Learning Torah with One's Grandson
Q: Is there a Mitzvah for a grandfather to learn Torah with his
grandson?
A: Yes. "And make them known to your children and your
children's children". Devarim 4:9. "If one teaches
his grandson Torah, it is considered as if he received it from
Sinai". Kiddushin 30a. And see Piskei Teshuvot 473:27 (And
Ha-Rav Yosef Soloveitchik also pointed this out at the Brit Milah of the oldest
son of his grandson, Ha-Rav Moshe Twersky HY"D, who was murdered Al
Kiddush Hashem in the terrorist attack in the Shul in Har Nof. As
related by Ha-Rav Menachem Genack).
Calling
the Minister of Education "Rabbi"
Q:
Should we call the Minister of Education "Rabbi"? After all, he is implementing all sorts of
changes against the Torah.
A:
Yes. Even if there is criticism against
him, he remains a Torah scholar (See the introduction to Alo Naale).
Shaming
Rabbis
Q:
I have a friend who does not refer to Religious-Zionist Rabbis with the title
"Rabbi". What should I do?
A:
Cease talking to him. He is a heretic
since he denigrates Torah scholars (Sanhedrin 99b).
Conversion
Performed by Ha-Rav Shlomo Goren
Q:
I heard that the conversion performed by Ha-Rav Goren (called the "Brother
and Sister") was not according to Halachah.
A:
Lies and deceit. His responsum was
published and you can learn it (After Ha-Rav Goren's ruling in this matter, a
broadside containing terrible vilifications was written against him. Our Rabbi Ha-Rav Tzvi Yehudah asked that the
responum be brought to him. He looked at
it and sent it to Ha-Rav Avraham Shapira.
He did not ask whether he agreed with it or not, but whether it was
well-built, like a serious halachic responsum.
When Ha-Rav Shapira responded in the affirmative, our Rabbi proclaimed:
"May the hands of those who perform evil be cut off." When he was asked: But aren't there great
Rabbis among those who signed the broadside?
He responded: "There are differences," i.e. not everyone
criticized in an evil way. Iturei
Yerushalayim #20.
And
Ha-Rav Yosef Eliyahu Henkin, leading Posek in America before Ha-Rav Moshe
Feinstein, never supported the ruling itself since he was blind at the time and
was unable to learn it. He was adamant, however, that it was forbidden to argue
with Ha-Rav Goren since he was a "Gadol Ha-Dor" [one of the great
Rabbis of the generation]. And he
brushed off all claims against him. When
Ha-Rav Henkin was told that some claimed that Ha-Rav Goren was in the category
of one who takes a bribe, he answered forcibly: "This is politics, not
Halachah." And although he received
much pressure from other Rabbis, he did not change his mind. Shut Bnei Banim vol. 2, p. 210).
Swallowing
a Fingernail
Q:
Is it true that according to the Gemara a woman who swallows a fingernail will
be unable to have children?
A:
No.
Tehilim
for a Shiduch
Q:
Which Tehilim is appropriate to recite to find a Shiduch?
A:
All of them are appropriate.
Holocaust
Q:
Where was Hashem during the Holocaust?
A:
One who asks such a question in a text message needs to seriously repent.
