Serving
in Tzahal and Torah Scholars
Q:
Is it true that it is impossible to serve in Tzahal and also blossom into a
Torah scholar?
A:
You should repent for shaming Torah scholars by asking this question. After all, many great Torah scholars served
in Tzahal, including: The Chief Rabbi Ha-Rav David Lau, Ha-Rav Tzvi Tau (Nasi
of Yeshivat Har Ha-Mor), Ha-Rav Shear Yashuv Cohen (Rav of Haifa), Ha-Rav
Shmuel Eliyahu (Rav of Tzfat), Ha-Rav Avraham Yosef (Rav of Holon) and many
others (Note: Ha-Rav Aviner also served in Tzahal – M.T.).
Child
who Talks to Doll
Q:
Our seven year old pours his heart out to his doll when he is laying in
bed. Is this a problem of idol worship?
A:
Certainly not. It is not only
permissible but good.
Humility
in Torah Learning
Q:
What should I do if the Tosafot's words do not seem logical?
A:
You need humility to realize that they are logical. It is you who is not thinking logically. When Rabbi Akiva Eiger writes on a Tosafot:
"Tzarich Iyun" - it requires investigation, he does not mean that the
Tosafot requires invetigation but rather he himself requires investigation in
order to understand their words (In his youth, Ha-Rav Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman,
who later became Rosh Yeshiva of Ponovezh, spoke in learning with Reb Chaim
Brisker. A Tosafot came up and the
Ponovezher Rav said that it was difficult to understand, and he repeated it a
few times to emphasize that the Tosafot's words were truly difficult. Reb Chaim disapproved of this expression and
said: "The Tosafot is not difficult, only your head has difficulty
understanding it." Rabban Shel Kol
Bnei Ha-Golah – Toldot Ha-Grach p. 559 note #25. And Ha-Rav Ovadiah Yosef once said to his
grandson that the abbreviation of the letters "Tzadi-Ayin" does not
mean: "Tzarich Iyun" - it requires investigation, but rather
"Tzarich Amal" – it requires toil.
Maran Shel Kol Bnei Ha-Golah p. 136).
Reusing
Water Bottles
Q:
Is it true that reusing small plastic water bottle is unhealthy?
A:
There are those who claim that bacteria from one's mouth and hands build up in
them and there is a problem with BPA. Ask
a doctor (See Wikipedia – Reusing Water Bottles).
Visiting
the Sick
Q:
I heard that one who visits a sick person but does not Daven for him does not
fulfill the Mitzvah of Bikur Cholim. Is
this correct?
A:
This is the ruling of Rama (Yoreh Deah 335:4).
But his intention is not that the person does not fulfill the Mitzvah at
all, only not in its entirety. Chafetz
Chaim in Ahavat Chesed (3:3).
Student without Tzitzit
Q: If a student in my class stubbornly refuses to wear
Tzitzit, should I wait patiently or demand that he put them on?
A: If he is negatively affecting others in this area, then
demand it, like Shammai. If he is not, then wait patiently like Hillel. Ain
Aya, Shabbat 31.
Anorexia
Q: What should be done with a young woman who is anorexic and
refuses food and treatment?
A: There is no choice, she must eat and have treatment. This is a life-threatening situation. She must therefore be hospitalized.
A: There is no choice, she must eat and have treatment. This is a life-threatening situation. She must therefore be hospitalized.
Sadness
Q:
How does one free himself from sadness?
A:
Through the intellect. By seeing things
in their proper proportion, and recognizing that the most important and joyous
thing in the world is serving Hashem.
Pele Yoetz, Erech "Atzvut".
