Community Magazine July 2016

SARINA ROFFÉ 50 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE The Top 10 Dedicated in loving memory of Hacham Nissim ben Mazal a''h RABBI DANIEL D. LEVY Questions & Answers on customs and laws of Summer-Related Halachot 1 WHAT IS THEPROPER BERACHAH TORECITE PRIOR TOEATINGAN ICE CREAMCONE WITH SPRINKLES?HOWABOUTAN ICE CREAMSANDWICH? Practically all halachic authorities agree that, prior to eating ice cream on a cone, a shehakol should be recited. This is the case regardless of the topping, which is “tafel” – insignificant. The bigger question is if, when eating the cone, which is usually made from wheat, an additional blessing of mezonot is recited. Hacham Ben Tzion Abba Shaul, zt”l , (Or Letzion Vol. 2 Ch.4 Q20) is of the opinion that no additional berachah is recited, as the cone, (especially a wafer cone), and the toppings are insignificant compared to the ice cream. Though if one chooses a sugar cone and desires to eat it to enjoy the flavor, some would say a separate mezonot should be recited on the cone. On an ice cream sandwich, one should make mezonot . If one ounce is consumed within 4-6 minutes an al hamichyah is recited. 2 WHY IS THERE NO BERACHAH RECITED AFTER DRINKING A SLUSH OR A SLURPEE? Since these items are consumed as drink, rather than food and people don’t usually drink at least 3-4 ounces of them within keday (about) 20 seconds, since the drink is freezing, no berachah acharonah is recited (Or Letzion-Vol. 2Ch -14 Q18). The same would hold true for why no berachah is recited after drinking hot cocoa, tea, or coffee but for the reverse reason – that the drink is too hot to consume so quickly. It’s true that some people do leave at least 3-4 ounces of coffee to cool off so they can drink it at room temperature. If this is the case and the coffee has been drunk within 20 seconds, a berachah acharonah of boreh nefashot is recited. 3 AREWEPERMITTEDTOKILLANTS, MOSQUITOS, ANDOTHER BUGS ONAWEEKDAY? According to halacha, one is permitted to kill bugs on a weekday (not Shabbat) only when there is a need to do so – for example, when they are being really bothersome to you. According to kabbalah, though, it is advisable never to kill bugs – which are Hashem’s creations – unless it’s a life threatening situation. Please note that the laws of killing bugs and insects on Shabbat (which in general is forbidden) are far more complex and beyond the scope of this article. 4 IF ONE GOES SWIMMING IN A POOL OR ON A BEACH, MUST HE RECITE A NEW BLESSING ON HIS TZIZIT ( TALIT KATAN ) AFTER REDRESSING? Once a person is “ masiach daat ” – which means he is no longer conscious about the fact that he is not wearing tzizit – a new berachah is required. Some commentaries are of the opinion that a half an hour would need to have elapsed between his forgetting, while others maintain an hour’s time would necessitate a new berachah of al mitzvat tzizit . 5 MAY ONE SPRAY RAID ON SHABBAT IN ANY GIVEN VACANT AREA TO PREVENT BUGS FROM COMING THERE? To spray Raid directly on the bugs is forbidden on Shabbat, as the direct hit will cause themto die. Spraying Raid in an areawhere the bugs might potentially go may indirectly cause them to die. This scenario is called a “ gerama ,” which is still prohibited by many commentaries. However, some do allow it since, if the spray dries up, the smell may keep away the bugs but not have the potential to kill them. 6 IF ONE TRAVELS TO NIAGARA FALLS OR THE GRAND CANYON IS THERE A SPECIAL BLESSING TO RECITE? Some authorities maintain that a blessing of “ oseh maaseh bereshit ” with Shem Umalchut (Hashem our Gd) is recited when seeing places of nature within the span of thirty days. This is because special sights like these enhance our appreciation of Hashem’s glorious creations. (Shulhan Aruch O. C. 228:1-3) One can always say a berachah without Shem Umalchut to praise Hashem, if he chooses to follow the other commentaries who don’t allow a full blessing with Shem Umalchut in this situation. 7 IS IT CUSTOMARY FOR ONEWHO HEARS THUNDER AND SEES LIGHTENING TO RECITE A SPECIAL BLESSING? The prevailing custom among Syrians is not to recite a berachah with Hashem’s special name. Many other communities do recite berachot . They say “ shekocho ugevurato maleh olam ” which means His power and might fill the world” upon hearing thunder, and “ oseh maaseh bereshit ” meaning “Gd created the wonders of the world” upon seeing lightning. If both happen simultaneously, usually only shekocho is recited.