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...
Using a Peeler on Shabbat
Drinking From the Kiddush Cup
Adding Water to a Pot of Hot Food on Shabbat
May One Transfer Food From One Hotplate to Another on Shabbat?
Is it Permissible to Smear Butter or Other Foods on Shabbat?
Snapping One’s Fingers on Shabbat
Making Up a Missed Tefila on Rosh Hodesh and Shabbat
Halachot Regarding the Kiddush Cup and How to Hold the Cup During Kiddush
Preparing for Kiddush
The Procedure for Reciting Kiddush and Drinking the Wine
Adding Salt or Spices to a Pot of Food on Shabbat
If One Did Not Recite Kiddush on Friday Night
Customs for When One Arrives Home From the Synagogue on Friday Night
Situations Where Food Cooked on Shabbat is Permissible
Spraying Perfume or Deodorant on Shabbat
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found