ANSWERS TO THE TUESDAY NIGHT HALACHA SHIUR!
1. If one has funds either to purchase oil for the menorah or wine for havdalah, which takes precedence?
a.
Menorah oil, because it contains the element of
pirsumei nissah
, publicizing the miracle.
2. If one has funds either to purchase wine for kiddush or wine for havdalah, which takes precedence?
a.
Wine for kiddush since one can use challah in lieu of wine for kiddush.
3. Should one hold the besamim or candle in the right hand? How about the cup of wine?
a.
Wine in the right and besamim in the left. Switch hands before bircas besamim. After besamim, keep wine in left hand while blessing over the fire and examining fingernails. Then return wine to right hand and conclude havdalah.
4. When should one view the fingernails to the light of the candle, before or after the bracha? How is this a fulfillment of the brachos rule,
“ovar l’asiasan,” prior to fulfillment?
a.
There are conflicting directions in the Igros Moshe. Best practice is to view fingernails both before and after the bracha.
5. If one heard havdalah in shul can he repeat it at home for his family? Does one have to have special intent to exclude oneself?
a.
Yes one can repeat at home since we don’t have in mind to be yotzei in shul.
6. Are women obligated to hear havdalah? Why wouldn’t they?
a.
It is a dispute if havdalah is part of shabbos (and women are obligated) or part of the weekday (and women are absolved due to its time restrictive nature.) They should ideally hear havdalah from a man. If no man is available they should make havdalah for themselves.
7. How can women halachically make havdalah for themselves? Isn’t there a custom for women not to drink the havdalah wine?
a.
This is only a custom and does not override the obligation to make havdalah.
8. If a man heard havdalah in shul should he repeat it at home for his wife or should she make havdalah herself?
a.
He should make it if he did not have in mind to be yotzei in shul.
9. If a woman makes havdalah for herself, should she say the bracha over the candle?
a.
Although the
biur halacha
questions this point due to fact that
bircas haner
is not necessarily associated with shabbos and thus time restrictive, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein and other poskim posit that a woman can recite the bracha.
10. On motzei yom kippur and women are home (and hungry) must they wait for their husband’s havdalah or can/should they make it for themselves?
a.
They should make it themselves.
Have a wonderful shabbos!
See you in shul,
Rabbi Aaron D. Mehlman
Erev shabbos kodesh vayigash 5779
