Note: These Halachos are just as important for men to learn and know, as they are for women.
...Continued from previous week
1) When a woman nurses her son, she should begin on the left side, which is closer to the heart. (Tzava’ah of Rav Yehuda HaChasid, Tzava’ah 55. This is based on the Talmud Brachos 10a and Niddah 48b. See Shmiras HaGuf V’hanefesh Siman 146 that this applies only to nursing a male child and does not apply to a baby girl. Other Poskim, however, maintain that this applies to baby girls as well. See Likutei Halachos on Tzava’as Rav Yehuda HaChasid written by Rav Shabsi Vigder Shlita, page 169-170)
2) There is no difference in regard to this Halacha between left handed women and right handed women, as it is due to the fact that the heart is on the left side. (Ruling of Rav Chaim Kanievsky Zatzal)
3) When visiting a grave, some have the custom to say “Yehi Ratzon Sh’tehey Menuchaso Shel Ploni Po B’Kavod U’Zechuso Ya’amod Li, May it be the will [of Hashem] that the resting of the person here be with dignity and may his/her merit be beneficial for me.” (Be’er Heitev Orach Chaim Siman 224:8)
4) The custom that people have to rip out some grass or pick up a stone and leave it on the Kever, is a show of respect to the one laying there, as it shows that people came to visit and pay their respect. (ibid.)
5) While visiting a grave it is proper to place one’s hand on the Kever. (ibid. The Arizal maintained that one should never go within 4 Amos of a grave, besides during the time of burial. See Mishna Berurah Siman 559:41)
The Gaon of Vilna (in the Igeres HaGra) wrote that people should not go to cemeteries at all, especially women.
The prevalent custom, however, is that we do in fact go to cemeteries, and do in fact go within 4 Amos and even touch the Kevarim. However, many women while they are in state of Niddah customarily do not go. (See Mishna Berurah Siman 88:7 and Bais Baruch to Chayei Adam Siman 3:38)
6) At all Shabbos and Yom Tov meals, there is an obligation to have “Lechem Mishneh”, two [complete] loaves of bread over which to recite the bracha of hamotzi. (See Aruch Hashulchan Siman 274:5). This obligation is equally applicable to men and women. (See Mishna Berura Siman 274 S”K 1)
7) In some circles women are less scrupulous about Lechem Mishneh than are men, and if that is their family or communal custom they have on whom to rely. (See Shu”t HaElef Lecha Shlomo Orach Chaim Siman 114 for an explanation)
8) Women are obligated to eat three meals on Shabbos, just as men are. Thus, they are obligated to eat the third meal, Seudah Shlishis as well. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 291:6)
9) Ideally, this meal, like the first two meals of Shabbos, should contain bread and have ‘Lechem Mishneh’. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 291:5 and Mishna Berura S”K 23)
However, B’dieved, if one is unable to eat bread (common in the short winter months when many people are still full from the morning meal) this meal can be fulfilled with mezonos items or fish or even with fruit. (ibid.)
...To be continued B’Ezras Hashem next week
