QUESTION: When reciting Selichos early in the morning, should the sheliach tzibbur recite a berachah upon donning his tallis?

DISCUSSION: In many shuls, Selichos is recited early in the morning before the time period known as misheyakir, which is approximately 45 minutes(1) before sunrise. Although it is permitted to don a tallis at that time, it is not permitted to recite the berachah over it, in deference to the Rishonim who maintain that one cannot fulfill the mitzvah of tzitzis at night.(2) What, then, should the sheliach tzibbur – who is required to wear a tallis for Selichos – do? Here(3) are three possible solutions:

* Borrow a tallis from another congregant [with the explicit intention of merely borrowing it, as opposed to halachically “acquiring” it] and put it on without reciting a berachah. This solution is based on the principle that one does not recite a berachah on a borrowed tallis.(4) When Selichos are over, the tallis is returned to its owner and the sheliach tzibbur can then dons his own tallis and recites the berachah.

* Use the shul’s tallis without reciting a berachah over it. [Although many poskim require a berachah when a shul’s tallis is worn, nowadays, the prevalent custom follows the opinion of the poskim who hold that no berachah is recited on a shul’s tallis when worn by the sheliach tzibbur or by a person receiving an aliyah, etc.(5)]

* Put on his own tallis without reciting the berachah. When the time for reciting the berachah arrives, there is no need to remove and put on the tallis again; simply looking at the strings(6) and touching them(7) is sufficient for reciting the berachah at that time. This solution is the least desirable halachically, since all too often one is distracted and forgets to recite the berachah when misheyakir arrives. This third solution should only be employed if the previous ones are not an option. [Those who recite Selichos after chatzos need not be concerned with this issue altogether; the sheliach tzibbur should wear the shul’s tallis without reciting the berachah.(8)]

QUESTION: After reciting ha-motzi, must one eat a full k’zayis of bread immediately before talking or eating other foods?

DISCUSSION: One is not required to do so. After reciting ha-motzi one is required only to swallow any small amount of bread before talking or eating other foods.(9) But though one is not required to eat a k’zayis immediately after ha- motzi, the poskim recommend that one do so if possible. This is because one is required to eat a k’zayis of bread within 3-4 minutes at some point during the meal; if not, he is not allowed to recite birkas ha-mazon even if he is satiated from the other foods eaten during the meal.(10) In addition, one who does not eat a k’zayis within 3-4 minutes at some point during the meal would be required to recite a berachah rishonah over all of the other foods eaten during the meal.(11) In order to make sure that one not forget to eat a k’zayis sometime during the meal,(12) it is recommended that one eat a k’zayis immediately after reciting ha-motzi.(13)

QUESTION: If, mistakenly, one spoke after reciting ha-motzi but before biting or swallowing even a small amount of bread, does he need to repeat ha-motzi?

DISCUSSION: L’chatchilah, one is not allowed so speak at all until after he swallows at least a small piece of bread. As stated previously, it is recommended that an entire k’zayis be eaten at this time. If, b’diavad, one spoke – even a single word – between ha-motzi and the first bite, he must repeat ha-motzi before beginning to eat if what his said was completely unrelated to the meal. If, however, he spoke about something related to the meal, e.g., please bring the salt or ketchup; please serve this individual, then ha-motzi is not repeated.(14) If, b’diavad, one spoke after taking a bite but before swallowing, he should not repeat ha-motzi before continuing to eat.(15)

QUESTION: After changing a baby’s dirty diaper during a meal, does one need to wash his/her hands again for netilas yadayim?

DISCUSSION: Yes, he does. Changing a dirty diaper, as well as urinating or using the bathroom, scratching one’s scalp or touching the sweaty areas of one’s body, is considered a hesech ha-da’as which “cancels” the original washing of the hands. Netilas yadayim, therefore, must be repeated before the meal may resume.(16) Whether or not the berachah of al netilas yadayim must be repeated as well is a subject of much debate among the poskim. Some rule that al netials yadayim is repeated in all of the hesech ha-da’as cases mentioned above, (17) while others require that al netilas yadayim be repeated only in some of those cases, such as using the bathroom or diapering a baby.(18) While one may follow either view,(19) the prevalent custom today follows the opinion of the poskim who hold that the berachah of al netilas yadayim is not repeated in any of these hesech ha-da’as cases.(20)

QUESTION: Does the halachah that prohibits a person who owns an animal from eating a meal before feeding his animals, apply only to the first mealtime in the morning or to any mealtime?

DISCUSSION: In order to avoid tza’ar ba’alei chayim, cruelty to animals, the halachah(21) mandates that the owner of an animal feed those animals which are dependent on him for their food(22) before taking food(23) for himself. This law applies not only to farm animals, but also to pets, birds and fish. It applies to all mealtimes – whether the owner is at home or away, on Shabbos(24) or weekday – if his mealtime coincides with the animal’s feeding time, then the animal must be fed first. Some poskim hold that it is prohibited to eat even a snack before feeding one’s animals,(25) while others permit the owner to have a snack first. (26) Taking a drink before one’s animal is permitted.(27) There is no requirement that the animal actually eat before the owner does; as long as food was placed before the animal, or arrangements made for the food to be brought to the animal, the owner may proceed with his meal.(28) It is permitted for one to feed his small children who cannot feed themselves before he feeds his animals.(29)

Important Note: A number of weeks ago we discussed the various opinions regarding the prohibition of chodosh and how these halachos apply in our times. We neglected to mention that keeping yoshon is much easier today due to the handbook and updates provided by Rabbi Yosef Herman (845-356- 5743). Rabbi Herman also maintains an e-mail distribution list which notifies people as to how to receive the most current guide by e-mail when it becomes available. He also uses the e-mail list to send out bulletins of yoshon information which he receives before and after the guide is published. To put one’s name on the list, send an e-mail message to: [email protected].

FOOTNOTES:

29 Igros Moshe O.C. 2:52.

Weekly-Halacha, Text Copyright © 2005 by Rabbi Neustadt, Dr. Jeffrey Gross and Torah.org. Weekly sponsorships are available–please send email to the moderator, Dr. Jeffrey Gross [email protected].

Rabbi Neustadt is Rav of Young Israel in Cleveland Heights. He may be reached at 216-321-4635 or at [email protected].