DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 3.66 MB)
Tefillin and Birkat Kohanim During Minha on Fast Days

The Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909) writes that the Arizal (Rav Yishak Luria of Safed, 1534-1572) had the custom to wear the special large Tefillin known as "Shimusha Rabba" when praying Minha on fast days. Most people do not have access to these Tefillin, but those who do should try to wear them during Minha on fast days, in accordance with the practice of the Arizal. The Hid"a (Rav Haim Yosef David Azulai, 1724-1806) writes that those who do not have "Shimusha Rabba" Tefillin should wear Tefillin Rabbenu Tam during Minha on fast days, and this is, in fact, our custom. No Beracha is recited when putting on this Tefillin.

When Minha is recited within 45 minutes of sunset, the Kohanim recite Birkat Kohanim during Minha, even though they already recited the blessing at Shaharit. A Kohen who is not fasting does not recite Birkat Kohanim, and therefore he should leave the synagogue just before the Kohanim recite the blessing. The congregation should try to recite Birkat Kohanim before sunset, but it may be recited even afterward, during the 13.5-minute period after sundown. This is the ruling of Hacham Bension Abba Shaul (Israel, 1924-1998), in his work Or Le’sion (vol. 2, 8:13).

Summary: During Minha on fast days, it is customary to wear Tefillin Rabbenu Tam. When Minha is recited within 45 minutes of sundown, Kohanim who are fasting recite Birkat Kohanim at Minha. Birkat Kohanim should preferably be recited before sunset, but if it was not recited before sunset, it may be recited within 13.5 minutes after sunset.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
The Prohibitions of Misleading or Insulting Another Person
Is it Permissible to Study Secular Philosophy?
When is it Appropriate or Inappropriate to Report Bad Tidings?
Is It Permissible To Wear A Wool Tzitzit Under A Linen Shirt or Is It A Violation of Shatnez
Announcing a Fast Day in the Synagogue on the Preceding Shabbat
Barech Alienu for Travelers to and From Israel
Traveling on Ereb Shabbat
Maintaining Peace in One’s Financial Dealings
Birkat Ha'gomel: The Meaning of the Words, and Whether a Child Recites the Beracha
Reciting Tefilat Ha’derech
Hanukah – If One Does Not Have Enough Oil For All the Candles
Hanukah – Lighting a Menorah That Has a “Back”
Is Birkat Ha’gomel Required After Taking a Cruise on the Kinneret?
Synagogue Decorum and The Prohibition Against Speaking During Torah Reading – In the Wake of the Har Nof Tragedy
The Status of Pasteurized Wine
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found