Sunday 24 August 2014

Beracha on New Car

Question: I just bought a new car. Should I say shehecheyanu? Does it matter that it is second hand?
Answer: The Mishna (Berachos 9:2) teaches that one recites a beracha upon hearing good news, building a new house or buying new items. According to the Gemara (Berachos 59b) one recites hatov vehametiv when others benefit from the good news or new items; otherwise, one says shehecheyanu (See Shulchan Aruch OC 222:1; 223:3, 5).
The Shulchan Aruch (OC 223:6) and Mishna Berura (223:13) explain that this only applies to items that are important and one is particularly happy about acquiring. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 223:3) writes that this applies equally to used items.
The Magen Avraham (223:5) notes that many people are not particular about this practice and the Shulchan Aruch Harav (Birchos Hanehenin 12:5) and Kaf Hachaim (OC 223:20) write that one only needs to recite shehecheyanu when buying new clothes. Nonetheless, R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 3:80) writes that one should recite shehecheyanu when buying a new car for oneself. When buying a family car, however, one should recite hatov vehametiv (See Rivevos Ephraim 1:375).
R’ Chaim Falagi (Lev Chaim 3:52) held that one buying something on finance does not recite a beracha as their simcha is diminished somewhat. R’ Eliezer Waldenberg (Tzitz Eliezer 12:19) however, disagrees, arguing that one even recites shehecheyanu when one is left a significant inheritance when one’s relative dies.
If the car needs servicing, one should wait until any repairs have been done before saying the beracha (See Mishna Berura 223:17).
In conclusion, one should say a beracha on buying a new car, regardless of whether it was used or bought on finance. If they were buying it for themselves, they should say shehecheyanu. If they were buying a family car, they should say hatov vehametiv.

Sunday 17 August 2014

Davening while Flying

Question: Previously when I have flown, I have been invited to join a minyan on the plane, though have always been uncomfortable about doing so. I am about to fly again. What should I do if asked to join a minyan?

Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 95:1) writes that one must stand with their feet together when reciting the amida.

However, one who has to daven while riding a donkey, in a carriage or on a boat should do so while seated unless it is easy to stand (ibid. 94:4). The Mishna Berura (94:13) explains that it is easier to concentrate this way.

Thus, R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 4:20) writes that one can sit for the amida on an aeroplane, especially if one will be less distracted. R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo, Tefilla 8:4) adds that as davening with a minyan during a flight will bother other passengers, one should rather daven the amida while seated.

The Aruch Hashulchan (OC 94:18) writes that one davening while sitting should still (keep their feet together and) bow in the appropriate places, standing in their seat to do so if possible.

Certainly, it is best to avoid davening while travelling if possible. The Mishna Berura (89:39; 42) writes that it is better to either daven before travelling or delay davening until one arrives, even though one will not be davening at the ideal time, though one must ensure that they do not miss the latest time to recite the shema or the amida.

In conclusion, one who needs to daven while on a plane can stand in their seat if they are not disturbing anyone else. One may sit throughout, though should stand to bow at the appropriate places if easy to do so. One must not join a minyan if it will be in the way of others.

Sunday 10 August 2014

Davening for the IDF on Shabbos

Question: As one isn’t supposed to recite prayers requesting things on Shabbos, should Shuls be reciting the tefilla for the tzahal (IDF)?
Answer: Rambam (Shabbos 30:12) writes that one mustn’t make personal requests on Shabbos. Thus, the Mishna Berura (584:1) writes that we don’t say avinu malkeinu when Yom Kippur falls on Shabbos (except for during neila).
The Shulchan Aruch (OC 288:9) writes that one may pray in emergency situations such as for a choleh (one who’s sick) in critical danger.
The Magen Avraham (OC 288:14) questions the common practice of the gabbai reciting a mi sheberach for cholim who aren’t critically ill. It has, however, become accepted practice to do so, though one should add the words Shabbos he melizok.. The Machtzis Hashekel explains that these words serve to remind us not to be too upset and reassure the choleh that Shabbos itself can aid their recovery. Nonetheless, the Aruch Hashulchan (OC 287:2) writes that if he had the power he’d abolish this mi sheberach on Shabbos (except for those who are critically ill). Elsewhere, (OC 417:9) he questions the practice of saying yehi ratzon on Shabbos Mevorchim (as it is full of requests), again saying that if he’d have the power, he’d annul it. Indeed, the minhag Chabad is not to say it.
Another exception is when such requests are part of the regular tefilla. Thus, the Tur (OC 188) and Mishna Berura (188:9) write that we can say the requests in bentsching. R’ Chaim Berlin (Nishmas Chaim 23) justifies the tefillos for the community (rather than for the individual) that are said as part of the davening.
Many hold that the tefillos composed by the Chief Rabbinate such as the tefillos for the State of Israel and the tzahal fit into this category.
It would seem that even those that do not usually recite the tefillos for Israel on Shabbos (dues to their views on Zionism or based on poskim that we can no longer add to our tefillos) may and should do so now, as Israel and its soldiers are unfortunately in critical danger.

Sunday 3 August 2014

Havdala During the Nine Days

Question: What should I use for havdala during the nine days?
Answer: While one may not drink wine during the nine days unless it is within a seudas mitzva, the Shulchan Aruch (OC 551:10) writes that one may drink wine for havdala as it is no different from a seudas mitzva (Mishna Berura 551:67). Thus, common Sephardic practise is to drink the wine (Kaf Hachaim OC 551:152).
The Rema disagrees, saying that we should give it to a child when possible. The Mishna Berura (551:70) explains that this child should have reached the age of chinuch though not be old enough to understand what we’re mourning about (6-9 years old).
The Aruch Hashulchan (OC 551:26) writes that one should rather use beer. It is debatable, however, whether beer is still considered to be chamar medinah nowadays. The Mishna Berura (272:24) writes that this only applies where beer is commonly drunk; R’ Moshe Sternbuch (Teshuvos Vehanhagos 4:77) writes that coffee and tea are more suitable. R’ Yehoshua Neuwirth (Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasa 2:60:4) allows one to use cider or fruit juice if necessary, providing that they are considered important drinks in that locale.
In conclusion, it would seem that those who make havdala on motzaei Pesach over beer should do so during the nine days. Otherwise they should make havdala on wine. If there is a child (preferably a boy between 6 and 9) available, they should be given the wine. Otherwise, one should just drink the wine oneself.