Sacrifices
Q:
1. According to Rav Kook, will there be sacrifices when the Mashiach rebuilds
the Beit Ha-Mikdash? 2. Is it
permissible to be a vegetarian? 3. What
will a vegetarian do regarding the Korban Pesach?
A:
1. Yes. See Rambam, Hilchot Melachim
11:1. 2. It is permissible. 3. One may be a vegetarian aside from eating
a Kezayit of the Korban Pesach.
Women
and Musaf
Q:
Are women obligated to Daven Musaf on Shabbat?
A:
It is a dispute. Mishnah Berurah 106:4.
Aliens
Q:
What does the Torah say about space aliens?
A:
The Prophets did not say whether or not there are aliens. We must remember that the Torah is not
a science book. The Torah does not come to tell us if there is life on other
planets, but rather how to have a pure soul and to be a holy and righteous
person on this planet (Maharal in Netivot Olam – Netiv Ha-Torah, Netiv
14). From a scientific
perspective, by the way, there is no proof of aliens (The Satmar Rebbe – Ha-Rav
Yoel Teitelbaum – exerted with total certitude that there was no life on the
moon. If there was life on
the moon, he reasoned, the Ponevizher Rav – Ha-Rav Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman, who
was a most successful fundraiser for his yeshiva in Bnei Brak, would have gone
there collecting! Builders, by Chanoch Teller, p. 352).
Transcendental
Meditation
Q:
Is transcendental meditation permissible in order to calm stress?
A:
According to science, it does not have greater efficacy than other regular
methods of dealing with stress (See Ner Be-Ishon Laila p. 183).
Stealing from a Thief
Q: Is it permissible for me to steal from someone who stole
from me, since "one who steals from a thief is exempt"?
A: One is exempt from "Kefel" paying back double
(the punishment for stealing in
this case), but not
from the theft itself (Baba Kama 69b and Chazon Ish, Choshen Mishpat 15:6).
Postpartum Depression
Q: I wanted a baby so much before and during my pregnancy,
and now I feel that I do not love him. Taking care of him is just a burden. In
general, I do not enjoy anything. In what way did I sin?
A: You did not sin. This is postpartum depression, a known
phenomenon, which affects 10%-15% of women. Turn to a psychologist. It will
work out.
Wearing
a Kippah in France
Q:
I am traveling to France. Is it
permissible to go without a Kippah on account of fear?
A:
1. Ask the Rabbis there. 2. Wear a hat
so that you won't be identified as a Jew.
Brit
Milah in the Afternoon
Q:
Is it permissible to postpone a Brit Milah until the afternoon so that there will
be more people in attendance (Be-Rov Am)?
A:
It is preferable that it be done in the earliest part of the day because of the
principle "The diligent fulfill Mitzvot as early as possible"
(Zerizim Makdimim Le-Mitzvot). It may be delayed somewhat, however,
in order to allow close family to arrive. Aruch Ha-Shulchan, Yoreh
Deah 262:8 (The fact that Avraham Avinu performed his Brit Milah in the middle
of the day was a special case. See Torah Temimah on Bereshit 17:26
#53).
