Attacks
against Charedim
Q:
How is it that there have been attacks from all sides recently against the
Charedim? It's terrible!
A:
There is a whole well-thought out and well-funded campaign to delegitimize the
Charedim and the Rabbinate. But don't
worry, the Torah is eternal.
New
Book about Ha-Rav Elyashiv
Q:
Is it permissible to read books about Ha-Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, or is it
forbidden since they often contain disparaging remarks against Ha-Rav Shlomo
Goren?
A:
It is permissible to read them, but you should skip over those sections
(Regarding shaming Torah scholars in general, see Ma'amrei Ha-Re'eiyah p. 56).
Netilat Yadayim in the Morning
Q: What is the halachah if I wash Netilat Yadayim in the morning
in a kitchen sink full of dishes?
A: You should not do so from the outset. After the fact, wash all of the dishes three
times. Piskei Teshuvot 4:14.
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 other choice. Shut Igrot Moshe Even Ha-Ezer 1:93 (Regarding
Sefardim, the Sefardic Chief Rabbi, Ha-Rav Yitzchak Yosef, writes that a Torah
scholar testified that Ha-Rav Elazar Man Shach was once invited to perform the
wedding of one of his students, who was Sefardic. When he saw that the Chuppah was set up
outside, he asked that it be brought back into the wedding hall, in order not
to disrespect the Sefardic Minhag, which was not to have the Chuppah
outside. Ain Yitzchak Volume 3, p.
357. And regarding Ashkenazim, 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 is reserved for learning Torah and
Davening, and not other activities, even Mitzvot. Nefesh Ha-Rav, p.
257).
Ramchal
Q:
Why is the Ramchal famous for his book Mesilat Yesharim and not for all of his
other amazing books?
A:
The other books are truly amazing, but it is possible that he was essentially
sent to this world for Mesilat Yesharim.
Tzitzit
during Ball Game
Q:
Is it permissible to take off Tzitzit while playing a ball game since the
Tzitzit might tear?
A:
No. Rather tuck the Tzitzit in your
pants (And so too Shut Az Nedberu 2:55).
Rabbi's
Picture
Q:
I am a girl. Is it permissible for me to
hang up a picture of a great Rabbi in my room?
A:
Yes.
