Ha-Rav
answers hundreds of text message questions a day! Here's a sample:
Diapers
with Color Change
Q:
Is it permissible on Shabbat to use a baby diaper with an indicator which changes
color to let the parents know when the baby's diaper is wet?
A: Yes.
It is an unintentional act. And
it is performed by a baby (see Shemirat Shabbat Ke-Hilchata
18:18 note #70).
Text
Message with Girls
Q:
Is it permissible for boys to text with girls?
A:
Certainly not. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch
152:8-10.
Two
Rabbis
Q:
Is it permissible for me to have two Rabbis, one which I turn to for certain
issues and another which I ask about other issues?
A:
Yes. In the Gemara, Abaye always followed
the opinion of Rav except for three issues in which he followed the opinion of
Shmuel.
Women
kissing the Sefer Torah
Q:
Is it permissible for the Shaliach Tzibur to carry the Torah close to the Ezrat
Nashim in order for the women to kiss the Torah?
A:
No. 1. It is immodest (Kitzur Shulchan
Aruch 152:8). 2. We do not change the
accepted order of Davening (Shut Ha-Rashba 1:323. See Shut Orach Mishpat #35).
Daughter
Inheriting
Q:
Does the Halachah still apply that a daughter does not inherit?
A:
Yes. Obviously, the sons may waive their
portion, which is certainly praiseworthy.
But, nonetheless, the daughter must be provided with sustenance which is
occasionally more money than the inheritance would be (See Rama, Even Ha-Ezer
113:2. Choshen Mishpat 281:7. And the sons of Ha-Rav Ovadiah Yosef
ztz"l signed a document which would provide their sisters with equal
inheritance from their father).
Yahrtzeit
Q:
Is there any significance when a person dies on the Yahrtzeit of a great
Tzadik?
A:
No. This always occurs, since there were
hundreds of thousands of Tzadikim, and many have died on each day of the year.
Carpet
for Cohanim
Q:
Is there a source for the custom to place a carpet under the feet of the
Cohanim during the Birkat Cohanim?
A:
No. See Piskei Teshuvot 128 note #144.
Woman
leading Kabbalat Shabbat
Q:
Is it permissible for a woman to lead Kabbalat Shabbat?
A:
G-d forbid! And it is a double
transgression since it is done in the name of the community. See the article "Le-Mikdash Me'at"
of Maran Ha-Rav Kook in Ma'amrei Ha-Re'eiyah.
Sefarim
Q:
Is it permissible to place objects on top of Sefarim?
A:
Certainly not, not even a pen (Shut Igrot Moshe, Orach Chaim 4:72).
Office
Supplies at Work
Q:
Is it permissible to use office supplies at work, such as paper, tape, pen,
etc. for personal use?
A:
It is forgiven if it is a little.
