nineth hour suffices.

All of these halachos remind us that part of honoring Shabbos is not only preparing our homes and meals, but also preparing our appetite and mindset, so that we can properly enjoy the seudah of Shabbos.

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Reuven Eidlitz

Yeshiva Eitz Chaim, Monsey NY  

This dvar halacha is l’zchus refuah sheleima for Avraham ben Chaya Leah and Shmuel Avigdor ben Rivka b’soch sha’ar choley Yisroel

DVAR HALACHA 5

DVAR HALACHA 5

 Part of kavod Shabbos is not only how we prepare our homes with a clean house and special food, but also how we prepare ourselves.

The Shulchan Aruch teaches that a person should prepare for Shabbos by washing, grooming, and presenting himself in a respectable way. Included in this preparation are taking a shower and cutting one’s fingernails. Although many preparations for Shabbos may be done earlier in the week, the Mishnah Berurah points out that fingernails should preferably be cut specifically on Friday.

Two reasons are given for this. First, the Eliyah Rabbah explains that fingernails begin to grow again three days after they are cut. If a person cuts them on Thursday, the regrowth would begin on Shabbos. Although this is not actual chillul Shabbos, it resembles it and therefore it is preferable to avoid this situation.

A second reason is simply practical: when nails are cut closest to Shabbos, they will look their most presentable on Shabbos itself, which enhances kavod Shabbos.

However, the poskim mention that al pi kabbalah, fingernails and toenails should not be cut on the same day. Therefore, the commonly accepted practice is to cut toenails on Thursday night and fingernails on Friday.

The Rema also records a specific order in which to cut the fingernails. If we number the fingers from thumb to pinky as 1–5, the order is:

·         Left hand: 4, 2, 5, 3, 1

·         Right hand: 2, 4, 1, 3, 5

The idea behind this pattern is to avoid cutting two neighboring fingernails consecutively. This practice is to avoid causing forgetfulness that the seforim say can happen when they are cut consecutively.

The Chazon Ish notes that when it comes to toenails, there is no specific order that must be followed.

Finally, care should be taken when discarding fingernails. The gemara teaches that one should not leave nails lying on the floor, because if a pregnant woman were to step on them it could cause harm, chas v’shalom. For this reason, nails should be carefully gathered and disposed of properly.

Preparing ourselves in these ways reminds us that Shabbos is not only about the environment we create, but also about the honor and dignity with which we greet the day of Shabbos.

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Reuven Eidlitz

Yeshiva Eitz Chaim, Monsey NY  

This dvar halacha is l’zchus refuah sheleima for Avraham ben Chaya Leah and Shmuel Avigdor ben Rivka b’soch sha’ar choley Yisroel