Guidelines to the Right and the Left

The Guidelines: questions and answers about laws of the right and the left

broshure 

With thanks and praise to the Almighty, we offer you the basics of the laws regarding taking actions right or left hand, and right or left direction. During the day the person is not just a choice, what with your hands or which side to start some action and execute commands. This is especially useful guide Boden left-handers, for which the left hand - the "right". We presented the laws in the order in which the day and the year there is a need in their performance.

It should be emphasized that in most cases, even if the person has started to effect the wrong hands or in the wrong direction, its action or mitzvah count and does not require re-performance. The exception is the tefillin. However, the Community is to praise Israel for the scrupulous and exact execution of the mitzvot.

The most significant work on the subject is a brochure of the gaon Rabbi Chaim Kanevsky, but it will last for days. Written by him over 40 years ago Kuntras Ish Iter (Collection left-handed), reprinted since then with numerous comments. Two of them - Yemin Moshe Yemin and Ben Ish - formed the basis of our guide. It should be noted, however, that in this matter there are other authoritative opinions and different customs.

In the midrash on Leviticus (4:1) says: "Rabbi Levy and Rabbi Yitzchak said that the Creator has two things in his right hand and on the left are two things: the Torah and tzedakah - on the right, and the life and justice - to the left." Obviously, our Sages of blessed memory were aware of the importance of correct sequence.

Let us hope that in the merit of maintaining the correct sequence of actions we honor the Torah, good deeds, life and justice.

Elozor Barclay, Yitzchok Jaeger
Shevat 5768