Error of the Court
Q: Isn't by saying
that in the case of…. the courts of Israel erred, we damage its authority and
the authority of the State?
A: On the contrary,
criticism is the guarantor of justice.
Everyone can err, even the Sanhedrin, and there is a special sacrifice
for them to offer if it does make a mistake.
Only Christianity has as a central tenet that the Pope cannot err (the
principle of "Infallibility").
Please do not transform the courts of the State of Israel into the Pope.
Ha-Rav Shimshon
Refael Hirsch
Q: I understand that
Ha-Rav Shimshon Refael Hirsch wasn't a great Torah scholar. Is my understanding correct?
A: Incorrect. He was a great Torah scholar. "An angel of G-d" as explained by
Maran Ha-Rav Kook in Igrot Ha-Re'eiyah (1:182).
He is also the great, great grandfather of my wife…
Chazak, Chazak
Ve-Nitchazek
Q: What is the
source for saying "Chazak, Chazak Ve-Nitchazek – Be strong, be strong and
may we be strengthened" at the end of each book of the Torah during the
Torah reading?
A: The Rishonim only
mention saying "Chazak" at the end of each book. Brought in the Rama (Orach Chaim
139:11). "Chazak, Chazak
Ve-Nitchazek" appears among the Acharonim.
Aruch Ha-Shulchan (ibid. #14).
And this is the practice among the Ashkenazim and some Sefardim.
Q: Is the last word
pronounced "Nitzchazek" (with a "Tzerei") or
"Nitzchazak" (with a "Patach")?
A: Most say "Nitzchazek"
(with a "Tzerei"). And some
say "Nitzchazak" (with a "Patach") as appears in the Book
of Shmuel (2 10:10).
Q: Is there any
importance in receiving the "Chazak, Chazak Ve-Nitchazek" Aliyah?
A: Yes. It is the completion of a Mitzvah. Maran Ha-Rav Kook preferred this Aliyah over
Parashat Parah whose reading according to some is a Torah obligation.
Q: Why do we say it?
A: Yehoshua Bin Nun
was commanded "Be strong and courageous" in Torah which is one of the
four things which requires strength and encouragement. Berachot 32:2 (Yehoshua 1:8. And this is also the explanation of Ha-Rav
Yosef Soloveitchik. Nefesh Ha-Rav, p.
164. And Rav Soloveitchik adds that
perhaps this custom began because communities would read the last verse of each
Chumash aloud. The Chumash had the
abbreviation: CHaZ"aK, which meant: CHaZan and Kehilah, i.e. first the
Torah reader says it and then the community.
But perhaps people thought that they were supposed to say the word
"Chazak" and did not understand that it was an abbreviation. Mi-Peneni Ha-Rav p. 70).
Mixed Health Club
Q: Is it permissible
to exercise in a mixed health club if I am dressed appropriately? There is no separate facility where I live.
Q: No, it is a
forbidden place. Exercise alone in other
ways.
Book with
Upside-Down Binding
Q: If the binding of
a book is upside-down, should one put the book away with the binding or the
content upside-down?
A: According to the
direction of the content, with a sticker on the binding to show the correct
position.
Mixed-Dancing
Q: What should I do
if at my sister's wedding there is mixed-dancing?
A: Leaving during
that time (And Ha-Rav Ovadiah Yosef said: Flee at that time. Halichot Musar – Tziniyut p. 851).
