Ha-Rav
answers hundreds of text message questions a day! Here's a sample:
Kindness of Hashem
Q: Why am I lacking so much
in life? Hashem does not perform kindnesses for me.
A: On the contrary, despite
our transgressions, Hashem keeps us alive.
It would have been proper, from the moment of the first transgression,
for Hashem to remove us from the world, but nevertheless – in His great kindness
– He keeps us alive. Sefer Tomer Devorah
of the Ramak in the section "Mi El Kamocha".
Wedding Dress
Q: Is it permissible for a
bride to wear a cream-colored wedding dress instead of a white dress?
A: Yes.
Position of the Rabbi
Q: The Rabbi of our community
makes many mistakes – according to my opinion.
We spoke to him but it did not help.
Is it permissible for the Torah scholars who live here to wage war
against him?
A: Certainly not. On the contrary, it is incumbent upon you to
strengthen him in every possible way.
Pele Yoetz, section on "Mishpat Ve-Din".
Hatred
Q: Am I transgressing the
prohibition of hating a fellow Jew if I do not speak with someone on account of
a negative feeling?
A: Yes, "One who hates
is anyone who does not speak with another for 3 days out of enmity". Mishnah Sanhedrin 3:5.
Learning Tanach
Q: Is it permissible to learn
"Nach" without the explanation of our Sages?
A: One may only learn the
Written Torah according to the Oral Torah.
Daily Tanach Learning
Q: Is it worthwhile to learn
Tanach on a daily basis?
A: Certainly. Two chapters each day with Rashi and
Metzudot, year in and year out.
Made in Israel
Q: Is there a preference to
buy Israeli products?
A: Certainly. As much as possible. After all, we must strengthen our economy.
Israeli Fruit
Q: Is there a preference to
eat the fruit of Israel over fruit from outside of Israel?
A: Certainly. 1. It strengthens our economy. 2. The Divine Presence resides in the fruit
of Eretz Israel. Bach, Orach Chaim #208.
Metzitzah during Brit Milah
Q: Should one perform
Metzitzah during a Brit Milah directly with one's mouth or through the aid of a
glass tube, since there have been cases of babies becoming infected by the
Mohel?
A: It is permissible to do so
directly. Only in extremely rare cases do babies become infected, more
infrequently than someone being run over by a car while walking on the
sidewalk. And we should obviously be
concerned that the Mohel remains healthy.
Shut Da'at Cohain #140. But it is
also permissible to do so with a glass tube.
Ibid. #141-142.
