Ha-Rav
answers hundreds of text message questions a day! Here's a sample:
Being
Drafted into Tzahal
Q:
I am a Yeshiva student. Is it worthwhile
to be drafted into Tzahal? After all,
this army does not fulfill its obligation to protect us.
A:
I don't know what your sources are that it does not fulfill its obligation to
protect us. You are obligated to ask
forgiveness for this slight against those who risk their lives for you. Regarding the question itself, ask your Rosh
Yeshiva, and also ask him if such questions should be asked in a text message.
Ultra-Orthodox
and Army
Q:
Why don't the Ultra-Orthodox join Tzahal?
A:
They err in this area. But the situation
is slowly improving. Patience.
Seeing-Eye
Dog at the Kotel
Q: Is it permissible for a blind person to bring a seeing-eye dog
to the Kotel?
A: Regarding bringing a seeing-eye dog into a Shul, it is a
dispute (Those who permit it: Shut Igrot Moshe, Orach Chaim 1:45. Lubavitcher Rebbe, Igrot 6:936. Those who forbid it: Ha-Rav Menachem Mendel
Kasher in Torah Sheleimah vol. 16, p. 147.
Shut Chelkat Yaakov 3:87. Sha’arim
Metzuyanim Ba-Halachah 13:2). It is
therefore forbidden at the Kotel (on account of its higher level of holiness).
An
Insulting Teacher
Q:
We complained about a teacher who always insults the students, and as a result,
she was fired. She will not forgive
us. What should we do?
A:
This is the general principle: The teacher for the students and not the
students for the teacher. A teacher who
insults is fired. She is the one who
must ask for forgiveness.
Kiddush
for One who Desecrates Shabbat
Q:
Is there value for one who desecrates Shabbat by working to make Kiddush either
before or after work?
A:
Certainly. Thus he will not forget it is
Shabbat and will know to where he needs to return (And Ha-Rav Yaakov Weinberg,
author of Shut Seridei Aish, related that when Ha-Rav Yisrael Salanter came to
Koenigsberg there were many who desecrated Shabbat. He told them to make Kiddush and come to Shul
so that they would know it is Shabbat, and when they didn't need to work on
Shabbat anymore they would return to observing Shabbat).
Birkat
Ha-Gomel for a Child
Q:
My baby was saved by a miracle. Should I
recite Ha-Gomel?
A:
No. Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim
219:4. Biur Halachah.
Who
Keeps the Ketubah
Q:
Who should have possession of the Ketubah?
A:
Obviously the bride – it belongs to her.
But if she trusts that her husband will not take advantage of her in the
case of a divorce, she can have him keep it.
Shut Igrot Moshe 3:26.
Wedding
in a Shul
Q:
Is it permissible to have the Chuppah in a Shul?
A:
Sefardim – yes. Shulchan Aruch, Orach
Chaim 391:3. Shut Yabia Omer Vol. 3 Even
Ha-Ezer #10. Ashkenazim – no, unless
there is no choice. Shut Igrot Moshe
Even Ha-Ezer 1:93 (Ha-Rav Moshe Stern, author of Shut Beer Moshe, was once
invited to perform a wedding. He arrived
at the wedding and when he saw that it was in a Shul, he refused to perform
it. Many complained against him. He went to ask the Satmar Rebbe if he acted
correctly, and the Satmarer fully concurred.
Shut Beer Moshe 5:167. However,
Ha-Rav Yosef Soloveitchik once came to a wedding and when he saw that it was in
a Shul, he sighed and said that if he had known he would have avoided
attending. He explained that it is not
proper to have a Chuppah in a Shul, since the holiness of the Shul only permits
for learning Torah and Davening, and not other activities, even Mitzvot. Nefesh Ha-Rav, p. 257).
