Prologue: As Rivka approached her meeting with her destined Bashert
Yitzchak, she was immediately struck by his presence. So great was the
aura that we are told that she fell off the camel she had been riding.
After finding out who he was and that he was her destined, Rivka took her
kerchief and covered herself (VaTikach Es HaTzaif VaTiskas <24:65>). Rashi
explains that the language of VaTiskas is in the Titpael form of the verb
like Vatikaver and VaTishaber. The form of the verb described by Rashi
implies that it was done to her (as if by someone else.) Rav Yerucham
Levovitz explained that clearly Rivka covered herself. However, the
implication of the form of the verb demonstrates the immediacy of her
actions. Rivka did not hesitate to cover herself in the presence of her
future husband as if someone else (who might not have cared to let off a
little longing glance) would have done the same action swiftly and
without hesitation. It is from this action that we learn how we are
supposed to approach Nisayon, swiftly and without hesitation.
Rav Elya Lopian notes that this is the understanding of the
introductory verse of the Kedusha Nikadesh Es Shimcha BaOlam K'SHEM
SHEMAKDISHIM OSO BShmei Marom. We beseech Hashem to grant us the ability
to coronate him daily with the same swiftness that the angels who lack the
deterring power of Yetzer Hara do.
Their wedding was a fine one and the beginning of a fulfilling
life together. We too, wish our Chassanim and Kallos a life of happiness
and Simcha. Each night of the first seven of a new Chosson and Kalla we
establish a Seudas Sheva Berachos provided that a Panim Chadashos appears.
What goes into the creation of this new status? This weeks Chaburah
examines the issue. It is entitled:
***********
Panim Chadashos: a new face for what?
***********
The Gemara at the beginning of Kesubos notes that one can recite
Sheva Berachos all 7 days of a wedding feast provided that there is a
Minyan present. Rav Yehuda adds that this assumes that a Panim Chadashos
appears. Rav Ashi determines that 7 Berachos are recited on the first day
no matter what. After that point, if there is a Panim Chadashot then Sheva
Berachot are recited. If not, then only the Berachot of SheHaSimcha
BMinono and Asher Bara can be recited. Who are the mysterious Panim
Chadashot?
Yam Shel Shlomo (Kesubos 18) is quick to point out that Panim
Chadashot refers to one who was not present the day before. Rambam
explains that this refers to being present at any recitation of Berachot
for the Chosson and Kalla (including the Chuppa) while Ramban explains
trhat they had to be present at the meal in order to lose status of Panim
Chadashot. Rashi and Tosfos add that Panim Chadashot must add some measure
of Simcha to the Chosson and Kalla.
The Steipler (Kehillos Yaakov, Kesubos 6) debates the possibility
of a young Katan being part of Panim Chadashot. He adds that the issue is
likely dependant on whether the idea of Sheva Berachot is the Chiyuv of
the Panim Chadashot or of the crowd. If it is the Chiyuv of the Panim
Chadashot who has not heard the Berachot as yet, then a Katan who is never
obligated, can never be Panim Chadashot. However, if his existence merely
adds to the Simcha, then why can a Katan not act as Panim Chadashot? He
leaves the issue with a Tarich Iyun though it should be pointed out that
the Otzar HaPoskim (Even HaEzer 62:2) clearly does not allow women or
Ketanim to act as Panim Chadashot as neither count for a Minyan that is
used in creating the situation for Sheva Berachot.
Rav Moshe (Dibbros Moshe Kesubos Siman 8) adds another dimension
to the understanding of Panim Chadashot. According to Rav Moshe, the first
seven days of the marriage of a Chosson and Kalla should be designated as
Mikudash to them alone. Each day of the seven should be as special as the
day of the wedding. Only through the Panim Chadashot, says Rav Moshe, are
the titles of Chosson and Kalla renewed throughout the seven days allowing
the Sheva Berachot to be recited as if it were the day of the wedding.
Accordingly, anything that reinstates the status of Chosson and Kalla
gives reason for the recitation of Sheva Berachot. Rav Moshe explains that
for this reason, Sheva Berachot on Shabbos do not need Panim Chadashot.
Rav Moshe explains that since Shabbos adds Kedusha to all aspects of the
world, it also adds to the status of Chosson VKalla on the week of their
Simcha. Therefore on Shabbos, there would be no need for Panim Chadashot.
The title was already reinstated by Shabbos itself, thus not necessitating
special help from an outsider.
