The berachah upon seeing graves

Hi,

There is a berachah which is recited upon seeing graves of Jews [after not seeing graves of Jews for thirty days]. This berachah is recited when seeing graves even if one is outside the cemetery, but not simply upon perceiving that there is a cemetery in that space.

A blind person would not recite this blessing, even when standing in the cemetery.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 5:37:10)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Guide dogs in the synagogue

Hi,

One who needs a guide dog ("seeing eye dog") in order to get around is permitted to bring it into shul, even though we generally do not permit animals in shul. Ideally, such a person should sit in a place in which disruption will be minimized.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 1:45)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

A blind person rising for an elder or sage

Hi,

A blind person is not required to stand if he becomes aware that he is in the presence of an elderly or learned person, unless it is his personal mentor.

(Pitchei Teshuvah Yoreh Deah 240:6)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Blind people and kiddush levanah

Hi,

Blind people perform kiddush levanah when the moon is visible to others; they cannot see the moon, but the substance of the berachah is about the moon's renewal rather than its visibility.

(Mishneh Berurah 426:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Tallit for a blind person?

Hi,

Although the Torah states that the mitzvah of tzitzit involves 'seeing' the strings, blind people are also obligated in this mitzvah.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 17:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Aliyot for the blind

Hi,

The person who reads from the Torah is required to read every letter from the scroll itself. Because of this requirement, some authorities do not permit a blind person to receive an aliyah, even if someone else is the formal baal keriah (reader).

Many Ashkenazi authorities do permit a blind person to receive an aliyah, though, and that is our practice at our shul.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 139:3; Mishneh Berurah 139:12-13)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Shabbat candles for those who cannot see

Hi,

We have been learning about Shabbat candles.

A woman who cannot see still lights for the sake of others in the home.

If she has a husband who can see, he should recite the blessing, since he gets the main benefit. If others are lighting their own candles, they should recite the blessing, for the same reason. However, if the only other residents are not lighting their own and are not her husband, she should recite the blessing.

(Mishneh Berurah 263:14)

Have a great day,
Mordechai