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From
<a href="http://ohr.edu/this_week/insights_into_halacha/6500" eudora="autourl">
http://ohr.edu/this_week/insights_into_halacha/6500</a><br><br>
<font size=3>Picture, if you will, the hallowed halls of almost any
<i>Yeshivah</i>, almost anywhere in the world, on <i>Rosh Hashanah</i>
morning. As the strains of <i>Shiras Chanah</i> conclude, followed by the
post-<i>Haftarah brachos</i>, there suddenly is a loud bang on the
<i>Bimah</i> and the <i>Gabbai</i> calls out “<i>Kiddush</i>!” Most of
those assembled take a break for a quick <i>Kiddush</i> and then return
for the day’s main <i>Mitzvah </i>- the <i>Tekiyas Shofar</i>, the
<i>Blowing</i> of the <i>Shofar</i>. The reciting of ‘<i>Lamnatzeach</i>’
soon reach a crescendo, not unlike a deafening roar, as the congregation
eagerly anticipates and prepares for the <i>Shofar</i> Blowing.<br><br>
Although this is indeed the common custom in almost every
<i>Yeshivah</i>, curiously, the idea of making <i>Kiddush</i> and eating
prior to the main <i>Mitzvah</i> of the day is considered an anathema to
some. In fact, the <i>Matteh Efraim</i>, who is considered the authority
on issues relating to the <i>Yomim Nora’im</i>, writes that it is
actually prohibited to eat before <i>Tekiyas Shofar</i>, barring if one
is weak, and, even only then, a small ‘<i>Te’imah</i>’, tasting of food,
in private, is allowed.<a name="_ednref1"></a>[1] If so, why do so many
make <i>Kiddush</i><a name="_ednref2"></a>[2] and eat before <i>Tekiyas
Shofar</i>?<br><br>
<Snip><br><br>
To sum up the matter, and although this dilemma is quite complicated, one
must ascertain from his knowledgeable <i>halachic</i> authority, as well
as taking his personal situation, strength level, and <i>minhag</i> into
account, as to what to do on <i>Rosh Hashanah
</i>morning.<a name="_ednref23"></a>[23]<br><br>
<b>Postscript:</b> One interesting upshot of this <i>machlokes</i> seems
to be the recent proliferation of <i>Vasikin Minyanim</i> on <i>Rosh
Hashanah</i>. In this way, it is possible to <i>daven</i> all of
<i>Shacharis</i> and <i>Mussaf</i> and still be able to make
<i>Kiddush</i> after completing <i>davening</i> but still before
<i>Chatzos</i>, as well as gain all the spiritual benefits of
‘<i>Davening Haneitz</i>’.<a name="_ednref24"></a>[24] A seemingly
excellent way to avoid spiritual conflict on the Day of Judgment, all the
while literally fulfilling the <i>Rambam’s</i> famous dictum (<i>Hilchos
Teshuvah</i> Ch. 3: 4) of ‘<i>Uru Yesheinim Mi’shnascham</i>, Wake up you
slumberers, from your sleep’, for the clarion call of the
<i>Shofar</i>.<br><br>
See the above URL for more.<br><br>
<hr>
Any one living in Flatbush is welcome to come to the YI of Ave J Haskama
Minyan on RH morning. We start at 7:15 and davening will be over by
11:30 (with Musaf). Then there is plenty of time to go home and
make kiddush before Chatzos. Davening is on the second floor in the
Simcha Hall.<br><br>
YL<br>
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