Yitzchak, she was immediately struck by his presence. So great was the
aura that we are told that she fell off the camel she had been riding.
After finding out who he was and that he was her destined, Rivka took her
kerchief and covered herself (VaTikach Es HaTzaif VaTiskas <24:65>). Rashi
explains that the language of VaTiskas is in the Titpael form of the verb
like Vatikaver and VaTishaber. The form of the verb described by Rashi
implies that it was done to her (as if by someone else.) Rav Yerucham
Levovitz explained that clearly Rivka covered herself. However, the
implication of the form of the verb demonstrates the immediacy of her
actions. Rivka did not hesitate to cover herself in the presence of her
future husband as if someone else (who might not have cared to let off a
little longing glance) would have done the same action swiftly and
without hesitation. It is from this action that we learn how we are
supposed to approach Nisayon, swiftly and without hesitation.
Rav Elya Lopian notes that this is the understanding of the
introductory verse of the Kedusha Nikadesh Es Shimcha BaOlam K'SHEM
SHEMAKDISHIM OSO BShmei Marom. We beseech Hashem to grant us the ability
to coronate him daily with the same swiftness that the angels who lack the
deterring power of Yetzer Hara do.
Their wedding was a fine one and the beginning of a fulfilling
life together. We too, wish our Chassanim and Kallos a life of happiness
and Simcha. Each night of the first seven of a new Chosson and Kalla we
establish a Seudas Sheva Berachos provided that a Panim Chadashos appears.
What goes into the creation of this new status? This weeks Chaburah
examines the issue. It is entitled:
***********
Panim Chadashos: a new face for what?
***********
The Gemara at the beginning of Kesubos notes that one can recite
Sheva Berachos all 7 days of a wedding feast provided that there is a
Minyan present. Rav Yehuda adds that this assumes that a Panim Chadashos
appears. Rav Ashi determines that 7 Berachos are recited on the first day
no matter what. After that point, if there is a Panim Chadashot then Sheva
Berachot are recited. If not, then only the Berachot of SheHaSimcha
BMinono and Asher Bara can be recited. Who are the mysterious Panim
Chadashot?
Yam Shel Shlomo (Kesubos 18) is quick to point out that Panim
Chadashot refers to one who was not present the day before. Rambam
explains that this refers to being present at any recitation of Berachot
for the Chosson and Kalla (including the Chuppa) while Ramban explains
trhat they had to be present at the meal in order to lose status of Panim
Chadashot. Rashi and Tosfos add that Panim Chadashot must add some measure
of Simcha to the Chosson and Kalla.
The Steipler (Kehillos Yaakov, Kesubos 6) debates the possibility
of a young Katan being part of Panim Chadashot. He adds that the issue is
likely dependant on whether the idea of Sheva Berachot is the Chiyuv of
the Panim Chadashot or of the crowd. If it is the Chiyuv of the Panim
Chadashot who has not heard the Berachot as yet, then a Katan who is never
obligated, can never be Panim Chadashot. However, if his existence merely
adds to the Simcha, then why can a Katan not act as Panim Chadashot? He
leaves the issue with a Tarich Iyun though it should be pointed out that
the Otzar HaPoskim (Even HaEzer 62:2) clearly does not allow women or
Ketanim to act as Panim Chadashot as neither count for a Minyan that is
used in creating the situation for Sheva Berachot.
Rav Moshe (Dibbros Moshe Kesubos Siman 8) adds another dimension
to the understanding of Panim Chadashot. According to Rav Moshe, the first
seven days of the marriage of a Chosson and Kalla should be designated as
Mikudash to them alone. Each day of the seven should be as special as the
day of the wedding. Only through the Panim Chadashot, says Rav Moshe, are
the titles of Chosson and Kalla renewed throughout the seven days allowing
the Sheva Berachot to be recited as if it were the day of the wedding.
Accordingly, anything that reinstates the status of Chosson and Kalla
gives reason for the recitation of Sheva Berachot. Rav Moshe explains that
for this reason, Sheva Berachot on Shabbos do not need Panim Chadashot.
Rav Moshe explains that since Shabbos adds Kedusha to all aspects of the
world, it also adds to the status of Chosson VKalla on the week of their
Simcha. Therefore on Shabbos, there would be no need for Panim Chadashot.
The title was already reinstated by Shabbos itself, thus not necessitating
special help from an outsider.
