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...
Chanukah- Lighting the Menorah on Friday Night
Chanukah- Starting A Melacaha, Beginning A Meal, and Sitting To Learn Are All Forbidden Within A Half Hour Of Lighting
Chanukah- Should A Wife Light The Menorah At The Proper Time Rather Than Waiting For The Husband Who Will Come Home Later
Chanukah- Should One Say Mezonot On A Fried Jelly Donut That Is Eaten For Dessert
Chanukah- Should We Light The Menorah Before or After The Berachot and Is It Permissible To Light The Menorah At A Chanukah Party
Chanukah- Is A Student Required To Light The Menorah If Dorming Away At School
Chanukah- If One Forgets Al Hanisim in Birkat Hamazon
Chanukah- The Requirement of Lighting Falls Upon The House
Chanukah- Lighting An Extra Candle On Rosh Chodesh Tevet
Chanukah- Why Do We Not Insert A Prayer Of Chanukah In Me’en Shalosh
Chanukah- Can Mourners Say Hallel on Chanukah or Rosh Chodesh, and Is It Permissible To Have An Arayat on Chanukah
Chanukah- Where Should The Menorah Be Placed
Chanukah- Are Ladies Required To Say The Hallel on Chanukah
Chanukah- Should One Recite Again SheAsa Nissim at Menorah Lighting In Shul After Doing So At Home
Chanukah- Should One Recite Again Shehechiyanu at Menorah Lighting In Shul After Doing So At Home
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found