Ha-Rav
answers hundreds of text message questions a day! Here's a sample:
Woman
and Talit
Q:
Can a woman wear a Talit?
A:
No. The Shulchan Aruch rules that it is
"Yuhara – religious arrogance" (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim
17:2). And if it is a men's Talit, there
is a problem of "Lo Yilbash" - the prohibition against cross-dressing
(Targum Yonatan on Devarim 22:5).
Q:
But Ha-Rav Moshe Feinstein writes in Shut Igrot Moshe (Orach Chaim 4:49) that
although she is not obligated a woman is permitted to fulfill the Mitzvah of
Tzitzit, with two conditions: 1. Her intention is not to rebel against Hashem
and His Torah, but for the sake of Heaven.
2. The garment is different from a male garment, to avoid the
prohibition of "Lo Yilbash".
A:
In order for this to be for the sake of Heaven and not "Yuhara", she
needs to wear the Talit in private and no one should know. And it needs to be a Talit specifically for
women (It is told that a woman once asked Ha-Rav Yosef Soloveitchik if she
could wear a Talit during davening. He
responded to her: "Since this is a major change in traditional practice,
we must proceed gradually." He
suggested that she wear a four-cornered garment without Tzitzit for three
months and then come back. She returned
after three months and said that this was the most meaningful religious
experience of her life. Ha-Rav
Soloveitchik said: "For three months, you have been wearing a garment
without any religious or halachic value, it is thus clear that your feeling
comes from a source outside of the Mitzvah", and he did not grant her
permission to wear a Talit. Rav Aryeh
Frimer and Rav Dov Frimer. Tradition
32:2).
Women and Tefillin
Q: Can a woman put on Tefillin, as did Michal bat Shaul (Eiruvin
96a. See Tosafot, Rosh Hashanah 33a d.h.
Ha Rebbe)?
A: You are not Michal bat Shaul.
In any event, it is written in the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 38:1)
that if a woman puts on Tefillin, we should protest. Furthermore, Michal bat Shaul put on Tefillin
in private and not in public in a protesting manner. Besides all of this, there
is a problem of "Lo Yilbash" - the prohibition against cross-dressing
(Targum Yonatan on Devarim 22:5). Before
we add to our Mitzvot, we must fulfill the obligations we already have. See Mesilat Yesharim (see also an interesting
comment by the Kaf Ha-Chaim [ibid. #9], that based on the Kabbalah, one may not
use Michal bat Shaul as a proof, since she had a unique soul!).
Q:
I heard that Rashi's daughters put on Tefillin?
A:
We have not seen a reliable source for this.
Nonetheless, there is a long way to go before we reach their level.
Teacher or Doctor
Q: I have the ability to be a
doctor or a teacher. I am in doubt. Which is preferable?
A: Teacher. A teacher is for the soul while a doctor is for
the body.
Tax Evader as Witness
Q: If someone evades taxes is
he invalid as a witness at a wedding?
A: No, since he deceives
himself that it is permissible. See
Tosafot to Sanhedrin 25b d.h. Me-Ikra.
But it is in fact theft. Shut
Chatam Sofer, Choshen Mishpat #175. Shut
Yechaveh Daat (4:60, 5:45. Shut Aseh
Lecha Rav 1:70. And see Nefesh Ha-Rav,
p. 269).
Woman Delivering Dvar Torah
in Shul
Q: Is it permissible for a
woman to deliver a Dvar Torah during Davening?
A: Certainly not. 1. It is forbidden for men to gaze at a woman
(Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 152:8-9). 2. It
is forbidden to change the accepted order of prayer (Shut Ha-Rashba 1:323. See Orach Mishpat #35. And Ha-Rav Moshe Feinstein forbids it even
not during Davening. Shut Igrot Moshe,
Orach Chaim 5:12. And Professor Nechama
Leibovitz strongly refused to deliver a talk in a Shul).
Teaching a Daughter a
Profession
Q: Is a father obligated to
ensure his daughter learn a profession?
A: Even regarding a son there
is no obligation, since it is not brought in the Rambam and Shulchan Aruch,
rather it is a proper and important directive.
And the same applies to a daughter.
Kiddush by a Woman
Q: Can a woman recite Kiddush
for her husband?
A: Yes. If he is sick and unable to recite it himself
(Mishnah Berurah 271:3).
Q: And if there are other men
there?
A: Certainly not. 1. It is forbidden to gaze at a woman. 2. It
is forbidden to hear a woman sing. 3. It
is forbidden to change the accepted order of prayer (see Mishnah Berurah ibid.
#4. Ha-Rav Yaakov Ariel also forbids
this and adds that doing so is in inappropriate form of social protest. Yeshivat Beit El website).
Kashrut of Toothpaste
Q: Does toothpaste require
Kosher certification?
A: No. 1. If there is
something not Kosher in it, the taste is spoiled and is within a mixture. Shut Har Tzvi Yoreh Deah #95. 2. It is not eating, but rather tasting. 3. This is not the manner of eating (It is
related that Ha-Rav Yosef Soloveitchik was once asked if toothpaste requires Kosher
certification for Pesach. He responded:
No, it is inedible even to a dog. The
person said: But I gave it to my dog and he ate it! Rav Soloveitchik said: Who are you going to
believe, me or your dog?).
