DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Halacha is For the most happiness and peace of mind of
 Chana bat Rachel

Dedicated By
Someone who really cares

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
      
(File size: 632 KB)
The Beracha of Yoser Or – Touching the Tefillin, and Punctuating the Phrase, “Be’safa Berura U’bi’n’ima Kedusha”

The Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909) writes that after one recites the words, "Yoser Or U’boreh Hoshech" in the morning prayer service, he should take hold of his Tefillin Shel Yad and then kiss his hand. It is incorrect, the Ben Ish Hai adds, to touch one’s Tefillin Shel Rosh at this point, or at any other time during the recitation of the Beracha of "Yoser Or." There are those who do touch the Tefillin Shel Rosh at this point, and the Ben Ish Hai strongly opposes this practice. He notes that according to Kabbalistic teaching, there is no basis or rationale for touching the Tefillin Shel Rosh during the section of "Yoser Or." Of course, it is customary to touch both the Tefillin Shel Yad and the Tefillin Shel Rosh during the recitation of Shema, as one recites the verses that speak of Tefillin. During "Yoser Or," however, one should not touch the Tefillin Shel Rosh. This applies as well to the recitation of "Kadosh Kadosh Kadosh," when it is proper to touch the Tefillin Shel Yad, but not the Tefillin Shel Rosh.

There is a debate among the Halachic authorities concerning the proper way to recite the phrase, "Be’safa Berura U’bi’n’ima…" in the Beracha of "Yoser Or." Specifically, the debate surrounds the proper punctuation of this phrase. According to the scholars of Kabbalah, one should recite this phrase as follows: "Be’safa Berura U’bi’n’ima, Kedusha Kulam Ke’ehad Onim." This means that the heavenly angels sing "in a clear language, and with a pleasant voice; they all recite Kedusha in unison." According to this punctuation, one pauses in between the words "U’bi’n’ima" and "Kedusha," since "Kedusha" begins the next phrase. This is the view accepted by the Ben Ish Hai.

By contrast, the Abudarham (Rav David Abudarham of Seville, 14th century) punctuated this phrase as follows: "Be’safa Berura U’bi’n’ima Kedusha, Kulam Ke’ehad Onim." Meaning, the angels sing "in a clear language and with a sacred, pleasant voice; they all recite in unison…" According to the Abudarham, the word "Kedusha" is included as part of the first clause – "U’bi’n’ima Kedusha."

As for the final Halacha, both practices are acceptable, provided that one understands the text he recites and has the proper concentration as he recites the prayer.

Summary: One should touch his Tefillin Shel Yad – but not the Tefillin Shel Rosh – after reciting the words, "Yoser Or U’boreh Hoshech" in the beginning of the Beracha of "Yoser Or." There are divergent customs regarding the recitation of the phrase, "Be’safa Berura U’bi’n’ima Kedusha Kulam Ke’ehad Onim," as some make a slight pause after the word "U’bi’n’ima," while others make the pause after the word "Kedusha." Both practices are acceptable.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
May a Seller Charge a Higher Price if Payment is Delayed?
May a Lender Charge a Penalty for a Delayed Payment of the Debt?
Seizing a Debtor's Property in Lieu of Payment
Defining "Ri’bitt " (Interest)
"Ri’bit": The Prohibition Against Receiving or Paying Interest
Is It Permissible To Poach (Take Away) A Customer
The Halachic Propriety of Opening a Competing Business
Exceptions to the Rule Allowing a Neighbor the Right of First Refusal
Can a Neighbor Exercise His Right of First of Refusal if He Did Not Do So Immediately; a Business Partner's Right of First Refusal
Offering First Right of Refusal to a Partner or Neighbor
Damaging Somebody’s Property for the Purpose of Saving a Life
Is There a Liability When a Child Damages Somebody’s Property?
If One Damages Somebody’s Property In His Sleep, Under Intoxication, While Celebrating, or During a Sports Game
Liability for Damages Caused While Walking or Running in a Public Domain
The Extent of Liability for Property Damages
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found