[Avodah] Mitsvat Sukkah is almost unique

[kennethgmiller at juno.com]

R' Shlomo Argamon wrote:
> Interestingly, I just this evening saw the following
> comment by Rav Nebentzal, in Beyitshaq Yiqare, commenting
> on the idea (brought in M"B s'if qatan 2) of not walking
> more than 4 amot before neigl vasser, vezeh leshono:

and here's the quote:
> "ADMO"R ZLLH"H heard from HaRav David BHR"N ZT"L that the
> tradition (masoret) from the GR"A is that from the time that
> the true convert R. Avraham ben Avraham the Graf Potocki was
> burned to death `al qidush Hashem, the "ruahh ra`ah" no longer
> exists (batlah) on the hands. And ADMO"R ZLLH"H explained that
> this is just regarding matters whose source is the Zohar, and
> not regarding matters found in the Gemara.  For example, one
> need not be concerned about not walking 4 amot before the
> washing, as its source is in the Zohar and not from the law
> (midina) of the Gemara."

then, R' Shlomo Argamon commented:
> I find this rather remarkable, and hope for comments from
> those qualified to do so.

Normally, I would not bring such an extensive quote from a previous Avodah post. But all who are interested, please note that virtually this exact same thing appears in Halichos Shlomo, Hilchos Tefilah, Perek 20, "Orchos Halacha" #49:

"Our Rabbi [Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach] said that he heard from the Ziknei Yerushalayim that it is a Kabala B'Yadayim, Ish Mipi Ish going back to Rav Chaim Volozhiner, that he heard from Rabenu HaGra z"l, that when the holy ger tzedek Avraham Ben Avraham was burned Al Kiddush HaShem, on the second day of Shavuos 5509, a flame of fire broke out from the Maaras Hamachpela, and the Sitra Achra lost some of its power, and at that time, Tumas Yadayim Shel Shacharis was weakened. Nevertheless, to those who asked how mekil one might be in relying on this, he paskened not to budge from what is explained in the poskim and Mishna Brurah and especially the Gemara.... but he was not so machmir against walking 4 amos without washing, as that does not appear in the gemara...."

The above is cited as the reference for the following, which appears in Halichos Shlomo, Hilchos Rosh Hashana 1:6:

"When reaching Alos Hashachar in the middle of Selichos, there's no need to interrupt and wash again immediately. Rather, finish Selichos and then wash hands. Likewise, it is mutar then to walk more than 4 amos, and you don't even have to be careful against touching eyes, clothing, etc."

(I presume that the word "again" in the above paragraph refers to the first washing which one did upon waking. I suppose that the safek [of whether the Ruach Ra comes upon waking or at Alos] contributes to these leniencies.)

Akiva Miller