Ha-Rav
answers hundreds of text message questions a day! Here's a sample:
Davening
in Work Clothes
Q:
Is it permissible to daven Minchah in dirty work clothes?
A:
From the outset, one should not, since this is not how one stands before a
king. When there is no choice, it is
permissible (And Ha-Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv was asked: Is it permissible for
a painter to daven in his work clothes?
And he responded: If he would not be embarrassed to walk around wearing
such clothing on Yafo Street in Jerusalem, he may wear them for davening in an
extenuating circumstance. Kav Ve-Naki
#19).
Encouraging
Aliyah
Q:
How can we convince Jews to make Aliyah?
A:
1. Spiritually: this is our Land, our
State and our lives, and it is dangerous elsewhere because of anti-Semitism and
assimilation. 2. Practically: one should
help them find a livelihood, an area with people who speak their language (if
they are not yet fluent in Hebrew) and an appropriate schools for their
children.
Slit
in a Skirt
Q:
Is it forbidden to have a slit in a skirt even under the knee?
A:
Yes. It should be filled in with the
same or similar fabric. Malbushei Kavod,
p. 102.
Overcoming
Q:
What should I do in order to retain modesty - everything is full of horrible
seductions: TV, Internet, Facebook, newspapers, Iphone, the street, etc.?
A:
It is true that it is very difficult to overcome these obstacles but it is
possible. Everything which Hashem
commands is possible. One who overcomes
is called "holy". He is
fortunate.
Davening
and Peace
Q:
In the Shul where I daven, there is tension between the people. Is it worthwhile to move to a different Shul?
A:
Yes. But it is preferable to make peace
where you are. And the Arizal wrote that
before davening one should accept upon himself "Love your fellow as
yourself", i.e. he should love all of Israel as himself, so that his
prayers rise up together with those of all Israel. Chida, Petach Einayim Ukatzim chapter 3 #4.
Conflict
between Honoring Parents and Fulfillment of Halachah
Q:
What should one do when there is a conflict between one's parents and
fulfilling the Halachah?
A:
One should honor his parents to the greatest extent which the Halachah allows
in a pressing circumstance (Ha-Rav Elezar Menachem Man Schach told yeshiva students
that their parents are not always comfortable with their customs and exactitude
in observing Halachah, and this can cause arguments and strife. Therefore, in any issue in which halachic
authorities write that one may be lenient when there is a "Hefsed
Merubah" (major loss), one may be lenient since arguing with one's parents
is a "Hefsed Merubah". The
Booklet "Halachah Ke-Rebbe Elezar" by Ha-Rav Shmuel Baruch Genot, p.
36).
Electricity
on Shabbat
Q:
Is it permissible to use electricity on Shabbat in Israel (in a permissible
fashion - either by turning it on before Shabbat or using a timer) since the
electric company desecrates Shabbat?
A:
It is permissible. There are many
reasons for being lenient (And Ha-Rav Moshe Feinstein and Ha-Rav Yosef Shalom
Elyashiv said that the opinion that it is forbidden is according to the Chazon
Ish and he is a lone opinion in this matter.
Shut Divrei Chachmim, p. 103).
Giving
a Ring to the Groom
Q:
Is it permissible for the bride to give the groom a ring and say to him:
"Ani Le-Dodi Ve-Dodi Li – I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine"?
A:
It is forbidden. But after the fact, the
marriage is still valid. Shut Igrot
Moshe (Even Ha-Ezer 3:18).
