Ha-Rav
answers hundreds of text message questions a day! Here's a sample:
Tzitzit directly on one's
Body
Q: Is it permissible to wear
Tziztit directly on one's body?
A: There are those who forbid
it. Kaf Ha-Chaim 8:3. But this is a stricture, and the basic law is
that it is permissible to wear them directly on one's body.
Immodest Clothing
Q: I am a newly observant
woman. Can I sell my immodest clothing
to a second-hand clothing store?
A: Only if there is a way to
wear them in a modest way, such as in layers. Regarding the prohibition of "Do not
place a stumbling block before the blind" (Vayikra 19:14), we are
"Tolim" (literally "hanging" on the assumption) that one
will wear it in a permissible manner (Mishnah Gittin 5:9). Shut Yechaveh Da'at (3:67).
Psychologist
Q: Is it permissible to go to
a secular psychologist?
A: If he is gentle, respects
religion and there is no religious psychologist available.
Follow Me!
Q: What is the Torah source
for the saying in Tzahal: Follow me! i.e. that the officers always go first?
A: "May Hashem…appoint a
man over the community, who will go out before them and come in before
them". Bemidbar 27:16-17. Our Sages explain the verse: "Who will go
out before them" – that he should not act like other nations who send out
the troops while they remain in their homes, rather he should lead them. And it says regarding King David (Shmuel 1
18:16): "And all of Israel and Yehudah loves David, because he goes out
and comes in before them". Yalkut
Shimoni, Pinchas #776. And so too
regarding Gideon: "He said to them: 'See my example and do the same. When I arrive at the edge of the camp, then
as I do, so should you do'".
Shoftim 7:17 (see Ha-Rav Aviner's commentary on Yehoshua, pp. 19-20).
War with Iran
Q: I saw quotes from the
Zohar that Persia will rule over us and many will be killed. What should we do?
A: It has nothing to do with
our circumstances. No need to be
concerned.
Non-Jews at a Brit Milah
Q: Is it permissible to have
non-Jews present at a Brit Milah? The
family of a convert?
A: It is permissible.
Q: In a Shul?
A: It is permissible, on
condition that they are not wearing a cross.
"Do not bring an abomination into your house". The same is true if the Brit Milah is in your
home (Devarim 7:26. Avodah Zarah 21).
Burying in Levels
Q: Is it permissible to bury
in levels?
A: Yes. And do not suspect the Chevra Kadisha of
performing a transgression (This is the ruling of Ha-Rav Mordechai Eliyahu and
Ha-Rav Ovadiah Yosef).
Umbilical Cord
Q: What should be done with
the remains of the umbilical cord when it falls off the baby's belly button?
A: Throw it in the
garbage.
