[Avodah] Optional Acts With Rabbinic Prerequisites

[Jay F Shachter]

kennethgmiller at juno.com wrote on Thu, 28 May 2009 22:41:37 GMT:

> 
> Both netilas yadayim and eruv tavshilin are procedures which Chazal
> required us to do as a *preparation* for another act, such that
> without the preparation we are forbidden to do the other thing.  As
> long as you're planning to do the other thing, then, yes indeed, the
> preparation is a mitzvah.  But if you're not planning to do the other
> thing, then the preparation is *not* a mitzvah.
> 
> Hmmm... Are there any other *optional* acts which are *forbidden*
> unless a certain mitzvah-procedure is done beforehand?
> 
> Akiva Miller
> 

Is yibbum optional?  If so, then you have another one.  Scripturally,
the consummation of a yibbum relationship requires no prior procedure;
Rabbinically, it does, and, if I am not mistaken (please forgive me if
I am wrong -- I have no experience with this, and I do not know how
the community rabbis actually rule in practice, in those cases where
yibbum is performed), a brakha is recited.


			Jay F. ("Yaakov") Shachter
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