Ha-Rav
answers hundreds of text message questions a day! Here's a sample:
Making Noise at
Mention of Haman
Q: Is the Minhag
to make noise during the reading of the Megillah only when Haman's name is
mentioned or also for his wife and sons?
A: According to
the Shevet Musar, also for his wife and sons.
Piskei Teshuvot 690:9. But in
general, one should only make noise for Haman for a short amount of time and
one should not disrupt the reading of the Megillah. Do not turn the essential into the
unessential and the unessential into the essential (Ha-Rav Shlomo Zalman
Auerbach did not make any noise at Haman's name, not even stamping his feet. Ve-Alehu Lo Yibol, Vol. 1 p. 246. See She'eilat Shlomo 1:276).
Fireworks
Q:
Is it permissible to shoot off fireworks on Purim?
A:
It is certainly forbidden. They cause all sorts of injuries during the
year, and very severe ones. In addition there is the fear they
cause. Purim is a day to express the love of Israel and not a day to
cause her pain.
Cross-Dressing
for Purim
Q:
Is it permissible for a man to dress as a woman for Purim?
A:
Some authorities permit it, but most forbid it.
Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 696:8. Mishnah Berurah #30. It is therefore proper to refrain.
Q:
And a woman to dress as a man?
A:
Same as above. But certainly not in the
presence of men since it is eye-fetching.
Q:
And children?
A:
There are those who are also strict.
Piskei Teshuvot ibid. #14 (Aruch Ha-Shulchan ibid. #12. Shut Yechaveh Da'at 2:50. Orchot Rabbenu 3:60. Shut She'eilat Shlomo
1:287. A close associate of the Chazon
Ish entered his house on Purim with his 4-5 year old daughter wearing pants. The
Chazon Ish said: This is education?
Dinim Ve-Hanhagot of the Chazon Ish 22:10).
Honoring
Torah Scholars on Purim
Q:
Is it permissible to have a play on Purim which imitates Torah scholars?
A:
One must be extremely cautious on Purim not to embarrass another person and all
the more so to embarrass Torah scholars (Our Rabbi, Ha-Rav Tzvi Yehudah,
scolded someone who dressed up on Purim like the Chief Rabbi, Ha-Rav Shlomo
Goren. Rabbenu p. 130. And it is related that Maran Ha-Rav Kook said
Divrei Torah on Purim in the same style and with the same emphasis as his Rav,
the Netziv, but Rav Kook knew how to do so with respect and holiness, and also
did not imitate his voice. See Shut
She'eilat Shlomo 1:285. 4:131).
Toy
Gun for Children
Q:
It is permissible to buy a toy gun for children for Purim?
A:
It is okay. During the course of the
year, this is inappropriate culture, but it is not a problem on occasion.
Drinking
on Purim
Q:
Is a person obligated to drink on Purim if it leads to stupidity?
A:
No. The earlier Prophets only commanded
us to rejoice in a manner that will lead us to show gratitude to Hashem, and
not to behave with licentiousness and stupidity. And we do not perform a Mitzvah through a
transgression, such as missing Davening.
Biur Halachah 695 in the name of the Meiri and Chayei Adam. Nimukei Yosef and Meharsha on Megillah
7b. Piskei Teshuvot 695:4. And in such a case, one should merely
drink a bit more than he is accustomed to (The Steipler related that one time
he got drunk on Purim, and then decided to refrain from doing so again. Ashkavtei De-Rebbe Vol. 1, p. 164. See Shut She'eilat Shlomo 1:274, 286. 3:159.
4:130).
Insurance Money
Q: I received
money for my car from my insurance company based on an estimate from the
garage. The owner then gave me a
discount. Does the money left over from
the discount belong to me or to the insurance company?
A: It seems that
it belongs to the insurance company since they compensate based on the actual
payment. You should therefore inform the
insurance company and they will decide (see Shulchan Aruch and Rama, Choshen
Mishpat 183:6 and commentaries there).
Separating
Terumah from Public Tree
Q: Is one
obligated to separate Terumot and Maasarot from a tree grown on public
property?
A: If everyone
has permission to pick the fruit, it is considered ownerless and one need not
separate them. Rambam, Hilchot Terumot
2:11. If permission is only given to the
residents of that area, one is obligated to separate them.
Shidduch and
Scars
Q: If a young
woman has a scar on her body from surgery, does she need to tell a potential
Shidduch?
A: No. It is an unimportant issue (This is also the
ruling of Ha-Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv that it is only necessary if it came
from a dog bite which dug deeply into the skin.
Ketubot 75a. Shulchan Aruch, Even
Ha-Ezer 39:4. Kav Ve-Naki #524).
Shabbat Elevator
Q: Is it
permissible for anyone to use a Shabbat elevator or only one who is ill or
suffering?
A: It is
permissible for anyone. It is obviously
always good to be strict. The effect of
the weight of the rider is an unintended act and negligible. Shemirat Shabbat Ke-Hilchata (23:58-59 and in
the notes in the name of Ha-Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach).
The Holocaust
Q: It is
difficult for me to understand how Hashem allowed the Holocaust.
A: It is indeed
difficult, but it is also difficult to understand how you are asking this
question in a text message. It is too
complex for a text message. See my book
"Orot Me-Ofel".
Antidote to the
Evil Inclination
Q: "I have
created the Evil Inclination, and I have created Torah as its antidote"
(Kiddushin 30b). Learning Torah is for
men – what then is the antidote for women?
A: Modesty. The letter of the Vilna Gaon.
