ASK THE VEBBE REBBE
From the Virtual Desk of the OU Vebbe Rebbe
The Orthodox Union – via its website – fields questions of all types in the areas of kashrut, Jewish law and values. Some of the questions are answered by Eretz Hemdah, the Institute for Advanced Jewish Studies, Jerusalem, founded by HaRav Shaul Yisraeli, zt"l to prepare rabbanim and dayanim to serve the National Religious community in Israel and abroad. The Ask the Rabbi project is a joint venture of the OU, Yerushalayim Network, Eretz Hemdah... and the Israel Center. The following is a Q&A from Eretz Hemdah...

Question: Are you allowed to throw out a letter which has on it the abbreviation “Bet-Heh” or “Bet-Samech-Dalet”? Is it better not to write them in the first place? 

Answer: One should refrain from writing Hashem’s name on the types of writings (invitations, newspapers, letters) which are likely to be thrown out. The gemara tells us how the Hashmonaim started writing Hashem’s name in documents (to reverse the influence of the Greeks). Eventually, the Rabbis found out and canceled the practice out of fear that these documents would be improperly disposed of (Rosh Hashana 18b, brought by Rama, Yoreh Deah 276:13). 

However, abbreviations which are used to refer to Hashem, including “Bet-Heh” (Hebrew for: with Hashem’s help) have no halachic significance according to several opinions (see Yechave Da’at III, 18). There is additional reason for leniency when k’tav ashuri (print found in a sefer Torah) is not used (see Shut Rama, siman 34). Others suggest not to write “Bet-Heh” and if it is written, not to erase it (see Shut Tzafnat Pa’aneach, quoted in Yechave Da’at, ibid.). Regarding “Yud-Yud” found often in siddurim in place of Hashem’s name, the Rama (Yoreh Deah 276:10) says that it can be erased only if there is a need. 

As opposed to “Bet-Heh”, where the letter “Heh” represents one of the letters in Hashem’s name, “Bet-Samech-Dalet” (which, in Aramaic, means: with Divine assistance) has no element of Hashem’s name and need not be dealt with in any special way (Igrot Moshe, Yoreh Deah II, 138). This is why many people use “Dalet” as a one letter abbreviation of His name, instead of “Heh”.

In summary it is preferable not to throw out in a disgraceful manner papers with “Bet-Heh” or “Yud-Yud” on them. However, it is sufficient to remove the word(s) from the paper and then throw out the rest (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 276:13). The word “Bet-Samech-Dalet” causes no problem whatsoever, and thus, while not required, may adorn our writings with the concept that all of our endeavors are possible only with Hashem’s help. 

This “Ask the Rabbi” Q&A is part of this week’s Hemdat Yamim, the parsha sheet published by Eretz Hemdah. You can read this section or the entire Hemdat Yamim at www.ou.org or www.eretzhemdah.org. If you would like to receive Hemdat Yamim by e-mail, on a weekly basis, please send an e-mail to lists@eretzhemdah.org with the message Join Hemdatya. Please leave the subject blank. 

Hasidic Wisdom from the book by Simcha Raz (Elkins/Elkins)
When suffering, one should not say, "It is bad". Because nothing that G-d does is bad. Rather one should say, "It is bitter". Because bitter pills are among the best cures.
- Rabbi Moshe of Kobrin

"The Heavens belong to G-d, and the earth He gave to humans." (T'hilim 115:16) The Heavens are heavenly in any event. G-d gave the earth to humans so that they could make that which is worldly, heavenly.
- Rabbi Chanoch Henich of Alexander 

Rite and Reason by Shmuel Pinchas Gelbard
Q Some have the custom of tasting the foods being prepared on Erev Shabbat for Shabbat.
A This custom, as mentioned by the Magen Avraham, is not just for the practical considerations of cooking. It is (or should be) part of the preparation for Shabbat to ensure that the meals will be appetizing and tasty. There is an allusion to this custom which is attributed to the Talmud Yerushalmi: Those who taste it (the flavor of Shabbat) merit (eternal) life." (from the Musaf of Shabbat). It is a mitzva to sample the Shabbat dishes before Shabbat, in honor of Shabbat. 

Q Why are the loaves baked in honor of Shabbat and Yom Tov called CHALLOT?
A (as opposed to referring to them as LECHEM, the correct word for bread - PC) Shabbat loaves are/were often baked by the women of the house themselves, unlike the weekday bread which they would buy from bakers. With homebaked bread, one had to remember to perform the mitzva of CHALLA (bakery bread already had CHALLA taken from it). As a reminder to set aside the CHALLA (one of the husband's reminders to his wife before Shabbat begins is to take CHALLA - PC), we call the Shabbat loaves CHALLA.

RITE and REASON is available at local Sfarim stores, in the original Hebrew as well as in English translation. It makes a great gift... even for yourself!

[The Yitro Homepage]
[The TORAH tidbits Homepage] [How to use TORAH tidbits]
[About The OU/NCSY Israel Center] [About TORAH tidbits]