Ha-Rav
answers hundreds of text message questions a day. Here's a sample:
Tzedakah
Box
Q:
I have a Tzedakah box from a certain organization. I called them to pick up the money but they
no longer exist. What should I do?
A:
Give it to another Tzedakah.
Q:
I have made a few calls to another Tzedakah organization, which still exists,
asking them to come and pick up the Tzedakah but they aren't coming. What should I do?
A:
After a year, it is considered as if they forfeit the money, and you should
give the money to another Tzedakah (This is also the ruling of Ha-Rav Yitzchak
Zilberstein in Aleinu Le-Shabe'ach – Shmot, pp. 660-661).
4-Leaf
Clover
Q:
Is it true that a 4-leaf clover brings good luck?
A:
Nonsense.
Ticket
Checker
Q:
I work as a ticket checker on the bus to insure that all the passengers
paid. Is it permissible for me to wake
someone up or is it forbidden on account of "Gezel Sheina" – stealing
someone's sleep?
A:
You are obligated to wake him up.
"Gezel Sheina" is forbidden on account of "Love your
fellow as yourself", but here it is necessary (See Piskei Shlomo Vol. 3 p.
142).
Torah
Scholar with ADHD
Q:
Is it possible to be a Torah scholar even if one has ADHD?
A:
Definitely! Many, many Torah scholars
had such challenges. One needs to find a
method of learning that is appropriate for him.
Naming
a Child after the Parashah
Q:
Is it proper to name a child after the Parashah of the week in which he is
born?
A:
It is a personal decision (There is a well-known story that someone once came
to ask advice from Ha-Rav Chaim Kanievsky about naming his daughter. He wanted to name his daughter Shirah, since
it was Shabbat Shirah [Parashat Beshalach].
Ha-Rav Kanievsky said: And what if she was born on Parashat Parah [about
the Parah Adumah - the red cow]?).
Blessing
on a Talit which Falls Off
Q:
I saw in the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 8:15) that if one's Talit accidently
falls off, he must recite another blessing over it, but I don't see people
doing so. What is the Halachah?
A:
Both Sefardim and Ashkenazim do not recite another blessing since a person's
intention is to wear the Talit until the end of the Davening and his mind is
not distracted from fulfilling this Mitzvah.
Yalkut Yosef (8:3). Ha-Rav Shlomo
Zalman Auerbach brought in Shemirat Shabbat Ke-Hilchata (Chap. 1 note #69).
Sim
Shalom
Q:
I saw in some Siddurin that in the Shemoneh Esrei of Maariv one says Sim Shalom
and not Shalom Rav. Is there such an
opinion?
A:
Yes. The Arizal (brought in Mishnah Berurah 127:13).
Breaking
Plate at Tena'im
Q:
Should the plate which one breaks during the Tena'im (engagement) be whole or
can it be broken?
A:
Whole, since it is a remembrance of the destruction of the Temple. Piskei Teshuvot 560:9.
