Ha-Rav
answers hundreds of text message questions a day! Here's a sample:
Shehechiyanu for the Birth of
a Child with Down's Syndrome
Q: Ha-Rav answered that if a
child is born with Down's Syndrome, one should recite "Dayan Ha-Emet"
on the distress as well as "Shehechiyanu" on the joy. We – with Hashem's kindness – had a baby with
Down's Syndrome born to us and we were very happy and are still happy, and we
don't see any reason to recite "Dayan Ha-Emet"?
A: Fortunate are you! May those like you increase in Israel. But most people also feel some sadness, and
one should therefore recite "Dayan Ha-Emet". Ha-Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv ruled that
Shehechiyanu should not be recited at all, and he is discussing a case where
the parents are only sad and have no joy (Kav Ve-Naki #70). But the usual case is that there are mixed
emotions.
Tefillin which Fell
Q: What should one do if
Tefillin fell on the floor?
A: The basic custom is not to
fast but to redeem the fast with Tzedakah.
And one should also add Torah learning.
Piskei Teshuvot 40:2.
Eating at the House of a
Non-Religious Jew
Q: The laws of Kashrut
prevent me from eating at the house of my non-religious friends. Isn't it more important to be strict with
loving a fellow Jew and sanctifing Hashem's Name than keeping Kosher?
A: The laws of Kashrut are
not a bother but service of Hashem and sanctification of Hashem's Name. It is true that for the sake of friendship
one may decide to forgo strictures but not the basic Halachah. And one must be 100% certain that everything
is Kosher (see Shut Igrot Moshe, Yoreh Deah 1:54, 2:43. And see Ein Aya on Berachot, p. 361).
Holding Hands in Public
Q: My wife really wants to
hold hands when we walk in the street.
Is it allowed?
A: Public acts of affection
are forbidden. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch
152:11.
Shaking a Woman's Hand
Q: In the text message
response on the question: If a secular woman puts out her hand, can I shake it?
Ha-Rav answered: No. Politely apologize: Forgive me, this is saved for my wife.
I once heard that Ha-Rav Moshe Feinstein when facing the same situation would
shake her hand - the reasoning being that not shaking a woman's hand is a
Rabbinic prohibition but embarrassing a person is a Torah prohibition. Was this
in fact the case, and if not, what about applying the above reasoning and
allowing the handshake?
A: Ha-Rav Feinstein did
mention this idea in his Teshuvot (Shut Igrot Moshe, Even Ha-Ezer 1:56, 4:32.
See also Orach Chaim 1:113) but concluded that it is difficult to rely on
it. This is especially true since the
Beit Yosef (Yoreh Deah 195) mentioned that according to the Rambam it is a
Torah prohibition and one should be killed rather than transgress it! We should not embarrass anyone, but here the
woman is causing herself embarrassment. Ha-Rav Ovadia Yosef declined to shake
hands with Prime Minister Golda Meir when he received the Israel Prize. And Rav
Mordechai Eliyahu did not shake hands with the Queen of England. In both cases apologies were issued to the
Rabbis on the same night for putting them in that situation.
Relating to Jesus and
Muhammad
Q: How do we relate to Jesus?
A: Our Sages say that he was
an extremely talented Jew who spoiled his proper character traits and
faith. The Rambam writes that he led a
huge part of humanity to idol worship and spilling of our blood. Rambam, Hilchot Melachim 11:4 – the
uncensored version.
Q: And Muhammad?
A: The Koran described him as
uneducated, and as one with improper character traits and an inclination for
women. And see Rambam, Igeret
Teiman. But he has the merit that he led
a huge part of humanity to the belief in one G-d (and see Teshuvot Ha-Rambam
#448).
