From the Rav’s desk: 1) Making up Hoshanos for Shabbos on hoshana raba; 2) Flatulating in sukkah 3) Hole in pitom

Topic: 1) Repeating Hoshanos of Shabbos on Sunday

1. Question: [Friday, 19^th Tishreiy, 5783]

This year that Hoshanah Rabbah falls on Sunday, what do we do about the repeating of the Hoshanos that we omitted on Shabbos. Do we not repeat it on Sunday Being that anyways, we’ll be saying all 7 Hoshanos for Hoshana Raba which includes the omitted Hoshana, or do we say it twice and if so, when?

Answer:

The omitted Hoshanah of Shabbos should be said prior to beginning the seven Hoshanos of Hoshanah Raba.

Explanation: The Poskim rule that one does not encircle the Bimah on Shabbos. Furthermore, some Poskim rule that the paragraph of Hoshanos is likewise omitted on Shabbos, and practically so is the Chabad custom. However, on Sunday, one recites the Hoshanos of that day, and the skipped Hoshanos of Shabbos, with saying the Hoshanos of Shabbos first and encircling the Bimah only once. Now, regarding what to do if Hoshanah Raba falls on Sunday, seemingly the above directive applies even when Hoshanah Raba falls on Sunday. Although there is no explicit directive that we have received in this matter, nonetheless, it appears from the sources that the omitted Shabbos Hoshanos should be recited prior to the start of the 7 Hoshanos of Hoshanah Raba.

Sources: Simple implication of Tzemach Tzedek in Piskei Dinim 660; See Hiskashrus that so was testified of the Rebbe, that he was seen to say something prior to the start of the Hakafos by Hoshanah Raba of such a year; See regarding the general custom of omitted Hoshanos on Shabbos and making it up the next day: Rama 660:1; Siddur Admur; Piskei Dinim Tzemach Tzedek end of Orach Chaim 660; Shaar Hakolel 45:3; Hayom Yom 17^th-18^th Tishrei; Sefer Haminhagim p. 67; Otzer Minhagei Chabad p. 317-318

Topic: Flatulating in a Sukkah

2. Question: [Friday, 19^th Tishreiy, 5783]

Is it permitted for one to flatulate in a Sukkah, or is this considered disrespectful, and therefore one should leave the Sukkah if he needs to do so?

Answer:

It is permitted for one to flatulate in a Sukkah if he feels the need to do so, and he is not required to leave the Sukkah to do so outside. Nevertheless, intentional and controllable flatulence is not to be done in a Sukkah.

Explanation:

We do not find any explicit prohibition recorded in Poskim against flatulating in a Sukkah, unlike the ruling regarding Tefillin, in which flatulence is explicitly prohibited while wearing them. Furthermore, it is forbidden to sleep with Tefillin due to this reason, that one may flatulate with them while sleeping, and by Sukkah it is a Mitzvah and obligation to sleep inside even though one may flatulate during sleep. Now, although it is forbidden to do belittling acts inside of the Sukkah, nevertheless, this refers to intentional acts that can be avoided according to one’s choice, and flatulence by nature is not something that one chooses to perform, and hence can be considered within the parameters of Teishvu Keiyn Taduru. So ruled Rav Elyashiv, and so is also the ruling regarding a Shul, in which it is permitted to flatulate and spit if necessary. So is also the ruling regarding permitting marital relations in a Sukkah due to Teishvu Keiyn Taduru.

Sources: See article of Rav Chaim Rappaort on sleeping in a Sukkah printed in Heichal Besht 4; Or Torah Gilyon 321 and 324; Avnei Yashpei 5:88 is stringent against controllable flatulance in a Sukkah being that It is forbidden to do belittling acts in a Sukkah, and thus it is forbidden to urinate in a Sukkah, and the same should apply to flatulence; However, Rav Elyashiv permits it being that so is the way of man, and it is not a belittling of the Sukkah; See regarding the general prohibition against performing belittling acts in a Sukkah: Admur 639:2; Rama 639:1; Orchos Chaim Sukkah 34; Piskeiy Teshuvos 639:3-4; See regarding the prohibition to urinate in a Sukkah: Chayeh Adam 147:2; M”B 639:9; Kaf Hachaim 639:23; Minchas Elazar 4:73; Daas Torah; Birchas Chaim 4; Beir Moshe 6:1; Piskeiy Teshuvos 639:4; See regarding marital intimacy in a Sukkah: Admur 639:9 and Rama 639:2; Taz 639:4; Elya Raba 639:8 in name of Shlah; Siddur Rav Shabsi; Birkeiy Yosef 639:3; Chayeh Adam 147:2; Ben Ish Chaiy Haazinu 9; Bikkureiy Yaakov 639:8 in name of Arizal; Kitzur SHU”A 135:2l; Aruch Hashulchan 639:4; M”B in Biur Halacha 639:1 “Vial”; See Kaf Hachaim 639:22; Nitei Gavriel 59:11

Topic: Hole in area of Pitom

3. Question: [Friday, 19^th Tishreiy, 5783]

I purchased a very expensive Pitom-less Esrog and just discovered a hole that goes through the top part of the Pitom into the Esrog? Is it Kosher?

Answer:

During Chol Hamoed it is for certain Kosher. On the first day [and second in Diaspora] of Sukkos, it is only valid if the hole does not reach the seed box of the Esrog. This can be verified through sticking a thin wire through the hole and seeing how deep it goes. [If it goes past the Chotem, this is a sign that it has reached the seed box.] If one is unsure if the hole has reached the seed box, or has no way of verifying, then it is valid even on the first day.

Explanation:

It is disputed amongst Poskim as to whether an Esrog which has a hole without a missing piece is invalid during the first day/s of Sukkos, depending on the hole. If the hole does not reach the seed box, or go from side to side, and is smaller than an Issur, then the Esrog remains valid according to all, if no piece from it is missing. If, however, the hole reaches the seed box, or goes side to side, or is size of an Issur, then its validation on the first days is under dispute, and practically, we rule that is only valid with a blessing if no other Esrog available and no actual piece is missing. However, if one is in mere doubt whether the hole has reached the seed box of the Esrog, then the Esrog is valid if the hole in question is not the size of an Issur and is not Mefulash from one side of the Esrog the other side.

Sources: P”M Y.D. 43 M”Z 2; Bikkureiy Yaakov 648:24; M”B 648:11 and 32; Chaim Ubracha 252; Kaf Hachaim 648:52; See regarding the general invalidation of an Esrog with a hole: Admur 648:3-6 and 8; Michaber 648:2; Mishneh Sukkah 34b; See regarding dispute in Poskim if hole reaches seed box: Stringent: Opinion in Admur 648:6; 2nd opinion in Michaber 648:2; Tosafos Sukkah 36a; Rosh 18; Ritva; Ran; Taz 648:6 ; Lenient: Stam opinion in Admur 648:5; 1st opinion in Michaber 648:2; Raavad in Tamim Deim 230; Bahag; Rif; See regarding the validation in a case of doubt: Admur 648:8; Rama 648:2; Taz 648:3; See regarding Chol Hamoed: Opinion in Admur 648:6; 2^nd opinion in Michaber 648:2; Tosafos Sukkah 36a; Rosh 18; Ritva; Ran; Taz 648:6