Ha-Rav
answers hundreds of text message questions a day! Here's a sample:
First Shot
Q: I am in Tzahal, shot my
gun for the first time and am extremely happy.
Can I recite the blessing of Shehechiyanu?
A: Yes. A Good tiding. Performing a Mitzvah for the first time (Shut
Orach Mishpat #268-269).
Tzahal Uniform on Shabbat
Q: I put aside an army
uniform to wear specifically on Shabbat, and I just received a new
uniform. Is it permissible for me to put
aside the new uniform to wear on Shabbat and wear the older uniform on
weekdays, or it is forbidden because it is a decrease in holiness?
A: It is permissible. This is how Beit Shammai acted when they
bought food and put it aside for Shabbat, but when they found better food, they
ate the original food and left the better food for Shabbat (Beitzah 16a).
Drafting Yeshiva Students
Q: It is true that serving in
the army is a Mitzvah, but it is a Mitzvah that can be performed by others, and
learning Torah supersedes it (Moed Katan 9)?
A: Tzahal is currently
lacking 8000 soldiers needed to fill all of its positions. By the way, it is lacking 1000 Kashrut
supervisors, which is a very important and holy job, and is perfect for
students from Charedi Yeshivot.
Infringement on King Shaul's
Honor
Q: I served as a Rabbi in
America for many years. I taught about
King Shaul many times, and along with praising him, I also described him as
having psychological problems and anger management issues, etc. I am currently in the middle of Ha-Rav's book
"Torat Emet" (on learning Tanach) and now understand that I impinged
on King Shaul's honor and need to go to his grave with a Minyan and ask for his
forgiveness.
A: Yashar Koach! Unfortunately, the location of his grave is
unknown. Shmuel 2 21:14.
Pollard
Q: Is it permissible to
donate Ma'aser for Jonathan Pollard?
A: Yes. Ma'aser is for the poor, and he is extremely
poor from all perspectives.
Bar Mitzvah Meal
Q: Can a Bar Mitzvah meal be dairy?
A: Yes. Other meals for a Mitzvah may also be. The essence is that the meal is respectable
(see Piskei Teshuvot #194 in the notes.
Shut Teshuvot Ve-Hanhagot 2:485, 3:294).
Non-Kosher Animals
Q: Is it permissible to raise
a non-Kosher animal or bird in one's house?
A: Yes, if it is not a type
eaten by non-Jews. Beit Yosef, Yoreh
Deah #117. Shuchan Aruch ibid. Birkei Yosef ibid.
Tzadik
Q: Everyone calls me
"Tzadik", but I know that I am not.
Can this cause the evil eye to be on me?
A: No. There is no connection. But learn a lot of Mesilat Yesharim.
Will
Q: Will I get the evil eye if
I write a will?
A: Certainly not. Some authorities even hold that it is a
Segulah for a long life.
