Using
a Untensil without Immersion in a Mikveh
Q:
I am a soldier. I have a new pot and am
unable to immerse it in a Mikveh. Is it
permissible to use it one time without immersion?
A:
No. It is permissible to use disposal
utensils without immersion (if they are used more than 3 times, many Poskim require
their immersion), but a permanent utensil may not be used even once without
immersion. In a pressing situation, it
is permissible to give the pot as a gift to a non-Jew and than borrow it from
him (since the utensil of a non-Jew does not require immersion). Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 120:16.
Q:
And what if there is no non-Jew?
A:
Call a military Rabbi, or the 24-hour phone line for soldiers of the Military
Rabbinate 052-941-4414. They will sell
the utensil to a non-Jew, or in a pressing situation, they will permit it based
on the opinion that it is permissible since it is not the soldier's utensil
(Kishrei Milchama of Ha-Rav Ayal Krim 3:58).
Removing
Tefillin during Kaddish
Q:
Is it permissible to remove Tefillin during Kaddish?
A:
No, since one must have proper intention when answering "Amen, Yehei
Shemei Rabbah", just as it is forbidden to remove Tefillin during the
recitation of a blessing. Mishnah
Berurah 25:56.
Blessing
on a Shul's Talit
Q:
If I used the Shul's Talit, do I recite a blessing over it?
A:
One does not recite a blessing over a borrowed Talit, but a Shul's Talit is
meant to be acquired by anyone who is in need of its use. One should therefore recite a blessing over
it. However, if one wears the Talit to
honor the community, i.e. to serve as a Shaliach Tzibur or to receive an Aliyah,
then no blessing is recited. This is the
ruling of the latter authorities - Achronim (Halichot Shlomo, chapter 3
#12. Shut Mishneh Halachot 9:234).
Chocolate
Q:
What is the blessing on chocolate?
A:
It has been decided: Shehakol (Ha-Rav Moshe Feinstein was once asked about the
blessing on chocolate, and he responded that people have the long-standing
custom to recite Shehakol, and now we must clarify why this is so, since it is
impossible for us to say that Klal Yisrael acts improperly. Reshumei Aharon of Ha-Rav Aharon Felder [who
passed away last week], p. 24. See
Ve-Zot Ha-Berachah, p. 101, for a discussion of why the blessing is not
"Borei Pri Ha-Eitz").
Tzitzit
on the Flag
Q:
If someone is wearing the flag of Israel, does he have to put Tzitzit on it?
A:
No. It is not a garment nor is it
intended to be a garment. It is a
symbol. It is therefore exempt. Biur Halachah, Orach Chaim 10:11.
Kiddush
for a Girl
Q:
If a girl's parents did not have a Kiddush for her when she was born, will it
impede her ability to find a match?
A:
No (There was once a Kiddush in shul for a 25 year-old woman, since her parents
did not have a Kiddush for her when she was born. It was said there in the name of Ha-Rav
Yaakov Yisrael Kanievski, the Steipler Gaon, that she would not otherwise find
a match. When this was related to his
son, Ha-Rav Chaim Kanievski, he said: Who made this up? Wouldn't I have heard this in my house? My father never said that we should made a
Kiddush for the birth of a girl! Derech
Sichah vol. 1 p. 33).
Witness
who Smokes
Q:
Can a person who smokes serve as a witness at a wedding? Doesn't he violate the prohibition against
safe-guarding one's life?
